NOVEL WEB chapter 130
130. We Also Need Embraces
Su Kexin and Qin Shili were dueling with swords, engaged in an intense battle when Lin Nuo, with his skilled swordsmanship, intervened.
The key wasn’t the intervention itself, but that he single-handedly wielded dual swords, effortlessly stopping them mid-duel.
In the Xuan Yun Sect, few could handle dual swords, let alone fend off the attacks of two beautiful girls with such prowess, without relying on spiritual power.
“Enough,” he declared. “If you two want to fight, do it later. I’ll repeat myself, I will practice with you both, but considering our different techniques, we need to do it separately and orderly.”
Lin Nuo didn’t shy away from speaking his mind directly in front of them, not intending to beat around the bush. Being too secretive could cause greater conflicts and suspicion.
Now that it was settled, practicing together openly, he appeared upright and honorable, free from any ill intentions.
But in reality, his training with them was scheming.
For Su Kexin, it was about getting her used to teamwork, making it hard for her to go solo.
For Qin Shili, it was about leading her down the path of the demonic arts, shaping her into a future demoness.
This seemingly caring act was actually a hidden threat, a long con to catch a big fish. Only Lin, the villain, could plan so far ahead.
“Pawns,” he mused. “You both have become tools in my villainous schemes!”
From now on, call me Lin Xiao Nuo.
“Alright.”
After hearing Lin Nuo’s words, Qin Shili sheathed her sword. Though she hadn’t completely overpowered Su Kexin, she was at least on top, proving herself superior.
She admitted she had been impulsive, a first for her, but the urge was too strong to resist, especially after seeing Lin Nuo embracing Su Kexin in broad daylight. “So, when will you come to practice with me?”
“Just wait a bit longer, after I finish practicing with my junior sister, I’ll come to you.”
“Can it be today?”
“Yes.”
“Good, I hope you keep your promise.”
Qin Shili lightly adjusted her dress, dispelling the icy domain around her, and the area returned to its lush greenery.
Composed, overcoming impulsiveness, that wasn’t her style, and such behavior, especially in front of Lin Nuo, was indeed embarrassing.
Respecting Lin Nuo’s wishes, she decided to be patient.
Holding back her frustration, Qin Shili left. Soon after, an explosion erupted from a desolate peak nearby, sending tremors through the area.
“Can you still refine?”
Lin Nuo’s gaze shifted to Su Kexin, who had just taken a few hits from Qin Shili in a sword duel, leaving her with some injuries.
“I can do it, senior brother.”
Su Kexin’s will was firm; such injuries were indeed trivial to her, especially since she had practiced self-healing techniques and could recover a bit.
Even severe wounds couldn’t delay her practice with her senior brother.
“Then let’s begin.”
Lin Nuo tossed aside his original sword and picked up the silver Phoenix Sword, coordinating with Su Kexin’s Phoenix Sword to practice the “Dual Dance Sword Technique.”
Their first practice session went smoothly, as it was just the basic sword technique, and their coordination was quite good. After finishing, Lin Nuo planned to find Qin Shili, his schedule full and fulfilling.
“Senior brother.”
Su Kexin called out to Lin Nuo, “What technique are you and second senior sister going to practice?”
“Just an internal qi technique of our sect.”
Lin Nuo replied calmly, “Rather than saying we’re practicing together, it’s more like she’s teaching me.”
To say that he was teaching Qin Shili would be preposterous and unrealistic. The reverse was more fitting, perfectly suiting his image as a second-stage cultivator.
Oh, wrong, a third-stage cultivator, to say it again, a third-stage cultivator.
“Oh, I see.”
Su Kexin nodded, feeling somewhat resigned. It seemed right, but she couldn’t help feeling a bit discontented. If only she weren’t so weak, she might be able to teach her senior brother too.
With that in mind, she resolved to work even harder, at least not to let down her senior brother’s expectations.
Keep it up, Su Kexin, one day you too will become a powerhouse like your senior brother!
…
Lin Nuo found Qin Shili waiting for him at their usual spot.
“Where’s your silver sword?”
Qin Shili noticed that Lin Nuo had brought his original sword this time.
“It’s not very good, so I left it in my room.”
“Not good? I think the quality of that sword is better than the one you have now.”
“Quality is one thing, but suitability is another; they can’t be equated.”
Lin Nuo approached Qin Shili and set his sword aside, “Let’s continue with our qi practice today. I think a few more tries and we’ll almost have it.”
“Why do you need to embrace?” Qin Shili persisted with the question.
Lin Nuo answered seriously, “As I said, it’s part of the training. Embracing before practice strengthens our rapport.”
“I think we need rapport too.”
Qin Shili slightly opened her arms, “So, we also need this prelude.”
“Stop joking, our demonic cultivation doesn’t involve such things,” Lin Nuo waved his hand dismissively, “Let’s start our practice.”
Shi Li watched him, realizing he had no intention of agreeing. She didn’t plan to persuade him, nor would she act coquettishly. She could only resort to a more assertive approach.
A forceful embrace.
She wrapped her arms around Lin Nuo in a sudden hug that caught him off guard. Instinctively trying to break free, he found it difficult to move. Shi Li, skilled in ice magic, was an expert at restricting movement.
Thus, Lin Nuo felt his limbs become unresponsive, as if a powerful force had sealed them.
Unable to escape, he was held in Shi Li’s embrace.
“What are you doing?”
“Hugging.”
“All these fancy tricks are useless.”
“I find them quite useful. At least they’ve improved my mood.”
Shi Li’s cold gaze met Lin Nuo’s eyes, as if conversing soul to soul, “Is hugging your junior sister better than hugging me?”
“To be honest, hugging you feels better.”
“So you’d rather hug your junior sister than me?”
“Enough. Weaken your magic a bit. I can’t move my hands to hug you.”
“Fine.”
Shi Li slightly reduced her magic, and Lin Nuo’s hands were free to move.
Now, if he didn’t hug her, he might turn into an ice sculpture, delaying his practice time. With a potential income of millions per minute, he couldn’t afford any delay.
So, he opened his arms and gently hugged her back.
Comparing the two, hugging Shi Li felt better than hugging Su Kexin. Perhaps Shi Li was more developed, while Su Kexin, being younger, hadn’t grown yet.
“Is this okay?” Lin Nuo asked.
“It’s fine.”
“This doesn’t seem like you.”
“This is me.”
Shi Li stated firmly.