Hou Niao was a little disappointed, but he had no complaints.
This incident taught him something: he could never make decisions for others, not even good friends.
Humans were the most spiritually gifted of all creatures precisely because everyone had their own thoughts and opinions, and the more outstanding a person was, the more this held true. It was precisely this quality that had allowed humanity to rise above countless other living beings. The significance of thought lay not in its superiority or inferiority, but in its differences.
Seeking common ground while preserving differences was the way to get along, rather than constantly overstepping one's place and letting the guest usurp the host.
Once he understood this, he was no longer so disappointed. He could simply find another way. The emperor was in no hurry, yet the eunuch was frantic. If the Daoists themselves could not care less, why the hell should he fret?
Besides, he could vaguely discern the shadows of the two True Persons behind Shan Daoist's actions. How could it be such a coincidence that Daoist Chongxi, who had gone out to visit friends to avoid embarrassment, happened to run into Shan Daoist carrying out a mission?
But he could not ask about that. To get along with these old fellows, he had to learn to play dumb.
...The master of Cornelian Hall had died unexpectedly. This time, to achieve a complete balance between Anhe's northern and southern branches, they nominated Daoist Wuwei as master of Cornelian Hall, with one deputy from the north and one from the south. This meant adding a Golden Core from Southern Anhe. The new deputy's style was entirely different from Chongxi's. He kept a very low profile, his triangular eyes always regarding people with a sinister look.
Hou Niao was assigned