Ji Nanjue watched Li Zijun's departing figure and sighed softly. If only I were truly a man...
The light of the firewood within the Daoist Temple was dim and murky.
Su Bei gently wiped the two swords in the Sword Box, feeling a fresh current coursing through his body, and murmured to himself, "The sword needs nurturing."
The Qingping Sword had beco second nature to him, but when it ca to Missing Departure, he still fell short in terms of control.
Since ancient tis, nurous cultivators have sought immortality—the grand, everlasting life. Only cultivators who achieve minor immortality truly deserve the title of 'Immortal,' having initially 'Achieved Dao.' For sword cultivators, the sword nurtures the person, and the person nurtures the sword. Though it's not as exaggerated as becoming one with the sword, if one wishes to reach the end of a cultivator's path, they must at least nurture a Sword Spirit.
A Sword Spirit of their own.
Su Bei slowly closed his eyes. His entire Dantian Knowledge Sea opened up fully, his soul diffused out, rging with the world around him, and he saw himself seated in ditation.
His soul entwined itself around Missing Departure for a mont, then returned to his body.
Touching the sword once more, he could feel it had beco a bit more intimate than a mont before.
Seeing this, Su Bei nodded in satisfaction. He then picked up the Longsword, skewered a piece of pork on it, and roasted it over the fla. "The sword is well nurtured," he declared.
Missing Departure: "..."
Flower Bright Moon was shrouded in a dim mist.
Footsteps quietly approached from behind Su Bei, and in the flickering firelight, one could faintly make out the familiar silhouette in a swath of white gauze.
Under the moonless sky, everything seed a bit dimr.
The corners of Su Bei's mouth curled into a smile. Without looking, he wrapped his arms around the woman's waist, held her close, and laughed, "Why has Ji Baoer co back alone?"
"Tell ! Where did you leave Zi Jun?"
"..."
As he spoke... things had already begun to rapidly escalate.
Pressing down upon her, his hands trailed along her ears... following the undulating curves of her body.
Li Zijun's eyes widened in shock, her mind blank, allowing Su Bei to pull her close just like that.
Feeling his hands skillfully exploring her body, she couldn't think for a mont.
She had just taken a bath, her body still fragrant, and an intoxicating atmosphere filled the Daoist Temple.
Her complexion gradually turned rosy, though she didn't know if it was due to her embarrassing predicant or because her wrist was held tightly in his grasp.
Su Bei furrowed his brow, eventually sensing that sothing was amiss.
Ji Baoer should be softer here... besides, she didn't usually feel this inexperienced. He could also feel the woman beneath him trembling.
"Master... Master."
Li Zijun finally snapped out of her shock, pushing at Su Bei with her small hands in a fluster, nervously saying, "I'm not Sister Nan Ji... I'm Zi Jun..."
"..."
Her voice carried a hint of grievance. She turned her head away, biting her lip.
Su Bei instantly froze, leaning down to stare dumbfounded at the woman before him.
What had he done, behaving 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 hovered in midair as he swallowed hard. "Disciple, I... I didn't know it was you..."
"You're wearing my wife's clothes, and the firelight is dim..."
Li Zijun lowered her head and murmured a response, her expression hidden.
"Master... could you please get off ?"
"..."
Su Bei gave an awkward smile, then gently stood up. He touched his nose, thought for a mont, and said, "I really didn't know..."
As he spoke, he grasped her snowy wrist, attempting to pull her up.
The flickering firelight danced upon their faces, each preoccupied with their own thoughts.
For so reason, looking at Li Zijun's lustrous, jade-like face, Su Bei felt an impulsive surge, and his heart unexpectedly began to race.
Compared to Nan Ji, his actions just now had been quite bold. However, Li Zijun's response felt distinctly different.
Yet, that gentleness, mixed with an almost imperceptible distance, evoked a strange sensation within Su Bei.
Seemingly forgetting the prior awkwardness, Su Bei lifted his hand and, with two fingers, reached tentatively towards Li Zijun's face.
He hesitated but ultimately his fingers grazed her smooth cheek.
Li Zijun's delicate body trembled slightly. Her eyes, as brilliant as stars, showed a hint of struggle as she created a small gap between them, but this ti she offered no vigorous resistance. She closed her eyes, allowing Su Bei to gently stroke her beautiful face with two fingers.
Warm and smooth as jade.
Suddenly, Su Bei saw pearl-like tears escape from the corners of Li Zijun's eyes, sliding down her snow-white cheeks.
The flickering firelight reflected two tear-streaks.
Su Bei's hand paused, then gently slid to Li Zijun's rosy chin. He cupped it and turned her face towards him, gazing at her stunning features.
With two fingers, he gently wiped away her tears and said softly, "I'm sorry."
"I, your Master..."
Li Zijun's eyes t Su Bei's, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears.
She didn't know why she was crying.
Was it because of his offense?
Or because their relationship was dood from the start?
Seeing the montary bewildernt in his eyes, Li Zijun didn't know what expression to make.
Was it helplessness?
"Flowers in the mirror, the moon on the water."
Li Zijun gently lifted her head, a faint smile touching her lips as she hid the last tear in her eyes. "Disciple doesn't bla Master."
"Sister Nan Ji gave this dress. That's why Master mistook ."
"..."
Su Bei smiled sheepishly at her, suppressing the terrible thought that had just sprung into his mind.
Why were all the disciples he took on so odd? Each one seed as if they had spent long years with him, always feeling as if there was so indescribable emotion involved.
At that mont, the door opened.
Ji Nanjue, having changed into a different set of clothes, walked in. She looked around with a peculiar expression.
Barefoot, she sat down beside Su Bei and began wiping the lingering water droplets from her skin.
A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes. Usually, he would have pounced on by now. Why is he so composed today? What happened between these two while I was away? The atmosphere is so strange.
"Husband, what's wrong? You seem distracted."
Su Bei smiled at her, then embraced Ji Nanjue.
It seed that in Su Bei's arms, Ji Nanjue sensed a complex array of emotions. She tilted her head up and kissed the corner of his mouth.
She had been thinking about many things just now. She knew their path ahead was long and arduous. Life was rciless and would often make their journey together exceptionally difficult. Yet, being able to enjoy this mont of tranquility made her feel sowhat content.
Her ntality gradually began to shift.
—Not asking for every day and every night, but only to cherish having once possessed.
"It's nothing."
"It's late; we should sleep…" Su Bei touched her hair.
Ji Nanjue stood up and took Li Zijun's small, distracted hand. She carefully examined the dress Li Zijun was wearing and nodded. "Zi Jun looks quite good in this dress…"
Li Zijun's face flushed red.
Then Ji Nanjue glanced at Su Bei, pretending to be stern. "As punishnt, you'll sleep outside tonight. I'll sleep with Zi Jun in my arms."
"Is that okay with you, Zi Jun?" she asked, winking at Li Zijun.
Li Zijun was startled for a mont. She looked up at Su Bei, then back at Ji Nanjue beside her, and said with so reluctance, "That's not good, is it...? It looks like it's going to rain outside."
Su Bei knew Nan Ji was just giving him an out; she must have noticed the earlier awkwardness.
He felt a warmth in his heart and looked at Ji Nanjue. "I'll just go outside then..."
Just then, the faint sound of footsteps ca from not far away.
The unexpected noise made everyone frown. Su Bei asked with so confusion, "Could there still be travelers this late at night?"
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