Chapter 386: Bite Me (I)
"First palm, Demon Subjugation!"
"No, no, that's wrong. Do it again!"
"Second palm, Dominate Demons!"
"Don't slack off!"
A cherubic voice resounded through the tall, ancient trees. Several barks and yelps followed which resulted in more admonishment from the owner of the beautiful voice. Upon closer inspection, in a grassy clearing, beneath the snowy cliffs of Snow White Plum Peak, a peculiar show was taking place.
Several beasts, large and small, were lined up in three rows. The back two rows were occupied by giant dire wolves, hulking beasts with pitch-black fur. They were as big as bears with fangs as large as kitchen knives. In the front row were three diminutive foxes; one tan-yellow, one brilliant red, and one snow white.
"Fengsha, that's wrong, you have to use your hips!"
"Huoling, get up! Don't give me that face. Look at how hard Snowy is training!"
More pitiful howls and cries came from the gathered beasts but it was futile. Their master was a stubborn fox whose will could not be denied.
Jasmine stood in front of her brood, hands on her hips, a frown gracing her angelic face. Three fluffy white tails flicked around behind her, signifying her annoyance. She was trying to teach them the Nineteen Demon Subduing Palms but, so far, things were hardly going according to plan.
It was difficult for beasts to comprehend human methods of cultivation unless they had obtained wisdom and her beasts were far from that point. The wolves of the pack were each as dumb as a block of tofu and her foxes weren't much better. Their paws were also not suited for a set of martial arts designed for a human physique.
The best she could do was cram it down their throats and improvise where necessary. They complained loudly and often but they had to learn. It was a direct order from the sect master after all.
"Really, Jasmine? This is just sad!" A voice called from the sky above, interrupting her thoughts.
Chen Wentian floated down and landed amidst the practicing beasts. The wolves and foxes instantly stopped what they were doing and gathered around him. They pushed and shoved against each other in order to reach him and lick his fingers and his face, showing a degree of affection he rarely received.
"Haha… hey! No biting! Hahaha…" Fengsha leaped onto his shoulder and he rewarded it with a few scratches between the ears, "Look at you, poor girl, I won't let her bully you anymore!"
"Scram!" Jasmine bellowed, her spiritual energy scattering the beasts in an instant, "Don't try to spoil them. It was you who wanted everyone to learn those palm arts!"
She stomped over to him and poked him in the chest. Her eyes were fierce but lacked any real anger behind them. Her pouty cheeks were far more adorable than intimidating.
"Jasmine!" He caught her before she could react and embraced her.
Her small body pressed tightly against him and her arms wrapped around him. He could feel her anger dissipate as she sniffed his scent and buried her face into his chest.
"Asshole…" She muttered, "You were gone for eighteen days straight, I almost thought about finding another mate."
"Fine! I'll go find another nine-tailed fox!"
Jasmine snorted and pushed him away, "You took a bath before coming to see me… but I can still smell the scent of Zhou Ziyun on you."
"What? Come on! I told you. I had to set up monitoring systems Red Bamboo Province after Cloudy Mountain Province was done. I couldn't come back until that task was done. Plus, Zhou Ziyun wanted some pointers on her Nineteen Demon Subduing Palms. I have to say, she's getting quite good. I don't think you can beat her if it was solely a contest of skill and comprehension."
He finished with a smirk as his words had the intended effect. Jasmine flicked back her silvery hair and stamped her feet in annoyance.
She then raised her small fists up in an obvious challenge, "Fine, I want some pointers on my Nineteen Demon Subduing Palms too. I'll show you who's better than who!"
Chen Wentian chuckled and beckoned her, "Come!"
Jasmine let out a cry of annoyance which merely sounded like a sweet melody to his ears. She attacked him with the first palm and put her full power behind the strike.
He didn't expect her to be so ruthless and dodged away unceremoniously.
She chased after him, kicking and punching furiously, letting out all the frustration that had been building up over the many days.
The pair dashed through the shaded forest floor, across streams, lakes, and even up the side of the mountain. She chased and he fled. He focused on defending, letting her utilize all the moves she knew, teaching her all the while.
Jasmine had definitely been working hard the last few days and not just slacking off and playing with her pets. Her moves were crisper, filled with conviction and understanding, not static moves memorized through thousands of repetitions. She was finally starting to comprehend the ubiquitous flexibility and all-around nature of this martial art.
This was good news. She was his greatest asset, especially in these uncertain times. Ten Thousand Flower Valley was facing its first dangerous crisis and against an unknown enemy, the only thing that mattered, in the end, was absolute strength. Zhou Ziyun's ideas and designs were helpful but if three or four demon Spirit Lords showed up looking for trouble, nothing she did would be of any use. If it came down to a real fight, as it often did, Jasmine was the only one he could truly rely on.
The two of them kept sparring for a long time. Both immortals felt an innate sense of competitive spirit, neither willing to back down and admit defeat in front of the other. Their fists and palms connected together over and over. Her strikes landed on his body without restraint. He retaliated in kind until there wasn't a single spot on her body he had not touched.
Eventually, Jasmine was the first to give up. Despite her superiority in speed, agility, and strength as a divine beast, Chen Wentian's expertise and experience from countless souls were still able to best her. She was a bit unwilling but she could live with it for now since she lasted far longer than before.
"Fine, fine!" She shouted, throwing her hands up in surrender, "You win."
"Giving up already? Why don't you fight me in your beast form, like how you were teaching your pets? Maybe you'll get better results!"
Seeing his wide smile, she rolled her eyes, "Bastard… and what? Give you more excuses to touch me inappropriately? Pervert, don't think I didn't notice!"
Chen Wentian caught her hand and pulled her to him.
"Do I need an excuse?" He said, his voice dropping down to a soft growl as he hugged her small waist, "I can touch you… where ever I want."
"You dare? I'll bite you!" She retorted, staring up at him with glittering turquoise eyes.
"Then bite me!" He replied and leaned down to capture her lips.
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