"If only I were really a man…"
...
The light from the pile of firewood inside the Daoist Temple was dim and dull.
Su Bei gently wiped the two swords in the Sword Box, feeling a fresh stream of energy coursing through his body, he murmured, "The sword needs nurturing."
The Qingping Sword had beco second nature to him, but when it ca to Missing Departure, he still had much to improve in terms of control.
In this vast world, innurable spells and changes all follow the sa principle. What countless cultivators sought was that everlasting life.
Only those cultivators who attained minor immortality truly deserved the title "Immortal," having initially "Achieved Dao." For Sword Cultivators, nurturing the swords nurtures the person, and nurturing the person nurtures the swords. Although the fusion of person and sword wasn't as exaggerated as legends would have it, if one wished to reach the pinnacle of cultivation, at a minimum, they had to nurture a Sword Spirit—a Sword Spirit of their own.
Su Bei slowly closed his eyes, completely opening up his Dantian Knowledge Sea, his soul diffusing outwards, rging with the world around him. He then saw himself sitting cross-legged.
His soul wound around Missing Departure for a mont before returning to his body.
Touching the sword once more, he could feel it had beco more affectionate than just a mont ago.
Seeing this, Su Bei nodded in satisfaction, then picked up the Longsword, skewered a piece of pork, and began roasting it over the fire. "The sword has been well-nurtured."
Missing Departure: "..."
Flower Bright Moon was enshrouded in a light mist.
Footsteps approached gently from behind Su Bei, and in the flickering light of the fire, one could barely make out a familiar wisp of white gauze.
The sky had no moon, and everything around was sowhat dim.
A smile curved on Su Bei's lips. Without looking back, he wrapped his arms around the woman's waist and held her close, laughing, "Why has Ji Baoer co back alone? Speak! Where did you leave Zi Jun?"
"..."
In the anti... the situation began to gradually escalate.
Pressing down on her, (.) her earlobe... following the undulations of her body's curves.
Li Zijun's eyes were wide with shock, her mind blank, as Su Bei simply pulled her close.
Feeling his capable hands roaming over her body, she was unable to think for a mont.
Having just bathed, her body still carried a fragrant scent, and an enchanting atmosphere lingered within the Daoist Temple.
Her complexion gradually grew rosy, but it was unclear if it was because of the inappropriate actions or the wrist held tightly in his grip.
Su Bei furrowed his brow, gradually realizing that sothing was amiss. Ji Baoer should be more... and also wouldn't feel so inexperienced. Besides, he could feel the woman beneath him trembling.
"Master… Master."
Li Zijun finally snapped out of her shock, her small hands frantically pushing against Su Bei, nervously saying, "I'm not Sister Nan Ji... I am Zi Jun..."
"..."
Her voice carried a touch of grievance. She turned her head away, biting her lip.
Su Bei suddenly paused, leaning down to gaze at the woman before him, dumbfounded.
What had he done, sothing no better than a beast?
The atmosphere turned awkward. Su Bei wanted to comfort her by patting her head but feared the gesture might be misunderstood. His hand froze in mid-air. He swallowed, then said, "My disciple, your master didn't know it was you... You're wearing your Mistress's clothes, and the firelight was dim..."
Li Zijun mumbled a low response, her expression obscured.
"Master... could you please get off?"
"..."
Su Bei awkwardly smiled at her and then gently stood up, touching his nose. After a mont's thought, he said, "Your master truly didn't know..."
As he said this, he grabbed her slender wrist, intending to help her up.
The firelight brightened and dimd, casting its glow on the faces of the two, each preoccupied with their own thoughts.
For so reason, looking at Li Zijun's clear, jade-like face, Su Bei felt a sudden urge rising within him, and his heart unexpectedly began to race.
Compared to Nan Ji, his actions just before had been alarmingly bold. The feel of Li Zijun's body against his was distinctly different.
Yet, that mixture of tenderness with an intangible distance stirred a strange feeling in Su Bei.
Seemingly forgetting the awkwardness of just monts ago, Su Bei still lifted his hand and extended two fingers, tentatively sliding them towards Li Zijun's face.
He hesitated for a mont, but finally made contact with her smooth, jade-like cheek.
Li Zijun's delicate body trembled slightly, her bright eyes flickering like stars. She struggled to create a small gap between them but, unlike before, did not react violently. Instead, she closed her eyes, allowing Su Bei to gently caress her beautiful face with his two fingers.
Gentle as jade.
Suddenly, Su Bei saw tears like pearls sliding down from the corner of Li Zijun's eyes along her snowy cheeks.
The flickering firelight reflected two streaks of teardrops.
Su Bei's hand paused, then gently slid to Li Zijun's rosy chin, tilting it up to gaze at her exquisitely beautiful face.
With two fingers, he gently wiped away her tears and softly said, "I'm sorry. Master..."
Li Zijun looked at Su Bei, her beautiful eyes filled to the brim with tears.
She didn't know why she was crying. Was it because of his transgression? Or was it because there would never be a future between them?
Upon seeing that montary distraction in his eyes, Li Zijun didn't know what kind of expression to make.
Helplessness?
"Flowers in the mirror, the moon in water."
Li Zijun gently raised her head. Then, a faint smile touched her lips, hiding the last tear in her eyes as she said, "Disciple doesn't bla Master. The dress was given by Sister Nan Ji; that's why Master mistook for soone else."
"..."
Su Bei gave her an awkward smile, suppressing the terrible thought that had just flashed through his mind.
Why are all the disciples he has taken on so strange? Each one seed as though they had spent long years with him; there was always this indescribable emotion involved.
Just then, the door opened.
Ji Nanjue entered, dressed in different clothes, and looked around with a strange expression.
She sat down next to Su Bei, barefoot, wiping off the not-yet-dry droplets.
A hint of doubt flickered in her eyes. Normally, he would pounce on her. Why was he so composed today?
What had happened between them while she was away? The atmosphere was so strange.
"Husband, what's wrong? You seem distracted."
Su Bei gave her a smile, then hugged Ji Nanjue close.
In Su Bei's embrace, Ji Nanjue felt a complexity of emotions. She looked up and kissed the corner of Su Bei's mouth.
She had been thinking a great deal just now. She knew the road ahead would be long and arduous. The world was often cruel, making their journey together exceptionally difficult. However, being able to enjoy this mont of tranquility made her feel quite content.
Her mindset gradually underwent a slight change.
—Do not ask for everlasting companionship, only cherish that it has happened.
"It's nothing," Su Bei said, stroking her hair. "It's late; we should go to sleep..."
Ji Nanjue stood up and took the absent-minded Li Zijun by the hand, carefully examined her own dress on her, and nodded. "Zi Jun looks quite fitting in this dress..."
Li Zijun's face flushed red.
Then Ji Nanjue glanced at Su Bei and said with feigned coolness, "As punishnt, you'll sleep outside tonight, and I'll cuddle with Zi Jun. How does that sound, Zi Jun?"
She winked at Li Zijun.
Li Zijun was startled for a mont, looked up at Su Bei, then at Ji Nanjue beside her, and said with so reluctance, "That doesn't seem right... it's going to rain outside."
Su Bei knew that Nan Ji was trying to give him a way out; she must have sensed the awkwardness just now.
He felt a warmth in his heart and looked at Ji Nanjue. "I'll go outside then..."
At that mont, a faint sound of footsteps ca from not too far away.
The sudden noise made everyone frown slightly, and Su Bei said with so confusion, "Who could it be this late at night?"
"..."
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