655 Sophistry (1/2)
Yun Yang sniggered. ”You admired us so much that you plotted to send us straight to hell? Are you going to proclaim that you admired us, but you couldn't have us, so you decided to destroy us instead?”
Wu Ying answered seriously, ”Not so. This lower official's thoughts and actions have been despicable and uncouth, and utterly overbearing at times, but I can still distinguish some things. The Nine Supremes Lords fought the world with all you had, bathed the battlefield in blood, for Yutang's citizens. All of you are the world's best men and I respect you from the bottom of my heart. This is without a doubt.”
”The Nine Supremes Lords traveled thousands of miles to augment the war in the east of the river back in the day, fighting for four full days before finally defeating the enemy. This victory saved three hundred thousand men of Yutang from the ill fate of being tormented by the enemy. My people were part of those saved,” Wu Ying spoke grimly, ”Wu Ying has taken the Nine Supremes Lords as my savior, just for this truth alone. Now that I finally get to meet my savior, please accept my obeisance.”
The moment he said it, Wu Ying pulled his gown aside to kneel down on the ground properly and bowed to Yun Yang.
Yun Yang was at a loss for words; he was truly stumped for a moment. He had no idea what to do or say. He had imagined countless rejoinders, but what was happening right before his eyes had never crossed his mind.
They were enemies who were irreconcilable. That their pleasantries consisted of praises for each other was not unusual – a civilized veneer could elevate their individual images, but was it not an exaggeration for Wu Ying to bow and debase himself in such a manner?
As Yun Yang was stunned, so was Wu Ying serious and grim. After three solemn bows, he stood up again to speak in a low tone, ”Lord Supreme Cloud, please do not be taken aback by my actions. I, Wu Ying, came from Yutang– I was born and bred a Yutang man. I am still levelheaded about the rights and wrongs of cardinal issues like the country and its people!”
Yun Yang was still tongue-tied listening to him, thinking to himself, 'Levelheaded? You? Really? If you are truly so levelheaded, why are you still conspiring against the empire's guardians? Why are you trying to cause the empire to almost fall and its people to perish? Is this being levelheaded about cardinal issues?'
Wu Ying spoke calmly, ”I can imagine what must be going through your mind, but there really isn't a need to say more about the so-called great truths. Everyone, no matter good or bad, knows the truths well. However, when one is faced with certain matters, people will always make different choices – these different choices will naturally develop into contrasting outcomes.”
He lifted his head, the light in his eyes dancing eerily as he looked at Yun Yang.
”Many people opt to be ethical and noble, opt to serve the country patriotically, for loyalty and justice – such people are worthy of admiration. Nonetheless, there are also people who choose to be spared to tend to their personal wishes, who choose family… friendship, brotherhood, or even their own longevity. You can choose to look down on these people, and despise such choices. However, they have their grounds for making decisions like these – it's only a difference in opinion!”
”The only guilt that I bear towards the Nine Supremes Lords is a momentary lapse of judgment! When faced with such choices, I still opted for the narrow-minded and selfish one, despite knowing which choice was the righteous option. That's all there is to it.”