67: Chapter 67 Midnight Guidance: Senior Sister, Your Sword Stance is Incorrect (Part 1)

Midnight, the moon hung high in the sky.

Inside the Listening Sword Pavilion, candlelight flickered, casting two figures onto the window paper, making them appear exceptionally long and ambiguous.

Nangong Waner stood in the center of the room, clutching the Azure Lotus Sword tightly like a startled fawn.

Although the white gauze dress she wore wasn't transparent, the candlelight faintly outlined her exquisite figure; particularly the fresh fragrance after bathing, mixed with a young girl's unique scent, fermented within this enclosed space.

"You're here?"

Xu Chen leaned back on the soft couch, toyed with a jade cup in his hand, and scanned her body unscrupulously before nodding in satisfaction.

"You're quite obedient; you really did wash yourself clean."

"You..."

Nangong Waner flushed red with shame, instinctively wanting to block her chest with her sword, but remembering her current status as a "Sword Attendant," she could only endure the humiliation, biting her lip as she spoke:

"I've come as you requested."

"Now... can you teach me the Way of the Sword?"

Although she had come to fulfill the bet, deep down, she still felt an irresistible longing for the "Ten Thousand Swords Submission" divine technique Xu Chen had displayed during the day. That was the lifelong pursuit of every sword cultivator.

"What's the rush?"

Xu Chen set down the jade cup, slowly stood up, and walked toward her step by step.

"To practice the sword, one must first train the heart."

"Right now, your heart is restless, your mind filled with thoughts of how to cut me down, or... are you afraid I'll do something untoward to you?"

Having her thoughts exposed, Nangong Waner's gaze flickered.

"I don't."

"Whether you do or not, you know best yourself."

Xu Chen chuckled, suddenly reaching out to grab the wrist she used to hold the sword.

In that instant, the warm touch made Nangong Waner tremble all over, nearly dropping her sword.

"Don't move."

Xu Chen's voice, deep and magnetic, rang out right by her ear.

"Raise your sword."

"Just like during the day, perform your Azure Lotus Sword Art."

Nangong Waner took a deep breath, forcing down the panic in her heart. Following Xu Chen's request, she flicked her wrist, performing a sword flourish.

"Azure Lotus First Bloom!"

Sword Qi surged; though not as sharp as during the day, it still possessed considerable power.

However.

"Stop."

Xu Chen interrupted her without hesitation.

He shook his head with a look of disdain.

"Too stiff."

"Your sword is too rigid."

"Rigid?" Nangong Waner was unconvinced. "The sword is the lord of all weapons, it would rather break than bend. Is there anything wrong with being fierce and rigid?"

"You're dead wrong."

Xu Chen walked behind her, his entire body nearly pressed against her back. Nangong Waner could even feel the warmth of his chest and his powerful heartbeat.

"Too much rigidity leads to breaking."

"The true Way of the Sword is the harmony of hardness and softness, the balance of Yin and Yang."

Xu Chen reached out with both hands, embracing her from behind, his large hands covering her small ones on the sword.

"Come, follow my rhythm."

"Relax."

"You... don't press so close..."

Nangong Waner felt the blood rushing to her face; this posture was simply too shameful! How was this practicing the sword? This was clearly...

"Focus!"

Xu Chen suddenly barked a stern command, while the vast Supreme Sword Heart within him quietly activated, flowing through their joined palms and slowly into Nangong Waner's body.

Hum!

In an instant, an unprecedentedly wondrous feeling surged through Nangong Waner's heart.

The Azure Lotus Sword, which had felt somewhat awkward in her hands, seemed to come alive now, becoming a part of her body.

"This is..."

Her eyes widened as she looked at the sword in her hand in disbelief.

"This is the Clear Sword Heart."

Holding her hand, Xu Chen slowly swung the sword.

This strike had no fancy movements; even its speed was very slow.

But the moment it was swung, the surrounding air seemed to turn into flowing water, sliced through with extreme smoothness by the sword's edge. It didn't stir a single ripple, yet it contained a heart-pounding flow and rhythm.

"Do you feel it?"

Xu Chen's voice whispered in her ear.

"Don't fight the wind; harness it."

"Your body and your breath must become one with the sword."

Under this wondrous guidance, Nangong Waner gradually forgot her shame and forgot that the man behind her was a lecher. She was completely immersed in this brand-new experience of the Way of the Sword.

Her body began to sway unconsciously along with Xu Chen's movements.

Her waist twisted, and her arms extended.

Every swing of the sword was smoother and more natural than the last.

Meanwhile, Xu Chen acted like a patient teacher, pressing close to her and feeling the soft, elastic body of the young girl in his arms as she moved to the rhythm of the sword dance.

This feel...

He had to admit, the physique of someone who practiced the sword year-round was truly excellent—firm and powerful, without a single ounce of extra fat.

"Lower your waist a bit more."

At some point, Xu Chen's hand had slipped from hers to support her slender willow waist, giving it a light press.

"Ah..."

Nangong Waner cried out in surprise, her body going soft as she fell backward into Xu Chen's arms.

"Like this... the power flows more smoothly."

Xu Chen explained solemnly, though he showed no intention of moving his hand.

"Again."

Time passed by unnoticed.

Inside the Listening Sword Pavilion, the two figures overlapped; the sword light was like water, but the atmosphere grew increasingly heated.

Nangong Waner's originally pale cheeks had long since turned a deep crimson; beads of crystalline sweat seeped from her forehead, and a few strands of hair clung to her neck, looking exceptionally alluring.

She could clearly feel the temperature of the man behind her rising, and his breathing becoming heavier.

As for herself, it felt as if a fire was burning inside her.

That was the heat generated by her own spiritual power circulating at high speed under the guidance of Xu Chen's Sword Intent, and also... the awakening of a certain primal instinct.

"Huff... huff..."

Nangong Waner panted; the sword in her hand grew heavier, but the longing in her heart only intensified.

She longed for that feeling of being one with the sword, and also... for that sense of security from being controlled by him.

"How was it?"

Finally, after practicing the last move, Xu Chen stopped his movements.

He was still holding her, his chin resting on her fragrant shoulder as he asked softly:

"How does it feel now compared to when you practice alone?"

"It's... it's much stronger."

Nangong Waner answered honestly, her voice so soft and sweet that even she was startled.

After performing that set of sword techniques, she felt her understanding of the Way of the Sword had directly ascended to a new level! The bottleneck that had troubled her for so long actually showed signs of loosening!

This man... really understood the Way of the Sword! And his attainment was unfathomably deep!

"Since it's effective, that's a good thing."

Xu Chen released the hand holding the sword, and the Azure Lotus Sword fell to the ground with a clang.

But he didn't release the person in his arms.

Instead, he suddenly turned Nangong Waner around to face him.

Their eyes met.

Nangong Waner saw the undisguised aggression in Xu Chen's eyes.

"The sword practice is over."

Xu Chen's finger brushed across her burning cheek, finally resting on her luscious, red lips.

"But... as a Sword Attendant, it seems you haven't finished fulfilling your duties yet, have you?"

"That was just the first half."

Xu Chen lowered his head until their noses almost touched.

"Next..."

"It's time for the second half."

"Senior Sister, are you ready?"