Chapter 267: Detached Radiant Sword, Jian Ruyi (7)

Li Feng couldn’t help but sigh as he carried a wet towel back into the cave.

"I didn’t think she would lose consciousness like that..."

He couldn’t help but feel a little guilty and embarrassed.

He thought he should have held back more. It seemed going all out had been a bit too much.

...Good thing he didn’t go straight for the

[Age of the Stars]

Of course, that was just a joke.

A skill with a one-month cooldown should be used sparingly and only in dire situations unlike

[Star Ignition]

, which only had a one-hour cooldown.

Li Feng tightened his grip on the wet towel as he made his way inside.

For some reason, Jian Ruyi had been sweating profusely ever since she lost consciousness.

He had even considered forcefully waking her up if it continued.

But when he arrived, he suddenly saw Jian Ruyi sitting upright as she let out a shout.

"Oh? You’re awake?"

Jian Ruyi glanced at him, then looked around. After a few seconds, everything came back to her.

She let out a soft sigh.

"So I lost. It seems there is always a bigger mountain and a higher heaven."

Jian Ruyi had always thought herself talented and strong, but now she had been met with defeat after defeat inside this secret realm.

Each opponent was more overwhelming than the last.

Jian Ruyi didn’t know what exactly had happened during her spar with Li Feng as she had immediately lost consciousness.....and experienced those nightmares that had haunted her for years all over again.

Now she couldn’t help but feel doubt creeping into her heart as she lowered her head dejectedly.

Seeing her sudden drop in mood, Li Feng had a feeling he knew what she was thinking about so he couldn’t help but feel embarrassed and apologetic.

He sat beside her and lifted the wet towel again, gently wiping the lingering sweat from her pale face.

"Jian Ruyi," he said quietly, "I know you feel down. Anyone would after losing like that."

He paused, then cupped her small and warm cheek and gently turned her face toward him.

"But let me ask you something."

His voice was steady.

Not teasing or mocking.

"When you faced those enemies in the secret realm... did you run?"

She frowned faintly.

"No."

"Did you beg?"

Her jaw tightened.

"Of course not."

"Did you hesitate when facing those opponents?"

Silence hung between them.

Then—

"... No."

Li Feng gave a small nod, his thumb brushing lightly against her cheek.

"Then what exactly are you doubting?"

She froze.

Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

He continued calmly.

"You lost. So what? You’re alive. You’re still standing. And you’re stronger now than you were yesterday."

He leaned back slightly but didn’t remove his hand as a faint, bright smile curving his lips.

"As long as you’re alive....even half-dead, even half-crippled, it’s better than being dead."

His eyes sharpened slightly.

"Because if you’re alive... you still have a chance to prove yourself again."

A faint smirk appeared as his gaze locked onto hers.

"No matter how painful it is. No matter how ugly the method. Don’t those losses make you want to climb higher ? Don’t they make you want to crush what stood above you ?"

His voice lowered, firmer now.

"You lost because your opponents were stronger. That’s all. Not because you’re weak."

Then he tapped her forehead lightly with a finger, his eyes studying the delicate yet stubborn face in his hand.

"What’s dangerous isn’t losing. It’s convincing yourself that losing means you can’t win."

His tone softened.

"And that....would be the only true defeat."

Jian Ruyi fell silent at his words.

For some reason, the hand on her cheek fel... warm.

’Is this what Mother meant... a husband’s warmth?’

She gently rubbed her cheek against his rough, large palm.

’...It isn’t too bad.’

Hearing his encouragement and feeling his touch.... Jian Ruyi couldn’t help but feel the swelling negativity in her chest slowly ease.

Meanwhile, Li Feng nervously looked at the silent Jian Ruyi.

’Did that work?’

He had just blurted out some encouraging lines he once read somewhere.

It wasn’t that Li Feng didn’t care about Jian Ruyi.

It was more that he had never really encouraged someone before.

And if he used his true style of encouragement.... it would be a bit too obscene for this situation.

It wouldn’t exactly fit the atmosphere....or his image.

But when he saw her cold, sharp expression soften slightly, Li Feng smiled inwardly.

’Hehe, this world is too easy for me~ There’s nothing this genius Li Feng can’t handle.’

Just as he was celebrating his success, Jian Ruyi’s next words froze him slightly.

"Husband, so what do you need from me?"

Her sharp gaze locked onto him as she casually called him husband.

For Jian Ruyi, it wasn’t strange at all.

She was simple and straightforward.... maybe even a little extreme but that was who she was.

Whatever she did, she gave 120%—no, 200% of her effort.

Since Li Feng was now her husband, she would wholeheartedly perform her duties as his wife.

But she wasn’t entirely sure about the details of being a wife as her mother hadn’t taught her that yet so for now she simply decided to follow her husband’s wishes and learn along the way.

Her dark, sharp eyes carried a small flame of resolve, and Li Feng could clearly see it.

Looking at this petite woman who barely reached his chest, he couldn’t help but feel stunned.

For Li Feng, whenever he was on the offensive, it was easy for him to control the situation.

But when faced with such a sincere "attack" from a woman... he found himself hesitating.

"Just call me Li Feng—cough, cough..."

And of course, Li Feng was never a man to miss an opportunity, so he continued with a perfectly serious expression.

"And normally, a newlywed couple would have a honeymoon."

"Honeymoon?"

Jian Ruyi tilted her head cutely at the unfamiliar word, then nodded.

"What is that?"