A Pawn's Passage

On the third day after officially assuming his new position of Chief Deputy Beichen Hall Master, Qi Xuansu received a notice from Ciji Hall. He hurried there and met the Ciji Hall Master, who was one of his former superiors, Ning Lingge.

Moving through various positions had its advantages, like having many former superiors. Sage Donghua, Sage Qingwei, Ning Lingge, Shi Bingyun, and Great Sage Lan had all once been Qi Xuansu’s superiors.

“Have a seat,” Ning Lingge said, gesturing for Qi Xuansu to sit.

Qi Xuansu sat down across from Ning Lingge.

In the past, the difference in their status had been enormous—one was a Hall Master, while the other was merely a seventh-rank deacon. The gap had been like heaven and earth. Yet Qi Xuansu had always had a favorable impression of this former superior. After all, Ning Lingge had gifted Zhang Yuelu two theater tickets, which had been the start of Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu’s relationship. In a sense, Ning Lingge was their matchmaker. However, it could not be ruled out that this coupling had been a broader plan laid out by the upper ranks of the Quanzhen Sect long in advance.

In any case, Qi Xuansu preferred to think well of people—that Ning Lingge had a good eye.

Now, the gap between them was only a few steps apart.

Ning Lingge went straight to the point. “There has been a sudden development. Conflict has broken out again in the New Continent, leaving several thousand casualties on both sides. Western journalists want to know our stance on this matter. I called you here precisely for this reason. Should the Ciji Hall issue the response on behalf of the Daoist Order, or will Beichen Hall respond directly?”

Qi Xuansu did not answer immediately.

Sage Qingwei had already discussed this question with Qi Xuansu. Who issued the response would signal two different tendencies. If the Ciji Hall responded, then no matter how sharp the wording, it essentially meant the Daoist Order did not intend to intervene directly. It could be interpreted as setting the matter aside for the moment, offering reassurance to the Western powers. Yet it would also provoke dissatisfaction from the Western Daoist Order and the Tawantin Empire.

However, if a figure of real authority from Beichen Hall responded personally, the message would be clear. It would make the Western powers wary while effectively reassuring the Western Daoist Order and the Tawantin Empire.

Sage Qingwei leaned toward reassuring their own side.

This was consistent with the philosophy of the Taiping Sect, which emphasized unity against outsiders and using force when necessary. More importantly, both the Western Daoist Order and the Tawantin Empire maintained close ties with the Taiping Sect.

Sage Qingwei had also made it clear that, as one of the most powerful forces in the world, the Daoist Order could not afford to stay neutral. Smaller nations could waver between sides as a way of survival. But as the ruler of the Eastern Continent, the Daoist Order had to maintain a clear and firm position. Otherwise, it would lead to confusion within their own ranks and even the loss of morale.

Qi Xuansu naturally could not oppose Sage Qingwei’s view, so he replied, “Sage Qingwei wants me to provide the response.”

Ning Lingge was not surprised. He nodded slightly. “Very well. I’ll arrange it for this afternoon. Be prepared. The Westerners are fond of setting traps in advance. You don’t need to answer their questions directly. Just make our position clear. Don’t let yourself be drawn into their trap.”

The Daoist Order did not have journalists of its own. Its official bulletin was issued uniformly by the Daoist Order. However, Westerners liked this sort of press system, so at times, the Daoist Order had to deal with it.

Qi Xuansu nodded to indicate that he understood.

In the afternoon, Qi Xuansu attended the press conference in formal attire, appearing in his capacity as Chief Deputy of Beichen Hall.

Many people attended. Aside from some Western faces, there were also neutral parties such as the Golden Horde and the Rus Kingdom, who were essentially just filling seats.

The Ciji Hall had also arranged many of their own people—members of the Daoist Order, officials from the Great Xuan Court, representatives from various vassal states like Fenglin. There were even envoys from the Western Daoist Order and the Tawantin Empire. These groups would not trouble Qi Xuansu. The ones he truly needed to watch out for were the Western nations.

After taking his position, Qi Xuansu looked around the room and signaled that questions could begin.

People in the audience immediately began raising their hands.

Qi Xuansu did not avoid the challenge. He directly pointed to a reporter from the Lune Kingdom.

The Lune reporter, who had golden hair, blue eyes, and a neat moustache, was dressed as a classic gentleman, with a top hat, a black double-breasted suit, a crisp white shirt, and a black vest trimmed with dark gold. He also carried a pocket watch and a handkerchief.

The reporter said, “Greetings, honorable Sage Qi. I am Clark Gregg, a reporter from the Londinium Post of the Lune Kingdom. Within the past 72 hours, the Tawantin Empire has launched attacks on several sanctuaries of the Holy Court in the New Continent, killing innocent civilians. Sage Qi, do you support the actions of the Tawantin Empire?”

Qi Xuansu replied, “Our position is clear, consistent, and unequivocal. We stand on the side of justice and fairness...”

Clark interrupted. “Then what exactly is that position? Will the Daoist Order openly support the actions of the Tawantin Empire?”

Qi Xuansu did not get angry. Instead, he calmly continued, “I stand here representing the Daoist Order, so I will not condemn anyone lightly. If condemnation is necessary, then we will condemn only those who have truly committed evil acts...”

“So, do you mean to say that even if the Tawantin Empire slaughtered civilians indiscriminately and committed grave crimes, the Daoist Order would not consider that an evil act?” Clark interrupted again.

Qi Xuansu ignored the question and calmly countered, “In the Central Plains, we emphasize tracing matters back to their source. So I would like to ask you, why set a 72-hour precondition? Why not trace the matter further back to 3 months, 3 years, or even 30 years? How many natives of the New Continent have died in that time? Are they not innocent civilians as well? How many times have you spoken up because of them? Have you ever raised such questions to the Holy Court’s cardinals? Whenever someone from the Western Continent dies, you come to Jade Capital and ask for our position. Yet whenever natives of the New Continent die, why don’t you ask the Holy Court for its stance? Is it because you don’t dare?”

Clark’s face flushed red, and for a moment, he did not know how to respond.

Qi Xuansu did not give him another chance to speak and pointed at another person. “Next.”

A woman, who had the features of the New Continent’s natives, stood up. “Honorable Sage Qi, my name is Numa, from the Tawantin Empire. I would like to ask how you view what some people call a ‘conflict.’”

Qi Xuansu said, “Before answering your question, I would like to speak about the Tawantin Empire. In my view, the Tawantin Empire is not fundamentally different from the Yellow Turban Uprising of the past. Those who joined the Yellow Turban Uprising may have seemed ignorant, extreme, violent, and backward, dressed in rags and wielding farm tools against enemies clad in armor and armed to the teeth. Perhaps some people might have found them laughable and foolish, like barbarians with inferior tactics and weapons. Others believed those who joined the uprising had been deceived by the Taiping Sect, that they were uncivilized, irrational, and perhaps even confused, unable to distinguish friend from foe. They believed in ideas others could not understand, and people often pointed to their killings as proof.”

Qi Xuansu paused slightly, then suddenly raised his voice. “But so what? Does that mean their legitimacy should be denied? Some say the Taiping Sect deceived the people with talisman water. But at the time, the Imperial Court would not even give them that single bowl of water. Did those rebels take up weapons against seemingly invincible enemies out of ambition? Did they fight to seize land, enslave others, and rule the world? No. They fought simply to survive. Even ants cling to life, and cattle struggle before being slaughtered—how much more so humans?

“However, the Tawantin Empire and the Yellow Turban Uprising also differ in one respect. The latter was an internal conflict between the powerful and the common folk—people of the same skin. The former, however, involves conflict between two separate groups of people. One side invades, while the other resists invasion. When one’s homeland is seized by outsiders, and when the lives of one’s kin are mercilessly taken, should one not resist?

“When they rise in resistance and cry out in anger, should that be condemned as being ‘uncivilized’? When a group of people faces annihilation and endless ruin, how could civility remain? Rather than die silently in cowardice, why not rise with courage? There is an old saying in the Central Plains: ‘To perish now means certain death; to rise in great rebellion can also mean death. If death awaits either way, why not die for the state?’ Do not ask me what the meaning of resistance is. Resistance itself is the meaning.”

As Qi Xuansu finished speaking, thunderous applause immediately erupted from the audience.

The woman named Numa was so touched by the speech that tears streamed down her cheeks.

The representatives from the Western Daoist Order and the Tawantin Empire even gave Qi Xuansu a standing ovation to show their respect.

The applause continued for a long time, refusing to die down.

When the applause finally subsided, Qi Xuansu continued, “As I said earlier, the Daoist Order always stands on the side of fairness and justice. It is no exaggeration to say that the Daoist Order has always represented the highest ground of world civility. We call for disputes to be resolved in more peaceful ways, but we do not oppose exercising necessary and legitimate rights.

“Regarding this so-called ‘conflict,’ I believe we must trace the matter further back to determine who is right and who is wrong. Only then can we define the situation. There can be no ambiguity and twisting of the truth regarding fundamental matters of right and wrong, especially those concerning survival or extinction. The Central Plains has experienced the fall of many dynasties, so we feel this deeply.

“The lessons of history are profound. They are written in blood and bought with the lives of tens of millions. If one cannot maintain a firm stance on matters of fundamental right and wrong, then the destruction of the nation and the extinction of its people becomes inevitable.”

After Qi Xuansu finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted once again from the audience.

There was no doubt that Qi Xuansu’s statement would establish a very positive image for him among the Tawantin Empire and the Western Daoist Order, which would benefit his new post.

After the press conference concluded, Qi Xuansu would also depart from Jade Capital and head for the New Continent.