Chapter Seventy-Seven: Dilemma

“Dear nephew, you mustn’t misinterpret my intentions. I, Shen Wansan, am acting for the well-being of all those in the martial world, so that none fall victim to the evil Blue Lotus Cult, not out of any desire for the position of alliance leader. Daoist brother, you and I have known each other for decades; we are true confidants. In terms of character and competence, you surpass me. If you are willing to take on the role of alliance leader, I and every member of Mingyue Manor will offer our wholehearted support, without so much as a word of dissent. However…” This unexpected objection had caught Shen Wansan off guard. Though a trace of resentment lingered in his heart, he had no choice but to temper his words and lower his stance. Pride, after all, is seldom welcomed in the martial world, and now was hardly the time to risk open conflict for a mere title. Of course, for him to willingly relinquish something so nearly within his grasp was no easy matter. Thus, he paused, his gaze shifting to Dao Tianfeng, waiting to see which way the wind would blow. Dao Tianfeng, a man detached from worldly affairs, was not necessarily inclined to contend for it: “Daoist brother has always valued seclusion and avoided involvement in martial affairs. The Qilian lineage has followed this principle for over a decade. To thrust this role upon Daoist brother so suddenly would be unfair to him; it would be my fault.”

Such lofty words struck both Han Tanyi and Shao Changchun at once, and their expressions betrayed a faint awkwardness, as if colored by this sentiment. Yet the Daoist of Destiny remained as tranquil as ever, unimpressed and unmoved. He had already returned to his seat, but now rose again, a faint smile on his lips. As he responded to Shen Wansan, he slowly advanced a few steps, stopping between Shao Changchun and Shen Wansan. His eyes swept the room before he spoke: “Shen brother is right; I am by nature a free spirit, unwilling to be bound by worldly constraints. In truth, I ought not to meddle in matters of alliance leadership. But today is different. First, young Shao shows me such respect that declining outright would seem arrogant. Second, Shen brother has poured heart and soul into this martial gathering; to leave him to shoulder it alone would make my years of respect in the martial world seem nothing but empty fame. Third, the Blue Lotus Cult has returned in force, and must not be taken lightly. Although I am old, whenever my help is needed, Dao Tianfeng shall not shrink from duty!”

He listed three reasons, bowing his posture even lower than Shen Wansan, though on the surface he merely acknowledged the other’s hard work and his own obligation to contribute. Beneath these words, however, lay his own ambition for the alliance leader’s seat. This left Shen Wansan secretly vexed, a glint of hostility flickering in his eyes as he silently mused, “So, old Daoist, you feign aloofness every day, but at the crucial moment, you play me for a fool! I thought you truly transcended the mundane, uninterested in this alliance leader business. Who would have thought you’d reveal your true colors now? Had I known, I should have sent you away like Dongfang Mingyue, and not kept you around merely to avoid criticism from the martial world and having the blame pointed at me. Now it seems my calculation was truly mistaken!”

Mistaken or not, there is no remedy for regret. Even if he felt deeply unsettled, Shen Wansan had to keep his complaints to himself, never letting them show before others. His frustration flashed only briefly, vanishing in an instant. He forced a smile onto his face, and the word ‘gratitude’ almost seemed to emerge from it. “I had thought Daoist brother would remain above the fray, uninvolved in martial affairs. Now it appears I have underestimated you. If you dedicate yourself, and we join forces as we did in days past, battling the Blue Lotus Cult together, it would be truly exhilarating. The alliance leader’s seat—whomever takes it—makes no difference. Let us not let it mar our brotherhood, for that would be a shame, would it not, Your Highness?”

This sudden shift was indeed swift. Although Shen Wansan was smoothing things over, he was not prepared to relinquish the seat so easily. With a casual turn, he shifted the conversation to Prince Xiao Jinghao. Though this was a martial matter, all martial folk dwell beneath the imperial court and royal domain; since the prince was present, it was only proper to seek his opinion. This was not surprising, but Shen Wansan's intentions were clear. The martial gathering was, at its core, a transaction between himself and the prince. From any angle, Xiao Jinghao should and must be on Shen Wansan's side. If Dao Tianfeng were to claim the alliance leader’s position, all their efforts would have been in vain, serving only to benefit another—a prospect far too costly.

“This—Though I came by imperial command, I was also invited here. If this matter were left to my decision, it would be improper. Both Master Shen and Senior Daoist are pillars of the martial world, and sixteen years ago, they fought valiantly against the Blue Lotus Cult on Three Wolf Mountain, earning great merit for the martial world and the empire alike. Now, both are willing to toil for the martial world, and I am deeply moved. The goal is to unite the martial world against the remnants of the cult. As Master Shen says, it would be a pity to spoil harmony over this matter. At this moment, I cannot think of any perfect solution,” replied Xiao Jinghao. Though his heart inclined toward one side, he could not be overtly partial under such scrutiny, lest it arouse suspicion. Caution was essential for one of his rank, for a single misstep could ruin everything. Thus, his words followed a middle path, neither favoring nor opposing either side.

This response left Shen Wansan somewhat embarrassed. He had hoped Xiao Jinghao would support him, if not openly, then at least subtly. After all, martial folk, though disdainful of joining the imperial court, cannot escape the reality that all under heaven belongs to the king. None are foolish enough to openly oppose a prince. When reputation, status, and martial prowess are so closely matched, external influence becomes decisive—even the smallest push could tip the scales in his favor. But now, Xiao Jinghao seemed unwilling to meddle, almost as if he had tossed the issue back into play. Shen Wansan was momentarily unsure how to proceed.

“Your Highness has said that the alliance leader must possess both literary and martial excellence. Though I am lacking, I have a suggestion. Might Your Highness and the two seniors be willing to consider it?” For a moment, the entire hall fell silent. Indeed, whether it was Shen Wansan or Dao Tianfeng, each spoke with humility and praised the other, but neither was willing to concede. Yet they could not make their intentions too obvious, so everything was left to private speculation. Most of the audience consisted of Mingyue Manor disciples, but compared to the other martial guests, their numbers were few. Though they wished their master would win, they could not sway the outcome. At times, excessive partisanship only breeds resentment. Thus, beneath the surface, things were much the same as on the stage: loud arguments, but evenly matched, with victory uncertain. At this point, Shao Changchun spoke; since the dispute began with his words, it was only right for him to offer a solution. As soon as he spoke, all eyes turned to him.

“If you have something in mind, speak freely. As I said, let us not harm the harmony between us,” replied Prince Xiao Jinghao. With his words, Shen Wansan and Dao Tianfeng could have no objection; even if they did, it would be reasonable to wait until the young man had finished before raising them. Both elders focused their attention on Shao Changchun, awaiting his next words. After a brief pause, Shao Changchun continued, “As for the status and reputation of the two seniors, even with more time, it would be hard to determine who surpasses whom. But as the saying goes, ‘there is no first place in the literary arts, but martial prowess is ranked.’ Since there can be only one alliance leader, it should go to the strongest. That way, none will object. The two seniors can display their skills before us, allowing the younger generation to witness their greatness. Even if we cannot benefit directly, it will inspire us. If this suggestion is too forward and offends either of you, I beg your pardon!”