Marco Polo (TV Series)

Let God's Work Begin (2016)

Ron Yuan: Nayan

Photos 

Quotes 

• Pope Gregory X : You've met the fabled Prester John?

  Nayan : Yes, we've all heard the stories. Descended from the Magi, casts shadows in the night, resides by the river of heaven, which imparts everlasting life.

  Pope Gregory X : He's cunning, he's merciless. The hand of God. His vast army sweeps undetected across the land, leveling faithless villages and cities. He exterminates.

  Nayan : Prester John is nothing but merciful, Your Holiness. He offers mankind the opportunity to open their hearts to Christ.

  Pope Gregory X : And what if their hearts remain shuttered?

  Nayan : Well, then that's the finest example of his mercy. He returns them to the warm embrace of their Maker.

• Nayan : All my life I've been challenged by men who believe they've been chosen by a God of one sort or another.

  Pope Gregory X : Mmm, and one day, we shall see who is right.

  Nayan : Yes, Your Holiness. But in the meantime I found forfeiting my beliefs to be in no one's best interest.

  Pope Gregory X : But that's a virtue, Nayan. One God seeks out in his noblest of servants. Depending on what you believe in, of course.

  Nayan : My Khan *and* my Creator.

  Pope Gregory X : You see people come in here and they look at the the silks, the golds, the marble, the manuscripts. And many want to burn it. They want us to choke on the ash of our traditions. And I see you, Nayan, standing there, wobbling between two worlds, wagering your eternal salvation. I want you to understand something. If the Mongols come we will not cower. We will not capitulate. We will not negotiate for anything but your Khan's unconditional surrender. And when the ash clears I'll be looking to see which side you stand on. As will your Creator.

• [last lines] 

  Nayan : [coming up out of his baptism water]  Let God's work begin.