Published: February 24, 2025
“Rest assured, I will do my best.”
Tan Yun finished speaking, manipulating his spiritual sense to gently seep into Shen Tianci's body.
Time gradually slipped away, and Tan Yun's brows became increasingly furrowed, appearing quite troublesome.
After a moment, Tan Yun withdrew his spiritual sense and opened his eyes, revealing an apologetic expression of helplessness.
“Su Bing, I'm sorry, but I cannot save him.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Subing trembled, unable to accept the reality before her. She instantly broke down, heavily pounding her fists against Tan Yun's chest, crying heart-wrenchingly, “Master, you’re lying, right? You can save my father... right?”
“Ah... Wuwu... I don't want my father to die. Master, please, save my father, please...”
Shen Subing gazed at Tan Yun, her sorrowful tears seeming to drown the world.
“Master... My mother is no longer here, and my only family left is my father.” Shen Subing cried out in despair, “Please, save my father... I beg you!”
The sight of Shen Subing in despair and helplessness caused Tan Yun's heart to ache. He opened his arms and tightly embraced her, softly saying, “Don't be like this. Your father is truly too old; his bodily functions have reached their end. But he can hear your voice right now. Don’t cry, be strong, and don’t let your father leave with worries.”
Suddenly, Shen Subing froze in Tan Yun's embrace, stopping her tears. She broke free and choked out, “Master, is there a way for my father to wake up? Even if just for a moment, I need to talk to him.”
Tan Yun felt sorrow for Shen Subing's plight. He nodded to indicate it was possible, then waved his right arm, sending a surge of spiritual power into Shen Tianci's chest, directly reaching his heart.
Immediately, with a snap of his fingers, dozens of other streams of spiritual power entered Shen Tianci's major acupoints throughout his body.
After a few moments, as Shen Tianci lay on the bed, he slowly opened his eyes, and a murky tear slid down his wrinkled cheek.
As Tan Yun had said, Shen Tianci indeed heard his daughter crying.
“Father.” Shen Subing sat up beside the bed, trembling hands cradling Shen Tianci's face. She didn’t want to cry in front of her father, but the annoying tears fell uncontrollably.
Shen Tianci struggled to move his eyes, fixing his gaze on Shen Subing, and weakly spoke, “Bing... Bing’er... Life, aging, illness, and death are the laws of the heavenly dao; no one can escape.”
“I hoped to hold on until you grew up... I have no regrets in dying... For so many years, I really missed your mother... I have long wanted to reunite with her... Now that I see you grown up, I am satisfied.”
“Only, my poor child, don’t be sad... don’t grieve... Your mother was competitive in life, insisting that you join the Huangfu Sacred Sect. You have suffered these years.”
“In truth, revenge was never my wish... I just wanted you to live happily...”
Seeing Shen Tianci deliver his last words, Tan Yun sighed and stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Inside the room.
“Father…” Shen Subing sobbed uncontrollably, confusion in her voice. “Father, you always said that the past was not Gongsun Yangchun's fault, but he is the one who destroyed your spirit pool! Why don’t you blame him... why... I really don’t understand!”
Shen Tianci sighed heavily and said, “Daughter, actually, the sovereign is my senior brother. He treated me like a brother. But at that time, Gongsun Yangchun had framed me with irrefutable evidence, and everyone wanted the sovereign to kill me.”
“It was the sovereign who, out of old feelings, disregarded everyone's opposition and expelled me from the sect. Also, the reason I have survived until now is not solely thanks to you administering elixirs to me.”
“The sovereign actually knew I was here. Every year, he would send me elixirs and chat with me for a few days. However, I didn’t tell him that you are my daughter, just to be safe.”