What does it mean that they all lived with lifelong regrets?

at the same time.

Somewhere in the federal capital.

A woman cautiously approached a white-haired woman dressed in ancient costume from behind.

The woman walking around was named Xu Shuang, and she was the contact person assigned to the woman whose back was to her.

According to the person who assigned her the task, all her needs should be met as much as possible, regardless of whether they were reasonable or not.

Xu Shuang is not surprised.

There's no other reason than that the woman in front of him, named Xie Jiexue, possesses unparalleled strength and status.

Although Xie Jiexue's origins are somewhat obscure, all reincarnators who know her must respectfully address her as "Supreme Sword Master".

Of course, a few familiar people call her the "Sword Master of Ice"—because her power is directly related to frost and snow.

In terms of strength...

Xu Shuang secretly rubbed her fingers together.

As the liaison, she is naturally an extraordinary being with considerable strength.

But it was still cold, a cold that could freeze your soul.

Combined with Xie Jiexue's plain white clothes and snow-white long hair, she looked like an ice sculpture.

Yes, the Supreme Sword Master's strength is extremely uncontrollable.

Xu Shuang still remembers that time.

A year ago, also in this city.

A demon awakens, but the reincarnation of this area was not here at the time.

Logically, the military and police would need to make considerable sacrifices to delay the demons' advance and wait for the support of reincarnated beings or state-trained superhumans.

But the Supreme Sword Master awoke.

In that instant, everything froze, and the demons were instantly crushed into dust by the icy cold in mid-air.

Xie Jiexue remained silent, as did Xu Shuang.

Her duty was to wait for the Supreme Sword Master's summons and not to disturb him unnecessarily.

"Sword Master, the Federation warmly welcomes you. However..."

Xu Shuang paused for a moment, then finally asked, "They wanted to ask me if you need anything from us. You provided us with the cultivation method, so it's only right that we repay you."

Xie Jiexue did not answer.

Suddenly, a sword emanating a chilling aura appeared beside her.

Xu Shuang subconsciously looked away.

Like Xie Jiexue's swordsmanship, that sword's chilling aura was enough to pierce the mind; it was best not to look at it recklessly.

"Whatever it is—"

Xu Shuang's words were interrupted.

"...Looking for someone."

Before Xu Shuang could react, the sword master gripped the sword tightly.

"I'm here to find someone."

This time, she turned her head and faced Xu Shuang directly.

"He's here, I can feel it."

Xu Shuang held her breath.

Even though she had seen it many times before, and even though she herself was a woman, she was still stunned by the woman's appearance.

Xie Jiexue's figure was tall and slender like a sword blade, her skin was as white as frost, and her long, snow-white hair was tied into an ancient-style ponytail that reached her waist.

And those scarlet, jewel-like eyes were silently gazing at her.

Unlike her icy power, what surged in those red pupils was definitely not coldness.

White hair like blood, red eyes like blood.

This is the best description of the woman before me.

"Is it okay now?"

Under such pressure, Xu Shuang subconsciously trembled.

After a long while, she finally spoke, stammering.

"Okay...okay, we've got it. If you ever need anything in this regard, please feel free to contact us again. We'll do our best to help."

Xie Jiexue paused again.

For some reason, she turned her head and gazed at the warm sun in the sky.

But the sun couldn't warm her; instead, it made her feel even colder.

"...You can't help me."

After a long while, another question came.

What does a burning flame represent for someone in despair?

......

Inside the dilapidated temple, a timid gaze flickered before disappearing behind a pillar.

Lin Wuhua remained silent and did not speak immediately.

From that silhouette, he was certain that it was a little girl.

The pillar stood silent, receiving his gaze.

"Young lady?" he asked first, "Would you like to warm yourself by the fire?"

......

At Lin Wuhua's call, the figure slowly crept towards the fire, yet remained a distance away from Lin Wuhua.

She was small and thin, her clothes were tattered, and her face was covered in dirt and dust, making it almost impossible to recognize her features.

But the girl had a very upright posture.

Lin Wuhua squinted.

She seems destined to be a beauty.

But he didn't care—it was just a simulation, after all.

"Young lady," Lin Wuhua said, sitting a little further away, "what's your name, and where are you from?"

The girl rubbed her hands together, subconsciously avoiding looking at Lin Wuhua.

It took her a while to speak.

My surname is... Xie.

Another pause.

"I'm lost, I can't find my way home."

This is clearly a lie; there are no houses for several kilometers around the dilapidated temple.

Lin Wuhua didn't expose her, but instead tore half of the rabbit off the fire and gave it to her.

"Miss Xie, here's half for you, I can't finish it."

By now, Lin Wuhua has accepted this new identity, so she is doing it without any hesitation.

Lin Wuhua was born into humble circumstances and received help from many people, so he would definitely do this.

Of course, he would do the same in real life.

"It's not poisonous."

The girl pursed her lips, shook her head, and looked away with difficulty: "...I have no money."

"I can't eat anymore, can you help me with some?" Lin Wuhua said. "You don't look well, eating this will make you feel better."

The hare was carefully taken from him.

Lin Wuhua then handed over a cold sesame seed cake and a pot of water.

"Here, there's more. Eating only meat isn't good for your health."

"It's okay, these are what I have left. I'll buy more after the snow stops."

The girl stopped talking, simply took the things from Lin Wuhua's hands, and continued to nibble on them in small bites.

Lin Wuhua continued trying to chat.

"Young lady, would you like to know who I am?"

Noticing the girl's gaze turning towards him, Lin Wuhua straightened his clothes.

"My name is Lin Wuhua, and I come from the capital."

"To be honest, my master is dead. I'm here to go to the Supreme Sword Sect."

"The Supreme Sword Sect is a very, very far place, located in a very, very high mountain..."

"I'm going to return his belongings and then learn swordsmanship..."

Little by little, Lin Wuhua recounted his past—in the simulation.

The firelight shone on his face, casting a soft silhouette of his body.

The silhouette was reflected in the girl's vision, making her stare blankly.

It took him a while to finish speaking, and by then the girl had finished eating.

Lin Wuhua continued, "Young lady, I've said so much, can you tell me about yourself?"

"Can you tell me why you're here?"

He pointed to the doorway.

The wind and snow howled, but they could not penetrate it.

"Look, you've met me here, and it's just the two of us."

"As a traveler from afar, I do not know you, so naturally I have no reason to harm you."

Under Lin Wuhua's gaze, the girl paused again.

She stepped back, avoiding Lin Wuhua's gaze.

"You look terrible, you—"

Lin Wuhua suddenly stopped talking.

Under Lin Wuhua's gaze, two lines of tears flowed uncontrollably.

She covered her eyes and refused to look at Lin Wuhua.

A broken voice came from the girl's hand: "...My mom and dad are going to sell me."

Lin Wuhua sighed, stood up, and went behind the girl.

This was not unexpected.

Someone who ran out in such cold weather couldn't have simply gotten lost.

In this weather, the lack of a heat source is enough to freeze someone to death.

He didn't touch her, but instead picked up his shawl and placed it on the girl's shoulders.

"Okay, okay, it's alright."

There is no one else here.