The Being Forgotten by Time

Chapter 6 - The Sacrifice of Ji Han

He looked at Lan Yue, still on the ground, her eyes full of tears and fury.

"And you? You will still be useful to me."

The guards advanced.

Lan Yue did not resist.

She had no strength left.

The arena, once a stage of glory, was now a cemetery.

And Xu Jian only smiled.

Then Ji Han moved again.

He burned his Qi and his soul.

The scent of blood filled the air. The massacre continued to unfold in the arena, the screams of pain and the clashing of blades echoing like funeral bells. Lan Yue’s vision was blurred by tears, the weight of the tragedy crushing her soul. The poison still corroded her strength, leaving her helpless as the guards approached to capture her.

Then, everything changed.

An explosion of energy shook the ground.

The guards around Ji Han were thrown back like leaves in the wind, their bodies crashing against the arena stands. A pulsating wave of heat emanated from him, making the dust and blood evaporate from the ground. His eyes, now bloodshot, overflowed with unwavering determination. His veins glowed a crimson hue, the Qi in his body burning like flames consuming a piece of paper.

He was burning everything.

Burning his Qi.

Burning his soul.

A forbidden technique. A final sacrifice.

The guards hesitated for a moment, feeling the brutal shift in Ji Han’s presence. But Xu Jian only smiled, crossing his arms.

"What a useless loss," he murmured.

"This won’t change anything. Capture her. Kill him."

The hesitant soldiers advanced. But Ji Han did not retreat. In an instant, he moved like lightning, his blade slicing through the air.

"YOU WILL NOT TOUCH HER!" he roared, his voice filled with overwhelming fury.

He attacked without hesitation.

Every strike of his sword carried a part of his own essence. Each slash was lethal, not because of the blade itself, but because of the despair and destructive power of a man who had nothing left to lose. Guards were torn apart, their armor useless against the scorching Qi that surrounded him. Blood spurted everywhere, enemy weapons shattering like glass against his rage.

But Ji Han was also dying.

His skin began to crack, like porcelain breaking apart. His Qi was nearly exhausted, and his soul burned like a torch about to go out.

He ignored the pain.

He had one last duty to fulfill.

Jumping over fallen bodies, he ran toward Lan Yue. She looked at him with wide eyes, unable to comprehend the scene before her. Before she could speak, Ji Han grabbed her in his arms and threw her over his shoulders.

"J-Ji Han...?!"

He did not respond. He only ran.

The guards tried to intercept him, but Ji Han did not stop. His legs moved as if carrying the weight of fate itself. His blades tore through flesh, broke bones, pushed back enemies.

He fought.

He bled.

But he did not stop.

The crowd, once terrified, now watched in absolute silence. That man was defying death in a final act of madness.

Xu Jian frowned.

"Capture her!"

More soldiers came, countless. But Ji Han had already seen his fate. He continued, each step heavier than the last, each strike draining his final strength.

Then, he reached the side gate of the arena.

And there she was.

A colossal mystical beast with white fur and blue eyes: Bai Hu, the beast Lan Yue had tamed at the beginning of her journey. Bai Hu roared upon seeing them, his eyes shining with concern.

Ji Han fell to his knees, exhausted. The heat of his Qi burning him from the inside out.

He looked at Lan Yue.

His body trembled, his vision darkened, but he smiled.

"Get on. Leave. Now."

Lan Yue grasped his shoulders, desperation in her voice:

"NO! You’re coming with me! We need to..."

Ji Han cupped her face with trembling hands. His eyes were more alive than ever, despite the blood trickling from his lips.

"Listen to me, Lan Yue. You have to survive. You... must move forward."

She shook her head frantically, tears overflowing.

"Please, Ji Han, don’t ask me that..."

He chuckled weakly.

"I know you never loved me. I know we were always rivals..."

He swallowed hard, his vision blurring.

"But it was worth it, you know? Sacrificing myself for you. I would do it a thousand times over."

Lan Yue sobbed.

Ji Han forced himself to stand one last time, turning to face the approaching soldiers and raising his blade. He stepped forward, positioning himself between Lan Yue and the enemies.

"Now go."

Lan Yue hesitated, but she knew there was no more time. With a shattered heart, she climbed onto Bai Hu, clutching the beast’s fur.

Ji Han smiled one last time.

"Never look back."

Bai Hu roared and dashed out of the arena, passing through the gates and vanishing into the night’s darkness.

Ji Han looked at the soldiers in front of him, his lungs burning, his soul in shreds.

But he was still standing.

He raised his sword one last time.

"Come. Let’s finish this."

The soldiers advanced.

Ji Han’s sword gleamed in one final strike.

The world around him blurred. The scent of blood and smoke mixed with the wind, but Ji Han no longer felt pain. His body was aflame from within, burning to the last spark of life he had left.

And then, his mind took him back.

A sunny afternoon, years ago.

Lan Yue laughed beneath the blooming trees of the Celestial Pavilion. Her laughter was like wind chimes, light and pure. Ji Han, still a foolish young man, watched her in silence, pretending to be focused on his wooden sword.

"Ji Han!" her voice called, excited.

He turned, and before he could react, a handful of flower petals was thrown at his face. Lan Yue’s mischievous laughter filled the air.

"This is war, Ji Han! Won’t you fight back?"

The young Ji Han only smiled. He had already lost that battle before it even began.

It was there, beneath that blue sky, among the dancing petals and golden sunlight, that he realized the truth:

He was hopelessly in love with Lan Yue.

Even knowing there would never be an "us." Even knowing she would never look at him the same way he looked at her.

Even so... he never wished for anything but her happiness.

Back to the present.

His body wavered. The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth. But he could still see, far away... Lan Yue, escaping.

"Live."

A tired smile formed on his bloodied lips.

It was worth it.

And then, without regrets, Ji Han closed his eyes.

Death took him.

And then... silence.

The wind blew strong, carrying away the ashes of the warrior who dared to defy his fate.

Somewhere far away, a mystical beast ran without stopping, carrying a woman who wept.

And a promise was made that night. Ji Han’s sacrifice would never be forgotten.