Chapter 840: Speculation
This was also a sentiment stirred from within Qi Xuansu.
Nearly two years of experience within the Daoist Order—from the Tiangang Hall to the Ziwei Hall, from Jade Capital to the local regions—had turned him from a mere wanderer into a true Daoist insider.
As one of the Daoist Order, he naturally had to understand its internal affairs.
The highest governing body of the Daoist Order was known as the Golden Tower Council, and it wielded two main powers.
One was the power over personnel matters. For instance, Qi Xuansu’s position as Deputy Hall Master had to be submitted for discussion by the Golden Tower Council and formally appointed by it. Although it was Sage Donghua who nominated him and ensured the nomination passed, the Golden Tower Council still had to make the final decision for the appointment to be legitimate. In this process, Sage Donghua was, in fact, acting as part of the Golden Tower Council.
That was genuine, tangible power.
The other type of power was decision-making power, like whether to wage war on Fenglin or how to handle the major Jiangnan cases. These matters had to go through a vote by the Golden Tower Council, which would ultimately determine what actions to take—or not take.
But that power was superficial. Making decisions was one thing; executing them was another.
Actual implementation depended on the Nine Halls and the local Daoist mansions. If they paid lip service or dragged their feet, those decisions would float in the air, never landing on solid ground.
During the final years of dynasties, imperial edicts could not leave the capital. So, such so-called decision-making authority was hollow.
The real power was financial power.
Everything requires money—whether conducting operations, fighting wars, or paying Daoist priests and Spirit Guards. Without money, nothing could be done.