The briefing continued for a few hours longer, with chief Li explaining more background information to the four Nightwatchers that had been gathered together. With Wuxian no longer raising any queries, the meeting went smoothly.
“Good, everything’s sorted.” Chief Li said, placing his hands over his crossed legs. “Jiang Manyou, Shui Qianyue, Wan Qiushou, you three may leave and get started. Sihai Wuxian, stay back for a moment.”
An unreadable smile lingered on his face as he dismissed the other three to embark on their assigned tasks. Jiang Manyou and Shui Qianyue exchanged glances before nodding in unison. Wan Qiushou looked briefly at Wuxian, with concern, though he quickly cupped his fists and assented. As the trio exited the office, only chief Li and Wuxian remained, the atmosphere shifting to one of awkward quiet.
“What’s on your mind, chief?” Wuxian asked, taking the initiative to speak.
Li smiled with an expression of interest. “Why such a hurry? Would you like some tea first, before we talk?”
Wuxian declined politely with a shake of his head. “No need. The sooner I can get to work, the better.”
The unspoken meaning was clear. Chief Li, the sect and the Nightwatch’s priorities did not align with his. While Wuxian would not deliberately hinder them and get in their way, at least, for now, he would not go out of his way to accommodate them either. His only interest was his own strength and helping the people of Cang’An now.
Chief Li nodded his head a few times, slowly placing the teapot down, gently and soundlessly. He brushed aside his long sleeves, focusing his gaze on Wuxian’s face.
“Very good. I do not like beating around the bush either.” His enigmatic smile deepened. Wuxian couldn’t help but clench his jaw, a sense of apprehension making its way onto his face. “I’m sure you’ve heard a little about the Jade Garden… I’m interested to hear what you think about it, from what you know so far.”
Wuxian arched an eyebrow sceptically, his black pupils silently questioning chief Li’s intent. At the same time, he gazed at Li’s mysterious smile quizzically, as if doubting the sincerity of the chief’s words.
“They’re a bastion of hope for Cang’An’s people, a righteous sect that is unrivalled across the land. Among the four seas, all mortals and immortals worship its name. Under the heavens only the Jade Garden reigns supreme.” He stated with measured calmness, each word delivered with a steady and deliberate tone.
Chief Li let out a quiet sigh, whether due to frustration or exasperation, Wuxian wasn’t sure. “There’s no need to worry about what you say here- nobody will hold you accountable. I just want a genuine opinion.” Seeing that Wuxian remained visibly unconvinced, he continued. “You’re somebody who is not tangled up by webs of interest like other cultivators of our time. Even a low-level person like Shui Qianyue is tied to the speeding chariot that is the Nightwatch and by association the Jade Garden. But for you, who has no connections to any faction in the region, matters pertaining to the sect are of little consequence to you, hence why you might provide a more critical evaluation.”
Wuxian continued to remain apprehensive on the surface, but the slight relaxation of his posture suggested that chief Li’s words had left a mark.
“Sometimes, an outsider’s perspective is a hundred times more insightful than that of someone who has lived the scenario their entire life.” Li added.
Wuxian nodded, his eased demeanour displaying a more thoughtful expression, silently expressing his agreement. It didn’t take long for him to formulate his thoughts, since his contact with information pertaining to the Jade Garden was very little. In fact, the most of his opinions on it came from this very meeting, based off of what he’d heard from the sect’s current situation.
“I do not have the full context behind the sect’s situation, nor do I know anything about the leadership’s reasons for making the decisions that they have. All I can say is that I feel they have acted… irresponsibly.” He said slowly, careful not to overstep any boundaries.
Chief Li nodded with an encouraging smile. “Continue.”
Emboldened, Wuxian continued describing his impression of the sect.
“I do not know why they felt the need to overextend their manpower to fight a war on two fronts, but I do know that in doing so, they are risking the lives of not only the citizens of Cang’An, but their own sect members as well. Previously, you and Wan Qiushou stated that one should take no half-measures, but all I can see from the sect’s actions is that that is precisely what they have done. They have engaged the enemy on one front, unable to resolve this new situation even with close to their full force, while also creating vulnerabilities on another.” Wuxian paused momentarily, before giving his final evaluation. “Hence why I say that they have been irresponsible.”
Determining that Wuxian had finished stating his piece, chief Li’s smile maintained its unerring presence. As he mulled Wuxian’s words over, the atmosphere became charged with slight tension, with the latter being unsure of how chief Li might react.
“Mn, a fair perspective.” Chief Li said finally, returning the room to its previous state. “But the truth is that, as you have very keenly pointed out, your view is confined to a smaller canvas. I can assure you that the sect would never take such big risks without understanding that the payoff outweighs the sacrifices required.”
Wuxian shrugged nonchalantly. He had never expected to be able to sway chief Li’s opinions on the matter, merely wanting to humour the man to whom he was technically indebted to. At the same time, by expressing his own inclinations towards helping the suffering citizens of Cang’An, he could potentially begin to earn the man’s trust.
Chief Li was cognisant of this strategy, though he did not seem to be particularly concerned by it. He leaned back into his chair, the soft creaking of wood breaking the stillness. “You’ll have to take my word for it. I can assure you that alleviating the suffering in the western district is something I do support, it’s just that, considering the bigger picture, the best course of action now is to remove the root cause of the problem, even at the cause of a little more sacrifice. I realise that making the decision to sacrifice on behalf of the people now in exchange for the guaranteed safety of others in the future who may not even be related to those suffering now is hypocritical, but when the circumstances of each and every individual is taken into consideration, you will find that governing and steering the development of a sect and a city to be almost impossible.”
Wuxian sank back into his seat. He understood the logic that chief Li, Wan Qiushou and Jiang Manyou had tried to convey to him and that if their words were to be taken at face value, then this all or nothing approach really was the best path forward, but he still couldn’t get rid of that nagging feeling that came from within.
Once again, Black Emperor Mountain Hermit’s maxim coursed through his mind on repeat. Wuxian looked up at chief Li, matching the man’s enigmatic smile with one of his own.
“Do not discriminate, for all are equal under the heavens. Have a heart of compassion, for there is no revenge sweeter than that which need not be taken. Tolerate not injustice, but do not sacrifice oneself in vain.”
“I heard you mumble that earlier. Truly, words of wisdom.” Chief Li complimented.
“It is something that I only just remembered, hearing your words during the prior briefing. I suppose it is obvious now that I cannot blatantly ignore the harm that is being done to Cang’An’s people.” Wuxian admitted. His relaxed attitude exuded both calmness and fearlessness, as if he did not fear the potential repercussions for openly expressing his opposition to chief Li’s instructions.
To Wuxian’s surprise, chief Li wore an expression of understanding, even though after all of this convincing, he had not managed to change Wuxian’s opinion.
“Excellent. Only with a heart of good morals and pure intent can one progress further along the path of the great Dao.” Li said with a vibrant smile, conveying his satisfaction that Wuxian’s mind had not been changed.
Chief Li maintained his smile and continued. “Your adherence to your principles is commendable, but the path to the Dao is a journey of both bold and nuanced decisions. Though it may seem paradoxical, one must at times be capable of compromising for the sake of the greater good. At bottlenecks to one’s comprehension of the Dao, you may find that compromise may spur on a greater development in your understanding. I see that I cannot convince you with words, I hope only that you will consider my reasoning and understand the complexities that we face; not only as cultivators, but as people too.”
Wuxian met his gaze unwaveringly. “I am grateful for your teachings, nor do I seek to change your mind either. Regardless, I feel that it is necessary for one to navigate intricacies with an equal measure of both wisdom and empathy.”
He paused, considering his next words.
“The day that association with the Jade Garden is no longer a mutually beneficial arrangement for Cang’An and its people… is a day where one must reflect on the decisions that lead to that point.”
Chief Li soaked in his words, silently acknowledging their validity. Then, in an abrupt change in demeanour, he sat up straight, gazing at Wuxian’s tall and defined form.
“Let me lay things out clearly. I can tell you now that I do not have the jurisdiction to change the Jade Garden’s plan. Despite my high realm and the responsibility bestowed upon me as leader of the Nightwatch, matters relating to the future of the sect and the city can be dictated only by the high elders. Your intent on focusing on the shorter-sighted goal of obtaining the miracle cure from the Yellow gang and distributing it amongst the citizens of the western district is in good nature, but has an undeniable chance to backfire and jeopardise the entire operation.”
“I cannot, out of good conscience, bring myself to dissuade you. But I will make things clear one last time. You are free to investigate the miracle cure so long as you continue to gather leads on the puppeteer. In the scenario where you manage to find a way to bring back the cure and its means of production before the puppeteer has been located and terminated, you are to report to me. Do not go off on your own and do not take any more risks. Once we have dealt with the puppeteer once and for all, we will naturally begin dealing with the plague. In fact, our ultimate goals align, only the order and immediate priorities differ.”
Wuxian agreed quickly. Chief Li had already compromised plenty- to ask for more would be out of station and an insult to the understanding which had already been afforded him.
“In that case, I cannot defy you further.” Wuxian said, cupping his fists respectfully. “In my own words, then, I will navigate the path forward with both wisdom and empathy.”
The office was filled with an air of newfound understanding and agreement. Though Wuxian knew that he still hadn’t fully won chief Li’s trust just yet, after today, they would most certainly be on more amicable terms.
“Good. I’m sure this has all been quite tiring for you, so I’ll get right to my final point.” Chief Li said.
Wuxian sat up, indicating that he was paying close attention to Li’s words.
“All sects across the entirety of the four seas hold one single resource above all others. Namely, talent. The reason why various sects like the Jade Garden are linked so closely to the mortal world, despite their principles of avoiding dabbling in mortal affairs, is to create a reliable and steady influx of fresh talent to bolster their ranks.”
Though chief Li hadn’t finished speaking, he had a faint premonition of what the chief was going to say next.
“Sihai Wuxian. Have you ever considered joining the Jade Garden?”