Chapter 1056 — A Devil’S Decision
Everyone waited expectantly for Chen Changsheng to give a perfect resolution, even the staunchest bishop of the conservative faction.
The elderly bishops gazed at Chen Changsheng with rather complex gazes.
He was Shang Xingzhou’s student, a young man raised up by Mei Lisha, an unquestionable member of the Xining lineage, a successor of the Orthodoxy’s traditional line. Logically speaking, he should have been standing on their side, but he was not.
He had placed Linghai Zhiwang and Daoist Siyuan in important roles, and after Daoist Baishi died in Wenshui City, he had not comforted the conservative faction. Instead, he had allowed Hu Thirty-Two, a bishop of the new faction with a terrible reputation, to replace Daoist Baishi.
It was precisely these matters that caused intense dissatisfaction in the conservative faction, resulting in today’s situation.
But even now, no one even thought or even dared to think about driving the Pope off his throne.
They still held hope for Chen Changsheng.
But they themselves did not know what they hoped Chen Changsheng would do.
Mei Chuan’s body was still in the darkness outside the hall.
This was Xu Yourong’s choice.
Chen Changsheng could go with the flow, but he would not do this.
Because the Dao he cultivated ever since he was a child meant that he could never deceive himself and others.
Although this might have been one of the necessary characteristics needed to become one who could succeed in great undertakings.
He suddenly recalled Bie Yanghong’s words in White Emperor City.
There was naturally a massive difference between them, but it could still serve as an analogy.
He then recalled Archbishop Mei Lisha’s final words to him before his death.
“When I was walking along the Divine Avenue, I recalled that matter from many years ago, before that year’s Grand Examination.”
A nostalgic smile appeared on Chen Changsheng’s face.
Everyone knew that he was referring to how Archbishop Mei Lisha had announced to the entire continent that Chen Changsheng wanted to attain first rank of the first banner in the Grand Examination.
This reminiscence did not continue. The atmosphere that could have warmed became tense once more.
A cold and biting voice cut through the crowd.
“And then Your Holiness killed his only nephew!”
The great hall became abnormally silent.
Chen Changsheng said nothing.
Yes, someone had made Mei Chuan the Education Overseer of the Orthodox Academy precisely to make difficulties for him.
Whether he killed him or didn’t kill him, it would result in difficulty.
So Tang Thirty-Six had not hesitated. He had gone off to the house to bring back a sword and kill Mei Chuan.
So Xu Yourong had killed Mei Chuan.
They were the two closest to him, who most understood his mind and heart, so they would not let him choose, would not let him carry that infamy.
But he had not stopped Tang Thirty-Six back then, so this was also his choice.
Above the sea of stars belonged to the Divine Kingdom.
Below the filth belonged to the dust.
“I will bear all the crimes that I should bear.”
Chen Changsheng calmly said to the crowd.
He did not use warm memories to close the fissure between the new and conservative, did not give a sufficiently convincing reason.
There was no explanation, so there was naturally no resolution.
He chose to calmly bear it.
The Great Hall of Light was filled with cries of shock.
The expressions of the priests continuously shifted, revealing all kinds of emotions.
Some people were disappointed, others relieved. Some were suspicious, others perplexed.
Chen Changsheng was willing to bear all crimes.
The problem was, who beneath the starry skies was willing to convict the Pope of any crimes?
This was not a Saint’s self-criticism, but a most callous declaration.
Several despairing sighs could be heard in the crowd, as well as several criticisms.
Chen Changsheng gripped the Divine Staff and quietly stood, saying nothing more.
Linghai Zhiwang walked in front of the platform and took out a long-prepared scroll. He unfurled it with both hands and began to read from it.
As his frigidly cold voice announced name after name, the clamor in the hall gradually died down.
The only sounds left were the increasingly heavy breathing and the increasing number of footsteps.
Those pale-faced and hateful black-clothed enforcers of the Hall of Heavenly Judgment took ten-some bishops out of the crowd.
One of the cardinals responsible for managing the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education had been removed from his position.
Linghai Zhiwang’s voice remained devoid of emotion, as clear as the sharpest knife.
He read the crimes of this cardinal.
The cardinal did not resist. He calmly followed those black enforcers out of the hall.
The expressions of Zhuang Zhihuan and the other cardinals flickered as they gazed at his somewhat desolate figure.
The air in the hall became more and more oppressive. Finally, a hole was torn in it.
A bishop that had already been dragged past the doors of the hall struggled to turn around and shouted at the platform, “Does Your Holiness intend to be a cruel sovereign!”
The crowd recognized from his voice that this bishop was the first to criticize Chen Changsheng.
Chen Changsheng did not answer. His hand on the Divine Staff, he quietly stood on the platform.
Zhuang Zhihuan finally walked out of the crowd. After calmly bowing, he asked, “Will the final decision be postponed until the Archbishop emerges from seclusion?”
Countless eyes fell upon him.
Everyone understood what he meant.
The Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education was under the direct administration of Mao Qiuyu.
Mao Qiuyu was about to become the Orthodoxy’s only Divine Domain expert.
Zhuang Zhihuan’s question was a warning, perhaps even a threat.
Linghai Zhiwang gave him an impassive glance, saying nothing, but an unconcealed killing intent appeared in his cold eyes.
Zhuang Zhihuan remained unmoved. He only stared at Chen Changsheng.
At this moment, an unexpected person spoke.
Archbishop An Lin said with a solemn expression, “The Saint traverses the sea of stars as if before an abyss…”
“From the final section of the general commentary on the Essay on the Origin of the Dao.”
Chen Changsheng did not let her finish.
He turned to her and said, “This part of the scripture speaks of respect.”
Archbishop An Lin bowed and replied, “Yes.”
Chen Changsheng said to her, “In this aspect, I am better than you.”
An Lin appeared slightly dazed, then she turned to look at those several figures in the darkness outside the hall.
Tonight, Mei Chuan’s corpse had been transported into the Li Palace through the aid of those people.
Just what should be respected? The sea of stars? The Great Dao? Or perhaps the lives of one’s relatives or subordinates?
She was quiet for a very long time, then sighed, “How did Your Holiness know?”
Chen Changsheng did not answer.
Earlier, behind the stone hall, when An Hua was tidying his robes, she had told him in a trembling voice.
Archbishop An Lin ceased her question. With a somewhat bitter voice, she asked, “How does Your Holiness plan to handle me?”
Chen Changsheng answered, “I said before, I am willing to bear all crimes.”
An Lin sighed, “I understand. I will yield my post as Sacred Hall Archbishop.”
She had not betrayed the Pope’s intentions.
Today was the first time she had been persuaded by the conservative faction to help them with a few things.
Because she wanted to see how the Pope would handle this matter.
The result she saw now made her somewhat sorrowful, somewhat disappointed.
It was not because the exposure of her crime had led to her losing her position as Prefect. It was because Chen Changsheng had been too firm and callous in handling this matter.
She softly said, “Is this the heartlessness of a Saint?”
“No. Some people want me to be a ruthless tyrant. Some people want me to be a hero. Some want me to be a sage and others want me to be a Saint.”
Chen Changsheng paused for a moment, then continued, “But in truth, I am still that young Daoist entering the capital to take the Grand Examination.”
An Lin earnestly asked, “This being the case, why go through such pains?”
Chen Changsheng’s brow creased and his breathing became coarser.
Only the people closest to him would be able to tell that he was in an extremely poor mood.
“Did none of you ever think of a certain problem? It was never me that wanted to be Pope.
“I don’t know who made this wicked decision. Perhaps it was Martial Uncle, or maybe it was Archbishop Mei, or perhaps it was Master?
“It was them that wanted me to be Pope. Before making this decision, they did not ask me if I was willing.
“So doing these things is what they hoped for me to do.”
He paused for a while, then continued, “But I had no desire to do these things.
“If the Pope must do these things, then I might not be suitable for the position of Pope.”
He looked at the bishops of the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education and said, “If all of you still have any objections, then let it end here.”
The Great Hall of Light was absolutely silent.
Some priests had not understood the meaning of Chen Changsheng’s words
Some priests thought that they had understood but did not dare to believe it.
Linghai Zhiwang froze, Daoist Siyuan opened his eyes wide, and Hu Thirty-Two fell into pensive thought.
An Lin was somewhat confused, thinking to herself, did I end up doing something wrong?
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