Upon hearing this, Hoàng Hải Vân felt as if her mind had been enlightened and immediately asked:
"Then, Master, may I ask why I didn’t experience a headache when standing in the place of pure Yang energy earlier?"
The Zen master calmly explained:
"There are two paths to unlocking the Yin-Yang Eyes: rigorous training in an environment filled with Yang energy or rigorous training in an environment filled with Yin energy. You have never undergone any formal training, have you?"
Hoàng Hải Vân indeed had never undergone any formal training, but her workplace was a place filled with heavy Yin energy. She quickly replied:
"I’ve never trained before, but I work at a morgue and am constantly exposed to intense Yin energy."
The Zen master seemed to understand more and asked:
"Then, have you ever had a near-death experience?"
Without hesitation, Hoàng Hải Vân nodded:
"That’s right. Both of us nearly died when we swapped bodies. After that, I also almost drowned once."
The Zen master looked calmly at the deep abyss below and continued:
"Your Yin-Yang Eyes were unlocked through the power of pure Yin energy and awakened on the verge of death. To enhance them to a higher level, you must train either in an environment filled with strong Yin energy or put yourself in life-or-death situations."
After a brief pause, he added:
"Because your Yin-Yang Eyes are nourished by pure Yin energy, if you choose to train, you will have to endure excruciating headaches."
Hearing this, Hoàng Hải Vân hesitated. Earlier, just looking down had given her a splitting headache. If she trained frequently and was tormented by these headaches, she wasn’t sure if she could withstand the pain.
Seeing her deep in thought, the Zen master turned to face her and said:
"I have a request to ask of you."
Hoàng Hải Vân wasn’t sure what the master wanted, but if it was something she could do, she would help. She nodded and said:
"Yes, Master, please go ahead."
At that moment, the Zen master turned his gaze to Trần Ngọc Linh and said:
"He harbors the power of a demon within him; it just hasn’t been unlocked yet. But he refuses to stay here and train. I fear that when his terrifying power awakens, he may take the wrong path. Can you promise me that you will stay by his side and guide him down the right path?"
Hoàng Hải Vân was taken aback. She didn’t understand why the master was asking this of her. She only wanted to unlock her Yin-Yang Eyes, regain her original body, and return to her normal life. There was no reason for her to tie herself down with such a responsibility.
 
Hoàng Hải Vân neither refused nor agreed but instead asked:
"Why me? He and I have only just met. I don’t have that much influence over him."
The Zen master simply smiled:
"He is like a person with two personalities. When he is evil, he is utterly ruthless, but when he is good, he is unbelievably kind. He treats you so well, which means you do have an influence on him."
Hoàng Hải Vân felt conflicted, unsure how to respond. Even if she did have some influence over him, she didn’t want to take on this responsibility. Trần Ngọc Linh was already 18, an adult who had the right to make his own choices and walk his own path. Whatever he decided, she would respect it—she had no desire to impose her own beliefs on him. She wasn’t his mother or his girlfriend to be worrying about these things.
Seeing her hesitation, the Zen master simply shook his head with a knowing smile:
"That’s enough. I’ve said what I needed to say. You should go to him now, or he’ll be waiting too long."
Hoàng Hải Vân bowed to the master and quickly ran to where Trần Ngọc Linh was waiting. After that, the two of them bid farewell to the master and began their descent from the mountain.
Since it was daytime, the bright sunlight illuminated their path. They were given a ride by local villagers on motorbikes, speeding down the treacherous mountain roads. The view of the majestic mountains and winding roads captivated them, while the fresh breeze filled their lungs with crisp, clean air. It was refreshing, and their hearts felt a little lighter.
When they arrived at the town, the two of them found a local restaurant to have lunch. As they ate, Trần Ngọc Linh curiously asked:
"So, the master taught you how to awaken and use your Yin-Yang Eyes, right?"
Hoàng Hải Vân nodded. "That’s right."
Trần Ngọc Linh was delighted. He scooted his chair closer and eagerly asked:
"Then teach me! I promised you I’d help you return to your original body. I should be the one to do this."
Hoàng Hải Vân couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. How could someone this simple-hearted possibly harbor the power of a demon? She mused. Then, a mischievous thought crossed her mind. Maybe she should play a little trick on him.
With a sly smile, she said, "Of course I can teach you. But to train, you have to abstain from... that."
Hearing this, Trần Ngọc Linh instantly deflated, looking utterly defeated. "That’s basically the same as staying on the mountain to train!" he groaned.
In truth, after her conversation with the Zen master, Hoàng Hải Vân felt uneasy. If she taught Trần Ngọc Linh how to unlock the Yin-Yang Eyes and he successfully awakened his powers, she had no way of knowing how he would use them. Right now, he was carefree and endearing. But if one day she saw his hands drenched in blood... she wasn’t sure how she would feel.
Perhaps it was best if she handled this herself.