If nothing unexpected happens, Yu Xie is about to die.
This is perfectly normal; he is just a mortal. Even as a transmigrator, he ultimately remains a mortal.
He cannot break free from the shackles of lifespan.
And he has already lived for nearly two hundred years. Although nearly two hundred years might be just a blink of an eye for gods and immortals, it is a very long time for a mortal.
During these two hundred years, Yu Xie has seen the mountains and rivers of Teyvat, experienced many things, and met countless people.
He is quite satisfied with his life.
But he is still greedy; how can a person not be greedy?
He doesn't want to die, doesn't want to part ways, doesn't want to forget the many unforgettable moments of this life.
But what use is that?
He really is about to die.
[Your body's functions have severely aged.]
[Preliminary estimate of remaining lifespan: about one month.]
[Please cherish the little time left and do what you want to do.]
Looking at the system notification that appeared in his mind, Yu Xie paused.
What does he want to do?
There are many things he wants to do, and even more regrets that he can't count.
But what can this aged body still support him to do?
Teyvat is currently engulfed in war, with various gods and demons claiming their territories, and ordinary people are suffering.
He wants to see a peaceful and prosperous world, to see Teyvat as he remembers it.
He also wants to enjoy the mountain breeze with Liu Yun ( Cloud Retainer ) and Ge Chen ( Madame Ping ), to daydream with his friends while gazing at the distant hazy scenery.
But that is ultimately just a mortal's luxury.
—Check the panel.
[Name: Yu Xie]
[Age: 197 years]
[Physical Condition: Aging]
[Skills: Mastery of Sword and Blade (Legendary), Shura Flash (Mythical)]
After checking the panel, Yu Xie looked into the copper mirror.
Reflected in the mirror was a man in a brown robe with graying hair. However, aside from the hair, his body and face didn't look too different from a young person.
But only Yu Xie knows that he is no longer what he appears to be.
His internal organs have aged to a considerable extent, and even his seemingly strong hands and legs are no longer as agile as before.
The reason he looks young is because he has the [Mortal System].
Cough... cough... so my hair has turned this white already. Yu Xie coughed a few times and turned his gaze out the window.
Outside, a gentle rain was falling, as if telling the story of his life.
When he first arrived in Teyvat, the entire region was in the early stages of the Archon War, with powerful deities leading their troops and the flames of war never ceasing.
As a mortal, Yu Xie should have been wandering alone like an ordinary person.
But he was fortunate enough to encounter Morax's group.
With outstanding talent, Yu Xie quickly learned the skills of combat after arriving at Guili Assembly. Although he couldn't harness elemental powers, he wielded a sword with remarkable proficiency.
He fought alongside the immortals, breaking through enemy lines on the battlefield and establishing an unstoppable presence, achieving numerous military exploits.
During a battle that lasted over a month, Yu Xie single-handedly defended Guili Assembly with just his sword, ensuring that no divine being could step foot into the territory he protected.
His remarkable achievements increased his prestige among the people, and eventually, he was unanimously appointed as the "Deputy Commander of Defense" for Guili Assembly.
As time passed, the Deputy Commander gained fame and respect for his extraordinary record. As a mortal, he was not inferior to the yakshas and even surpassed them in some aspects.
Naturally, he became a thorn in the side of other deities.
The citizens of Guili Assembly would say that as long as the Geo Archon and the Deputy Commander were present, their home would remain safe.
This was Yu Xie's life: there were lows, but there were even more glories.
Yet now, the Deputy Commander is old.
Winter has set in, and the cold of the season is biting, especially for the elderly.
"I wonder how many old folks won't make it through this winter."
Yu Xie wrapped himself in a thick coat and opened the door.
The cold wind rushed in, causing shivers to run down his spine.
A familiar figure stood in the courtyard in front of his door, holding an umbrella, seemingly hesitating about whether to come in.
It was a very cute girl, with long deep blue hair cascading down her back. On her head were two curved, pointed horns. Perhaps due to the cold weather, her small, adorable face had a slight flush, and her clear eyes were incredibly innocent.
"Bonanus, what brings you here?"
Bonanus, a water yaksha and one of the immortals under the Geo Archon Morax, was known as the "Spiral General."
"Where... where are you going?" Bonanus asked, looking a bit awkward as she glanced elsewhere, her voice soft.
"I'm not planning to go anywhere; I just wanted to take a stroll in the courtyard," Yu Xie replied. "While days without battle are relaxing, being cooped up at home all the time is driving me to mold."
"I found a beautiful spot; if you have time another day, I'll take you to see it." Bonanus walked under the eaves, closed her umbrella, and her light steps on the wooden floor made a soft thud.
"Alright, let's go together another day," Yu Xie responded.
But when would that another day come? Perhaps he wouldn't have another day.
Parting is always sad, so Yu Xie hoped to leave quietly on his own. He didn't want anyone to see him in his final moments, looking helpless.
Thus, he didn't tell anyone about his impending death, except for Morax.
"Bonanus, walk with me in the courtyard," Yu Xie said after a long pause.
The hazy rain gradually stopped, and the raindrops fell from the eaves, splashing in the courtyard like jade beads, producing a gentle ticking sound.
"Okay." Bonanus smiled happily.
The courtyard wasn't large, and they could finish walking it quickly. But this time, Yu Xie slowed his pace, and the familiar scenery that he had seen countless times before suddenly seemed beautiful again.
They reached the pond in the middle of the yard, watching the fish swim back and forth, lingering in silence.
Those fish had been placed there by Liu Yun.
Yu Xie couldn't quite recall how many years ago that was. As he aged, his memory began to fade.
He only remembered that at the time, Liu Yun had examined his home and remarked on how, after all these years, the pond contained nothing but some water plants.
Then Liu Yun had somehow brought some goldfish seeds and fry, scattering the seeds along the pond's edge and releasing the fry into the water.
Time passed, year after year. The goldfish plants grew and withered, and the fry grew into mature fish.
Back then, Yu Xie thought he could at least keep pace with the fish, but he never imagined that he would fall behind even them.
"Where's Liu Yun?"
"She's been quite relaxed lately, so she started secluding herself again to study her mechanism techniques. She said this time she would definitely outdo Guizhong."
"I see…" Yu Xie smiled silently.
That was fine; he could leave quietly, and Liu Yun wouldn't have to know.
Yu Xie didn't want to say goodbye.
He feared he wouldn't be able to bear it.
But feeling reluctant was pointless, so he decided not to meet for what was supposed to be the last time. Instead, he would sneak away, hiding like a child playing hide-and-seek, finding a place to rest quietly alone.
"Bonanus, do you have any regrets?"
"Me?" Bonanus paused for a moment and then smiled, "I don't have any regrets. I'm just very satisfied living with everyone like this. But I hope the war ends soon. When that happens, I want to plant a field of Qingxi flowers in the flower gardens on the high mountains, and when the flowers bloom, I want… to invite you to come see."
As Bonanus said this, a smile remained on her face, like an ordinary little girl sharing her dreams for the future. Yet, in her eyes lay an unnoticeable glimmer of sentiment and excitement.
"I won't be able to see the Qingxi flowers you plant," Yu Xie wanted to say, but the words caught in his throat, unable to escape.
In the end, he could only smile.
"I will definitely come to see it."