CHAPTER 523: CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED AND EIGHT_2

If only I were really a man...

...

The glow of the pile of firewood was dim and subdued within the Daoist Temple.

Su Bei gently wiped the two swords in the Sword Box, feeling the new flow of Qi throughout his body, and murmured, "The sword needs to be nurtured."

The Qingping Sword was already second nature to him, but as for the Missing Departure, there was still much lacking in terms of control.

The myriad laws of the world, in all their variations, do not deviate from their fundamental principles. What countless cultivators have sought since ancient times is still that great prize: immortality, the everlasting life.

Only Sword Cultivators who achieve minor longevity truly deserve the title ’Immortal,’ as they have initially Achieved Dao. For Sword Cultivators, the sword nurtures the person, and the person nurtures the sword. Although there isn’t anything as exaggerated as becoming one with the sword, one must at least cultivate their own Sword Spirit if they wish to reach the end of a cultivator’s path.

Their own Sword Spirit.

Su Bei slowly closed his eyes. His entire Dantian Knowledge Sea fully opened, and his soul dispersed, merging with the heavens and earth. He then saw himself sitting cross-legged.

His soul entwined around the Missing Departure for a moment before returning to his body.

Touching the sword again, he could feel it was a bit more intimate than just a moment before.

Seeing this, Su Bei nodded in satisfaction, then picked up the Longsword, skewered a piece of pork, and roasted it over the fire, "The sword is well-nurtured."

Missing Departure: "..."

Flowers cast bright hues under a dim moon, all veiled in a light mist.

Footsteps approached gently from behind Su Bei, and in the flickering firelight, a familiar wisp of white gauze could vaguely be seen.

Without the moon, everything around was somewhat dim.

A smile curved at the corner of Su Bei’s mouth. Without looking, he wrapped his arms around the woman’s waist and laughed, "Ji Baoer, why have you come back alone?"

"Speak! Where did you leave Zi Jun?"

No answer came. As he spoke, his hands began to steadily explore upwards. Pressing down on her, his touch traced her ear, following the curves of her body.

Li Zijun’s eyes were wide with shock, her mind blank, as Su Bei pulled her towards him without resistance.

Feeling his hands move adeptly over her body, she was momentarily unable to think.

Having just bathed, the scent on her body lingered, and a seductive atmosphere enveloped the Daoist Temple.

Her complexion gradually grew flushed. It was uncertain whether this was from the awkwardness of her position or because of the wrist held firmly in his grasp.

Su Bei frowned slightly, also beginning to notice that something was amiss.

Clearly, Ji Baoer’s figure in this area should be more... ample... and she wouldn’t feel so inexperienced. Moreover, the woman beneath him seemed to be trembling.

"Master... Master."

Li Zijun finally recovered from her shock, her small hands pushing against Su Bei in a panic as she said nervously, "I’m not Sister Nan Ji... I’m Zi Jun..." Her voice trailed off, tinged with grievance, as she turned away and bit her lip.

Su Bei was taken aback for a moment, then leaned down to look at the woman before him in a daze.

What beastly act had he just committed?

The atmosphere turned awkward. Su Bei wanted to comfort her by patting her head but was afraid the action might be misunderstood. His hand froze mid-air as he swallowed. "Disciple, your Master didn’t know it was you..."

"You were wearing your Master’s wife’s clothes, and the firelight was dim..."

Li Zijun muttered an indistinct acknowledgment, her facial expression hidden.

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

A moment of awkwardness passed. Su Bei then gave her an embarrassed smile, gently stood up, touched his nose, and after a moment said, "Your Master really didn’t know..."

Saying this, he grabbed her delicate wrist, intending to pull her to her feet.

The flickering firelight fell upon the faces of the two, each burdened with their own thoughts.

For some reason, as Su Bei looked at Li Zijun’s crystal-clear complexion, he felt an impulsive urge, and his heart began to beat faster.

Compared to Nan Ji, the extent of his actions just now had been quite significant. The sensations Li Zijun evoked in him were evidently far different.

But her gentleness, coupled with a faint, almost imperceptible distance, ignited a strange feeling in Su Bei.

Seemingly forgetting the prior awkwardness, Su Bei still lifted his hand, extending two fingers tentatively towards Li Zijun’s face.

After a moment’s hesitation, his fingertips finally touched her smooth, jade-like cheek.

Li Zijun’s delicate body trembled slightly, her intelligent eyes like stars. She struggled slightly, creating a small gap between them. This time, however, she didn’t react violently but closed her eyes, allowing Su Bei to gently caress her beautiful face with his two fingers.

As warm and smooth as jade.

Suddenly, Su Bei saw, from the corner of Li Zijun’s eyes, teardrops like pearls rolling down her snow-white cheeks.

The flickering firelight reflected the glistening trails of her tears.

Su Bei’s hand paused, then gently slid to Li Zijun’s tender chin, lifting it to gaze at her stunning face.

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

"As your Master..."

Li Zijun’s eyes looked at Su Bei, filled with tears.

She didn’t know why she was crying. Was it because of his offense? Or because there would never be an outcome between them? Seeing that momentary daze in his eyes, Li Zijun didn’t know what kind of expression to make. Was it helplessness?

"Flowers in the mirror, moon on water."

Li Zijun gently lifted her head, and then a smile curved her lips, hiding the last tear in her eyes, "Disciple doesn’t blame Master."

"Sister Nan Ji gave me the dress; that’s why Master mistook me for her."

Su Bei could only offer a sheepish smile in response, suppressing the terrible thought that had just sprung to his mind.

Why were all the disciples he took on so strange? Each one seemed as if they had shared long years with him; there was always this sense of some inexplicable emotion involved.

Just then, the door opened.

Ji Nanjue, clad in different attire, walked in, her expression strange as she surveyed the scene before her.

Barefoot, she sat down beside Su Bei and began to wipe the lingering water droplets from her skin.

A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes. Normally, he would have pounced on her. Why was he so calm today? What had happened between the two of them during her absence? The atmosphere was so peculiar.

"Husband, what’s wrong? You seem distracted," she asked.

Su Bei smiled at her and then held Ji Nanjue’s body in his arms.

In Su Bei’s embrace, Ji Nanjue felt a complex mixture of emotions. She tilted her head up and kissed his lips lightly.

She had been thinking a great deal just now. She knew the road ahead was long and arduous, that the world was heartless, and it would always make their journey together extraordinarily difficult. Yet, being able to enjoy this moment of tranquility brought her a profound sense of satisfaction.

Her attitude gradually began to shift. Not to seek eternal companionship, but to cherish having once possessed it.

"It’s nothing," he said.

"It’s late," Su Bei caressed her hair. "We should get some sleep..."

Ji Nanjue stood up and took the distracted Li Zijun’s small hand. She carefully examined the dress Li Zijun was wearing—her own dress—and nodded, "Zi Jun, this dress looks quite good on you..."

Li Zijun’s face flushed.

Then Ji Nanjue glanced at Su Bei and said coolly, "As your punishment, you’ll sleep outside tonight. I’ll sleep with Zi Jun."

"Alright, Zi Jun?"

She winked at Li Zijun.

Li Zijun was taken aback for a moment. She looked up at Su Bei, then at Ji Nanjue beside her, saying with some reluctance, "That doesn’t seem right... Besides, it looks like it’s going to rain outside."

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

A warmth spread through his heart. He looked at Ji Nanjue. "Then I’ll sleep outside..."

Just at that moment, a faint sound of footsteps came from not too far away...

The sudden noise made everyone’s brows furrow. Su Bei said with some confusion, "Who could it be, walking around so late at night?"

"..."