The Last Courage (Continued)

"Sister, is there really no other way? You've already come back to life once, can't you continue living?"

"The dead should not disturb the lives of the living. My sister has her own destiny, and you have your mission. Our sect has suffered many calamities, and this is arguably the weakest period in its history. Therefore, you must shoulder the responsibility and protect our sect. This is what your sister and father expect of you."

Wan Ziqiu stammered, "I'm afraid I won't do it well... Sister, is there really no other way?"

Wan Ziling shook her head, then put on a stern face and scolded, "A real man shouldn't be crying like that. It makes us a laughingstock, and it makes it hard for me to leave in peace!"

Wan Ziqiu quickly wiped his nose and eyes, stopping his crying, and said seriously, "Sister, don't worry, I promise I won't embarrass you and Father."

"That's right, that's what a fine son of the Wan family should be like."

Wan Ziling patted the other person's shoulder, wiped away her tears, smiled, and then left gracefully without saying goodbye.

She approached Si Ming and said, "Can you accompany me on my final journey?"

Si Ming bowed politely and said, "With pleasure."

The two walked outside, and the others deliberately made way for them, not following.

Si Huaruo pursed her lips but said nothing, even showing some sympathy. Si Jingyu opened her fan, covering half her face, so her expression was not visible. Only the words "Have a safe journey" were written on the fan. Wan Ziqiu looked at the two of them from behind, revealing a complicated expression, which finally turned into a soft murmur of blessing.

"Thank you for taking care of me during this time, and for helping me fulfill my wish."

You've thanked me many times already.

"Since I haven't had a chance to repay you, I can only thank you verbally a few times."

Wan Ziling looked at her hands, from which tiny starlight emanated, making her body appear as if draped in a veil of light from afar.

These rays of light are the Soul Essence. Just as a person's vital energy dissipates and the body ages as they get older, the Soul Essence also dissipates when the soul reaches its end. The difference is that the dissipation of Jing Essence is a gradual and long process, while the dissipation of the soul is a short and fleeting moment.

Do you believe in the Buddhism concept of reincarnation?

Si Ming shook his head and said, "I believe in the Mohist Religion. The Mohist Religion believes that after a person dies, their soul returns to a certain origin. Memories from their previous life are left behind as information. After being cleansed, they are reborn, all cause and effect are severed, and they start all over again."

Unlike Buddhism, Mohist Religion believes that the person after reincarnation has no connection with the previous life. There is no such thing as "nine lifetimes of good deeds". Even if one did many good deeds in the previous life, it has nothing to do with the next life. In other words, there is no concept of previous life and next life. They are all isolated and unrelated individuals because after the soul returns to its origin, it becomes part of the collective and merges with it.

The so-called awakening of past life memories, in the eyes of the Mohist Religion, is nothing more than obtaining information left behind by a certain soul. Perhaps the two souls are completely unrelated. For example, Zhang San's soul reincarnates and obtains Li Si's memories, so he is regarded as Li Si's reincarnation.

The doctrines of Mohist Religion clearly contradicted the wishes of the masses. The poor hoped to be honest and hardworking in this life so that they could be reborn into a better family in the next. The rich hoped to donate money to accumulate merit so that they could continue to be rich in the next life, or simply go to heaven to enjoy blessings. But Mohist Religion coldly told them to stop dreaming.

In the past, Si Ming was quite fond of Mohist Religion, considering it a "Divine Religion of Science," but now he couldn't help but feel that Mohist Religion was too cruel, too cold-blooded, and too inhumane.

Wan Ziling said slowly, "I didn't believe in Buddhist reincarnation before, after all, the Evil-Slaying Sword School originated from Daoist School, but now I can't help but want to believe in it. If people can reincarnate, will I have a chance to meet you again?"

At that moment, Si Ming suddenly understood why Buddhism in the Celestial Empire could turn the tables and suppress the local Daoism: it was because it was "humane," saying what everyone wanted to hear, so that everyone got what they needed and everyone was happy. As for the facts, that was not important.

"Sigh, is it too late for me to convert to Buddhism now? Buddha is so magnanimous, he probably won't mind."

Wan Ziling laughed and said, "You make jokes about Buddha and are disrespectful to Buddha, yet you have mastered all kinds of Buddhist School martial arts and even gained the approval of the Wheel-Turning King Sword. There are even rumors in the Southern Martial World that you are the reincarnation of Buddha Rōcana. If those believers who burn incense and worship Buddha every day knew your Zhenmian, they would probably be so angry that they would die."

"It is precisely because I disrespected Buddha that Buddha favored me, because what he hated most were those who blindly believed in him."

"It sounds absurd, but I believe you."

Wan Ziling smiled and nodded. Gone was the image of her when she first met Si Ming, arguing fiercely as if they were irreconcilable enemies.

At this moment, more and more starlight emanated from her body, enveloping her in a veil of light, and she seemed to be about to transform into light and disappear.

Clearly, the time has come to say goodbye.

Can you hold my hand?

Si Ming clasped Wan Ziling's hands together in his palms and then noticed that she was trembling.

"I... I'm actually terrified of death, but I can't let anyone know because I'm Wan Yebai's daughter, Wan Ziqiu's older sister, and a role model for all women. So I can't be afraid of death; I have to be a heroine who faces death without fear... But the thought of dying and not being able to feel anything, forgetting all my memories of my family, my fellow disciples, and you, terrifies me so much that I dare not even think about it."

Si Ming hugged the other person and said softly, "No one's around now, so it's okay if you're scared. You don't have to force yourself to endure it anymore."

"Waaah..."

Wan Ziling sobbed, pounding her fist on Si Ming's chest. "Why... why did you make me meet you after I'm dead? Why were you so gentle with me? Didn't that make me even less willing to die?"

I wish the temple fairs Zhongyuan Festival could last forever, and never see the morning again...

Candied hawthorn berries are so sweet! Why didn't I know that before...?

Will we ever see each other again?

"Yes, you've just arrived at the finish line earlier. One day, I'll reach the same place as you. This separation is only temporary."

"Then, it's a promise, and neither of us is allowed to go back on our word," Wan Ziling, leaning against Si Ming's chest. "Even though it's only been less than half a month, it feels like half a lifetime has passed, and my incomplete life has been filled... Although I've said it many times, I still want to tell you that whether it's out of pity or out of affection, I thank you for everything you've done for me so far... Thank you so much..."

"Don't say that, wouldn't that mean... I still want to maintain the image of a hero in your heart?"

Si Ming looked up at the sky, trying to hold back his tears, and asked, suppressing his sorrow, "What have I done for you? Have I done enough... to make you feel happy?"

"Yes, that night was the happiest time of my life so far."

"That's good."

Wan Ziling suddenly pressed her face against Si Ming's clothes, wiped away her tears, then broke free from his embrace, forcing herself to calm down, and said, "That's enough venting. There's a third soul residing in this body. Unlike me Shang Yu, she's just an ordinary little girl, so I need to set a good example for her and not let her feel afraid."

In the end, she still couldn't fully be herself.

"Could you help me one last time?"

Anything is fine.