The Idiot

In order for someone to have a degradation of character, one's character would need to be whole to begin with.

Xu Feng had never truly believed himself to be righteous. He was pragmatic and adaptable—his moral compass had always been flexible, shifting to suit his needs. He didn't take pleasure in hurting people, but if circumstances required it, he wouldn't flinch.

Maybe he could rationalize this side of himself as something he had learned from Xuan Jian or Xuan Yang. Perhaps he could blame it on his status as a new father, a protector, someone who had to prioritize his family's safety above all else.

But deep down, he knew.

This darkness had always been within him.

Now, he simply accepted it. He wasn't a saint. He had people he treasured, but he had never been pure-hearted—not even in love. And that was okay.