Half a day later, the High Councilors of the Two Halls confirmed the defeat and deaths of Luo Zhong and Wu Ren. They then issued an edict, formally restoring Daoist Wan to his position as presiding officer of the Upper Hall and granting him certain commendations.
Now that Daoist Wan had dealt with Luo Zhong and Wu Ren, not only had his merits and faults offset one another, but the prestige he had lost in the past could also be rebuilt.
This was because, whether among the Upper Three Worlds or the councilors of the Upper and Lower Halls, almost no one had believed he could truly accomplish this. Yet he had done it.
Although this had not, to a certain extent, depended on his own arrangements, but rather on the enemy's internal strife—practically delivering themselves to his door—the subsequent choices had been his. This was a merit no one could erase.
Councilor Duan said, "Congratulations, Councilor Wan. I said that the Two Halls would not make things difficult for you again this time. Only with the Upper Hall in your hands is it truly the Upper Hall. Though some may be unconvinced in their hearts, they can only obediently heed your orders."
Daoist Wan did not seem particularly pleased. He said in a deep voice, "Luo Zhong was an enemy from without. Though such an enemy posed an immense threat to us, because he was always there, everyone knew of his danger. Even if it took longer, we would eventually have been able to deal with him, and he could not shake Origin Xia. But enemies from within are the hardest to resolve."
Councilor Duan grew solemn. "Is it time to act? Our strength still seems insufficient. Though Councilor Lan cannot contend with you for power, she understands very