Chapter 349: Chapter 229: The Final Battle on the Ascension Platform, The Decisive Battle Against Tong Xiu!_1
Su Bei’s complexion looked somewhat pale as he gazed at Dan Wulan, equally pallid, their eyes locked in a wide-eyed stare. Finally, under his gaze, Dan Wulan seemed unsure what expression to wear. She took a deep breath, her silver teeth clenched on her thin lips, and said, "Get up and move around a bit..."
"Oh," Su Bei replied simply.
Dan Wulan was speechless.
Putting everything else out of his mind, Su Bei softly consoled, "Junior Sister, try to relax..."
"What did you call me?" Dan Wulan retorted.
"...Wulan, try to relax..." Su Bei corrected himself.
RUSTLE, RUSTLE—
The night was nearly at the break of dawn.
Su Bei’s three worrywart disciples were anxious. Their master hadn’t returned since leaving earlier in the day. Usually, even at night, he would certainly appear in their courtyard. Could something unexpected have happened to their master? But Wu City is absolutely safe, and our master’s strength is an enigma. How could anything go wrong? As the night deepened, it also wasn’t proper to ask the Sword Sect Disciples about their master’s whereabouts. They were extremely anxious, like ants on a hot pan, not knowing what to do.
Just then, a sudden knock came from the door.
Sword Maiden’s small face lifted, her eyes brightening as she hurried toward the courtyard entrance.
CREAK—
The door opened.
Xiao Ruoching’s gaze fell upon the errant cowlick of the person entering. Before she could even ask, she heard the visitor speak, "Is Fifth Senior Brother here?"
"Is your Ninth Uncle here?"
As she spoke, her eyes darted around, filled with concern.
The three female disciples shook their heads, their faces also etched with worry.
"Master hasn’t returned since he left during the day," one of them said.
Dan Wuque was silent for a moment.
Dan Wuque furrowed her brow lightly, her large eyes blinking as she murmured to herself, I hope nothing has happened... Why do I feel so anxious? I hope Little Sister hasn’t encountered any danger.
She fell silent again, lost in thought.
Xiao Ruoching stepped forward to comfort her, "Eighth Uncle, Ninth Uncle will definitely be fine! Master is here, after all."
Dan Wuque nodded, half-convinced, the cowlick on her head spinning rapidly.
「Meanwhile.」
Somewhere, a white-haired woman rolled her eyes, her face flushed red. She gritted her teeth and pushed herself up, her body trembling slightly. This is torture! she thought, then exclaimed in shame and anger, "Are you done yet?!"
Sword Maiden moved closer to Dan Wuque, gesturing with her small hands as she said earnestly, "Maybe Master was delayed by something very important. Master is a very conscientious person; there must be a reason."
Dan Wuque seemed to consider this.
Dan Wuque nodded, as if the words resonated deeply with her.
「Elsewhere.」
A man—Su Bei—wiped an inexplicable red mark from his arm. He gazed tenderly at the strands of white hair, his voice soft as he asked, "How about... one more time?"
Xiao Ruoching also nodded gravely. Despite her usual overly casual demeanor, she knew well her Master’s gentleness. She stood up, went to the low table, and fetched a pot of tea for Dan Wuque.
However, for some reason, the teapot’s spout was plugged with a stopper. Xiao Ruoching frowned slightly. Her slender fingers gripped the spout, and with some effort, she pulled out the wooden stopper.
POP!
Tea splashed everywhere.
Immediately after, tea flowed uncontrollably from the spout into the teacup, making a gurgling sound. GURGLE.
Her brow furrowed. She casually wiped the spout with a silk handkerchief and handed the teacup to Dan Wuque, murmuring, Strange. Why was the stopper in so tightly?
Dan Wuque accepted the tea.
Dan Wuque took the teacup and sipped lightly. It was a bit hot. Steam drifted lazily upwards from the tea. In the moonlight, her unsettled face was illuminated; her pale cheeks held a faint blush, perhaps from her anxiety. Through the rising steam, fine beads of sweat could be seen trickling down her forehead.
Tomorrow is the final battle at the Ascension Platform! Fifth Senior Brother must have a plan... she thought.
She paused, her thoughts drifting.
Setting the teacup on the low table, Dan Wuque tilted her head, gazing at the calm lake not far from the courtyard. A willow leaf gently drifted down, brushing the water’s surface and sending ripples across it.
「Somewhere.」
The white-haired woman’s face was a mask of indignation, her patience clearly worn thin. Yet, the usual coldness in her eyes, now set against her bashful, flushed face, made her look unexpectedly alluring.
"Will you ever be done?!" Even with her typically cold and taciturn nature, she couldn’t bear it any longer. "You have the final battle tomorrow!"
Su Bei suddenly lifted his head. I was so engrossed, I actually forgot about that!
Having just showcased his masculine side, Su Bei thought, I absolutely cannot let my woman look down on me. He gently stroked her cheek and said tenderly, "Don’t worry, I have a plan."
Dan Wulan stared at him, her expression unreadable. She gazed at the menace before her, grinding her teeth. "Then when are you going to get up?!"
She felt truly aggrieved. This night should have been so precious... Her gaze turned peculiar again. Precious? It certainly was memorable! Tch... I’m all swollen!
Su Bei gently rose. He then placed his large hand on her wrist to check her pulse, assessing the state of her internal injuries. His eyes suddenly flickered, and he looked at her in utter disbelief.