Chapter Twenty-Six: The Dao Must Not Be Betrayed

As the sun set and dusk fell, Ye Peng’s return sent shockwaves through the entire Ye Clan.

A Foundation Establishment-stage demon beast, captured alive!

Yet Ye Peng himself possessed only the peak cultivation of the Qi Refining stage, astonishing countless eyes. Had he merely slain a Foundation Establishment demon beast, it would not have caused such a commotion, but the difference between capturing alive and killing is worlds apart.

However, though Ye Peng emerged victorious, more than ten disciples of the Ye Clan perished in the battle. Their masters, family, and friends were plunged into grief.

“Patriarch, isn’t Ye Peng too ruthless? Sacrificing over ten disciples just to build his own reputation?”

“Hand Ye Peng over! I must teach him a lesson!”

A crowd of elders gathered, and although the patriarch, Ye Haiyi, was in seclusion, he could not ignore their uproar.

“You are all elders of the Ye Clan. Such disorder—what sort of example does this set?” Ye Haiyi appeared, and his first words were not to question his disciple Ye Peng, but to sternly sweep his gaze over the gathered elders, rebuking them coldly.

On ordinary days, the patriarch and elders were like friends or brothers, acting as they pleased. Yet when the patriarch grew serious, none dared defy him.

“Patriarch, it’s not that we’re making a fuss, but what Ye Peng did was simply too much!” Elder Ye Deshui pressed on, despite his reluctance.

Among the fallen Ye Clan cultivators, three had been personally taught by Ye Deshui. He had thought this expedition would be a routine training, never imagining a Foundation Establishment demon would appear, resulting in such losses.

Capturing a Foundation Establishment demon beast alive seemed glorious, but in truth, the loss of a dozen disciples was far greater.

After all, those who became inner disciples of the main family possessed uncommon talent and might one day become experts at the Foundation Establishment stage themselves.

Among those who participated in the attack on the serpent demon were other elder disciples, who, upon returning, recounted the events to their masters. Thus, the elders became furious and sought out the patriarch, demanding justice from Ye Haiyi.

“This matter must not be spread. Any further discussion—death without mercy!”

After hearing the full account, Ye Haiyi spoke first.

The elders did not object; after all, it was not a matter they wished publicized. If word spread far and wide, it would surely undermine the prestige of the patriarch’s line.

“Indeed, Ye Peng was excessive, but he captured a Foundation Establishment serpent demon—this is a great achievement. The families of the fallen disciples may claim compensation from the accounts office.”

After a long pause, Ye Haiyi made his decision.

“That’s all?” The elders exchanged angry glances.

“If not, what more do you want? Ye Peng’s talent is extraordinary. He may well become a Nascent Soul cultivator, making our Ye Clan even stronger. Which is more important—the clan’s future, or the loss of a dozen disciples?” Ye Haiyi’s eyes flashed with anger.

“Patriarch! You…” Elder Ye Deshui fumed, unable to speak, and left in a huff.

“With such a person inheriting the patriarch’s position, who knows if it will be our clan’s blessing or curse…” Elder Ye Deyin sighed, then turned away as well.

The patriarch had decided; what more could the elders say? Soon they dispersed, and the matter was laid to rest.

“Master, was Yun’er wrong?”

Since his return, Ye Yun had been absent-minded. He did not go to Elder Ye Min’s study to cultivate, but returned to his home in Cloudwater City.

Grandmaster Ye Yu approached quietly, coming to his side.

Seeing the confusion in his young disciple’s eyes, Grandmaster Ye Yu’s expression did not change. He said lightly, “You were indeed wrong.”

Hearing even his master say so, Ye Yun was overwhelmed with guilt. “Master is right. If I had intervened, perhaps those people would have survived…”

Grandmaster Ye Yu smiled bitterly, patting Ye Yun’s now sturdy shoulder. “Silly child, you misunderstood your master’s words.”

“Master’s meaning?” Ye Yun was stunned, looking at his master in confusion.

Ye Yu nodded. “Do you know why, despite the death of over ten disciples, Patriarch Ye Haiyi did not punish Ye Peng severely?”

“Why?” Hearing that Ye Peng, the chief culprit, escaped unscathed, Ye Yun frowned.

“Because they were weak. The strong pay no heed to the deaths of the weak. You may find this cruel, but it is the truth—it is the mindset of the strong.”

Ye Yu spoke thus, then changed his tone: “Yet I do not wish for you to adopt such a mindset. We cultivators follow our hearts, transcending the mundane. Never act against your conscience!”

“Clearly, you wished to save those people, but you refrained, thereby violating your own heart. Now do you understand why your master said you were wrong?”

“Master means I should have followed my heart and saved them?” Ye Yun asked.

“If you were to save them, how would you have done it?” Ye Yu smiled.

Ye Yun replied at once, “The serpent demon was formidable, but I did not fear it. With the White Tiger Sword and the Dragon-Phoenix Pendant you gave me, I was fully confident I could slay that Foundation Establishment serpent demon!”

“Silly boy, if you had done so, you would still have been wrong!” Ye Yu suddenly said.

Ye Yun was bewildered, shaking his head.

“If you killed that serpent demon, who’s to say another wouldn’t appear later? When you’re not there, Ye Peng will act as before, sending others to their deaths. You could save them once, but how could you save them forever?”

Ye Yu patiently explained, “If it were me, I would have killed Ye Peng to eliminate future harm.”

“Ah…” Ye Yun was startled by his master’s words. “Ye Peng is my third uncle’s son—he is kin. How could I lay a hand on him? He is the patriarch’s disciple, and if I killed him, the patriarch would be enraged, possibly hurting my parents, and even you, master.”

“Kinship?” Ye Yu shook his head. “You treat Ye Peng as family, but with his nature, he would never treat you as such. In certain circumstances, he might even try to kill you—do you believe it?”

Recalling Ye Peng’s actions and his master’s analysis, Ye Yun suddenly understood and nodded, “I believe.”

“As for the patriarch retaliating against you if you killed Ye Peng, you need not worry. He lacks the courage.”

Ye Yu said no more. Seeing Ye Yun still somewhat lost, he added, “I tell you these things not so you act according to my ideas, but so you understand: for us cultivators, the heart is the path. The heart must not be betrayed, nor the path violated. Remember this always!”