CHAPTER 488: CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND NINETY_2

If only I were really a man...

「...」

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

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 needs nurturing."

The Qingping Sword had already become second nature to him, but he still lacked significant control over the Missing Departure.

The myriad methods of the world, though ever-changing, do not deviate from their fundamental principles. Since ancient times, countless cultivators have sought the grand immortality that grants freedom from death.

Only a cultivator who achieved lesser immortality truly deserved the title ’Immortal,’ having taken the initial step of Achieving Dao. For Sword Cultivators, swords nurture people, and people nurture swords. While not as exaggerated as merging into one with the sword, anyone aspiring to reach the pinnacle of cultivation had to, at the very least, nurture a Sword Spirit—a Sword Spirit of their own.

Su Bei slowly closed his eyes. His entire Dantian Knowledge Sea fully opened, his soul dispersing and blending with the surrounding heaven and earth, allowing him to perceive himself sitting cross-legged.

His soul twined once around the Missing Departure before returning to his body.

Touching the sword again, he could feel it had become slightly more affectionate than a moment before.

Witnessing this, Su Bei nodded in satisfaction. He then picked up the Longsword, skewered a piece of pork with it, and began roasting it over the fire.

"The sword is well-nurtured."

Missing Departure: "..."

Flowers glowed under a dim moon, shrouded in a light mist.

Footsteps gently approached from behind Su Bei. In the flickering firelight, a familiar strand of white silk could be vaguely seen.

With no moon in the sky, everything around was dim.

A smile touched Su Bei’s lips. Without looking, he wrapped his arms around the woman’s waist, holding her close, 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 large hand began to slowly climb towards her chest.

He pressed against her, his touch tracing her earlobes... following the curves of her body.

Li Zijun’s eyes were wide, her mind blank, as Su Bei pulled her over so easily.

Feeling his practiced hands exploring her body, she was momentarily incapable of thought.

Having just bathed, she was still fragrant, an intimate atmosphere enveloping the Daoist Temple.

Her complexion gradually reddened, though it was unclear if it was due to the compromising position or the wrist held tightly in his hand.

Su Bei frowned, slowly realizing something was amiss.

Ji Baoer’s figure should be fuller... and she never felt this... delicate. He could also feel the woman beneath him trembling.

"Mas... Master."

Li Zijun finally snapped out of her shock. Her small hands frantically tried to push Su Bei away as she said nervously, "I’m not Sister Nan Ji... It’s me, Zi Jun..."

"..."

Her words carried a hint of grievance as she turned away, biting her lip.

Su Bei froze, leaning over to stare dumbfounded at the woman before him.

What beastly thing have I done?

The atmosphere turned awkward. Su Bei wanted to comfort her by patting her head but, fearing the gesture would be misinterpreted, his hand froze in midair. He swallowed hard.

"Disciple, I... I didn’t know it was you..." he stammered. "You’re wearing your master’s wife’s clothes, and the firelight is so dim..."

Li Zijun mumbled a low reply, her expression hidden in the shadows.

"Master... could you please let me up?"

"..."

Su Bei gave her an awkward smile, then gently stood up and touched his nose. After a moment’s thought, he said, "I truly didn’t know..."

As he spoke, he reached for her pale wrist, trying to help her up.

The firelight flickered, casting its shifting glow upon their faces as they were each lost in thought.

For some reason, as Su Bei looked at Li Zijun’s jade-like, luminous face, an impulse welled up inside him, and his heart unexpectedly began to race.

Compared to Nan Ji, his recent actions had been undeniably bold. Yet, the sensation Li Zijun evoked in him was vastly different.

Her gentle yet subtly distant demeanor stirred something peculiar within him.

Seemingly forgetting the previous awkwardness, Su Bei raised his hand again, tentatively extending two fingers towards Li Zijun’s face.

He paused, then his fingers made contact with her smooth, jade-like cheek.

Li Zijun’s delicate body trembled lightly. Her star-like, intelligent eyes fluttered open slightly, but this time she did not react violently. She closed them again, allowing Su Bei to gently caress her beautiful face with his fingers.

As smooth and soothing as jade.

Suddenly, Su Bei saw pearl-like tears slipping from the corners of Li Zijun’s eyes, tracing paths down her pale cheeks.

The flickering firelight reflected these tear trails.

Su Bei’s hand paused, then gently slid to Li Zijun’s delicate chin, tilting her face up to gaze at her breathtaking beauty.

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

"Master..." Li Zijun whispered, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears as she looked at him.

She didn’t know why she was crying. Was it because of his transgression? Or because their relationship was doomed from the start? Seeing the momentary lapse in his gaze, she didn’t know what expression to wear. Helplessness?

"Flowers in the mirror, moon on the water," Li Zijun murmured, gently lifting her head. A smile touched her lips as she concealed the last tear in her eye. "I don’t blame you, Master. Sister Nan Ji gave me the skirt; that’s why you mistook me."

"..."

Su Bei offered an awkward smile, suppressing the disturbing thoughts that had just surged within him.

Why are all my disciples so strange? Each one feels as if we’ve shared countless years together, evoking an indescribable, unspoken emotion between us.

Just then, the door opened.

Ji Nanjue, having changed into fresh clothes, walked in, her gaze sweeping curiously around the room.

She sat down beside Su Bei, her feet bare, and began dabbing at lingering water droplets on her skin.

A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes. Normally, he’d pounce on me. Why is he so subdued today? What happened between them while I was gone? The atmosphere is so strange.

"Husband, what’s wrong? You seem preoccupied," Ji Nanjue asked.

Su Bei smiled and pulled her into his arms.

In his embrace, Ji Nanjue sensed a whirlwind of complex emotions from him. She tilted her head up and kissed the corner of his mouth.

She had been thinking a lot just now. She knew the road ahead was long and arduous; the world was heartless, and their journey together would be exceptionally difficult. But this fleeting moment of peace filled her with contentment. Her mindset was gradually changing. Not longing for an eternity together, but grateful for the moments they had shared.

"It’s nothing," Su Bei murmured, stroking her hair. "It’s late; we should get some sleep..."

Ji Nanjue stood up and took the absent-minded Li Zijun by the hand. She examined her own dress, now worn by Li Zijun, and nodded. "Zi Jun, you look quite good in this dress..."

Li Zijun’s face turned crimson.

Ji Nanjue glanced at Su Bei and said with feigned coldness, "As punishment, you’ll sleep outside tonight. I’ll sleep with Zi Jun. How about that, Zi Jun?"

She winked at Li Zijun.

Li Zijun started, looking from Su Bei to Ji Nanjue beside her. "That doesn’t seem right..." she said, unable to bear the thought. "It looks like it’s going to rain outside too."

Su Bei knew Nan Ji was just giving him an out; she must have noticed the earlier awkwardness.

A warmth spread through his heart. He looked at Ji Nanjue and said, "I’ll go outside then..."

Just then, the faint sound of footsteps approached from nearby.

The sudden noise made everyone frown. Su Bei asked in confusion, "Travelers, at this hour?"

"..."