Today, the Ji Mansion was unusually festive, with the servants looking very pleased.

Because Chief Judge, who had not visited the Ji Mansion for a long time, surprisingly came again today. He sat with the master of the house, drinking tea and playing chess, showing no intention of leaving even by evening.

The naive servants thought this was a sign of how much importance their master still held in the eyes of Chief Judge, so they naturally felt happy.

They felt happy for themselves and also for Ji Beizhu.

Ji Beizhu’s expression was calm as he played chess with Qi, saying little.

"You have quite the composure, not even asking when I plan to leave?" Chief Judge Qi looked at the current chess game, feeling it had gone according to his plan, within his control, and smiled slightly as he spoke.

"I am already a man nearing death, what’s the point in asking so many questions?" Ji Beizhu replied, without lifting his head, focusing on the game.

"Are you not concerned about that child Nanhong anymore?" Chief Judge Qi had no intention of holding back as he continued speaking.

"Of course, I’m concerned." Ji Beizhu nodded, though his eyes remained on the chessboard, seeming to ponder a way to break the game.

"In your youth, you didn’t care about anything, living freely, but now in your old age, you become concerned. Well, you and I have walked this path together for so many years, with no distinctions between us. Since you see Nanhong as your own daughter, let her live." Chief Judge Qi took a sip of tea as he spoke.

"If heaven offers a path, she naturally can live; if not, then her fate is sealed, and no one can save her. Let her be." Ji Beizhu paused, looking at the chessboard, saying, "Your style of play has greatly changed from before."

"In what way?" Chief Judge Qi asked.

"Your former chess style was ethereal and agile, unconstrained by worldly conventions, seemingly whimsical yet subtly aligning with the heavenly way. Like an antelope’s antlers, leaving no trace, or like a heavenly steed galloping across the sky, unfathomable. Though occasionally flawed, these missteps weren’t always for the worse, often turning danger into safety, the mundane into the magical..." Ji Beizhu said.

"In those days, being young and reckless, I acted on whims. Though somewhat impulsive, isn’t that how youth is supposed to be?" Chief Judge Qi smiled and nodded, then asked, "And now?"

"Now your chess style is like an old Buddhist monk meditating, every move full of mystery, of meaning, and intentionality." Ji Beizhu observed the chessboard as he spoke.

"People have to grow up; you cannot always act as recklessly as the young. At my age, if I cannot see ten steps, a hundred steps ahead in a game of chess, then wouldn’t these past centuries be lived in vain?"

After saying this, Chief Judge Qi fixed his gaze on Ji Beizhu’s eyes, continuing, "And you, your style used to be aggressive and bold, unafraid to engage in a life-and-death struggle, even when outmatched. Such courage often let you turn a dire situation to your advantage, achieving the impossible, reversing fortunes unexpectedly."

"Look at your current style, lifeless and stagnant, with no vigor, just constant retreat, only seeking momentary stability. You have changed; you have aged."

"Not only aged, but I am also near death." Ji Beizhu finally lifted his head to look at Chief Judge Qi, their elderly eyes meeting. Ji Beizhu’s gaze was calm and gentle, though those old eyes were already dim, like the last glimmer of sunset.

Chief Judge Qi’s previously sharp eyes suddenly softened greatly.

"Old Ji, if you could live another eight hundred years, how great it would be. Together, we could battle on for eight more centuries, sweeping away the gloom from this Divine Land. In the future, you and I would have established eternal accomplishments, to be remembered for millions of years..."

"I too wish to live another eight hundred years, but my injury doesn’t allow me to stay in the world." Ji Beizhu smiled.

Hearing Ji Beizhu say this, Chief Judge Qi’s eyes softened even more.

"If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have suffered this injury. Without it, how could you not live another eight hundred years?" Chief Judge Qi sighed deeply at this point, "In the end, I owe you, but in this lifetime, I cannot repay you. Rest assured, I will realize our dreams, although without you, when that day comes, it might not hold much meaning."

"It’s no longer my dream, it’s yours. I sincerely hope you can fulfill it." Ji Beizhu said earnestly.

Chief Judge Qi frowned slightly, gazing into Ji Beizhu’s eyes: "Is death really that terrifying? Even someone like you has lost yourself before it."

"Death is indeed frightening, but perhaps I haven’t lost myself; instead, I found my true self." Ji Beizhu said, placing the chess piece he had been holding onto the board.

Chief Judge Qi did not look at the board, instead kept his determined gaze on Ji Beizhu: "What do you mean by your ’true self’?"

"In the past, I lived for myself, doing what I enjoyed, dreaming my own dreams. I lived happily and comfortably, everything went as I wished. Even suffering this injury for you, it was out of my own will; I was happy, willing, and never regretted it." Ji Beizhu spoke with a face full of smiles, his words sincere.

"Old Ji..." Chief Judge Qi felt slightly moved.

Ji Beizhu interrupted with a wave, continuing, "Now, as I ought to die, I wish to live once for others."

Chief Judge Qi’s slight movement turned profound, staring at Ji Beizhu, "You wish to help Chen Guan?"

Ji Beizhu shook his head, "Didn’t you come here precisely to stop me from helping him? How could I help him?"

Chief Judge Qi’s eyes relaxed a lot, as he sighed, "If you wish to do something for Nanhong, just tell me, how could I refuse you?"

Once more, Ji Beizhu shook his head, "Children have their own fortune. Their matters no longer require my concern; they have their own destiny."

"Then for whom do you wish to live once?" Chief Judge Qi frowned in thought, believing he understood Ji Beizhu the most, yet now feeling he couldn’t quite grasp this old friend.

Ji Beizhu smiled, uttering two words, "The world."

"The world?" Chief Judge Qi did not understand Ji Beizhu’s meaning.

Ji Beizhu did not answer but stood up, slowly walking out from the pavilion to stand under the sky.

He slightly raised his head, gazing towards the sky, slowly stretching out his old, wrinkled hands, closing his eyes as if embracing the sky, the world, his world.

"I truly love this world; I truly don’t want to die. I truly want to see once more what this world ultimately becomes..." Eyes closed, Ji Beizhu spoke, a smile at the corner of his mouth, as if sleep-talking.

"Old Ji..." Chief Judge Qi stood up, wishing to exit the pavilion, but was stopped by Ji Beizhu.

"Unfortunately, I have run out of time." Ji Beizhu opened his eyes, looking at Chief Judge Qi, saying: "In this life, knowing you has been my greatest honor. Without you, I wouldn’t have had such a brilliant life. Without you, perhaps I would be just an ordinary person. You always say I brought dreams to you, but wasn’t it you who brought my dreams to life, letting me live as I dreamed..."

As he spoke, the Primordial Energy within Ji Beizhu erupted like a volcano, shooting skyward, piercing through the void like an aurora, stirring the heavens and the earth.

Chief Judge Qi’s face changed drastically: "What... what are you doing..."

"With my dying breath, I will pave a way for the people of the world; thus, this life is worthwhile." Ji Beizhu slowly closed his eyes again, but the Primordial Energy and light from his body grew ever stronger, like a sword ripping through the heavens and earth.

"I hope this world has no afterlife... because this life, this world, is my best life and world..."

Bang!

Light shot to the sky, and the Divine Land transformed.