"Poor Daoist is Dong Huazi." Dong Huazi didn't get angry, he said calmly, "The Dao has no boundaries. Even though I've studied the Dao for a hundred years, calling myself a beginner isn't wrong. May I ask how many years you have studied, young friend?"
"So you are the national teacher... I've heard much about you." Qin Yi tilted his head to look at him. While he said he had heard much, his expression clearly showed that he thought meeting him in person was not as impressive as hearing about him.
This expression was more cutting than any words, and Dong Huazi finally felt a bit angry. "Do you have any advice, young friend?"
Qin Yi smirked and said, "The theory of ranks is just lower-level. There are countless martial artists in the world, and how many older ones can match Prince Qinglin? It shows that studying for a long time doesn't mean one learns much. My master taught me that who knows the order of age in the Dao?"
Many people were taken aback by this, even Liusu, who was ready to debate with Qin Yi, paused and fell silent after hearing that last sentence.
"Youthful arrogance, thinking one understands everything after reading a few books," Dong Huazi said slowly. "In our country, the upper position is above, and the lower position is below, which is a misunderstanding. Young people don't understand, yet you say the lower is above... Luckily, the king is broad-minded and doesn't take offense. Don't be so rash in the future."
Qin Yi secretly thought this guy was a seasoned politician, not really debating the Dao at all. Liusu was also at a loss, unsure how to argue against this kind of talk, while Qin Yi could easily throw a few lines back. He pretended to be surprised and said, "Isn't marriage a matter between men and women? So the position you often use is the woman on top? I must be too young and inexperienced, thank you for the lesson..."
"Pfft..." Li Qinglin couldn't help but laugh. When he noticed everyone looking at him, he cleared his throat and said seriously, "Qin Yi, you're young and don't understand. It's not surprising that someone likes you. This is a national banquet, so let's not discuss the national teacher's private matters."
A national banquet, really? Are you doing this on purpose? The previously solemn debate atmosphere became awkward, and many people struggled to hold back their laughter while stealing glances at Dong Huazi's expression.
Dong Huazi remained calm and said gracefully, "The alliance between two countries cannot be discussed in terms of men and women. Young people should speak and act cautiously. Please take a seat."
Qin Yi thought this was impressive.
In fact, things like divination can be quite ambiguous, and any interpretation can seem reasonable, giving a lot of leeway to con artists. Just like the current "kuai" and "ge," it wouldn't matter if it was labeled as "kuai."
Liusu had plenty of reasons to teach Qin Yi to interpret "kuai" as an ominous sign, while Dong Huazi could just as easily claim "ge" was a good sign. But this could go on forever.
Dong Huazi chose not to debate this and instead brought politics into it, using his age to end the topic, leaving the king to think for himself.
Debates, in most cases, are not about defeating the opponent but about speaking for the audience. Which side does the king prefer to listen to? It's obvious.
As Qin Yi was desperately looking for a counter, Li Qingjun couldn't hold back any longer and angrily said, "If I marry that wild man, I'll chop off his dog head that very night. That's the alliance between our two countries!"
The king's expression darkened. "Zhaoyang, mind your words."
Li Qingjun stubbornly raised her neck, ready to speak again, but Qin Yi tugged at her sleeve and smiled slightly. "I've learned a lesson. I thought cultivating the Dao meant withdrawing from the world and becoming an immortal. It turns out one should also think about the national alliance. The national teacher has taught me well, truly deserving of the title."
The king's expression shifted slightly.
Dong Huazi's eyes narrowed a bit.
Those who understood thought this young man was impressive.
What does the king want? Immortality!
This young man pointed directly at what the king valued most. What should a cultivator think about? What is more important than the alliance between two countries? Coupled with Li Qingjun's dramatic reaction, it was clear that even the alliance wasn't reliable, making it hard to predict how the king would consider the interpretations of the two.
Dong Huazi slowly replied, "The Dao has many paths, not just one. In this mundane world, with its myriad forms, everywhere is the Dao. Young friend, you are biased."
"Uh... I have no manners, I've learned," Qin Yi said, not wanting to argue further as it was unnecessary. He cupped his hands in a bow and led Li Qingjun to take a seat.
Dong Huazi also returned the bow gracefully, indicating that the matter was settled.
But everyone knew that this young man would have a hard time in the future... Looking at Qin Yi, he was smiling slightly, completely unconcerned.
The king nodded secretly, thinking this young man had an otherworldly demeanor. Where did his daughter find him?
Li Qingjun also realized what was happening. She understood the meaning behind those few sharp exchanges. She plopped down in her seat, happily patted Qin Yi's shoulder, showing that he was quite impressive.
This friendly attitude caught the eyes of everyone, and thoughts varied among them.
After holding back for so long, Mang Zhan finally spoke. "I come here with the wish for peace between our countries, to turn a hundred years of conflict into harmony. We were once enemies, so forming an alliance naturally requires a bond to start with. Unfortunately, I have no sisters; otherwise, marrying Brother Qinglin would be a fine story."
His words subtly mocked Nan Li for not understanding the bigger picture, and there was an implied threat.
Li Qinglin sneered, "Even if you had sisters to send me, I wouldn’t think that would change my view of your West Wilderness. When did you, Mang Zhan, become so naive?"
Mang Zhan sighed, "Seeing Princess Zhaoyang today truly pierces my heart. No matter how Brother Li thinks, if I could have Princess Zhaoyang, I would never enter Nan Li for the rest of my life."
Li Qingjun was furious, standing up with her spear. "If I kill you, you still can't enter Nan Li!"
"Zhaoyang, what kind of behavior is this?" The king waved his hand, signaling for them to stop arguing.
From a national perspective, this matter could indeed be seen as a good thing. Although Nan Li was martial, compared to the relatively wild West Wilderness, the people of Nan Li had been cultivating civilization for a long time and were not very aggressive. Most of the hundred years of war were defensive for Nan Li. If a marriage could truly resolve things, the court and the people would likely think it would be good for Li Qingjun to marry over.
The problem was that Li Qingjun was extremely resistant. If she really married over and ended up killing her husband, it would trigger a deadly war between the two countries. Unless Nan Li wanted to humiliate itself by sending its princess to the enemy, as Li Qinglin said, it would be a disgrace, and such humiliation might not even lead to peace but could provoke the enemy's aggression.
The king himself was inclined to marry his daughter to Mang Zhan, but only if his daughter agreed. The key point was...
His gaze fell on Qin Yi, who was gently tugging at Li Qingjun's sleeve, signaling her to sit down. Li Qingjun complied, seeming to listen to him.
Perhaps the key was here; his daughter already had someone in her heart.
Originally, it didn't matter how a commoner was treated, but this young man seemed to be a cultivator, and he appeared to have some skill... The king, who was deeply interested in the Dao, decided to explore this further, so he didn’t respond to Mang Zhan’s topic and simply said, "Today is just a welcoming feast; national affairs can be discussed later."
With the king's decision made, Mang Zhan couldn't pursue the topic any further in this setting. The conversation in the hall quickly shifted to lighter topics.
Li Qingjun sighed in relief.
Not making a decision on the spot was good; calling Qin Yi over was indeed the right choice.
As for the next step... She looked at Mang Zhan and then at Dong Huazi, noticing the glances exchanged between the two.
Li Qingjun thoughtfully sipped her drink and quietly said, "Brother Qin, after the banquet, let's have a good talk at my place."
(End of Chapter)