Volume Five: "Drunk on Wine, I Draw My Sword and Strike the Earth in Song" - A Flute in the Clear Night, Dreams Follow Falling Flowers at the Third Watch

"Miss Xueyi, what has upset you?"

Seeing Kou Xueyi weeping so bitterly, Xing Yan had no attention to spare for his wrangling with Qiong Rong. He immediately asked with the utmost care.

But Kou Xueyi gave no answer to his question. Instead, she cried even harder; her silent tears were now punctuated by soft sobs.

Why has Kou Xueyi suddenly become so sorrowful?

Of course! That must be it! Ah, how could I have forgotten!

After a little thought, Xing Yan felt certain he had discovered the true reason.

Seeing her like this, I ought to talk her around.

So, in his gentlest voice, Xing Yan patiently tried to console Kou Xueyi:

"Miss Xueyi, I know the tragedy in your family has left you hating those inhuman creatures. Seeing me explain the scriptures to the beasts of the mountains tonight must have displeased you. That's only human nature."

At this point, Xing Yan felt the burning pain in his right cheek again. With an inward, rueful chuckle, he continued:

"But although that's only human nature, I think your view is rather one-sided. As I see it, among the spirits that cultivate and take form in the mountains and waterways, those that truly do evil are probably only a small minority."

Perhaps it was only his imagination, but when Xing Yan stole a look at Xueyi's expression, he found that the tearful girl seemed to be crying a little less.

His spirits immediately soared. Mustering all his energy, the would-be comforter hurried on in a gentle, persuasive voice:

"That's precisely why I don't think we should assume every inhuman spirit in the world is an evil monster just because we've seen a few commit wicked deeds. After all, aren't there people of bad character among our own kind? By that reasoning,