The Silver Jade Palace
"You think that matters?" Jin laughed. "It does, but not for the reason you think. So he is half dragon. So what? His heritage is as meaningless as yours or mine. Half dragon, half god, half demon, half wit. It's all the same. Deeds, Chou. Deeds make the measure of the man. And if you're a thug like me tasked with babysitting, or an enthusiastic child with no responsibilities wandering life aimlessly like Chye, or a wizard who thinks that making a whip is a good use of cosmic power, it all boils down to the same thing. We will accomplish nothing. Our names will be forgotten long before we're dust.
"And being told you're special... half dragon, half monster, brilliant, strong... all that means is that you never learn how to earn it. Sooner or later, the mediocre ones who had to bust their asses with no special advantage will surpass us. Because they know how to work for it better. And that's all destiny is, Chou. Hard work."