Su Kang chuckled at this sight. He smirked, stepped closer, wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her close, his touch gentle yet possessive.
"There are only a few people who've ever seen this side of me," he whispered, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone, "and they are my loved ones."
He added, "During our first encounter, you were afraid because of the incident, and you were feeling ashamed because of your situation. I ended up leaving that embarrassing remark, trying to lighten the mood. But I'm glad that I did that."
His gaze turned to her face, filled with warmth and love. "Because you're my wife now. Perhaps it was always my fate to take responsibility for you. Don't you agree?"
Bai Yunxi's face warmed at the thought, a gentle heat blooming across her cheeks. Yet she didn't avert her gaze, quietly accepting his words about being fated partners.
He tightened his embrace ever so slightly, as if savoring the comfort of her nearness. "I'm truly grateful to Fate for guiding me to you," he murmured.
"Again, your jokes are truly weird. I'd rather you didn't make those kinds of jokes again," she whispered before leaning into his chest, burying her face against his warmth, her hands wrapping around his back, her heart relaxing in his presence.
I would have been happy if they were simply jokes, he lamented in his heart. He felt ashamed for manipulating her. I have always despised those people who go after others' family members. Yet I did the same.
Su Kang had fought and killed many people, but he never touched an opponent's family members; it was a core tenet of his clan's teachings. Whenever cultivators went to war, it was common for them to target each other's families, sparing not even children.
It was a cruel but prevalent practice in their world, one his clan vehemently despised. He had always adhered to these clan rules.
Until he awakened his memories and saw the tragic future. He didn't mind the thought of being killed by demon cultivators—he had already slain many of them too—but his family had no quarrel with them.
His clan resided in the Jiang state, ten million miles from the Demonic lands, yet they were targeted, and his family endured hellish torture.
After that, a part of Su Kang became desperate for power, while another part was deeply troubled by the moral compromises he was making.
His methods were clearly against the clan's teachings. Unlike in his previous life, he had never disappointed his family until now; his parents were undoubtedly disappointed by his marriage.
In search of power, I lost my principles, he thought, a bitter self-recrimination. Li Fang was indirectly responsible for his family's tragedy due to the whims of destiny, but Bai Yunxi had done nothing wrong, yet she had been used as a pawn in his plans.
"Do I have to hide this forever, feeling ashamed whenever I gaze into her eyes filled with trust and love?" he asked himself, the question echoing in the recesses of his mind.
But no reply came, because the implications of revealing the truth were terrifying, the potential fallout too catastrophic to contemplate fully.
She had become an essential part of his daily life—a steady presence that went far beyond the unique benefits of her spiritual body.
What truly stayed with him was her presence: sometimes playful and mischievous, sometimes acting more like a wise elder than his wife, and at other times, like a spoiled girl simply seeking his indulgence.
He remembered how, during the torment of forging his Soul Foundation, when buried traumas surged and became unbearable, she always seemed to sense it instinctively. Without needing a word from him, she would offer quiet comfort in whatever small ways she could—her presence a soothing balm to his fractured spirit.
He had grown used to her being there, so much so that he hadn't realized how deeply he needed that constant until she became part of his life.
Moreover, the dual cultivation technique they practiced was steadily deepening their emotional bond, making his feelings for her stronger, more profound than before.
I can't lose her, a fierce resolve surged within him. No matter what happens, I will have to protect her happiness. She is my wife. These thoughts forged a powerful determination in Su Kang's heart, and his hands unconsciously tightened around her waist, pulling her even closer.
Sensing his arms tighten in a possessive embrace, her hands responded in kind, clutching him more firmly. She murmured, her voice muffled against his robe, "I'm glad they agreed. It feels like a weight has been lifted from my heart. Mother would be happy to know as well."
Calming the storm in his chest, Su Kang raised a hand to gently stroke her hair, his touch steady and reassuring—a silent promise in each pass of his fingers.
"We'll visit her during the Tomb Sweeping Ritual and pay respects to Father-in-law," he said softly. "After that, we'll bring her here to live with us."
Bai Yunxi hummed in agreement, a soft, contented sound. "That will be good."
The couple walked back to her courtyard, hand in hand. The winter night carried a biting chill, crisp and clear, but the Su Manor's formations kept the cold at bay, cocooning them in a gentle warmth.
Inside her courtyard, Su Kang glanced at her, noting the way her face held some worry. His eyes softened with understanding. "Xi'er, you're still anxious." The lantern light flickered, casting shifting shadows across the walls as they entered their chambers.
She lifted her eyes, uncertainty still flickering in their emerald depths like distant stars. "Can we really convince Li Fang?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, fragile and laced with a mother's deep-seated fear.
Su Kang met her stare, unwavering, his gaze a beacon of reassurance. He reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheek before cupping it gently, his warmth seeping into her skin, grounding her.
"Yes, Xi'er. We still have time to make preparations. I'll make sure everything goes our way whenever we face him," he murmured, his thumb caressing her pale cheeks.
She exhaled slowly, the visible tension easing from her shoulders, her posture relaxing slightly. He gazed into her emerald eyes. They held each other's gaze, emotions resonating more keenly than ever—amplified by the bond forged through dual cultivation.
He leaned forward, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her forehead. His lips trailed down, brushing gentle kisses against her closed eyelids, the tip of her nose, and her cheeks.
"Wife, my love for you has only deepened since our wedding," he whispered, his breath warm against her skin as he studied her closely. "Your presence is like an elixir—calming, yet addictive. With each passing day, I find myself falling even more deeply in love with you."
Her gaze softened. A faint blush colored her cheeks as a gentle smile touched her lips. Raising her hands, she framed his face with tender fingers.
"Oh, husband… you're spoiling me with such sweet words," she murmured. "But I love hearing them. They make me happy. I love you more, desire you more. I want to experience so much with you. Sometimes, I feel like I'm becoming more greedy as time passes."
Bai Yunxi had devoured many scrolls and books, and listened to Yue Mei's tales. She understood now that the Jiang State, once vast in her eyes, was merely a small, resource-poor backwater region on a much larger map.
She yearned to fulfill her father's dreams; her ambition was no longer limited to flying within the Jiang State—she wanted to fly in the broader world, to travel those far-off lands.
"My wife, it's alright. Be as greedy as you like. I'll always fulfill your desires—and indulge you." He smiled, a warmth in his eyes, genuinely happy to see her dreams growing beyond the horizon. Whatever it took, he would turn them into reality.
Her smile deepened, trust shining in her gaze. This man… he would move heaven and earth for me. With him, I can experience wonder without fear, without burdening my heart. He is my husband, who will support me in whatever I desire. Desire stirred in her heart at the depth of those thoughts.
Bai Yunxi leaned forward, pulling him into a kiss—slow, deep, and all-consuming. Their lips moved in perfect rhythm, a quiet storm of passion blooming between them, sweet and overwhelming.
She pressed closer, her body molding instinctively against his, seeking his heat, her every curve fitting against his strength. Her hands roamed down his chest, fingers grazing his skin through the thin fabric of his robe.
"It seems my poor wife was too stressed earlier. Do you want to be comforted?" he murmured against her lips, amusement laced with a deep, tender understanding, his eyes dark with affection.
She pulled back slightly, her breath warm and sweet against his skin. "Mhh… yes, Husband. Please... comfort me," she affirmed, her voice an invitation mingled with her own burgeoning desire.
A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest before he angled her head gently, pressing slow, deliberate kisses along the sensitive curve of her throat—each one a searing brand of affection. Every touch sent a shiver through her, a delicious tremor stirred by the potent heat pooling low in her belly, a liquid fire awakening within.
She arched into him, her fingers threading through the dark silk of his hair, gripping gently as waves of pleasure washed over her. Her voice came out breathy and needy—a soft sound of surrender. "Mmm…"
Then, her lips began trailing lower. She parted his robes with careful hands and pressed tender kisses to his firm chest. Her breath fanned over his collarbone, a tantalizing warmth, before she kissed the side of his neck, slow and reverent.