Chapter 1177: A Gift from an Elder
Within the Daoist Order, there were several tactics to circumvent certain commands issued by one’s superior, especially if the commands were not entirely correct and one did not wish to shoulder the blame. Thus, it was often best to leave behind some form of proof, as verbal orders were never as reliable as written directives.
If there was no written directive and the superior later refused to acknowledge giving a verbal order, who would bear the blame when something goes wrong? Conversely, if there was a written directive, then any wrongdoing was considered following orders. According to Daoist law, only the one who issued the order was held accountable.
Thus, whether or not a written order existed completely changed the nature of the matter.
If Great Sage Jiang had merely said as much, Qi Xuansu would still have harbored doubts in his heart. But Great Sage Jiang proactively provided the written directive, clearly demonstrating his decisiveness.
If Wang Jiaohe does not flee, then for the sake of decades of association, the Daoist Order would at least spare his life, even if his crimes were grave. However, his property, status, power, and position would certainly be lost, and he would end up imprisoned in the Demon Suppression Tower since he was from the Quanzhen Sect.
But if Wang Jiaohe intended to flee, then there would be no mercy. He could be killed outright.
Although in recent years, the Daoist Order had rarely resorted to killing high-ranking Daoists, especially those at the second rank and above, such cases still existed.
In fact, during the Holy Xuan and Donghuang era, such executions of high-ranking individuals were common. After all, those were times of war, when they fought the Confucians and the Buddhists. Those who committed grave offenses were dealt with under military law.
In the present era of peace, things were different. Harmony and compromise prevailed, and lethal measures were rarely taken.
However, as conflicts among the Three Sects intensified, the situation once again changed.
After the meeting concluded, Qi Xuansu followed Great Sage Jiang to the office.
Great Sage Jiang did not write a new directive. Instead, he withdrew one from his sleeve, clearly having prepared it in advance. He placed it gently on the table and slid it toward Qi Xuansu.