Chapter 497 468: Lu Ruoxi's Struggle and Atonement (Part 2)

Lu Ruoxi, dressed in cyan, leaned against a carved pillar of the headboard, her slender fingers twirling a lock of dark hair by her ear.

She gazed down at her Junior Brother Pei, whose eyes were shut tight on the bed beside her. The warmth in her eyes nearly overflowed.

Seven days and nights had passed since Pei Yuhang's Divine Soul entered Qing Yueqiu's body.

She had stood guard here every day, protecting the slumbering Pei Yuhang and Qing Yueqiu.

Lu Ruoxi didn't find these days tedious. After all, she could watch over her junior brother every day, openly and shamelessly gazing at him…

If she had to point out what was difficult, there were probably only three things.

First, there was that woman named Fan Xuan, who was always loitering nearby for no reason. Lu Ruoxi had shooed her away many times, but the shameless woman just wouldn't listen.

If not for the fear of disturbing her junior brother, she would have definitely confronted that thick-skinned, shameless woman.

Second, because a Cultivator's body is nourished by Spiritual Qi, the higher their Cultivation, the less filth it produces.

This meant Lu Ruoxi had no excuse to take off Pei Yuhang's clothes for a good look—pah!—that is, to wipe his body clean. She didn't even have that chance…

Of course, this was mainly because Lu Ruoxi now felt an intense sense of guilt toward Pei Yuhang.

'If this were in the past, would I have hesitated so much? Forcing myself to hold back when a handsome, sleeping junior brother is lying right in front of me?'

'I'd probably have worked myself to death on his abs…'

Third, naturally, was her worry that Pei Yuhang might encounter some mishap within Qing Yueqiu's Sea of Consciousness.

Although these days of watching over Pei Yuhang's body were still blissful…

...Lu Ruoxi didn't want Junior Brother Pei to become a silent doll forever.

She wanted Junior Brother Pei to hurry back to her side.

Lu Ruoxi longed to hear Pei Yuhang's voice and see his every smile and frown.

"Junior Brother… if you don't come back soon, I'm going to ask the Sect Leader for help tomorrow."

"Please come back quickly… You silly fool. To go this far for a disciple… even if you have to give up on Yueqiu, you must protect yourself."

Lu Ruoxi murmured, her voice so soft it was as if she were afraid of disturbing the snowflakes falling outside the window.

Her gaze greedily traced Pei Yuhang's profile, from his sharp, defined brows to his high-bridged nose, finally landing on his thin, slightly pale lips.

GULP…

Lu Ruoxi's throat bobbed. Her breathing quickened, her chest gently heaved, and her fingertips unconsciously tightened their grip on her sleeves.

'No, I can't! I've held back for so many days. How can I lose my self-control tonight!'

She hastily turned her face away, only to catch her reflection in the Copper Mirror—her eyes were amorous yet shy.

Her eyes glistened, her cheeks were flushed crimson, and her lips were slightly parted—the very picture of someone overcome by passion.

'Maybe… just one kiss?'

'Yes, nothing else. Just a little nuzzle, one kiss at most…'

'I've watched over Junior Brother and Qing Yueqiu for so many days. Surely he wouldn't blame me for making one tiny, improper mistake on the seventh night… would he?'

The whispers of her Heart Demon, like silken threads, wound around her reason. Lu Ruoxi's fingertips trembled as she slowly propped herself up on the bed, her body unconsciously leaning closer to the sleeping Pei Yuhang.

Closer… and closer…

Her breath grew hotter, and her heartbeat was a deafening drumroll, as if the entire Cold Palace Sword Mansion echoed with its frantic rhythm.

Closer… even closer…

Her eyelashes fluttered, her gaze grew hazy, and her crimson lips parted, about to press against his—

"No… I can't!!"

Suddenly, she bit down hard on her lower lip. The tang of blood filled her mouth, and the sharp pain shocked her back to her senses!

'What am I doing?!'

She shot upright, panic and shame warring in her eyes, her fingertips digging fiercely into her palms.

'I've already wronged him… How can I make this mistake again?!'

"Right now, I am atoning for my sins against him…"

She took a deep breath, not daring to glance at Pei Yuhang on the bed again, and practically fled as she pushed open the door.

The night wind brushed against her face. She closed her eyes, letting the chill wash over her burning cheeks.

But what she didn't know was that in the very instant she left…

On the bed, Pei Yuhang's lips moved slightly. A cyan Treasure Pill slowly emerged from his mouth, hovering in mid-air and emitting a faint Spiritual Light.

The next moment, he opened his eyes.

"Senior Sister…"

Pei Yuhang gazed at the not-quite-closed door, complex emotions swirling in his eyes. It was as if he had a thousand words to say, but they all dissolved into a nearly inaudible sigh.

Nearby, Qing Yueqiu also began to stir.

The young woman's long eyelashes fluttered, opening slowly like a butterfly's wings.

Once she could clearly see Pei Yuhang, a gentle smile bloomed on her lips, and warmth filled her eyes.

"Master."

Pei Yuhang turned at the sound, the complex look in his eyes vanishing instantly.

He reached out to tuck a stray lock of her dark hair back into place, asking with concern,

"Yueqiu, are you feeling any discomfort?"

Qing Yueqiu propped herself up slightly and gently clenched her fair hand into a fist. A faint Spiritual Light flowed beneath her lustrous skin, and the Spiritual Qi surrounding her was purer and more potent than before.

"I feel great." As she looked up, her eyes seemed to sparkle like starlight. "This ordeal has actually allowed my Dao Heart to advance a level, and my Divine Soul Power has improved significantly."

At this, her brow furrowed slightly, her long eyelashes casting a shadow below.

"It's just… Ji Shenyun's curse is incredibly stubborn. Although I've suppressed it again, I can't seem to eradicate it completely."

"Perhaps someday, if my Dao Heart falters or I'm distracted by a Celestial Tribulation or a fight, she'll break free again… If that Female Demon possesses my body, I'll become a scourge upon the world."

"Yueqiu."

Pei Yuhang suddenly took her cool hand, making the young woman's heart skip a beat. "I am here."

"I won't let that day come."

CREAK—

The sound of the door opening cut through the air.

Qing Yueqiu, whose face was slightly flushed from her Master suddenly holding her hand, turned her head and saw a graceful yet alluring Cyan-skirted Fairy standing at the door.

"S-Sister Lu…"

The gentle smile in Lu Ruoxi's eyes froze the moment she saw Pei Yuhang's and Qing Yueqiu's clasped hands. Her fingers, gripping the doorframe, turned white.

"It's nothing, don't mind me…"

Lu Ruoxi forced the corners of her lips to turn up. She made herself look away from their intertwined fingers, her long lashes lowering to cast a shadow beneath her eyes.

"As long as you both returned safely, that's all that matters."

'But I was here first…'

"I won't disturb this reunion between master and disciple. I should be heading back to Dan Yun Pavilion."

As Lu Ruoxi turned to leave, her figure looked exceptionally lonely. The hem of her cyan skirt seemed to have lost its vibrancy, like a green lotus blossom beaten down by rain, looking somewhat battered.

"Senior Sister."

Pei Yuhang's clear, cool voice suddenly rang out.

Lu Ruoxi's back stiffened. She heard the rustle of fabric behind her; Pei Yuhang was walking toward her.

At that moment, Lu Ruoxi was suddenly reminded of the mistake she had almost made with Junior Brother Pei just moments before.

'Could he have been… awake at that moment?'

A wave of panic instantly seized her.

She didn't dare turn to face Pei Yuhang, terrified of the disdainful and disgusted words she expected him to say.

'If Pei Yuhang actually told me to my face that he found me repulsive… my life would be utterly ruined.'

"Thank you for watching over Yueqiu and me all these days."

"It's late. You should rest here for the night, Senior Sister. After we have breakfast tomorrow, I'll see you home."

She slowly turned back to look at him and saw that her junior brother's usually cool and aloof eyes were now filled with sincerity.

Lu Ruoxi's eyes welled up, and she hurriedly used her wide sleeve to hide the tip of her reddening nose.

"It was what I should have done for you, Junior Brother! It was no trouble at all."

As she spoke, the first genuine smile since her Dao Heart had shattered finally bloomed on her lips.

'Does this mean I've finally earned his acceptance and forgiveness?'

'This is wonderful.'

'So, to win his affection, I never needed to resort to those wicked methods. All I ever had to do was give him my true heart…'

'How foolish I was.'