Heaven's Laws - Lifestone - Chapter 45 part 2

Note: Part 1 has also been updated and cleaned up a bit.

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“A cultivator, however… Most cultivators, even the most powerful, retain a certain level of humility because of the older, more powerful cultivators around them. For you and your wife, that is nearly nonexistent with your father gone. Now that he is, what’s holding you back?

Leaning forward with unexpected swiftness, Elder Gen and flicked him hard on the forehead. “You are.

“You have freedom, young Chao. Riches and a martial prowess that no one else has. You’re only challenge in this realm dwells in the north. Should you run from your power now that you know there’s a tyrannical demon inside you capable of devouring worlds? Should you choke out the flame that has sparked it to life, or smother it by locking it in some cage deep in the sea of your soul? Must you save the realms from yourself?

The old man licked his teeth then spat off to the side. “You couldn’t make a more foolish choice.”

Elder Gen’s countenance suddenly changed to such a degree than it forced Chao to swallow. There was no emotion coming from those eyes, but a calculated cruelty. What might seem like a mask if others shared the expression seemed just the opposite to this old man. His peaceful demeanor was the mask hiding the demon beneath. This demon had revealed himself, and he spoke. “There’s only one way forward. You mustn’t reject the ruthless side of yourself but embrace it. What value is kindness and generosity from someone that has no choice? You have a choice. Don’t discard power for weakness.

“Become a tyrant, Young Chao, learn to control it, and then direct it toward something greater than yourself. Then your kindness will mean something. Your sacrifice for others will blaze brighter than any star in the night’s sky. A cultivator doesn’t cage ruthlessness. They wield it.

“Your actions yesterday weren’t tragic or woeful. You simply unsheathed your sword for the first time and found it more treacherous than you ever imagined. Sheath it. Keep it close to you and practice often. If you want to master a weapon, you train. Cultivate it, Young Sage.

Gen suddenly clapped and was back to his old self. “But this is coming from one who lived as a mortal for the first thirty-five years of his life. What do I know?”

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There's more I had with Gen, but I think I need to save it for later.