Hidden Moth-Chapter 575 - 329: Always Anxious and Critical

At the same restaurant as last time, even at the same table, Liu Jingze scanned the code with his phone and, while looking at the menu, said, "I recently got a bit more pocket money, so this meal is on me to repay the one you treated me to last time."

He Kao: "Why did you bring your phone today?"

Liu Jingze: "My mom insisted I bring it, saying it’d be easier to reach me if needed, and the class teacher agreed."

Two dishes and one soup, plus two bowls of rice, were soon served. Liu Jingze picked up his chopsticks and said again, "Thank you for your help this time."

He Kao: "No need for thanks, even if I hadn’t come to find you, you could’ve solved it by yourself. But I’m not sure if you’re satisfied with what I did?"

Liu Jingze didn’t answer but instead asked, "I know you have many questions, but I want to ask you first, what were your thoughts in doing so?"

He Kao: "It wasn’t just my idea alone. I have an old childhood friend, surnamed Huang, named Si, who is now also a disciple of the Observing Body Sect. I discussed it with him, and he gave me this suggestion and even volunteered to help with the arrangements.

But don’t worry, he doesn’t know your identity, nor have I told him more details. He offered to handle it out of righteous indignation..."

Liu Jingze: "You followed his suggestion, which means you agree with this way of handling it. I just asked for your help but didn’t specify how, so what were your considerations?"

Faced with Liu Jingze’s persistent questioning, He Kao’s reply seemed to dodge the question: "Even if you’re not Ancestor Zhao, even if you’re not the son of a martyr, you shouldn’t have encountered such a thing."

Liu Jingze nodded slightly, put down his chopsticks, and said, "I left you a Spiritual Guide that day, so you could find me if you wanted, and you came quicker than I expected.

The reason the Spiritual Guide was triggered indicates that your mind was disturbed, suggesting you encountered something. As for what exactly it was, I don’t know; I can only perceive the state of mind.

But in this world, there are many situations where we know what should be done and are compelled to do it, yet there’s still hesitation. Some ideas are known not to be pursued, yet they still linger..."

He Kao appeared calm, yet subconsciously tightened his grip on his chopsticks. What Liu Jingze said seemed plain but illuminated some things He hadn’t figured out.

Clearly, this is about Zhang Yanfei, also known as Erji Monk! He is deeply concerned about Erji returning to the Hidden Moth Sect because there are many issues with this person.

But as the Sect Leader, he must handle this according to Sect Rules. If he cannot uncover any violations of Sect Rules in Zhang Yanfei’s past actions, then he must accept this person.

Not only does he need to accept Erji’s return to the Sect, he also must open the Floating Colors Grotto Heaven for him to receive Secondary Inheritance and share the secrets of the Hidden Moth Sect... Doing so would likely pose many hidden dangers.

Is it possible, then, to uncover misconduct in Zhang Yanfei’s past, thus justifying a refusal of his return to the Sect?

He has thought about this—it seems like the most ethical solution. But this so-called optimal solution is, in fact, the most unethical.

The reason is simple: as the Hidden Moth Sect’s leader, how could He Kao "hope" that the heir to the Insect Concealment Skill would do bad things? Even if Zhang Yanfei were a good person, should He Kao wish him to be bad?

Ultimately, this is just He Kao’s personal desire, and if such a desire were to guide his actions, they would be distorted.

In fact, investigating Zhang Yanfei’s past actions is simple; it doesn’t even require He Kao to personally check, because after Zhang Yanfei’s "incident" and the chaos at Qi Yuan, the Ancestral Hall has already investigated him.

Through Elder Li, He Kao already obtained the investigation results, and no violations were found. Some matters are still inconclusive even by judicial agencies and are irrelevant to the Magic Sect.

All He Kao can do is further verify Zhang Yanfei’s experiences hiding as Erji monk after his fake death; truthfully, he knows he might not find evidence of any wrongdoing.

If he insists on finding evidence, he would have to dig hard, or even fabricate... this would be deliberately finding fault.

Thinking from Erji’s perspective, or from that of any disciple who has achieved high tier in Technique, received Grotto Heaven guidance, and wishes to return to Sect, who would want to face such doubts and difficulties?

If it were He Kao himself, he wouldn’t want that either... so there’s a subconscious conflict. No matter what he does, it won’t satisfy himself, and of course, it will affect his state of mind.

He Kao raised his head and said, "There was indeed something I was struggling with, but you pointed it out."

Liu Jingze replied leisurely, "Thinking that certain thoughts shouldn’t exist, yet they just do; this is something many people can’t avoid, even if they know it, they can’t cut it off.

Everyone has desires, and so do you and I. Without desire, there’s no action; without action, there’s no cultivation.

The world’s moral laws, sect rules, and precepts all restrict behavior. They are necessary for civilization but aren’t always right; they can be biased and unjust, and what needs reform should be reformed and amended.

To say that opposing desires is opposing human nature is a misconception. From desire to aspiration, from aspiration to rules, from rules to one’s true self, all are parts of human nature.

Even if you understand certain truths, being unable to do them is just being unable, just because your cultivation hasn’t reached that realm. But if you can’t even comprehend, then it’s impossible to transcend this realm."

He Kao sincerely said, "Thank you for your guidance!"

Liu Jingze shook his head and said, "It’s hardly guidance; you helped me, and I should be grateful. With your karma, it seems you’re not far from attaining perfection in the Fifth Realm, and at this stage of cultivation, disturbances often occur.