Forty Millenniums of Cultivation, page 662
"But still, you pretended that you knew nothing about it. You were stunned and sweating all the time, trying to highlight my wisdom with your clumsiness as comparison.
"That was very thoughtful of you, but I'm afraid that you overdid it. Such a way of ass-kissing is too crude."
Jin Xinyue was lost for words and lowered her head in embarrassment.
"Don't think that I am despising you," Li Yao said solemnly. "In fact, your acting skills are quite excellent for your age!
"In fact, I always regretted one thing.
"What I'm best at is fighting and refining. Of the two disciples that I recruited, your Senior Brother is a genius in martial arts and will likely pass on my knowledge in combat, and your Senior Sister, although not very talented, is more passionate and hardworking about the arts of refining than anybody. She could more or less pass on the experience and knowledge that I have grasped in the arts of refining.
"But few people know that, other than fighting and refining, the skill that I've attached the greatest importance to is acting!
"I was born in a magical equipment graveyard where the competition was as cruel as the Blood Demon Sector. Before I learned fighting and refining, I only struggled to survive by resorting to my acting skills!
"What are acting skills exactly?
"Observation, analysis, contemplation, pretense, decoy, traps, schemes, feints, double feints, triple feints… All those abilities are entailed in your acting skills!
"Acting skills are almost the only trick to defeat the strong when you are weak! There are too many perils and too many great experts in the sea of stars. Nobody can really be invincible in the universe. In many situations, if you want to survive when you are dead for sure, and if you want to reverse your failure into victory, you will have to count on your acting skills!
"It has always been a pity that, although my previous two disciples will distinguish themselves sooner or later in the arts of fighting and refining, they can never pass on my knowledge in acting skills at all with their personality and wisdom. Therefore—"
Jin Xinyue was suddenly greatly touched. She was shivering as if she had foreseen what her master was going to say!
Li Yao patted her shoulder and said solemnly, "If my sole purpose was to approach your father, I had a lot of options, and I didn't have to bind myself in a master-disciple relationship.
"Your talents and abilities in acting are the most important reason for me recruiting you as my disciple.
"Do you understand now?
"In fact, I have very high hopes for you. Just follow me and see how to perfect your acting skills in future!"
Jin Xinyue took a long breath and held back the urge in her nostrils. Bowing, she said earnestly, "As you wish, Master!"
The declaration was like a sharp blade that ripped apart the camouflage that had been covering him.
Jin Xinyue's eyes were as clean as water, and she was standing straighter, like a sword that was half unsheathed.
She was no longer the loyal, 'dumbfounded' audience when Li Yao was analyzing the situation. She was back to the ambitious, ruthless, and meticulous saintess of the Pantheon of Demons.
Her tightening muscles and her gradually spreading spiritual energy were even shrouding her in an aura of hostility!
The blood-like moonlight sprayed into the cave, dying their clothes red.
Li Yao and Jin Xinyue, the weird master and disciple, confronted each other in silence under the moonlight that felt both like blood and like mist.
Li Yao smiled. "In fact, this is the real you. After running away from Void Turmoil City, you've been keeping something to yourself that you did not want to talk to me about until now, right?"
Jin Xinyue nodded, her eyes turning sharper and sharper, as if part of Jin Tuyi had been reincarnated inside her body. "That's right. Perhaps I did not consider you as my one true master sincerely until this moment. Therefore, I do not want to conceal anything from you anymore!"
Chapter 1002: Jin Xinyue's Determination! |
Li Yao was smiling more and more sunnily, with appreciation beaming out of his eyes. "Excellent. This is more like my disciple. This is more like Jin Tuyi's daughter. Just tell me what is on your mind!"
"Master, now that you've figured out the truth of the Red Tide Plan," Jin Xinyue said calmly, "I assume that you are going to the Eye of Blood Demon and destroy it to stop the coalition army of demons, which has been mixed with spores from marching into the Heaven's Origin Sector, right?"
Li Yao nodded. "Yes. That is the plan. I have never considered convincing your father and other demon emperors with empty talk. If I have to persuade someone, I will use my crystal bombs as my voice!"
"And you will need my assistance, right?"
"Of course," Li Yao replied. "The Feather Clan is best at teleportation arrays and has contributed most to the Eye of Blood Demon. Most of the operators belong to the Feather Clan, too.
"I won't be able to sneak into the Eye of Blood Demon and destroy it without your help."
Jin Xinyue took a deep breath and said calmly, "But right now, I'm not sure whether or not I should stand on your side, Master."
Li Yao's face remained unchanged. "Why not?"
"If I say that I have been convinced by my father during your dialogue with him just now, will you be surprised, Master?"
Li Yao shook his head. "Not at all. Your father's points were valid and highly persuasive. Even I was almost swayed by him as I reminded myself all the time to firm my belief. Is it strange at all that you were influenced by him?"
Ripples were spreading out of Jin Xinyue's eyes, which were as clear as pond, while she mumbled, "All our endeavors are based on the same assumption—the Heaven's Origin Sector is willing to let go of the grudge and work with the Blood Demon Sector after learning the threat of the Imperium of True Human Beings.
"Therefore, what we needed to do was to resolve the hatred and aggression in the Blood Demon Sector!
"But what if my father was right? What if the Cultivators of the Heaven's Origin Sector are not willing to let go of their grudge with the Blood Demon Sector despite knowing that the Imperium of True Human Beings is coming at them?
"If they have calculated and analyzed carefully, only to come up with the conclusion that conquering the Blood Demon Sector as quickly as possible, enslaving all the demons, and sending them to Boneyard and the resource planets of the Flying Star Sector for mining, will be the most efficient approach for resource collection and the most effective strategy to cope with the Imperium of True Human Beings, what are we going to do?
"If that is the case, I will not be able to stop the collapse of the Blood Demon Sector or the miserable fate of all the demons even if I go through all the trouble to disrupt my father's plan now.
"Then, why am I going to waste my time doing everything with you, Master?"
Jin Xinyue held her chest high and stared at Li Yao in the eyes with all her courage. She clenched her fists and said, "Before, I hadn't figured out what to do exactly next. I simply decided to keep the thoughts to myself and see what I can do when we arrive at the Eye of Blood Demon.
"Perhaps, I would even betray you at the most critical moment.
"After all, I only respected you as my master to save my life and to fulfil my ambitions.
"However, your last words just now finally made me realize one thing—"
Li Yao was greatly touched. "You've finally realized that I recruited you as my disciple out of genuine will and did not intend to make use of you at all. So, you decide to return sincerity with sincerity?"
"Not exactly."
Jin Xinyue shook her head and said dutifully, "I have realized that Master is sordid and cunning; your eyes are keen, and you can keep a secret really well. I cannot conceal what is on my mind from you at all!
"Therefore, I should voice exactly what I am thinking. For example, if I think that Master is sordid and cunning from the bottom of my heart, I should just say it frankly. After all, even if I don't say it, you will certainly see through me.
"If I have a second thought and plan to betray master at a certain time, I will definitely be trapped earlier, and I'm afraid that I will end up helping you count the money for selling me out!"
Unable to respond, Li Yao remained silent.
Jin Xinyue smiled, with a bit of confusion about herself in her eyes. She lowered her head and looked at the tips of her feet, mumbling, "Master, do you find it weird that I have become so compassionate and so considerate about the lives of my compatriots?
"In the past, I certainly wouldn't.
"In the past, I believed that I was more important than anything else. There was nothing but revenge, ambition, and power in my head. I didn't even bother to look at other silver-blood demons, much less the bronze-blood, the black-blood, and the chaotic-blood ones who were nothing but ants to me.
"In order to be the supreme 'Dark Lady of the Nine Heavens' of the Blood Demon Sector, I was willing to kill anybody, do anything, and sell whatever others were interested in.
"In the couple of days after I swallowed the Divine Blood of Chaos and turned from a demon into a human beings, I even considered the idea of betraying the Blood Demon Sector and sending all the demons to the slaughterhouse of the Cultivators as long as I could get enough benefits and my safety guaranteed.
"If I did not have a choice, I could always try to sneak into the Heaven's Origin Sector and change my name. I believed that I would rise up quickly as a Cultivator with my capability and wisdom!
"My attitude for you was the same, Master. You were an unparalleled expert to me. My life was safe when I followed you. So, I followed you.
"You might want me to betray the Blood Demon Sector, and you might want me to destroy the Heaven's Origin Sector. Was there anything I would hesitate to do as long as I could live on?"
Jin Xinyue's aura was suddenly unstoppably sharp and enveloped her body together with the mist of the blood moon. It was like a mysterious spring had cleansed her body and bones from inside out, transforming her into somebody new!
Recalling what had happened to her recently, Jin Xinyue said in a low voice, "I don't know why I have changed. Perhaps the mutation of the cells led to the change of mind. Or maybe it has to do with my experience during the few months when I snuck into Void Turmoil City as a chaotic-blood demon with you.
"In the past, although I was good at camouflage and infiltration, I always pretended to be silver-blood demons, and my victims were mostly nobles, too. The lowborn black-blood demons and chaotic-blood demons were no different from the stones and weeds on the road in my eyes.
"However, during the few months, I lived together with countless 'untouchable' chaotic-blood demons as one of their own, and I also got in touch with many hideous, bizarre-looking black-blood demons. It was not until then that I discovered—
"I discovered that chaotic-blood demons have feelings, too. They have their own will. They have their friends, lovers, and family.
"As for the black-blood devils who appear to be monsters, you freely communicate with them as long as you've grasped the trick.
"Beside my residence at that time, there was a neighborhood of black-blood demons. I even saw a band made of many ugly members of the Insect Clan. They played the most marvelous music by the vibration of their wings, the rubbing of their mouthparts, and the hisses from their stomachs.
"In order to retrieve intelligence, I even made friends with two chaotic-blood demons. One of them was a girl who was fifteen years old. She used to sleep on the same bed as me and chat all night about her daily life and the troubles she met. She admired me for my skillful manipulation over the male creatures and harassed me all the time, hoping that I could teach her how to get rid of the annoying pursuers and how to pursue her childhood sweetheart, a dumb chaotic-blood demon."
Jin Xinyue could not help but smile when she talked about the friend.
Her smile was like the watery mist on a clear lake under the bright moon.
Li Yao listened quietly and did not interrupt his disciple.
Unless Jin Xinyue's acting skills suddenly advanced into a level that was higher than his own, the smile was definitely the purest one that Li Yao had ever seen on Jin Xinyue's face without any impurities.
A moment later, the ripples inside Jin Xinyue's eyes broke apart, and her smile gradually froze. "When the coalition army of demons attacked Void Turmoil City, many low-level demons I knew were killed, including the friend who used to talk to me all night.
"Perhaps, I could've saved her, as long as I activated the capability of the Core Formation Stage.
"But I didn't.
"At that time, I thought that I never regarded her as a real friend. She was just yet another object that I made use of, just like the countless objects that I'd made use of before.
"Why would someone like me need a 'real friend'? Not to mention that she was just a chatty tagalong who could not shut her mouth all day.
"Yes. Many chaotic-demons died right in front of my face, but so what? In the past, I've executed countless demons in a yawn and killed countless members of the Blade of Chaos whose blood must've been enough to congregate into a river. Had I ever been merciful before?
"I had always believed that, even after you rescued me from Void Turmoil City.
"But right now, I have discovered that I was wrong. Very wrong.
"My silly 'friend' visits me in my dream and talks to me all night every night.
"In my dream, she never blames me for my coldness. She does not even know my real identity. She is still like an innocent dummy, telling me her troubles in my arms. She still asks me how she should pursue the boy who was killed in Void Turmoil City together with her.
"Master. Your disciple is confused right now. Really confused!
"Before, when I was a demon, I never cared about the life of any demons except for myself or the future of the Blood Demon Sector.
"Even though I craved to become the Dark Lady of the Nine Heavens of the Pantheon of Demons, it was actually the power and what the intimidating the title entailed that I desired. I never thought that I was obliged to do anything when I really became it one day!
"But now that I have turned into a human being from a demon, I am more concerned about the fate of the 'demons' now.
"It is rather hilarious, isn't it?"
Chapter 1003: Nothing to Regret |
Jin Xinyue's eyes were like two deep swirls, and she was looking at Li Yao earnestly as if she was hoping that Li Yao could drag her out of the confusion. "Therefore, after hearing my father's analysis, I began to question myself and doubted whether or not I was doing the right thing.
"If it is impossible for the Star Glory Federation to put let go of the grudge or the country is determined to conquer all the demons bolstered by the war bonds, victory funds, and other interest groups, why should I stop my father?
"Perhaps, it will be best to just let the Red Tide Plan run its course?
"This is my confusion right now. Please do enlighten me, Master!"
Li Yao frowned. "What if I can't enlighten you?"
Jin Xinyue hesitated for a moment. "Over the past couple of months after transforming into a human being, I've been learning to be a Cultivator.
"What matters most for a Cultivator is 'belief'. I've been looking for my 'belief' all the time, but I haven't found a clear answer yet.
"However, although I do not know what my 'belief' is, I know very clearly what my 'belief' isn't!
"If I follow Master recklessly without figuring out what I am fighting for right now, I am certain that it is not the way guided by my 'belief'!
"Therefore, if you really cannon enlighten me, I'm afraid that I will not be able to stand on your side wholeheartedly.
"Even if I follow you, it is very likely that I will become mentally deranged soon."
Li Yao's eyes turned deep and dark. "Are you suggesting that you will switch to your father's side if I can't give you a satisfactory reply?"
Cold sweat popped out of Jin Xinyue's forehead. She stammered, "I—I don't know. I truly don't."
Li Yao narrowed his eyes, his demonic energy spreading out. "Will you have nothing to regret even if you make me your enemy?"
His demonic energy made the bloody moon shiver unpredictably. Jin Xinyue was trembling as if she had been caught by an invisible storm. Her cold sweat froze into icy pearls.
Panting hard, she smiled bitterly. "Master, you—you asked me to learn how to be a real Cultivator. I studied the 'Constitution of Cultivators' for a long time, only to discover that it seemed necessary to taste the feeling of 'nothing to regret' for what you believe in if you want to be a real Cultivator."
Li Yao's expression became even gloomier, and his demonic energy was even more intense.
Suppressed by the demonic energy, Jin Xinyue was not able to utter a single syllable anymore. She managed to summon part of her spiritual energy to resist, but she was still shuddering from head to toe.
In the weird scene, it was hard to tell which one of them was the human being and which one was the demon.
A moment later, Li Yao suddenly retracted his demonic energy, and his face was warm and sunny again in the blink of an eye. He scratched his hair and smiled. "Your father did have a point. I thought for a long time and couldn't find any refutation."
Jin Xinyue breathed hard with swear pouring out. It was not until then that she realized that her master was merely testing whether or not her belief was firm enough.
Calming herself down, she asked, "So, you also acknowledge the possibility that the Star Glory Federation will fake peace for now, only to assault and conquer the Blood Demon Sector in a few years?"
Li Yao sighed and replied dutifully, "Of course, that's a possibility.
"Although I am a Cultivator of the Heaven's Origin Sector born in the Star Glory Federation, I do not want to lie and say that the federation is a perfect country and all the Cultivators are saints of integrity who honor their word.
