All The Female Disciples Want To Kill Me-Chapter 576 576: Chapter Three Hundred and Thirty-Five_1

The dim starlight fell upon Li Zijun's face, beads of water clinging to the strands of hair on her forehead, trickling down to her collarbone.
Her wet clothes clung to her body, revealing her delicate, half-exposed figure. Her graceful arms were lightly bent, her enchanting poise fully visible.
Her delicate hands gently gathered her wet hair behind her head. The water soaked her dress, outlining her perfect figure. She looked at Ji Nanjue, somewhat shy.
The garments that were not completely removed clung tightly to her tender body, faintly revealing her flesh tone. The usually loose-fitting dress would not expose much, but now one could finally glimpse Mount Lu's true appearance.
Ji Nanjue watched her with evident surprise, then the corner of her mouth curled. With playful intent, she said, "It's no wonder teacher and disciple are cut from the same cloth... even when it comes to lying..."
"Forget it, if you want to call me Sister, then do so. Mistress sounds oddly old-fashioned."
The jade legs hidden beneath the water's surface gently stirred the water, casting out a few ripples.
Then, with her arms propping her body lightly, she stood up unadorned, the water level barely covering her upper thighs, revealing half of her slender, flat waist, without a trace of excess fat.
"Take off your clothes. You can't take a bath with them on, can you?"
Throughout the journey, the single dress that Li Zijun wore, though free from any stains, had accompanied her for who knows how long.
Li Zijun bashfully removed her dress and placed it on the bank. Then she immediately submerged herself in the pool, completely hidden.
Ji Nanjue did not tease her, simply sitting down beside her.
The air was somewhat oppressive; the time before rain always felt particularly restless.
Her small hands lightly flicked up the water, letting it shower back down. Suddenly, she spoke, "You've only seen him a few times. How can you be so sure of your feelings?"
"It's very normal for someone your age to have someone they admire, but judging by your behavior, you don't seem like an impulsive person."
"I'm very curious. Could you share your thoughts?"
She paused, feeling that her question was somewhat tricky. Ji Nanjue then added with a smile, "Of course, it's okay if you don't want to say..."
As she spoke, her eyes were on Li Zijun.
"My thoughts?"
Li Zijun gently pursed her lips without looking at Ji Nanjue, just muttering softly.
Gazing at the somewhat murky water, she pondered a moment before speaking softly, "Does liking someone necessarily require a reason?"
"Isn't it that at a certain moment, because of something that profoundly touches one's innermost feelings, that person unknowingly takes root in your heart?"
"Perhaps it's just one glance, or a single gesture."
Ji Nanjue was taken aback. Li Zijun's voice sounded somewhat dejected; despite its gentle tone, Ji Nanjue could hear a great deal of frustration within it.
She then pulled Li Zijun into a firm embrace, pressing her cheek to hers, and asked, "Love at first sight?"
In the past, I might have scoffed at this notion, dismissing it as absurd. How could a single glance confirm one's feelings, if not out of desire for the other's beauty? But now, my heart has slowly come to accept the term. The trajectories of my life and Su Bei's always seemed to merge unexpectedly. After we came back from death's door together, the emotions we shared were naturally profound. Perhaps even before that night, his shadow had already been imprinted in my heart, yet my long-sealed emotions had never acknowledged it.
"That's one way to see it."
Li Zijun gave a bitter smile. It seemed Ji Nanjue had misunderstood her.
My feelings for Su Bei were hardly as understated as I had portrayed them. They had been forged over nearly a hundred years of shared trials and understanding before I finally knew my own heart.
"Sister Nan Ji, Zi Jun is getting a bit cold..."
She hugged her arms gently, blinking at Ji Nanjue.
"I think I'll head back," Li Zijun said.
"You go on then," Ji Nanjue replied. "I... Sister will stay here alone for a while."
Ji Nanjue smiled warmly at her, though her heart was filled with mixed emotions.
After all, I am a woman. Even though I know that Su Bei and I can never be openly together, I still feel averse towards any woman who seeks to take a share of the tenderness that is mine alone. Moreover, this woman is his disciple... both morally and emotionally, it seems quite egregious. His disciple, my revered master... and I'm caught in the middle? What a tangled relationship... three generations under one roof, is it? It's all Su Dudu's fault. There is no right or wrong in matters of the heart. If blame must be assigned, it would all stem from that philanderer. If he hadn't spread his affections far and wide, how could he have created such an entanglement of emotional debts? He's the one who's enjoyed himself...
Li Zijun extended her hand and waved it in front of Ji Nanjue. Snapping back to her senses, Ji Nanjue teasingly flicked Li Zijun's dainty nose and said, "You've worn that dress for too long. If you don't mind, wear mine for now."
Her hand pointed towards the white gauze dress on the shore.
Li Zijun blinked her eyes and then gave Ji Nanjue a sweet smile.
With a soft RUSTLE, she put on the dress and headed towards the Daoist Temple.
Ji Nanjue watched Li Zijun's retreating figure and sighed softly.