Chapter 102: The Saint And The Demon

Gongyi Cheng was in his fifties, with a gaunt face and a body as thin as a twig. His appearance was unremarkable, with a small goatee and sharp eyes that revealed his cunning and strategic mind. He wore a simple gray robe that looked somewhat worn, making it hard to believe that this inconspicuous man was one of the two renowned strategists of the Heavenly Sect, holding a high position beside the sect leader.

He had been with the Heavenly Sect for nearly thirty years.

Having experienced countless events alongside the sect leader, he was accustomed to handling crises calmly.

When Xie Wei’s people invited him for a discussion, this shrewd old strategist sensed something unusual.

Gongyi Cheng wasn’t afraid of Xie Wei.

Although the sect leader had raised Xie Wei for twenty years and treated him like a son, trusting him greatly, Xie Wei’s unique background made it difficult to gauge the extent of this trust.

He just found it troublesome.

But since he had been summoned, he couldn’t refuse.

During his stay in the capital, Gongyi Cheng had noticed some troubling signs and was contemplating finding an opportunity to remind Xie Wei of his duties.

So, he came.

“Please come in.”

Xie Wei’s calm voice came from inside the Zhaoqin Hall.

It was just as Gongyi Cheng had occasionally seen him in Jinling over the years, unchanged.

With this thought, he entered.

Jianshu stood outside and did not enter.

Dim light filtered through the window, illuminating Xie Wei in a white robe, his hair loosely tied with a black wooden hairpin, giving him a relaxed and casual appearance at home.

The tea set was already prepared.

Xie Wei looked up, saw Gongyi Cheng, and invited him to sit, smiling, “I heard recently that Master Gongyi had arrived in the capital. I was skeptical, thinking you would inform me if you came. I didn’t expect you to actually be here.”

The core strength of the Heavenly Sect was in the south.

The capital, being in the north, was heavily controlled by the court, with weaker control as one moved south, making it suitable for the Heavenly Sect to spread its influence.

Gongyi Cheng often stayed in Jinling.

As for the capital, it had always been a weak spot for the Heavenly Sect.

But since Xie Wei came to the capital for the imperial exams a few years ago, and especially since he began helping Shen Lang ascend the throne four years ago, he had become a key figure for the Heavenly Sect within the court, allowing the sect’s influence to grow secretly in the capital.

Here, Xie Wei was in charge.

As fellow members of the sect, Gongyi Cheng should have informed Xie Wei of his arrival in the capital, but he hadn’t.

Gongyi Cheng sat opposite Xie Wei, studying him as if trying to discern the deeper meaning behind his words, but he spoke directly, “The sect leader gave orders, and I was too busy to inform you. Besides, didn’t you already know?”

Xie Wei poured hot water into the tea cups.

Gongyi Cheng watched the steaming water and said, “The capital is full of eyes and ears. Even when the sect leader gives orders, people still ask if they should inform you. Why would I need to?”

Xie Wei paused, then said, “You overestimate me, Master Gongyi. The entire Heavenly Sect respects the sect leader. I wouldn’t dare overstep.”

Gongyi Cheng laughed coldly, “Really?”

Xie Wei placed the kettle back on the stove, his expression unchanged, and poured tea for Gongyi Cheng, “I assure you, I have done nothing to harm the Heavenly Sect.”

Gongyi Cheng’s gaze sharpened as he stood and took a few steps, looking down at Xie Wei, “Then how do you explain the incidents outside Tongzhou and Fengtai?”

Xie Wei sipped his tea and raised an eyebrow, “What incidents?”

Gongyi Cheng, seeing his calm demeanor, felt a surge of anger and his voice grew sharp, “The emperor made a mistake targeting the Yongyi Marquis’s estate, stirring public unrest and creating an opportunity to strengthen our sect and overthrow the court. But three groups sent to exploit this vanished, their bodies later found at the docks. You didn’t know?”

The tea was too hot, leaving a bitter taste on Xie Wei’s tongue.

It was winter, and the spring tea had aged.

Xie Wei slowly put down his cup, met Gongyi Cheng’s gaze, and smiled, “Oh, is that so? Since you arrived, I haven’t interfered with sect matters. Everything has been under your control. I didn’t know about this. Have you found out who did it?”

Their eyes met, Xie Wei’s calm and serene, while Gongyi Cheng’s face was tense and grave.

Despite their usual non-interference, Gongyi Cheng always seemed at odds with Xie Wei.

He believed the sect leader had made a mistake by not eliminating Xie Wei years ago, allowing him to rise to such a high position and infiltrate the capital.

Letting a wolf into the house and a tiger back into the wild!

Gongyi Cheng said, “That’s strange. I thought you had a close relationship with the Yongyi Marquis’s estate. You even attended the young marquis’s coming-of-age ceremony, which seemed nostalgic. I thought you were dissatisfied with the sect’s plans and were secretly obstructing them, thinking the sect leader too harsh.”

Xie Wei replied, “You misunderstand, Master Gongyi.”

But as he spoke, he didn’t look directly at Gongyi Cheng, instead gazing at the withered plants in the courtyard. He then stood and walked to the window, “My ambitions align with the sect leader’s. You should know that after all these years.”

“That was before. Now that I’m in the capital, I know how easily people change.” Gongyi Cheng’s smile was mocking, “Everyone in the capital knows that ‘Master Xie’ is favored by the emperor. You’ve recently taken charge of the Hanlin Academy, solidifying your position. In a few years, you might not only have the title of Imperial Tutor but also the actual role. Wealth and power are tempting. Who remembers their old vows and ambitions?”

The window lattice had intricate carvings, reminiscent of Jiangnan.

But Jiangnan didn’t have such cold winds and heavy snow.

A flower vase stood nearby, but in this season, it held only three arrows.

Xie Wei picked up one.

It was heavy, with an iron arrowhead, silver patterns on the shaft, and gold foil fletching. It was clearly a decorative gift from a court colleague.

He twirled the arrow lightly between his fingers.

Xie Wei said, “Master Gongyi, your words suggest you don’t trust me. So, was the jade ruyi incident in the palace also your doing?”

The jade ruyi presented to Empress Dowager Xiao had inscribed rebellious words.

The ensuing turmoil had disrupted his arrangements in the inner palace, destroying years of effort and forcing him to cut ties to protect himself. He hadn’t even settled that score yet!

At this point, the conversation took on a sharper, more confrontational tone.

Gongyi Cheng laughed loudly.

He sat back down, lifted his tea, and said darkly, “I ruined your plans and disrupted your people, and you’re clearly unhappy about it!”

Xie Wei stood in front of the tea table, with an empty wall behind him, and said, “People only seek my help when they need something. Most of those working in the palace come from poor backgrounds. The Yongyi Marquis’s estate is a family of loyal patriots, pillars of the state. Master Gongyi, you’ve advised the sect leader for many years, strategizing and spreading the teachings. Yet, upon arriving in the capital, you caused the jade ruyi incident, implicating many innocent people, and now you want to frame the marquis’s estate as disloyal, disregarding their lives. Do you remember the vows and ambitions you once had?”

“Good, good! Finally, some honesty!” Gongyi Cheng couldn’t help but clap, but his gaze at Xie Wei was filled with contempt. “Months ago, when the sect leader sent me to the capital to assess the situation and take charge, I had concerns. First, that you might be swayed by wealth and power, and second, that you might be too soft-hearted due to your ties with the marquis’s estate. I thought you were someone who could see the bigger picture, but it seems the sect leader was right!”

Xie Wei met his gaze but said nothing.

Gongyi Cheng’s eyes were cold, and his voice carried a chill, “Don’t forget who spared your life and gave you everything you have! If you know the Heavenly Sect’s grace is as heavy as a mountain, you should know your place! The sect leader’s plans are not for you to question!”

Xie Wei remained silent.

The arrow in his fingers was cold.

Only the golden fletching reflected the dimming light, casting a faint glow.

Gongyi Cheng’s tone was no longer conversational but admonishing. He considered himself senior to Xie Wei in both age and experience within the sect, feeling entitled to reprimand him.

His words even carried a hint of threat.

After this, Xie Wei would surely lose the sect leader’s trust, so Gongyi Cheng no longer saw him as an equal, saying sternly, “Helping the needy and achieving universal harmony are just ways to win hearts. To accomplish great things, sacrificing a few insignificant people, even a marquis’s estate, is nothing! In chaotic times, saints are useless; only heroes can overturn the world!”

In chaotic times, saints are useless; only heroes can overturn the world.

Xie Wei remained silent for a long time.

Finally, when the golden fletching no longer reflected the light, he said slowly, “You’re right.”

Gongyi Cheng, having said much, finally took a sip of tea to soothe his throat, not even glancing at Xie Wei’s expression, and continued, “From now on, you should stay out of the sect’s affairs in the capital—”

Before he could finish, he felt a sudden weight on the back of his head!

Xie Wei had somehow moved behind him, pressing his head down onto the tea table without warning!

“Crash!”

The tea set on the table shattered.

Gongyi Cheng, old and unsuspecting, had never imagined he would face danger at Xie Wei’s residence. He couldn’t react in time!

Everything happened in an instant!

Xie Wei, expressionless, drove the arrow into Gongyi Cheng’s neck, the sharp iron tip piercing through his throat and pinning him to the table. Blood spurted from his neck, splattering Xie Wei’s white robe!

“Glug…”

Gongyi Cheng made strange, unintelligible sounds.

His eyes widened in terror, struggling frantically, clutching Xie Wei’s hand and his own throat, trying in vain to save his life.

But it was all futile in the face of this indifferent man!

Unwilling, disbelieving!

Blood bubbled from Gongyi Cheng’s mouth as he stared at Xie Wei, “Du Jun! You…”

But his words were garbled and unclear.

Xie Wei seemed momentarily dazed, recalling the tall cherry tree at the Yongyi Marquis’s estate. He spoke softly, “You’re right. Saints can’t accomplish anything; the world needs heroes. Those who follow the rules always struggle…”

So, why follow the rules?

He could do what others did, and do it more ruthlessly and decisively, just like now!

In his final moments, Gongyi Cheng realized the meaning behind Xie Wei’s words.

But it was too late to think further.

Too late for regret.

The blood from his neck slowed, like a drying spring, becoming calm.

Blood pooled around the tea table.

He gradually stopped breathing.

Warm blood spread to Xie Wei’s feet, but he didn’t move. Only when the body beneath his hand was still did he slowly release his grip.

A saintly face, now stained with blood! Turning, his white robe was shockingly red, and he saw Jian Shu standing at the door, staring in horror.

Xie Wei lowered his gaze, walked over to pick up a clean cloth to wipe his hands, and said calmly, “Clean this up.”

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