Several days later, the sound of chimes drifted leisurely across the sea of clouds. It was once again time for the mid-month court deliberation. Along the Radiant Aura River, the figures of the Court Executors gradually appeared.
When Chief Executor Chen appeared at the seat of honor, the Court Executors all bowed to him and said, "Greetings, Chief Executor."
Chief Executor Chen returned the salute. "Greetings, Court Executors." Another chime rang out, and the Court Executors took their seats.
Chief Executor Chen said, "Do any of the Court Executors have proposals to submit?"
Zhang Yu raised a jade mallet and lightly struck the chime before him. A clear chime rang out. When everyone looked over, he set down the jade mallet and said from his seat, "A few days ago, there was the matter of Kang Miao and Lu Zhutong. I presume all of you Court Executors are already aware of it."
Everyone nodded.
Zhang Yu said, "In this incident, the two intended to defect from Celestial Xia and seek refuge with Origin Xia. Origin Xia's resident envoy believed that we would be of greater help to them, so he informed us of the matter.
"Although the Origin Xia envoy was willing to cooperate with us this time, the main reason was that, in his view, Lu and Kang's cultivation was not particularly impressive. Sheltering them would bring little benefit and might even spoil his affairs. That was why he acted as he did. If those two had possessed somewhat greater attainment, he might well have entertained other thoughts.
"Therefore, I believe that the most urgent matter now is to restrain and reorganize our fellow cultivators who cultivate in seclusion within the sea of clouds, so as to prevent such incidents in the future."
The Court Executors on their seats