TYMRHBDES Chapter 45.2

Jiang Luoluo watched with wide eyes, lost in a trance as if he were a child captivated by a martial arts drama. Caught up in the excitement, he stuffed the pine nuts he was holding into his pocket.

His fair, delicate fingers clapped together enthusiastically. “Wonderful!”

As soon as he shouted his approval, the three figures on the training platform underwent a sudden transformation. The sword qi radiating from each of them intensified sharply.

Xu Zhiyan, seemingly emboldened, flushed slightly. His eyes gleamed as he grinned at Jiang Luoluo, his expression radiating confidence.

Chu Xubai faced Jiang Luoluo’s excited smile. He glanced up and saw the beauty’s radiant face, his bright eyes filled with encouragement. His heart skipped a beat, then began pounding wildly.

Mo Yunqi pressed his thin lips together, glanced at the figure curled up in the chair, and then turned his gaze to his two Senior Brothers. His eyes now flickered with cold light…

This was a contest for male dignity.

None of them wanted to appear inferior in front of that person. [footnote] T/N:And guys, that is how you motivate someone! [/footnote]

For a moment, the training platform was filled with the flashing of blades and swords. The three figures moved with such speed that their afterimages blurred into a nearly incomprehensible haze.

The sounds of clashing swords and foils rang out together, leaving Jiang Luoluo overwhelmed. His eyes could barely keep up.

Though it was still morning, a thin layer of sweat had already formed on Xu Zhiyan’s forehead. He blocked Chu Xubai’s oncoming strike. “Junior Brother Chu, impressive skill!”

With that, he flicked Chu Xubai’s sword aside.

Before Chu Xubai could reply, he dodged back to avoid Mo Yunqi’s blade. “Junior Brother usually keeps a low profile,” he said, “but I never expected your swordsmanship to be so refined!”

Mo Yunqi’s voice was clear and resonant. “I can’t compare to either of you, Senior Brothers.”

The dance of steel resumed, another flurry of combat.

As the sparring neared its end, the three figures landed on the ground.

A strand of hair had fallen loose from Xu Zhiyan’s temple, and his sword-wielding hand trembled. “I never knew Junior Brother was so skilled with a sword, in addition to his mastery of mechanics.”

Chu Xubai, already injured, was pale and gasping for breath. “I concede defeat.”

Mo Yunqi’s robe had been torn at the hem. He bowed to the two men. “Thank you for the match, Senior Brothers.”

A smile played on his lips as he turned, his usually cold, dark eyes now filled with anticipation as he gazed at the white-robed figure.

The person beneath the white fox fur remained silent, their large hat obscuring half their face, making their expression unreadable.

Mo Yunqi frowned. Could it be that the “good” wasn’t meant for him? Had his victory actually disappointed his Master?

A layer of frost settled over Mo Yunqi’s face as he strode toward the chair. But when he finally caught a clearer glimpse of his silent Master, his expression suddenly became complex.

His two Senior Brothers, who had followed close behind, fell silent as well.

The three exchanged glances, and for once, they saw a shared sense of helplessness in each other’s eyes:

*We fought so hard…*

*And Master… fell asleep?!*

Xu Zhiyan, true to his loyal dog-like nature, offered Jiang Luoluo an excuse with a helpless expression: “Master… perhaps the lingering poison hasn’t fully cleared… He must be tired…”

No sooner had the words left his lips than the person beneath the white fox fur stirred. A delicate, snow-white face peeked out from beneath the large hat, their just-awakened eyes still hazy with sleep. Their eyelashes fluttered, and they suddenly met the gaze of three pairs of eyes fixed on them.

Jiang Luoluo retracted the stretch he’d been about to make, his eyelashes fluttering. “Wow! That was absolutely amazing just now!”

The three others fell silent.

Even Xu Zhiyan, his most loyal admirer, was speechless, unsure how to defend his Master.

Jiang Luoluo, completely unfazed, rose from his chair and adjusted his fox-fur cloak. A few slender, pale fingers, like fine white porcelain, pinched at the collar. The biting wind painted the tips of his fingers with a delicate pink blush.

He looked exceptionally fragile.

Mo Yunqi stared at those fingers for a long moment before his Master finally asked, “Who won?”

Upon receiving the answer, the white-robed figure suddenly appeared before him.

His Master was slightly shorter than he was. To show respect, Mo Yunqi usually kept his head slightly bowed.

Jiang Luoluo tilted his head to look up at him, and a radiant smile filled his vision. Those porcelain-like fingers reached out to pinch his cheek. “So impressive, Yunqi~”

The soft touch on his face stiffened Mo Yunqi’s entire body. His deep, ink-black eyes were locked on Jiang Luoluo, his breath suspended.

Every detail of his movements magnified in his mind: his delicate, porcelain-white face, the faint fragrance clinging to his sleeves, his clear, melodious voice…

Those bright, moist eyes, filled with his own reflection…

Every moment stretched out in slow motion, as if etched into his memory. Mo Yunqi’s pupils dilated slightly, and the Adam’s apple beneath his collar bobbed unconsciously.

Even after Jiang Luoluo moved away, he could still hear his heart pounding in his chest with unprecedented vigor, as if it might leap out at any moment.

*Thump, thump, thump*—each beat louder than the last, as if trying to break free…

Mo Yunqi stood beside Chu Xubai.

Facing this world’s target, Jiang Luoluo couldn’t be as casual as he was with his young disciple, especially since this target harbored considerable malice toward him.

Jiang Luoluo stood before Chu Xubai and extended a hand from his sleeve.

Chu Xubai stared intently at the hand, his throat tightening with each passing moment.

Was he going to pinch his own face too?

Just like he pinched Junior Brother’s face earlier.

Would he also gently pinch his own cheek with that hand?

To his surprise, the hand turned and patted his shoulder through his clothes. “Rest well and recover. Next time, give it your all!”

Chu Xubai nodded, unable to articulate the complex emotions swirling within him.

It felt as if someone had approached him with a precious sword, and he’d instinctively assumed it was for him. But then the person had simply circled him once before turning and walking away with the sword.

This thought lingered in his mind twice before Chu Xubai finally understood.

Disappointment.

He was actually feeling disappointed that the other person hadn’t pinched his face…

This realization left him both confused and ashamed. His eyes fixed on the path ahead, unsure how to react.

“Master!”

Xu Zhiyan, oblivious to Jiang Luoluo’s inner turmoil, beamed at him. After a moment, he remembered he hadn’t won and sheepishly scratched his head.

His entire demeanor, coupled with his series of actions, exuded the sunny, approachable vibe of a college senior Jiang Luoluo had known in his youth.

Though his eldest disciple was destined to be cannon fodder, he remained loyal to his Master. Moreover, Jiang Luoluo had overheard Xu Zhiyan defending him behind his back on several occasions.

Even the coldest heart softens in the face of such devotion. Jiang Luoluo couldn’t help but feel a warmth spread through him as he looked at Xu Zhiyan, his tone softening as he spoke.

He reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind Xu Zhiyan’s ear. “Everyone has their strengths. Don’t let a temporary setback discourage you. As long as you dedicate yourself to cultivation, you’ll surely achieve great things in the future.”

Xu Zhiyan made no attempt to hide his excitement, nodding vigorously like a loyal puppy. “Master, I promise I will!”

“Alright, our morning practice is over.”

Jiang Luoluo stepped back to look at his three disciples. “I’ve instructed the kitchen to prepare an extra meal for you. Come on, let’s go eat!”

Entering the hall, Xu Zhiyan thoughtfully stepped forward to remove Jiang Luoluo’s cloak and hang it aside.

Without the bulky cloak to conceal him, his entire frame suddenly appeared much slimmer.

Beneath, he wore a pure white embroidered robe cinched at the waist with a crimson sash, drawing all eyes to his slender waist.

His waist was so narrow, it seemed a single hand could encircle it.

Mo Yunqi lowered his gaze, studying his own palm.

That night, he had measured it with his hand, and the lingering warmth and softness still seemed to linger in his palm, delicate and slender, like a helpless little rabbit awaiting slaughter.

A spark of fire spread from his palm to his heart. Mo Yunqi dared not dwell on the thought any longer and turned his head away.

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T/N: And thus, three peak cultivators clashed with blades, risking face, blood, and pride—only for Master to snooze halfway through like a sleepy dumpling.
Moral of the story: If you’re not being face-pinched, are you even the main character? 🤷‍♂️💔

If you chuckled, sighed, or side-eyed with secondhand embarrassment, consider feeding this humble translator a virtual snack:  💖