A Pawn's Passage

The key to warfare lies in the seamless coordination between the arm, hand, and finger. Within the Daoist Order, Tiangang Hall functioned as the central command of the armed forces. The Daoist soldiers were the Spirit Guards, and Tiangang Hall commanded the largest number of them. Daoist priests were equivalent to civil officials, and the one responsible for all personnel’s appointments, promotions, and discipline was none other than Ziwei Hall, the head of the Nine Halls.

All halls were housed within Xuan City, except Ziwei Hall, which was located within the Purple Mansion closest to the Golden Tower, separated from the rest.

So if Qi Xuansu wanted to visit Ziwei Hall, he first had to make his way into the Purple Mansion.

It was his first time setting foot in the Purple Mansion, and rumor had it the layout was far more convoluted than Xuan City, like a labyrinth one could easily get lost in. Having been to the Purple Mansion, Zhang Yuelu volunteered to lead the way.

By convention, Qi Xuansu ought to have gone with his superior, Lei Xiaohuan, to visit Sage Donghua. But Lei Xiaohuan had just left Jade Capital not long ago, missing Qi Xuansu’s return by a hair. So Qi Xuansu had no choice but to go on his own.

The night before, Qi Xuansu had not stayed over at Zhang Yuelu’s home. Instead, he went back alone to his own home in Haichan Place.

Truthfully, the thought had crossed his mind. He did not hope for anything improper to happen between them. He only thought of spending the night at her residence. Though her residence was not huge, it had a guest room.

But when the moment came, Qi Xuansu suddenly remembered what Sage Cihang had said earlier, that Zhang Yuelu had to remain spotless. He then thought about how Sage Cihang lived right next door, so he tactfully took his leave. Qi Xuansu realized that if Madam Qi had been the one living next door, she would have locked herself in her bedroom early and remained silent the entire night to pretend she did not even exist. But if it were Sage Cihang, she would probably make several trips in and out of her room, each time making just enough noise for Qi Xuansu to hear. That was the delicate difference between a mother and a mother-in-law.

Zhang Yuelu was straightforward and open-minded, but she was not the sort of woman who would invite a man to stay the night.

The gatekeepers of the Purple Mansion were all third-rank Spirit Guards. If these guards were in other halls, they could command entire battalions. But here, they were just glorified doormen.

Zhang Yuelu and Qi Xuansu presented their insignias, licenses, and tokens before they were allowed through.

As they walked, Zhang Yuelu reminisced about the first time she had entered Chiming Palace. She had been completely lost, and a young Daoist had pointed her the way. The young Daoist seemed to have taken quite a liking to her too.

Her tone was calm—neither boastful nor annoyed, not mocking nor flirtatious. It was a simple recollection of a memory, though perhaps with just the faintest touch of mischief.

Qi Xuansu was not bothered. It would have been strange if Zhang Yuelu did not have any admirers. His job was simply to beat them all, including Li Tianzhen.

Then Zhang Yuelu asked, “What about you? Do you know of any girls who admired you?”

Qi Xuansu paused. He had not expected Zhang Yuelu to lie in wait with that question.

He responded with a solemn expression. “Of course I do. Yue Liuli, for one, admired me so much she nearly wished me dead. Anyone who didn’t know the story would think I abandoned her after seducing her. I suppose that is what people mean by hatred born from love.”

Zhang Yuelu could not help but laugh out loud.

Her laughter stood out in the solemn stillness of the Purple Mansion, cutting through the years of quiet with a hint of joy. It was like throwing a pebble into a pond that had long been undisturbed.

It was said that when the Holy Xuan’s wife resided here, the Purple Mansion had not been so quiet. It was lively even. But ever since she left, no other Grand Master’s wife had ever laughed freely within these walls.

Lin Yongbai was a humble seventh-rank Daoist. After leaving the Wanxiang Daoist Palace, he was assigned to the Daoist Canon Division within the Purple Mansion to maintain the hundreds of thousands of Daoist archives. Nearly ten years had passed like that—content with his job, clocking in at sunrise and clocking out mid-afternoon, day after day, year after year.

Until one day, he met a young woman who stirred ripples in his once-still heart.

Lin Yongbai had seen plenty of female Daoists in Jade Capital—some stunning, some refined. But this woman’s aura was unforgettable. She was a presence that lingered in his heart.

Later, he learned that her name was Zhang Yuelu, the youngest ever Deputy Hall Master who was now the youngest third-rank Daoist master of her generation. She was destined for a seat in the Golden Tower Council. Someone like her should not have any ties to someone like him.

Today, in a rare idle moment, Lin Yongbai sat by a second-floor window. That was when he saw a couple passing by below.

His gaze froze. It was the same girl who once asked him for directions! Only now, she knew her way, and she was no longer alone. Beside her was a man of similar age. The man looked up, as if sensing his gaze.

Lin Yongbai panicked, so he averted his eyes, stood up, and hurried away. He did not know why, but something in his chest twisted in pain. He had always known that some things were never meant to be. But knowing was different from letting go. When the moment finally came for him to face the truth, it still hurt.

Qi Xuansu lowered his gaze and turned back to Zhang Yuelu, resuming their quiet conversation. Her soft and stifled laughter carried down the corridor.

After they had gone, Lin Yongbai went back to the window and watched with a deflated expression as the couple faded into the distance.

Lin Yongbai noticed the man’s conspicuous fourth-rank robes, then he glanced down at his own seventh-rank robes. His heart dimmed with quiet resignation.

Ziwei Hall was not far from Chiming Palace. This time, Zhang Yuelu knew the way, so she did not make any wrong turns and led Qi Xuansu smoothly to the outer gates of Ziwei Hall.

Purple Mansion was home not only to the Golden Tower Council but also to the Grand Master’s residence, the Zixiao Palace. With such exalted neighbors, Ziwei Hall could not be too ostentatious. So it presented itself humbly, neither grand nor imposing.

Compared to the opulence of the other Eight Halls or even the local Daoist mansions, Ziwei Hall looked plain and almost forgettable. But this unassuming place was where the fates of hundreds of thousands of Daoists were quietly decided.

When they arrived at the gate, Zhang Yuelu stopped and motioned for Qi Xuansu to proceed alone while she waited for him out there.

Once again, Qi Xuansu presented his insignia to the gatekeeper and then stepped through Ziwei Hall’s gates. A narrow stone path stretched ahead, and he walked it at a calm, measured pace.

Along the way, Daoists in ceremonial robes stood silent watch. Unlike the other Eight Halls where Spirit Guards were posted, Ziwei Hall was the only one staffed entirely by Daoist priests, which was a reminder of its transcendent status.

Qi Xuansu picked up his pace and soon arrived at the main hall, where a young Daoist stood watch. He stepped forward and cupped his hands respectfully. “Daoist Brother, I am Qi Xuansu, a Superintendent of the Eighth Division. I would like to request an audience with the Hall Master. Would you kindly announce me?”

“Oh, so you’re Daoist Qi,” the young man replied with a faint smile. “The Sage has already given orders that there’s no need for formal notice when you arrive. Please follow me.”

The young Daoist turned and led the way to the inner office.

Compared to the office in Tiangang Hall, the office at Ziwei Hall was even smaller. Its furnishings were also simpler, with just a table and a few chairs—one placed behind the desk and the rest lined neatly against the walls.

Upon entering, Qi Xuansu saw a scroll hanging at the center that read, “Peace to the World.”

Behind the desk sat the man whom Qi Xuansu had only briefly glimpsed once before through the mother-child talisman during the meeting in Jinling Prefecture. This man was none other than Sage Donghua, Pei Xuanzhi.

The young Daoist led Qi Xuansu inside and slipped away silently.

Sage Donghua did not rise. He did not even look up because he was still immersed in writing with his brush in hand.

Qi Xuansu said nothing and merely stood there quietly, waiting for the Omniscient Sage to notice him.

After a moment, Pei Xuanzhi set down his brush and finally raised his head. “Tian Yuan, your performance at the Wanxiang Daoist Palace is commendable. I’m pleased.”

Qi Xuansu replied, “You flatter me, Sage. As for what happened between me and Brother Qi—”

“Such is fate. How could there be no deaths in the fight against secret societies?” Sage Donghua’s face betrayed no sorrow, no blame, and no trace of bitter disappointment. He only had a calm stillness as he spoke. “I didn’t summon you to speak of that. It’s about something else. I believe you’ve already heard, yes?”

“Yes, I’ve been informed,” Qi Xuansu replied respectfully.

“What’s your take on it? Speak freely. No need to hold back.”

Qi Xuansu hesitated, silence briefly filling the air.

During that moment of quiet, all that could be heard was a soft rustling of paper. Sage Donghua had already picked up a new document from the growing stack beside him, reading it intently as if reviewing daily matters could not be delayed in the slightest.

Qi Xuansu finally said, “Sage, I believe the situation in the Imperial Capital is highly complex and tied closely to that of Jade Capital.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because the Zhengyi Sect and the Quanzhen Sect have formed an alliance, while the Taiping Sect is drawing strength from the Imperial Court.”

“Anything else?”

“I suspect your decision to send me to the Imperial Capital comes with deeper purposes, though I have not fully grasped them yet.”

“Anything else?”

“No, Sage. That is all for now.”

This time, it was Sage Donghua who fell silent.

Qi Xuansu glanced over. The Omniscient Sage picked up his brush again, swiftly jotting notes on the document before him. Then, he placed the brush back on its holder and nodded. “Good. The fact that you can already sense this much shows your talent. You will be receiving your detailed orders soon, so prepare yourself. You’ll be going to the Imperial Capital with Sage Shi Bingyun. Just follow her lead.”