Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Debate with the Devil (3)
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Yuyeon organized the insights she had received.
The flames of inner turmoil in her heart naturally lost their power. The root of it all, that heart demon, had sunk back into the depths of her profound mindscape, causing its momentum to fade.
The heart demon had been able to influence Yuyeon solely because of the manifestation before her eyes—this devil, this figure known as an Aura Manifestation Stage cultivator. One could call it a faint thread of something that could become real.
However, when Heo Jeongwon bared his Dao Heart and conveyed his true intentions, Yuyeon finally confronted the things she had been desperately avoiding all this time.
Resonance is like the clashing applause between two souls; if one reaches out a hand from the heart first, where could there be a heart so callous as to turn away? At the very least, Yuyeon could not.
But that did not mean the heart demon had vanished entirely. It stemmed from the koan representing the most terrifying thing Yuyeon could ever face in her life.
What Yuyeon truly feared. It was the koan of loss.
Yuyeon was not yet ready to face this koan, so in the past, she had chosen to turn away from it.
It was merely a stopgap, but at the time, she lacked a Dao Heart, so it was not an entirely wrong choice.
The first time Yuyeon ran away from home, treating nothing in her heart—not even those she met on her journeys—with any care, turning her steps away so ruthlessly, all stemmed from this inner sentiment.
Thus, the moment Yuyeon first performed Heavenly Ascension and peered into her heart through Impurity Contemplation, her subconscious confronted it, and she set her direction to return.
Though the reason was misguided, she had pondered correctly and acted rightly. She had chosen the path of forging her own Dao.
Therefore, from the moment Yuyeon decided to save that mountain village, returning to Namgung Manor was all but inevitable.
Whether it happened after seeing the sea, after crossing it, or even mistaking a river for the ocean and turning back—the difference was only in the timing.
But now, as a cultivator with a Dao Heart, to fail to resolve this koan and turn away again would truly invite the Insight Heart Tribulation.
However, it would not affect her reaching the Qi Refining Stage right away, so there was no immediate problem.
But when challenging the Aura Manifestation Stage, like Heo Jeongwon, she would absolutely need to resolve this koan of the Insight Heart Tribulation.
Otherwise, during the breakthrough, she would be forced to confront that heart demon through the heart demon trial.
Heo Jeongwon had failed to pass that hurdle in the Insight Heart Tribulation's heart demon trial and had instead been captured by the heart demon, wasting countless ages in vain.
Yuyeon was more talented and sharper-minded than him, so she would not necessarily meet the same end.
But confronting the heart demon in a critical moment like breakthrough was far inferior to realizing the Insight Heart Tribulation on her own like this and first condensing a resolution to the koan in her Dao Heart.
As Yuyeon's mind calmed and returned to its clear state, the teacher who had been silently observing interjected at the perfect moment.
Yuyeon. I've seen that your heart must one day face this matter. That's why I spoke those words to you. Though they were presumptuous words from a being attached to you, may I offer one more piece of advice?
The teacher deliberately made his transmission audible not only to Yuyeon but also to Heo Jeongwon.
His words were for Yuyeon, but he thought it best for Heo Jeongwon to understand how things had unfolded as well. There was also a desire to subtly reveal his presence to protect her.
Go ahead and speak. As always, I'll listen with one ear and let it flow out the other.
The teacher felt joy that Yuyeon had fully returned to her usual self but did not show it as he replied.
Yuyeon, I don't know why a child your age developed such aversion to the cultivation world without experiencing its affairs firsthand. I won't pry.
But know this: the path of Immortal Cultivation is as lofty as can be, yet it is also endlessly vast with countless forks and parallel paths. So experience it directly, clash with it yourself. Do not restrict your own steps.
Ha, I've spoken too much out of an old man's worry. I'll leave the rest to you.
Heo Jeongwon silently bowed toward the parasol in utmost respect for his senior.
At the same time, he felt a slight insight from those words himself. Words spoken with true sincerity by one of profound cultivation path deserved respect, even if no enlightenment was gained.
And Yuyeon felt the same.
As the teacher's presence faded, Yuyeon glanced around briefly before bowing first to Heo Jeongwon in courtesy.
It was an apology for past misunderstandings and rudeness, and gratitude for opening his Dao Heart and conveying his true heart.
In any case, eight years ago, he had saved her life and taken measures to prevent problems. He had also watched over her through the years, regardless of his intentions.
Of course, Yuyeon had not forgotten her grudge. But at least, she would not seek revenge now. She simply kept it in her heart.
Don't offer formal bows. What I said was truly just what I wanted to tell you—for my own peace of mind. Rather, I should thank you. Thanks to you, I've made progress in my cultivation and cast off this torment once and for all.
No, it is proper to show respect. But since you say so, I won't insist further.
And I've only heard that I'm going to the cultivation world; I haven't heard the details yet.
I'm ready to listen now, so please tell me.
If I follow you, Uncle, where will we go? What will I do? And whom will I meet?
I'll hear it all and then decide.
Very well. I'll tell you everything without reserve, as many times as needed until you're satisfied.
Thus, the old man who had named her and the girl who had harbored sharp resentment believing he had stolen her life resolved their misunderstandings.
One knot untied, one bond formed—this is the natural course of human affairs.
The two took a moment to refresh the atmosphere. In other words, they had the Namgung Manor Lord bring out the teapot again.
The method was simple enough: with their Divine Senses extended just wide enough, they left a note on paper and sent it via Object Manipulation.
'The tea tastes good, so please bring another pot of this.'
What do you think the Namgung Manor Lord did upon seeing it?
He immediately fetched the tea leaves he had set aside in his study for himself, personally brewed the tea, and brought it over. Mm, the flavor of tea brewed by an expert.
With their dry mouths moistened, the two resumed their conversation. Yes, this time it was not a debate, but a proper discussion.
The first thing you need to know is the structure of the cultivation world we belong to. It has its own order and dynamics.
Heo Jeongwon set down his teacup and continued.
First, you will become a member of my clan, the Heo Clan's capital family. To do that, you'll need to change your surname to Heo. Is that alright?
Having once discarded the grandiose surname Namgung, Yuyeon had no issue becoming a Heo—and the nuance was even better, since Heo Jeongwon had crafted Heo Yuyeon from the start with her in mind.
Still, suddenly changing surnames felt a bit awkward.
Is there a reason?
The biggest reason is the distinction between inner and outer clan disciples.
In short, cultivation world's factions typically accept disciples into their sects.
Though called disciples, the relationship is nothing like a mundane master and apprentice. It's closer to employer and employee, superior and subordinate.
And massive sects divide their disciples into elite inner sect disciples and mere outer sect disciples accepted into the sect for efficiency in exploitation.
Capital clans do the same, distinguishing inner clan disciples from outer clan disciples with different treatment.
Outer clan disciples are typically those like Yuyeon, discovered in mortal nations and brought in because they possess Spiritual Roots.
Since they are not born into the clan, they must go through processes to become full members.
Among them, marriage and labor service are crucially paired.
For now, you're exceptionally talented, and well, you're a girl—er, don't misunderstand. Since you're not a boy. If you become an outer clan disciple, you might have to form a couple instead of labor service and bear new disciples—children.
The most vital resource in the cultivation world was something with pure energy capable of forming Spiritual Energy.
Next was disciples who would diligently work under you—written as disciples, read as laborers; at lower levels, openly called labor disciples. People, in other words.
Precisely those with true Spiritual Roots.
Heo Jeongwon had decided to tell Yuyeon everything candidly, so he spoke as he knew it.
But upon saying it, he realized that though Yuyeon was always calm and mature, forgetting she was an eight-year-old girl. He wondered if she even understood what it meant for a woman to have a child, feeling embarrassed himself. Glancing at her after a moment...
Pregnancy...?
Yuyeon had gone pale. I don't want to go to the cultivation world.
Priest Heo had watched Yuyeon since infancy and knew she had awakened consciousness during her time as a boy, thus holding a male identity.
That's why he had phrased it indirectly, but he hadn't expected such a strong reaction. He waited silently for her to compose herself.
Anyway, that's why I planned for you to take the Heo surname and enter as an inner clan disciple from the start. No such issues then.
Also, female cultivators must pause their training during pregnancy, so I can't bear to see your progress hindered by pointless clan obligations.
Yuyeon, barely regaining her composure, roughly grasped from the latter part that female cultivators couldn't train while pregnant or recovering post-birth—even if handed to a wet nurse afterward, it took 2-3 years at least for the body to recover.
Needless to say, breastfeeding and raising the child oneself required even more time.
One might think female cultivators have no reason to endure bearing and raising children, but a child's Spiritual Root aptitude came almost entirely from the mother.
Not every single-root mother bore a single-root child, but if the mother was a cultivator with a Spiritual Root, the child had a high chance of inheriting one—especially higher if the father did too.
Thus, clans paired outer disciples with inner ones to form couples.
Through lovers and blood ties, they solidified bonds to the clan, while birthing new disciples between the two cultivators to sustain the family.
Continuing, our capital clans belong to the dominant power of this southern land, the massive sect Eunsan Sect.
Sect means the foremost faction, and their goal is to produce a Transformation God Realm grand cultivator to ascend to a higher world.
Heo Jeongwon checked Yuyeon's expression. Many unfamiliar terms, but she simply waited silently for more. Satisfied with her intelligence, he smiled.
In truth, Yuyeon had grown accustomed to conversations full of unknowns through talks with the teacher, skipping over or inferring meanings from context.
To achieve that, the sect keeps lower clans like ours in the outer domain and collects taxes.
It's not all give. In return, the sect provides manors and guarantees some autonomy and conveniences within.
Of course, that autonomy means handling inter-clan conflicts or subduing local demons ourselves.
At the same time, the sect subcontracts various tasks to capital clans, rewarding contribution points to make requests of the sect.
A typical mega-corp and mid-tier supplier relationship. Or more precisely, with contribution points minted freely, like a key currency nation and a manufacturing developing country.
In summary, I'll end up living in the Heo Clan, right?
Yes. Spend half a year there acclimating to the cultivation world and consolidating your current realm. Next year, when the Dao Academy accepts new students, our clan will recommend you.
The Dao Academy provides foundational knowledge and resources young cultivators need, teaching basic techniques for Qi Refining and various arts. Think of it like a mortal school.
Yuyeon felt interest for the first time at "Dao Academy." Heo Jeongwon called it like a school, but to her, it resembled elementary school more: lunches, classes, career exploration, special activities—all identical.
Schools also evoked memories of sneaking peeks at books. Cultivator books would brim with unknown knowledge: unheard tales, myriad resources, techniques.
Excel there, become an inner sect disciple, a true sect member. With your talent, you can manage. Formal sect disciples receive this.
Heo Jeongwon pulled a small jade plaque from his bosom and placed it on the table. It was a Sect Token.
This proves sect affiliation and is a dharma treasure with mystical functions. Many key features, but the most important is...
Heo Jeongwon tapped one side with his finger.
It handles transactions of contribution points, the currency used within the sect. Like a cultivator's wallet. Functions only in sect territory; outside, just for identification.
Yuyeon unwittingly sent her Divine Sense toward it. Sensing the energy flows and complex structure within, she unconsciously thought of mobile payments and felt a dizzying vertigo.
No way—currency, basic education, even mobile payments? This is the cultivation world? Then what I knew before was...
That's what comes to mind immediately. Ask anything else you're curious about.
Heo Jeongwon finished and lifted his teacup again.
His gaze drifted out the window toward the wall where Yuyeon had returned.
The man who had found his place after wandering envisioned the tiny being just stepping onto her path advancing into the wider world.
Earlier, you said 'might have to bear.' Is having children mandatory for female cultivators?
Pffft—
Heo Jeongwon, in a moment of carelessness, watered the garden's dry earth with his tea.