"..."

Looking at Jin's final expectations, Yun You fell silent.

She wanted to ask Jin why he chose her, but it seemed Jin had already read her thoughts and gently shook his head.

"The position of a leader... doesn't demand exceptionally strong talent... nor is it about the viciousness of using underhanded tactics."

"What it truly requires is a steadfast heart... one that will not be swayed by external factors."

"When you're in a high position, you'll often face many things and temptations... right now, it's just because of the war, so you might not feel it, or perhaps you don't have the time to realize it."

"In the future, you will definitely face those... some people, for the sake of profit and avoiding legal... punishment, might try to win your favor, using every means to get you to provide them with some convenience."

"For those of you in high positions, this might seem like a trivial task, something not worth mentioning, but sometimes, once such a trend appears, it can no longer be restrained..."

"I chose you... chose Ah You, precisely for this reason."

He painstakingly turned his head, his gaze sweeping over the other students present.

Those he looked at instinctively lowered their heads, quietly listening to their teacher's teachings.

"Ah You is someone who will not be tempted by material things; her spirit and will are as strong as steel. She would never compromise for profit, no matter who the enemy is, she will never compromise."

"That's why I chose her."

As soon as he said this, everyone present fell silent, simultaneously understanding Jin's decision.

They actually knew a little about Yun You's situation.

A young girl of fifteen or sixteen, whose family suffered a tragedy; surviving was already considered very lucky, and later she had to seek revenge with the identity of a Lower City commoner.

They couldn't even imagine how much hardship and suffering she endured.

Only Tian En, who had a similar experience as Yun You, could slightly understand.

Honestly, none of them were really convinced by one another. If a leader had to be chosen from among them, it most likely wouldn't win everyone's support.

But letting Yun You do it, they indeed had nothing to say, not knowing how to argue, they could only nod gently.

And Yun You... at this moment, had no intention of refusing either; this whole situation, the great Equality Association, the increasingly better Nest City, represented Jin's lifelong efforts. Since Jin requested her to protect it, she would definitely take up this burden.

She didn't know if she could do it well, but at this moment, she couldn't say anything discouraging.

Seeing that everything had been explained, Jin finally took a deep breath, the light in his eyes slowly dimming.

"In this lifetime, I have been the young master of a noble family, enjoyed a life seized from the common people, also experienced the hardships of human life, eating and living with the lowest class, worked as a laborer, been a farmer, also served as a teacher and lawyer."

"I too have been selfish; most people have been selfish, there's no need to dwell on it, but I believe my ideals are not wrong. Humanity should not live in such a distorted world, so I've exhausted everything to try to change it."

"But... I ultimately still failed, or perhaps I just ran out of time."

"The past has become history, and the future..."

Jin used his last strength to hold himself up, looking at the vibrant students and companions before him, smiling with a hopeful glint in his eyes.

"I leave it to you."

"Perhaps one day in the future, we will meet again in another world..."

Everyone felt a pang in their hearts, wanting to go forward to support Jin's frail body.

But the old man didn't give them this chance.

"Crash..."

He gently closed his eyes, and his body, unable to sustain anymore, shattered with a crash, turning into a sky full of blue-gray ash.

People could see with their naked eyes, his soul leaving that old shell, flying towards the sky.

Where would he go? Is it the mysterious Supreme Heaven? Or... Hell or Heaven?

No one could know the answer, but one thing was certain.

And that is...

From now on, in the real world, there will no longer exist a mentor named Jin.

Elrond Gold, founder of the Equality Association, teacher to the Heroes of Calamity, the man who helped Yun You walk out of darkness, giving her a second life, has finally left this world.

Aged 79.

...

Actually, from an ordinary person's perspective, Jin's departure could be considered a "happy death."

No great pain, and what he saw at the end was a thriving organization, not a declining Equality Association; no offspring, but surrounded by many students; and most importantly... he did not completely die, but left his body, moving towards the world of the Supreme Heaven.

But...

Those present couldn't help but feel sad.

After all, they had followed Jin for so many years, and now he was suddenly leaving, making it emotionally hard to accept.

Yun You clenched her fists, lowered her small head, with tears rolling uncontrollably.

Chen Zaikun didn't speak; he just stood by the window, continuously puffing on a pipe, seemingly trying to slightly alleviate the sadness in his heart with this method.