Starry Sky Railway: Opening Performance - Taixu Sword God

"Your Excellency Katniss already knows me quite well, so there's no need for introductions now."

"However, are you perhaps upset that I abandoned you and ran away a few days ago?"

"After all, in my hometown, there is a kind of etiquette called [guest of honor]: the host should be warm and hospitable to the guest, and offer fine wine and water, and a warm bed for a peaceful sleep..."

"But when I came here, I didn't see the host offering me gifts; instead, I was questioned."

"Even more absurdly, this master had already sharpened his butcher's knife and instructed his servants to wait in the shadows..."

Behind a stone pillar to the side, two servants, holding daggers, crouched in the darkness, waiting for their chance to strike.

Xia frowned at that moment, "Does Your Excellency intend to cut open my heart and take out the fire, and then hold a grand banquet for the guests?"

"Heh." Katniss chuckled lightly, raising her voice, "Everyone, step back!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the servants in the shadows withdrew one after another.

“Thank you for understanding.” At that moment, Xia stared at Katniss. “I am but a weak scholar, and I cannot stand the smell of money and blood.”

“No need for such modesty, Your Excellency,” Katniss said with a forced smile.

"You left me alone in the Golden Descendant's Courtyard before. Do you now understand how I felt back then?"

"Heh, how would I know that the renowned elder hadn't even thought of a way out?" Xia teased.

"Alright." Katniss said seriously.

"There's no need to dwell on the past."

"In my opinion, your courage and boldness are worthy of the name of the Seven Sages, and you are capable of undertaking our bloody and dangerous work."

"You want a war?" Xia asked bluntly.

Katniss frowned slightly, then said in a deep voice:

"The Golden Clan calls for war, and we respond with war."

"Conflict is inevitable: since Aglaia attempts to suppress the good people with the power of gold and blood, we are not afraid to demonstrate the rights and spirit that citizens of Ohmma should have."

"You ask me if there is still a sliver of hope for peace?"

"All I can say is: everything depends on the next citizens' assembly, whether they can wake up to the people's voices—"

"Your presence, as a member of the Golden Family, has brought us a glimmer of hope."

'Ha, what a boastful statement.' Xia narrowed her eyes at that moment.

In the past, Katniss's faction might have had a chance of winning this citizens' assembly, but now there is absolutely no possibility.

It's alright that the nameless guest didn't inherit the power of [Years], but now he has truly stood on Aglaia's side.

If the Citizens' Assembly is biased, he can even directly change the mind of the entire city, reducing the opposition's votes to zero.

"Besides, what your loyal [cleansers] heard just now is probably quite different from what you're saying."

“Heh.” Katniss raised an eyebrow.

"To be honest, that's exactly right."

"After all, their job is to clean up harmful substances, and just now, you were having a friendly exchange with the Golden Descendants..."

Clearly, the guards who were keeping watch had informed Katniss about Yan Huan's earlier conversation.

“I have nothing to say to Aglaia,” Xia said in a deep voice.

“They wanted my spark, and to show my sincerity to you, I personally destroyed the hope of the resurrection of Tirispyos’s avatar.”

"If this still can't dispel your doubts, then I have nothing more to say."

"Haha, no need to get so excited."

Katniss smiled with satisfaction:

"You are now one of us here."

“I understand that the guy who inherited the power of [Time] is trying to sow discord between us.”

"Please." She raised her hand.

"To avoid being overheard, let's continue in another place."

Katniss took a step forward, leading Nakasha deeper into the area, saying:

“I had the privilege of discussing the articles of [the Worship School] with your teacher, Empedocles.”

"But you belong to the [School of Intelligence]? To persist amidst so much opposition, your magnanimity is truly remarkable..."

Chapter 1347 I am here to listen

"It's normal to have support and opposition." Xia said calmly at that moment.

"Just like the world has both wise men and fools."

"Hehe... Your comments are still sharp."

……

Upon reaching the center of the vast plaza, Katniss, who was walking ahead, slowed her pace, turned around gently, and opened her arms:

"Welcome back to the center of the [Council of Demigods], Lord Anaxxramas."

"I'm sure you remember: countless eloquent orators have stood here, triumphantly returning with their stirring words."

"Countless blasphemous philosophers have also stood here, and for refusing to defend themselves, they drank poison and died."

"This small stage is the most profound microcosm of Ohma over the past thousands of years."

"And fifteen days and nights later, this place will become the most important and final turning point in Ohmma's history..."

"May we both live up to our mission and lead the world back to that golden age without [death], [strife], and [treachery]."

Upon hearing this, Cecis, who had been rather unnoticed, smiled at that summer:

"Oh dear, fifteen days and nights... that was precisely your death day. What a coincidence!"

"To prove the Way through death is exactly what I desire." Xia's gaze was calm at that moment.

"How resounding!" Katniss couldn't see Serhith and assumed that Xia was speaking to her.

"Truly a hero who dared to stand up to that [Kane]."

"Alright." Xia said impatiently, arms crossed.

"Lady Katniss, please skip the formalities."

"I came here by invitation to work together with the members of the Senate. Don't test my patience with these formalities."

“That’s what you say…” Katniss said in a deep voice:

"You also need my help to save your life from being pursued by the Golden Thread, don't you?"

"You're overthinking it," Xia said calmly.

"She still needs to win the support of the people at the citizens' assembly, so she certainly won't act rashly."

“Is that so?” Katniss scoffed.

"Even I can see that she has almost no humanity left. Can you really be so sure that she will play by the rules?"

“As you can see,” Nakasha retorted, “Aglaia covets the fire in my arms.”

"This is the leverage that I, and all of you, have to deal with her, but in return, I also need the Senate to provide all the support, including guards."

"You know better than I how much the spark of Sersis means in the Golden Age you've been so desperately pursuing..."

"Further words are useless; take care of yourself."

Katniss nodded repeatedly, "Of course."

"The so-called game is nothing more than each side getting what they need. As long as the demands are reasonable, the Senate will never treat its allies unfairly."

"Since we both intend to cooperate, let's be frank and speak openly."

"Let us, like true philosophers, use words and wisdom to decide how much we can fight for ourselves and how much we can sacrifice for ourselves."

"Continuing our previous topic, let's talk about our common enemy, Aglaia."

In the eyes of the opposition, no Golden Bloodline can compare to Aglaia.

[Golden Thread] is the brain of the Golden Clan of Ohma. Not only are golden threads spread throughout the city, but they also control the vast majority of resources.

"She is the second most senior member of the Golden Clan of Ohma, who has gradually lost her humanity through the wear and tear of time and the burning of fire... She is a formidable and respectable opponent."

Katniss continued:

"Admittedly, she had every reason to kill you, but what you said is not without merit."

"As a seasoned political animal, it remains to be seen whether she will actually cross that line."

"Besides, she needs you to complete the Titan's Trial..."

"Among those present, who can swear an oath to Cephallus that you did not collude with that woman before this meeting, merely to cover for others and encourage her tyranny?"

"Heh." Xia frowned at that moment.

Now, Katniss has once again revealed her lack of self-confidence.

At that moment Xia said in a deep voice:

"If Aglaia needs a Goldenborn with sufficient wisdom, then I am the only one suitable."

"But it's obvious that she doesn't need a Golden Child who could get out of control at any moment."

“I do not believe in the Titans, I do not believe in the Oracles, and I will not willingly walk the path they preach.”

"She has never tolerated any dissent, so how could she possibly accept a heretic like me?"

After listening to these stories, Katniss pondered for a moment, then smiled faintly.

"I understand your opinion."

“At least, we both agree that this vicious tyrant is the greatest enemy of peace in Ohma.”

"The Senate is willing to defend your right to life, just as we defend every oppressed citizen."