Chapter 30: The Center of Power

Mieying Xiaoqi nodded repeatedly and said, "I think this young lady has hit the nail on the head. You don't look very anxious at all."

"How could I not be?" Hua Sheng replied. "But things have reached this point, and being anxious is useless. I only just returned to the Academy today. Am I supposed to just run away?"

Taishang Xiaojun answered, "No need to rush. I personally feel we haven't reached the point of fleeing yet. However, if we were to announce the truth directly to the public, it would only make the situation worse."

He rested his chin on his hand and continued, "I believe that since we still have two days, it would be better to do our best to uncover the underlying cause first. Let's see if we can find more clues."

After hearing this, Mieying asked Hua Sheng, "What does Star Lord Daoling think of this matter?"

Hua Sheng replied, "Speaking of which, the Star Lord suggested that the Immortal Master take me to Panxian Cave; perhaps there is a way to examine my memories to prove my innocence. After all, in my memories, I have never been to the Klin Magic School, let alone stolen any Star-Year Silk."

"Go to Panxian Cave again? Is the Star Lord suggesting we go into the restricted zone?" Taishang Xiaojun looked puzzled.

Mieying seemed quite shocked upon hearing of Panxian Cave. She asked, "It is said that the area around Panxian Cave in Hanxunniu Prefecture is off-limits to unauthorized personnel. What, have you two been there before?"

"We went there with Weiyu before," Taishang Xiaojun sighed. "Who would have thought that such a beautiful Deputy Registrar could have another side..."

Hua Sheng’s heart skipped a beat. Before he could say anything, he saw Mieying stop abruptly in mid-air, fuming, and shouting, "So what if she’s beautiful? Can’t a beautiful person be a villain?"

Taishang Xiaojun felt somewhat confused by Mieying’s sudden outburst and asked, "But based on what Hua Sheng said earlier, it’s not as if Weiyu did this without a reason..."

"You filthy men! You believe anything just because someone is pretty. My eldest sister, Immortal Master Qingmiao, believed Ming You back then and invited her into the Art Academy! Ming You is incredibly clever; you men are always being led around by the nose by her, aren't you?"

Taishang Xiaojun frowned. "Hua Sheng, why does it seem like Mieying has a deep-seated grudge against Weiyu... oh! Right, how could I forget? You two had an argument when the Heavenly Eye Trials ended—that was all your fault!"

"Xiaojun, you..."

If they hadn't been hovering in mid-air, Hua Sheng would have been so embarrassed he would have wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

Mieying Xiaoqi glared at Hua Sheng with a livid face, then shot forward like a bolt, becoming nothing more than a tiny black dot in an instant.

Hua Sheng and Taishang Xiaojun hurried to catch up.

However, one couldn't blame Xiaojun entirely. The two flew in silence for a while. Feeling the atmosphere was awkward, Hua Sheng looked for other topics to discuss.

"With all the commotion we just made in the Biannu Heavenly Prison, do you think Erlang Shen will come looking for the Art Academy immediately?"

Taishang Xiaojun rubbed his chin and replied, "I suspect that, given Erlang Shen’s many years of official experience, he won't make a big deal out of it. While it seemed like a grand display of force, we only destroyed some everyday items; nothing truly valuable was damaged. With Erlang Shen’s power, he could repair it with a flick of his finger. Furthermore, my grandfather has never had any conflict with Yang Jian. If you had caused this trouble alone, Yang Jian might have handled it impartially. But since I am..." He sighed. "I am now involved as well. Since Erlang Shen has had no past grievances or recent conflicts with my grandfather, he certainly won't pursue this openly and make an enemy over such a trivial matter."

"Are you that confident? After all, breaking into a Heavenly Prison sounds like it could be a major or a minor issue."

"That is how the Heavenly Court’s officialdom works. The various deities have spent thousands of years meticulously building their positions, and the balance of power between them is not easily shaken. Anything that can be shaken is part of a scheme already set in motion. Never mind smashing a few steps; even breaking a single cup could be labeled as 'disrespect for Heavenly Law' and used as a pretext for divine conflict."

"If that’s the case, aren't the Heavenly Officials terrified every day?"

"They are used to it. In the eyes of the discerning, those Heavenly Laws are full of loopholes, ready to be used to strike at political rivals at any time."

Hua Sheng was astonished. "For instance, that the Qiankun Guard battles cannot have any casualties?"

Taishang Xiaojun looked uncomfortable. "My grandfather didn't say that at the time. However, he couldn't give us an acceptable casualty range either. If he had, wouldn't that be an explicit statement of how many lives could be lost? Such words are something those who have navigated the official world for years would never utter."

Hua Sheng recalled what Erlang Shen had said in the Biannu Heavenly Prison and immediately remarked, "No wonder Yang Jian said that Star Lord Daoling should have known that supporting this battle would give others leverage."

"Logically, that should be the case, but the Star Lord has never had any interest in the politics of the Heavenly Court. Whether that is truly the case, only the Star Lord himself knows."

"In that case, the Heavenly Regulations must have some limits, right?"

"Since the Heavenly Regulations were formulated by the Heavenly Court, they can be changed. I have heard a little about this since I was a child. Sometimes, might makes right. There is no rule saying the Heavenly Regulations cannot be changed overnight. Perhaps what you do is legal on the first day of the New Year, deemed illegal on the second, you are arrested and taken into custody on the third, executed on the fourth, and the old law is reinstated on the fifth. And just like that, you lose your life for nothing."

Hua Sheng was stunned. "Then is the purpose of throwing Star Lord Daoling into prison to kill him?"

"Did you ask him when you visited him?"

Hua Sheng shook his head. "I asked, but for some reason, the Star Lord said nothing. He only said some things I didn't understand, saying it was all determined by order and rules, not because someone wanted to harm him."

Taishang Xiaojun said, "He wasn't wrong to say it’s determined by the system. Systems, order, and rules change one's character, and this is especially evident in mortals. Do you know why?"

Hua Sheng assumed an expression of rapt attention.

"Because it is water. Life is mostly water, so it takes on the properties of water. Whatever container you put it in, it takes that shape. For example, water makes up ninety percent of a fetus, eighty percent of an infant, about seventy percent of a teenager or an adult, and for the elderly, it may be less than sixty percent."

This was the first time Hua Sheng had heard such an analysis. "Now that you mention it, it’s true. So many people become more stubborn as they get older—it turns out they are just lacking water!"

Taishang Xiaojun chuckled.

Hua Sheng said, "Jokes aside, there must be someone pushing for Star Lord Daoling’s imprisonment. It can’t just be about the Qiankun Guard battle, right? Otherwise, it would implicate many people, and it wouldn't just be the Star Lord who was arrested."

Taishang Xiaojun replied, "There must be a hidden agenda. But Star Lord Daoling must have his reasons for acting this way. I heard that he didn't put up any resistance when he was arrested, as if he had expected it all along..."

"Are you saying the Star Lord just obediently followed Li Jing?"

"Precisely. At the time, Li Jing only brought a few attendants. If he were truly arresting a deity capable of performing immeasurable immortal arts, he would surely have had to deploy the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals. That is why I believe Star Lord Daoling must have anticipated this."

"Then what is the reason?"

"I don't know. After all, Star Lord Daoling is eighteen thousand years old. He has experienced many things we know nothing about."

"Is it to avoid implicating the Art Academy?"

"I suspect there is a deeper reason. He must have learned something, or he is trying to protect someone."

"Sigh... sacrificing himself?"

Taishang Xiaojun sighed, "That is not impossible. The politics of the Heavenly Court are deep. Given his character, sacrificing himself is entirely possible."

Hua Sheng did not understand the logic. For him, as long as he felt something was morally right, he would do it without hesitation. But in the Heavenly Prison, Star Lord Daoling had told him that "reason" does not equal "justice."

"Reason" is merely the order of the world created by the Dao—the rules for survival in the present world.

If survival requires not justice, but merely obedience to this order, then that order might force people to commit evil acts to gain benefits. Or perhaps, it is simply to stay alive.

When one’s own principles conflict with the ways of the world, should one defend those principles, or make a sacrifice like Star Lord Daoling?

This world belongs to the unseen upper echelons, and those Heavenly laws—those "reasons"—are established by the winners. Do the winners care about the feelings of the weak? Would they sacrifice their own interests for the sake of the weak?

Hua Sheng imagined himself as one of those at the top who set the rules. Could he truly benefit the world?

Once power is in one's hands, shouldn't the only concern be stabilizing that power? Rather than helping the weak? Otherwise, wouldn't the Heavenly Court become a charity?

Unless, of course, helping the weak could stabilize the power of the Heavenly Court.

Although most in power are easily tempted by it, this does not mean all deities in the Heavenly Court are like that. But if even a portion of them are, isn't that terrifying?

Star Lord Daoling is older than many deities, so he must know too much.

Taishang Xiaojun said, "Those who know nothing are perhaps more easily satisfied and happy. The less one knows, the more carefree and harmless they are; this is an eternal truth. The more one knows, the more worries they have, and others will perceive them as more dangerous."

Hua Sheng said worriedly, "So, given the chance, they will find a way to eliminate those who are dangerous?"

Taishang Xiaojun replied, "At least some people want Star Lord Daoling to keep his mouth shut."

"But the Star Lord rarely expresses his opinions anyway."

Taishang Xiaojun said, "What others fear is the possibility that he might express an opinion. After all, Star Lord Daoling is one of the Seven Sages who founded 'Sheng Ping Ning' (Sacred Peace and Tranquility). Even though he has been in seclusion for years, his influence remains immense, even terrifying. Precisely because of this, eliminating him rashly would cause a tremor in the Immortal Realm. Just the many disciples of the Art Academy alone would not stand for it, which would cause even more chaos."

"Then what is the purpose of putting him in prison?"

"Imprisonment is about splashing him with filth, using that filth to dim Star Lord Daoling’s halo so that those who were neutral no longer trust him. Because whatever a prisoner says can be dismissed as nonsense. At that point, no one will believe the truth either."

"But the Star Lord seems to want to say nothing at all? I asked him to his face, and he wouldn't say a word."

"A heart that holds only simple kindness is called 'foolish kindness,' and that is something the center of power cannot tolerate."

"Sigh! I used to pray to Erlang Shen when I passed by temples! I never imagined the Heavenly Officials were like this. Does that mean all the deities in the Heavenly Court are bad..."

Taishang Xiaojun interrupted Hua Sheng, "No, it cannot be described as good or bad; it is about power. Sufficient power can not only decide your life and death, but can also make life worse than death."

Hua Sheng’s heart trembled.

He understood this completely. Originally, he had already died, and a small amendment to a simple protection law in Sheng Ping Ning could save his life. And this protection law had not existed since ancient times; he remembered Hei Yun saying it was just a small move by a "new official taking office."

If it could save a life, it could naturally also take one, or even lead to what Taishang Xiaojun described as "a life worse than death."

"For thousands of years, the world has had traditional virtues, so naturally, it has had traditional vices. Evil, like good, possesses a powerful capacity for inheritance."

Taishang Xiaojun said slowly, "But power is different. Power has no concept of good or evil; it transcends them and determines what is good and what is evil. That is the most terrifying part."

These words left Hua Sheng speechless.

He only felt that the wind of the night was blowing harder and harder.

And getting colder and colder.