Chapter 174 - Pathfinder
Chapter 174 – Pathfinder
"Bai Ye should've never given you Twin Stars," the Gatekeeper continued. "The power of a demonic sword goes way beyond a mere disciple's control. If not for the fact that he said you were already planning to stop using it, I would have taken measures to confiscate it after what happened at Jade Temple."
I fell silent. After learning the truth of the past in full detail, I understood why the Gatekeeper held such a deep fear for Twin Stars, and I couldn't blame him for being cautious. If this conversation had happened before my trip to Azure Dragon Palace, I would've simply promised to return the swords to the vault and never touch them again. But now, things had become more complicated. The words that Luo Ji said to me—what started with the demonic sword will have to end with the demonic sword—made me suspect that there might be more to these blades than what we knew. I might need to resort to their power again if I wanted to make amends to my past mistakes, or even to save Bai Ye from his current affliction. I couldn't let the Gatekeeper confiscate them if that was the case.
But how could I argue my way out of it, knowing that he was only trying to do the right thing this time?
Choosing my words carefully, I said, "I haven't learned much about demonic swords, Gatekeeper, but from what I have experienced so far, Twin Stars has only saved me when I was in need. Last time at Jade Temple, I was in danger of being attacked by a demon. This time, my master was in danger, and it was these swords that helped me get to him. If this power has only saved lives instead of threatening them, then why do we need to try so hard to avoid it?"
I wasn't merely making up excuses. I did mean what I said. Even with the power of Twin Stars flowing through my body while I tried to break the seal, I felt no malice or dark influence from it. I didn't know if it was my previous death that changed things, or if it was the two hundred and fifty years of heart's blood that cleansed these blades, but either way, I had reasons to believe that Bai Ye was right—Twin Stars was no longer what it used to be, even with all the power that it still held.
The Gatekeeper's gaze darkened. "You never know what it might do next. The power of a demonic sword is one that we are yet to fully understand, and it's naive to expect that it will always work to your advantage. An unknown force like this is not a blessing. It is a curse."
I shook my head. "All knowledge starts as something we don't fully understand, but that has never stopped us from trying. Just because we aren't familiar with it, doesn't mean—"
"Nonsense!" the Gatekeeper bellowed. "You are no pathfinder or forerunner, young disciple. It might satisfy your vanity to challenge the impossible, but who is to pay the price if you fail? A demonic sword has its own mind, and it can influence you beyond your imagination. The next thing you know, you might be raising the blade against innocent people, or even your master. Who is to bear the consequences then?"
The whole crowd hushed at the Gatekeeper's rage. I quieted for a moment as well, considering his words. Deep down, I knew the Gatekeeper was right. His fear wasn't ungrounded—the path I wanted to take was a dangerous one, and I couldn't promise anyone that I'd be able to succeed. Yet I wasn't willing to give up just because of the risk, and what I saw in that vision at Azure Dragon Palace had only helped me steady my resolve. I could do this … I had to do this. But how could I convince him to give me the chance? How could I prove that I was ready to do anything to make sure that what he feared would never happen?
"Gatekeeper," I ventured. "I would hate to see that day as much as you do. But I believe that no power should be able to influence a person to such a degree overnight. Wouldn't there be signs if the demonic swords start to threaten my consciousness like you said? Wouldn't there be ways to stop things then, rather than banning me from this path at the outset?"
The Gatekeeper pursed his lips. After a little while, when he still didn't respond, it was Teng Yuan who said, "You are correct in that the effect is gradual. The power's influence is on your mind, and it will manifest itself in changes to your personality. The way you act towards other people, for example, will become more hostile and uncontrolled. Stopping it is easy, as long as the swords are taken away from you to prevent further influence, but—"
"But will Bai Ye let that happen?" Su Nian scoffed. "Your master is always overprotective of you. Even if you were to be affected by demonic power, even if you were starting to act dangerously, will he let us do anything to harm his precious little disciple?"
The Gatekeeper gave her another hard glare. But I raised my chin, meeting her sneer. "If the swords have truly started affecting me to that extent," I said, "taking them away from me is not harming me, and he will only thank you for doing so."
Ignoring the look on her face, I turned back to the Gatekeeper and continued, "I may be only a disciple, Gatekeeper, but I have the determination to do the right thing. If it will ease your mind, I can swear this on my life: if my power starts growing awry, I shall willingly accept any measures you see fit to take against me. Confiscating Twin Stars from me is the least I will expect.. If my actions truly lead to undesirable consequences that will threaten innocent lives, then not only my master, but also any of you standing here today, has the right to slay me with your sword."