Chapter 1114: Disaster and the People’s Hearts
The smile on Qi Xuansu’s face slowly faded. He did not answer directly but countered, “This rumor is quite interesting. May I ask where you heard it from, Mr. Marcheno?”
Marcheno replied, “I heard it from a well-informed individual who prefers not to be named. Forgive me, but due to certain confidentiality considerations, I cannot disclose this person’s name or identity.”
Qi Xuansu said, “A well-informed individual indeed. I suppose this person is not from within the Daoist Mansion?”
Marcheno chuckled. “It seems the rumor is true, then.”
Qi Xuansu denied it without hesitation. “I never said anything of the sort. What I can say is that the Daoist Mansion currently has no such decision. The Nanyang United Trading Company is a large corporation with far-reaching influence. If the Daoist Mansion were to seize it, such a move must be passed through the Daoist Mansion Council and approved before any order could be issued. It isn’t something I can decide on alone. I’m afraid I don’t hold such authority.”
Marcheno rephrased, “May I understand it this way—the Daoist Mansion has not made such a decision yet, but that does not mean such a decision will not be made in the future. Just as Sage Qi does not currently possess that authority, it does not mean you will not possess it in the future.”
Qi Xuansu replied, “The future is impossible to predict. It contains endless possibilities and countless uncontrollable variables. A single shift in any one factor may steer the future in a completely different direction. The only things we can be certain of are the past and the present. What you mentioned is merely one possibility among innumerable ones in the future. I don’t believe it warrants discussion or holds any meaningful value.”
Marcheno was slightly surprised that such a young Sage could be so composed. He was not immature nor impulsive but was rather seasoned, speaking without leaving a single gap.
But Marcheno was not one to be easily handled. “Sage Qi, you just mentioned that any number of factors may alter the future. I heard that the Daoist Mansion is currently investigating matters related to the Nanyang United Trading Company. In my view, this factor naturally leads toward the future I described. Therefore, I believe this possibility is worth discussing. After all, one must be prepared before disaster strikes.”
Qi Xuansu frowned. “Do you mean to say that the hypothetical seizure of the Nanyang United Trading Company constitutes a disaster?”