Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

[Lü Zhen stares at you with empty eyes.]

A hoarse voice escaped from a broken throat.

"I have a sword that I have kept hidden for thirty years, and today I entrust it to you."

[Lü Zhen shakily raised his hand, touching your face, leaving a faint bloodstain.]

Finally, my fingertips landed on your brow.

A simple, peaceful, and tranquil sword intent, passed down through the years, is imprinted on your consciousness.

[You seemed to witness the smiles of countless families, the masses, and the peaceful lives of ordinary people.]

That was a magnificent sight, brimming with hope.

"This sword has not yet been named."

[After entrusting his sword intent to Lü Zhen, his hand fell limply to his side, as if in a final burst of energy.]

"I liked the name of Longchang you gave it back then. Could you name this sword again?"

You looked at his pale face.

A somber smile appeared on his face as he touched his brow and spoke slowly.

"Thousands of lights shine."

"Thousands of lights..."

[Lü Zhen murmured, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.]

You helped him up and led him down the gallows.

【boom!】

A powerful aura erupted within the imperial city.

"Halt! Lü Zhen has been convicted of treason and sentenced to 100 days of flogging by the Emperor. He has not yet finished serving his sentence!"

[The solemn and authoritative voice resounded.]

[But it triggered your long-suppressed murderous intent and ferocity.]

[Looking back suddenly, strands of hair, a mix of scarlet and dark, fluttered in the breeze.]

"I'm taking him away today."

[These are simple words, yet they convey an undeniable resolve.]

An ominous aura distorted the surrounding space, inspiring fear in those who looked upon it.

【"Oh……"】

A disdainful sneer rang out from within the imperial city: "A mere fourth-tier city dares to offend the majesty of the imperial family?"

[Clang!]

Suddenly, a clear and melodious sword cry rang out.

[Lu Zhen, whom you were supporting, seemed to sense something and suddenly looked up.]

The sword energy, tearing through the sky, swept across from the distant horizon like a raging torrent, as precipitous as a towering mountain.

[Lü Zhen's eyes were filled with tears.]

[A hoarse voice: "Master..."]

Sword energy stretched across the sky, and a figure appeared on the gallows without anyone noticing.

[A young man, his sword aura soaring to the heavens.]

Seeing Lü Zhen's tragic state, his young face held a sense of desolation and sorrow, like that of a lonely old man.

You've guessed the other person's identity.

The sect leader of the Canglan Sword Sect, and also Lü Zhen's master.

"Now that the sect leader has arrived, I'll leave Lü Zhen to you."

[Since Master Lü Zhen risked his life to enter the capital, you must be trying to bring Lü Zhen back.]

The desire to return to one's roots is a universal aspiration.

The sorrow and regret in the young man's eyes faded, leaving only an endless, cold indifference in his sword aura.

"On the day he abandoned his sword, he said that if he did not save the people, he would never again wield a sword or join the Sword Sect."

The young man stared intently at Lü Zhen's face, his expression indifferent.

[In a heavy, dejected tone:] Take him with you.

Having said that, he withdrew his gaze and looked up at the imperial city.

【Clang!!!】

In an instant, the heavens and earth were filled with sword energy.

Upon hearing the young man's words, tears streamed down Lü Zhen's face. He broke free from your hand and fell to the ground like a tattered rag.

[He knelt down with difficulty and kowtowed.]

"Your disciple is unfilial..."

The young man, his back to him, froze for a moment, closing his eyes to hide the sorrow within.

【"Walk."】

Upon hearing this, you helped Lü Zhen up and led him down from the gallows.

[Xu Kun stands guard beside you. Han Jing nods in acknowledgment and leads the way.]

[Your broken eyes have perceived that the main path is surrounded by countless deadly traps.]

Han Jing's appearance was part of your plan, but the arrival of the Canglan Sect Master was unexpected.

Thankfully, we don't have to risk our lives anymore.

You tied up your flowing red hair again and helped Lü Zhen away.

As dusk falls, snowflakes blanket the capital in white.

With Han Jing clearing the way, the lurking killing intent ultimately dared not make a move.

"Send the Prime Minister away!"

Suddenly, a figure appeared on the deserted, wide avenue, shouting loudly.

"Send the Prime Minister away!!"

[One person, one hundred people, one thousand people, ten thousand people, one hundred thousand people...]

Along the main thoroughfare of the capital, stretching for dozens of miles, countless families and ordinary people emerge from their homes on both sides.

[Lu Zhen lifted his eyelids; though he couldn't see, the voice was deeply etched in his mind.]

He stood in the wind and snow.

Look up at the sky.

"Oh, vast heavens, how have you wronged me?"

As you watched his retreating figure, you sensed a extinguished life force, and your heart was filled with complex emotions.

……

[Xiangyang City, Zhenwu Mountain.]

The sound of horses' hooves rang out, and a carriage approached, finally stopping in front of the quiet courtyard.

[There is a solitary grave nearby, inscribed with the two characters "Pang Hai".]

With Han Jing's help, you stepped down from the carriage, looking at the familiar surroundings, and felt a surge of emotion.

Han Jing walked to the back of the carriage and took down the secondary coffin.

You lean against the coffin, gazing at Pang Hai's tombstone.

[He chuckled lightly: "Hai Zi, I've found you a friend to keep you company. Brother Lü, I think you two should get along well."]

At this moment, more than a dozen figures appeared.

Upon seeing you, I greeted you with joy and respect: "Lord Wen."

You raise your hand in greeting.

One of them stepped forward.

"Lord Wen, you're finally back. Your wife... has been waiting for you."

You sensed something was off about his words.

[Gesture for him to help you into the house.]

On the bed, you saw Zuo Shi.

Her appearance remained as elegant and dignified as ever, but the life force within her was already faint.

It all comes down to perseverance.

You sit beside her, holding her cold, slender hand.

"My husband..."

Zuo Shi didn't even have the strength to open her eyes; her pale lips murmured.

"It's me, I'm back."

You hold her hand tightly.

【"Um……"】

Zuo Shi smiled, gently squeezed your hand, then released it, letting it fall.

She finally waited for your return, but she was no longer able to reminisce with you tenderly.

Your expression was calm; you closed your eyes, and the ink in your hair faded again.

It was almost impossible to find a few streaks of crimson among them.

At that moment, the door was pushed open, and Han Jing walked in.

[His expression was strange.]

"Mr. Wen, we need you to come out."

You can't help but wonder why Han Jing would bother him at this moment; there must be some unavoidable reason.

【"good."】

[You tidied Zuo Shi's appearance and signaled to the maids to prepare for her funeral.]

[Following Han Jing out of the courtyard, they arrived at the carriage.]

[Han Jing gave a signal with his eyes.]

Growing increasingly suspicious, you lifted the carriage curtain.

A cracked hand reached out.

"Big...Big brother...I...I'm going to die..."

Xu Kun lay in the carriage, one hand outstretched, the other tucked into his robes.

[A faint, almost inaudible murmur.]

[Your expression changed drastically at first, then you realized what was happening and your face darkened.]

[Inner demons are almost impossible to kill; what kind of weird thing is this guy up to now?]

"Don't talk about death or anything like that. Stop saying such unlucky things. Spit on me and say it again."

Xu Kun blinked.

[He flashed his signature wicked and maniacal smile.]

"Brother, Xu Hui's body can't hold on any longer. I've finally brought him home."

As he spoke, a strange and invisible aura emanated from the cracks that covered Xu Hui's body.

[A thick black mist formed and floated in the air.]

[Clang!]

[The killer trembled slightly, floating from his embrace; Xu Kun temporarily entrusted himself to it.]

For a fleeting moment, you didn't know whether to feel amusement or sadness.

[We'll have to prepare several more coffins.]

[This is truly an ominous sign for his later years.]