Chapter 1766: Chapter 199: The Heavenly Dao Lies Within
Being entrusted with soone’s life by a stranger of great power—this was an experience Mi Bai had never encountered before.
He had no doubt that even if he commanded the man in front of him to march to his death, the other would comply without hesitation.
He also understood clearly that this unwavering obedience ca solely because he held the Dean’s token. Such extraordinary authority left this lifelong academic, who had taught no more than orphaned children in tis of war, sowhat flustered.
But the composure honed by years of study cald him quickly, allowing him to carefully contemplate the entire situation’s context and implications.
The council chamber was so silent that only the even rhythm of Mi Bai’s breathing could be heard, while the others waited quietly. They all understood that this was nothing more than a formality.
Even a quick sideways glance at the battle reports on the table and the war-ga sand table bristling with flags of various colors would reveal the dire situation Unparalleled City now faced.
If one life could quell the flas of war, most warriors devoted to Unparalleled City would willingly lay down their lives. What’s more, the current proposal didn’t even require a true sacrifice—just a public concession to the Beast Taming Clan, with the warrior retreating into the shadows.
Such a decision shouldn’t have been difficult at all. Du Ting, watching Mi Bai deep in thought, felt a trace of smug satisfaction in his eyes.
He didn’t believe there was any better option than compromise, nor did he believe that this young scholar the Dean had sohow found could devise any miraculous solution to break through the impasse.
Even with the Dean’s token in hand, Unparalleled City’s city council was ultimately a place where competence spoke louder than credentials.
Just as Du Ting indulged in his smug thoughts, Mi Bai looked up, their eyes eting.
It was only for a mont before the scholar shifted his gaze, calmly addressing ng Jiao, “When Unparalleled City was humiliated, Commander ng stood at the gates of the city. Now that the Commander faces hardship, Unparalleled City stands as your shield.”
As his words fell, the expressions of those in the council chamber varied widely. The representatives of Marshal Star Pavilion, the garrison, and Wind dia Departnt had their eyes practically glowing, while the faces of the city council mbers turned pale.
As for ng Jiao himself, he was visibly stunned, his one eye scanning the scholar back and forth in disbelief, wondering inwardly if this man wasn’t overstepping boundaries.
Although he too felt aggrieved, the overwhelming disparity in strength between the enemy and themselves, compounded by the current public opinion in Longzhou, made him unwilling to drag Unparalleled City into a confrontation he doubted they could win.
“With those words of yours, Mr. Mi, ng Jiao’s heart feels much lighter. In truth, Elder Ling’s strategy is sound: first we make a public gesture to satisfy Longzhou’s factions, then I will devise a way to escape and go into hiding. Minimizing Unparalleled City’s losses is already enough.”
The blunt warrior grinned as he chose the path of concession. It didn’t take much thought to realize that while the Poison Spirit Body was indeed unusual, the Ten Thousand Beasts Manor, having suffered once before, would surely be prepared this ti.
And breaking free from the hands of the Holy Land’s kin—it wasn’t as easy as one might wish. A single misstep and it would be like throwing at buns to dogs, never to return.
Yet ng Jiao’s carefree deanor made it seem as though he were rely heading out for a casual stroll.
The city council mbers, upon hearing this, hurriedly chid in. Especially the three Du Family elders whose faces had just turned pale—they rushed to persuade Mi Bai.
“Sir, even Commander ng agrees. Why must you act as an obstinate ddler?”
“Elder Ting is absolutely right; this is already the least detrintal option for Unparalleled City. Please, just agree.”
Fearing any unexpected twists, so council mbers even furtively transmitted their concerns to Mi Bai, laying out the consequences.
The scholar simply listened quietly. Only when they had exhausted their argunts and silence fell once more did he speak: “If we sacrifice Commander ng to the Ten Thousand Beasts Manor, it might save Red Cloud for the ti being. But when faced with future affronts, who will stand up for Unparalleled City’s justice then?”
This scholar is dead set on opposing us!
The three Du Family brothers exchanged glances and saw the dissatisfaction in one another’s eyes. Du Ting furrowed his brow and said irritably, “This thod, though lacking in morality, is a pragmatic compromise. Why do you insist on fearmongering, Sir?”
“If I may,” Mi Bai said respectfully, “this so-called pragmatic compromise is far from an ideal strategy; its harms outweigh its benefits.”
“Far from ideal? Then I must ask, Sir: how do you propose we handle this matter?”
Du Ting asked disdainfully, convinced that most critics excel only at nitpicking and are useless when it cos to action.
The scholar invited by the Dean seed no exception, and it was about ti to teach him a lesson. Carrying the Dean’s token was no license to do as one pleased.
“Our decision was right. Though our initial approach was flawed, there’s still ti to correct it,” Mi Bai responded earnestly, seemingly unbothered by Du Ting’s tone. “Announce the truth to the entire city, and begin preparations for war.”
“Prepare for war? Are you insane!?”
Du Ting rose abruptly, pointing furiously at the map table. “Look at these flags! We can’t even stop the force from Ten Thousand Beasts Manor, let alone the many other powers. Do you want Unparalleled City obliterated?”
“War will not destroy Unparalleled City. Betraying justice to avoid war—that is what will truly harm it,” Mi Bai replied with a shake of his head. “The city council may adopt pragmatic strategies, but it must also uphold its principles.”
“What do you an by that, Mr. Mi?!”
Du Ting bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, his fury palpable. “Are you accusing of lacking principles? Everything I’ve done is to protect the foundation of Unparalleled City!”
His overreaction made it seem as though he might pounce on Mi Bai at any mont. His brothers, Du Ling and Du Wei, quickly grabbed his arms to hold him back.
Mi Bai, however, showed no sign of fear. He t Du Ting’s enraged gaze directly and said with calm conviction, “Capitalizing on circumstances and maneuvering with finesse—such masterful tactics should not be used here.”
The fury in the room reached a boiling point before condensing into an eerie stillness.
Du Ting’s face was as cold as frost, his killing intent palpable as he demanded, one heavy word after another, “The city council drafted the proposal, and the Dean himself reviewed it. What exactly are you suggesting, Sir?”
Faced with Du Ting’s nacing presence, the middle-aged scholar responded mildly, “If it were truly acceptable, then why would I be here now?”
With that single retort, Du Ting was montarily stunned, and the onlookers in the council chamber were left pale with fear.
The garrison and Marshal Star Pavilion representatives, oblivious to the veiled exchanges among the council mbers, cared only about whether the scholar truly intended to prepare for war.
Nongman Valley’s commander rose and asked directly, “Given the overwhelming disparity in strength, where do we find any hope of victory if we go to war?”
“The Art of War speaks of five factors: the Way, the Heaven, the Earth, the Commander, and the Law,” Mi Bai replied seriously to Nongman Valley. “Announce the truth, prepare for war. As of today, the Heavenly Dao stands with us, so this battle will be won!”
For scholars, the greatest frustration when dealing with warriors was their incompatible ways of thinking, as if speaking entirely different languages.
Nevertheless, the garrison, Marshal Star Pavilion, and Wind dia Departnt representatives might not have understood what Mi Bai ant by “the Heavenly Dao stands with us,” but they knew to obey the one entrusted with the Dean’s token.
The logic of capitulating to a stronger enemy was scoffed at by warriors. Unparalleled City’s fighters had long yearned for a clash with Ten Thousand Beasts Manor!
Preparing for war entailed countless tasks, and the representatives from combat-related departnts left the council chamber in haste to organize their efforts. Many city council mbers, needing to coordinate as well, also departed with Mi Bai.
This left only the three Du Family elders, their faces ashen, exchanging uneasy glances in the quickly emptying chamber.
anwhile, news of Unparalleled City’s dual approach—relinquishing the captive but steadfastly preparing for war—spread far and wide.
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