"Rules and I have a complicated relationship," he sniffs. Mostly, he didn't like rules that kept him from growing, thinking in new ways, or trying new things.
"I don't think they're bad, I just don't think they should always be followed without question," he looks down at his empty glass and waves for another, "knowing why a rule exists is almost as important as the rule itself."
Reasons like because I said so just didn't inspire him with a driving need to obey.
"Forbidden knowledge," he repeats with laughter in his voice, nodding a couple of times, "okay. So, here's a common question for new cultivators. Let's say there is an executioner, with parents, wife, and children. In his lifetime, he's executed over a hundred people. He dies, but the proper rites aren't performed, so his spirit is full of resentment and he starts to haunt and kill. What should be done?"
Shepard obviously wouldn't know, so he only leaves the question to hang for a slight moment before pushing onward.
"Cultivators would have you believe there's only three ways. Liberate the spirit; usually by granting its final wish or something like that. Suppress it, by sealing it away or putting it to rest, performing the rites it wanted, whatever. Or eliminate it, which is kinda self explanatory."
To be fair, it did make a lot of sense. But thinking those were the only ways to take care of the situation was a narrow way of thinking.
"I thought, hey, it's easier to divert a river than it is to dam it up, so why wouldn't their resentful energy be the same? Instead of forcing it to stop, why not stir up the spirits of the people he executed and get them to take care of the problem?"
no subject
"I don't think they're bad, I just don't think they should always be followed without question," he looks down at his empty glass and waves for another, "knowing why a rule exists is almost as important as the rule itself."
Reasons like because I said so just didn't inspire him with a driving need to obey.
"Forbidden knowledge," he repeats with laughter in his voice, nodding a couple of times, "okay. So, here's a common question for new cultivators. Let's say there is an executioner, with parents, wife, and children. In his lifetime, he's executed over a hundred people. He dies, but the proper rites aren't performed, so his spirit is full of resentment and he starts to haunt and kill. What should be done?"
Shepard obviously wouldn't know, so he only leaves the question to hang for a slight moment before pushing onward.
"Cultivators would have you believe there's only three ways. Liberate the spirit; usually by granting its final wish or something like that. Suppress it, by sealing it away or putting it to rest, performing the rites it wanted, whatever. Or eliminate it, which is kinda self explanatory."
To be fair, it did make a lot of sense. But thinking those were the only ways to take care of the situation was a narrow way of thinking.
"I thought, hey, it's easier to divert a river than it is to dam it up, so why wouldn't their resentful energy be the same? Instead of forcing it to stop, why not stir up the spirits of the people he executed and get them to take care of the problem?"