Chapter 1607: Scholar

“An honest man does not speak in riddles, so I’m just going to come out with it. The Earthly Sovereign is the ultimate treasure of the Earthly Sovereign Hall, so it must be surrendered to me.” A long time passed, and Yue Hanhai finally broke the silence.

The Chief Libationist enjoyed a sip of wine before asking in an indifferent tone, “On what basis do you say that the Earthly Sovereign Bell belongs to the Earthly Sovereign Hall?”

Yue Hanhai answered, “The Earthly Sovereign Bell belongs to the Earthly Sovereign, and the Earthly Sovereign Hall is composed of the direct descendants of the Earthly Sovereign. Since the Earthly Sovereign has passed away, his possessions naturally go to the Earthly Sovereign Hall.”

“When the predecessor has passed away, the successor will inherit. When the father dies, the son will succeed. This is an unchanging rule and ethics since ancient times. You are the best scholar in the world, Chief Libationist. Surely you understand this principle?”

“I don’t need you to teach me something this simple.” The Chief Libationist waved him off.

Yue Hanhai continued, “Since you acknowledge this principle, does that mean you acknowledge that the Earthly Sovereign Bell belongs to the Earthly Sovereign Hall? And if you acknowledge that too, don’t you agree that this junior should return my possession?”

The Chief Libationist was a scholar and the man who cared about rules and principles more than anyone else. That was why he was targeting him with rules and principles. Could the Chief Libationist handle this?

The Chief Libationist replied, “You are right, but you are also wrong.”

Yue Hanhai frowned. “What do you mean?”

The Chief Libationist explained, “What you said applies to most people, yes, but the Earthly Sovereign is an exception.”

“Who is the Earthly Sovereign? He is the ancestor who elevated humankind; the worthy predecessor who forged the path to our prosperity. He once nurtured countless spirits with his heart’s blood and created countless things with his flesh and blood. He isn’t just your ancestor, he is the ancestor of all of humankind. Yes, you are a descendant of the Earthly Sovereign, but I too am a descendant of the Earthly Sovereign. All of humankind are descendants of the Earthly Sovereign.”

“Therefore, the Earthly Sovereign Bell does not belong to the Earthly Sovereign Hall only. It belongs to all under the heavens.”

“Pure sophistry, that is.” Haotian Hong said arrogantly, “Going by that logic, the Clear Sky Mirror and the Xuanyuan Sword belong to everyone as well.”

The Chief Libationist nodded in agreement. “You are not wrong.”

𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Haotian Hong said scornfully, “As if a bunch of ordinary folks possess the right to wield these sacred artifacts of the Human Way!”

“Oh? Are you not human, Lord Hao?” The Chief Libationist asked in a mocking tone while giving Haotian Hong a look.

Haotian Hong replied coldly, “Of course I’m human.”

The Chief Libationist said calmly, “If you are human, then why are you looking down on other humans? What right do you have to look down on other humans?”

“I will not deny that some humans naturally stand taller than others. There are geniuses and heroes in this world such as the Earthly Sovereign, Heavenly Sovereign, and Earthly Sovereign. But did they singlehandedly forge the path to peace and prosperity? Protect us from the threats and ensure our power indefinitely? Continue our glorious civilization?”

“Nay. It is the innumerable nobodies who overcame all the difficulties and elevated humankind from obscurity on their backs. It is the nameless people who worked together to prosper the world. It is the legion or ordinary folk who gave their all to ensure the continuation of human civilization and the passing of torches to the next generation.”

“Therefore, you have no right to look down on the ordinary folk even if you may be a hero and a genius.”

“Well said!” Ye Qing did not hesitate to vocalize his support.

“You don’t have the right to speak here.” Haotian Hong gave Ye Qing a glare. His already gloomy face grew even gloomier as a result.

Ye Qing wasn’t afraid of him though. “I just felt inspired, that’s all. Is that a crime?”

“Calm down. Harmony is the key here.” Seeing that Haotian Hong was close to blowing his top, Xuanyuan Wang hurriedly stepped in and mediated things. “Chief Libationist, Brother Haotian did not mean it like that. We are the descendants of the three sovereigns. We view it as our duty to guard humankind, so why on earth would we look down on the people we’re protecting?”

The Chief Libationist did not comment on that. “I hope so. It would be bad if you lived so far apart from humanity that you have forgotten your identity, your responsibility, and your duty.”

“Hmph... That is not for you to worry about, Chief Libationist,” retorted Haotian Hong with a grunt with displeasure.

Xuanyuan Wang merely smiled even though the Chief Libationist’s accusation implicated him as well.

Yue Hanhai continued, “Let’s assume that what you said is true, and all of humanity are the descendants of the three sovereigns. However, the Earthly Sovereign entrusted my ancestor to safeguard the Earthly Sovereign Bell before he passed away. This is both his will and the will of the heavens. The Earthly Sovereign’s will must not be disobeyed, much less the will of the heavens.”

“Is that so?” The Chief Libationist raised an eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure the Earthly Sovereign Bell went missing after the Earthly Sovereign passed away. He has never entrusted it to you, has he?”

Yue Hanhai replied coldly, “They’re all hearsay and rumors. Before the Earthly Sovereign passed away, he specifically ordered the Earthly Sovereign Hall to safeguard the Earthly Sovereign Bell and protect humanity. There are clear and detailed records of this event in our ancient scriptures. You can check them out yourself in the Earthly Sovereign Hall if you do not believe me.”

“Very well. Let us assume that what you said is true.” The Chief Libationist did not dwell on this topic. “However, you also said that he ordered you to

safeguard

the Earthly Sovereign Bell. Although it is not explicitly stated, I believe this implies that you are not the expected inheritor of the Earthly Sovereign Bell. You are just the guards.”

“Even worse, you failed your duty and lost the Earthly Sovereign Bell!”

Yue Hanhai’s face darkened. “It’s just an accident.”

The Chief Libationist countered, “Maybe, but it could also be the will of the heavens, no?”

“The ultimate treasure of the Heavenly Way and the sacred artifacts of the Human Way all possess their own sapience. If you were destined to have the Earthly Sovereign Bell, then you would have had it. However, you did not. You even lost it in an unlikely ‘accident’. This could only mean that the Earthly Sovereign Hall is not fated to own the Earthly Sovereign Bell, no? If so, then why are you trying to disobey the will of the heavens?”

“You...” Yue Hanhai was completely stumped by the Chief Libationist.

“In conclusion, the Earthly Sovereign Hall has never been the master of the Earthly Sovereign Bell. you have no right to decide who it belongs to either.” The Chief Libationist declared firmly, “The Earthly Sovereign Bell is the one who chose the boy. Naturally, he is the master of the Earthly Sovereign Bell. This is the will of the heavens, and you shan’t deny it.”

He gave them a perfect taste of their own medicine. Incredible!

Ye Qing gave the Chief Libationist a like in his head. As expected of a silver-tongued scholar!

“Ahem...” Xuanyuan Wang let out a cough before talking, “You said it yourself, Chief Libationist. The Earthly Sovereign Bell is the ultimate treasure of the Human Way. Its very existence may determine the rise and fall of humankind. Therefore, it must be given the highest regard.”

“The age of chaos is nigh. The deities and Strangers are returning, and humanity will soon face an existential crisis.”

“Be it the Clear Sky Palace, Earthly Sovereign or Human Sovereign Mountain, we all have the responsibility to protect humanity. The Earthly Sovereign Bell will be able to unleash a greater amount of power and be more effective in our hands. With its help, I am sure we would be able to protect humanity and secure our prosperity better as well!”

Tsk... he’s changing his tactic and appealing via emotions after realizing that he cannot win the argument via principles!

Ye Qing complained mentally.

“Your words make some sense,” the Chief Libationist replied unhurriedly, “but how do you know that the Earthly Sovereign Bell will definitely unleash greater power and be more effective in your hands? It could have the opposite effect, no?”

“In fact, everything that has happened so far proves that the Earthly Sovereign Bell is much more useful in the boy’s hands than yours. Besides, you claim that the fate of humankind rests on your shoulders, but did you know that the boy bears a responsibility and duty no less lighter than yours?”

The three sect masters exchanged glances with each other. “What do you mean, Chief Libationist?”

“Tell them, boy. My throat is feeling a little dry. I’ll speak to them after I’m done soothing my throat with some wine.”

“Greetings, seniors.” Ye Qing saluted Haotian Hong, Xuanyuan Wang and Yue Hanhai.