Taoist Master

Lao Tzu Said...

With his head high and his shoulders back, Mo Yuan continue to stare at the face of an angel with a devils heart.  Or at least that was how he was seeing this menace of a woman who knew exactly what buttons to push and how to put him on the defensive.  And he was on the defensive, only she wasn't looking at him, rather she was looking at her brother Bai Zhen and Zhe Yan who were both shaking their heads incredulously at her audacity.

"Those who have compassion when they do battle will be victorious. Those who likewise defend themselves will be safe.  The Heavens will rescue and protect them with compassion." Ci Hang quoted directly from the Tao before handing it over to Mo Yuan with a questioning look and making Bai Qians brows rise having correctly surmised that these two giants were ganging up on her.

Only that was not what Mo Yuan was seeing at all.  If anything, Master Ci Hang might have been a highly revered Tao Master, but he was also a busy body who was up to no good.  The mischief was high and Mo Yuan could see the laughter bubbling in those old eyes but he was a friend and one he respected so he said nothing even though it was obvious by the scowl on Bai Qians face that she was not understanding just how meddlesome that man could be.  

"When one has tried to attain peace by exhausting all avenues, then one does have the right to defend that peace even if that means the ultimate defence.  However, when righteousness and compassion combined lead, then there is no anger involved because as Lao Tsu also stated, excellent warriors are not violent." Mo Yuan added to Ci Hangs statement before turning back towards Bai Qian when a short sharp burst of laughter erupted beside him.

"That is all good and well Mo Yuan.  But Lao Tsu also said that 'Battles are followed by years of famine.'  So I ask you, where was the compassion when tribes all over the world are still picking up the pieces from your so called righteousness?" she asked staring straight into the darkening orbs of a man who looked as if he had been slapped across the face.

Even more so when many in the hall began to shuffle about uncomfortably because she had all but voiced a concern none of them would have dared to verbalise and it showed in the way they too were looking at Mo Yuan as if waiting for the thunder to roll.

"When equal armies battle, the grieving ones will be victorious.  What Lao Tsu meant by that is only when compassion and humility reigns over the heart despite a victory, then death and destruction is not in vain, not when lasting peace is the reward." he answered slowly and looking her directly in the eye and though he was outwardly calm and his face showed no expression, she could feel the heat from his energy, so she knew she had hit a sore point for him.

In fact, this entire session had moved on from a mere debate and into something a little more volatile and though she knew she was stepping on giant toes, she was the Grand Tao Master, and therefore, to her mind, it was her duty to ensure the people learned something after all both Mo Yuan and Bai Zhen had told her that this was what the title of Grand Tao Master dictated.  So if stepping on giant toes was the way to go about it, then she ignored the hardening glint in those dark eyes and merely returned the sweetest smile she could muster.

"Excellent conquerors do not engage."she replied gently.

"Excellent conquerors are not concerned with themselves, but righteously makes others concerns his own."

"The righteous conqueror honours his path to peace, but he does not exact his due from others." she replied in the same soft tone but increasing the pressure with a definite dig at his title of War God along with every other title he expected to be respected for.

"When the uncarved wood is split, its parts are put to use. When the the noble sage is put to use, he becomes the head." Mo Yuan replied tersely ad becoming annoyed all over again.  It was one thing to suggest he took advantage of his titles, but he was becoming fed up with the personal attacks and it was now showing to everyone in the hall.