Chapter 328: Chapter 222 The Disciple is Foolish, Not Knowing the True Meaning of the Master’s Words_3
"Junior Sister Mo Li also has doubts and pleads for Master’s guidance," Su Bei said.
He naturally could not comprehend the profound Sword Scripture. His heart was in turmoil, yet his expression remained calm. His mind spun wildly, considering his strategy.
Blabbering nonsense was out of the question. Even though they would regard his babble as the reverent words of ’Anz Ur Gong,’ weaving endless speculative illusions, Su Bei, being a man of high virtue, did not wish to mislead the youth!
However—seeing the pair pressuring him, he looked at the characters on Sword Four.
Oh heavens, I am guilty, he sighed inwardly.
Then, eyeing the splatters on the copybook, he gently extended his index finger and pointed at it. He happened to point right at the ink mark and then at the two disciples, with an air of profound significance, before folding his hands behind his back.
A faint voice, filled with inscrutable depth, drifted to the ears of the two disciples as he chanted, "Always together at the start, wandering through fragrant thickets. Parting comes too quick, too strong. This resentment never ends. This year’s blossoms outshine last’s, yet it’s a pity next year’s will be even better—whom to share it with."
Sword Four was named ’Whom to Share It With.’
Xiao Ruoching’s eyes fixed on the ink stain where her unintentional touch had caused the brush to fall, as if she had an epiphany.
Regarding their Master’s teachings, both disciples had their own insights. They shared and discussed them, but this inevitably turned into a stubborn debate, eventually devolving into Su Bei quoting scriptures he only half-understood.
"Junior Sister Mo Li, you started your apprenticeship a month later than I did and don’t understand the deeper meaning. Master’s intent was clearly..." Xiao Ruoching then picked up her brush and furiously scribbled a flurry of insights on the paper.
Mo Li shook her head indifferently. With her understanding of Su Bei, she knew this meaningful poetry couldn’t be as simple as Xiao Ruoching thought.
"Senior Sister Xiao Ruoching, your words are mistaken. I have studied the annotations of Cultivation Techniques since childhood. If it were my interpretation..." Mo Li snatched the brush and frantically wrote down a series of sentences.
Xiao Ruoching scoffed internally. She had lived two lives! Surely she possessed more knowledge than this girl who had barely come of age?
"Junior Sister Mo Li, you are free to cultivate according to your interpretation," Xiao Ruoching said. "My suggestion comes from a place of kindness, as Master once said he would favor you a bit. The essence of this line lies in ’yet it’s a pity next year’s will be even better,’ not what you think—’This year’s blossoms outshine last’s.’"
Although understanding Cultivation Techniques wasn’t akin to mastering literature, where there’s no single definitive interpretation, both disciples seized the rare opportunity to receive Su Bei’s teachings. Each was eager to showcase her understanding and reluctant to yield first.
"Master, is your disciple right?!" Xiao Ruoching exclaimed. She placed the brush angrily on the table, wrapped her arms around Su Bei’s arm, and glared at Mo Li. "And you don’t even discipline this sleepy disciple of yours!"
Mo Li didn’t grab Su Bei’s arm. Instead, her small foot stealthily reached out under the table, unseen by Xiao Ruoching, and began to gently rub against his thigh. Her jade-like toes were painted a cherry-red rouge. Under the sunlight, they appeared exceptionally clear, like glazed porcelain—delicate and fair.
Xiao Ruoching, naturally unaware of Mo Li’s subtle movements, flushed red. Biting her thin lips, she raised her voice, "Are you not Master’s disciple too?!"
Mo Li slammed her hand heavily onto the copybook on the table with a THUD. "Of course I am," she retorted, "unlike some who have lost sight of their place."
She then mimicked Xiao Ruoching’s tone, saying in a shrill voice, "This is a reward for Master... from his disciple." Her lips, tinged crimson, curved as she spoke, the imitation strikingly vivid.
Xiao Ruoching could barely sit still, realizing Mo Li had overheard her private conversation with Su Bei. She took a deep breath and, affecting a similar pinched voice, retorted, "Master... come and punish your disciple? Who was it that said *that*?!"
Mo Li locked gazes with Xiao Ruoching, their eyes practically sparking with dazzling fireworks.
Finally, the self-proclaimed righteous man could hardly sit still. Though he felt a secret thrill, as a highly respected Master, he should embody integrity... It seemed his hands had found an opportunity for action once more.
He then gathered himself for a moment and, with a speed rivaling the Dao Integration Realm, delivered swift strikes to both of them!
SLAP—
SLAP, SLAP—
The two disciples yelped, once again covering their rears for what felt like the umpteenth time. It seemed this was not something they would ever get used to.
Seeing their expressions, Su Bei said ’kindly,’ "Well, did Master use too much force?"
Xiao Ruoching nodded, feeling aggrieved. Her rear still stung with a swollen sensation.
Mo Li snorted coldly. She attempted to sit but immediately shot back up, a burning sensation flaring.
Su Bei declared righteously, "Don’t look at your Master with such pitiful eyes; it will break my heart. Come, let Master massage it for you. My healing techniques are the best..."
Xiao Ruoching took a step back, intending to dodge Su Bei’s demonic clutches!
"Blatant daylight debauchery!"
Clearly, Xiao Ruoching’s protest had little effect. She had felt wronged initially, but seeing Su Bei extend his ’demonic claws’ towards the silver-haired woman’s rear, she suddenly felt things were much more fair.
Comparing the two distinct types of firmness, Su Bei sighed with a tinge of regret. It seemed that after experiencing the Heart Demon Tribulation, his disposition had grown even more casual. He was aspiring to be King Zhou.
Yet, feeling that this wasn’t quite right, Su Bei allowed a sliver of guilt to suffuse his heart. He stood up and headed for the door.