Court Debate

"That humble Daoist is Dong Huazi." Dong Huazi did not get angry. He merely said, "The Great Dao is boundless. Though I have studied Daoist Arts for a hundred years, calling myself a beginner would not be wrong. I simply wonder how many years you have studied, young friend?"

"So you are the National Teacher, Daoist... I have long admired you, long admired you." Qin Yi tilted his head as he looked at him. His mouth spoke of long admiration, but his face plainly bore the expression: Meeting you is not as good as hearing of you.

That expression stung more sharply than any words. Dong Huazi finally showed a trace of anger. "What guidance do you have for me, young friend?"

Qin Yi sneered. "Ranking people by seniority is a lowly path to begin with. There are countless martial artists in the world; among those with a whole heap of years on them, how many can defeat Prince Qing Lin? Clearly, studying longer does not mean knowing more. As for my teacher's Dao, why should I know whether he was born before or after me?"

Many people were left stunned by those words. Even Liusu, who had been prepared to teach Qin Yi Daoist debate at any moment, paused at that final sentence and fell somewhat silent.

"Young people are full of vigor. It is not unusual for them to read a few books and believe themselves proficient." Dong Huazi said slowly, "Our kingdom is above, thus it is Li above; Li above and Dui below makes Opposition. Young people do not understand such things, yet you spoke of Dui above and Li below... Fortunately, the King is broad-minded and has not taken offense. Do not be so rash in the future."

Qin Yi inwardly cursed. Damn it, this was some old hand at officialdom playing a game of literary inquisition. Where was the Daoist debate? Liusu was equally speechless. She truly was not skilled at debating this sort of thing, whereas Qin Yi himself could still spin a few words. Feigning surprise, he said, "Marriage is between a man and a woman, is it not? So the Daoist's usual position is for the woman to be on top. This one truly is young and ignorant. Thank you for your instruction..."

"Pfft..." Li Qinglin was the one who laughed aloud. Seeing everyone turn their eyes toward him, he coughed twice and composed himself. "Qin Yi, you are young and do not understand. It is not strange for some people to enjoy the Sitting Lotus Position. This is a state banquet, so do not discuss the National Teacher's bedroom dual-cultivation practices."

A state banquet, was it? You had even brought up the Sitting Lotus Position—you did that on purpose, didn't you? The originally solemn atmosphere of debate became strange. Many people struggled to hold back their laughter as they stole glances at Dong Huazi's expression.

Dong Huazi showed no expression at all. With great composure, he said mildly, "How can an alliance between two nations be discussed in terms of relations between men and women? Young people do not understand such things, so be careful with your words and actions. Please take your seats."

Qin Yi inwardly exclaimed that he was formidable.

In truth, things like hexagram interpretations were often ambiguous; there was reason behind however one explained them. This gave charlatans of the martial world ample room to maneuver. Take the present "Opposition" and "Revolution": there would be no problem with insisting it was "Opposition." Liusu had plenty of arguments to teach Qin Yi how to call "Opposition" an inauspicious hexagram, and likewise Dong Huazi could call "Revolution" an auspicious one. But then the argument would never end. Dong Huazi had not chosen to debate this point. Instead, he directly dragged politics into it, then leaned on his age to end the subject, leaving only the King to ponder it himself.

So-called debate was, most of the time, not about defeating one's opponent. It was for the onlookers to hear. Which side would the King rather listen to? The answer was self-evident.

Qin Yi was urgently seeking a response when Li Qingjun could no longer hold herself back. Furiously, she said, "If I marry that barbarian, I will chop off his dog head that very night! That will be the alliance between our two nations!"

The King's expression darkened. "Zhaoyang, watch your words."

Li Qingjun craned her neck, about to speak again, but Qin Yi tugged her sleeve and smiled faintly. "I have been taught. I had thought that cultivating the Dao meant withdrawing from the mortal world and ascending in feathered form to become immortal. It seems one must also keep the alliance of nations in one's heart. The Daoist has taught me a lesson and is indeed worthy of the title National Teacher."

The King's expression shifted slightly.

Dong Huazi's pupils constricted as well.

Those who understood also inwardly exclaimed that this boy was formidable.

What did the King want? He wanted to ascend and achieve immortality!

This youth had pointed directly at the thing the King valued most in his heart. What should a Dao cultivator think about? What alliance between two nations could compare in importance to that? Coupled with Li Qingjun's utterly desperate resistance, it was obvious that even the alliance between two nations was unreliable. How the King would weigh the two interpretations of the hexagrams this time was truly hard to say.

Dong Huazi slowly replied, "There are three thousand Great Daos, not merely one path. This mortal world, with its myriad aspects of human life—everywhere is Dao. Young friend, your view is biased."

"Ah... I was improper. I have been taught." Qin Yi did not argue further, because there was no need to continue. He cupped his hands in salute, then pulled Li Qingjun to their seats.

Dong Huazi also returned the salute with great grace, signaling that the matter was concluded.

But everyone knew that this youth's days ahead would not be easy... Yet when they looked at Qin Yi, they saw him smiling faintly, utterly unconcerned.

The King nodded to himself. This youth truly had a hint of transcendence about him. Where had his daughter found him?

Li Qingjun had also come to understand the meaning behind those few exchanges of verbal blades and tongues. She plopped down in her seat and happily patted Qin Yi's shoulder, signaling that the lad had some skill.

Seeing such intimate behavior, everyone harbored different thoughts.

Mang Zhan, who had been holding back without speaking, finally opened his mouth. "This King came bearing the wish for peace from all of my kingdom, to turn a century of war into jade and silk. You and I were originally hereditary enemies; if we wish to become allied friends, we naturally need a bond to begin it. It is a pity This King has no sisters. Otherwise, marrying one to Brother Qing Lin would not be a bad tale either."

His words covertly mocked Southern Li for failing to see the larger picture, while carrying a faint threat as well.

Li Qinglin sneered. "Even if you had sisters to send me, I would not think that could change my view of your Western Wasteland. Since when did you, Mang Zhan, become so naïve as to think an alliance between nations could be maintained by women?"

Mang Zhan sighed. "Seeing Princess Zhaoyang today was like having a spear thrust into This King's heart. No matter what Brother Li thinks, if This King obtains Princess Zhaoyang, I will never enter Southern Li for the rest of my life."

Li Qingjun flew into a rage and leapt to her feet with her spear raised. "If I kill you, you will not be able to enter Southern Li either!"

"Zhaoyang, what kind of behavior is this?" The King waved his hand, signaling them not to argue further.

In truth, viewed solely from the perspective of the state, a marriage alliance between the two nations was indeed a good thing. Although Southern Li valued martial prowess, compared to the relatively savage Western Wilderness Kingdom, the people of Southern Li had cultivated the land and built civilization for a long time. They were not highly aggressive, and during the century of warfare between the two nations, Southern Li had mostly defended passively. If the matter could truly be resolved through a marriage alliance, the court and common people alike would likely think it quite good for Li Qingjun to marry over there.

The problem was that Li Qingjun herself was fiercely resistant. By her own words, if she truly married over, she would instead chop off her husband's head. That would become the fuse that ignited a fight to the death between the two nations. Unless Southern Li willingly debased itself by crippling its own Princess's cultivation before sending her to the Enemy State, then—as Li Qinglin had said—Southern Li would lose all face. And even such debasement might not bring peace; it might instead further stir the wolfish nature of the other side.

The King himself was also quite inclined to marry his daughter to Mang Zhan, but the prerequisite was that his daughter had to be willing. The key here was...

His gaze fell upon Qin Yi. Qin Yi was gently tugging Li Qingjun's sleeve to signal her to sit, and Li Qingjun obediently sat back down, seeming to listen to him closely.

Perhaps that was the key. His daughter already had someone she loved.

Originally, it would not have mattered how a mere commoner was kneaded round or pinched flat. But this youth seemed to be a Dao cultivator, and one who appeared to have some genuine attainment... The King, obsessed with this path, decided to make contact and observe further. Thus, he did not answer Mang Zhan's topic, merely saying, "Today is only a welcoming banquet. Matters of state may be discussed later."

The King had set the tone, so Mang Zhan could not keep pressing the matter endlessly on this occasion. The topic in the hall was soon drawn by the Ministry of Rites officials toward romance, flowers, and moonlight.

Li Qinglin let out a breath.

It was good that no decision had been made on the spot. Calling Qin Yi here had indeed been the correct choice.

As for the next step... He stared at Mang Zhan, then looked at Dong Huazi, just in time to see the glance exchanged between the two men.

Li Qinglin thoughtfully sipped his wine. Without turning his head, he said softly, "Brother Qin, return to my residence after the banquet. You and I should have a good talk."