Jiang Wuji may have had many ideological conflicts with him, but ultimately, both shared the sa dream and hated evil with a passion, able to stand on the sa front line.
So, for Jin, Jiang Wuji was always soone worth describing.
Their relationship was no longer just ntor and student but more like comrades who have fought side by side for decades.
"My ti is running out."
He held his chest, trying his best to keep his tone calm.
"So in the end, I still want to give so instructions to you...to my students."
"Wuji."
He gently stretched out his hand, and Jiang Wuji imdiately reacted, quickly grasping Jin's hand.
"I've always known that although your personality appears easygoing on the surface, there's a fla burning inside you that will never go out."
"Because of this, I've always trusted you...I also know you have never agreed with my path and have your own ideas, but now, those disagreents aren't important. I have co to realize that everyone will eventually die, and if I were to constrain my disciple's thoughts, it would essentially violate the founding principles of the Equality Association."
"So... as for what happens later, I will not force you to make a choice, decide your own fate."
"..."
Jiang Wuji did not say anything, just paused for a mont and softly said, "I will protect your life's work. As long as I'm here, the Equality Association will never change."
Jin pulled at the corners of his mouth, revealing a sowhat difficult smile.
"Don't force yourself."
Afterward, he turned his gaze to Vitinya and Tang Jin.
"Vini, Tang Jin."
"I actually always felt that there isn't such a large conflict between us."
"Ideals and family don't necessarily require choosing one."
"Of course, I still say the sa—I'll respect each of your choices, just like with your senior brother, I won't force you to choose a path for your future."
"Real ideals cannot be achieved through coercion."
"..."
The two also remained wordless.
They had both betrayed Jin before and were considered "traitors" of the entire Equality Association.
But Jin never blad them.
Because in this world, there are few who can always stick to their original intentions. Most people have various desires and expectations, even he could not demand his students to align with him.
However, having said this, the two naturally would not ntion their betrayal again, instead silently bowing their heads, vowing inwardly to assist in the continued developnt of the Equality Association.
They had already missed once and could not afford to miss again.
Seeing this, Jin gently nodded but did not say much more, just turned to face Chen Zaikun.
"Zaikun, I still rember, this na was given by ."
Chen Zaikun lowered his head.
"That's right, teacher."
"My original na was 'Chen Hou,' and when you found in the Lower City, you said my na was very down-to-earth and nice, but it lacked the spirit to turn the tide, so you nad 'Chen Zaikun,' aning bearing the world, and turning Heaven and Earth."
"Unfortunately, I ultimately didn't et your expectations, teacher, lacking the stature to bear the world and the ability to turn Heaven and Earth."
Hearing this sowhat self-deprecating remark, Jin shook his head.
"You always belittle yourself, Zaikun, there is no need for it because, in my eyes, you are soone who truly possesses great wisdom, capable of bearing responsibility."
"I have indeed always had so regret regarding you. Since taking you in, besides providing you with so money and body-strengthening techniques, I haven't paid much attention to you, but you've still grown to a level comparable to your senior brother; you have never been soone who 'rests under a big tree for shade,' but a stalwart man, the tree itself."
"I cannot see what the future holds, but I believe, with you and Wuji, the Equality Association will eventually carve out its own unique path."
"So, Zaikun, go ahead and act boldly. No one will stop you, nor will anyone obstruct you."
"..."
Chen Zaikun's body trembled slightly, unsure whether it was due to being moved by the recognition from his teacher or excitent.
He remained silent for a long ti before nodding.
"Rest assured, teacher."
"I will bear the responsibility, regardless of how, I will do it. I promise you."
Hearing this, Jin smiled happily.
In his final monts, this old man truly didn't want to add further sorrow, so he did his best to keep smiling.
"Lastly, Ah You."
Jin looked at Yun You, his eyes instantly softening.
If there was soone among his disciples he couldn't let go of, it would undoubtedly be Yun You.
The little girl was very strong, but essentially still a sixteen or seventeen-year-old child, as an elder, Jin indeed still felt sowhat uneasy.
"Ah You..."
For so reason, he repeated Yun You's na.
Seeing this, the little girl paused slightly but imdiately reacted...
The old man's condition had worsened again.
She hurriedly grasped Jin's cold hand.
"Ah You, I know you're a good child who cherishes mories."
"But...don't keep looking back, at those, the shed blood and fallen people."
"They are worth rembering, but cannot beco your...burden."
Yun You's heart felt as if it had been tightly twisted, knowing well what Jin referred to—those deaths she had witnessed, those sacrifices.
Once upon a ti, Yun You cared so much about the past that after avenging her parents, she lost the will to live.
"They are too heavy."
Jin's gaze locked onto her, almost pleadingly.
"They will weigh you down and prevent you from moving forward. So, look ahead."
"The road ahead may be dark, may be unclear, but...as long as you strive, you'll always see so light."
"Teacher, I understand..."
Yun You's throat was sowhat sore, nodding vigorously as tears unwittingly welled up in her eyes.
"I understand everything, rest assured, I will look ahead, now I'm no longer held back by the past."
Upon hearing this, Jin seed to slightly breathe a sigh of relief, but the heaviness in his eyes did not diminish, instead, gazing at her more deeply.
That gaze was no longer of a loving elder, but more of a leader surveying their successor.
He spoke again with difficulty, yet his voice was deeper.
"Nest City No. 3, those people downstairs, the entire 'Equality Association'..."
Effortfully, he gestured with his chin, signaling towards the window, perhaps referring to the entire organization, and all those currently living under their protection.
"They cannot disperse, cannot beco chaotic."
"Soone has to step up...to stabilize...the situation..."
He gasped, his chest heaving violently, the ventilator sounding a shrill alarm for a mont, before drifting back into the monotonous "hissing" noise.
A nearby doctor guard approached with concern, but Jin gestured for them not to co over, knowing better than anyone his current state; he didn't have much ti left, rather than lingering aimlessly, it was better to clarify things once.
"This burden..."
Jin mumbled, "Ah You, only you, cannot hide, cannot retreat..."
At these words, everyone present was stunned.
Though Jin didn't state it directly, they understood his implication.
He intended to pass the leadership role to Yun You!
Maybe everyone had been sowhat prepared for this, but realizing this fact still left them in disbelief.
Yun You had been by Jin's side the shortest amount of ti, and she was the youngest among all the students.
Why could she beco the leader? Why did Jin choose her?
The group was perplexed and unconvinced.
Yet Jin neither cared nor had spare strength to care, instead silently...voicing what lay in his heart.
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