His laughter can't last; he doesn't have the energy for it. Pushing Kexing's hand away, Zishu pulls open his robe and reveals that the nails are no longer embedded in his chest. Once he thought Kexing had perished, there had been no other choice. He drank enough wine to numb himself and expelled each nail, causing himself enough pain that he nearly passed out and shortening his lifespan to...

Weeks. Months. Years are only a dream now.

"I meant to join you." he murmurs, "I didn't want to be without you and I didn't want the one who killed you to go free."

He had meant to kill Zhao Jing himself. What punishment could the sects impose on him? Nothing long-lasting! And if they wanted to torture him, that wouldn't be anything new either. He would just focus on his Kexing, smiling and waiting for him.

Except his Kexing is alive. Zishu grabs his soulmate's hands, frowning.

"Why didn't you tell me?"