After a few minutes, Chen Fang finally snapped out of his thoughts and turned around to see Su Qingxue and Yang Kai kneeling before him.
“Huh? Why are you two kneeling like that?” Chen Fang asked, raising an eyebrow.
He hadn’t even scolded them or anything, so he couldn’t understand their behavior.
Seeing their master’s confused expression, the two immediately bowed their heads and said, this time in an even louder voice, “We only wished to thank Master for his guidance.”
Oh, so that’s why.
Chen Fang finally understood and said, “As your master, guiding you two is my responsibility. You don’t need to thank me for that.” He shook his head.
“Anyway, I’ve already taken up too much of your time. Yang Kai, you can return to your sword practice if you wish, or simply rest for now.”
Chen Fang glanced at his disciple and, seeing his current condition, could only feel sorry for him.
This brat is pushing himself too hard.
“Then I will return to my training, Master.” Yang Kai rose to his feet, cupped his fist in salute, and spoke in a serious tone.
Hearing this, Chen Fang could only smile and nod before turning to Su Qingxue.
“Xue’er, guide me to your quarters. I’ve brought a book for you from the Scripture Hall.”
Hearing her master address her so affectionately, Su Qingxue blushed, especially since Junior Brother Yang was still present. Nevertheless, she rose to her feet and replied, “Yes, Master.”
She then turned toward the disciple quarters on Cloud Sword Peak.
Watching them leave, Yang Kai picked up his sword from the ground. He was just about to resume his practice when a thought suddenly popped into his mind.
Did Master just call Senior Sister Su ‘Xue’er’?
There’s no way. I must have heard it wrong.
Yang Kai dismissed the thought and immediately returned to his training, pushing all other distractions to the back of his mind.
After that kiss, she had almost come to terms with her new reality and had even begun to feel happy about it. However, hearing him call her by such an affectionate name, especially in front of Junior Brother Yang Kai, who had no idea what was going on between them, made her heart flutter all over again.
“Are you alright?”
Chen Fang suddenly took a long stride to catch up with her and gently brushed aside a strand of her hair, revealing her red, tomato-like ear.
Thump!
Feeling his hand brush against her ear, Su Qingxue felt her heart race all of a sudden. She couldn’t help stammering as she replied, “Ah… Y-yes, I-I’m alright.”
Having heard her response, Chen Fang became almost certain of what was going on. Deciding to tease her a little, he said, “Are you sure? Your ear seems rather hot right now.”
As he spoke, he gently took hold of her cute, pointed ear, making her flinch and let out a soft moan.
“Ah… Master…”
Hearing her adorable little moan, Chen Fang felt his heart melt for a moment. Somehow, he managed to regain his composure and said, “If you’re feeling uncomfortable or feverish, I can hold you in my arms while you guide me.”
Even as the words left his mouth, Chen Fang couldn’t believe he had actually come up with such a cheesy line.
“No… I’m fine. I’m absolutely fine!”
Su Qingxue unconsciously took two steps away from him, her entire face now red with embarrassment.
Noticing her reaction, Chen Fang could only smile and back off.
Although he had intended to give her the dual cultivation book, he now realized that it would probably take her quite some time to come to terms with everything.
That kiss he had received from her might have been a fluke—or perhaps not. Judging by her reaction just now, however, he knew there was little chance of getting another one anytime soon.
Realizing this made his heart ache.
Chen Fang quietly followed behind her while Su Qingxue, on the other hand, struggled to calm herself down.
She didn’t know why, but the image of herself resting in her master’s broad arms suddenly appeared in her mind.
She had already begun to notice that her master’s appearance had changed quite a bit. His entire body now exuded an irresistible masculine charm, whereas before, he had seemed nothing more than a kind and gentle man.
The more she thought about it, the more she felt something stirring in her dantian.
With conflicting thoughts clashing in her mind, she finally arrived at her quarters. Yang Kai had cleaned the place up considerably, but it still looked rather shabby.
“Master, we’re here,” she said, opening the door to her room and inviting Chen Fang inside.
Her heart was beating wildly like a drum.
With his enhanced hearing, Chen Fang could easily sense the emotions reflected in her racing heartbeat. He smiled to himself.
Silly girl. I’m not going to do anything to you without your consent.
He stepped into the room, gently patting her on the head in an attempt to calm her down.
As he entered, he noticed that the room contained only a few things: a single bed, an earthen pot, and a glass. Apart from those items, the room was almost entirely bare.
“Xue’er, didn’t you bring anything with you from the servants’ quarters?” he asked curiously.
Although the sect’s provisions weren’t particularly generous, even the servants received enough resources to acquire a few basic necessities.
Su Qingxue entered the room and shook her head.
“This one had nothing worth bringing here,” she replied, standing beside the bed.
Hearing this, Chen Fang felt a pang of sympathy for a moment. Then, an idea suddenly flashed through his mind.
“Why are you standing over there? Come and sit here. There are a few things I need to tell you as well.”
Su Qingxue looked at the spot Chen Fang was pointing to and once again fell into thought, two conflicting voices rising in her mind.