A Pawn's Passage

Superintendent Cui explained, “This woman is no ordinary figure! She was involved in both Jiangnan cases. The first one was her doing. It had originally been just a routine audit. Everyone could have turned a blind eye and moved on happily. But she insisted on a thorough investigation, tearing off all facades and thus triggering the first major Jiangnan case. Because of that, she caught the attention of the Earthly Preceptor and was exceptionally promoted to the Deputy Tiangang Hall Master.

“The second Jiangnan case was also because of her. What started as a simple case at Purple Immortal Mountain disciplining the two superintendents turned into a full-blown hunt. She tracked the trail from Purple Immortal Mountain to Jiangling Prefecture, then to Jinling. The Heavenly Court was forced to silence the Yuan family and set fire to the Zhenwu Temple in panic. If it hadn’t been for the Cult of Fates’ unexpected involvement, who took the fall for the arson, the consequences would’ve been dire. In the end, most of the seven-person investigation team and the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion came out worse off, except her. She was promoted again, becoming the youngest third-rank Youyi Daoist master in the Daoist Order.

“Oh, she’s also involved in the Lingshan Witch Cult case. Her reputation truly precedes her—wherever she goes, a major case follows. As Wen Weng said, she’s here to press charges. If there’s any loose thread in Gao Mingyin’s or Qi Xuansu’s case, she’ll latch on and pull until everything unravels. She’s more dangerous than Qi Xuansu himself. To put it bluntly, she’s the sword wielded jointly by the Zhengyi Sect and the Quanzhen Sect.”

Wen Weng also looked troubled. “Did our report against Qi Xuansu end up backfiring on us?”

Just then, Monk Yan Xiu remarked, “You didn’t miscalculate. It’s simply the momentum of the tide.”

“Zen Master, please enlighten us,” Wen Weng said, looking at Yan Xiu.

“I dare not speak of enlightenment.” Yan Xiu smiled humbly. “I think the Daoists’ decision to reform the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion was already aimed at something deeper. The two Jiangnan cases, as Superintendent Cui mentioned, show how intense the conflict is among the three Daoist sects. At this stage, it’s inevitable that Sage Donghua, Sage Cihang, and Sage Qingwei will clash within the Golden Tower Council. Qi Xuansu is just a convenient excuse to draw swords. Even without him, someone else would’ve become the flashpoint. That won’t change.”

Wen Weng nodded. “You’re right, Zen Master.”

Yan Xiu continued, “Since they must clash, the key lies in timing, terrain, and human intervention. Let’s set aside timing and look at terrain. This is the Imperial Capital, not Jinling. Down south, the Zhengyi Sect reigns supreme. Jinling lies in Jiangnan, right beside Quanzhen Sect’s Huzhou. Effectively, Jinling is surrounded by both the Zhengyi Sect and the Quanzhen Sect, as well as the Cihang Lineage, which is part of the Zhengyi Sect. Even if the Taiping Sect extends its influence from Luzhou, it can’t match the other two. That’s why they were at a disadvantage in both Jiangnan cases.

“But the Imperial Capital is a completely different ball game, being the heart of Jiangbei and near Qizhou, which is the core of the Taiping Sect’s power. The Quanzhen Sect may control Zhongzhou, but that’s just one region. The Zhengyi Sect has little to no influence up here. So in this case, the Taiping Sect holds the high ground.

“Next comes human intervention. The Imperial Capital belongs to the Imperial Court, not the Daoist Order. While the Quanzhen Sect and the Zhengyi Sect may have close ties to several cabinet ministers, in the end, it’s the Emperor who holds the greatest power. In this case, whoever stands closest to the Emperor holds the advantage. The Taiping Sect has always been a close ally to the royal family, so they hold the upper hand.

“Right now, the Taiping Sect holds the advantage in both geography and support. Even if the Junior Imperial Preceptor stands alone, he may still prevail against two others.”

Wen Weng stroked his beard with a chuckle. “I’ve lived in the Imperial Capital for years, yet I see things less clearly than a visiting monk. It seems I truly am getting old and losing my edge.”

Yan Xiu smiled. “It’s not that you’ve aged, Wen Weng. You’re simply caught inside the game. Those within the game are often confused, while outsiders have a clear perspective. As an outsider, I just have a clearer vantage point.”

Superintendent Cui’s tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed. Clearly, Monk Yan Xiu had convinced him. He added, “I heard Young Master Li is also coming to the Imperial Capital. He has an old grudge with Zhang Yuelu.”

Yan Xiu continued, “I have met High Mage Zhang in passing once. She is not like Qi Xuansu. Qi Xuansu appears upright, but he is cunning and vindictive. He never forgets a grudge and knows how to endure humiliation to survive. Pressuring him is easy, but destroying him is hard. However, Zhang Yuelu is different. She’s the type to shatter like jade rather than bend like clay. People like her break from being too rigid. I’ve heard Young Master Li once suffered humiliation at her hands. This time, I’m curious if the Junior Imperial Preceptor can break this Zhengyi Sect’s sword within the Imperial Capital.”

Superintendent Cui smiled on the surface, but inwardly, he was alarmed.

No matter what, he was still a Daoist believer who had once studied in the Taiping Sect. He worshipped the Primordial Daoist Ancestor and had always been wary of Buddhist monks. Hearing these words now, he was stunned by how deeply the Buddhists understood the three Daoist sects. It was no wonder they said the Buddhist Sect harbored wolfish ambition. Their attention to Daoist movements was all for the sake of waiting for the right moment to strike. If Daoist infighting led to mutual destruction, the Buddhist Sect would surely take advantage of the chaos.

Superintendent Cui broke out in a cold sweat as he thought, If so, the vast Central Plains would fall and become a Buddhist slave state—white bones used as ritual tools, human skin made into drums, skulls as goblets, and entrails for sacrifices. That would be doomsday, the end of the empire! Throughout history, different emperors have believed in different ideologies from the Hundred Schools of Thought. However, Buddhists had never ruled our nation. If the Buddhists seize control, our nation will cease to be!

For the first time, Superintendent Cui began to doubt his own actions. But soon, he firmed his resolve. As long as the Taiping Sect emerged victorious, it would fulfill the Holy Xuan’s wish to unify the three sects. The Daoist Order would then become one in spirit and power, ushering in a second golden era. At that point, the Buddhist Sect’s schemes would be in vain. Then the Daoist Order would completely defeat the Buddhist Sect and annex the Confucian School, merging the Three Religions. This would be the ultimate unity.

Wen Weng sighed. “Things are becoming increasingly clear. The three candidates for the seventh-generation Grand Master are clashing with their swords drawn, but not directly at each other. Instead, they strike downward at the various Daoist mansions. You kill my people, I kill yours. First, it was Jiangnan, now it’s the Imperial Capital. After two major cases in Jiangnan, they’re now orchestrating a major Imperial Capital case. Without offering up the lives of a few Sages as sacrifices, or perhaps even the prodigies, they won’t rest. Since we’re already part of the game, we likely won’t get out so easily. We’d best prepare in advance.”

Monk Yan Xiu said meaningfully, “Last time it was Jiangnan. This time it’s the Imperial Capital. I wonder where it will be next. Could it be...”

As he spoke, Yan Xiu raised a hand and pointed westward. Kunlun stood proud in the Western Region.

Wen Weng was startled. “Zen Master, please mind your words.”

He soon sighed. “But you’re not wrong. It’s only a matter of time.”

......

On November 3rd, the Daoist Relations Department sent a formal letter to the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion. The Golden Tower Council made an official decision on November 5th, and by the 7th, the five-person delegation arrived in the Imperial Capital.

Qi Xuansu, standing by the shores of Penglai Pool, looked up, his eyes concealed behind a pair of sunglasses.

Beside Qi Xuansu was the Chief Deputy Mansion Master Zhou Jiaoxian. Mansion Master Li Ruoshui and Second Deputy Mansion Master Shi Bingyun were notably absent.

Technically, Qi Xuansu was still under house arrest and not allowed to leave the Yuhuang Palace. But this was a special circumstance, so he had been granted permission to come to Penglai Pool in the Haosheng Southeast District.

Moments later, a towering ship broke through the clouds and slowly descended. Its bow was shaped like a dragon’s head, and the hull was shrouded in mist. Droplets trickled continuously, creating a drizzle beneath the ship.

It resembled a flood dragon carrying a pavilion on its back, emerging from the depths of the ocean to traverse the sea of clouds above, stirring wind and rain in its wake.

The flying ship landed on Penglai Pool, sending ripples across the jade-colored waters. Mist curled around it until it floated like an ordinary ship on the surface of the pool.

A ramp slowly descended, and before long, the five-member delegation emerged on the deck along with their attendants.

Leading the group was none other than Zhang Yuelu, who was newly promoted to the third rank.

At her left stood the expressionless Yao Pei. Her occasionally graceful and clear eyes now drooped lifelessly like a dead fish.

Yao Pei boarded the flying ship midway. After receiving the notice, she did not head to Jade Capital but waited until the flying ship passed over Difei Mountain. The flying ship made a brief descent, allowing her to board directly.

To Zhang Yuelu’s right stood a young, polished gentleman with a warm smile whom Qi Xuansu had never met before. This must be the famed Li Changge, the young heir of the Li family and man-made Banished Immortal who outshone both natural-born Banished Immortals like Zhang Yuelu and Yao Pei with his Longevity Stone Heart. He was unofficially known as the Junior Imperial Preceptor.

Neither Zhang Yuelu nor Yao Pei had ever earned titles like the Junior Heavenly Preceptor or the Junior Earthly Preceptor, which spoke volumes about Li Changge’s firm and exalted status within the Taiping Sect.

Qi Xuansu’s gaze met Li Changge’s for just a moment before parting. Li Changge showed no hostility. Instead, he offered a courteous nod.

The five-member investigation team descended the ramp one by one.

Zhou Jiaoxian stepped forward to greet them. This group represented the Golden Tower Council, so they merited high respect. Moreover, the three prodigies in the delegation held extraordinary backgrounds. If everything went as expected, one of them was to be the eighth-generation Grand Master. Thus, even as a Chief Deputy Mansion Master, Zhou Jiaoxian dared not be negligent.

Qi Xuansu followed closely behind Zhou Jiaoxian. Once the formal greetings were exchanged, he removed his sunglasses and exchanged a glance with Zhang Yuelu.

Their hearts spoke to each other, as if linked by telepathy. Everything was conveyed in that glance without a single word.