What Do You Call a Benevolent and Reasonable Person in Xianxia? An Impossibility!

The maid served new tea to Hai Bodong and Ya Fei, while also following Jia Xing Tian’s instructions to replace Zi Yun’s tea with a cold one, and then quietly left the room.

Once the room door was firmly closed, Jia Xing Tian continued the previous topic.

“The matter of the Mo Clan, Hai Bodong, you were on the scene, so I won’t repeat it,” Jia Xing Tian said, slightly bending his waist, hands folded across his chest, and giving Hai Bodong a sideways glance. “You should already know the current situation of the Yun Lan Sect in the Jia Ma Empire from Teng Shan, right?”

“Ah, it’s even more troublesome than I imagined.”

Hai Bodong, feeling a bit annoyed, scratched his head, lay down on the sofa, reached out his short arms to grab an apple from the fruit plate on the coffee table, then sat cross-legged on the sofa and took a big bite.

This series of actions was extremely cute on a child, but for those who knew Hai Bodong’s true identity, it was a sight that made them all have black lines on their faces.

Imagine, if Hai Bodong’s set of actions were applied to an old man in his sixties or seventies, the scene would be unbearable.

However, Hai Bodong didn’t care what others thought. After swallowing the apple in his mouth, he looked at Jia Xing Tian with some sympathy.

“Sorry for cursing you in the Snake-People’s Sacred Land earlier. I didn’t expect the Yun Lan Sect to be so troublesome now. No wonder you were so cautious.”

“It’s fine, as long as you understand,” Jia Xing Tian said, lifting his hand lightly to show he no longer minded.

Moreover, Hai Bodong’s curse at the Snake-People wasn’t entirely wrong.

Over the years, he indeed lost many opportunities for peace because he considered too many things, which eventually led to the current situation.

‘If I had made a decision earlier, things wouldn’t have become so troublesome.’

Jia Xing Tian sighed deeply as he softly blamed himself. Every time he thought of this, he couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

In the end, he was getting old…

For people like them in high positions, the aging of the heart was more terrifying than the aging of the body.

“But things have come to this point, regretting the past is useless.” Jia Xing Tian leaned back on the sofa, exhaling lightly. “What we should think about now is how to solve the Yun Lan Sect’s issue.”

As Jia Xing Tian spoke, he clearly described the current situation of Yun Lan Sect to everyone present.

As Jia Xing Tian narrated, the expressions of those present grew increasingly solemn.

It was obvious that they understood the seriousness of Yun Lan Sect’s problem, except for two people, Qing Lin and Zi Yun.

Qing Lin, due to her young age, couldn’t grasp the situation, while Zi Yun was purely uninterested in human societal affairs and naturally wouldn’t think much about it.

After explaining the current state of Yun Lan Sect, Jia Xing Tian slowly crossed his legs, scanning the room.

“So, everyone, you already understand the specific situation. Do you have any good solutions?”

After Jia Xing Tian finished speaking, the room fell silent.

After a while, Zi Yun folded her arms and spoke first.

“Why not just fight them directly? Can’t you beat them?”

From Zi Yun’s perspective as a magical beast, there was no need for so many concerns. Why not just go all out and fight? Given the strength difference between the Yun Lan Sect and the Jia Ma Empire, it shouldn’t be difficult, right?

But obviously, it wasn’t as simple as she thought.

If it were that simple, Jia Xing Tian wouldn’t have been so troubled.

The key issue wasn’t whether the Jia Ma Empire could defeat the Yun Lan Sect, but what kind of trouble the Jia Ma Empire would face after declaring war on the Yun Lan Sect.

It must be noted that almost every industry in the Jia Ma Empire had former disciples of Yun Lan Sect. Once the empire declared war on Yun Lan Sect, it was uncertain whether these former disciples would side with the empire or Yun Lan Sect.

The most crucial point was that the Jia Ma Royal Family only had textual evidence of Yun Lan Sect’s crimes, making it impossible for them to justifiably attack Yun Lan Sect.

Unless those disciples who helped Yun Lan Sect hide their crimes were willing to come forward as witnesses, Yun Lan Sect’s crimes could not be definitively proven.

Moreover, it couldn’t be just one or two witnesses; at least the majority must come forward to provide sufficient grounds for punishing Yun Lan Sect.

But is that possible?

If these guilty former disciples were willing to stand as witnesses, they wouldn’t have helped Yun Lan Sect hide their crimes in the first place.

From the moment they started helping Yun Lan Sect hide their crimes, they were bound to Yun Lan Sect in an unspoken alliance. They understood the stakes and wouldn’t testify just because the Royal Family asked them to.

There’s no benefit for them, and potentially significant harm would instead fall on them.

As witnesses, they also helped hide Yun Lan Sect’s crimes. How could they be sure the Jia Ma Royal Family would pardon them for this once they testified?

No one could guarantee that.

Even if they did not support the Yun Lan Sect, for self-preservation, they wouldn’t testify.

Therefore, Jia Xing Tian directly ignored Zi Yun’s suggestion and looked at the others.

Xiao Yan, after a moment of hesitation, looked at Jia Xing Tian and slowly spoke.

“Lord Jia, Sister Yun Yun is completely unaware of Yun Lan Sect’s actions and is very angry about it. With her help, can the Jia Ma Royal Family successfully punish Yun Lan Sect?”

Xiao Yan’s suggestion wasn’t without reason.

Yun Yun had previously risked her life to protect the Snake-People, both to help Xiao Yan and to fully uncover Yun Lan Sect’s involvement with the Snake-People.

The truth she finally learned was far more serious than she expected.

Yun Lan Sect’s involvement was not limited to the Snake-People incident.

Thus, Yun Yun was extremely furious about Yun Lan Sect’s actions over the years, a fact Jia Xing Tian had seen firsthand.

The anger and shame she felt were genuine and sincere, without any pretense.

So, Xiao Yan believed that with Yun Yun, the Sect Master of Yun Lan Sect, assisting, things would be much easier to resolve.

However, Jia Xing Tian shook his head at Xiao Yan’s idea.

“Xiao Yan, you’re still too young,” Jia Xing Tian said softly. “Let me ask you, why do the people of Jia Ma Empire accept the Royal Family’s rule?”

“Is it because of the Royal Family’s title?”

“Or is it because the people trust the Royal Family?”

Xiao Yan was stunned by Jia Xing Tian’s words.

Then, Jia Xing Tian continued.

“Xiao Yan, remember, titles like Royal Family, Queen, Sect Master, or any other leadership title are just names. What truly matters is whether these leaders have the trust of their people.”

“These titles are merely the symbols of accumulated trust.”

“Even if you have a leadership title, without the trust of the people, it’s just an empty name.”

“Conversely, without the title, as long as you have the people’s trust, you can naturally lead them.”

“This principle applies to both Yun Lan Sect and Yun Yun.”

“Although Yun Yun is indeed the Sect Master of Yun Lan Sect, she had never handled the matter of the Sect, instead opting to go out and cultivate to improve her strength. The Sect’s entire affairs are handled by the Sect elders, which is why Yun Yun was unaware of Yun Lan Sect’s actions.”

“In this situation, Yun Yun’s title is just a name, without real power. Not only the elders, but even the disciples wouldn’t listen to her.”

“Without sufficient trust from the entire sect, representing the Yun Lan Sect to accept the Royal Family’s punishment would only backfire.”

“At this moment, to the members of the Yun Lan Sect, Yun Yun is no different than an outsider.”

Jia Xing Tian’s words left Xiao Yan in deep silence.

He understood.

Ultimately, it was just like his own right path.

What is truly important is not the two words “right path,” but rather the series of actions and behaviors contained within the concept of the right path. The so-called “right path” is just a convenient term for these actions and behaviors.

I have been too simplistic in my thinking…

After Jia Xing Tian refuted Xiao Yan’s proposal, the room once again fell into silence.

Even Yun Yun, the Sect Master of the Yun Lan Sect, standing on their side could not resolve the issue. So what else could be done?

They couldn’t act rashly, nor could they solve it by stalling for time.

What a hassle…

After a few minutes without hearing any new suggestions, Jia Xing Tian sighed softly.

Indeed, if the Jia Ma Royal Family couldn’t solve this issue after so long, how could these people gathered together easily come up with a solution?

“Since no one has any ideas, let’s leave it at that for now,” Jia Xing Tian said, putting down his crossed leg. “Now that the Mo Clan is destroyed, the Snake-People Tribe and the Jia Ma Empire are about to reconcile, and the Yun Lan Sect should be quiet for a while. We still have plenty of time.”

“Let time pass; perhaps an accidental opportunity will present a solution.”

“But before that, we must still make the necessary preparations.”

Jia Xing Tian said, glancing at Mu Zhan and Ya Fei.

“Mu Zhan, Ya Fei, you two go back and secretly tally the former disciples of the Yun Lan Sect within your respective family forces. Compile a list and give it to me. This must be done in absolute secrecy, without anyone knowing, including your family heads.”

“Understood!”

Mu Zhan and Ya Fei responded solemnly to Jia Xing Tian’s instructions, then Jia Xing Tian continued.

“As for those former Yun Lan Sect disciples not under the Mu or Miteer families’ influence, you don’t need to worry. The Royal Family will handle that investigation. As for the Nalan family…” Jia Xing Tian looked at Xiao Yan and said softly, “Xiao Yan, you’ll handle informing them.”

“Alright.”

Xiao Yan nodded heavily, and Jia Xing Tian added one more instruction.

“Remember, only General Nalan should know about this order. Do not reveal it to anyone else in the Nalan family, including Nalan Yanran.”

Hearing Jia Xing Tian’s words, Xiao Yan’s expression froze and his brows furrowed slightly.

“Lord Jia, you—”

“Nalan Yanran is now the Young Mistress of the Yun Lan Sect. Her sensitive position should not involve her in this matter, whether helping the Jia Ma Royal Family or the Yun Lan Sect. Keeping this from her is for her own good. Furthermore—” Jia Xing Tian interrupted Xiao Yan, narrowing his eyes slightly, “I can trust General Nalan, but not necessarily his granddaughter. This is my minimum level of suspicion, and I hope you can understand.”

“…I understand,” Xiao Yan finally nodded after a pause.

Jia Xing Tian was right; this was already his minimum level of suspicion, and Xiao Yan had no right to demand that he trust Nalan Yanran.

“Alright, that’s all for today. Everyone can leave now.”

Jia Xing Tian subtly signaled to Hai Bodong, then clapped his hands. The room’s door opened again, and a maid entered, bowing respectfully to everyone before guiding them out.

“Son, it’s time to go~”

Feeling bored with the conversation, Zi Yun patted the small lion dozing beside the sofa after eating and drinking, then got up to leave. She suddenly stopped, turned back, drank the cold tea on the table in one gulp, and left with the little lion.

“Lord Jia, we’ll take our leave now.”

Xiao Yan also stood up to take his leave, and Jia Xing Tian nodded, gesturing towards Zi Yun.

“Keep an eye on her, make sure she doesn’t cause any trouble.”

“Ha…”

Xiao Yan scratched his face awkwardly, then left the room with Qing Lin and Xiao Yixian. After Ya Fei bid Jia Xing Tian farewell, she followed, glancing at Hai Bodong, who waved her off before she left. Mu Zhan quickly followed.

“Ya Fei! Wait for me!”

After Mu Zhan left the room, Yao Ye supported herself on the sofa, bending slightly to speak softly to Jia Xing Tian.

“Great-grandfather, I’ll start preparing for the reconciliation with the Snake-People Tribe and set off to meet Captain Xiao Li.”

“Be careful on the road.”

Jia Xing Tian gave a concerned reminder. Yao Ye nodded slightly, left the room, and closed the door tightly.

In an instant, only Jia Xing Tian and Hai Bodong were left in the room.

Hai Bodong, munching on an apple, glanced at Jia Xing Tian.

“So, you kept signaling me to stay. What do you want to talk about?”

Hearing Hai Bodong’s question, Jia Xing Tian paused and then asked.

“Where did Yun Yun go?”

“Who knows~ She’s probably off somewhere reflecting on her life,” Hai Bodong shrugged indifferently. “Her sect, which raised her, turned into such a mess without her knowing. She must be somewhere reflecting on herself.”

“So, do you think she will help the Royal Family or the Yun Lan Sect?”

Jia Xing Tian frowned deeply and asked in a serious tone.

As one of the few Dou Huang (Battle Emperor) in the Jia Ma Empire, Yun Yun’s role was crucial, even if she couldn’t command the Yun Lan Sect. Jia Xing Tian had to consider this.

“Why ask me? Do you think she’ll do whatever I say?”

Hai Bodong rolled his eyes at Jia Xing Tian, impatiently waving his hand.

“Hurry up and tell me why you wanted me to stay.”

Clearly, if it was just to ask about Yun Yun’s situation, Jia Xing Tian would have asked earlier, without needing a private conversation.

There must be another reason.

Hearing Hai Bodong’s words, Jia Xing Tian didn’t beat around the bush.

“I’ll be direct,” Jia Xing Tian said, looking Hai Bodong in the eye. “What do you think of Xiao Yan?”