"I've told you everything I needed to, and I've long anticipated this day. I have no regrets, perhaps the only regret is not seeing that kid before I die."
The ruddy complexion on Li Chengdao's face slowly faded, revealing a pallor.
The machines beside him showed all readings plummeting.
"Old Li, just hold on a bit longer, he's almost back!"
The Great Elder grasped Li Chengdao's hand and said through gritted teeth, his heart filled with anxiety.
Li Chengdao shook his head slightly, "I won't be able to wait. We've cooperated in sincerity for decades, and this is our final farewell."
With that, he slowly closed his eyes, and a buzzing sound emanated from the nearby equipment.
"Beep—"
His heart rate dropped to zero.
The electrocardiogram displayed a flat line.
Li Chengdao, this elder who had experienced countless battles and weathered the storms of time, had finally departed.
The Great Elder emerged from the room and, after a long silence, looked at the gathered individuals and said, "At 4:11, the Second Elder has left us."
A somber atmosphere pervaded the entire inner courtyard. Everyone stood in the yard, perhaps Li Chengdao's courtyard had never been this lively, but today it was exceptionally so, yet it was a pity that he could no longer see this liveliness.
"Deng deng deng—"
A flurry of urgent footsteps approached. Ye Longlin and Ning Qi walked in quickly, and upon entering, they saw a group of people with their heads bowed in silence, not uttering a word.
"Where is the Second Elder?"
Ye Longlin asked urgently, his eyes scanning everyone.
A faint scent of blood still clung to him.
After his question, the group fell silent, unsure how to respond.
They all understood one thing.
Ye Longlin had been promoted by the Second Elder himself. It could be said that the Second Elder's presence was crucial in Ye Longlin's military career. Without the Second Elder, Ye Longlin would not have achieved his current status, or at least, would not be standing here at such a young age.
Their relationship was more akin to that of a mentor and a friend.
Though it was never spoken, everyone knew.
"He waited for you for a long time, but he missed you by a few minutes."
As the Great Elder uttered these words, Ye Longlin's pupils contracted sharply. A mouthful of blood rushed upwards, and he vomited blood. His vision suddenly blurred, and his body collapsed onto the ground.
"Ye Longlin!"
The Great Elder was startled and rushed forward.
Hua Qingchi sighed, "This kid. This battle had already caused his internal energy to scatter, and upon hearing this news, his anger surged, making him lose consciousness."
"The problem isn't too serious; he needs rest and cannot exert himself for a while."
"Send him to my place first."
...
The news of the Second Elder's passing was directly announced by the Hall of Honor.
Mu Hanqi, who was waiting for Ye Longlin at the Commander's Mansion, was stunned to receive such news.
The Second Elder had passed away!
As this news spread, the entire Great Xia was once again shaken!
The matter of the Martial Arts Association had not yet fully disseminated, and this news had already spread across the nation!
"How could Grandpa Li... He was in good health just a while ago."
Mu Hanqi's eyes unfocused, disbelief evident.
She pulled out her phone and dialed Yuan Gang's number: "Yuan Gang, where are you? Where is Ye Longlin?"
Yuan Gang and his companions were still at the hospital getting bandaged when they received Mu Hanqi's call. He immediately replied, "Sister-in-law, Ning Qi took the boss. He should be at the Hall of Honor now. Please wait a moment, we're almost home. We'll take you to the Hall of Honor once we arrive."
"Okay."
Ye Family.
Ye Nantian's eyes narrowed instantly upon hearing the news.
"So, Ning Qi wasn't involved in this matter without reason, nor did the Hall of Honor have no grounds to participate. It seems they came to take Ye Longlin away due to the news of the Second Elder's passing."
Ye Zhengchun nodded slightly, "Regardless, I think this matter has become troublesome. We failed to kill Ye Longlin this time, and he got away clean. Finding such a good opportunity to kill him again would be practically impossible. So the problem lies here. If we have to wait for another such good opportunity, who knows how long that will take."
Ye Nantian snorted, "This Second Elder is really something. Any other time would have been fine, but he had to die now. This has made things troublesome."
"There's no choice. Let's keep a low profile for a while to avoid clashing with this situation."
Ye Nantian could only nod.
In the afternoon, the Second Elder's biography was released. Countless people read it with tears in their eyes.
This elder, who had been fighting since the era of the dark turmoil, had gradually ascended to the top of the military and then retired. Under the push of various factions, he was placed in the position of Second Elder.
After taking office, he discovered thirteen great generals for the military, among whom Ye Longlin was the most outstanding, rising from humble beginnings to reach the pinnacle.
Regardless of anything else, this elder had given everything for Great Xia. His family, with the exception of himself, had almost all perished. This could be considered a dedication to Great Xia, an elder who had sacrificed everything for Great Xia had finally reached his final step.
In response, Great Xia lowered its flags in mourning.
However, Ye Longlin was still unaware of all that had transpired. After his return, he had been in a coma since he bled in the courtyard. During this time, the Supreme Being appeared, delivered a eulogy for the Second Elder's passing, and then departed again.
By the time Ye Longlin woke up, it was two days later.
During these two days, Mu Hanqi had stayed by his side, and she was the first to know when he woke up.
"I'm sorry for making you worry."
Ye Longlin looked at Mu Hanqi, who had fallen asleep by the bedside, his eyes filled with guilt.
He checked the time and realized he had been in a coma for two days.
At this moment, Hua Qingchi entered from outside and looked at Ye Longlin, "You know your own body best, and there's nothing more I can teach you."
Ye Longlin nodded, "Thank you, Master."
Hua Qingchi chuckled, "You're my disciple, so there's no need for thanks. You rascal, you've been back in the capital for so long, yet you didn't come to see this old man. If you were like this after I died, I would be content."
Ye Longlin scratched his head, "Heh heh, you won't be. With your health, another twenty years would be the minimum estimate. What's the situation outside now?"
"You can go out and see for yourself. This girl has been here since you fell unconscious. She's worked hard. If you ever wrong her in the future, I'll just have to deal with you."
Ye Longlin carefully got out of bed, smiled, and said, "Please look after her. I need to go out and see what the situation is now."