A Pawn's Passage

The significance of Zhang Yuelu’s influence was dependent on one’s perspective.

Zhang Yuelu was just a fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist master who was now promoted to a third-rank Youyi Daoist master. But she was still not a Sage, let alone an Omniscient Sage. As such, her authority was limited. If someone chose not to show her respect, there was not much she could do.

In contrast, if someone were to disrespect Sage Donghua, they would quickly learn the consequences of what it meant to offend the Chief Omniscient Sage of the Golden Tower Council and the Ziwei Hall Master, who controlled all personnel matters of the Daoist Order. If they refused to cooperate, there would always be someone else ready to take their place.

This was not to say that Sage Donghua abused his power, but rather to illustrate the sheer level of influence he wielded.

Before Fang Linhou was executed for the first major Jiangnan case, he had a famous saying that stuck around. “Many times, I know certain things are unreasonable and against regulations, but I have no choice but to obey. If I don’t, the higher-ups will immediately replace me with someone who will. When it comes time to hold someone accountable, I’ll still be the one to take the fall. I’m nothing but a tool.”

Looking at the bigger picture, Zhang Yuelu had immense potential. If one viewed personal connections as investments, then she was a highly valuable one.

For instance, Yao Pei’s claim about the secret pact between the Zhengyi Sect and the Quanzhen Sect was not baseless. The key issue was that there were only a few outstanding individuals in the Zhang family’s third generation. If Zhang Yuelu were not promoted, then who else could they choose? No matter what, she still carried the Zhang name, which was preferable to letting an outsider take the position.

If Zhang Yuelu successfully became the eighth-generation Grand Master, then today’s small favor could turn into a highly valuable connection with the leader of the Daoist Order.

It was like the old saying that serving beside a ruler would give one infinite benefits that money could not buy.

Even if Zhang Yuelu did not become the eighth-generation Grand Master, her rapid rise to the third rank made it almost certain she would secure a position as Omniscient Sage. That alone was a significant favor.

For this reason, Zhang Yuelu was entirely within her rights to ask Sun Hewu for a favor, and he would certainly do his best to oblige.

From this perspective, Qi Xuansu owed Zhang Yuelu a great debt of gratitude. However, if they ended up becoming family, then this would no longer be an issue. After all, a husband and wife were one entity.

Sun Hewu pondered for a moment before asking, “You say you have never learned a perfected method—so what do you know?”

Qi Xuansu answered truthfully, “I’m a Rogue Cultivator. Other than the conventional mystical abilities like the protective qi shield, Sword Controlling Technique, Cicada Molting Technique, Qi Observation Technique, and Divine Calculation Technique, I have only studied the Dayan Spirit Blade Technique and the Tantai Fist Intention.”

Sun Hewu, renowned for his vast knowledge as Zhang Yuelu had claimed, did not need Qi Xuansu to elaborate. He immediately responded, “The Dayan Spirit Blade Technique and Tantai Fist Intention are both high-attainment methods. In particular, the Tantai Fist Intention is among the finest of its class.

“These methods are not weak, yet they still fall short of a perfected method. Are you aware that perfected methods are divided into orthodox and unorthodox methods, each with its own strengths and weaknesses?”

Qi Xuansu nodded. “I am aware.”

“Then I won’t elaborate on them,” Sun Hewu said. “I’ll be frank with you. I can give you advice, but ultimately, you must make the decision to learn either the orthodox method or the unorthodox method. That’s because I don’t want you to end up blaming me for recommending something that will go against your goals.

“If you’re in a hurry to rise in status and I recommend the orthodox method, it’ll take too long to show results and delay your future. As such, you might resent me. Likewise, if I suggest the unorthodox method, and you later find your life at risk or your cultivation impaired, you might come seeking revenge. That, I cannot afford.”

Qi Xuansu let out a dry laugh. “I wouldn’t dare, Sage.”

“Well, whether you dare or not, I don’t intend to find out because I hope it never comes to that.” Sun Hewu glanced at him—not with piercing sharpness, but with the composure of someone who had weathered the tides of time.

“Reaching the fourth rank at your age means you have boundless potential. Adding to your close ties with Zhang Yuelu, I simply wouldn’t believe it if you told me you had no background or connections. So, it’s best if we start and finish this on good terms.”

Qi Xuansu did not try to deny it and simply nodded.

Only then did Sun Hewu move on to the main topic. “When the Holy Xuan established the Upper Palace, it was meant to cultivate young talents. As such, the Wanxiang Daoist Palace does indeed house several perfected methods and has the authority to pass them down.

“However, over time, this training has been abandoned and turned into nothing more than formalities and routines. The later generations have failed to live up to the Holy Xuan’s expectations, so these perfected methods have gradually been shelved.”

“Usually, only the Palace Master can decide whether these perfected methods can be taught. But currently, the Palace Master is not in the Wanxiang Daoist Palace. He has gone to the Golden Tower Council meeting and won’t return anytime soon.

“As such, I am acting in his stead during his absence. So you need not worry. I have the authority to permit you to learn a perfected method. Now tell me—do you want to learn an orthodox or unorthodox perfected method?”

Qi Xuansu had already thought about this issue. “The orthodox perfected method takes much longer. Typically, they are learned from a young age, laying the foundation from the beginning of cultivation. By the time one reaches 20, the techniques begin to take shape because it has been practiced for more than a decade. This was the case for Qing Xiao.

“However, I am already past 20 and not an unparalleled genius. If I were to start training in an orthodox perfected method now, I might not see results until after I’m 40. That is far too late.”

“So, you wish to learn an unorthodox method, seeking rapid success?” Sun Hewu was not surprised.

“What you say makes sense. However, you must remember that gains come with losses. Every unorthodox method demands a price. Now, I will give you a list. Take a look first, then I will offer my recommendations. If you don’t understand something, ask freely, and I will answer all I can.”

With that, Sun Hewu retrieved a booklet from his magical receptacle and handed it to Qi Xuansu.

Qi Xuansu took it with both hands. The cover bore the words, Unorthodox Perfected Methods, with “mystical abilities” written in smaller handwritten annotations. These words were all handwritten, not printed.

Flipping to the first page, Qi Xuansu read the opening statement.

This was indeed an old relic, likely written after the Holy Xuan had consolidated all cultivation methods into the Five Lineages but before the emergence of the Rogue Cultivator lineage.

He turned to the second page, which contained a table of contents.

Taiyin 13 Swords

Taishang Emotionless Sutra

Demonic Blade

Six Directions Undying Body

Hundred Beast Sutra

Yin-Yang Unification Method

Sun Hewu added, “This table of contents is not randomly arranged. It’s ranked from highest to lowest in terms of power, excluding the Godly Immortal lineage.

“The first, second, and third belong to the Earthly Immortal lineage. Since you are a Rogue Cultivator, you can also practice them. The fourth and fifth belong to the Manly Immortal lineage, while the last one belongs to the Ghostly Immortal lineage. If you were a Banished Immortal, there would be no restrictions, and you could practice any of them.”

Qi Xuansu was stunned to see that the Taiyin 13 Swords was ranked first.

Sun Hewu continued, “But I must repeat what I said before—gains come with losses. Even among perfected methods, their power varies. The stronger the technique, the more profound it is, but also the greater the risks and hidden dangers. So a higher ranking does not necessarily mean it is better. You should choose it according to your own situation and capabilities.”

Qi Xuansu fell into deep thought.

He had never encountered someone who had been consumed by the Taiyin 13 Swords’ inner demon. But he had heard Zhang Yuelu mention that a single misstep could lead to an extremely perilous fate.

Qi Xuansu had already witnessed the impassive nature of the Taishang Emotionless Sutra and had no desire to end up like Yao Pei. These two perfected methods were indeed well-known, and it seemed Sun Hewu’s warning was not exaggerated.

Thus, Qi Xuansu shifted his attention to the third-ranked Demonic Blade. He humbly asked, “Sage Sun, what is the origin of this Demonic Blade?”

Sun Hewu patiently explained, “Before the Holy Xuan unified the Daoist Order, there were five major sects—Eastern, Southern, Western, Northern, and Central. Before the eighth year of the Wei Dynasty’s Emperor Tianbao’s reign, the leadership within the Eastern, Northern, Central, and Southern Daoist sects remained stable, with no changes in their leaders. Only the Western Daoist sect had undergone three generations of leadership shifts.

“Since you have learned the Tantai Fist Intention, you should be familiar with Tantai Yun. She was merely the third-generation leader of the Western Daoist sect. The second-generation leader was her husband, Song Zheng, a peerless talent. Demonic Blade was both his nickname and the perfected method he created.”

Qi Xuansu had always been fond of using blades, so his eyes lit up.

Sun Hewu continued, “Back then, Song Zheng was regarded as an equal to the founding emperor of the Great Xuan Dynasty. However, Song Zheng died too soon. In the end, his accomplishments fell short of Emperor Gaozu, who created the Heavenly Blade and continued to refine it.

“Eventually, Heavenly Blade became an orthodox perfected method. When paired with the Taishang Emotionless Sutra, its power rivaled the Six Void Tribulations of the Earthly Preceptor’s Lineage. In contrast, the Demonic Blade that Song Zheng left behind remains an unorthodox method, inevitably inferior in some aspects.”

Qi Xuansu turned to the corresponding page for the Demonic Blade. Naturally, this small booklet did not contain the actual cultivation methods, only a brief introduction.

Sun Hewu went on to explain. “Nicknames were always accurate. Just as Emperor Gaozu was called the Heavenly Blade because of his ability to foresee movements, Song Zheng earned the Demonic Blade title because his blade techniques defied convention, so much so that many believed he had entered the demonic path.

“Ordinary techniques followed the path of life, with their foundation rooted in maintaining the unity of essence and clarity of mind. When using weapons, the blade becomes an extension of the self.

“However, Song Zheng’s Demonic Blade followed the principle of seeking life through death, entering perilous situations to seek survival. It disrupts one’s own mental state, allowing the blade intent to govern the body instead. As such, the weapon wields the man.

“In the eyes of others, such a technique not only defied common sense but also contradicted human nature itself, hence it fell into the category of demonic path.

“Thus, the Demonic Blade and the Heavenly Blade represent two extreme opposites. The Heavenly Blade pushes calculation to its utmost limits, forsaking human nature and leaving only divine reason. Every strike is like a move set by the heavens—neither excessive nor lacking, precise to the finest degree.

“Meanwhile, the Demonic Blade also discards human nature but leaves only beastly instincts. It relies not on reason but on pure intuition and primal instinct, making each strike frenzied and savage, like that of a monstrous demon.

“Had Song Zheng lived a few more decades, he might have paved a clear path for future generations of Demonic Blade practitioners. Unfortunately, he died too soon, leaving the Demonic Blade incomplete, with numerous flaws and shortcomings.

“Unlike the Heavenly Blade, which is refined and flawless, the Demonic Blade only suffices for combating Heavenly Beings. Against powerful Immortals, the Demonic Blade remains somewhat lacking.”

Qi Xuansu was already deeply intrigued.

This technique seemed tailor-made for him because he had always relied on experience, instinct, and intuition in combat.

The Divine Calculation Technique was not particularly suited to him. Instead, the Demonic Blade aligned far better with his natural fighting style.

Moreover, even if he wished to learn the Heavenly Blade, he had no means to do so.