Reciting the scriptures had proved far more useful than he had imagined. Not only had it helped stabilize his realm, but even the character "thought" in his mind seemed to have become a little clearer. It appeared that cultivating one's state of mind also benefited the Blood Book.
He knew that now was the time to set out. Though he did not wish to keep company with those savage and cruel people, for in his eyes it was no different from "taking a thief for one's father," Chen Hu had treated him with the courtesy due a national scholar, and so he had to repay Chen Hu in kind. Even if it meant dying ten thousand deaths, he would not refuse.
Moreover, this brush with deviation had taught Ye Tian a lesson: once a decision was made on the path of cultivation, one could not hesitate, because hesitation could kill.
Thus, he immediately decided that he could hesitate no longer. He had to hurry to Chicks Mountain at once.
At last, he cast a complicated look at the little forest where he had spent the past several days. Then he dropped to his knees, raised his right hand, and swore, "Ancestors above, your unworthy descendant Ye Tian is throwing himself into an evil sect, shaming my forebears and disgracing the sages. My sin is hard to pardon. Here and now, I swear that I will never commit deeds that outrage Heaven and violate reason, and never join forces with wicked men. Should I break this oath, may Heaven strike me with thunder and lightning."
After saying this, he rose and strode ahead. Amid the fluttering of his robes, the lingering sound of his recited poetry spread through the woods.
Behind him, several unusually bright-eyed little monkeys watched reluctantly as Ye