Chapter 602: Morality (II)
Li Yuanjiao fell silent for a moment, his voice turning hoarse. "You are correct… Yu Muxian entered Azure Pond Sect at the age of eight. He has spent his years in secluded cultivation. I have never heard of him harming others…"
His vision dimmed slightly, his Immortal Foundation wavering. A wave of fear crept into his heart, filling him with a sense of helplessness. Beads of cold sweat gathered on his face, dripping steadily. He finally broke the silence, his voice trembling slightly.
"People like us are not like you. Our lives are spent walking on a knife's edge. The things we do… they are far from honorable. We kill for wealth, for self-preservation, for family… And sometimes, the people we kill do not deserve to die."
"I have lost count of how many lives I have taken. I do not fear death, nor do I claim to follow a righteous path. I do not weigh sins against virtues. My family has shed blood at Moongaze Lake, and among those who perished, not all were guilty."
"The road to the Dao stretches endlessly forward. Do you think every obstacle in the way is a despicable villain? No. The path to power is not paved with ethereal purity and celestial grace. My family… we are merely struggling to survive."
Li Yuanjiao stood with his hands clasped behind his back, the sharp blade at his waist emitting a faint hum. A cooling sensation spread through his Shenyang Mansion, gradually calming his turbulent emotions. His tone softened as he continued, "I do not offer this as an excuse. I am simply not a virtuous man. My family treats mortals and rogue cultivators kindly. We do not cultivate through blood qi, and I rarely harm others without cause. But when the survival of my family is at stake, I cannot afford to retreat."
Tu Longjian stared at him blankly before responding, "Senior, you misunderstand me…"
He fell silent for several breaths, as if he had more to say. However, before the words could leave his lips, a deep, resonant drumbeat reverberated through the heavens.
Boom!