A Pawn's Passage

Qi Xuansu said, “It means that the Qingping Society must also have someone who possesses a Longevity Stone Heart and is gathering Xuan Jades.”

“You’re absolutely right, Daoist Qi.” Li Changge nodded in agreement. “Back then, traitors within the Huasheng Hall stole and distributed the Xuan Jade out of the Daoist Order. Coupled with the efforts of certain ill-intentioned figures, the Xuan Jade eventually scattered across the world. Over the years, the Li family has spent considerable effort searching for the Xuan Jade, only to discover that others are also hunting for it, mainly the secret societies and our fellow Daoists.

“Since the Xuan Jade is closely linked to divine power, and secret societies specialize in using such powers, the jade naturally becomes a medium or vessel for the descent of the Ancient Immortals. For instance, when the Cult of Fates performed a divine descent ritual in Jinling Prefecture, they used a Xuan Jade as the medium, which, through a twist of fate, ended up in your hands, propelling you into the Heavenly Being stage.

“Moreover, these secret societies might possess a Longevity Stone Heart, either through their own refinements or from relics taken from the Daoist Order. The Lingshan Witch Cult’s close ties to Ancient Wuism suggest they might hold the ancient Longevity Stone. The Eight Tribes splintered off from the old creation projects, so they might have a Longevity Stone Heart. Thus, it’s not inconceivable that the Qingping Society has a Longevity Stone Heart.”

Qi Xuansu nodded. “What you said makes sense, Daoist Li.”

However, inwardly, Qi Xuansu grew even more puzzled. Li Changge seemed to be exonerating him rather than forcing a connection between him and the Qingping Society. Could it be that Li Changge had taken a liking to his talent and sought to recruit him?

After all, the Holy Xuan had famously turned foes into friends back when he unified the Daoist sects, earning the reputation of the amiable one. Was this what they meant by Li Changge carrying the Holy Xuan’s legacy?

Yet Qi Xuansu knew this was unlikely. After all, the circumstances were different then and now. Back then, the Daoist sects had been fractured for ages, making reunification a popular trend that the Holy Xuan merely rode. Now, with the three sects growing increasingly hostile, such soft tactics were unlikely to succeed.

Qi Xuansu felt a strong bond with the Daoist community at large, but not particularly with any one sect. After all, it took time to build one’s sense of belonging. Qi Xuansu had just left the Wanxiang Daoist Lower Palace before he roamed Jianghu, and it had only been a year since his return to the Daoist Order. To him, none of the three sects was wholly good or evil; they were all mixtures of both.

If he had encountered the Li family instead of his master, Madam Qi, and Zhang Yuelu after leaving the Wanxiang Daoist Palace, and if they had treated him as their own, then he would have stood with the Taiping Sect.

Although Qi Xuansu had gradually been influenced by Zhang Yuelu after meeting her, that merely reflected his recognition of Zhang Yuelu herself, not a positive view toward the Zhengyi Sect. Setting everything else aside, even the structure of the Zhang family’s main lineage could not compare to the Li family. No matter how selfish the Li family might be or how unseemly their methods, at least they harbored ambitions to unify the three Daoist sects and the world, whereas the Zhang family was only content with guarding their ancestral heritage. The difference in vision was obvious. Since the time of the First Emperor, grand unification had always been the people’s aspiration.

Li Changge closed the file in his hand, looked at Yun Luo, and asked, “Lord Yun, do you have any objections?”

With no further evidence, Yun Luo could only concede reluctantly. “No objections.”

Li Changge instructed, “Very well. Send notices to all local Daoist mansions and the Green Phoenix Guard’s Lieutenant Colonel’s Offices to apprehend the Qingping Society members, Prince Qin, Xie Qiuniang, and the unidentified Heavenly-Being Qi Refiner. It will serve as an explanation to the Buddhist Sect.”

Everyone present understood that sending out the notices was merely a gesture, meant to give an explanation to the Buddhist Sect about Yan Xiu’s sudden death. However, whether there would be any real results was another matter entirely.

“If there are no further objections, this case is considered closed. Meeting adjourned.” Li Changge rose to hand the file back to Yun Luo.

There were dedicated personnel to handle the Daoist Order’s internal records, so Li Changge need not personally attend to such details.

The others rose one after another, voicing no disagreement before dispersing.

Li Qingnu departed, having never exchanged even a glance with Qi Xuansu throughout the entire session.

Qi Xuansu followed Zhang Yuelu back to her temporary office.

When they arrived at her office, Zhang Yuelu casually set up a privacy barrier to prevent eavesdropping, then reached out to straighten Qi Xuansu’s robes while asking gently, “Tian Yuan, are you very familiar with Miss Li?”

While Li Qingnu’s explanation might deceive others, it could not fool Zhang Yuelu, who knew the truth. The biggest flaw lay in Li Changge’s very first question. How did the killer know exactly where Yan Xiu was staying in the vast Sycamore Villa?

While determined observers could track down the monk, a suspended superintendent like Qi Xuansu, who was unfamiliar with divination, could not. Thus, someone must have tipped him off, and the most likely suspect was Li Qingnu, the owner of Sycamore Villa.

Qi Xuansu only felt exhausted. There were a hundred schemes brewing all around him, from these few women and Li Changge alone. If he relaxed even slightly, they would surely catch him slipping. Of course, Qi Xuansu was not exactly a naive fool either. He also had his own schemes.

He answered honestly, “During the time I went missing, I traveled to Bohai Prefecture and had some dealings with Miss Li, so there’s a bit of acquaintanceship between us.”

“I’m afraid it’s more than just a bit of acquaintanceship,” Zhang Yuelu remarked, leaving the rest unsaid.

If it were merely a shallow acquaintanceship, would Li Qingnu have risked so much to help Qi Xuansu eliminate Yan Xiu?

What else could Qi Xuansu say? He certainly could not reveal that Li Qingnu was Madam Qi’s adopted daughter, making them adoptive siblings.

Qi Xuansu replied earnestly, “Back then, a scion of the Lu family named Lu Yunfeng was harassing her. So I helped drive him off. She owes me a favor since then. I guarantee there’s absolutely no romantic involvement between us.”

Zhang Yuelu could not help but laugh. “Tian Yuan, there’s no need to be so tense. I trust your character. I was just curious.”

Qi Xuansu said, “Since that’s the case, I might as well lay it all out. The reason I was able to get Deputy Palace Master Yao to help me was because I promised her a favor. It’s a debt I will have to repay someday. Personal debts are the most costly.”

Zhang Yuelu mused, “In short, Li Qingnu repaid you a favor, and now, you owe one to Yao Pei. Two favors in exchange for one life.”

Qi Xuansu flattered her. “You’re truly wise, Deputy Hall Master Zhang.”

“You’re the clever one here. I can’t possibly compare to you, Superintendent Qi.” Zhang Yuelu teased.

......

Li Changge arrived at the banks of the Penglai Pool and boarded an ornate boat, which drifted toward the Xuanshang North District.

Yun Luo also boarded the boat, following Li Changge.

Besides Yun Luo, there were three others—a fourth-rank Daoist Jijiu master named Jiang Bieyun, a Green Phoenix Guard Lieutenant Colonel named Zhao Guangji, and an assistant major named Li Sanxin.

Jiang Bieyun and Zhao Guangji had plotted the massacre of the Fengtai County Magistrate, while Li Sanxin was responsible for its execution.

Upon reaching the second deck of the boat, Li Changge took the main seat, with Yun Luo seated to his left, while the other three remained standing.

“Can it be confirmed?” Li Changge asked.

Li Sanxin held a printed image—a half-body portrait of Qi Xuansu wearing the formal hechang and the Xiaoyao headdress of a fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist master.

Just as Li Sanxin was about to reply, Li Changge warned, “I want the truth. Don’t try to guess my thoughts, nor pander to what you think I want to hear. Speak frankly.”

“Yes, sir.” Li Sanxin quickly swallowed the prepared excuse that was already at his lips and continued, “I can’t confirm they are the same man. At the time, the man I fought with wore a wide-brimmed hat and was dressed like a wandering swordsman. It was raining heavily, and amid the fierce fighting, it was impossible to clearly see his features. In this portrait, Superintendent Qi is wearing formal robes and carries himself very differently. However, the chin does bear some resemblance. Hmm...”

“What else?” Yun Luo pressed. “Speak clearly.”

Li Sanxin sneaked a glance at Li Changge, then lowered his head. “If I can confront him face-to-face, I might be able to confirm if they are the same person from the tone and voice.”

Li Changge remained silent, deep in thought.

Zhao Guangji sighed. “It’s a pity I arrived too late. The Inn’s branch was wiped out completely. We underestimated the situation. Had we known, we would’ve gone in person rather than delegating it to the subordinates.”

Naturally, Jiang Bieyun sought to deflect blame. “It wouldn’t have been that easy. Even if we had intervened personally, the outcome might not have been any better. Don’t forget how Zhuge Yongming from the Quanzhen Sect died. I suspect the one who wiped out The Inn’s branch is the same person who killed Zhuge Yongming.”

“Let’s not dwell on the past,” Yun Luo interrupted, stopping the blame game between the two men.

She then said to Li Changge, “We weren’t exactly clean on this matter, so it wouldn’t be wise to confront him directly.”

“Of course,” Li Changge replied. “Daoist Qi is meticulous, and he has Deputy Hall Master Zhang and Deputy Palace Master Yao shielding him. It won’t be easy to move against him.” Even in private, this young scion of the Li family spoke with gentle composure, not overly harsh or scheming.

Yun Luo said, “Still, in my opinion, that person is almost certainly Qi Xuansu. How many Longevity Heart Stones could there be in this world? It’s too much of a coincidence.”

Li Changge lowered his gaze and reminded her. “Where’s the evidence? Without it, we would be charged with slandering a Daoist superintendent, which would backfire on us.”

Yun Luo fell silent.

Just as the Quanzhen Sect could not do anything against Li Tianlan in Jinling Prefecture, the Taiping Sect could not touch Qi Xuansu. The underlying reason was procedural justice, which was a kind of justice that those without wealth or powerful connections were destined never to attain.

This was also why the three Daoist sects fought but never shattered.

Thus, Qi Xuansu never put his faith in the law and had no regard for formal rules.

Yun Luo hesitated for a moment, then mimed a chopping gesture with her hand.

Li Changge shook his head. “It’s not the right time.”

The boat fell into silence.

As the Xuanshang North District came into distant view, Li Changge suddenly asked, “What about Wen Weng?”

Yun Luo was startled. “He’s still at Prince Liao’s residence. Junior Imperial Preceptor, do you mean to—”

Li Changge did not beat around the bush. “Let Li Tianzhen handle it.”

“Understood,” Yun Luo answered.