Cui Jiuyang nodded and asked tentatively, "Then may I take it that you were laughing like that just now, Lord Ao, because... great minds think alike?"
Still smiling, Ao Dongping reached out and tapped the table lightly. "Although I've spent my whole life as a military advisor, I've never been on a battlefield. At most, I've devised plans in the rear. Having spent my entire life as a turtle hiding in his shell, can I really be called a hero?"
Cui Jiuyang said earnestly, "What does being a hero have to do with whether you've been on a battlefield? So long as your actions leave your conscience clear, and you can face heaven and earth without shame, you are a hero."
Ao Dongping suddenly seemed interested and pressed him. "Must your conscience be clear about everything you do throughout your life? In that case, there can't be many heroes in this world, can there?"
Cui Jiuyang had no idea what the old sea turtle wanted to discuss, so he could only follow his lead. "Someone who remains upright in matters of principle, despite shortcomings in smaller matters, can still be called a hero."
Ao Dongping nodded in satisfaction, looking at Cui Jiuyang with approval in his eyes. "Earlier, I said that if you followed Lei Chuanyun, you could become a competent Military Staff Officer.
"It seems I underestimated your prospects.
"Your thoughts on dealing with the Dragon Palace just now, along with your view that a hero can remain upright in principle despite smaller shortcomings, are enough to show that you'll at least attain a high position in the Dragon Palace someday."
Cui Jiuyang hurriedly cupped his hands and said modestly, "You flatter me, my lord. I don't deserve such praise."
Their conversation ended there for the day, and afterward