Chapter 294: The Distinction Between Good and Evil
The Luwu Mountain, with the mountain wind howling.
Unlike the primitive old-growth forest that Lu Heng had imagined, the Luwu Mountain is a barren and bald mountain range, where not many trees or plants can be seen on top.
It was so barren that it looked like a sandy hill with severe soil erosion on the Loess Plateau.
A quiet little river flowed out from the mountains and merged into the Pang River not far away.
Shen Wuyou said, "This little river is called the Ze Geng River. The water is clear, and there are many peculiar fish with four legs, which are delicious to eat."
We are now not far from the East Sea, but we still could not see the mouth of the Pang River where it empties into the sea.
Even though Shen Wuyou confirmed it, Lu Heng was still amazed when he arrived here as if he had fallen from the sky.
"Do the three of you reside in seclusion here?"
Looking at the bald and barren mountains before him, Lu Heng couldn't quite comprehend it.
This world has vast territory, and the wilderness is full of uncountable scenic mountains, rivers, and forests with luxuriant vegetation.
Not to mention the distant regions, even around the Luwu Mountain, there are many beautiful mountains and rivers with picturesque views.
But why did this mother and children choose this bald, barren mountain instead of going somewhere else?
Lu Heng asked with perplexity, "Does your mother have an unusual aesthetic? There are many places nearby more suitable for seclusion than here, which is so ugly."
Upon hearing this, the little boy let out a sigh, obviously not fond of this bald, barren mountain either.
He said, "Father, Wuyou thinks the same way. However, mother is very fond of this place. She said that this place is so desolate and nobody would think of us hiding out in such a barren mountain, so it's absolutely safe to live here in seclusion."
"… "This reason left Lu Heng quite speechless.
Xiao Ai asked puzzled, "Absolutely safe? Are there people chasing after you?"
Xiao Ai's question made the little boy's face slightly freeze, reminding him of the problems encountered in the illusion.
Why does mother have to hide with them when father is so good?
Seeing the little boy's hesitant look, Lu Heng understood.
"Your mother is hiding from your father, isn't she?"
Lu Heng smiled and said, "Speaking of which, when we were in the Water Palace before, you had a question to ask me, but it was interrupted… Now that it has been mentioned, let's talk about it."
"Wuyou, do you have any questions you want to ask me?"
Lu Heng's friendly smile gave the hesitant little boy the courage to speak up again.
He said, "Daddy, I want to know, why are you so good, but mother keeps hiding from you… Did something happen between you two?"
After the little boy finished speaking, he looked at Lu Heng with a nervous and expectant expression, hoping to get an answer.
Unfortunately, Lu Heng shook his head and said, "To tell you the truth, I cannot answer this question. Perhaps only your mother can answer it…"
After all, I am not your real father.
Seeing the disappointed expression on the little boy's face, Lu Heng asked, "Do you have any other questions?"
The little boy took a deep breath, thought for a long time this time, and then hesitantly said in a low voice.
"Daddy, is the River God of the Pang River, Madam Gu Zhou, a big demon who kills ruthlessly and ravages the place?"
Lu Heng nodded with a smile and said, "Yes, three hundred years ago, Madam River God was indeed a powerful demon who dominated the area and killed many people. She even wiped out the Gu eagles of the Pang River, which could be considered as extremely ruthless."
Lu Heng's frank account made the little boy's eyes tremble.
But since the conversation had already reached this level, he could not back down at this point.
He clenched his fist, took a deep breath and said, "Daddy, you once said that we must eradicate evil and not show mercy towards the demons…but this Gu Zhou the River God has committed countless crimes, yet you…you…"
The little boy had a hurt expression on his face, as if his ideals had collapsed; he felt very uncomfortable.
The later words were so uncomfortable that they couldn't be expressed.
Lu Heng looked at his appearance with surprise, and he didn't expect that in such a short time, his weight in the little guy's heart had become so heavy.
After a slight pause, Lu Heng spoke.
"Indeed, when facing demons, we must eliminate evil without mercy… But Madam River God, although she has killed many people, she is not a demon. She has not killed people to cultivate dark magic, nor has she cultivated demon techniques. How can she be considered a demon?"
Lu Heng spread out his hands and said, "Just because she has killed many people, does that mean she should also be classified as a demon?"
Lu Heng's inquiry caused the little boy to be slightly surprised.
"Killing so many people doesn't count as being a demon?"
This question caused Lu Heng to smile helplessly.
Shaking his head, Lu Heng said, "It seems that Wuyou, you still don't understand what a demon is… Those who cultivate demonic techniques, kill people to cultivate dark magic, and trample on living beings and humans are considered demons."
"Such demons don't belong to the orthodox path and are not tolerated in the world. They are the wicked and evil beings beyond the five elements."
"Indeed, demons must kill countless people. Because those who have awakened spiritual intelligence require the blood of living beings as nourishment, which is crucial for their cultivation. The stronger the demon, the more living beings it will slaughter."
"However, although demons kill countless people, those who kill countless people are not necessarily demons…"
Watching the little boy's perplexed expression, Lu Heng smiled and continued to explain.
"Let's put aside Madam Gu Zhou's matter for now and take human countries as an example. To the north of the Fire Pass Country, there is the Youxiong Country, a strong and vigorous nation where martial virtue abounds among its people. They are engaged in perpetual warfare with the Blue Hill Country located further to the north."
"It is said that the number of soldiers who died in the wars between the two countries over the past few decades is no less than 500,000… So, do you think that the lords of these two nations, whose soldiers suffered so many casualties due to the wars, are demons?"
Lu Heng's inquiry made the little boy shake his head.
"They are lords of their countries. It's impossible for them to be demons."
Lu Heng nodded with a smile and said, "Indeed, the lords of these two countries are not demons. However, over the years, no fewer than 500,000 soldiers have died because of them… It wouldn't be an overstatement to say that these two lords are responsible for the slaughter of so many casualties, right?"
"Why are these two lords who have caused so much death not considered demons?"
The little boy's expression suddenly became clear, and Lu Heng smiled and said, "That's right, it's because they are not demonic cultivators, and they don't cultivate demonic techniques. The reason why they have killed so many people is not to cultivate by consuming blood, so naturally they are not demonic beings."
"And Madam Gu Zhou was the same. Three hundred years ago, the conflict between the water tribe she led in the Pang River and the Fire Pass Country was like a war between two nations."
"From the perspective of humans, Gu Zhou was a merciless executioner. But from the viewpoint of the Pang River water tribe at that time, were the wizards of the Fire Pass Country really any better?"
"Even if we expand the scope a bit, Wuyou, every time you eat meat, it comes from a living creature. You have consumed so many living creatures, which can also be considered as killing many beings… So are you a demon?"
