Hu Xiaotian agreed with that point. At first, he too had found it strange that the Imperial Palace harbored so many hidden dragons and crouching tigers, so many martial arts masters concealed within its walls. But on closer reflection, it was perfectly natural. Once eunuchs had been castrated and lost their sexual desires, they needed another outlet. Some prized power, others money, so history had no shortage of eunuchs who threw the court into turmoil, nor of those whose greed knew no bounds. Naturally, some devoted their energy to martial cultivation. Eunuchs often focused far more intently than ordinary people, and so their achievements usually surpassed those of others. Hu Xiaotian said, "Not necessarily. A person's desires aren't limited to lust. Of the seven emotions and six desires, cutting off one desire still leaves plenty."
Li Yuncong actually laughed at that. "Cutting off one desire gives you an extra measure of focus. Don't underestimate it. Most people can climb to the top of a hundred-foot pole, but taking that next step is harder still, and few can manage it. People like us are missing something, and it's precisely that missing piece that lets us shed our burdens and reach our goals with greater focus and ease than ordinary people."
This was the first time Hu Xiaotian had discovered that the old eunuch Li Yuncong actually had a sense of humor.
Li Yuncong said, "Entering the palace is also a kind of cultivation. Within these walls, some cultivate good and some cultivate evil. But whatever you do, once you choose your path, you can neither stop nor turn back." He gave Hu Xiaotian a meaningful look. "When two tigers fight, one is bound to be wounded. Surviving between their jaws won't be so easy."
The cold sweat Hu Xiaotian had just