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When Shao Yun finally awoke, he had no idea how long he had been unconscious.
As his eyes slowly opened, he realized he was standing in a scene that felt strangely familiar.
It was the same ranch that had appeared in his dreams several days ago. And now, that dream seemed to resume like a film playing from where it had paused.
He stared blankly at the familiar sunrise before him and murmured, 'Am I dreaming again?'
Just as confusion filled his mind, he noticed a man standing by the ranch fence—John Marston—who waved at him with a puzzled look.
"Arthur?" John called out.
But after a brief moment, John squinted, studying Shao Yun's face closely. Then, he shook his head lightly and said with a touch of disappointment, "Oh! You're not him. You look a lot like him, but you're not."
Shao Yun walked over to John's side and leaned casually against the wooden fence.
Gazing into the distance, lost in thought, he said quietly, "A long time ago, I had a similar dream. In that dream, I was on Tahiti Island—sunlight, blue skies, calm seas. Everyone was living new lives there. I even talked with Hosea. Everything was so beautiful… so unreal, like a dream."
John listened silently, nodding in understanding. "Oh, that really does sound like a good dream."
The golden sunlight bathed Shao Yun's face, and he spoke with quiet reflection. "Yeah… it's just a dream after all."
Then, with a faint, contented smile, he added, "Since I'm already in a dream, I might as well enjoy this moment of peace while it lasts."
He turned his gaze back from the sunset toward the ranch behind them and said sincerely, "I have to say, this is a fine ranch."
Hearing his praise, John smiled faintly and leaned against the fence as well.
He ran his hand across the smooth wood and explained, "This ranch was built by me, Uncle, and Charles. It took a lot of hard work, but seeing it now, I'd say it was all worth it."
A sigh escaped him, tinged with melancholy. "Sometimes, I can't help but think—if only everyone could've stayed together… what a world that would've been. But, well, what's done is done. Thinking too much about the past just brings more pain. Still, I do think about it sometimes… even if I don't talk about it much."
Shao Yun looked at him with quiet empathy and nodded. "You're right. Thinking too much doesn't change anything."
The two men stood in silence, side by side, watching the sun seemingly frozen at the edge of the horizon, as though time itself had stopped.
Then John broke the silence, turning toward him. "Wanna take a walk?"
Shao Yun gave a small nod and a faint smile. "Lead the way."
John walked ahead, with Shao Yun following behind. Together, they made their way toward the ranch stables.
Inside, the place was spotless and orderly. A few cows lay resting peacefully in the hay.
"Why bring me here?" Shao Yun asked.
John turned to face him. "Because there's something I want to tell you."
He reached for a pack of cigarettes from his belt, lit one, took a deep drag, and began to speak in his gravelly, weathered voice.
"Once, a blind old man told me something. He said I'd remembered the past at the cost of my future. I didn't understand what he meant back then."
He paused briefly, exhaled a cloud of smoke, then continued, "Not until the feds kidnapped my wife and son—forced me to hunt down Bill, Javier, and Dutch. That's when I finally understood what he meant."
Shao Yun nodded slightly, then asked, "Do you regret going up that mountain to kill Micah? Exposing your position?"
John didn't answer right away. Holding the cigarette between his fingers, he countered, "What do you think?"
Shao Yun chuckled softly. "You're an idiot—one whose brain's been gnawed on by wolves."
John laughed heartily. "Haha! You're damn right about that!"
When the laughter faded, he looked serious again and asked, "Then tell me this—if it were you, would you regret it?"
Shao Yun blinked, taken aback. "What do you mean?"
John drew in another deep breath of smoke, the haze curling between them as he said, "Noelle. If you'd chosen her, maybe you'd be living a quiet life now, wouldn't you?"
Shao Yun raised a brow. "Then what about Bonnie and Abigail? If it were up to you, who would you choose?"
John was caught off guard, his expression briefly awkward before he chuckled and admitted, "Oh, you're right. I'm an idiot."
"But so are you," John added, pointing at Shao Yun.
Shao Yun waved a hand with a small, knowing grin. "We're both idiots, through and through."
John inhaled the last of his cigarette, tossed the butt to the ground, and crushed it beneath his boot.
Then he lifted his head, eyes calm, and said, "You know, the only thing people really fear is fear itself. Just like now…"
He pointed toward the stable doors behind him. "You know what's waiting beyond those doors? Maybe nothing. Maybe a whole squad of gunmen waiting for me to open them."
Shao Yun listened, his expression thoughtful, before murmuring, 'Maybe what I fear… is the uncertainty of the future.'
Then, with a wry smile, he said aloud, "Perhaps the wolf should've eaten the other half of your brain—then you'd be a genius."
John grinned. "Now you're getting it. Even if death's certain, we can face it without fear, right?"
"We both swore to protect those we love, didn't we?"
He scanned the area once more before his gaze settled firmly on Shao Yun. "Looks like it's time. You've got things you still need to do, don't you?"
Shao Yun froze for a moment, his hands resting at his sides, a bittersweet smile curving on his lips. "Oh, I see. Hosea said the same thing to me once. So… Nahida's plan failed, huh? I knew it. Even with my warning, it wouldn't have mattered."
At that moment, John slowly drew his finely crafted cowboy revolver from his hip holster.
He weighed it in his hand, then tossed it toward Shao Yun.
Shao Yun caught it firmly in one hand.
John nodded in approval.
Pointing at Shao Yun, he said solemnly, "Take that. Do what you need to do."
Then, without another word, John turned toward the large wooden doors of the stable.
Stopping before them, he placed both hands on the panels and said quietly, "I suppose it's time for me to open these doors… and see what's waiting on the other side."
...
[You have obtained John Marston's Cattleman Revolver (Legend of the West)]