Daily life of a cultivation judge Chapter 1455: Acceptance and preparation (2)

The words of the Vice Chancellor echoed in Yang Qing's mind the very day he received the grim news about Lai Lei.

Lai Lei had been both his classmate and comrade. The day Lai Lei was brought back, clinging to mere breaths, Yang Qing confronted the stark reality that he might soon be mourning a friend, a companion from his school days.

Fortunately, that fate was averted. However, the Vice Chancellor's words began to resonate with him profoundly, a feeling that only intensified with time. The case of Ma Yuan served as the deepest revelation, where he truly grasped his own limitations. This lesson was driven home with even greater force shortly after, when he narrowly escaped death within the very Order he had always considered his sanctuary.

The dew had effectively unearthed the anxieties he harbored concerning this matter, especially with the pair poised to depart any day now, ready to forge new beginnings in either the Summerfield Kingdom or the White Baobab Kingdom.

As their departure loomed closer, his reservations grew. Yet, he found little time to dwell on them, largely due to Bai Chen's situation. Perhaps this intense involvement, extending to personal ground investigations and constant travel, served to quiet those nagging doubts.

He harbored a genuine fear that Ma Yuan might perish, or his daughter... or perhaps both. And as the dew had so expertly revealed, he feared their demise would occur shortly after they parted ways with him.

Did he desire their continued presence? It would be untruthful to deny it. Their proximity would undoubtedly soothe his nerves, offering a sense of visual reassurance. However, another perspective demanded consideration. While the Order offered unparalleled safety, it was also, arguably, one of the most perilous locales on the continent – a fact the instructors ceaselessly emphasized at every opportunity.

What if they were to join, and Ma Ling resolved that the path of an inquisitor was her calling? Ma Yuan would find no solace. There existed a possibility she might choose a different, safer route, such as becoming a librarian, serving in the Medical Valley, or contributing to one of the countless other departments that kept individuals far from the front lines. Nevertheless, by the same logic, there was an equally significant chance she might opt for a more hazardous vocation. As long as she remained affiliated with the Order, such a possibility would perpetually linger.

It would be foolish for Yang Qing to assume otherwise, particularly in light of the loss she had endured. That sorrow might very well propel her towards those perilous departments. He recalled several classmates and friends who had taken precisely that course, driven by similar harrowing life experiences, ultimately becoming inquisitors. Yi Jie and Feng Xin, who had initially joined the ranks of inquisitors merely to fund their personal hobbies, were in fact the unusual exceptions.

Should Ma Yuan and his daughter remain, the likelihood of Ma Ling becoming an inquisitor was a distinct possibility. And if that occurred... Yang Qing shuddered to contemplate the expression that would grace Ma Yuan's face.

Yet, if they were to depart and seek a fresh start elsewhere, perhaps in a serene locale like the Summerfield Kingdom, or a place brimming with vibrant energy and a profound sense of unity and brotherhood, where the reigning monarch happened to be one of his closest confidants – then, were Yang Qing to be entirely candid, that outcome would represent one of the most favorable scenarios he could envision. In such a situation, Ma Ling would have absolutely no inclination to engage in dangerous pursuits. After all, she would have a father whose core had been irrevocably shattered to consider. Would she truly abandon him?

If they departed and began anew, their lives would become inextricably linked, providing them an opportunity to reconstruct what had been broken and jointly embrace the subsequent chapter of their existence.

But then... as the dew had starkly illustrated, a possibility remained that misfortune might still find them, even in their new surroundings.

Yang Qing had pondered how devastated and shattered he would be if such a tragedy struck, and the potential impact it would have on him. However, witnessing the scene of Ma Yuan stooped over Ma Ling's frail form, while profoundly and deeply sorrowful, he discovered a part of himself that had begun to gradually find a measure of peace with the potential for such an event.

He had already formulated strategies to equip Ma Yuan and Ma Ling with the means for self-protection upon their new beginning. Simultaneously, he was slowly coming to terms with the inadequacy of these preparations, and crucially, accepting that it was acceptable. So long as Ma Yuan made his own choice, Yang Qing's heart, unbeknownst to him, had already started to reconcile itself with whatever outcome awaited them in that next phase of life.

Should they choose to remain, Yang Qing would wholeheartedly embrace and lend his utmost support to their chosen paths. Even if Ma Ling were to pursue the role of an inquisitor, he would, in all honesty, attempt to persuade her to rethink her decision for Ma Yuan’s well-being. However, if she remained resolute, he was confident he would find peace with her choice, regardless. He could only hope that the future version of himself would possess the wisdom to support Ma Yuan, acknowledging his own limitations while still exploring every possible avenue to assist.

A gentle inhalation followed, and Yang Qing's lips curved into a smile as he sensed subtle shifts within himself. His cultivation realm remained unchanged, yet an undeniable, quiet transformation had taken root inside him.

"Accept what lies beyond your capabilities, yet expand upon what you can achieve," he whispered softly, a faint smile gracing his features. Resting his head on his right hand, he leaned towards the window with an air of ease, redirecting his focus back to the ongoing auction.

Li Gang had concluded his thorough exposition on the advantages of the heart-quenching mulberry dew and was now transitioning to the stipulations set forth by the seller.

"I wonder what insights these will reveal," Yang Qing remarked casually, tossing a few spicy nuts into his mouth.