After the Oath-Swearing Assembly, Li Chuping sought him out.
"There are two paths. The choice is yours."
Hou Niao was calm. He knew perfectly well that the dozens of casualties at Baijun Mountain could not simply be brushed aside. Although Shanmen had already demoted him, that was merely a perfunctory show, and everyone knew it.
Li Chuping looked calm. "We've already made contact with the Wu Sect at the Golden Core level. The disagreements concern two points: first, the trade route for gengjing ore; second, the battle at Baijun Mountain.
"At bottom, they're really the same issue. The Wu Sect has demanded that the perpetrator be severely punished before the two sides can settle their differences over this incident.
"Specifically, the Wu Sect will send a cultivator to fight you to a decisive outcome. Neither side stops until the other is dead.
"Of course, we can also refuse, and then the two sides will be at war."
Hou Niao gave a wry smile. "Personally, I don't mind either way, but I'd like to hear your opinion. And what the higher-ups intend."
Li Chuping considered this. "My opinion is to go to war! Throw one punch to clear the way, and spare yourself a hundred punches later! The differences between us are no longer a matter of one person's life or death. They're deeply rooted fractures between our traditions, and they didn't begin with this incident. They've persisted for hundreds, even thousands of years.
"So this so-called duel to the death is merely a temporary solution. It won't change anything."
Something stirred in Hou Niao's mind. He had known Li Biejia for a long time. The man was cold and rational, or he could never have risen to such a high position in the Minister of Justice Prefecture. He had a