No Regrets in This Life

"Senior Brother, I'm fine. Being able to see you... I can finally rest easy."

Looking at Gu Han's face, Jingyuan forced a faint smile onto the corner of his mouth, where blood still flowed without stop, and spoke with a laugh.

"Jingyuan, your injuries are too severe. Don't speak for now. I still have several Great Return Pills here. This pill is said to bring the dead back to life and grow flesh upon white bones. As long as you take one, you'll soon be fine."

Seeing Jingyuan in such a miserable state, Gu Han spoke anxiously. One hand supported Jingyuan's body, while the other took out the golden box from his chest, preparing to retrieve the Great Return Pills inside.

Though these pills were incomparably precious and beyond measure in value—enough to make brothers turn against one another and husbands and wives become enemies if placed in the martial world—in Gu Han's eyes, they were far less precious than Jingyuan's life.

"No need, Senior Brother. Don't waste such precious medicine on me."

Seeing Gu Han's actions, Jingyuan hurriedly raised a hand to stop him, then explained:

"When I descended the mountain, I was struck by the palm of a barbarian at the Inner Qi level. He was extremely powerful. The instant his blow landed on my body, that terrifying Inner Qi invaded my five viscera and six bowels, wreaking havoc within them. If I had had a Great Return Pill on me then, perhaps there would still have been a sliver of hope.

"But now... hehe. With my injuries, let alone a Great Return Pill, even if an immortal descended from heaven, I fear he could not turn the tide. Senior Brother, the only reason I held on until I could see you today was because I wanted to ask one last thing of you."

"What is it? Tell me! Senior Brother will definitely agree!"

Looking at Jingyuan, who seemed to be having one final burst of light before death, pain flashed through Gu Han's eyes as he replied.

"Haha! I knew Senior Brother would agree, just like when we were children. As long as your junior brother asked, you would always do everything you could to help me. Since that's the case, I won't keep it hidden any longer.

"Senior Brother, do you know that unlike you, I was not an orphan taken in by Treasure Pearl Temple from childhood. In truth, I still have family in the Mortal World below the mountain.

"I remember that when I was six, a terrible drought struck my hometown. Not a single grain was harvested from the fields. To keep me and the rest of my family alive, my father had originally intended to sell me to a wealthy household in exchange for provisions, so that I could at least have a mouthful of food.

"It was then that my master, Master Yuantu, appeared and saved me. Not only did he give my father several taels of silver, he also said he would bring me into Treasure Pearl Temple as his last disciple.

"Unfortunately, good people never seem to live long. That year, on our journey back to the mountain, we encountered terrifying bandits. To protect me, Master was hacked so badly by those robbers that he suffered grave wounds. After enduring long enough to bring me to the gates of Treasure Pearl Temple, he could hold on no longer and ascended to the Western Paradise of Ultimate Bliss.

"Before his death, he seemed to have seen that I was enamored of the Mortal World and could not sever the bonds of worldly family affection. Thus, he gave me the Dharma name 'Jingyuan,' meaning to stay far from the red dust and far from the Mortal World.

"But... but the grace of one's parents in giving birth and raising a child is greater than heaven and earth. How could I stay far from such love and kindness? How could I forget it?

"So, Senior Brother, I want you... after I die, to take this half piece of broken jade hanging from my neck, find my father and mother, and give them some silver.

"Then, tell them on my behalf that their unfilial son, Ran Da, can no longer remain by their side and serve the two elders. I can only silently pray for them from heaven, blessing them with peace and safety, long life... a long life of a hundred years!"

As Jingyuan continued speaking, blood poured from his mouth ever faster. Amid mouthful after mouthful of blood, fragments of his internal organs could even faintly be seen. It was a horrifying sight.

"Good! Senior Brother promises you. But tell me, where exactly is your home? Where is your ancestral home? And what is the name of that barbarian who injured you?"

As Gu Han spoke, Baleful Intent erupted from between his brows, and boundless fury surged within his heart.

He was all alone in this world. The only person he could truly call an attachment was this little monk, who had followed behind him from the moment he arrived in this world, endlessly calling him Senior Brother.

Now, he was dying—dying at the hands of a barbarian. Given Gu Han's nature, he naturally would not spare that murderer. No matter how difficult it was, he would make him accompany Jingyuan in death! He would make sure he died without an intact corpse!

"Haha! Senior Brother asks that barbarian's name... are you planning to avenge me?"

Hearing Gu Han's words, Jingyuan laughed loudly as he asked. His brows brimmed with heroic spirit, without the slightest sign that death was near.

"Yes!"

Gu Han nodded at those words, making no attempt to conceal the killing intent in his heart.

"Mm! Very well. Senior Brother has always had his own judgment. Your nature is calm and rational, and you never do anything without confidence. If it were anyone else, I would not tell them. But if it is Senior Brother, there is no problem."

Jingyuan nodded, then said:

"As for the barbarian who injured me, your junior brother does not know his exact name. I can only tell you that he wore a suit of Black Armor, stood around nine feet tall, had fiery red hair, and a face full of beard.

"Fiery red hair is extremely rare among barbarians. As long as Senior Brother asks around a little, he should be easy to identify.

"As for my ancestral home, it is in Ran Family Village outside Qingyuan County, Hexia Commandery, Fangnan Prefecture. But during the great drought in my hometown back then, Father led our whole family away. We traveled north all the way, saying that we would go to Li Prefecture in the north to seek refuge with a distant cousin of his.

"More than twenty years have passed now. Their appearances must have changed greatly. And I was still young then, so even if the two of them stood beside me now, I might not recognize them. Only this half piece of broken jade around my neck can prove my identity.

"If Senior Brother is fated to meet them, then help the two of them for me once. If not, then let it be."

"Rest assured, Junior Brother. Li Prefecture in the north—I will remember it. When Senior Brother arrives there in the future, I will definitely find your parents and tell them that their son has never forgotten them!"

Gu Han nodded and made the solemn promise.

Ever since Treasure Pearl Temple had been destroyed, he had already intended to roam the four seas and meet the masters of the world. Li Prefecture was within the range of his travels as well. Since Jingyuan now had this request, even if he had to stay in Li Prefecture a while longer, it did not matter.

"Good! Then... then thank you, Senior Brother."

Seeing Gu Han nod, Jingyuan continued coughing blood and looked as though death was near, yet his face was filled with immense excitement and joy. He laughed loudly and said:

"Haha! I, Ran Da, have had three great fortunes in this life: first, that my father and mother gave birth to me and raised me; second, that I met Master Yuantu in my childhood; third, that I was able to spend so long with Senior Brother Jingming. With these three fortunes, I, Ran Da, have no regrets in this life—no regrets! Hahaha!"

After Jingyuan finished speaking, it was as though he had used up all his strength. After laughing three times, his arm suddenly fell limp, his eyes closed, and just like that...

He entered nirvana!