WarbyPicus
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Sky Pride Vol. 5 Chapter 40- Sweet Reason
🕑 Added 2026-01-30 15:00:20 +0000 UTCThe Hall of Harmony was a meeting hall, generally reserved for the Elders or those holding responsible positions in the Monastery. The whole building was designed to foster a spirit of harmonious cooperation, or that’s what Tian had heard. It just looked like a building to him. Maybe the decoration had some significance for other people. For him, the other people were what was worth looking at, and they did not inspire feelings of harmonious cooperation.
Hong was the only one missing from the Windblown Manor group. Brother Wang, Sister Su and Sister Lin were sitting together, carefully eyeing the rest of the room. The rest of the room consisted of about fifty people. Tian knew most of them by sight, it was a small sect these days, but he didn’t know them. There were crafters, alchemists, warriors, builders, scholars… all sorts of people were represented, including many he couldn’t put a description to besides “fellow daoist.” And some of them made him itchy.
The chairs were set in two rows facing each other, running the length of the long room. There was a single chair at the head of the hall. All the seats looked the same, but Tian’s well honed instinct for smelling rats was alarmed.
Tian made his way over to Wang and the others, and greeted them with a cupped fist and a bow. “I thought I was early. It seems I made everyone wait.”
“You are early.” Sister Su’s voice was deadpan. “It’s just that everyone else was more eager.”
That made sense, so Tian nodded.
“Where’s Sister Hong?” Wang asked.
“Out of the sect, looking for dyes. I’m expecting her back any time now.” Tian answered.
“We hardly ever see you two apart. I had wondered if it was even possible.” Lin grinned.
“Mmm. We are trying to work through what we are, exactly. It’s pretty exciting, but I don’t have the faintest idea what’s going on. My brothers tell me that’s normal, though, so I’m not worrying about it.”
Tian found a seat. He noticed that every chair had arms, and every chair had a tiny table next to it. Too small to hold anything much bigger than a cup or small plate of snacks. An ominous feeling descended. Just how long did conversations take, in the Hall of Harmony?
The temple bell tolled, marking the Hour of the Horse. It was still some time until lunch. Tian hoped they would be taking breaks. Elder Rui entered through the back of the hall, and sat at the chair at the head of the room.
“Welcome, all of you. You have been invited to this meeting because, based on our survey of the sect, you all represent different schools of thought, or come from groups with a variety of focuses. The thinking and concerns of the spirit plant growers are not the same as the librarians, who differ from those who purely dedicate themselves to the martial path. Your instructions are simple: discuss what the sect should look like in the future. What principles should it uphold, what structure should it have, what should its aims be.”
Elder Rui stroked his slim mustache, calmly looking over the room.
“While your conclusions will not decide the ultimate outcome, it is important for us to understand the thinking and the wants of the Outer Court in this. Some day, perhaps soon, many of you will be the new elders and leaders of our sect. Your conclusions will certainly be taken into consideration and weighed seriously. So take this duty seriously, and think carefully. Above all, remember that we are one sect. Petty factionalism will turn us into what we know must exist outside the ward- the violence of brother against brother, father against son. And that, we cannot survive.”
Elder Rui let the charisma and authority of an Elder wash the room, then stood once more. “I look forward to seeing your results.”
Tian shared a look with Wang and the others. Wasn’t this an abbreviated version of what happened before they set out on the Windblown Manor? But if that was Starsieve’s arrangement, then what was the purpose of this meeting? Surely the actual decision makers didn’t have to go so far to gather information.
There was an awkward silence as no one was quite sure how to proceed. Then an older Level Nine stood. “Everyone, without someone to run the meeting, things will get chaotic. I, Kang Shanyuan, am not good at such things, but Senior Brother Mao Jianguo has experience with these matters. I nominate him to chair the meeting, and ask for your support.”
Tian got an itchy feeling from the man, so he put himself down as a no.
“I don’t know Brother Mao, could he please stand up and introduce himself?” A female voice called.
A tall man stood, with a neatly trimmed beard and a strong body filling his robes. His sword hung at his waist like it was simply part of him, yet there was an undeniable wisdom to his eyes. A swordsman and a scholar, then.
Tian had an immediate dislike of the man. The itchy feeling intensified.
“Though this Mao is lacking, he will do his best. If I may?”
Nobody objected, so he made his way to the head of the room and sat in the middle seat. Tian wondered about that for a second, then had to hide a grin. He was bait. Whether he knew it or not, he was bait. Someone was using him to test the mood of the room, and the outer court in general. And the rest of the room either didn’t care enough to fight him, or were pretty curious to see the answer too.
Tian started carefully examining brother Mao.
“Brothers and Sisters, our assignment is simple, but not straightforward. We are called upon to give our opinion on the future of the sect. Yet if we all start shouting ideas, nothing will be achieved. Therefore, before we begin dealing with the debate in earnest, let us establish some rules for the meeting.” Tian nodded. That made sense. He had sat through far too many circular conversations over snacks.
“Grandpa, Rule Number Three?”
Yep. The kind of person that gets things done, but…
“He looks very comfortable in that chair. Very natural.”
Doesn’t he just?
“For now, let us simply restrict ourselves to the rule of filiality. Those who are eldest and most experienced have the most to offer the conversation. Naturally, we will open up the conversation to everyone later, but for now, let us take as a rule that those at the peak of Level Nine and at least one hundred and sixty years old will be the ones with the right to speak. This should limit us to the wisest and strongest, as well as ensuring we communicate well.” Brother Mao’s voice was smooth, and utterly reasonable.
And just like that, Tian understood what the purpose of the meeting actually was, and what role he had to play in it.
“No. Fight me.” Tian stood, cupped his fist and bowed.
The room went silent. Even the others from the Windblown Manor were giving him odd looks. It didn't matter. This was going to be a long day, and he wasn’t going to make it any longer.
“I beg your pardon?”
“That’s a good start.” Tian nodded. “But forgiveness is earned by deeds. I don’t agree to having my voice silenced at this meeting. I’m not open to persuasion on this. There are no clever words you can use, no social pressure you can put on me, no subtle threats that will make me fall in line. So step down, suggest something else, or fight me.”
“Do… do you really think that is the proper way to behave? Do you have any idea where you are, or what eyes are on this meeting? That you are beyond the reach of the disciplinary squad?” Mao looked disbelieving.
“Yes, Yes, don’t know, don’t care, shut up and box or I’m kicking you out of that chair and putting in someone competent.” Tian had learned a lot from his siblings, and particularly Hong. There was a momentary pang of regret. To be led so far astray by evil companions. He would have to repent by properly educating them later. Peaceful, respectful communication was the proper way to do things, and above all, people should plainly say what they mean.
“Young man-”
“Oh, Brother Mao thought I was joking. I’m afraid this little daoist is rather literal.”
Tian moved from his seat like a flowing ghost, soundless and swift, moving in a straight line towards the chair at the head of the room. Yet, despite that, the watching eyes struggled to follow him. His presence was illusory, almost smeared in a ribbon of shifting images as he raced down the hall.
Brother Mao was an expert. He stood and drew in one smooth motion, cutting directly for Tian’s head. At the second to last moment, he turned the blade and slowed his swing, clearly intending to strike with the flat. At the actual last moment, Tian slipped past the blade, his body moving bonelessly, stepping around the chair and turning to face Mao’s back. The swordsman wasn’t a fool. He hopped forward, gained distance, spun around, and dropped into a guard. Then froze. Tian made no move to follow up. He simply rested his hands on the back of the chair.
The empty chair.
“I heard that Disciple Fu’s son was kind and retiring, preferring a humble life of service rather than leading the masses. His name seemingly inverse to his nature.” Mao spoke slowly. He wasn’t sweating, but Tian could see the tension in his hands and posture.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“And yet, there you are.”
“Here I am.” Tian nodded. “Must I stay here?”
“It’s not so easy to leave.” There was an edge to Mao’s voice now.
“You managed fine. Must we all stay here? In our ordered rows? Carefully ranked and regimented, superior and inferior, our roles frozen forever in time, trapped together under this ward?”
“There must be order-”
“Must there?”
“If anything is to be accomplished, yes!” Mao nodded strongly.
“That makes sense. But let me ask you this. We are all here, on this mountain, under this ward, because the eldest of the sect failed to both lead and teach, then let everything go to hell once his heart was dead. So far as I know, none of the other elders did a single damn thing to stop the horror that descended on this sect and the people it is meant to protect. In fact, everyone in the sect is complicit in the sect’s sins. Not a single person has clean hands. Not me, not you, no one.”
Tian’s voice carried through the hall, the words he had bottled up for more than a year now spilling out.
“We have all lost brothers and sisters. We all carry the scars from the Redstone Wastes. So, while I consider myself quite filial, why in the hell would I assume any old bastard knows better than me? You want me to follow? Show me you are worthy to lead. Want me to be fraternal? Show me you are a brother. And if you can’t? Fight me or fuck off.”
The intensity in the hall reached a peak. Mao drew in a slow breath and brought his sword up to a high guard, parallel with his eyes.
“I, Mao Jianguo, may be limited in my means, but I can at least say I honor my elders and maintain my virtue. It seems I will have to instruct junior brother on why the heavens have-”
Tian threw the chair at him, and rushed in behind it. Too much nonsense, too much nonsense, why was there always so much nonsense?! Why did people keep insisting on these stupid games? Weren’t they tired? Hadn’t they all been through hell? Was this fun?
Mao quickly shifted left to dodge the chair, then closed distance. His feet moved in an esoteric pattern, covering the ground without revealing his next move, while the tip of his sword never left Tian’s brow. A slim white hand landed on the flat of the blade, and before Mao could make a move, the hand closed. Trapping the razor sharp steel in water-soft flesh, fingers pinching the blade to palm. The cutting edge a bare hairsbreadth from skin, and infinitely unable to reach it. Then Tian fell back, and Mao, for all his strength, couldn’t hold on to the sword. Tian flung it away, then rushed back in.
Mao wasn’t slack, throwing out two knives that dove for Tian’s legs like falcons. Too slow. Tian was within arms reach in far less than a second. The left hand circled, blocking the counter attack. The right hand thrust forward. The gap in Mao’s defense was small, and momentary. The slim hand slipped through, and landed softly on the bigger man’s chest.
The Proud Dragon Repents. Tian supposed he would have to wait and see if it was true. Mao collapsed onto the floor, the shattered chair laying on the floor beside him.
“Brother Mao has fulfilled his role, and should rest. Consequently, we are without a chair that sits above us, and without a person to sit in it. Fortunately, we all have our own chairs. I nominate Sister Su to lead the meeting. She’s a bit young, and not at the peak of level nine, but she has a marvelous way of getting to the point and not playing stupid, boring, games. I think we can skip straight past a good deal of nonsense this way, and we all have places we could more usefully be. So how about a round of applause for Sister Su?”
Comments
Wrenn
tftc
Gerald Ransom Jr
An irritated Tian who has more Yang than he did in the past would.
Gerald Ransom Jr
Whats that gif with the baby yelling with both his hands in balled up fists? Yeah that.
Matt DiMeo
Just the double secret patreon. But it is a secret.
Matt DiMeo
I actually thought that was Fu, and he presented it as a theory.
Mobb
Hey guys I’m looking for the scene where elder Feng explains how there is barely any people that actually matter in decision making of the monastery and the surrounding 8 kingdoms and that the couldn’t exceed more than a few dozen. Does anyone remember the chapter or did misremember something about the scene?
Zenopath (AEV)
Realistically, anyone over 160 is never going to a heavenly person. It was stated that Fu is a unique exception to that rule. Tian, on the other hand is 100% guaranteed to become a heavenly person, meaning the sect values him more than all the 160+ year olds combined. That is why he won't be punished for this, and ultimately, why no one stopped him. Funnily enough, Tian is basically the sects young master. Mao was foolish to resist, but felt he had no choice if he wanted to save face.
kapo
“The best leader is one whose existence is barely known by the people. Next comes one whom they love and praise. Next comes one they fear. Next comes one they defy.” Tian + throwing a chair at Mao = the Dao.
Evan
The infusion of yang is putting in work!
FeyOne
**Edit - my reply was in response to someone else, but is now showing as its own comment. So it makes less sense. For context, the person I was replying to was saying that Tian was just using “my fist is bigger” to “be right”. ** Not even close. Read the exchanges more clearly. Mo attempted to put into place a rule that would strip the voice and rights from many in the room. That is, in itself, an act of extreme violence when you consider it for what it truely is. Tian rightly chose to resist and he made the absolute nature of his resistance clear from the outset. If the following exchanges leading up to the actual fight, Tian repeatedly gave Mo the opportunity to choose any other path than the one he had committed to. Tian outright stated that he would listen if Mo suggested some other structure. Likewise Tian made pretty clear that if Mo had no other way of thinking but was willing to step aside for someone else then, again, violence could be avoided. At each step, the conflict was actually initiated and escalated by Mo. He sought to steal the voices of the many for his own gain, he refused to consider any other possible outcome, he committed to using any and every tool he could, (trickery, social games, twisted logic turning truths into lies, and ultimately the promise of his violence), to get what he wanted at the expense of others. Tian saw through that. He made it very clear why he resisted that and why he thought Mo’s actions were reprehensible, and he resisted it appropriately. Honestly, even if Mo had won the fight, Tian’s actions ensured that his goal was lost. Through that conflict with Mo, Tian drew all of the rot and wrong of their existing systems out into the open and demanded that everyone look at it clearly. Mo’s response was to say, “yes please, I’ll have more of that as long as I’m on top of it!” Others, however, will likely prove to be more thoughtful. Especially given how much care their Heavenly seniors have put into selecting this group.
FeyOne
In fairness, Tian did give him both the option to simply step aside, and the option to suggest something else that would be acceptable as potential alternatives to violence. It isn’t Tian’s fault that Mo lacked the wisdom to choose any of the alternative paths he was presented with.
Rob
I'm assuming from context its something about people who want power are the ones who shouldn't have it, but I would love to know how accurate that is and to reread where it came from. It's been a long time since grampa was last talking regularly
meggleB
What’s rule #3 again?
Conor Reed
Haha love this
JKlarinet
I notice that while violence persuaded one person, Tian is not trying to persuade them all. He’s just pointing out that he’ll not let one person silence most of the rest, which is — without violence — a persuasive argument all by itself. Besides, if the point was to have everyone seen and heard, the whole motion defeats the purpose.
Diarmuid McGinnity
Eating popcorn
Steve Wright
Whoever had the “violence in under five minutes” chit in the betting pool is making bank right now.
Hudson Hohimer
Love it! Not might is right but Might is a veto. “You can’t convince me, you can’t pressure me, let’s just skip to the part where you try and make me comply with force”
OldschoolDOS
If you have ever been in any meeting of any kind you have daydreamed this a million times.
Jordan King
Are there any cultivators beyond heaven rank still on the mountain? If so, what are they doing?
BlueJayCash
Also it should be noted that the start of these talks began based on a false premise. Since Tian and company’s actions may have had a major impact and the world outside the barrier is not what the people inside thinks it is.
Nonnyor Business
That man has a dao companion and students!
Nonnyor Business
Fun bonus fact- Mao was virulently anti-confucian. In an ironic twist given this scene, he would also have had strong words about "filial obedience."
BlueJayCash
Don’t know if it will be the case but I kinda hope we get to sort of see a “Hundred Schools of Thought” like event. Also, I kinda of wonder if Confucius ideas will pop up some where in the discourse. If only because part of their origin was in the times of multi state free for all. Edit: Though I do think the ideas will probably arise as things to be refuted if they do. As upholding some of those ideals has resulted in the mess the characters are currently struggling through.
Joshua Flowers
“Who invited this guy?” - through bloodied teeth and crippled pride
Tim Gonsalves
Actual, audible cheering. Empty civility protecting hierarchy? Nah.
Liam Zay
Hell yeah fuck them up Tian
Christopher
Elder Rui knew Mao, or some other oldie, was going to behave this way and baited him out with the some of you might be elders comment.
Zenopath (AEV)
This chapter in particular reminds me of the general vibe of Slumrat. Very anti-establishment. Tian finally cares enough to intervene, even when the situation isn't black and white good vs evil.
Noroh
Fun Fact!: Mao is a common family name but Jiangou is a special name, almost a title, meaning "Nation Builder" often given to the leaders of the communist uprising that led to the modern CCP. Tian just slapped this universe's Mao Zedong out of a leadership position.
Noroh
I think it's more in the "those who can act should" catagory. Yes Tian has the bigger fist in this instance, but even if he did not it would only change how he went about getting Mao out of the chair, not Tian's intent to do so.
deinowithglasses
When the sect is acting like it has been kicked in the head, the finial thing to do is offer to kick it in the head and offer frog brains until it is acting correctly, of course.
Bisexuals DO Exist
In the end, doesn’t Tian’s actions fall into “whoever has the biggest fist”? Which he has criticized. Even if he does it to open the discussion, the results are still built on the foundation of Tian having the biggest fist. Looking forward to that element coming back up!
Baconwargod
Wonderfully written
Chris Fey
By god, it’s Tien with a steel chair!
CentaureHeart
That's some good face slapping.
Badger
Yesyesyesyes
eduardo marcovics
Man how did I not realize that the Young Dragon Tian Zihao acted almost opposite to his literal name this whole time
Logan
"So how about a round of applause for Sister Su?” - that line is weird. I don't think Tian would say that.
Alex Beard
And Tian refuses to play along, because he correctly sees that as just one step among many on the road to hell
Alex Beard
Mao was a good antagonist for this chapter. What he's suggesting isn't evil so that the protagonist can punch someone righteously. Its a pretty believable form of corruption that slots in with not only the themes of the story, but the values and expectations of the characters within it. And note that Mao always acts within socially acceptable values.
G&S Gaming
Tftc! Only good political chapter I ever read
SquiddlyWinks
“This meeting could have been a fistfight.” Walking the talk. So much buildup to the moment of this meeting, showing rather than telling that the current system is dogwater and doesn’t have to stay.
Tyler glass
Ahhh such a satisfying face slap moment, next thing you know Tian will be lecturing the heavens
Viz
Just so.
ST
IS THERE ANOTHER PATREON TEIR? I need more!
Salthin
Got me giggling and kicking my feet hehehehehehehe
Psykohamster
Tian is the living embodiment of “fuck around and find out” and that is why I love him so much.
Mistythread
Tain hitting them with the fact the system has failed them and others so why should they cling to a failing framework
João Vene
I wonder if Fu had to do something like this in the Heavenly Person level
David Bailey
Also, I realise Elder Rui did warn them. Any factionalism would lead to violence... and the very first thing they did was try to silence the younger generations that *their* elders brought out to hear from. Tian is the consequences.
Teach
Yeah. There’s some nuance here that other commenters aren’t addressing. This is against the spirit of the previous debates he’s had, which is interesting
Kevin S.
It's a room of outer courtyard people, no heavenly people are there.
Teach
It seems extremely unlikely Tian could have done this in a room full of heavenly people. He is a quickly growing minnow, but is still a comparatively small fish. I expect to see at least some pushback in the next chapter, and I hope he has fallen into a political trap.
DT
Was hoping for the squawk of a certain crane to be in the background for this moment :3
James Faulkner
Tftc!
Endgame
Tftc. I'm so sad its Friday. 😞
George
Call that Defense of Democracy
Veridescent
Mm better, wonder if Sister Su knows about reading groups and activities to discuss findings that might work well here. Issues that are primed are rhetorical solipsism, a inability to ideate new things and info siloeing, things remedied if people broaden horizons and then need to communicate synthesized ideas to other groups. They need mixing and possibly joint projects for testing if they could manage it. Or reframed key problems are justifications of "fuck you got mine" and not knowing somethings possible since it hasnt been seen. Which are best solved by trying to find those first principle rocks as it were by ideating ideas with other people and then actually tying to say those ideas to other groups.
David Bailey
The vicarious justice of that response to a meeting. Straight into my VEINS.
J Ennis
Tian Zihao you king among men
whistler
Wow! What a wonderfully fitting way for Tian to become a vital player in this.
FeyOne
Hong is going to be so upset that she missed this.
Vainirion
The mad daoist is at it again. Rotfl Mao should be glad he didn’t get smacked with bun-freed hair to add insult to injury
Robert Mullins
Perfectly rational. A not small part of me was hoping for the same.
Lady Merlin
Thank you for the chapter! If only real life committees were so easy. Love seeing Tian's gains on the page vs another fellow daoist.
William Beegle IV
For every meeting that should have been an E-mail, I sentence management to 10 The Dragon Repents. To be delivered over the course of one year.
Samuel Sever
tftc
Andrew Goebel
Is it weird that I sort of wanted Liren to kool-aid man through a wall with a "Hong Liren is here!" as soon as Elder Fuckface drew his sword? I don't think it's weird but I wanted to be sure.
A nice fire
Tian’s politician sense never fails
DT
I wish I could borrow Tian for some certain work meetings.
Cameron Bacon
TIAN MY GOAT FUCK YEAHHHHHHHHHHHH
Gardor
That escalated quickly. "Its ok when Tian operates under 'Might Makes Right' rules, he's doing it for the correct reasons"
Matt DiMeo
No. Fight me.
Roxanne Moore
Thanks for the chapter. Very enjoyable.
Steve Wright
Turns out Tian understood the assignment. Wow!
JTP
The Dao of Riggs returns. This is the perfect chaser to all the saccharine we've been getting.
habu987
I can only imagine that Elder Rui and the rest of the elders are watching while cackling wildly at Tian being Tian
ioajfidsnmfomds77
Is it Monday yet? Because it should be Monday already
Chrysos au
Thanks for the chapter
Thomas
So cathartic, if only I could do this in work meetings.
Aadi Narayan
Amazing, so unexpected but completely in character to just flip the table rather then try and drag himself through the swamp of that conversation.
