Qian Xing said, unable to help but give a bitter smile of self-mockery.
Shifting slightly to get more comfortable, he then gently shook his head and said to Qin Xuan with utmost sincerity, "Although I know you won't believe anything I say, no matter what."
"But I wonder if you'd be willing to hear another story from me, about an orphan from Long Country."
"I'm all ears."
"Thank you."
Seeing that Qin Xuan genuinely wanted to hear his story, Qian Xing smiled and thanked him.
Then, he tidied his thoughts and took a deep breath.
His slightly hoarse voice slowly emerged from his throat.
"Twenty-eight years ago, on a rainy night, a little boy was born in Yixuan City, Long Country."
"He was healthy, and his cries were loud."
"But for some reason, his parents abandoned him at the doorstep of the Yixuan City orphanage."
"Five years later, as the little boy grew a bit, he began to gradually understand what parents and family meant."
"He envied children who were doted on by their parents, and at the same time, he secretly vowed to find those people who once loved him."
"Alas, a child is still just a child."
"He saw everything in the world with such innocence."
"During one group nap time, the little boy, taking advantage of the teacher also being asleep, ran out by himself."
"He thought that by leaving the orphanage, he could find his former parents."
"A reunion of parent and child, and from then on, a happy and joyful life."
"But he never expected that that day's escape would be the beginning of the nightmare of his first half of life."
"Twenty years ago, Long Country was far from as safe as it is now."
"So, as soon as the little boy stepped outside, he was forcibly pulled into a car by several human traffickers."
"After being passed around and sold several times, he was finally chosen by a foreigner who appeared gentle and loving, and bought at a very high price."
"The little boy, who had been subjected to extreme abuse, thought he could finally escape his suffering and go abroad to enjoy a better life with the foreigner."
"But reality once again slapped the boy hard."
"When the foreigner brought him to his temporary residence, he discovered that the foreigner had purchased many other helpless orphans like himself."
"And these orphans, days later, set sail on a large ship and were taken to Niucheng, in the United States, thousands of miles away from Long Country."
"After that, the little boy remembered nothing else."
"He only remembered that the foreigner exchanged him and the other orphans for a large sum of money."
"Then, they were locked up by another group of foreigners for brainwashing and training."
"The training there was hellish."
"On average, dozens of orphans died every day due to the training."
"Fortunately, just as the little boy could no longer endure and wanted to give up his life, a kind elder sister from Long Country suddenly appeared before him."
"She was gentle, beautiful, and wise, like the Guanyin Bodhisattva in Long Country's myths, who saves people from suffering."
"She taught the boy what forbearance was, and at the same time, taught him how to be a person."
"Thus, with the elder sister's encouragement, the little boy persevered day by day and grew up."
"But he never imagined that one day, he would have to personally kill this person who treated him like a child."
"In the end, the boy acted."
"It was the organization's rule, and it was also the elder sister's wish."
"She had long been tired of helping the organization train assassins; in her eyes, death was true liberation."
"After that, the boy rose."
"He utilized his strong physical abilities and excellent killing skills, soaring to become an outstanding figure among ordinary assassins."
"He was received by the higher-ups and was granted cultivation techniques. But throughout it all, he held onto his own belief: to kill only those who deserved to be killed."
"Until one day, he was forcibly assigned an assassination mission that no one else would accept."
"And the target of the assassination mission was none other than Long Country, from which he had been away for so long."
"So, the little boy you mentioned is you, isn't that right?"
After listening to Qian Xing's story, Qin Xuan asked the question that everyone knew the answer to.
He knew the question was foolish, but he couldn't help but ask.
Qian Xing nodded naturally.
He didn't find the question inappropriate in the slightest.
"That's right."
"This little boy is me."
"Actually, as soon as I knew my target was a young and promising general of Long Country, I had already planned to secretly escape the organization and inform you."
"But unexpectedly, while investigating the employer behind the post, I ran into William, who disliked me."
"That's why I was forced to flee everywhere, pursued by the organization to this place."
"I'm not saying this to make you trust me and let me go."
"I only hope that you will kill me with your own hands, and after I die, take my ashes back to Long Country."
Hearing Qian Xing's wish, Qin Xuan paused.
He softly asked the other party a question, his tone noncommittal.
"What about Amy?"
Qian Xing glanced at Amy, who was playing with Wan Lingqiu, and smiled softly.
"Amy is a good child. She deserves more than she has now."
"I can see that you are very fond of her, and she trusts you very much."
"If I die, perhaps you can take her with you and let her enjoy the life a child should have."
"Heh, you've certainly planned well."
"But unfortunately, I disagree with what you've said."
Slowly crouching down, Qin Xuan gently waved his hand at the other party.
Qian Xing's eyes dimmed, then he smiled at Qin Xuan with resignation, "Indeed, a person like me has no right to make requests of you."
"But before you act, I still want you to consider carefully."
"Amy is a good child. With her around, you definitely..."
"No, I think you've misunderstood." Before Qian Xing could finish, Qin Xuan immediately interrupted him.
"What I disagree with is taking your ashes back to Long Country."
"As for little Amy, I will definitely take her with me."
"Really?" Qian Xing's eyes lit up.
"No problem!"
"It's just that after you kill me, can you not let Amy know?"
"She is a person who values relationships deeply."
"If she were to know this, perhaps she would carry regret in her heart for the rest of her life."
"No, I think you've misunderstood again."
Gently shaking his head, Qin Xuan slowly placed his hands on the other's shoulders.
Essence and qi flowed, and water and wood attribute healing spells were continuously cast, nourishing Qian Xing's body.
At the same time, under Qian Xing's shocked gaze, Qin Xuan also revealed a satisfied smile.
"Your ashes can await burial by your descendants."
"As long as I'm here today, you won't die from such a minor injury!"