The moon shone brightly in the sky, its light twinkling alongside the stars.
Holding the deeply sleeping Xiao Ruoching in his arms, Su Bei gently placed her on the only bed in the room.
Her somewhat tattered plain silk robe was casually draped over her body, her chest appearing full beneath it.
Bathed in the clear, water-like moonlight, Xiao Ruoching's bare, slender legs were as smooth and enticing as mutton-fat jade.
A pair of white, orchid-embroidered shoes poked out from the edge of the bed.
Flushed cheeks from inebriation added a touch of rosy color to her stunning face.
Her long eyelashes fluttered with her even breathing.
Seemingly realizing she was no longer in Su Bei's embrace and feeling a bit cold, Xiao Ruoching subconsciously curled up into a ball.
Yet, her tiny, delicate fist still clutched tightly onto the lapel of Su Bei's robe.
Su Bei looked over his disciple, whose brain seemed addled.
She was inexperienced, yet radiant as warm jade. Her red lips, like fine lacquer, and her rhythmic breathing gently brushed his face, tickling him.
Su Bei sighed softly, muttering to himself, "You've fallen on hard times, orphaned. Both parents gone. You truly are a pitiful soul...
"But you're also incredibly lucky to have such a dashing, highly skilled, positively enlightened, and outstanding mentor like me.
"It just goes to show, there's a divine will in the unseen..."
This disciple of mine is far too insecure.
Curiously bending down, Su Bei mischievously stroked Xiao Ruoching's head. From this angle, he had a clear view of her embroidered shoes, dangling awkwardly over the edge of the bed.
He glanced around furtively, cleared his throat, and said with mock solemnity, "How can you sleep wearing shoes? Really, who sleeps in their shoes? Don't worry, as your mentor, I'll help you take them off!"
The thatched cottage was quiet, save for the soft murmurs from Xiao Ruoching's lips as she dreamt.
Tiptoeing with an air of utmost righteousness and concern, Su Bei reached for Xiao Ruoching's embroidered shoes, intending to remove them.
After all, sleeping with shoes on must be so uncomfortable, right?
But as soon as he touched her ankle, he heard a soft moan.
"NGH..."
Then, she began to mutter softly, "Don't touch me... um, Mentor... don't touch me..."
Su Bei's expression became incredibly strange.
This disciple of his had been calling out 'Mentor' in her sleep! Who dreams about calling out for their mentor? Could it be... that the heroic image of me rescuing her has made such a huge impression on her? Yes, that must be it! I never knew I was so magnificent!
Su Bei was so moved, his eyes nearly brimmed with tears.
—This made his efforts all the more enthusiastic!
Gently, he placed her cool little feet back onto the bed.
Looking at his disciple curled up like a little kitten, Su Bei's eyes softened with rare tenderness.
He took the Crane Cloak from his shoulders and gently draped it over her. Regardless of whether she could hear him, he gently chided, "You curious little thing. Why would you drink the wine left on the table? It's a good thing you were alright after drinking such a large bottle.
"You're lucky it was just wine. If it had been poison, you'd be off to meet your parents by now, and there'd be no talk of revenge..."
Shaking his head, Su Bei's mouth twisted wryly.
He gently pried her small, clinging fist from his lapel and tucked her hand back under the Crane Cloak.
Afterward, his gaze fell upon the Sword Scripture, which Xiao Ruoching had apparently used to prop up a corner of the bed. Stepping out of the cottage, he murmured to himself, "Using this Qi Cultivation manual to prop up the bed simply won't do! Tomorrow, I must search the Sword Concealing Pavilion thoroughly.
"I need to find some fragments of a 'Supreme Wu Ji Eternal Peerless' type of manual..."
「The next morning」
Light snowflakes gently descended upon No-Sword Peak.
A somewhat chilly breeze blew through the thatched cottage atop No-Sword Peak, causing the loosely shut windows to creak and groan.
"MMM..."
A small, barely audible murmur arose softly.
Xiao Ruoching opened her eyes. Her head was throbbing, and faint, stabbing pains pulsed through it.
Her body ached all over, and her stomach grumbled noisily.
In her groggy state, she only felt a comforting warmth enveloping her.
Xiao Ruoching yawned lightly as her consciousness gradually returned. Her lovely eyes stared blankly at the black and white Crane Cloak covering her, which still radiated warmth.
She knew it all too well.
It belonged to Su Bei.
It still carried his familiar scent.
Her head was splitting.
The Crane Cloak was so warm that a light sheen of sweat had formed on her skin, mingling with the rich aroma of wine.
Her plain silk robe was tattered and hung loosely on her.
She didn't know if her drunken antics had caused this, or if...
With that thought, Xiao Ruoching hastily began to check herself over carefully.
Seeing that she was otherwise unharmed, Xiao Ruoching sighed deeply and sank back onto the bed, feeling drained.
Her eyes brimmed with emotion as she looked up at the ceiling, an indescribable sensation in her heart.
His heart is still so considerate and gentle. But, ha! It's all a gentle trap, an illusion! That man is a beast in saint's clothing! A hypocrite! A smiling tiger! A scoundrel who has deceived everyone, utter scum!
Xiao Ruoching's delicate hands gently covered her face, her headache intensifying as she recalled what had happened after she got drunk.
Why did I have to be so foolish and drink that bottle of wine? I've never tasted wine so strong and biting before. Just a tiny bit, and I was already that drunk! I pray I didn't do anything to give myself away... When drunk, you absolutely cannot let anything slip! Especially since I can't hide anything from that man! He's practically my Heart Demon.
Xiao Ruoching felt some of her strength returning and slowly climbed out of bed.
On the bedside table sat a bowl of pale-yellow honey water, still warm to the touch.
Beside it lay a neatly arranged set of clothing.
Xiao Ruoching was very familiar with that outfit.
It was the standard attire of the Sword Sect Female Disciples.
——However.
Unlike in my previous life, why does this set of clothes seem to have an extra item, something like a cross between trousers and stockings? It seems too small to be trousers, but too large for stockings!
Xiao Ruoching furrowed her brows and picked up the strange piece of clothing from the stack.
She observed it carefully.
It felt smooth to the touch, yet also had an indescribable hint of coarseness.
It was entirely black and seemed to be woven from the silk of Ice Worms.
She gave it a gentle tug. It was very taut and surprisingly elastic.
What on earth is this?
Xiao Ruoching blinked, puzzled.
From the depths of her mind, it seemed an invisible voice was whispering incessantly beside her ear:
"Put it on!"
"Put it on!"