Ethereal World: Vicious Cannon Fodder's Immortality Road - Chapter 829

Chapter 829: What Defines Right And Wrong?
“Are you really prepared for the repercussions?” The woman’s eyes seemed to pierce through Shenlian Yingyue’s thoughts as she spoke, a playful tone lacing her words.

“Of course I’m concerned about the repercussions. But that doesn’t mean I won’t face them head-on,” Shenlian Yingyue replied, shaking her head lightly.

“What does that mean?” The woman’s smile widened, curiosity sparking in her expression.

“It means there’s no such thing as a free gift in this world. The moment I decide to take even a few treasures, I know I’ll have to deal with the consequences. I accept that and am ready for whatever comes. I may take a few, but I believe my current strength can handle them,” Shenlian Yingyue explained cautiously after a moment’s reflection.

The woman looked taken aback. What kind of reasoning was this?

“How can you be so certain that taking less will lead to facing less hardship? Doesn’t that imply a certain timidity on your part?” the woman pressed further.

The question could have been seen as an insult in another context, but no one perceived it as such when it came from her.

For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, Shenlian Yingyue sensed genuine curiosity behind the question. She responded with patience, “One must appreciate what they receive and avoid overestimating their own capabilities. Understanding when to advance and when to pull back isn’t cowardice; it’s wisdom. It reflects an awareness of the responsibilities that accompany every choice we make.”

In essence, she wasn’t afraid of struggle; she simply knew when to hold back and recognized her limits.

“Greed rarely leads to a favorable outcome. If I am able to take something, I will. However, if I cannot, I am not afraid to let it go. I’ve never pursued things that aren’t rightfully mine. I am willing to fight for what matters, fully aware of the consequences, but I will never forcefully seize that which isn’t meant for me.” Her gaze lingered on the treasures illuminating the space around her—the radiant martial arts scrolls and mythical weapons, all glowing enticingly. She spoke with conviction.

The woman’s eyes flickered with appreciation.

“Allow me to pose one final question: if the time ever comes when you must steal or battle for the precious belongings of others in order to save the lives of those you care about, would you still engage in that struggle, regardless of moral considerations?” The woman’s heart felt a twinge of uncertainty.

“If you were in my situation, what would you do, Senior?” Shenlian Yingyue replied with a soft smile. She looked affectionately at her companions nearby, diligently gathering spiritual herbs from the damp soil.

Every so often, they glanced in her direction, anxious not to lose sight of her. And each time, they would return her gaze with warm, joyful smiles.

Even the most stoic and seemingly unfeeling among them couldn’t help but soften their expressions like ice melting in the warmth of spring when they laid eyes on her.

“Senior, perhaps there’s been a misunderstanding, but I assure you, I’m not a virtuous person.”

The women followed Shenlian Yingyue’s gaze and turned back to her, puzzled by the enigmatic look on her face. In that moment, the answer became clear.

————-

It was a snowy day today. Who says that life in the Demon Realm lacks vibrancy every single day? Even here, there’s a season for snow.

The snow itself bore a unique hue, occasionally shimmering with an ethereal blue and gray glow. The chill in the air was palpable.

Shen Anshuang found herself beneath a plum blossom tree, its branches weighed down by a delicate layer of snow. With one slender hand, she reached out to feel the cold crystals, while in her other hand, she held a luminous Fire Lily—an offering from Shenlian Yingyue to warm her body.

Her mind drifted back thousands of years to a day like this, a day when she first tasted the complexities of human nature.

Wounded and abandoned, she had bled into the snow, cast aside like refuse for failing to secure newly birthed artifacts from the Human Realm. Her elders had punished her harshly.

Then he appeared, cradling her gently in his embrace. Love didn’t strike her immediately; instead, it blossomed slowly because of his response to her inquiry. He became the first man to capture her heart, even before her own husband.

She posed a question, “If one day you must steal or fight for someone’s cherished treasures to save your loved ones, would you dare to act, regardless of right and wrong?”

He replied without a moment’s pause, “I wouldn’t fight for it. Our loved ones’ lives are invaluable, but what of others? If saving my loved ones meant harming someone else, I refuse. Their happiness is intertwined with ethical actions.”

In her youthful naivety, she believed she had found someone who truly understood her.

But wisdom came with time. Upon achieving her own power and status, she unraveled the harsh truths of survival and moral codes.

It wasn’t the noble heroes, willing to sacrifice their loved ones for a greater good she sought; no, she craved the anti-heroes ready to sacrifice the world for those they loved.

As the snow continued to fall, she observed the white blanket surrounding her. Memories of a conversation with Shenlian Yingyue flooded back.

“What defines right and wrong? Am I justified in taking others’ cherished treasures to protect my kin? I may be wrong for denying others their hard-earned chances, yet the lives of my partners take precedence. If I cannot save them, what right do I possess to act?”

She queried, “So, you would prioritize the lives of your loved ones above all else?”

The girl asked back, “Senior, do you understand why we exist in this world of immortals filled with endless miracles?”

A mixture of confusion and curiosity colored her voice as she answered, “We are born to grow stronger, to defy our fates, and to chase our destinies.”

The girl nodded vigorously, “It’s because of the miracles and the unpredictable elements at play. This world is Heaven’s way of showing us that nothing is truly impossible. Yet at the same time, the future remains a mystery we can never fully grasp.”

Shen Anshuang was taken aback.

“Senior, would you answer this for me?: if faced with a choice to rob others for the sake of their loved ones, do you think they’d empathize with those being harmed? Their partners’ lives are paramount. Sympathy may come and go, yet it will shape not their ultimate choice.”

Shen Anshuang’s eyes deepened.

“They become pragmatic, fiercely loyal, and morally adaptable. Their code of ethics is dictated by the need to survive and safeguard those they care for, rather than by universal moral standards. And I find I am no different from them.”

Shenlian Yingyue’s voice kept echoing back and forth in her ears.

Suddenly, Shen Anshuang burst into laughter.

She sat there in the snow, laughter spilling forth, unapologetically.