A Pawn's Passage

Yuan Chongzong was a great Confucian scholar with an awe-inspiring aura. Although he was over 70 years old with white hair and a white beard, he looked very energetic. His complexion was ruddy, and he did not have many wrinkles on his face.

When this great Confucian gentry walked into the Taiping Inn, he was like a moon surrounded by the stars. Court officials and wealthy businessmen spontaneously formed a circle according to their status. The closer they were to Yuan Chongzong, the higher their status, reflecting the hierarchy of the gentry circle in Jiangling Prefecture. It made it clear at a glance who were the core figures and the peripheral figures.

Soon, everyone made their way up to the second floor.

Zhang Yuelu did not take a seat but stood by the window with her hands behind her back, staring at the street below. When she heard footsteps coming upstairs, she slowly turned around and met Yuan Chongzong’s gaze.

The old man was leading the group. “Are you Deputy Hall Master Zhang? I’m Yuan Chongzong. My apologies for keeping you waiting.”

Yuan Chongzong stopped when he was almost at the top of the stairs. The people following him also had to stop halfway up the stairs.

Zhang Yuelu cupped her hands in salute and said, “Greetings, Old Master Yuan. I am Zhang Yuelu.”

Although she saluted him, Zhang Yuelu had no intention of stepping forward to support the old man. She also did not stop him from addressing her as Deputy Hall Master Zhang.

Her stance was clear. She did not want him to view her as a junior.

Furthermore, although Yuan Chongzong was old, he had a high level of cultivation, so he could manage climbing up a few steps. Even a 10-meter wall could not stop him, so he certainly did not need any support.

Yuan Chongzong remained stoic, not showing any displeasure or anger on his face. He slowly walked up to the second floor and came to the largest round table with the fewest chairs around it.

He stretched out his hand to Zhang Yuelu politely. “Deputy Hall Master Zhang, please take your seat.”

Zhang Yuelu walked to the guest of honor position at the round table and extended her hand as well. “Same to you, Old Master Yuan.”

The other guests only dared to sit down after the two VIPs were seated.

“Old Master Yuan, I’d like to thank you for purposely setting up this reception banquet for me.” Zhang Yuelu picked up the wine glass.

Yuan Chongzong also picked up his wine glass and said with a smile, “Deputy Hall Master Zhang, you’re too polite. As a good host, I ought to show the best of Jiangling Prefecture’s hospitality.”

Zhang Yuelu suddenly changed her tune. “But I think this is a little too much for me. Outsiders who are unaware will think that I am some kind of big shot. I am just a fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist master, so I dare not accept such a grand reception.”

Yuan Chongzong chuckled. “Deputy Hall Master Zhang, you’re too humble. If I remember correctly, the last person who could become a Deputy Hall Master at your age was the sixth-generation Grand Master. Your path ahead is truly limitless.”

“Old Master Yuan, you’re flattering me. I don’t deserve such praise. How can a mere firefly compete with the bright moon?” Zhang Yuelu’s eyes flickered.

Hearing this made the worried Yuan Shangdao breathe a sigh of relief. This indicated that Zhang Yuelu was willing to show his father a little respect even though she did not want to think of herself as a junior.

Yuan Chongzong smiled kindly. “Back then, Duke Yansheng said, ‘There are only three great families in the world, which are my family, the Zhang family from Shangqing Prefecture, and the Qin family from Dragon City.’ Deputy Hall Master Zhang, you were born in the Zhang family of Shangqing Prefecture. I have been friends with your uncle, Sage Jucheng, for many years now.”

Zhang Yuelu raised her eyebrows slightly. “This uncle of mine is always busy with work. Since I am from a small branch of the Zhang family, I am not qualified to live in the Dazhen Mansion. As such, I only get to see my uncle a few times a year. After I moved to Jade Capital, it became even less frequent.”

Yuan Shangdao’s expression changed slightly.

Everyone present was shrewd and experienced in the political arena, so they could hear the underlying meaning of Zhang Yuelu’s words. Zhang Yuelu was implying that she was no longer familiar with Zhang Jucheng anymore, so Yuan Shangdao could not use her uncle to suppress her.

On second thought, the Zhang family did not contribute much to Zhang Yuelu’s promotion. Back when Zhang Yuelu was in trouble trying to solve the major Jiangnan case, it was Sage Cihang who saved her.

The Earthly Preceptor was the one who promoted Zhang Yuelu to Deputy Hall Master and gave her a semi-immortal object. Zhang Yuelu’s recent promotion to the Eighth Deputy was also due to Sage Cihang’s efforts. Although Sage Cihang was also from the Zhengyi Sect, she was not from the Zhang family.

In addition, Zhang Yuelu was from a small branch of the Zhang family, so the main branch would be wary of her for fear that she would take over their place in the Dazhen Mansion and seize the position of Heavenly Preceptor.

This would make sense as to why Zhang Yuelu was not close to Zhang Jucheng. Thus, Yuan Chongzong failed to use Zhang Jucheng to suppress her.

The old man paused slightly, not knowing how to answer her.

Zhang Yuelu took the initiative to say, “Old Master Yuan, you just quoted Duke Yansheng. But if I remember correctly, the original quote was: ‘There are only three families in the world, which are my family, the Zhang family from Shangqing Prefecture, and the Xu family from Zhongli. The Zhang family of Shangqing Prefecture are Daoists, while the Xu family of Zhongli are petty.’

“The Xu family of Zhongli was the royal family of the previous dynasty. Moreover, calling the Zhang family of the Shangqing Prefecture Daoists wasn’t a compliment at the time. Back then, the Holy Xuan was not yet born, and the Daoist order had not yet flourished, so it was reasonable for Duke Yansheng to look down on Daoist priests.”

These words hit the nail on the head.

Everyone present was displeased, but they could not refute it. After all, it was a fact.

Zhang Yuelu continued, “I suppose this banquet you’re hosting isn’t just intended as a reception banquet. I don’t like beating around the bush, so it’s best to just cut to the chase.”

Everyone looked at each other, wondering if Deputy Hall Master Zhang was a fool to state such things so openly. How could she disregard this superficial harmony?

Zhang Yuelu knew what she was doing. She was blatantly breaking all these unwritten rules of etiquette.

She looked around. “It seems that none of you want to say anything, so let me do the honors.”

Everyone was stunned again.

Zhang Yuelu stated, “A major case has occurred in Purple Immortal Mountain. A Daoist superintendent, Liu Futong, has been arrested and escorted to Jade Capital. This case was found to have involved the Yanqing Merchant’s Association, which is headquartered in Jiangling Prefecture. That’s why I decided to stop by here.

“I just didn’t expect to have so many people welcoming me as soon as I got off the flying ship. This makes me a little suspicious. Do you all have shares in the Yanqing Merchant’s Association?”

No one present ever imagined that Zhang Yuelu would clarify the purpose of her visit like that, leaving them speechless.

Yuan Chongzong finally spoke. “The Yanqing Merchant’s Association has nothing to do with us. Deputy Hall Master Zhang, you are such a famous figure, so we decided to host a reception banquet to build a good relationship with you. Even if you don’t want to make friends, there is no need to slander me.”

“I hope it is as you say.” Zhang Yuelu turned to look at him. “I have written to the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion, asking them to investigate the matter thoroughly. The preliminary results of the investigation will be out soon. For context, 250,000 Taiping coins have been embezzled from Purple Immortal Mountain in just three years, so there is no telling how much the final amount will be if we trace it back. Jade Capital will be thorough in the investigation, and we will not let anyone involved go.”

Yuan Chongzong and Yuan Shangdao widened their eyes in shock.

Needless to say, the other guests were also flabbergasted.

The Daoist Order was rich, so it was inevitable for outsiders to covet a share of it.

However, the attitude of the Daoist Order had always been consistent. They would not allow outsiders to touch their money. Whoever dared to steal from the Daoist Order would be punished severely, and they would have to spit out every coin they took.

The Daoist Order knew that money made the world go round. With money, one could cover up and suppress most conflicts. Without money, all conflicts would arise at the same time, and the situation would be irreversible.

However, wealth corrupts. People were willing to die for money, just as birds would die for food. Over the years, there have been many who plotted against the Daoist Order. Some stayed hidden, and most of them cooperated with Daoists to split the profits, with the Daoists getting more shares.

Zhang Yuelu slowly stood up and planned to leave the table.

At this time, the entire second floor was deadly silent.

Everyone’s expressions were solemn, but they did not dare to do anything rashly.

After all, it was no longer the Confucian era, but the Daoist era.

If Zhang Yuelu had any mishap in Jiangling Prefecture at this sensitive moment, the Daoist Order would regard it as a provocation, invoking their wrath. The Zhengyi Sect and the Quanzhen Sect would force the Taiping Sect to stand with them in retaliation.

Unlike the Lingshan Witch Cult outlaws who were not afraid of death, everyone present had a family and a career. If the Daoist Order were to retaliate against them, no one would be able to escape unscathed, and their families would be destroyed.

At this moment, a steward from the first floor announced, “Sage Pei is here!”