He can practically hear his uncle's denunciation ringing in his ears as the blows of the discipline whip fell on his back; he can taste the memory of blood in his mouth as he had refused to remain silent.

(I dare ask you, shufu - who is right? who is wrong?)

"Perhaps," he murmurs. "But I am sure of one thing, and that is that often those who claim absolute knowledge do not wish to hear other possibilities. It does not make them right."