A Pawn's Passage

The Yuan family was exterminated, and all clues were destroyed. Part of the Yuan family’s property had been transferred to Nanyang, but the shops and other properties under the Yanqing Merchant’s Association were still around.

However, most of the property of the Yanqing Merchant’s Association was under the jurisdiction of the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion, which was not under the control of the Quanzhen Sect. Thus, Pei Xiaolou wanted to wait for Zhang Yuelu so that they could jointly handle the case.

The Jiangnan Daoist Mansion should have been under the jurisdiction of the Zhengyi Sect because of its location. However, due to Jiangnan’s prosperity and with Jinling being the hub of the Daoist maritime trade, the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion, like the Kunlun Daoist Mansion, was under the direct control of the Golden Tower Council. As such, there were usually equal numbers of disciples from all three major sects within the Daoist mansion.

However, the Cihang lineage, which was also part of the Zhengyi Sect, had the greatest influence on the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion due to its proximity to their base. Almost every generation of Sage Cihang had served as the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion Master.

One of Zhang Yuelu’s senior sisters was now serving as the Chief Deputy Jiangnan Daoist Mansion Master. However, her senior sister’s age was close to Sage Cihang’s. So their timing for ascension would be similar. Unless Sage Cihang renounced her title in advance to become the Grand Master, it would be difficult for Zhang Yuelu’s senior sister to inherit the title of Sage Cihang.

However, this was not the only reason why Sage Cihang chose Zhang Yuelu to be her successor. It also involved the succession of the Heavenly Preceptor title.

If Sage Qingwei failed to compete for the title of Grand Master, he could become the Imperial Preceptor. Likewise, Sage Donghua could also inherit the title of Earthly Preceptor. Only Sage Cihang could not inherit the title of the Heavenly Preceptor if she failed to become the Grand Master.

That was because the Zhang family was adamant that only their direct descendants could inherit the title of Heavenly Preceptor. That was why the main branch of the Zhang family was wary of Zhang Yuelu, let alone Sage Cihang, who was a complete outsider.

This was also the main reason the Zhang family had always been inferior to the Li family. The Li family was smart enough to bestow power on their talented adopted children and children-in-law, letting them become the head of the family. That was why they had capable people leading the family from generation to generation. Even with the Holy Xuan’s suppression, the Li family could still develop rapidly, almost completely monopolizing power within the Taiping Sect.

On the other hand, the Zhang family could not even tolerate the smaller branches of the family. Although they still dominated the Zhengyi Sect, the Cihang lineage had taken a lot of power from them.

The only Heavenly Preceptor in history who was not from the Zhang family was Yan Feiqing, who was in the right place at the right time. He was not only the beloved disciple of the previous Heavenly Preceptor, but he was also a close friend of the Holy Xuan. His wife, Su Yunxuan, was the Sage Cihang of that generation, and Su Yunxuan’s master married Emperor Gaozu, becoming the stepmother of the Holy Xuan’s wife.

From this point of view, Yan Feiqing and the Holy Xuan could be considered in-laws. In addition, the Holy Xuan had just deposed the Zhang family’s Heavenly Preceptor, so Yan Feiqing became the only Heavenly Preceptor who did not bear the Zhang last name.

At the time, Yan Feiqing had the support of the Holy Xuan, the Cihang lineage, and even the royal family. In addition, the Zhang family was too weak to retaliate back then, so that was how Yan Feiqing could gain the title of Heavenly Preceptor.

The current Sage Cihang could not compare to Yan Feiqing in this aspect, so her hopes of inheriting the Heavenly Preceptor title were slim to none. After all, if Sage Cihang fought to be the Heavenly Preceptor, it would likely cause internal strife within the Zhengyi Sect.

However, this became a hidden danger for the Zhang family. The current Heavenly Preceptor was strong enough to suppress Sage Cihang. But what would happen after the Heavenly Preceptor ascended to the heavens and a new Heavenly Preceptor came to power? The new Heavenly Preceptor might not be able to suppress Sage Cihang, and the Zhengyi Sect would likely end up with two figureheads.

Thus, both parties had to find a point of compromise, and the most suitable candidate for this compromise was Zhang Yuelu.

Zhang Yuelu was from the Zhang family. She was also Sage Cihang’s proud disciple. If Zhang Yuelu was chosen to be the next Heavenly Preceptor, she would most likely consider the interests of both the Zhang family and the Cihang lineage. The only drawback was that Zhang Yuelu was not a direct descendant of the main branch of the Zhang family. However, she was from a small branch of the Zhang family, which was still better than an outsider.

This time, the Golden Tower Council sent Zhang Yuelu to thoroughly investigate the case at Purple Immortal Mountain because of Sage Cihang’s insistence. Although the Imperial Preceptor was the current acting Grand Master, also called the Great Sage Lunzhi, he could not personally intervene in the Purple Immortal Mountain case. That would only attract more attention to the guilty Taiping Sect.

There were several categories of the Golden Tower Council meetings depending on the number of Omniscient Sages and Virtuous Great Sages required to be present. Small meetings were those with 12 Omniscient Sages in attendance; mid-level meetings were those with 24 Omniscient Sages in attendance; while high-level meetings required all 36 Omniscient Sages to be present.

The Purple Immortal Mountain case was discussed in a small meeting, with Sage Cihang presiding over it. Previously, Zhang Yuelu had written a letter to the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion requesting a thorough investigation of the Yanqing Merchant’s Association. At the time, she was representing Sage Cihang.

However, the internal affairs of the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion were complicated, so progress was slow. Now, with the sudden progression of the case and the Yuan family’s core members “committing suicide” out of fear of punishment, it became necessary to raid and suspend the Yanqing Merchant’s Association.

......

Qi Xuansu failed to leave in the end, as he was forced by Zhang Yuelu to follow her back to Jiangling Prefecture. He had no choice but to obey her because he could not defeat Zhang Yuelu without using sneak attacks or non-lethal moves.

However, Zhang Yuelu was nice enough to search the forest with him. However, they could not find any hoof prints or traces of Liu Hu. It seemed that Liu Hu had not entered the woods at all.

After the two returned to Jiangling Prefecture, they went straight to Shenxiao Temple, the largest Daoist temple in Jiangling Prefecture where Pei Xiaolou was also staying.

When the Daoist attendant informed Pei Xiaolou of Deputy Hall Master Zhang’s return, he immediately came out to greet her.

The moment Zhang Yuelu saw Pei Xiaolou, she said, “Sage Pei, look who I brought to see you!”

Pei Xiaolou did not recognize Qi Xuansu in this old man’s disguise, but Qi Xuansu had already prepared for this. Before Zhang Yuelu finished speaking, Qi Xuansu had already taken the initiative to salute Pei Xiaolou. “I, the humble Wei Wugui, am honored to see you again, Sage Pei.”

The shrewd Pei Xiaolou immediately understood what was going on. He nodded slightly and responded with a smile, “The Commandery Prince was just asking about you.”

Qi Xuansu sighed and lamented. “I feel ashamed, as I am incompetent and have failed in my mission.”

Zhang Yuelu raised her eyebrows. These two are acting now, huh?

If Wei Wugui was really Qin Wubing’s personal guard, then Qin Wubing would not have deflected the question when he replied to her letter. However, Zhang Yuelu knew that she would not be able to find anything now, even if she decided to investigate, because these people had probably agreed on the same story.

Zhang Yuelu did not point it out. After all, the most pressing matter at the moment was the Purple Immortal Mountain case.

“Let’s get down to business.” Zhang Yuelu walked to the main hall first.

Pei Xiaolou and Qi Xuansu exchanged glances behind her.

The Sage chuckled. “Yes, business is more important.”

The three of them came to the living room. Pei Xiaolou and Zhang Yuelu sat on the left and right sides where the host usually sat, while Qi Xuansu sat at the secondary seat on Pei Xiaolou’s side.

Since Qi Xuansu was also an insider to this case, the two of them did not shy away from him and roughly shared their experiences.

Qi Xuansu was shocked to hear that the Yuan family was involved with the Heavenly Court. In order to destroy evidence, the Heavenly Court dispatched two Heavenly Beings.

At this point, Qi Xuansu had already met the Dual Winds of the Heavenly Court—Marshal Wind and God of Wind, also known as Feng Bo.

Marshal Wind was among the Four Marshals of the Heavenly Court, equivalent in rank to the God of Wind, Master of Rain, God of Thunder, and Mother of Lightning. These already accounted for eight Heavenly Beings. Besides these famous figures, the Heavenly Court had more than a dozen more Heavenly Beings. Thus, their strength exceeded that of some weaker local Daoist authorities.

Qi Xuansu also learned from their conversation that the main altar of the Heavenly Court was located in Lingnan because of their expansion to Nanyang. The Patriarch of the Heavenly Court had even become the protector of some of the smaller countries in Nanyang. These smaller countries had given him the title of Chancellor, and the Four Marshals were given the title of Generals.

After this exchange of information, Zhang Yuelu’s perception of Pei Xiaolou changed greatly. Pei Xiaolou always gave people the impression of being cynical and perfidious. So Zhang Yuelu was surprised that Pei Xiaolou could handle this big case.

Zhang Yuelu asked, “The next step is for us to go to Jiangzhou to check the assets of the Yanqing Merchant’s Association. Will you come along with me, Sage Pei?”

Pei Xiaolou nodded. “Of course.”

Zhang Yuelu inadvertently glanced at Wei Wugui, who was sitting there quietly with his eyes closed, as if he were taking a nap or willing himself to be invisible.

Seeing this, Zhang Yuelu called out, “Soldier Wei.”

“Yes?” Qi Xuansu abruptly opened his eyes, looking at Zhang Yuelu with a dazed expression.

Zhang Yuelu asked, “Do you want to go to Jiangzhou with us?”

Qi Xuansu replied, “I wanted to, but Xiao Hu is missing. I have to find her first.”

“Is Xiao Hu that little girl?” Zhang Yuelu asked.

Qi Xuansu nodded.

Zhang Yuelu looked at Pei Xiaolou again. “What do you think, Sage Pei?”

Pei Xiaolou pondered. “Well, if you ask me, this case has nothing to do with Brother Wei. We can continue to investigate the case while he can search for his girl. We’ll go our separate ways.”

Zhang Yuelu was reluctant to let Wei Wugui go just like that, but in the end, she did not stop him from searching for the girl.