All The Female Disciples Want To Kill Me-Chapter 494 - Two Hundred and Ninety-three_2

Chapter 494: Chapter Two Hundred and Ninety-three_2
If only I were really a man...
The light from the pile of firewood in the Daoist Temple was dim and heavy.
Su Bei gently wiped the two swords in the Sword Box, feeling a completely new energy coursing through his body, and murmured to himself, "The sword must be nourished."
To him, the Qingping Sword had already become like second nature, but when it came to the Missing Departure, there was still much to be desired in terms of control.
In this world, the myriad methods and changes all adhere to their origins. Since ancient times, countless cultivators have sought that grand longevity that defies death. Only cultivators who achieved minor longevity truly deserved the title of "Immortal," having taken the initial steps in "Achieving Dao." For Sword Cultivators, the sword nurtured the person, and the person nurtured the sword. While not as exaggerated as a fusion of man and sword, aspiring to reach the pinnacle of cultivation required nurturing a Sword Spirit at the very least. A Sword Spirit of one’s own.
Su Bei slowly closed his eyes. His Dantian Knowledge Sea opened completely, allowing his soul to disperse and merge with the surrounding heavens and earth. It was then that he saw himself sitting cross-legged.
His soul wrapped around the Missing Departure for a moment before returning to himself.
Touching the sword again, he could feel it was a bit more intimate than a moment ago.
Seeing this, Su Bei nodded with satisfaction. He then picked up the Longsword, skewered a piece of pork on it, and began roasting it over the fire, "The sword has been well nourished."
...
Missing Departure thought.
The Flower Bright Moon shrouded in light mist.
Footsteps softly approached from behind Su Bei, and in the flickering firelight, a familiar wisp of white gauze could just be made out.
The sky was moonless, and everything around was somewhat dim.
The corners of Su Bei’s mouth curled into a smile. Without looking, he suddenly embraced the woman at his waist, laughing as he spoke, "Ji Baoer, why have you returned alone? Speak! Where did you leave Zi Jun?"
In the midst of speaking... his tone began to rise slightly. Pressing down upon her, his finger traced her earlobe... moving with the contours of her body.
Li Zijun’s eyes widened in shock, her mind blank, as she let Su Bei pull her over. Feeling his experienced hands on her body, she was unable to think for the moment.
Having just bathed, she still carried a fragrant scent, and an amorous atmosphere lingered within the Daoist Temple. Her complexion gradually began to flush, though whether from her own embarrassing movements or because his hand gripped her wrist, she couldn’t tell.
Su Bei frowned slightly, also gradually beginning to realize something was amiss.
Surely, Ji Baoer’s form should be more... ripe, and not this tender. He could even sense the woman beneath him trembling.
"Mas... Master."
Li Zijun finally recovered from her shock, her little hands frantically pushing at Su Bei, nervously saying, "I’m not Sister Nan Ji... I’m Zi Jun ah..."
Her voice carried a hint of grievance. She turned her head aside, biting her lip.
Su Bei was momentarily stunned, looking down dumbly at the girl before him.
What beastly thing had he done?
The atmosphere grew awkward. Su Bei wanted to comfort her by stroking her head, but feared the gesture would be misunderstood. His hand froze in midair, and he swallowed hard, "Disciple, your master didn’t know it was you... You’re wearing your master’s wife’s clothes and the firelight is dim..."
Li Zijun mumbled a low response, her expression unclear.
"Master... could you please get off first."
Su Bei offered her an awkward smile, then gently stood up. He touched his nose and tentatively said, "Truly, your master had no idea..."
As he spoke, he grabbed her snowy wrist, intending to pull her up.
The fire flickered, casting light on the conflicted faces of both.
For some reason, gazing at Li Zijun’s crystal-clear visage, a surge of impulse welled up in Su Bei’s heart, and his pulse began to quicken inexplicably. Compared to Nan Ji, his actions towards Li Zijun just now had been far from restrained. The sensations Li Zijun gave him were vastly different. But that tender yet somehow distant aloofness stirred in Su Bei an odd feeling.
As if he had forgotten the prior awkwardness, Su Bei still lifted his hand, extending two fingers hesitantly toward Li Zijun’s cheek. He hesitated for a moment but eventually his fingers touched her smooth, jade-like cheek.
Li Zijun’s delicate body trembled slightly. Her bright, star-like eyes widened as she struggled, creating a small gap between them. Yet this time, she didn’t react violently. Instead, she closed her eyes, allowing Su Bei to gently caress her beautiful cheek with two fingers.
Gentle as jade.
Suddenly, Su Bei saw a pearl-like teardrop escape the corner of Li Zijun’s eye and slide down her snowy cheek.
The flickering firelight reflected two streaks of tears.
Su Bei’s hand paused, then gently slid to Li Zijun’s tender chin, lifting it to turn her face towards him. He gazed at her exquisite countenance.
Two fingers gently wiped away her tears as he whispered softly, "I’m sorry. I, your master..."
Li Zijun gazed at Su Bei, her beautiful eyes filled with tears.
She didn’t know what these tears were for. Was it because of his offense? Or because there was no possible future for them? Seeing the momentary daze in his eyes, Li Zijun didn’t know what expression to make. Was it resignation?
Li Zijun gently raised her head, a smile curving her lips as she hid the last tear in her eye. "Flowers in the mirror, the moon in the water," she said softly. "Your disciple does not blame you, Master. The dress was given by Sister Nan Ji; that’s why Master mistook me for someone else."
Su Bei gave her an awkward smile and suppressed the terrible thoughts that had surged in him just moments ago.
Why were all his disciples so peculiar? Each one seemed as though they had shared long years with him; there was an indefinable emotion woven into their connection.
Just then, the door opened.
Ji Nanjue, dressed in different clothes, walked in, then looked around with a puzzled expression. With bare feet, she sat down next to Su Bei, wiping off the water droplets that still hadn’t dried.
A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes. Normally, he would have thrown himself at her, so why was he so calm today? What had happened between them while she was away? The atmosphere was so strange.
"Darling, what’s the matter? You seem distracted?"
Su Bei smiled at her, then held Ji Nanjue in his arms.
In Su Bei’s embrace, Ji Nanjue seemed to sense a myriad of complex emotions from him. She looked up and kissed the corner of his mouth. She had been thinking of many things just now. She knew the road ahead would be long and arduous, that the world was unfeeling and would make their journey exceptionally difficult. Yet, being able to enjoy this moment of peace filled her with contentment.
Slowly, her mindset began to shift.
Not to ask for everlasting companionship, but to be grateful for having once possessed it.
"It’s nothing," Su Bei said, stroking her hair. "It’s late; we should get some sleep..."
Ji Nanjue stood up and took the distracted Li Zijun’s hand, carefully examined the dress, and nodded, "Zi Jun looks quite fitting in this dress..."
Li Zijun’s face flushed bright red.
Then Ji Nanjue glanced at Su Bei and said with feigned coldness, "As punishment, you’ll sleep outside tonight. I’ll hold Zi Jun and sleep. Alright, Zi Jun?"
She winked at Li Zijun.
Li Zijun paused for a moment, glanced at Su Bei, then at Ji Nanjue beside her, and said with some reluctance, "That doesn’t seem right... it’s about to rain outside."
Su Bei knew Nan Ji was 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..."
At that moment, a faint sound of footsteps suddenly approached from not too far away.
The unexpected noise furrowed everyone’s brows in an instant, and Su Bei said with some puzzlement, "Who would be out walking at this late hour?"