102: Chapter 102 He only has six months left

It was hard to imagine that the peerless swordsman known as the "World's Number One Sword"...

...was the sickly-looking man before her eyes.

In Su Chen's long hair, which was originally black as satin, a few strands of silver had quietly appeared.

He stood there, his figure still upright, yet just like his true form...

...he was an ancient sword with restrained brilliance, but in reality, covered in hidden wounds.

Seemingly intact, yet his internal vitality was silently slipping away.

Ye Jingjun trembled slightly and couldn't help but raise her hand, very, very gently brushing a strand of his hanging white hair.

Her heart felt as if it were being gripped hard by a hand, hurting so much she could barely breathe.

"Master..."

Her voice carried an uncontrollable sob.

"Your hair..."

Su Chen raised his hand and gently took her hand that lingered by his temple.

Enveloping it in his palm.

Trying to use his remaining warmth to warm her cold fingertips.

"It's fine."

"A few white hairs are no matter."

He spoke in a light tone, trying to dissolve the heavy atmosphere.

"Jingjun, we are only seventy li away from the capital."

"Jinmen has fallen, and the capital is within reach. This final step cannot be delayed."

"...We must hurry."

Seventy li, for people of their cultivation, was but a distance reached in the blink of an eye.

For the Demon-Quelling Army, it wasn't a long distance either.

After all, this was the final step they had to take.

"Mhm."

"Once the Spring Festival is over, we will march on the capital and end all this."

"And then..."

And then what?

In three years of war, he had strategized and tested his sword against the world.

Seemingly invincible in the world.

But only she knew best that every time he used that power beyond the mundane, the life force in him dimmed a bit.

He once said in a joking tone that this physical body was like a boat sailing against the current.

And she had privately searched for famous doctors, even forcibly seizing imperial physicians who treated the Great Ning Royal Family for questioning.

The conclusion reached was even more cruel, and all were identical.

Su Chen's internal origin was depleted.

This was not something any miraculous elixir could restore.

No matter how high his cultivation was, it was useless.

Simply put, when the heavens created man, they filled everyone's body with oil.

If no accidents occurred, when the oil ran out, a person's end would come.

But Su Chen's oil was not innate; it was poured into him by external forces.

Furthermore, for her sake...

Su Chen's oil had been used too much and burned too fast.

At most, only half a year remained.

Over these years, who in the entire Demon-Quelling Army didn't know that whenever Ye Jingjun had a moment of leisure, she would seek medicine like a madwoman?

However, all of this was like a stone sinking into the ocean.

Half a year... was it enough to conquer the capital and reorganize the mountains and rivers?

Even if it was enough, what about after?

She didn't dare think about it.

"Su Chen..."

For the first time, she did not call him Master or Commander, but addressed him by his name.

"There must be a way, right?"

"The world is vast, with many extraordinary people and strange talents. Perhaps..."

Su Chen turned his head and smiled at her.

"Jingjun, everyone must die eventually."

"Be able to finish what I want to do and see the prosperous age I wish to see in this limited time is already a blessing."

He raised his hand, gently brushing away the snowflakes that had fallen on the tips of her hair.

"Strive for what you want, but when destiny is irreversible, you must also learn to calmly accept your fate."

"Don't be sad for me."

"Mhm."

Ye Jingjun lowered her head, forcibly suppressing the surging bitterness.

The two walked silently along the coast, each with their own thoughts.

Suddenly, Ye Jingjun's sharp eyes spotted something, and she pointed below a small cliff not far away.

"Master Su, look over there. It seems there's a small temple."

It was indeed a temple, very small in scale.

It looked very ancient, hidden in the shadows beneath the cliff.

If not for the decent moonlight tonight, it would have been almost impossible to find.

It wasn't hard to imagine that in these years of war and chaos, the incense offerings must have long since ceased.

"Let's go take a look."

The temple was indeed dilapidated, and the characters on the lintel were blurred.

Pushing the door open, the courtyard was overgrown with weeds; only the main hall barely remained intact.

The painted lacquer on the enshrined statue was peeling off, making it impossible to tell which deity was originally worshipped.

One could only vaguely feel that the aura was quite ancient, not seeming like a product of the current Great Ning World.

Rather, it seemed like a remnant from a much older era.

Just then, a little girl wearing worn but clean clothes, about seven or eight years old, poked her head out from behind the statue, curiously sizing them up.

She actually carried a faint ripple of spiritual rhythm, different from Martial Arts True Qi.

Although it wasn't strong, both of them were experts and could detect it at a glance.

Such a weak ripple naturally posed no threat to the two.

But it couldn't help but make them a bit curious.

"Who are you?"

The little girl's voice was crisp, and she wasn't shy at all.

Ye Jingjun was somewhat surprised.

Someone actually lived in this desolate mountain temple?

And this little girl's aura was so peculiar.

Su Chen, however, understood.

The Great Ning World was not a simple martial arts world.

Rumor had it that in the very distant past, this realm had also been a Fantasy World abundant in spiritual energy.

It was only later, after a great upheaval of heaven and earth, that the spiritual energy receded, and it gradually evolved into a world dominated by martial arts.

This little girl was likely a descendant of some mysterious tribe left over from that glorious era.

Thin traces of spiritual blood still remained in her body; it wouldn't be surprising if commoners regarded her as a "Little Immortal."

Under the current constraints of thin spiritual energy, they might not have the power to move mountains and fill seas.

But they often possessed some peculiar abilities.

"We are travelers passing through this place. Little girl, why do you live here alone?"

Su Chen asked gently.

"I've always lived here."

The little girl blinked her large eyes.

"After Grandpa passed away, I'm the only one left."

"Grandpa said our tribe are 'Wish Keepers,' guarding this 'Wish Temple'."

"Wish Keeper? Wish Temple?"

Hearing the familiar terms, Ye Jingjun repeated them curiously.

"Mhm!"

The little girl nodded vigorously and said with some pride.

"In ancient times, it's said that many immortals had their wishes fulfilled here!"

"Now, although my power is very, very weak, I can still hear some particularly sincere and strong wishes."

"Among those within my capability, as long as a corresponding price is paid, I can fulfill them."

Particularly sincere and strong wishes?

This triggered Ye Jingjun's key interest.

The desire to save Su Chen grew in her heart like wild grass.

She stepped forward and grabbed the little girl's hand.

"Little Immortal, can you really fulfill people's wishes?"

"Then... can the wish to extend someone's life be fulfilled?"

"Jingjun!"

Su Chen's expression changed slightly.

Ye Jingjun ignored him and tightly gripped the little girl's hand.

The little girl shook her head timidly.

"Changing fate against the heavens is the greatest taboo."

"I can't do it. Grandpa said that would cause one's soul to scatter."

"Besides, I don't have that much power."

The light in Ye Jingjun's eyes dimmed instantly.