A Pawn's Passage

Qi Xuansu made another visit to Tianji Hall. Concerned that the site might have hidden formations, he had the invisible Lin Yuanmiao wait outside.

As for how they communicated, Qi Xuansu discovered that after swearing the Inner-Demon Oath, so long as they were close enough, they could speak via the mind-voice, eliminating the need for him to keep checking in on Lin Yuanmiao.

Upon entering the hall, the receptionist recognized Qi Xuansu immediately. While one attendant went to notify a superior, another offered him tea.

In the past, Qi Xuansu certainly would not have received such courteous treatment.

The superintendent of Tianji Hall was also a fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist master. He came from the inner hall and exchanged some pleasantries with Qi Xuansu before asking the purpose of his visit.

Qi Xuansu said, “To be frank, I’d like to purchase some Grade-A Dragon Eye Bullets.”

The hall master’s expression shifted slightly. “If it’s for artillery use, we would need to consult the main office in Jade Capital.”

Qi Xuansu made no attempt to hide the truth. He took out his Dragon Painting Pistol and said, “It’s not for artillery. This is the latest development from Jianxiu Mountain. The earlier Divine Dragon Pistol could withstand up to Grade-A Series Nine Dragon Eye Bullets, but this one surpasses it. It can handle Grade-A Series Seven Dragon Eye Bullets.”

While some other halls might be unfamiliar with Jianxiu Mountain, the superintendent of Tianji Hall certainly knew of it. He straightened up and said with respect. “Ah, so it’s a product of Jianxiu Mountain. No wonder.”

He paused. “Daoist Qi, do you wish to purchase the Grade-A Series Seven, Eight, and Nine Dragon Eye Bullets?”

Qi Xuansu nodded. “Exactly. What are the prices like?”

The Tianji Hall superintendent replied, “Of course, they are expensive. The Grade-B Series One Dragon Eye Bullet costs 50 Taiping coins each. The Grade-A Series Nine is double that at 100 Taiping coins per round; Series Eight is 200 Taiping coins per round, and Series Seven doubles once more to 400 Taiping coins per round.”

Qi Xuansu had expected this, so he was not surprised. He simply remarked, “The prices don’t look outrageous, but these are consumables. Once used, they’re gone, unlike weapons or magical objects, which can be reused.”

“Right,” the superintendent agreed. “But that Dragon Painting Pistol of yours is truly priceless.”

“You flatter me,” Qi Xuansu replied, then took out 15 rounds of Grade-B Series One Dragon Eye Bullets from his magical receptacle and placed them on the counter. Yao Pei had given him 20, worth a total of 1,000 Taiping coins. But he had used 5, leaving him with 15 bullets.

“Can I offset the cost with these?” Qi Xuansu asked.

The superintendent of Tianji Hall smiled. “If it were anyone else, we’d only count them at 80% of their original value due to depreciation. But for you, Daoist Qi, I’ll give you the original price. One Grade-B Series One Dragon Eye Bullet is 50 Taiping coins, so 15 rounds total 750 Taiping coins.”

Qi Xuansu mused aloud, “Against a Heavenly Being, the Grade-A Series Nine Dragon Eye Bullets are barely effective unless fired in mass. So I’ll skip those. I’d prefer the Series Seven and Eight instead.”

The superintendent nodded. “Sound logic.”

Qi Xuansu said, “Then I’ll take 10 rounds of Grade-A Series Eight Dragon Eye Bullets and 5 rounds of Series Seven.”

The superintendent calculated, “10 rounds of Grade-A Series Eight Dragon Eye Bullets come to 2,000 Taiping coins, 5 rounds of Series Seven also amount to 2,000 Taiping coins. Subtracting your offset of 750 Taiping coins, you still owe 3,250 Taiping coins.”

Qi Xuansu counted out 33 large cash notes and placed them on the table.

A Daoist priest stepped forward and presented him with a 50 Taiping-coin cash note as change.

Qi Xuansu’s monthly stipend was just 300 Taiping coins, so this 50 Taiping coins represented five days of pay.

Since this involved Grade-A ammunition, the superintendent personally went to fetch the goods.

After about half an hour, he returned, carrying 2 metal cases instead of the usual wooden ones.

He placed them on the table and opened them, revealing the mold-like recesses holding the bullets securely in place.

Qi Xuansu examined them closely. The Grade-A Series Eight Dragon Eye Bullets were visually stunning, with various talismanic patterns carved across the greenish surface, like coiling dragons.

The Grade-A Series Seven Dragon Eye Bullets went a step further. Their greenish-gold dragon patterns seemed almost alive, flowing and shimmering with light.

One round of Grade-A Series Seven Dragon Eye Bullet could easily kill a standard Heavenly Being.

Some might say that spending 400 Taiping coins to take a Heavenly Being’s life was absurdly cheap.

But the key was that only the rare and expensive Dragon Painting Pistol could fire such a round. Even with money, it was not easy to obtain. Without it, a Grade-A Series Seven Dragon Eye Bullet was nothing more than a fancy trinket, unable to kill a Xiantian Being, even.

Given that the Dragon Painting Pistol was almost as heavy as a small cannon, aiming and hitting a fast-moving Heavenly Being required the shooter to be a Heavenly Being themselves at minimum.

So while it looked cheap, in reality, it was anything but. The greatest benefit was that it saved the shooter from consuming innate qi, magical power, divine power, and true essence.

Qi Xuansu examined the ammunition for a while, then loaded 2 rounds of Grade-A Series Eight Dragon Eye Bullets into the Dragon Painting Pistol.

Everyone present, including the superintendent, instinctively took a few steps back, afraid Qi Xuansu might accidentally fire it.

“Relax.” Qi Xuansu chuckled, then stowed the pistol. He removed the remaining bullets from the metal case and stored them in his magical receptacle, leaving the boxes for Tianji Hall. That way, it would make future loading easier, and his magical receptacle was far more secure.

When Qi Xuansu took his leave, the superintendent of Tianji Hall personally escorted him to the door, watching as he departed.

Technically, fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist masters were entitled to discounts at both the Tianji Hall and Huasheng Hall. But such sensitive, high-end weapons were not part of that. In fact, just being allowed to buy them was a privilege on its own. Had Qi Xuansu not been at the fourth rank, he would have been outright refused.

Likewise, Confucians or those from the Imperial Court did not have this privilege, as the Daoist Order only traded with government offices and not individuals. If a court official embezzled or repurposed these arms after purchase, that was none of the Daoist Order’s business.

To put simply, Daoist weaponry could be sold to the Ministry of War, but not to its minister. If the minister bought weapons through official channels and used them personally, that was misconduct. It was not a private transaction with the Daoist Order.

There was one other path these court officials could take, which was the black market.

The Imperial Court had its fair share of corrupt officials, and so did the Daoist Order. Every year, some arms would find their way to the black market through alternative channels.

But since it was the black market, rarity dictated its price. A 400-Taiping coin Grade-A Series Seven Dragon Eye Bullet could fetch over 1,000 coins there. Even if Madam Qi halved the cost, which she would never agree to, it would still cost 500 Taiping coins per round. Qi Xuansu would have to be kicked in the head to buy ammunition from the Seven Treasure Pavilion.

From that angle, Madam Qi genuinely wanted to see him succeed. No matter how high she rose in the world of secret societies, true prestige could only be found by rising through the Daoist ranks.

After leaving the Tianji Hall branch, Qi Xuansu roughly tallied his remaining possessions.

Treasures

- Flying White Shadow

- Dragon Painting Pistol

- Nine Yang Fiery Dome Replica

- Novice License

Spiritual Objects

- Flying Shadow

- Qingyuan

- White Fox Face Mask

- Qingping Society Golden-Purple Fish Talisman

- Qingping Society B-rank Bronze Mask

Ammunition

- 5 rounds of Grade-A Series Seven Dragon Eye Bullets

- 10 rounds of Grade-A Series Eight Dragon Eye Bullets

Miscellaneous

- 2,450 Taiping coins

- several mother-child talismans

- sets of clothing and accessories

- a special compass

- a full set of fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist master ceremonial attire

- a phantom horse named Bu Yue

- a collector’s edition of the Holy Xuan Cards worth 5,000 Taiping coins

- a set of elegant women’s clothing from Huasheng Hall’s Mystery Jar

- a collector’s edition of The Female Sword Immortal from the 20th year of the Taiping Era, likely worth over 300 Taiping coins

- house in Haichan Place, Jade Capital with 10 years of lease

All these belongings, when tallied up, were worth several tens of thousands of Taiping coins.

Qi Xuansu had not scraped by for nothing. His greatest gain was still the four pieces of Xuan Jade.

He had also accumulated numerous skills and mystical abilities that enhanced his cultivation.

Martial Arts Practitioner lineage (Divinity Realm)

- body regenerative abilities

- fist intention

- indestructible body

- Tantai Fist Intention

Diviner (Thunder Realm)

- Yin Spirit Travel

- Dream Entering

- Ghost Machete

- Ghost Shepherd

- Yin-Yang Gate

- Nine Nether Chains

- Green Netherworld Armor

- summon Three Yin Beings from Ghost Kingdom

Shaman (Spiritual Body Realm)

- Golden Body

- Taiyin Spiritual Statue

- Taiyin Spiritual Body

- Taiyin 13 Swords

- 900 marks of divine power

Rogue Cultivator (Cicada Shedding Realm)

- protective qi shield

- Yin-Yang Eyes

- Sword Controlling Technique

- Fasting Technique

- Cicada Molting Technique

- Qi Observation Technique

- Divine Calculation Technique

- Soul Travel

- Dayan Spirit Blade

- Demonic Blade

Lastly, he had one retainer—Lin Yuanmiao—but only for a duration of six months.

After reviewing all his possessions, Qi Xuansu could not help but sigh.

By now, he could hardly be called a man with nothing to his name.