No Regrets in This Life

"Sh-shixiong, I'm fine. Seeing you... I, I can rest easy now."

Gazing at Gu Han's face, Jingyuan forced a faint smile from the corner of his mouth, which still streamed with blood, as he spoke.

"Jingyuan, your injuries are too severe. Don't speak for now. I still have a few Great Return Pills here. These pills are said to revive the dead and regrow flesh and bone. Once you take them, you'll be fine soon."

Seeing Jingyuan's wretched state, Gu Han's face showed a trace of urgency as he spoke. With one hand supporting Jingyuan's body, he used the other to pull out the golden box from his chest, preparing to take out the Great Return Pills inside.

Though these pills were incomparably precious and priceless—enough in the martial world to turn brothers against each other or spouses into enemies—in Gu Han's eyes, they were far less valuable than Jingyuan's life.

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

Seeing Gu Han's movement, Jingyuan quickly reached out a hand to stop him, then explained:

"When I descended the mountain, I was struck by a palm from a barbarian at the Inner Qi level. He was extremely strong. The moment his palm hit my body, his terrifying Inner Qi instantly invaded my five viscera and six bowels, wreaking havoc. If I'd had a Great Return Pill on me at that time, there might have been a sliver of hope.

But now, heh, with my injuries, even a Great Return Pill—or even a celestial immortal—couldn't turn things around. Shixiong, the reason I held on long enough to see you today is to ask you for one last favor."

"What is it? Tell me! Your shixiong will surely agree."

Looking at Jingyuan, who seemed to be in a final burst of lucidity, Gu Han's eyes flickered with pain as he replied.

"Haha! I knew you'd agree, shixiong. Just like when we were kids—whenever your shidi asked, you'd always do your best to help me. Since that's the case, I won't hold anything back.

Shixiong, did you know? I'm not like you, an orphan taken in by Treasure Pearl Temple from childhood. In truth, I have living relatives down in the mortal world.

I remember when I was six years old, a great drought struck my hometown. The fields yielded nothing. To let me and the rest of my family survive, my father planned to sell me to a wealthy household in exchange for some food, so I could have something to eat.

It was then that my master, Master Yuantu, appeared and saved me. He not only gave my father a few taels of silver but also said he would take me into Treasure Pearl Temple as his final disciple.

But alas, good people never live long. That year, on our way back to the temple, we encountered terrifying bandits. To protect me, the old master was hacked to severe injury by the brigands. He managed to send me to the gates of Treasure Pearl Temple, but then he could hold on no longer and ascended to the Western Paradise.

Before he passed, he seemed to see that I was still attached to the mortal world and unable to sever my worldly ties. So he gave me the Dharma name 'Jingyuan,' meaning to stay far from the mundane, far from the secular.

But... but the grace of one's parents in giving life and raising one is greater than heaven and earth. How could such love be distanced? How could it be forgotten?

So, shixiong, I want you—after I die—to take this half-piece of broken jade from around my neck, find my father and mother, and give them some silver.

Then, on my behalf, tell them this: Their son, Ran Da, is unfilial. He cannot serve them in their old age. He can only silently bless them from heaven, praying for their peace and safety, and for them to live a long, long life!"

As Jingyuan spoke, the blood gushing from his mouth grew faster, and faint fragments of internal organs could even be seen in the streams of blood—a truly shocking sight.

"Good! Your shixiong promises you. But tell me, where exactly is your home? What is your ancestral origin? And what is the name of that barbarian who injured you!"

As Gu Han spoke, a fierce Baleful Intent surged between his brows, and boundless rage rose in his heart.

In this world, he was utterly alone. The only person he truly cared about was this little monk who had followed him, calling him "shixiong" ever since he first arrived in this world.

Now, he was dead—killed by a barbarian. Given Gu Han's nature, he would never let the murderer go. No matter how difficult, he would make him pay with his life! He would make sure he died without a whole corpse!

"Haha! Shixiong asks for the barbarian's name—are you going to avenge me?"

Hearing Gu Han's words, Jingyuan laughed loudly and asked, his brows filled with bold spirit, with no sign of his impending death.

"Yes!"

Gu Han nodded, making no attempt to hide the killing intent in his heart.

"Mm! Very well. Shixiong has always been decisive, calm, and rational, never doing anything without certainty. If it were anyone else, I wouldn't tell them. But since it's you, shixiong, there's no problem."

Jingyuan nodded at this, then said:

"I don't actually know the specific name of the barbarian who injured me, shixiong. I can only tell you this: he wore a suit of Black Armor, stood about nine feet tall, had fiery red hair, and his face was covered in a thick beard.

Among barbarians, fiery red hair is extremely rare. If you make a few inquiries, shixiong, it should be easy to identify him.

As for my ancestral home, it's in Ran Family Village, outside Qingyuan County, Hexia Commandery, Fangnan Prefecture. But back then, the great drought struck my hometown. My father led our whole family to flee northward, saying we were going to Li Prefecture in the north to seek refuge with a distant cousin.

Now, over twenty years have passed. Their appearances must have changed greatly. On top of that, I was still young back then. Even if they stood beside me now, I might not recognize them. Only this half-piece of broken jade around my neck can prove my identity.

If fate allows you to meet them, shixiong, please help them on my behalf. If not, then let it be."

"Rest assured, shidi. Li Prefecture in the north—I've remembered it. When I get there in the future, I will surely find your parents and tell them that their son never forgot them!"

Gu Han nodded and made a solemn promise.

Ever since Treasure Pearl Temple was destroyed, he had intended to wander the world and challenge the realm's experts. Li Prefecture was already within his travel plans. Since Jingyuan had made this request, staying there a little longer would be no trouble.

"Good! Then, then I thank you, shixiong."

Seeing Gu Han nod, Jingyuan, though still coughing up blood and clearly near death, showed a face full of great excitement and joy. He laughed loudly and said:

"Haha! I, Ran Da, have three great fortunes in this life: First, that my parents gave me life and raised me in my youth; second, that in childhood I met my master, Yuantu; and third, that in adulthood I came to know shixiong Jingming. With these three fortunes, I, Ran Da, have no regrets in this life—no regrets at all! Hahaha!"

After speaking these words, Jingyuan seemed to have used up all his strength. After three loud laughs, his arm suddenly fell limp, his eyes closed shut, and thus...

He entered Nirvana.