Han Yan ultimately left.
Filled with resentment and anger, she departed this troublesome world. No one knew her final thoughts.
She was a woman, a woman who in her youth held beautiful expectations for the future, hoping to meet a soulmate, grow old together, and share a loving life.
But it was all a dream.
The only thing she did in this life was to match wits with Lin Fan, fighting against heaven, against earth, only to discover in the end that she had been fighting against thin air all along.
Han Yan refused to acknowledge this.
Everything she did was to protect her younger sister. Looking back on her life, the only thing that could bring her comfort was that she had protected her sister. How could it be said that everything she did was overthinking?
"Brother Lin, my closest relative is gone. Now I only have you."
Xiao Xiao was the most heartbroken. She had always been matching wits with her older sister, but no matter what, in her heart, her sister would always be the best sister.
Lin Fan gently stroked Xiao Xiao's head. "I will be with you from now on."
In various dreamscapes, Lin Fan had long been accustomed to life and death. He used to be saddened by such situations, but with repeated encounters and observations, he had a realization.
Everyone lives a happy life, leaving without regrets. That is their ultimate destination. Perhaps one day, they might meet again somewhere.
Occasionally, Lin Fan would ponder one thing.
When would he be able to complete his mission?
Although he hadn't read many books, he could still understand the literal meaning of the mission. It seemed like there was nothing left to do, so why couldn't he go back?
Of course, he wasn't anxious at all.
Because Xiao Xiao was still here, he would accompany Xiao Xiao through the rest of her journey. He was like walking hormones; the women he met seemed destined for solitary lives. It wasn't that he was a jinx, but his seriousness about relationships prevented him from making mistakes.
Since he couldn't give them complete romantic love, he would give them complete friendship and familial love, accompanying them in their joys and sorrows, allowing them to depart with only a trace of regret.
Although Lin Fan was mentally ill, he was serious about relationships. Before getting his wife's consent, he wouldn't share his love with others.
Twenty years later.
Han Xiao Xiao's time was near. Her body was extremely weak. Her seemingly rosy complexion was merely a final burst of energy before death.
Inside the house.
Beside the bed.
The stove radiated warmth, and snow drifted outside.
"Brother Lin, why won't you agree to be with me? Don't lie to me. I'm about to die, so don't lie to me." Han Xiao Xiao looked at Lin Fan. People often say that a dying person's words are kind. Xiao Xiao's meaning was clear: I'm about to leave, just tell me the truth. I'm really not reconciled.
Lin Fan held Han Xiao Xiao's hand. "I have a wife."
Upon hearing this, Han Xiao Xiao, with strength from who knows where, pulled Lin Fan's hand and bit down hard on his palm, drawing blood.
"If there's a next life, I will definitely find you first, before you have a wife."
"I like you very much, I've liked you my whole life."
"But you kept rejecting me."
"No matter how old I get, I, Han Xiao Xiao, am always full of youthful vitality."
She no longer had the strength to move. If she did, she would definitely jump up and pin Lin Fan down on the bed.
Lin Fan didn't withdraw his hand. After Xiao Xiao gradually released her bite, he held her hands and placed them on his forehead until she finally passed away.
He understood Xiao Xiao's thoughts.
But some things... weren't as they seemed.
"Xiao Xiao, you're right. You are always full of youthful vitality." Lin Fan looked at the peaceful Xiao Xiao, his eyes flickering. No one knew what he was thinking.
Perhaps it was reluctance at Xiao Xiao's departure.
For Lin Fan, everyone he was familiar with had left.
The once bustling Purple Mountain Lin Residence gradually became deserted over the next twenty years. Most of the maids and servants had passed away. Some, too old, were taken back by their grandchildren to enjoy their remaining years in their hometowns.
Lin Fan's life remained the same, without any changes. He mostly spent his days fishing, sitting quietly by the pond, gazing at the azure sky.
Twenty years passed like this.
By the pond.
Lin Fan held a fishing rod, quietly fishing. He used to talk while fishing, but now they were all gone, leaving him alone.
He wanted to go back.
But the mission wasn't complete. To him, it should have been completed, but for some unknown reason, he just couldn't go back.
At this moment.
A figure rushed in from outside, covered in blood, clearly having experienced unimaginable fighting. Seeing Lin Fan fishing, the young man's face lit up with ecstasy.
"The rumors are true."
"Everything is true."
Lin Fan had maintained his aged appearance. From the time Xiao Xiao felt she was getting old, he didn't want her to feel that way, so he aged along with her.
The young man slowly walked up to Lin Fan.
His expression was excited, his face flushed.
Thud!
"Senior, please teach me your peerless martial arts! My entire family has been murdered, everyone in my household, over a hundred people, tragically killed!" The young man knelt before Lin Fan. He had escaped for several years, constantly pursued. He diligently practiced his family's martial arts, but found that even at the highest level, he was still no match for those people.
Therefore, he fell into complete despair.
Later, he learned of the Purple Mountain Lin Residence from a travelogue.
Throwing a mountain into the sky with bare hands.
He thought it was utter nonsense. How could such a person exist? But wanting revenge, even if it seemed impossible, he had to try and see, what if he really encountered such a person?
Lin Fan looked at the suddenly appearing young man.
Tian Sheng's words surfaced in his mind.
"Pass on my swordsmanship legacy."
Lin Fan didn't know how much longer he could stay here. What if one day the mission inexplicably ended and he suddenly left? Wouldn't Tian Sheng's entrustment to him be unfulfilled?
He carefully observed the young man.
He nodded slightly.
This young man seemed quite decent.
He stood up and walked towards the house. The young man watched Lin Fan leave, puzzled, thinking the senior wouldn't easily accept him as a disciple. But even so, he would kneel here, using sincerity to move the senior.
His gaze was unwavering.
No matter how difficult, he wouldn't give up.
Not long after.
Lin Fan returned, carrying a wooden sword. He came to the young man and handed him the sword, slowly saying, "This was given to me by a friend. His swordsmanship was very powerful. Everything is within this wooden sword. Go back and comprehend it slowly. I hope you can achieve something and inherit his mantle."
Zhao Yong raised his hands and respectfully received the wooden sword.
His mind was full of questions.
What exactly was this wooden sword?
But since it was given by the old senior, it naturally had its uses.
"Leave if there's nothing else. There's no one to serve you here anymore." Lin Fan waved his hand. What he was thinking now was, when can I go back? It's been so long.
Zhao Yong kowtowed again in gratitude.
"Senior, I will definitely not disgrace this swordsmanship senior's legacy."
"After I avenge my family, I will definitely return to serve you."
Zhao Yong left with the wooden sword.
Reaching the doorway, he looked back. The old senior sat there, quietly fishing, as if he had merged with the world.
Winter turned to spring.
Everything seemed peaceful. Time was no longer important to Lin Fan. He kept waiting, always believing that the world was round, that everything was cyclical, and as long as the time came, everything would return to its starting point.
Ten years passed.
On this day.
Snow fell from the sky, goose feather snow falling slowly. Everything before him was a vast expanse of white. He stood in the courtyard, extending his hand, letting the snowflakes fall into his palm. They were icy cold, melting shortly after landing.
Lin Fan touched the scarf wrapped around his neck. It was knitted by Xiao Xiao. Although it looked ugly, in Lin Fan's eyes, it was still beautiful.
Sometimes, he would stand before Xiao Xiao's tombstone.
Gazing for a long time.
Rustle!
He wasn't sure if it was the wind or someone arriving.
Immediately after, Lin Fan sensed a murderous intent.
A group of people burst in from outside, all carrying weapons, looking fierce and menacing. The leader was a cold-looking middle-aged man carrying a bag, seemingly containing something. The bottom of the bag was bloody, dripping onto the ground.
"Are you Zhao Yong's master? You seem quite old. In your current state, can you even move?"
"I've come to bring you a gift."
The middle-aged man threw the bag at Lin Fan. Upon landing, a human head rolled out to Lin Fan's feet. He looked at the head, somewhat familiar, yet also somewhat strange. Thinking carefully, he recalled giving the Tian Sheng swordsmanship wooden sword to this person.
But why...
Had it become like this?
If Zhao Yong were still alive, he would definitely be crying his eyes out, feeling the wickedness of society. He had sensed Tian Sheng's swordsmanship legacy from the wooden sword and his cultivation had soared.
But unexpectedly... these old cunning dogs had tricked him.
They used beauty to lure him.
Because he trusted the girl too much, he was poisoned, his abilities left unused. Truly tragic and lamentable.
"You received Tian Sheng's swordsmanship legacy, so you're considered his disciple. Now you've tragically died. I was good friends with Tian Sheng, so I'll avenge you." Lin Fan looked at the head, muttering to himself. For him, he didn't want any interaction with these people now.
There really was no need.
"What are you talking about?" the middle-aged man roared. "Old man, at your age, you'd better be honest and hand over all your martial arts."
At this moment.
The sky changed.
The wind howled and clouds churned.
Lin Fan stood up, a smile appearing on his face as he faced these people. But this smile was somewhat terrifying. He slowly raised his hand. Those people didn't know what was happening, but when the surrounding snowflakes scattered in all directions, they felt something was amiss.
In an instant.
The sky darkened.
No... it wasn't the sky darkening, but they found themselves in darkness, unable to see anything.