A Pawn's Passage

As per tradition, the welcome banquet was held at the Taiping Inn’s branch by the shores of Penglai Pool in the Haosheng Southeast District.

Qi Xuansu recalled that the previous welcome banquet had also been hosted by Chief Deputy Mansion Master Zhou Jiaoxian. This suggested that the three top officials of the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion had fairly well-defined roles, with Zhou Jiaoxian welcoming the guests.

At the banquet, the five delegates, along with Qi Xuansu and Zhou Jiaoxian, were seated at the same table.

In a round-table setting, the main seat was the one facing the door, with the adjacent right seat being next in rank. As the host and highest-ranked official present, Zhou Jiaoxian sat in the main seat. To his left and right were Yao Pei and Zhang Yuelu, respectively, while Qi Xuansu sat opposite him, with his back to the door.

Zhou Jiaoxian started with a few formal remarks, welcoming the five-member team to the Imperial Capital and assuring them that the Daoist Mansion would provide their full cooperation and support.

No one took these pleasantries seriously. Back when the seven-member team visited Jinling Prefecture, Bai Yingqiong and Li Tianlan had delivered similar speeches on behalf of the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion. Yet, the Zhenwu Temple that held all crucial evidence ended up being destroyed in a fire.

Zhang Yuelu made a sentimental remark. “The last time I came to the Imperial Capital was 10 years ago. If I may be blunt, the Daoist Mansion was a mess back then, always ranking last among the other local Daoist mansions in the annual assessments. But I’ve heard things have changed for the better lately.”

Zhou Jiaoxian chuckled and replied, “It’s all thanks to the wise guidance of the Golden Tower Council and the diligent efforts of everyone in the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion. Mansion Master Li and Deputy Mansion Master Shi, in particular, have worked tirelessly to bring about the changes we see today.”

At that moment, Yao Pei spoke. “Deputy Mansion Master Zhou, before coming to the Imperial Capital, I heard quite a few contrasting opinions.”

“Is that so?” Zhou Jiaoxian’s smile froze for a moment before returning to normal. “You’re right, Deputy Palace Master Yao. After years of entrenched problems, the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion still has some areas needing improvement. This visit from your delegation reflects the Golden Tower Council’s concern for us. With your guidance and supervision, we will identify and resolve shortcomings swiftly, so the Golden Tower Council may rest assured.”

Zhang Yuelu chuckled. “Our goal in coming here is simple—to improve the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion, eliminate outdated practices, and foster a new culture. We’ll focus especially on key and difficult issues. In short, we must go beyond satisfying the Golden Tower Council. We must win the approval of the common folk. The world should see a new face and a new spirit in the Imperial Capital, something refreshing and inspiring.”

Qi Xuansu said nothing as he watched the two women perform their parts.

Only now did he realize Zhang Yuelu was also quite adept at bureaucratic talk. But on second thought, it made perfect sense. She was no fool, so she would have eventually picked up on these traits being constantly immersed in politics in Jade Capital. It would have been odd if she had not picked up a thing or two.

Li Changge remained silent, gently spinning his wine cup between two fingers, smiling faintly as a mere bystander.

Naturally, Qi Xuansu did not speak either. He was suspended from duties because he was still awaiting judgment. So what could he say?

However, Qi Xuansu did not even bother to lift his wine cup. He simply stared at Zhang Yuelu.

As Zhang Yuelu raised her cup, she shot Qi Xuansu a warning glance from the corner of her eye, signaling to him that he was not allowed to flirt during official occasions.

Naturally, Qi Xuansu took the hint and withdrew his gaze, turning his eyes to the dishes in front of him.

Zhou Jiaoxian’s voice reached Qi Xuansu’s ears. “Deputy Hall Master Zhang, you sure are capable and talented, as the rumors say. Tiangang Hall isn’t like other halls. One must carve their way out through bloodshed.”

“You flatter me, Deputy Mansion Master Zhou,” Zhang Yuelu replied. “In the month ahead, we must work together and ensure everything the Golden Tower Council has entrusted to us is handled properly.”

Zhou Jiaoxian reiterated, “On behalf of the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion, I pledge our full cooperation to provide the Golden Tower Council with a satisfactory explanation.”

Yao Pei set her wine cup down on the table in a calm, unhurried manner. “This wine is decent. Thank you for the hospitality, Deputy Mansion Master Zhou.”

Qi Xuansu began to understand.

Zhang Yuelu and Yao Pei were clearly playing good cop and bad cop.

Within the Daoist Order, aside from the tensions among the three factions, there was also a longstanding conflict between the Golden Tower Council in Jade Capital and the local Daoist mansions. This was not unique to the Daoists. It had been a persistent issue throughout dynasties. If mishandled, it could lead to local players becoming too powerful to rein in.

Local Daoist mansions always wanted more autonomy, while the Golden Tower Council aimed for tighter control. There were shared interests, but also conflicting ones, making the situation exceedingly complicated.

Li Ruoshui, Zhou Jiaoxian, and Shi Bingyun represented the positions of the Taiping Sect, the Quanzhen Sect, and the Zhengyi Sect, respectively. Thus, on certain matters within the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion, they stood in opposition. Yet on other matters, the three had to unite to represent the Daoist Mansion’s collective interests and work together.

What made a good superior? From a subordinate’s point of view, a good boss was someone who fought for their underlings’ interests. Once in that seat, many choices were out of one’s hands. If one failed to protect their own, they would not stay in that seat for long.

Those beneath them were not powerless civilians, but a vast group of long-established superintendents, deacons, Spirit Guards, and Daoist priests in the Imperial Capital. They had influence, and their network was intricate. They had to implement the Golden Tower Council’s and the Daoist Mansion’s decrees. Thus, the stability of the Daoist Mansion depended on them too. Though they hailed from different sects, they cared little for the factional disputes at the top. What mattered to them were tangible, personal interests.

Their collective opinion could not be ignored because if they all rose in protest, the Mansion Master and Deputy Mansion Masters would not be able to suppress them by force, nor could they yield without consequence, as it could cost them their careers. Thus, being a Mansion Master was not that simple because one would not be able to act as one pleased.

Such balancing required careful judgment, especially with the factional rivalries within the Daoist Order and the ongoing power struggles between Jade Capital and the local Daoist mansions. How to choose between the two was not always clear-cut.

Thus, one could not assume that just because Zhou Jiaoxian belonged to the Quanzhen Sect, he would surely side with Zhang Yuelu and Yao Pei, or that Li Ruoshui, being from the Taiping Sect, would see eye-to-eye with Li Changge. While their general interests might align, disagreements in the details were inevitable.

It was case by case, dependent on the specifics.

As the banquet drew to a close, Zhang Yuelu suddenly said, “The case involving Superintendent Qi stems from an official letter from the Daoist Relations Department based on a report from a member of the Buddhist Sect. It’s now under the review of the Golden Tower Council, so Deputy Palace Master Yao, you will bear the main responsibility for this.”

“Yes, Deputy Hall Master Zhang,” Yao Pei replied flatly, turning her gaze toward Qi Xuansu.

Since Zhang Yuelu was the appointed leader of the five-person delegation, she was, in name, the superior of both Li Changge and Yao Pei during this period. As such, her words carried more weight.

Qi Xuansu cleared his throat lightly and finally spoke. “I will fully cooperate with Deputy Hall Master Zhang and Deputy Palace Master Yao. I also trust that both of you will clear my name.”

Yao Pei replied coolly, “Superintendent Qi, it’s not about trusting me or Deputy Hall Master Zhang. It’s about trusting the Daoist Order and the Golden Tower Council.”

Qi Xuansu straightened his expression and said solemnly, “Yes, I trust the Daoist Order and the Golden Tower Council.”

The others present could not help but mutter inwardly. Why bother with this act? Who doesn’t know that Superintendent Qi is close to both women? One was his former superior and lover, and the other was his classmate from the Upper Palace. Of course, he trusted them. Why didn’t Superintendent Qi say that he trusts Acting Deputy Hall Master Li? Clearly, he doesn’t.

After the banquet ended, the delegates and their attendants stayed in the Taiping Inn. They would visit the Yuhuang Palace but would not reside there. This place had been temporarily designated as their residence for the next month. Since it was a Daoist establishment and usually unoccupied, it was a perfectly suitable arrangement for the investigation team.

Qi Xuansu was supposed to return to the Yuhuang Palace with Zhou Jiaoxian, but just as he reached the doorway, he was stopped by Yao Pei.

Yao Pei said, “Since Superintendent Qi is the primary defendant in the case, he will remain here so we can summon him for questioning at any time.”

Zhou Jiaoxian was momentarily stunned. He neither agreed nor objected. Instead, he remarked, “This may not be appropriate...”

“There’s nothing inappropriate about it,” Yao Pei replied in a cold and rigid tone. “Now that we’ve arrived, the case falls under our jurisdiction. How we handle Superintendent Qi is our prerogative. The Spirit Guards outside are all from the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion. Deputy Mansion Master Zhou, are you afraid that Superintendent Qi might flee? If so, you are underestimating us. Or do you suspect that Deputy Hall Master Zhang and I might secretly let him escape?”

“That’s not what I meant.” Zhou Jiaoxian denied immediately. “In that case, Superintendent Qi, you’ll remain here and follow the instructions of Deputy Hall Master Zhang and Deputy Palace Master Yao.”

Qi Xuansu, who had been standing beside Zhou Jiaoxian, responded at once. “Understood.”

Zhou Jiaoxian added, “When I return to the Yuhuang Palace, I’ll inform Mansion Master Li and Deputy Mansion Master Shi of the situation. I’ll also have someone bring over Superintendent Qi’s personal belongings.”

Qi Xuansu expressed his thanks. “Sorry to trouble you, Deputy Mansion Master Zhou.”

“No worries.” Zhou Jiaoxian waved his hand and departed alone.

When Qi Xuansu and Yao Pei were the only ones left, she gave him a cold, expressionless once-over, which made him feel increasingly uneasy.

“Deputy Palace Master Yao, what are you looking at?” Qi Xuansu asked.

Yao Pei replied, “This time, you’ve fallen into my hands. If I wanted you dead, I doubt you’d make it out alive.”

Qi Xuansu grew more anxious. “Su Yi, we’ve never had any bad blood, have we? We might not be the closest friends or kin, but we were classmates for three months! Back at Xingye Lake, we faced Zhang Wuhen together. We went through thick and thin. I’ve contributed to a third of your Earth merit!”

Yao Pei did not laugh. She simply turned and walked inside. “Come with me. Deputy Hall Master Zhang wants to see you. A female superior summoning an old subordinate for a late-night interrogation—how frisky.”

This was the first time Qi Xuansu realized just how venomous Yao Pei’s tongue could be, after being tempered by the Taishang Emotionless Sutra too. Qi Xuansu now suspected that the entire Daoist Order had been influenced by the Li family’s signature sarcasm. But then again, it made sense. The Holy Xuan himself came from the Li family of the Taiping Sect, so it was only natural that the people would model after him.