《Re:Direction The Peak (Cultivation Tale)》CH. 113
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While Sophia was shifting through the techniques in the upper levels of the tower, Hae-Hyuk had summoned his two disciples in his quarters. It was time to deal with their actions. As the two sat facing Hae-Hyuk, only Jin remained calm and composed. Min-Su was trembling in fear. Hae-Hyuk had been glaring at them for minutes now.
Fortunately, being the carefree kind, he couldn't put up with being stern for long either. He ended stopping the act and sighed. Then, he began to ask them: "Do you understand what you have done?" Min-Su looked apprehensively at Jin who kept his gaze on Hae-Hyuk. Jin was aware that Hae-Hyuk wasn't expecting an answer.
The answer was obvious. They had brought this disaster indirectly by letting Sophia in. If they had given up on the exhibition themselves, Sophia wouldn't have been able to come along with them. Whether she would have managed to get in was a different question but even if she did, it wouldn't have been something impacting them. They wouldn't have had any responsibility.
But now they did. And Hae-Hyuk easily found out about everything. At his level of power, it wasn't hard to get the information he wanted. Especially when all the employees of the strongest power around was at his beck and call. Hae-Hyuk sighed again. He couldn't help it. Those two not only brought upon the disaster but they were also the only ones who made a profit from it, plundering things while everyone was fighting.
He looked at them sternly for a second before he grinned and asked them: "So, what good stuff did you manage to pick up?"
Min-Su grinned back excitedly. Jin was surprised at the unexpected reaction. Instead of being excited like his senior, he was confused. Hae-Hyuk saw it and told him: "Don't forget Jin, we are cultivators. What is the goal of a cultivator?"
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Jin didn't have to think before he answered: "The pursuit of strength"
Hae-Hyuk tilted his head slightly as he retorted: "It isn't wrong but not quite right either. We pursue godhood or a form of omnipotence. Strength does come along but we search for much more... But all in all, it is a selfish act. Because in order to climb higher, we deprive someone else of that chance. Now, as cultivators, as my disciples, you have to understand that you need to make the most of every situation"
Jin understood what he meant. It was also why he acted the way he did. Even if all went to hell, what would it matter if he was in heaven? He wouldn't give a fuck. So, he picked up the treasures lying around. But he didn't expect Hae-Hyuk to agree with his action. Especially considering how morally wrong it had been. They did profit from the chaos they indirectly created after all.
Hae-Hyuk: "You don't seem convinced? Did you think I was a sinless and virtuous man? When the heavens provide you with an opportunity, you have to grab it with all your might. You might never get another after all"
Jin whole-heartedly agreed with what Hae-Hyuk said. Those were words of wisdom indeed but they didn't feel right. Well, they certainly were morally dubious. In the end, Jin asked him: "Do you not plan to reprimand us for helping Sophia get in?"
Hae-Hyuk knew the question would come eventually and answered: "I do not. It was her choice to force her way in and her next choices were what brought upon this situation. It did start with you two but you were not the ones responsible. To me, you have done no wrongs. You might consider this as a wrong move from your part and regret it but, if I were you, I wouldn't think that way. After all, didn't you get a lot of things from it?"
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Jin retorted: "But people died"
Hae-Hyuk: "Don't feign being guilty, Jin, it doesn't suit you. We both know that you don't care about the death of strangers. You might find it sad for a moment but that's it. Or are you going to tell me that you will give up on the items you got there and use them to help the reconstruction efforts?"
Jin sighed as he gave up. This world was cruel in how it valued the lives of others. It was true that he didn't really care about the dead and only felt a little emotional due to his responsibility in the results. It wasn't the death but the fact that he was related to it that pained him.
As for giving up on what he plundered? They could dream on. He didn't have any plans to do so. Min-Su didn't seem to want to either. The guy was clutching the little fluffy creature in his arms as if he was scared someone would take it from him.
To be honest, he only thought that Hae-Hyuk would reprimand them and use the opportunity to teach them some wise principles. He expected it. Maybe he felt that this would bring a closure to it all. Life wasn't so simple. The truth was that strangers died and he made a killing from it.
Even he wasn't sure of how he felt. At first, he was depressed and sad due to the guilt and the scenery, even though he was used to murder and such. He knew of collateral damage and such but it never felt good. Yet after a few days, it passed. He looked at Hae-Hyuk and asked him what was really on his mind: "Why are you fine with this?"
Hae-Hyuk: "Why? Do you think being one of the reasons this happened make you a monster? That rejoicing at the lucky opportunity you got from this make you a devil? No. All it does is to make you human. It is human to place your own interest about those of others, especially as cultivators. You will see a lot more events like these if you stay alive. You told me you wished to reach the peak? Then discard useless thoughts. You will never get there by playing nice and fair"
Jin recalled what he had done since arriving to this world. It could be summed up with one word: Sin. He killed, he stole and he lied. All for the sake of growing his strength. He didn't feel it to be wrong before and wouldn't feel that way now either.
He was reminded that in this world, he wasn't the only one that thought this way.
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