Scholars are often one-track minded!
Moreover, Rong Guang had shown no ill intentions since his arrival, leaving Zi Linling with no reason to speak harshly.
She could only say helplessly, "Alright, but after you ask your questions, we'll begin the assessment. I'm on a tight schedule."
A gentle smile bloomed on Rong Guang's handsome face. "Thank you, Miss Zi. I won't take up much of your time."
Zi Linling nodded, signaling him to begin.
Rong Guang cut straight to the chase, "Miss Zi, why do you believe poison masters cannot save people?"
Zi Linling was taken aback. She hadn't expected this to be Rong Guang's point of contention.
She paused, then said, "The character for 'poison' (毒), from its literal meaning, comes from 'life' (生) and 'mother' (母). Originally, it referred to herbaceous plants that could produce sap. However, the sap of many wild plants was poisonous, hence it evolved to mean poison and harm."
Rong Guang tried to interject, but Zi Linling didn't give him the chance. She continued, "The character for 'poison' has 'life' above and 'mother' below. 'Life' depicts vigorous, flourishing trees, while 'mother' signifies 'do not' or 'must not,' carrying a negative connotation. The combination of 'life' and 'mother' refers to the appearance of poisonous plants. 'Do not live,' meaning to prevent survival, to prevent existence."
"And poison masters, living by poison, naturally absorb its characteristics. So, how can poison masters save people?"
"Clap clap clap!"
Rong Guang clapped three times, smiling. "Miss Zi's analysis is excellent, and her reasoning is quite sound. However, you seem to have overlooked one point." Sudan Novel Network
Zi Linling blinked. "Oh? What did I overlook?"
Rong Guang chuckled. "There's a saying, 'All medicine has a degree of poison,' Miss Zi. You must be familiar with it."
Zi Linling nodded. "I've heard it countless times!"
Rong Guang pressed on, "Do you know the origin of this saying?"
Without waiting for Zi Linling's reply, he continued, "This saying comes from the words of the Ancestral God. The Ancestral God once tasted all the herbs. He singled out the poisonous ones to warn future generations against accidental ingestion."
"But later, when the Ancestral God used non-poisonous herbs to save someone, the recipient showed subtle signs of poisoning. The Ancestral God delved into research and discovered that those seemingly non-poisonous herbs also concealed a degree of toxicity, which was simply not apparent under normal circumstances."
"Thus, the saying 'All medicine has a degree of poison' came to be. Later, the Ancestral God suddenly thought, if non-poisonous herbs have three parts poison, could poisonous herbs have three parts medicinal properties?"
"The Ancestral God researched meticulously once more and discovered that herbs possess inherent relationships of mutual generation and restraint. Two or more seemingly non-poisonous herbs, when combined, could become a deadly poison. Conversely, two or more seemingly poisonous herbs, when combined, could transform into harmless, potent medicine."
"Soon, the Ancestral God reached a conclusion: 'All medicine has a degree of poison, and poison also has three parts medicinal properties.'"
"Therefore, Miss Zi, since poison also has medicinal properties, why can't poison masters, who deal with poison, save people?"
Rong Guang spoke eloquently, his arguments logical and seemingly flawless.
"Clap clap clap!"
This time, it was Zi Linling who applauded. "Brilliant, brilliant! No wonder you're dressed like a scholar; you truly have substance!"
Despite the seemingly complimentary words, Rong Guang detected an unusual undertone. He frowned, "What? Miss Zi, do you disagree?"
Zi Linling shook her head. "It's not disagreement, but a difference in perspective."
Rong Guang paused, "What do you mean?"
Zi Linling smiled. "As you said, medicine exhibits toxicity only through mutual generation and restraint. When these interactions cease, it remains medicine. This indicates that the essence of each medicinal herb is its medicinal property, not poison."
"While poison, under these interactions, can exhibit medicinal properties, this has nothing to do with its inherent nature. It's merely the mutual restraint that temporarily balances them. However, once this balance is disrupted, it reverts to its original form. Therefore, its essence is poison, not medicine."
"This is why using poison to combat poison is likened to the strategy of 'driving wolves to swallow tigers.' While it may seem successful on the surface, it actually sows greater hidden dangers. And once these dangers erupt, they will be far more perilous."
"Therefore, when poison masters save people, they only focus on the immediate outcome. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it trampling on human lives. Thus, rather than saving lives, it's akin to harming them!"
The smile on Rong Guang's face froze for a moment before he replied, "Miss Zi, aren't your words a bit too general?"
"Whether focusing on the immediate or looking long-term, as long as the intention is good, isn't it still considered saving people?"
Zi Linling nodded. "Indeed. Medicine has its way, and poison has its way. And 'way' refers to the human heart. Therefore, only with a benevolent heart can one perform benevolent deeds, and those who perform benevolent deeds have a clear conscience."
"However, how many people in this world can achieve that? One is influenced by their surroundings; one becomes like what one is near. Since you have the intention to save people, why dwell in the murky depths instead of seeking the path of goodness?"
Rong Guang smiled. "On the path of goodness, my presence or absence makes little difference. But in the mire of darkness, someone must act as a guide for good, mustn't they?"
Zi Linling also smiled. "You have noble aspirations, but the depths of darkness are fraught with peril. Those who can maintain their original intentions are few and far between. Can you guarantee your own?"
Rong Guang laughed. "I don't seek to maintain my original intention, only to have a clear conscience. Miss Zi, please."
He said this, stepping aside to let Zi Linling pass.
Zi Linling looked surprised. "What does this mean?"
Rong Guang replied, "What else could it mean? Naturally, you have passed the assessment for a high-level poison master!"
"But I haven't done anything!" Zi Linling was even more astonished.
"No! You have! Though you are a poison master, you possess your own 'way of poison.' I am ashamed in comparison!" Rong Guang admitted, feeling inadequate.
Zi Linling scrutinized Rong Guang. "They say scholars are the most troublesome. It seems that's not true!"
Rong Guang blinked, then laughed. "Scholars are not troublesome; they simply value principles more. As for you, both your principles and your 'way' have convinced me. I believe that you, Miss Zi, will undoubtedly become a clear stream in the murky depths of poison masters. Therefore, I willingly make way for you!"
Zi Linling was stunned for a moment, then she smiled.
This was a smile from the bottom of her heart.
"Since that is the case, thank you!"
Zi Linling said, preparing to walk past Rong Guang.
But at that moment, her heart suddenly clenched with pain.
Almost simultaneously, Ye Lingyuan's voice transmission reached Zi Linling's ear, "Lin'er, I sense him. He is one of them."
One of them?
Zi Linling was momentarily bewildered, but quickly understood.
Ye Lingyuan meant that Rong Guang was one of the reincarnated individuals.