Chapter 659: Imperial Clan
Qi Xuansu left Prince Jin’s private residence with his new blade at his side. Somehow, the Daoist Three Virtues lingered in his mind.
Now that he reflected on it, upholding the Primordial Daoist Ancestor’s Three Virtues of compassion, frugality, and humility was truly no easy feat within the Daoist Order.
Fortunately, it seemed that the Holy Xuan had realized this, too. If those virtues were enforced strictly, hardly anyone would qualify. Thus, they were advocated rather than mandated. As long as one was not guilty of corruption or embezzlement, one would not be prosecuted for not being frugal.
For example, Qi Xuansu had attended a lavish banquet today that cost a fortune, but that was not something that could be used against him. Similarly, everyone was aware of Shi Bingyun’s relationship with Qin Quanyi. At most, people might criticize her reputation or conduct, since they were not officially married. But no one would accuse her of being extravagant, as the Daoist legal code simply did not contain such a clause.
Of course, while it was not a crime, frugality was not a requirement for promotion either. But it was a bonus. When aiming for promotion to a second-rank Taiyi Daoist master, if one lacked outstanding merit, had insufficient skill, or fell short in cultivation, then these intangible moral attributes might just tip the balance.
Qi Xuansu pondered. Based on his actions, he was nowhere near upholding the Three Virtues. He lacked compassion, dared to show off, and was not particularly frugal either. At this point, with so many shortcomings, one more did not matter; he might as well let things be.
However, the Primordial Daoist Ancestor also mentioned that it was through compassion that one found courage, through frugality that one found abundance, and through humility that one became a leader. If one cast aside compassion for strength, frugality for extravagance, humility for ambition, then the path would only lead to ruin.
Qi Xuansu was certain he fit the description of abandoning compassion for courage, as he was ruthless to his enemies. He also placed great importance on personal cultivation, which meant he had abandoned humility to race ahead of his peers. Who would not want to rise above others? The only consolation was that he was (forced to be) frugal, his final line of defense from walking the path to destruction.
He felt this was the Primordial Daoist Ancestor’s warning to him, that he should not seek to be generous without frugality, for such generosity would lead to ruin.
Dwelling on these twisted thoughts, Qi Xuansu walked along Penglai Pool toward the Taiping Inn branch.
The north was dry, and winds from the Grasslands often brought in sandstorms, so it left a constant layer of fine dust on the ground that would not dissipate. Just then, a carriage thundered past Qi Xuansu, kicking up a cloud of dust that coated him from head to toe.