All The Female Disciples Want To Kill Me-Chapter 738 - Three Hundred Ninety-Nine_2

If only I really were a man...

...

The light from the pile of firewood inside the Daoist Temple was dim and heavy.

With gentle strokes, Su Bei was polishing the two swords within the Sword Box, feeling a fresh surge of energy coursing through his body as he murmured to himself, "The sword needs nurturing."

The Qingping Sword had already become second nature to him, but when it came to the Missing Departure sword, his control was still lacking significantly.

All methods in the world may vary greatly, but they all adhere to fundamental principles. Since time immemorial, countless cultivators have sought that ultimate state of immortality.

Only those cultivators who attained lesser longevity truly deserved the title of "Immortal," having achieved their initial Dao. For Sword Cultivators, though, the sword nurtures the person, and the person nurtures the sword. Even though merging as one with the sword to that extreme may seem exaggerated, if one hopes to reach the pinnacle of cultivation, at the very least, a Sword Spirit must be nurtured.

A Sword Spirit uniquely their own.

Su Bei slowly closed his eyes, fully opening his Dantian Knowledge Sea. As his soul extended outwards, merging with the heaven and earth around him, he could perceive his own form seated in meditation.

His soul wound itself around the Missing Departure sword once, then returned to his body.

Touching the sword again, he could feel it had become a touch more intimate than just a moment before.

Witnessing 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, remarking, "The sword is well-nurtured."

Missing Departure: "..."

The Flower Bright Moon was shrouded in a light mist.

Footsteps gently made their way from behind Su Bei, the flickering firelight barely revealing a familiar swath of white gauze.

Without the moon in the vast sky, everything around was somewhat dim.

The corners of Su Bei's mouth curved into a smile. Without turning around, he easily swept the woman into his arms and said with a laugh, "Ji Baoer, why have you come back alone?"

"Tell me! Where did you leave Zi Jun?"

"..."

As he spoke, his advances escalated. He pressed down on her, his lips brushing her ear, his hands tracing the curves of her body.

Li Zijun's eyes were wide open, her mind blank, as Su Bei simply pulled her close.

Feeling his practiced hands moving over her, she couldn't think for a moment.

Having just bathed, her body was still fragrant, and an intimate atmosphere permeated the Daoist Temple.

Her cheeks gradually turned rosy, yet it was unclear whether it was due to the awkwardness of her own movements or his firm grip on her wrist.

Su Bei frowned slightly, sensing that something was amiss. Clearly, Ji Baoer's figure here should be more... developed, and she wouldn't feel this inexperienced, he mused. He could also feel the woman beneath him trembling.

"Master..."

Li Zijun finally came to her senses. Her small hands pushed against Su Bei in a fluster as she said nervously, "I'm not Sister Nan Ji... I'm Zi Jun..."

"..."

Her words carried a hint of grievance. She turned her body aside, averted her gaze, and bit her lip.

Su Bei was instantly dumbfounded, bending down to stare blankly at the woman before him.

What had he done that was worse than a beast?

The atmosphere turned awkward. Su Bei wanted to comfort her by patting her head, but feared the gesture might lead to further misunderstanding. His hand froze mid-air, and he swallowed hard before saying, "Disciple, your master didn't know it was you..."

"You're wearing your master's wife's clothes, and the light from the fire is dim..."

Li Zijun muttered a low response, her face hard to read.

"Master... could you please get off?"

"..."

Su Bei gave her an awkward smile, then gently stood up. He touched his nose and, after a moment of thought, said, "Your master truly didn't know..."

As he spoke, he grabbed her snowy wrist, trying to pull her to her feet.

The firelight waxed and waned, casting shadows on the two people, each with their own thoughts.

For some reason, as Su Bei gazed upon Li Zijun's luminous, jade-like face, an impulse rose within him, and his heart began to race.

Compared to Nan Ji, the boldness of his actions just a moment ago was undeniable, and the physical response Li Zijun evoked in him was significantly different.

Yet the soft, nearly imperceptible distance between them stirred a strange feeling in Su Bei.

As if forgetting the prior awkwardness, Su Bei raised his hand and tentatively slid two fingers across Li Zijun's face.

He hesitated for a moment, but ultimately his fingers met her smooth, jade-like cheek.

Li Zijun's delicate body shivered slightly, her intelligent eyes like stars. She created a small gap between them but, this time, did not react violently. She closed her eyes, allowing Su Bei to softly stroke her beautiful face with two fingers.

Gentle as jade.

Suddenly, Su Bei saw pearl-like teardrops sliding from the corners of Li Zijun's eyes down her snow-white cheeks.

The flickering firelight reflected two trails of tears.

Su Bei's hand paused, then gently glided to Li Zijun's tender chin, lifting it to gaze at her stunningly beautiful face.

With two fingers, he gently wiped away her tears and said softly, "I'm sorry."

"Master..."

Li Zijun looked at Su Bei, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears.

She didn't know why she was shedding tears.

Was it because of his transgression?

Or was it because their relationship was doomed to be fruitless?

Seeing the momentary bewilderment in his eyes, Li Zijun didn't know what expression to wear.

Was it helplessness?

"Flowers in the mirror, the moon in the water."

Li Zijun gently raised her head. Then, the corners of her mouth curved into a slight smile as she hid the last tear in the depths of her eyes, saying, "Your disciple doesn't blame you, Master."

"It was Sister Nan Ji who gave me this dress, so Master mistook me for someone else."

"..."

Su Bei smiled sheepishly at her and suppressed the terrifying thoughts that had briefly surged in his mind.

Why were all the disciples he took in so strange? Each one seemed as though they had spent long years with him, and there was always this feeling of some indescribable sentiment between them.

At that moment, the door opened.

Dressed in a different outfit, Ji Nanjue walked in, her expression peculiar as she surveyed the scene.

She sat down barefoot beside Su Bei, wiping the lingering water droplets from her skin.

A flicker of confusion passed through her eyes. Usually, he would pounce on me by now, she wondered. Why is he so calm today? What happened between them while I was away? The atmosphere is so strange.

"Husband, what's wrong? You seem distracted?"

Su Bei smiled at her, then pulled Ji Nanjue into his embrace.

Within Su Bei's embrace, Ji Nanjue seemed to sense a tumult of emotions. She tilted her head back and kissed him on the lips.

She had been thinking a lot just now. She knew the road ahead was long and arduous. The uncaring nature of the world would make their journey exceptionally difficult, but the tranquility she could enjoy at this moment brought her a measure of contentment.

Gradually, her mindset began to shift.

—Not asking for eternal companionship, but for having once had it.

"It's nothing."

"It's getting late. We should sleep..."

Su Bei stroked her hair.

Ji Nanjue got up and took Li Zijun's hand, who seemed lost in thought. Carefully examining the dress Li Zijun was wearing, Ji Nanjue nodded and said, "Zi Jun, this dress suits you quite well..."

Li Zijun's face flushed red.

Then Ji Nanjue glanced at Su Bei and said with feigned coldness, "As a punishment, you'll sleep outside tonight, and I'll cuddle with Zi Jun."

"How about it, Zi Jun?"

She winked at Li Zijun.

Li Zijun hesitated. She lifted her head to glance at Su Bei, then at Ji Nanjue beside her, and said with some reluctance, "This doesn't seem right... it's going to rain outside."

Su Bei naturally knew that Nan Ji was giving him a way out; she must have noticed the awkwardness just now.

His heart warmed. He looked at Ji Nanjue and said, "I'll just go outside..."

Just then, faint footsteps suddenly approached from nearby.

The unexpected sound made everyone frown. Su Bei, after a moment's hesitation, asked with some confusion, "Who could it be walking around at this late hour?"

"..."