Du Youqian feigned surprise, making a gesture to help him up. "Fellow Daoist Meng, what is the meaning of this? Please, get up!"
But since Meng Xiao had already decided to abandon all pretense, he did not take the easy way out and rise. Instead, he touched his forehead to the ground, his posture lowered to the dust. "Fellow Daoist Yu, please help me save Ran'Er's soul!"
Du Youqian frowned, feeling an urge to sigh. "Is it worth it, Fellow Daoist Meng?"
Before Meng Xiao could answer, Du Youqian continued on his own, "Familial love, friendship, the bond between master and disciple, or even... romantic love. They are all beautiful, intoxicating things that can make one lose their way. But a Saint should feel emotion without being encumbered by it. If you believe there is something in this world more important than your own path of the Dao, then you never should have set foot on it in the first place! Wouldn't it be better to be a Mortal, lost for a lifetime in the throes of passion?"
