Xiao Ruoching simply gazed at Su Bei, an indescribable lump suddenly welling up in her throat, tightening her chest.
Is he trying to cover the sky that hides the unyielding hatred in my heart?
Su Bei's palms were warm, but their heat couldn't reach the icy confines of her heart.
Why was this happening?
It felt as if something was stuck in her throat, causing discomfort.
Yet, beholding the sincerity in Su Bei's eyes—so lucid beneath the moonlight—Xiao Ruoching smiled. Her smile, however, was tinged with bitterness and fraught with emotions she couldn't convey to Su Bei.
Could I trust him once more? Once was a lifetime.
Seeing Xiao Ruoching remain silent, Su Bei reached out his hand again.
In the cold wind's caress, Xiao Ruoching's robes and dark hair danced together. Su Bei gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. This time, she did not shy away, her eyes, brimming with unspeakable tears, fixed on him.
At that moment, Su Bei thought he finally understood why she possessed a maturity far beyond other young women her age.
Gazing at the layers of mist behind Xiao Ruoching and the unfathomable abyss of the cliff below, Su Bei's heart gradually lightened.
Ever since accepting her as my disciple, I've always believed her to be the Child of Destiny. I never interfered, letting her be, adopting a hands-off approach of allowing nature to take its course. But in her heart, did all this simply seem like irresponsibility on my part? I've neglected her too many times along the way. Perhaps her abnormal behavior today was her silent indictment against me? Her actions weren't about falling in love with me, but resembled those of an ordinary child craving an adult's attention. Like a child throwing a tantrum and running away from home? Since I made this choice today, I should be a good master. Yes, within the responsibilities a master should uphold, I'll let her be and not interfere with her.
Only now, at this very moment, did he truly understand. But it probably isn't too late, right?
Su Bei smiled and patted Xiao Ruoching's head. Seeing that her eyes still betrayed a hint of bewilderment, he gently stood up under her questioning gaze.
This time, there was no brilliant light behind Su Bei, no deliberately orchestrated celestial phenomena. His long hair was still loosely gathered behind him. The white jade Sword Box slung across his waist had been replaced by the somewhat archaic Qingping Sword Sheath. His hand rested gently on the hilt, his eyes curved into a smile, and his voice was very gentle as he asked, "Would you like to be my disciple?"
This time marked a true beginning, an acceptance of a disciple without any ulterior motives. Su Bei truly saw her as his disciple now.
Xiao Ruoching stared blankly at the scene unfolding before her.
The persistent fog within her heart seemed to gradually lift, illuminated by a sliver of light. This time, she felt as if she could perceive Su Bei's true intentions.
Yet she didn't reach out her hand. Her eyes downcast, she softly responded, "Will Master never betray me?"
Her tear-filled eyes, seen through the mist, were clearly reflected in the moonlight.
Time seemed to freeze, and the atmosphere suddenly grew tranquil.
Hearing Su Bei's unhesitating reply, and looking at his tender face, his attractive eyes, Xiao Ruoching felt a sense of relief wash over her.
Then I will try to trust him once more. I will not forget this hatred, but I will no longer live solely for revenge.
The tight knot in her heart seemed to suddenly loosen.
Xiao Ruoching gracefully rose to her feet, her long gown fluttering in the cold wind, outlining her perfect silhouette. She extended her small hand, grasping Su Bei's larger one, feeling its warmth. Her crimson lips parted slightly, "I am willing."
These words held no surprise. At this moment, though both still harbored unspoken calculations in their hearts, it seemed as if everything had invisibly merged.
"Master, you once asked me what I wished to do after cultivating to become an immortal."
"I previously said it was for revenge!"
"Now, I have changed my mind."
Xiao Ruoching's lips curled into a smile, though tears continued to stream down her face. These were not tears of grievance, but rather an emotional release, as if a ray of light had pierced the darkness long buried deep within her heart.
Su Bei watched Xiao Ruoching with a smile, remaining silent, awaiting her answer.
"I cultivate to protect those I wish to protect!"
This time, she had not deceived him. If such a day truly comes in the future, I can protect my junior martial sisters! A flicker of anticipation for the future now sparked within her. Master seems different.
Beneath the faint moonlight, the surrounding wilderness was dimly lit. A hushed, rustling conversation could still be faintly heard:
"Then, do I still need to jump off the cliff?"
"As your master, I still believe there's a fortuitous encounter for you beneath this cliff!"
"I really don't want to jump!"
"No matter. Your master will accompany you."
"Ninth Uncle is still injured, isn't he? This isn't good!"
"It's fine. Your master will take Ninth Uncle and jump with you..."
Xiao Ruoching took a deep breath. Her face flushed red with anger as she looked at her shameless master, her fists clenched tightly. The harmonious atmosphere from moments before seemed to dissipate instantly with this exchange.
"Master, why are you so obsessed with this cliff-jumping?"
Su Bei, while dragging an extremely reluctant Xiao Ruoching back, looked up at the vast sky and said solemnly, "Disciple, you are still young. You do not understand your master's painstaking intentions!"
"There are some things in the Cultivation World you don't understand. As the saying goes, 'Auction houses inevitably lead to murder and treasure plundering.' Similarly, beneath this cliff, there must be an inexplicable fortuitous encounter waiting for you!" Spotanerror?VisittheoriginalpostonM&VLEMPY&R.
"Doesn't the Cultivation Technique you practice also say so? 'Grave burning, cliff jumping'?"
As he spoke, he patted the sword hanging at his waist.
"Isn't this sword the result of grave burning?"
"Sigh! One jump off this cliff is worth decades of your arduous cultivation!"
Xiao Ruoching's lips trembled for a moment, wanting to retort, but the words died in her throat.
How could I admit that this Cultivation Technique was something I completely fabricated after tearing up the original?
Her small face flushed red with anger, the frustration in her heart finding no outlet but to furiously stomp on the snow beneath her feet! She glared at a snowball, imagined it was a certain someone's head, and kicked it hard.
「Dongfeng Ancient Country, Luo City.」
The Imperial Palace under the moonlit night possessed a grim and solemn air.
The Empress sat before the Bronze Mirror at her dressing table. For a full hour, she meticulously combed her hair, applied rouge, and drew her eyebrows. She extended a jade-like hand to dab color onto her lips, then gently rose and turned a full circle before the mirror.
Today, she had specially chosen a long gown of vibrant red interspersed with gold, which perfectly outlined her figure. The hem of the gown was adorned with patterns resembling peacock feathers. With a light spin, it shimmered with brilliant colors, as if a Phoenix were spreading its wings.
Gazing at the stunningly beautiful reflection in the mirror, a smug curve touched Lin Jinyu's lips, her eyes already flickering with anticipation.
When he sees me , will he still be able to control his 'third leg'?
She draped a fiery red fox fur cloak over herself and glided towards the still-lit Imperial Study Room.
Ji Nanjue seemed to sense someone's arrival. Without lifting his gaze, he asked indifferently, "What brings the Empress here?"