Li Chen had to remain at Black Stone Reef for two more days. Only then did a Puppet Master Grandmaster finally arrive to escort him back to Golden Light City.
The Puppet Master Grandmaster had the bearing of an immortal and an extraordinary presence. Dressed in a loose brocade robe patterned with white clouds, he was none other than He Changnian, who was permanently stationed in Golden Light City.
"You're Li Chen? Come with me. I'll take you back to the city."
Li Chen stepped forward and bowed. "Elder He, what about the people here?"
"What about them?" He Changnian asked.
Li Chen said, "I've been thinking about this for the past two days. When powerful Outer Dao cultivators descend upon us, Golden Light City can retreat, and we can retreat. But can the ordinary disciples and Wilderness Rogue Cultivators who have always been stationed here, fighting on the front lines, retreat too?"
He actually knew the answer without needing He Changnian to tell him: they could not.
He Changnian glanced at him, seemingly surprised that he would bring this up. After a long while, he said coolly, "This concerns the sect's overall strategy. There are plenty of Grandmasters and Grandmaster Artisans moving the pieces on the board. It is not something you should be considering."
Li Chen sighed softly and shook his head helplessly.
Indeed, this was not something he should be considering.
He had barely managed to step outside the chessboard, but in truth, when necessary, he was still a chess piece. He was a long way from becoming one of the players.
He Changnian seemed moved and explained, "Fighting demons concerns the sect's overall strategy. It cannot be resolved by acting on emotion. As the saying goes, the merciful do not command armies, and the righteous do