Xuan Qing had intended to go to the Supreme Clarity Hall to find Sect Master Tongtian, but found it empty. Only after asking the Water and Fire Acolyte did he learn that Tongtian had just gone to the Grand Pure Hall.
Clearly, Taiqing Laozi did not wish to see his two brothers quarrel either. He wanted to play peacemaker and ease the conflict between Primordial Lord of Heaven and Sect Master Tongtian.
"Disciple Xuan Qing requests an audience with First Martial Uncle!"
Xuan Qing made his way familiarly to the Grand Pure Hall. After Xuandu led him inside, he first glanced at Taiqing Laozi, then at Sect Master Tongtian and Primordial Lord of Heaven. He respectfully bowed. "Greetings, Master. Greetings, two Martial Uncles. May Master and both Martial Uncles enjoy boundless sacred longevity!"
"Rise."
Taiqing Laozi nodded slightly. "Not bad. You have reached the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm. Good. Among Tongtian's disciples, you are the most sensible. You may judge this matter."
Xuan Qing froze for a moment, then understood. Taiqing Laozi was entrusting him with reconciling the conflict. After considering it carefully, he said, "Master, Second Martial Uncle, to harm the brotherly bond you have shared for countless years over such a trivial matter would be rather unworthy. Please hear this disciple out."
Sect Master Tongtian snorted coldly. "This has nothing to do with you. If my disciples have erred, I should be the one to punish them. How can I let others do it for me?"
Primordial Lord of Heaven glared at Sect Master Tongtian. "Tongtian, do not mistake good intentions! I am doing this for your sake. Look at your disciples—aside from Duobao and a few others, what sort of demons and monsters are they?"
"Enough!"
Taiqing Laozi frowned slightly, seeming rather irritated. "I called you two here not to listen to you argue!"
As their elder brother, how could he not understand the tempers of Primordial Lord of Heaven and Sect Master Tongtian? Primordial was arrogant, while Sect Master Tongtian happened to be the sort who yielded to softness but not force.
Neither was willing to lower his head.
That was what had led to the present situation.
Xuan Qing hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Master, Second Martial Uncle, this is merely a minor dispute among disciples. There is no need to elevate it to this extent."
He looked toward Sect Master Tongtian. "Master, teaching without distinction is indeed a great and virtuous undertaking. But people's hearts are complicated, and some disciples truly need rules to restrain them. Second Martial Uncle means well too. Our Jie Sect has no Innate Supreme Treasure to suppress its Fortune. If malicious people were to ruin the Jie Sect's reputation, it would damage Master's prestige."
As he spoke, he turned to Primordial Lord of Heaven and cautiously said, "Second Martial Uncle, I know that your concern has thrown you into disorder. What you said to Master just now was merely said in anger."
Sect Master Tongtian's expression eased considerably, though he still replied haughtily, "What do you know?"
As for Primordial Lord of Heaven, his emotions remained unreadable as he stood silently where he was.
However, Xuan Qing could clearly sense that the faint pressure in the Grand Pure Hall had dissipated considerably. A trace of a smile also appeared on Taiqing's face.
Seeing this, he continued, "Master, and Second Martial Uncle, I often spend time with Junior Brother Gongming and Junior Sisters Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao, so I understand what it means to say one thing and mean another. Junior Brother Gongming is blunt by nature, while Junior Sister Bixiao speaks without restraint. They occasionally have conflicts, yet it never harms the affection between siblings. Master and Second Martial Uncle are Sages—surely your generosity cannot be less than that of a few juniors?"
Hearing this, Sect Master Tongtian immediately muttered, "Who is saying one thing and meaning another?"
You, of course!
Xuan Qing grumbled inwardly, but did not dare say it aloud. He merely smiled at Taiqing Laozi.
Taiqing Laozi immediately understood. "Indeed. After cultivating for so many years, could you two truly be less broad-minded than a few juniors?"
With someone offering him a way out, Sect Master Tongtian no longer pressed the matter. Primordial Lord of Heaven immediately said, "Was I not simply worried that Tongtian would be dragged down by his disciples?"
Seeing Primordial Lord of Heaven lower his head, Sect Master Tongtian also stated, "This matter was indeed the fault of my disciples. I will properly discipline them."
"Now that is more like it."
Taiqing Laozi smiled. "Could the friendship we have shared for countless years really become a joke for the juniors to watch?"
To be honest, Primordial and Tongtian had often quarreled in the past, and he had acted as peacemaker many times. Yet now, it seemed that Xuan Qing was also a fine candidate for the role.
He also knew that the two differed in their views on the Great Dao and needed someone to mediate between them. That was why he had asked Xuan Qing to judge the matter.
Now, it seemed he had not misjudged him!
Although Xuan Qing was not suited to his Dao of nonaction, he was exceptionally skilled at reading people and situations. With just a few words, he had found each of Primordial and Tongtian a way to step down.
Thinking of this, he earnestly said to Sect Master Tongtian, "Tongtian, teaching without distinction is good, but you cannot accept just anyone as a disciple!"
Then he looked at Primordial Lord of Heaven. "Primordial, do not be so aggressive either. If Tongtian's disciples make mistakes, then naturally he, as their master, should punish them!"
"Yes."
Both men nodded.
Just as Xuan Qing had said, as Sages, how could they fail to understand such reasoning? The reason they had argued was simply to preserve their respective pride.
Primordial Lord of Heaven had indeed meant well, but he had used the wrong method, resulting in the opposite effect.
Tongtian also understood where his own problem lay. The only reason he refused to admit fault was that he felt Primordial Lord of Heaven's words had been far too disrespectful toward him.
These two were both people who said one thing and meant another, contradictory to the extreme.
After exchanging a few teasing remarks, Taiqing Laozi finally grew serious. "Tongtian, have you considered how you will test your disciples and prevent those with malicious intentions from infiltrating the Jie Sect?"
"This..."
Sect Master Tongtian did not know how to answer. For the moment, he truly had not thought it through. The doctrine of teaching without distinction meant that the Jie Sect was destined to accept many disciples.
Seeing this, Xuan Qing immediately spoke. "This disciple has an idea that may ease Master's concerns, but I will need Second Martial Uncle to lend me a magic treasure."
"Oh?"
Primordial Lord of Heaven showed a trace of curiosity. "Go on."
Xuan Qing bowed. "I heard from Junior Brother Yuding that Second Martial Uncle possesses a treasure called the Jade Void Glazed Lamp. Within it burns a divine flame known as the Golden Fire of Karma Washing, which can examine all living beings and reveal the karma of cause and effect. This disciple wishes to borrow the treasure's power to assess the sect's disciples once every hundred years. Those burdened by grave karma will be expelled from the Jie Sect immediately. As for those who have committed errors but sincerely repent, they will be suppressed beneath Kirin Cliff for ten thousand years as punishment!"
He then added, "Of course, if both Martial Uncles can offer Master some advice and establish sect rules to restrain the words and conduct of the disciples, that would be even better!"
Xuan Qing could offer some suggestions regarding sect rules, but he could not be the one to establish them. First, his strength was insufficient and he lacked the necessary prestige. Second, the Jie Sect had been founded by Sect Master Tongtian. If he were to formulate its rules, it would be overstepping his authority and would needlessly burden him with karma he could not bear.
For instance, if a particular sect rule proved inappropriate and generated karmic consequences, that portion of karma would be counted against him. His small frame could not withstand it.
If Sect Master Tongtian established them, then as the Sect Master and a Heavenly Dao Saint, he would possess the final authority to interpret them. A small amount of karma would also fall within what he could bear.
"Good."
Taiqing Laozi nodded.
Primordial Lord of Heaven also approved of Xuan Qing's proposal. "That is indeed a fine idea. The Jade Void Glazed Lamp is of little use to me where it is, so I shall give it to Tongtian, that he may observe the conduct of his disciples!"
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