"You aren't as stupid like that elder of yours, so I guess I can forgive you." Jin Rou nodded, "You aren't the most talented I've ever seen, but I can be sure you are one of those with sharpest eyes in the region."
"I don't deserve such praise, Bro—" He did not finish what he was saying as Jin Rou interrupted him, "Call me Young Noble. That fits me very well."
"Then as you wish, Young Noble." Xiaolei propped himself and asked, "Do you need anything?"
"Since there are lots of time now, why don't you tell me the current situation of the sect?" Jin Rou said as he helped himself to the fruits laying on the table, "Let's see how can I help you."
Xiaolei proceeded in unfolding the events in Firegate. The Firegate was currently divided into two factions. The Firelord Faction and the Firestander Faction.
Both of the factions had created era emperor in the past; namely Firelord Era Emperor being the first one and Firestander Era Emperor being the second and last until now.
Although the two were main branches of the sect, the Firestander Faction wasn't satisfied of how the Firelord Faction managing the sect. Now that the sect was in a downslope decline, the Firestander Faction was more eager to usurp the throne from Firelord Faction.
A year ago, the two faction heads held a meeting to negotiate what to do with the sect. Unfortunately, the meeting ended in a bloody fight which almost created a mess out of Firegate Sect.
Time went by, the Firestander Faction declared that they wouldn't stop not until they get their hands on the authority they deserved. They were tired being the second branch. This time, they wanted to take the lead and spearhead the course of the sect.
All in all, the two factions' aim was the same— the betterment of the Firegate Sect. After all, they wouldn't be able to face their forefathers if they destroyed the sect now.
Hearing this story, Jin Rou smiled wryly and said, "It's not that your elder is the only one stupid here. It seems Firegate is now infested with brainless maniacs."
Calling the ancestors and elders brainless maniacs was out of the line, but Xiaolei didn't refute it and just said, "They want the best for the sect."
"No, they desperately want to return to the glorious era of your sect, that's why." Jin Rou said, "They have grown tired of being weak and helpless, that even a tiny Heavenly Shadow is baring their fangs at them, an imperial sect which produced two emperors in the past."
The ancestors were looking for a way out of this mess. Firestander Faction wanted to steer the direction of the sect towards greaterness by all means even if they needed to shed blood. While Firelord Faction wanted to keep enduring the struggle until they find the perfect opportunity.
They wanted to stand tall to the world once again. They were in Western Emperor Region, after all. They needed to be strong in order not to get bullied again.
"Honestly, Young Noble, I am with the Firelord this time." Xiaolei didn't keep his thought to himself.
"You think it's really a must to endure pain to taste victory?" Jin Rou smiled and posed a question.
"It is. After all, there is no sweetness until you taste bitterness. It's just a process of failures and all to be successful." Xiaolei answered with all his heart. He truly believed that hard works and hard endurance would pay off in the end. That in the end game, he would be the last one standing amidsr.
"I can understand where you are coming from." Jin Rou said, "But I must tell you that life doesn't work that way all of the times. Endurance pays victory? That's nothing but a self comfort for yourself in order to strengthen your mentality. The process to success is tedious, arduous, and hellish. It's not a mere you endured and it will return to you with a good karma. The dao doesn't turn events like that."
Jin Rou pointed in his heart and said, "If you don't have the guts and capabilities to deserve the good karma, it will not come to you just because of enduring pain. At the end of the day, the dao heart is still the sole foundation if you ever will receive good karma or not."
Xiaolei felt that he was enlightened by those words. Although they were just simple words, the profoundness were too deep that it put him in awe to the core.
New doors opened for him and saw a bigger world he never thought existing. Jin Rou smiled and let the guy digest what he said. He was in the mood, so he opened a new path for Xiaolei. As to what he would receive? That's going to be depended on how far he could go and understand.
Jin Rou spent his time liking the scenery in the courtyard. The scenery here was a rolling mountain with dark clouds raining on them. It was giving him peace when he watched the hard rain pouring on the mountains.
"The world is too deep for everyone to venture. Only those who can survive the pain of endlessness can have a chance, huh..." Jin Rou murmured something by the wind as he watched the rain in the distant mountains. No one could hear it, not even Xiaolei nearest to him.
After an hour or two, Xiaolei opened his eyes and nodded in satisfaction. His superficial wounds had also healed, as if they weren't there to begin with. He felt refreshed and lightened.
"Your words helped me advance, Young Noble." Xiaolei knelt down. He was now a full-fledged vajra that could command the wind and rains, "I will always remember your kindness."
"Judging by your trained dao law, I guess you aren't pursuing the imperial path." Jin Rou said, "But you made the right choice. The imperial path may be nice, but it will not show your fullest potential and talents to the world. The other path is very suitable for you."