A Pawn's Passage

Qi Xuansu held Green Cloud in his hands, filled with emotion.

This was a semi-immortal object!

Just two years ago, he had set out from Luzhou toward Tiangang Hall. Back then, becoming the youngest Deputy Hall Master or being granted a semi-immortal object felt like distant stars—visible, but unattainable.

Now, both the Deputy Hall Master title and a semi-immortal object were within reach.

The legendary Zhang Yuelu was willing to become his Daoist companion, and she held one of the finest semi-immortal objects in her hand.

Even among semi-immortal objects, there were tiers. Yao Pei’s Staff of Merit and Li Changge’s Mortal Vitality were top tier, and so were the Heavenly Preceptor’s Green Cloud and Purple Afterglow. After all, when united, these two swords became a true immortal weapon, something no other semi-immortal object could match.

Green Cloud and Purple Afterglow were also different. The masculine sword, Green Cloud, was forged from metal, excelling in lethal power and unmatched sharpness. The feminine sword, Purple Afterglow, was cast from jade, less sharp but capable of channeling heaven and earth’s elemental energy, making it a true magical sword.

Though Qi Xuansu possessed many divine abilities, he preferred close combat and leaned toward martial prowess, so the Heavenly Preceptor gave him the Green Cloud. Zhang Yuelu, being a Banished Immortal, was more versatile in her methods, and so she received Purple Afterglow.

After granting them the swords, the Heavenly Preceptor saw no need to keep them and signaled that they could leave.

The two left the study and, in tacit agreement, stored Green Cloud and Purple Afterglow away in their magical receptacles so as not to flaunt their gain. Parading the Heavenly Preceptor’s Twin Swords openly in the Dazhen Mansion would only provoke unnecessary trouble from the Zhang family.

But once they were on the battlefield in Fenglin, that would be another matter entirely.

The two found a secluded spot to quietly admire the lanterns and fireworks, but did not part ways until midnight.

With the Shangyuan Festival concluded, it was time for them to return to Jade Capital.

But before their return, there was a customary auction to attend.

Ever since the rise of Western studies, the Daoist Order had embraced the tradition of hosting auctions. These auctions were usually overseen by the Shibo Hall and dealt in rare but high-demand items. The Huasheng Hall and Tianji Hall sometimes held auctions to promote their goods. Even the Beichen Hall and Tiangang Hall had hosted such events. The former sold assets seized from offenders, while the latter sold war spoils. Only the Ziwei Hall and Ciji Hall never participated. After all, it would not do to see the Ziwei Hall auctioning off insignias or Daoist certificates, and Ciji Hall could not auction off virtues.

These auctions were typically attended by high-ranking Daoists, though select officials and Confucian scholars were sometimes invited as well.

On December 10th, 41st year of the Jiushi Era, the Zhengyi Sect and the Quanzhen Sect jointly held an auction in the Shangqing Palace. The finale was a single Red Fruit, and the closing lot was a high-grade magical receptacle. All proceeds went toward the compensation for Spirit Guards who had fallen in the Western Region war. These were extra funds on top of the standard death benefits disbursed by the Duzhi Hall.

As usual, another auction was being held this year, and every coin raised would be earmarked for the coming Fenglin campaign.

Given Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu’s rank and status, they both received an invitation.

The scale of this auction far surpassed the last one, as Zhang Jucheng would attend in person.

When Qi Xuansu was invited last time, it was merely for the sake of attendance. But this time, he would be seated as an honored guest representing the Quanzhen Sect.

By custom, every guest must donate one lot for bidding.

Thus, Qi Xuansu fretted about this for a long time. Given his current standing, Zhang Yuelu’s dignity, and the fact that the Heavenly Preceptor had just gifted him a semi-immortal sword, he really ought to present something valuable at this auction. Otherwise, the Zhang family would look down on him.

Yet, Qi Xuansu was broke, with only a few treasures at hand. He had a replica of the Nine Yang Fiery Dome that he rarely used, but the genuine artifact rested in the Dazhen Mansion, so producing a counterfeit before the Zhang family was not exactly wise.

The Dragon Painting Pistol came from Yao Pei, Flying White Shadow was a gift from Prince Jin, Qin Quanyi, and the collector’s edition of the Holy Xuan Cards was a present from Madam Qi and Li Qingnu. Thus, all of them were unsuitable to be donated as auction items. This was especially true for the deck of Holy Xuan Cards. If Madam Qi learned that he had donated it, she would flay him.

Rummaging through his magical receptacle, Qi Xuansu dug out a collector’s edition of The Female Sword Immortal, valued at 300 Taiping coins.

It was a product of the Mystery Jar.

Though not a treasure, it could pass as an elegant curio.

After much pondering, Qi Xuansu decided that would have to do.

If the Zhang family chose to look down on him, so be it. This would not be the first time anyway.

Since he could not impress them with deep pockets, he would simply flaunt his empty sleeves.

Zhang Yuelu was far better off than Qi Xuansu. The Heavenly Preceptor personally handled her contribution. Knowing her sleeves were just as empty as Qi Xuansu’s, the Heavenly Preceptor instructed Tang Jiaohua to select a fine artifact from the Xuanwu Hall and donate it in her name.

Qi Xuansu could not help but sigh in envy. He would also like such a generous grandpa.

Early next morning, Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu arrived at the Shangqing Palace assembly hall. They were early, so many dignitaries had yet to appear. After exchanging brief greetings with acquaintances, they settled into a quiet corner to chat.

Qi Xuansu was rather bored. He only had 2,400 Taiping coins on him, hardly enough to buy anything. He was here just to feast his eyes.

Zhang Yuelu was in a similar position. Though she held a noble status, she was not the typical greedy or entitled scion. She relied solely on her meager stipend to maintain a barely respectable lifestyle. She simply did not have spare money for these kinds of events. However, things might change for the better in the future, given the depth of the Zhang family’s resources in which she could now access.

Soon after, Zhang Juqi and his wife, Tantai Qiong, arrived, along with Zhang Yuyue and her husband, Dong Baijing.

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu had to stand and greet them.

Qi Xuansu offered formal greetings as a junior to Zhang Juqi and Tantai Qiong, then exchanged polite words with Dong Baijing.

Tantai Qiong did not make a scene because she knew it was not the time or place. Moreover, Qi Xuansu’s current status was nothing like before.

After sitting back down, Zhang Yuelu asked softly, “Last time you attended an auction, you ran into two enemies. Any foes at this one?”

Qi Xuansu chuckled helplessly. “Where would I find that many enemies?”

Zhang Yuelu shifted the topic. “If not enemies, then what about old acquaintances?”

Qi Xuansu replied, “Among our classmates, Yue Liuli and Wan Xiuwu are the only ones doing well. You’ve seen the rest. None of them has reached the fourth rank, so they can’t even set foot in Shangqing Palace.”

Zhang Yuelu suddenly said, “Shi Yu came to see me.”

Qi Xuansu was stunned. “How did she reach you?”

Zhang Yuelu replied. “It’s easy, since I stay at the Tiangang Hall in Jade Capital all the time, unlike you, who’s constantly running around. I remembered her, so I met her.”

“What did she want?” Qi Xuansu asked.

“It was about Mo Qingdi. He’s had a rough few years but is too proud to ask you for help. So Shi Yu went behind his back to ask for my help instead.”

Qi Xuansu pressed, “What exactly did she ask of you?”

“Nothing major.” Zhang Yuelu shrugged. “Just a matter of putting in a word.”

Qi Xuansu said nothing for a while, then asked, “Would it cross any lines for you or cause any trouble?”

“No.” Zhang Yuelu shook her head. “It’s not about promotions or an office. It’s just a small inquiry, asking people at Qingping Publishing House not to make things harder for him.”

Qi Xuansu sighed. “This really should’ve been my responsibility...”

Zhang Yuelu laughed. “Forget it. You were busy matching wits with some official in the Imperial Capital. Even if you were in Jade Capital, do you even know which direction the Qingping Publishing House’s main gate faces?”

Qi Xuansu replied, “It opens to the south. All buildings in Jade Capital are essentially the same.”

Zhang Yuelu could not help but smack him lightly. “You and your smart mouth.”

Qi Xuansu said, “Jokes aside, I really do owe you thanks.”

“You’re being too formal. A man shouldn’t abandon his wife when rich, nor his friends when noble. It’s good that you haven’t forgotten them. But if one day you rise to power and fame and forget me—or worse, grow fickle and start eyeing other women—then I won’t be polite,” Zhang Yuelu teased for once.

Qi Xuansu asked deliberately, “And how exactly would you not be polite?”

Zhang Yuelu gave him a look. “I’ll kill you with one sword strike.”

Qi Xuansu feigned fear and whispered, “Speaking of fickleness, is this a good time to confess to having a sweetheart?”

Zhang Yuelu raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

Qi Xuansu said, “That woman is a stunning beauty and peerless talent. Her phoenix eyes are especially radiant and commanding, so much so that people dare not look straight at her. I fell for her at first sight.”

Zhang Yuelu saw through his act instantly. “That woman wouldn’t happen to be Tantai Chu, would she? If that’s the case, I also know someone named Wei Wugui.”

Qi Xuansu sighed in defeat. “You’re no fun when you do that.”

Zhang Yuelu laughed. “Alright, next time I’ll play dumb and go along with your act.”

Qi Xuansu did not want to entertain her anymore. This was the downside to having a partner who was too clever. Nothing could fool her, and his tricks no longer worked.

Just then, Zhang Jucheng and the others arrived.

Yan Mingchen was with Zhang Jucheng, not because the Zhang family particularly valued this junior relative, but because of the power behind the Yan family.

Yan Mingchen glanced at Zhang Yuelu and Qi Xuansu but said nothing, simply finding a seat.

Qi Xuansu paid him no mind.

If Yan Mingchen had been Li Tianzhen, Qi Xuansu might have paid some attention. To put it bluntly, Yan Mingchen was a defeated opponent. From the beginning, Qi Xuansu never regarded Yan Mingchen as a real rival. Sure, Yan Mingchen had the Yan family backing him, but if they were comparing backgrounds, Qi Xuansu himself represented the Quanzhen Sect.

Zhang Yuelu cared even less. She had never promised Yan Mingchen anything. From the beginning, her stance had been crystal clear—firm opposition, without the slightest room for negotiation. Of course, if Yan Mingchen insisted that Zhang Yuelu had insulted him and wanted to issue a three-year duel challenge atop Yunjin Mountain, Zhang Yuelu would readily accept.

But there were two special guests today—Li Changsheng and Li Minghuang.

The two of them were here representing the Taiping Sect to participate in the auction.

After all, the Taiping Sect hoped to rope the other two Daoist sects onto their boat, so easing tensions was inevitable. They certainly knew that Li Minghuang was not suitable for this role and had no intention of provoking the Zhengyi Sect at this juncture. However, Lu Yushu, who was originally supposed to attend the auction, had suddenly been dispatched by the Earthly Preceptor to investigate a corruption case. Meanwhile, the Li family members of Beichen Hall had already departed with Sage Qingwei for their main base in Qizhou. Only Li Minghuang of Tiangang Hall remained in Jade Capital, so he ended up going to this auction by default.

But no matter how one looked at it, it seemed like the Earthly Preceptor had done it on purpose.

The Quanzhen Sect did not want to see relations between the Zhengyi Sect and the Taiping Sect improve. They preferred continued tension, as that was when the Zhengyi Sect would stand firmly on their side.