Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 418 : Discussion Conference (7)

Chapter 418: Chapter 418 : Discussion Conference (7)

For all it was worth, the Discussion Conference was extraordinarily boring. Shang Daoming opened the discussion by listing out the issues that remained pending from the last conference.

A suffocating air of tedium descended over the participants as complaints arose, opinions struck each other in a verbal war of domination, and very few conclusions were made.

Once the topics were exhausted, Shang Daoming delved into the festering wounds of the Human Realm. These were no grand battles with demon lords, but mostly petty plagues and gnawing injustices that bled the common folk dry.

The only reason Zhang Fengxi was able to maintain a straight sitting posture was Qiao Wei’s promise to indulge in intimacy that very night.

Qiao Wei, on the other hand, was doing his best to represent his shizun and the Wushan Temple Sect’s interests.

"I disagree, Sect Leader Shang," he spoke up with an air of confidence.

Some seats away from him, Meng Xiyan rolled with his eyes and buried his face into his palms. Every time Qiao Wei disagreed with one of the elders, the discussion was prolonged for at least half an hour.

At that time, it was Shang Daoming’s prerogative to make a decision on everyone’s behalf.

"And how so, Master Qiao Wei?" Shang Daoming heaved, his patience slowly wearing thin in front of this younger cultivator who kept challenging him throughout the day.

"It is wrong to abandon those who possess no innate talent. We as cultivators should at least guide them and help them to achieve the apex of their capabilities."

The Sect Leader of Tian’an Shang Sect narrowed his eyes at Qiao Wei.

"Master Qiao Wei, while your noble heart speaks for their well-being, you need to think about all the resources wasted to develop them. Why bother with the untalented ones if you can use the same resources for the talented ones?"

Shang Daoming then looked around the hall and addressed the other sect leaders.

"Am I not right, fellow sect leaders? What is the point of helping 1000 people become 1000 mediocre swordsmen if you can help one person ascend to godhood?"

A round of nods went through the crowd.

"That’s right. 1000 low-level cultivators are, unfortunately, nothing compared to 10 high-level cultivators."

"Such as, of course, Master Qiao Wei the Venerable Sword Saint of Wushan, and Master Zhang Fengxi here," another added wistfully.

Zhang Fengxi arched an eyebrow when he heard his name being called.

"I disagree. I trust that talent is not everything. Anyone can shine, given the promoting environment," Qiao Wei insisted.

"Let us agree to disagree, Master Qiao Wei," Shang Daoming said with a hint of annoyance. "This Discussion Conference has gone on long enough. Let us summarize our conclusions and end this gathering."

After the Discussion Conference was dismissed, Shang Daoming called out for Qiao Wei.

"Master Qiao Wei, please wait. Master Zhang Fengxi, you can stay, I don’t mind."

The Tian’an Shang Sect Leader waited until the crowd dispersed before he spoke.

"You remind me a lot of several people in my youth, who harbor the same idealistic ambitions, Master Qiao Wei."

"I feel honored, Sect Leader Shang."

"You should not," Shang Daoming said in a grim tone. "Because they all perished fairly early."

"..."

Shang Daoming’s sigh sagged with the weight of the world, a tired exhale that spoke of burdens carried for too long.

He reached out and patted Qiao Wei on the shoulder.

"You are still very young, Master Qiao Wei. The world doesn’t work that way. You might think that you can achieve an improbable feat, but you will later be buried under the weight of your massive expectations. Ones that you can never fulfill."

"I alone cannot fulfill them," Qiao Wei agreed. "But Sect Leader Shang, together, we can make a change."

Shang Daoming removed his hand and flicked with his sleeves.

"That is a beautiful notion, Master Qiao Wei, but even cultivation sects see each other as rivals. Take my advice and don’t do anything unnecessary."

Qiao Wei pulled his lips into a thin line out of dissatisfaction.

Next to him, Zhang Fengxi finally deigned to speak up.

"Sect Leader Shang, are you thinking about Huang Taichen?"

A tremor of weariness passed through Shang Daoming as Huang Taichen’s name hung heavy in the air. He squeezed his eyes shut, willing the fatigue away.

After two seconds, he opened his eyes again and pinned Zhang Fengxi with a sharp gaze.

"Master Zhang Fengxi seems to know a lot. Pray tell, what have you heard about Huang Taichen?"

Zhang Fengxi smiled at him.

"Tian’an Shang Sect’s name was renowned throughout the Tian’an City. Naturally, it was quite easy to get some information. I didn’t even try that hard."

It was not a lie, because the citizens were always eager to discuss local happenings with visitors.

"According to the circulating rumors, Huang Taichen’s mother was once a disciple of the Tian’an Shang Sect. Almost twenty years ago, she eloped with a rogue cultivator and left her sect behind. Huang Taichen is supposedly their only child."

Shang Daoming snorted.

"Pretty accurate for common folks who had no ties with Tian’an Shang Sect at all."

When Qiao Wei heard about Huang Taichen’s origin, he could not help but express his concern. After all, Zhang Fengxi captured Huang Taichen and handed him over to the Tian’an Shang Sect the previous night.

"Sect Leader Shang, what are you going to do to Huang Taichen?"

Shang Daoming stared at Qiao Wei.

"Do you think that I plan to kill him, Master Qiao Wei? Don’t be ridiculous. I gave him a lengthy lecture yesterday night and released him this morning. I told him to stop coming to Tian’an Jade Palace and bother our sect."

"Maybe he wants to become part of your sect," Qiao Wei said in a hopeful tone. "Sect Leader Shang, please do not blame the child for what his parents did. Please give him a chance."

"I would, if he had any talent," Shang Daoming pointed out. "Unfortunately, Huang Taichen’s spiritual roots are as dry as those of dead trees in burnt-down forests."