Chapter 1300: The Meaning of Resistance
On the third day after officially assuming his new position of Chief Deputy Beichen Hall Master, Qi Xuansu received a notice from Ciji Hall. He hurried there and met the Ciji Hall Master, who was one of his former superiors, Ning Lingge.
Moving through various positions had its advantages, like having many former superiors. Sage Donghua, Sage Qingwei, Ning Lingge, Shi Bingyun, and Great Sage Lan had all once been Qi Xuansu’s superiors.
“Have a seat,” Ning Lingge said, gesturing for Qi Xuansu to sit.
Qi Xuansu sat down across from Ning Lingge.
In the past, the difference in their status had been enormous—one was a Hall Master, while the other was merely a seventh-rank deacon. The gap had been like heaven and earth. Yet Qi Xuansu had always had a favorable impression of this former superior. After all, Ning Lingge had gifted Zhang Yuelu two theater tickets, which had been the start of Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu’s relationship. In a sense, Ning Lingge was their matchmaker. However, it could not be ruled out that this coupling had been a broader plan laid out by the upper ranks of the Quanzhen Sect long in advance.
In any case, Qi Xuansu preferred to think well of people—that Ning Lingge had a good eye.
Now, the gap between them was only a few steps apart.
Ning Lingge went straight to the point. “There has been a sudden development. Conflict has broken out again in the New Continent, leaving several thousand casualties on both sides. Western journalists want to know our stance on this matter. I called you here precisely for this reason. Should the Ciji Hall issue the response on behalf of the Daoist Order, or will Beichen Hall respond directly?”
Qi Xuansu did not answer immediately.
Sage Qingwei had already discussed this question with Qi Xuansu. Who issued the response would signal two different tendencies. If the Ciji Hall responded, then no matter how sharp the wording, it essentially meant the Daoist Order did not intend to intervene directly. It could be interpreted as setting the matter aside for the moment, offering reassurance to the Western powers. Yet it would also provoke dissatisfaction from the Western Daoist Order and the Tawantin Empire.
However, if a figure of real authority from Beichen Hall responded personally, the message would be clear. It would make the Western powers wary while effectively reassuring the Western Daoist Order and the Tawantin Empire.
Sage Qingwei leaned toward reassuring their own side.