A master of metaphysics is farming.

Chapter 204 Why Do Demons Need to Be Divided into Good and Evil?

A young Taoist priest with limited Taoist skills came to ask for guidance, inquiring why demons could distinguish between good and evil.

Seeing Zheng Sheng's serious eyes, Xiang He chuckled, but then realized how ridiculous it was, and finally threw her head back and laughed out loud.

A clear laugh lingered in the courtyard. Qi Xin turned to look outside again and saw her laughing so hard her eyes disappeared. She then pursed her lips and continued reading. "People these days... are all so silly."

Sitting opposite her, Zheng Sheng blushed. He didn't know why Xiang He was laughing, but this question had been bothering him for a long time, and he just wanted to get the answer from Xiang He.

"Miss Xiang..."

Her laughter trembled, and Xiang He, panting to calm herself, picked up the teacup on the table and drank it all in one gulp, which relieved her considerably.

She exhaled a long breath, steadied herself, and asked, "Then let me ask you, are people divided into good and evil?"

Zheng Sheng nodded seriously, "Of course it will be divided."

"If humans can distinguish between good and evil, why can't demons and ghosts?"

"But...but a person is a person..."

Xiang He raised her hand to stop him from speaking, and looked at him seriously as well. "Humans and demons are all living beings in this world. They are just like humans, with seven emotions and six desires, love, hate, anger and infatuation. They have their own language and feelings, love and respect for the mortals, and respect for the gods. Why do you feel different?"

She pursed her lips slightly and gently twirled the rim of the cup with her fingertip. "It's only because you are human, and demons and monsters are not the same kind; you feel that the power of demons and monsters will harm the very foundation of humanity, so you begin to fear and hate them, and thus regard demons and monsters as evil."

Zheng Sheng listened attentively, his eyes reflecting Xiang He's calm demeanor as she spoke.

"The power of demons and monsters is something they are born with, but your fear stems from envy. Because as humans, we do not possess such wondrous and abundant power, and when we cannot resist it, we cry out that it is evil and deserves to be killed."

There was not a trace of sarcasm in her words, and Xiang He's expression remained calm.

She picked up a piece of fruit, gently twirling it in her hand, her eyes fixed on Zheng Sheng. "If a demon were to grant you power, would you want it?"

His eyes flickered for a moment, and he opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he couldn't say anything at all.

Seeing his appearance, Xiang He felt that he was really honest, at least much better than Xiang Ling.

He laughed and said, "Look, everyone covets the power of demons and monsters, yet they say it's evil. So what is truly right?"

Zheng Sheng was speechless when asked the question. He held the cup in both hands, lowered his eyes, and remained silent.

"Therefore, it was humans who first distinguished between good and evil, and only then did demons distinguish between good and evil, because good and evil were also determined by humans."

Xiang He stretched out her hand and placed the small piece of fruit in the cup. "Why should good and evil be determined by people? Conversely, why should all demons and monsters be considered evil? Isn't it all determined by people's words?"

People proclaim goodness, but when faced with a hidden, powerful force, they display fearful malice and a desire to kill the powerful, ferocious malice.

In the eyes of demons and monsters, aren't people also terrifying?

He gently turned the cup in his hand, and the fruit inside swayed and couldn't get out, just like Zheng Sheng in front of him. He was currently trapped by the concepts of good and evil, unable to understand them on his own, and could only be guided out by others.

Just like Xiang He's current actions, he can take it out simply by reaching in.

The person who guided him was Xiang He, who was standing right in front of him.

Zheng Sheng listened intently, Xiang He's words echoing in his mind. The shackles that had bound him for so many years seemed to be released at this moment, and his cloudy eyes instantly became clear.

"I think I... understand."

Xiang He opened his mouth and ate the fruit, savoring its sweetness.

The sweet taste in his mouth made him relax. Xiang He picked up a fruit and handed it to him. "Now it's my turn to ask you, in your eyes, are demons divided into good and evil?"

He changed from his previous awkwardness and smiled brightly, "I cannot determine good and evil, but I can make distinctions, not distinctions of good and evil, but distinctions of magnanimity."

A glint of light appeared in Xiang He's eyes. He withdrew his hand, stood up, and looked at him with a smile. "I never expected that Longguang Temple could produce such a discerning person as you. Stick to your path."

Upon receiving the praise, Zheng Sheng blushed slightly on his not-so-childish face. "Thank you for your guidance, Daoist Master."

"Even if you can't accept it, you still need to have the understanding."

He also stood up and bowed, saying, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for the Taoist priest. I'll come to visit you another day when I have more free time."

Xiang He simply waved his hand, "I have something I'd like to ask."

"Please ask, Taoist Master."

Xiang He tapped the table with her finger, her gaze falling on the black crow standing on it. "Your grandmaster... never mind, it's alright."

Zheng Sheng, who was sitting opposite, looked to be no more than fifteen or sixteen. Having learned of his true nature today, he probably didn't know about their shady dealings. If we asked him, he might seek answers and get himself into trouble.

Having made up her mind, Xiang He didn't want to disturb his Dao heart, so she slowly walked towards the gate. "You didn't tell your grandmaster when you came, did you? You'd better go back quickly, lest you be discovered."

“I really don’t know,” Zheng Sheng followed closely. “I know what Chang wants to ask. Since I entered Longguang Temple, I have never seen my master do anything bad. However, when facing demons and ghosts, he was absolutely certain that they were all evil.”

"Since that's how he taught it, why do you doubt it?"

The probability of a butterfly emerging from a nest of snakes and rats is still too small.

Zheng Sheng smiled and said, "When I was six or seven years old, I accidentally cut my hand and met a very beautiful woman who knew magic and stopped the bleeding."

“I see…” Xiang He raised an eyebrow slightly. “How do you know it was sorcery? What if it was Taoist magic?”

“When she was stopping my bleeding, I saw her true form,” he recalled, his eyes filled with pure joy. “She was a succubus, a very, very beautiful succubus.”

Upon hearing this, Xiang He's smile froze instantly, her pupils contracted, and she reached out to grab his arm. "Erotic? Are you sure it's really erotic?!"

Zheng Sheng nodded seriously, "Yes, it's Jing. She said it herself."

The direct confession struck Xiang He like a thunderbolt, instantly clearing his mind. "Where did you encounter that shrew? Have you seen her since?"

Hearing her urgent tone, Zheng Sheng replied truthfully, "In the palace, when I was young, my master took me to treat the concubines in the harem, and that's when I met her, but I only saw her once."

"In the palace!"

Xiang He turned her head and met Xing Ji's gaze.

He Sui'an and the two guards knew about her promise to the mountain god. Now that they know the spirit appeared in the palace back then, what about now?

Is she still in the palace?

Xiang He's eyes darkened. "You mean she was in the harem? That means she was one of the late emperor's concubines?"

"Judging from her magnificent attire, she must be one of the late emperor's concubines..."

She had been in the palace for at least ten years, back when Wulu was already a member of Longguang Temple...

Thinking of this, Xiang He's brows furrowed. "Has your grandmaster ever seen... a spirit?"

"I asked my grandmaster before, and he said he had never seen it before..."

When Zheng Sheng said this, even Xiang He could see the hesitation in his eyes. It was clear that he didn't believe it. After all, his grandmaster was so vengeful towards demons, how could he possibly let him go?

It now seems highly likely that the sperm has already been killed...

A wave of sadness washed over Xiang He, and just as she was about to say something, the door was knocked on again.

Xiang He stared intently at the door and grabbed Zheng Sheng, who was still walking forward, "Wait a minute."

Zheng Sheng was puzzled, but seeing He's cold expression, he dared not speak.

Xing Ji quietly walked over and peered through the crack. His brow was furrowed deeply, forming deep vertical lines. He turned to look at He and spoke silently—

He is the Imperial Advisor.