All The Female Disciples Want To Kill Me-Chapter 563 - Three Hundred and Twenty-Eight_2

Chapter 563: Chapter Three Hundred and Twenty-Eight_2
"If only I were really a man..."
「...」
Inside the Daoist Temple, the light from a pile of firewood was dim. Su Bei gently wiped the two swords in the Sword Box, feeling a fresh flow of qi within his body coursing through him. He murmured to himself, "The sword needs nurturing."
The Qingping Sword was already an extension of his will, but his control over the Missing Departure still left much to be desired.
Though the myriad techniques of the world were ever-changing, they all stemmed from the same fundamental principles. What countless cultivators had sought since ancient times was still that great longevity which granted true immortality.
Cultivators who achieved minor longevity truly deserved the title of "Immortal," having initially "Achieved Dao." For Sword Cultivators, the sword nurtured the person, and the person nurtured the sword. While not as exaggerated as a complete human-sword union, one had to at least nurture a Sword Spirit—their very own Sword Spirit—to reach the apex of cultivation.
Su Bei slowly closed his eyes, his Dantian Knowledge Sea fully open. His soul seeped out, merging with the surrounding heaven and earth, and in this state, he perceived himself seated in meditation. His soul coiled around the Missing Departure once before returning to his body. Touching the sword again, he felt it had grown a fraction more intimate than a moment before.
Seeing this, Su Bei nodded in satisfaction. He then picked up the Longsword, skewered a piece of pork onto it, and began roasting it over the fire. "The sword is well-nurtured."
*The Missing Departure offered no response.*
「Bright flowers, a dim moon, all veiled in light mist.」
Soft footsteps approached from behind Su Bei. In the flickering firelight, a familiar wisp of white gauze could faintly be seen. The sky was moonless, and everything around seemed somewhat dim.
A smile touched the corners of Su Bei’s lips. Without looking, he swept the woman into his arms by the waist, laughing, "Why has Ji Baoer come back alone? Tell me! Where did you leave Zi Jun?"
The woman didn’t answer.
As he spoke... his touch began to climb. Pressing down on her, he explored her ear... his hand moving with the curves of her body.
Li Zijun’s eyes widened, her mind a blank slate as Su Bei pulled her closer. Feeling his large hands expertly exploring her body, she was unable to think for a moment.
Having just bathed, her body still carried a fragrant scent, an alluring ambiance pervading the Daoist Temple. Her face gradually flushed, though whether from the awkwardness of her position or from his tight grip on her wrist, she couldn’t tell.
Su Bei frowned slightly, beginning to sense something was amiss.
Clearly, Ji Baoer’s figure in this area should be more ample... and she wouldn’t feel so inexperienced.
He could even feel the woman beneath him trembling.
"Mas... Master." Finally recovering from her shock, Li Zijun pushed at Su Bei with trembling hands, her voice nervous. "I’m not Sister Nan Ji... I’m Zi Jun..."
Su Bei was speechless. His voice tinged with grievance, she turned her head away, biting her lip.
Su Bei froze, leaning down to stare dumbfoundedly at the woman before him.
Had he done something utterly beastly?
The atmosphere turned awkward. Su Bei wanted to pat her head comfortingly but feared the gesture would be misinterpreted. His hand froze mid-air as he swallowed hard. "Disciple, I... I 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 reply, her head bowed, her expression hidden. "Master... can you please get off first?"
Su Bei hesitated, then offered an awkward smile and gently rose. He touched his nose, then tried to explain, "I truly didn’t know..." As he spoke, he grasped her snowy wrist, intending to help her up.
The flickering firelight danced on their faces, each lost in their own thoughts.
For some reason, as Su Bei gazed at Li Zijun’s crystalline, jade-like face, a sudden impulse surged within him, and his heart began to race. Compared to Nan Ji, his actions just now had hardly been restrained. Yet, the way Li Zijun felt beneath his touch was vastly different. That gentle softness, coupled with an almost imperceptible distance, stirred a peculiar sensation in him.
Seemingly forgetting the prior awkwardness, Su Bei raised his hand again, tentatively extending two fingers toward Li Zijun’s face. He paused for a moment before finally touching her smooth, jade-like cheek.
Li Zijun’s delicate body shivered slightly. Her intelligent eyes, like stars, showed a hint of struggle as she created a small space between them. This time, however, she didn’t react strongly. She closed her eyes, allowing Su Bei to gently stroke her beautiful face with his 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 wavering firelight illuminated two glistening tear tracks.
Su Bei’s hand stilled. He then gently slid his fingers to her delicate chin, tilting her face up to gaze into her exquisite features. With two fingers, he softly wiped away her tears. "I’m sorry," he said softly. "Master..."
Li Zijun looked at Su Bei, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears. She didn’t know why she was crying. Was it because of his transgression? Or because their relationship was doomed to have no resolution? Seeing the momentary bewilderment in his eyes, Li Zijun didn’t know what expression to wear. Was it helplessness?
"Flowers in a mirror, the moon in water," Li Zijun said, gently lifting her head. A faint smile touched her lips as she concealed the last tear in the depths of her eyes. "Your disciple doesn’t blame you, Master. Sister Nan Ji gave me this dress; that’s why you mistook me for someone else."
Su Bei gave her a sheepish smile, forcefully suppressing the terrible thoughts that had briefly surged within him.
Why were all the disciples he took in so strange? Each one felt as if they had shared countless years with him, an inexplicable, unspoken affection always lingering between them.
Just then, the door opened.
Ji Nanjue entered, having changed into another set of clothes. She surveyed the scene with a curious expression. Barefoot, she sat down beside Su Bei, wiping away lingering droplets of water from her skin. A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes.
Usually, he would have pounced on me by now. Why is he so calm today? What happened between them while I was gone? The atmosphere is so odd.
"Husband, what’s wrong? You seem distracted," she asked.
Su Bei smiled at her and pulled Ji Nanjue into an embrace. Within his arms, Ji Nanjue sensed a whirlwind of complex emotions. She tilted her head and kissed the corner of his mouth.
She had been thinking a great deal just now. She knew the path ahead was long and arduous. The world was indifferent, and their journey together would undoubtedly be fraught with hardship. Yet, this brief moment of tranquility filled her with a profound sense of contentment. Her perspective had gradually begun to shift.
She didn’t seek to be with him every moment of every day, but cherished the moments they had shared.
"It’s nothing," Su Bei said, stroking her hair. "It’s late. We should get some sleep..."
Ji Nanjue rose and took the distracted Li Zijun’s small hand. She carefully examined the dress Li Zijun was wearing and nodded. "Zi Jun, this dress looks quite fitting on you..."
Li Zijun’s face turned crimson.
Then Ji Nanjue glanced at Su Bei, her tone feigning coolness. "To punish you, you’ll sleep outside tonight. I’ll sleep with Zi Jun. How about it, Zi Jun?" She winked at Li Zijun.
Li Zijun started, looking up at Su Bei, then at Ji Nanjue beside her. She said with some reluctance, "That’s not right... It looks like it’s going to rain outside."
Su Bei knew Nan Ji was giving him an out; she must have sensed the earlier awkwardness. A warmth spread through his heart. He looked at Ji Nanjue. "I’ll go outside then..."
At that very moment, the faint sound of footsteps came from nearby.
The sudden noise made all three of them frown. Su Bei voiced his confusion, "Who would be walking around this late at night?"
His question hung in the air.