Chapter 341: Chapter 195: Has Your Yang Energy... Decreased Recently? (2)
"Then why are you saying I have to clean up after Senior Sister?" You Su asked, puzzled.
"The last time your Senior Sister left, she went to Mo Ye City to exorcise an evil spirit. The process of exorcism went very smoothly; we thought there would be no major issues. Unexpectedly, the evil spirit was not completely eradicated. At that time, cultivators in the city requested your Senior Sister to stay a few more days just in case, but she didn’t agree and hurried back. Although the evil spirit’s power wasn’t strong, it did cause a death. This has somewhat damaged your Senior Sister’s and the Exorcism Bureau’s reputation in Mo Ye City, so not only do you need to successfully slay this evil, but you also need to leave the credit to your Senior Sister. Do you understand?"
You Su didn’t mind giving the credit to his Senior Sister, for it was originally agreed that he would remain in the shadows as the Divine Son of Night. Moreover, the reason Senior Sister hurried back to the sect was very possibly because of him...
So the responsibility of "cleaning up after Senior Sister" naturally fell on his shoulders, and he felt it was his duty.
"Understood. Chief Elder, do you have any information on the evil spirit?"
"Belongs to the blood and flesh category, can possess humans. It is long, red, and extremely adept at escaping and concealing itself. The purpose and reason for its presence in Mo Ye City are still under investigation. Currently, it has been confirmed to be linked to one death, and others will be in contact with the secret agents of the Exorcism Bureau when you arrive in Mo Ye City."
The Chief Elder slowly informed him and then handed You Su three jade beads, saying, "To demonstrate your capability, you need to investigate as independently as possible and not rely on the local cultivators’ strength. Of course, should you encounter an unsolvable problem, you have three chances to ask for help. Crush one, and someone will come to assist you. This is directly related to the Exorcism Bureau’s assessment of you in this test."
You Su took the three cool jade beads and gathered them in his palm.
Even though he was the most likely candidate for the Divine Son of Night, whenever he faced this mysterious organization that hovered above even the Profound Sky Sect, he could sense nothing but arrogance from the Exorcism Bureau.
His brows suddenly turned cold and harsh as he asked a disrespectful question to the leader of the Exorcism Bureau:
"Shouldn’t the Exorcism Bureau be capable of finding that evil spirit, yet it insisted on leaving it for my test? The evil spirit still poses a threat to human lives in Mo Ye City—how can the Exorcism Bureau just stand by?"
The Chief Elder was slightly stunned when he heard this. Looking at the resolute young man, he realized that even he had never deeply pondered this question.
"The death of one or two people doesn’t mean much to them. Killing an evil spirit that has consumed one person is fundamentally no different from one that has consumed three, in their view. Ignoring a few lives to verify a Divine Son who can slay the Great Evil God is considered worthy. If you don’t want to see more innocent people lose their lives, the only thing you can do is accomplish the task faster."
The Chief Elder spoke as gently as possible. Many join the Exorcism Bureau out of a fervent desire to slay evil and protect the masses. But over time, as one’s level increases, a person’s fervor cools.
"But if someone dies during this time, is it my responsibility, or the Exorcism Bureau’s?"
You Su personally experienced the despair of being threatened by an evil spirit and desperately wished for someone from the Exorcism Bureau to save him then. However, now the Exorcism Bureau, fully aware, still remains inactive, leaving him feeling as if he had something stuck in his throat.
The Chief Elder looked at You Su in astonishment, his white brows slightly furrowing, making even the withered wrinkles on his face more pronounced.
"You Su... your awareness has already proven your destiny."
"I ask the Chief Elder for clarification." You Su cupped his hands and lowered his head, sincerely seeking guidance.
"The Exorcism Bureau indeed aims to slay evil, but no one can dictate that this is its duty. The Exorcism Bureau can completely ignore evil spirits and mind its own business. But it never did so; thousands of cultivators perished in the battle against evil spirits throughout its thousands-year legacy, always slaying evil free of charge, driven solely by the sense of responsibility within the Exorcism Bureau’s people. However, you cannot demand this sense of responsibility extend to everyone because we do not have the destiny of slaying evil. Do you understand?"
You Su remained silent, though he did not agree with the Chief Elder’s viewpoint. In his opinion, power and responsibility co-exist; one cannot exist without the other.
The Chief Elder sighed lightly, shifting his gaze to the rolling sea of clouds beneath the hillside:
"An ancient book once put forth a viewpoint: immortals are not divinely ordained. Profound Qi is a substance of the world, stolen by humans to become immortals, making immortals thieves, bandits. Despite its harshness, it speaks a truth—that all who transcend to immortals are inherently selfish. The Exorcism Bureau has never been an official organization; in its inception, it was merely a gathering of like-minded individuals. Thus, you cannot blame the Exorcism Bureau for every life lost to an evil spirit."
"So does the Chief Elder mean that if someone dies from this evil spirit during this period in Mo Ye City, it’s my responsibility?"
You Su stared directly at the Chief Elder, even though he could see nothing.
"That depends on whether you acknowledge the destiny imposed on you."
The Chief Elder responded blandly to You Su’s gaze.
"But this destiny is a burden you’ve placed upon me."
"You don’t have a choice," the Chief Elder replied with hands behind his back. "If you don’t want such a situation to happen again, take this position and make the entire Exorcism Bureau your support."
You Su abruptly opened his hand, and the three jade beads glowed with a milky light.
The sparkle in the Chief Elder’s eyes seemed to see through to You Su’s thoughts, but he did not continue to persuade him. This was the indifference each person in a high position should have, and he hoped You Su would soon comprehend this.
"Alright, instead of worrying about this, focus on dragging that evil spirit out from the crowd sooner. Once you leave the Profound Sky Sect, someone will take you to Mo Ye City. They’ll wait until tomorrow’s early morning; otherwise, it’s assumed you’ve given up."
The Chief Elder patted You Su on the shoulder and gave him his final advice before departing:
"If someone must become the Divine Son, I hope that person is you. Because, compared to an immortal, you are more like a human."
...
Mist spread, and colorful radiance surrounded the flawless, incredibly beautiful figure.
He Shutong frowned slightly, looking worriedly at the young man shrouded beyond the mist.
She could see that You Su was in a very low mood now.
After parting with the Chief Elder, You Su had come in as agreed to report the test details to He Shutong, hoping that this gentle Master could help resolve his confusion.
"Master... those people have nothing to do with me, yet I worry about their lives and deaths, and even spoke disrespectfully to the Chief Elder because of it. Do you think I’m ridiculous?"
You Su’s eyelids drooped, his expression dark, causing He Shutong to ache with sympathy, hating her own powerlessness, unable to protect this young man.
"Why would it be ridiculous?"
He Shutong could never bear to let this young man think so little of himself, even if everyone else thought You Su was making a fuss over nothing, she would never think so:
"The Chief Elder’s last words were precisely an affirmation of your thoughts. Don’t belittle yourself. I can imagine anyone else in your position would only think about how to pass the test without considering what would happen if someone died at the hands of the evil spirit during the test. And this is what makes you different."
You Su raised his head blankly, the gloom in his eyes seemingly illuminated.
"So, he said your awareness has already proven your destiny. Only someone truly bearing the mission of slaying evil will feel guilty for not saving those people from an evil spirit, let alone concerning a yet-to-happen event. You haven’t become the Divine Son, but you already consider yourself one."
"I-I really..."
"Don’t doubt yourself; just be yourself. You’re not slaying evil to become the Divine Son; you’re doing it to save those who shouldn’t die at the hands of an evil spirit. That’s why you are most suited to become the Divine Son of Night, understand?"
He Shutong smiled softly, trying to invigorate You Su like a kindly mother guiding a young child who’s lost his way.
He Shutong’s encouragement finally helped You Su untangle the confusion in his heart. He did not have to wrestle over whether it was the Exorcism Bureau’s responsibility or his own. If he didn’t want innocents to be sacrificed, he’d just go save them.
"I understand, thank you, Master!"
After clearing his thoughts, You Su’s state became energetic and vibrant.
He Shutong smiled in relief but soon turned sorrowful again. Over the days, she had subtly asked Ji Lingruo, and the two still hadn’t engaged in Dual Cultivation.
Had they yet to eliminate their misunderstandings?
But with You Su about to face a formidable foe, can he do so with an unwell body...
"Has your Yang Qi... dissipated recently?"
