A beautiful full moon towered high in the sky, illuminating the darkness of the world and dispelling the restlessness brought about by the dark night.
Mo Shatian walked around the village towards his home. The shining moonlight illuminated the path he traveled while his mind was filled with various things, such as himself, the village, and also the cultivator.
After hearing everything, I wondered what I really wanted to do.
"—boy?"
Lost in his musings, Mo Shatian did not realize that someone was speaking to him. Until finally, that person stood right in front of him, startling him. That person was Elder who came from outside the village and had even saved him before.
"Is there something that makes you so immersed in your thoughts that you are unaware of your own surroundings?" Asked the Elder with a curious face.
"Ah... There's something I'm thinking about right now." Mo Shatian replied with a slightly surprised tone.
"If you can't find the solution yourself, why not try seeking advice from others?" Elder said it in a soft voice.
There was a moment's pause before he opened his mouth to speak. "Then...may I ask for your advice on the problem I'm facing?"
Before speaking his intentions, Mo Shatian had carefully considered who and what advice he should seek, and in the end, after going through several processes, he found the answer. He was certain that only Elder could provide a solution to something that was bothering him at the moment.
If it was him, a cultivator, and also someone who was not from the village, might be able to provide a clue.
"And what kind of advice can I give you?"
"Can you give me some insight into what I should do? Especially regarding the cultivator and this village?"
Mo Shatian could feel that his entire body was pierced under Elder's gaze. He wondered if he had done something impolite, like asking for his opinion directly. But before he apologized and retracted his words, Elder intercepted him by speaking first.
Elder studied him carefully and nodded a few times. "Hmmm, I understand. You must have felt indecisive and lost after the revelation that happened today. And thanks to that, your view of the village as well as the villagers has completely changed, right? Yet you still don't know what you really want to do in the midst of all this, am I wrong?" Elder said while stroking his beard.
Mo Shatian subconsciously swallowed his own saliva. What the Elder explained really hit the mark, not only understanding his intentions that even he himself had trouble expressing, but also how he saw and felt after all the sudden events.
"Y-Yes. Everything is exactly as you said, Elder."
"In that case, there is no advice I can give regarding your current problem."
Shocked by the unexpected answer, Mo Shatian just stared blankly at Elder's face, unable to believe what he was hearing.
His hopes were completely shattered, without a trace. Like a light of hope that was shattered by darkness without leaving a spark.
Elder sighed, seeing Mo Shatian's state. "Don't look at me like that. I understand what you mean, and it's true that there is no solution I can provide. The answer has always been within you all along."
Elder continued, in a more serious tone, "If you start looking for answers for yourself, then what are you to yourself, if your own existence is defined by others?"
Mo Shatian felt like he was struck by lightning, a realization that pierced into his mind. A word that was profound, shook his soul, and questioned his very existence.
Mo Shatian was completely confused by everything that happened today, almost losing his way. He almost made the wrong decision, and ended up having to pay the price.
If there is someone who has bad intentions, then this is the best opportunity to influence him—when he is in a lost state—by enticing him with something, which will eventually lead him through his nose.
But fortunately, the person he met was Elder and could give him guidance without having to rely on anyone else.
There was no longer a fog of doubt shrouding his eyes, but only a clear, water-like reflection visible in his eyes.
"Thank you very much. Thanks to your advice, I finally got the insight I needed." Mo Shatian said while bowing.
Mo Shatian realized that his mother had given him the choice; the rest was for him to decide.
Elder smiled and nodded after seeing the clarity and determination in Mo Shatian's eyes. "Then I'll go to Xiao Ling's place, there's something I want to talk to him about."
After seeing the Elder walk away, Mo Shatian continued his travel with steady steps.