I put on my most serious expression and said with the gravity of an elder: "I can see your determination, but I think making it your life's goal to surpass those people is completely misguided."
To properly correct my junior, I had to start by pointing out her mistakes.
Sumin looked confused and instinctively asked, "Why?"
Her reaction was exactly what I expected. I stood up, clasped my hands behind my back, and turned away from her, radiating a wisdom air.
"Using resentment and anger as your life's goal might motivate you to train hard in the short term, to strive to become superior to others, but have you thought about what that actually brings you? Once you surpass them, once you've shown them all up and achieved that goal, then what? What happens to you after that?"
"I..." Sumin froze.
She'd always believed in fighting for dignity, in proving yourself no matter what. But as for what kind of future she'd choose after truly vindicated herself, honestly, she'd never considered it. That seemed impossibly far away.
Seeing her struggle to find words, I decided to add fuel to the fire.
My gaze burned into hers, and after a long pause, I continued quietly: "I can already see it. If you don't succeed, you'll be crushed. Sure, you might bounce back stronger at first, but eventually you'll break down and sink into despair. And if you do get what you want? After that brief moment of victory, all you'll feel is emptiness. An emptiness nothing can fill."
Sumin had no comeback. She'd never imagined that future, but she trusted that I had no reason to lie to her.
I let out a theatrical sigh: "In this life, other people are just passing through. Making it your goal to surpass them, isn't that just another way of living for them? That's exhausting, and it's not worth it."
First tear down her motivation, then offer comfort and guidance, this approach would make it easier to steer her toward my predetermined path.
I had to admit my logic was a bit twisted, but I thought it perfectly suited my junior's situation.
Throwing your brief life into hopeless struggle, living every day filled with bitterness and hatred, completely unnecessary and meaningless.
The world was full of people pushing others to grind themselves to the bone for various reasons. But what happened in the end? They got their fame and profit, then walked away laughing, leaving behind a mess. Did they care about the victims trapped in the rat race? Not a chance.
From another angle, you're not a slacker, so how could you understand a slacker's happiness? Who could deny that spiritual victory was still victory?
Seeing my junior frowning in deep thought, I figured my therapy session was working. Now I needed to give her time to work it out herself.
"Now that you're in the Celestial Gate, treat this as a fresh start. Think carefully about what kind of life you really want, for yourself."
After leaving her with that thought provoking platitude, I made my graceful exit, letting my junior contemplate alone.
If she could grasp the Way of the Slacker and embrace the art of lying flat, that would be perfect. If not, I'd continue the therapy sessions to reinforce my manipulation.
…
That night, Sumin tossed and turned, unable to sleep, her mind completely occupied with his senior's words.
What was his real intention behind saying all that?
Considering my useless spiritual roots, those words definitely carried undertones of gently advising me to give up struggling. But if Senior Brother had no faith in me at all, why did he insist on making me his junior sister?
It didn't add up!
...
The next day.
When Sumin woke up, her first instinct was to check her surroundings defensively.
She'd been mulling things over until the middle of the night, finally falling into an exhausted stupor. Waking up so early was purely due to the light sleeping habits she'd developed during her wandering life.
Just an ordinary little wooden cabin, simply furnished but clean and spotless, without a speck of dust.
Plain white mosquito netting hung over the bed, and the calming incense on the table had long since burned out, leaving only the faintest lingering fragrance.
Remembering how I had brought her back to Heavenly Jade Peak, she finally relaxed. She ran her fingers through her disheveled hair, which had gotten messy while sleeping, then got up and changed into the pale yellow robes prepared for her.
The robes were incredibly light, seemingly made of celestial silk, with formations that could adjust the fit perfectly to her body.
She traced the pattern of unknown flowers on the robes.
She stepped outside.
The weather was beautiful, the sunlight was perfect.
I turned around just as Sumin emerged from the cabin.
The spiritual fruits I'd left for her last night, plus a good night's sleep, had dramatically improved her complexion compared to when we first met.
The girl's skin was like a freshly peeled egg, smooth and soft. Her eyes sparkled with vitality, and her flower-like smile was utterly charming and adorable.
Her silver-white hair was tied into twin tails with red ribbons, and the fresh robes wrapped around her petite body, completely hiding any curves. This look was a far cry from gracefully endowed or generously blessed, not even close. Though there were plenty of old perverts who'd appreciate her flat justice aesthetic.
"Morning. The robes... fit pretty well," I greeted her.
"Good morning, Senior Brother." She said with a melodious and sweet tone.
After a simple breakfast, I outlined the day's plans.
"Junior, I'll take you to register in a bit, and we can get familiar with the area. Sound good?"
Yesterday Yana had run off, so my junior's initiation was incomplete, no formal ceremony, no identity token from the Disciple Hall.
Today we needed to at least get the official paperwork sorted. As for that irresponsible master... I'd just have to let that slide.
After all, I had no idea where Yana had wandered off to, and I definitely didn't have the power to drag her back by force.
"I'll follow Senior's arrangements completely." Sumin was the picture of obedience.
A few moments later, properly prepared, we headed down the mountain.