A Sense of Restraint, the Crystal's Power

Master spoke with a sigh, but I had the feeling he kept bringing this up because he was afraid I would make a mistake.

He seemed deeply worried that I would get this wrong.

Master must have been through something himself.

His concern made me think of the senior disciples next door.

Maybe one of them had gotten into trouble over this very thing...

But Master would not let me ask. Every time, he stopped halfway through.

All he ever did was warn me, then warn me again...

I could not bring myself to ask, and keeping my curiosity bottled up felt awful.

Still, I nodded to Master and said:

"Don't worry, Master. I won't spare a single ghost that deserves to die.

"But when I meet ghosts like Wu Zhizhi and the four little ones today, I think I should help if I have the strength to spare.

"After all, when I became your disciple, you said saving a ghost earned more merit than killing one..."

Master let out a breath.

"As long as you know where to draw the line!

"And don't hold it against me for nagging you about this.

"I've said it over and over...

"You know my fate. I have only a trace of heavenly pardon in it.

"My fate is strong, but I'm destined to be alone...

"I bring misfortune to the people around me!"

At that, Master gave a self-mocking laugh.

I laughed awkwardly too. As if I don't do the same...

Then Master continued:

"People say the human heart is impossible to fathom, as hard to measure as the sea.

"But I've spent my whole life among the living and the dead. I've seen more ghosts than I could count.

"And ghosts are no different, are they?

"I have no children, and