"I should have died long ago!"
Poison Elder sighed softly, his voice so weak it was like a gust of wind rustling fallen leaves. He had struggled for survival, not hesitating to stain his hands with blood, yet all he gained was insufficient to compensate for what he had lost. When he could continue living, when life was within reach, he felt unworthy. Why should someone like him be allowed to enjoy his twilight years?
Nan Shiying threw away the dagger and tore off the bandages to wrap his wrist wound, then popped a Qi Nourishing and Blood Replenishing Pill into his mouth.
After finishing, she slumped dejectedly at Poison Elder's feet. Lifting her head, she gazed at him with sorrowful eyes. "But you can live now, can't you?"
"I mean, I *should* die!"
Poison Elder took a breath. He could no longer feel the pain from his wrist wound. When the蛊 worms had spread throughout his body, his mortal shell had become a breeding ground for her larvae.
"I told you earlier that I didn't believe my master would refine 'medicine people.' Of course, I didn't believe it, because it wasn't my master who refined medicine people, but me and my junior uncle, who is Medicine Venerable."
"And I also know who, or rather, which people, killed my master."
"The Valley of Medicine Kings exists because of the Empress. My master died because he moved the Empress's physical body for me!"
"After my master's death, I stopped refining medicine people. To atone for my mistakes, I kept Gouzi by my side and infiltrated the capital because I wanted to use myself as bait to lure out the mastermind behind my master's murder."
"Taking you as a disciple was an accident. I had never met such a peerless prodigy as you. I was greedy and wanted to leave behind a successor. I never imagined your identity would be so astonishing. At that time, the Regent's Mansion was pursuing me closely, making me believe for a while that the Lin Yuan Imperial Family were descendants of the one who left the Empress's corpse and established the Valley of Medicine Kings. Therefore... I entered the Regent's Mansion because of you."
"Later, I discovered that Ji Jinmo was not searching for me because of the Empress, but because he was poisoned by a蛊. In the beginning, I didn't realize the蛊 poison in him was related to me. It wasn't until Yin Si Lan died and Ji Jinmo's蠱 poison remained unresolved that I suddenly realized his poison was connected to me."
Nan Shiying listened silently. He had to gasp for breath after every sentence. In truth, she had already guessed some of these things even if the old man hadn't said them. But just as the old man had silently watched her exhaust all her efforts to save him without intervening, she now listened quietly.
The only reason Yin Si Lan hadn't implicated Poison Elder even in death was that as long as she remained silent, Poison Elder wouldn't be suspected, and Ji Jinmo would have no chance of a cure.
She would drag someone down with her, even in death.
"During that time, I kept thinking about how to reveal everything. But every time I saw you looking at me with sincere eyes, I couldn't bring myself to speak. So, I decided to end my own life quickly... Ying'er, please forgive my selfishness. I struggled my whole life. I thought I had lost everything, but in reality, I had what others only dreamed of: a master who cared for me, lovely fellow disciples, a filial and respectful disciple, and a child who stayed by my side, offering solace yet also making me feel guilt and a desire to atone."
"Although I was lonely in my childhood, the scars in my heart were long since healed by my master. It was my excessive desires that led to today's situation. Therefore, in this world, everyone deserves to enjoy their twilight years, except for me."
Nan Shiying remained silent for a long time.
"So, did you find the mastermind behind my grand-master's murder?"
Poison Elder looked at her, then lowered his gaze. "No!"
"Who was it?"
"I said I didn't find them."
Nan Shiying touched her sleeve, a drop of blood on the hem from where it had stained the floor. She slowly closed her eyes, her mind flashing back through every event since her rebirth. After an unknown amount of time, she opened her eyes and slowly uttered three words: "Yu Chengxuan!"
Poison Elder slightly stiffened. The sudden dilation of his pupils said everything.
"It seems it was him!"
"No!"
Poison Elder continued to shake his head.
Nan Shiying nodded, unsure if she believed his words or simply didn't want to dwell on it.
Poison Elder let out a sigh. "Alright, call Ji Jinmo here."
Nan Shiying didn't respond, looking up at him.
"I am at the end of my strength. Even if I don't die today, I won't live past tomorrow. Ji Jinmo has been tormented by the蛊 poison for over a decade. Can you bear for him to be unable to escape the torment of the蛊 worms for his entire life?"
"You should know that even if I die, the蛊 poison in him cannot be completely removed."
"Do you have a choice? Will you choose to let me save him today, or choose to break open my flesh after I die, extract my bone marrow, and mix it with the蛊 worms for medicine?"
"You—"
Nan Shiying's eyes widened in fury.
Poison Elder's voice softened. "Since you have read 'The Art of Gu' extensively, you should know that if I recall the offspring worms back into my body, the mother worm and offspring worms will devour each other, possibly eliminating each other. Now that the old楼主 of Wan Ku Lou is dead, and there is no longer a Gu King in this world, you have no other path, do you?"
"This is why you didn't stop me, isn't it?"
"Partially!"
Poison Elder did not deny it.
Nan Shiying stood up, smoothing the wrinkles on her sleeve. She turned to look at the steaming medicinal bath not far away. Nan Shiying paused slightly and called for Gouzi to come in.
"Help Poison Elder into the medicinal bath!"
"Okay!"
Gouzi responded repeatedly.
Seeing Nan Shiying walk towards the exit, he couldn't help but ask, "The old man's body..."
"It failed!"
Nan Shiying's voice was very soft.
Gouzi's breathing hitched, his voice trembling slightly, his emotions nearly breaking loose. "How could it fail? For..."
Poison Elder tightly gripped Gouzi's wrist. Gouzi looked down at the frail and powerless Poison Elder in his arms.
"I am unwilling!"
Poison Elder spoke.
"Child, you should know that I am not a good person. In this life, you do not owe me; it is I who owe you. If you can understand what I am saying, then consider it my atonement. If you cannot understand, then this is my choice."
"Now, help me in!"
Gouzi clenched his jaw, his temples visibly bulging.
Did he understand? How could he not understand?
But what good would understanding do?
"Help me in!"
Poison Elder's voice deepened.
Gouzi said no more, silently removing Poison Elder's outer robe and carrying him into the medicinal bath.
Nan Shiying walked out of the room. The gentle spring breeze stirred the hair at her temples. She felt the embrace of nature, enveloped by life, yet felt like a fading fallen leaf.