Breaking the Precept

"Senior Guiyuan…"

"It's one thing for male disciples; I can brush them off with a few words. But one day, even the female disciples came to me crying, asking whether they should 'sleep with their swords' or if their swords were 'sleeping with them.' Or whether a woman practicing swordsmanship could ever achieve unity between human and sword—or if they should change paths altogether. Tell me, Patriarch Baili, how am I, as their teacher, supposed to answer such questions?!"

The frustration Daoist Guiyuan had suppressed for 22 years burst forth. If it weren't for the fact that Baili Xi was carrying the child of his beloved disciple, he might have killed her on the spot.

Now, all he could do was vent his anger through a string of reprimands.

Jian Xiaolou listened silently, feeling genuinely sympathetic toward Daoist Guiyuan.

Baili Xi was truly too fierce. Despite her cold and detached demeanor, she had driven Chu Fengchen to the brink of death. However, wasn't this outcome partly due to the disciples of the First Sword Sect being utterly foolish?

Jian Xiaolou never thought of herself as particularly intelligent, relying more on hard work. But compared to these disciples, she suddenly felt a surge of superiority.

Sleep with swords? Unity of human and sword? Anyone with a shred of common sense wouldn't take such things seriously, right?

As for Baili Xi, despite her strong psychological resilience, she couldn't help but feel a trace of embarrassment under Daoist Guiyuan's harsh scolding. She recalled, Was I really that ruthless back then?

Surely not?

She didn't know any of the sinister techniques of the Joyous Sect that involved absorbing essence. Her relationship with Chu Fengchen was merely normal mutual affection between a man and a woman. To ensure conception within a single day, she had only drugged him and done it dozens of times. If it was truly as tragic as Daoist Guiyuan described, it was because Chu Fengchen was weak and overestimated himself.

Of course, she dared not voice these thoughts in front of Daoist Guiyuan.

Daoist Guiyuan furrowed his slender brows, his face full of anguish. "What pains me most is my disciple Fengchen. He was already not the brightest, relying solely on his talent. And yet, the supreme Yang sword energy he cultivated was utterly destroyed by you, reducing his future achievements by at least 40%!"

"I deeply regret this," Baili Xi admitted without hesitation. This was the reason she felt she owed Chu Fengchen and had secretly taken care of him all these years.

"Forget it, forget it. It's all his fate." Daoist Guiyuan waved his hand and then glanced at Baili Xi's stomach. "The Baili Patriarch has been through much, nourishing them with her life force. But you must make a decision soon."

Baili Xi was taken aback. "Them?"

With a pinch of his fingers, Daoist Guiyuan drew out two strands of spiritual energy from her abdomen. "A girl and a boy. The Baili Patriarch is indeed blessed."

Before Baili Xi could express her joy, he poured cold water over her hopes. "Unfortunately, only one of the two children can survive. You must choose for yourself."

Jian Xiaolou gasped. "Why?"

Baili Xi also looked at him unblinkingly, her eyes full of confusion.

"One strand of spiritual energy is Yin yet brilliantly radiant, indicating that the girl has inherited an exceptionally strong spiritual body, taking after my disciple. Her future achievements in martial arts will undoubtedly be outstanding." The strands of spiritual energy danced in his palm as Daoist Guiyuan explained. "But the other strand is Yang yet incredibly faint…"

Baili Xi steadied herself and asked, "Senior, are you saying that even if the male fetus is born, he is destined to have a short life?"

"Not necessarily a short life. Look at this strand—though faint, it is remarkably tenacious, with a rare resilience in his soul." Daoist Guiyuan twirled the faint spiritual energy around his finger, where it swirled lightly. "Once he's born, I can transfer him a hundred years' worth of cultivation to strengthen his body and cleanse his marrow. However, his cultivation path might face challenges unless he finds a suitable technique. Leave that to me—you won't have to worry."

Baili Xi lowered her gaze. "What, then, is your suggestion for me?"

Daoist Guiyuan sighed. "An immortal fetus is not easily formed. Once you release the seal and let them grow naturally, the two will fight within your body for more spiritual energy. Normally, this kind of struggle is harmless and even beneficial. However, in your unique case, the gap in strength between the two is too vast. The boy cannot suppress the girl. Do you understand my meaning? If you wish to keep the girl, then you don't need to do anything—the boy is doomed to fail. But if you wish to keep the boy…"

He exhaled deeply and continued, "I would have to play the villain. The moment you release the seal, I'll have to dissipate the girl's spiritual energy."

"Dissipate…"

All color drained from Baili Xi's face. She bit her lip tightly, trembling.

Jian Xiaolou also frowned. It would've been better if Daoist Guiyuan hadn't told her—letting nature take its course and giving birth to the daughter would've been less cruel. Forcing a mother to choose life or death for one of her children was too brutal.

But Jian Xiaolou understood that Daoist Guiyuan had Baili Xi's best interests in mind.

Baili Xi didn't just need a child—she needed an heir.

From Daoist Guiyuan's perspective, he clearly preferred the strong-spirited girl, who took after his treasured disciple Chu Fengchen. But he couldn't be sure if the girl would also inherit her father's lack of wits. That would be… a disaster.

"Isn't there another way?"

"Not that I can see."

Daoist Guiyuan shook his head and turned away. "Think it over carefully. It's been delayed for too long already. You know your own condition better than anyone. Also, you should tell Fengchen and seek his opinion. Though he might not offer much insight and might even cause trouble, they are his flesh and blood, whether you acknowledge it or not."

With a snap, the barrier around them shattered as he left.

Baili Xi stood silently for a while, then slowly sat down, gazing blankly at the crescent moon above.

The night wind rustled the forest. Jian Xiaolou didn't know what to say.

On impulse, she crouched and wrapped her arms around Baili Xi in a gentle hug.

Baili Xi's body stiffened slightly but soon relaxed. She didn't reject the gesture and even leaned her forehead lightly against Jian Xiaolou's slender shoulder.

After a long while, Chu Fengchen returned, holding a roasted rabbit. Seeing the two women embracing, he sneered. "Now this is indecent."

Baili Xi said softly, "I need some time alone."

"Fine."

Jian Xiaolou understood and released her. She then grabbed Chu Fengchen by the arm and walked away briskly.