He bent slightly so his eyes were level with the child's. "If one day, knowledge tells you to retreat, but authority orders you to advance, what will you choose?"
This time, even Mark felt a bit tense.
Yichen hesitated for a brief moment, then answered carefully, "I will first ask why I am ordered to advance. If the reason makes sense, I will obey. If it doesn't, I will retreat."
An elder frowned. "That sounds like disobedience."
Yichen shook his head. "No, Elder. That is responsibility. An authority that refuses to explain itself is afraid of being questioned. If advancing will only waste lives, then obeying blindly is not loyalty."
The elders stiffened again.
Hei Zhenyu laughed softly. "Sharp tongue. Not bad."
He straightened up. "Third question."
His voice grew heavier. "If one day, your master stands on one side, and your sect stands on the other, whom will you choose?"
This time, the pressure in the hall became suffocating.
Yuxuan's heart clenched.
