A Pawn's Passage

The Telephathic Technique was a Buddhist method, which was then absorbed by the Cihang lineage and categorized under the Heart Series of the Cihang Sword Sequence.

The Cihang Sword Sequence was divided into four series—the Sword Series, Heart Series, Nought Series, and Self Series. Among them, the Self Series was the most profound. These four series build upon each other progressively, like laying a solid foundation before constructing a tall tower. Therefore, the Cihang Sword Sequence was considered an orthodox Daoist method.

The Heart Series was the advanced form of the Sword Series and the foundation for the Nought Series. The heart in its name referred to not just one’s heart and mind, but others’ too. Similar to the Taishang Emotionless Sutra, it inherited some methods from mind cultivators.

For Qi Xuansu, the biggest issue was that he lacked any foundation in the Sword Series, which was unrealistic to pick up at this moment. If he did so, he might as well try learning the Wa language instead.

Fortunately, Zhang Yuelu had a solution. Back when the Daoist Order and the Buddhist Sect clashed, the Buddhists adopted the Daoist rank system, while the Daoists also gained something in return. They mimicked the Buddhist empowerment technique and created a method for instantaneous realization. Simply put, it was the ability to copy one’s own understanding and directly transmit it to someone else, saving time and effort.

However, the threshold for this method was very high. The recipient must be at least a Heavenly Being to endure the mental impact without damaging their soul. The transmitter’s requirements were even higher, having to be at the Wuliang stage or higher, with significant mastery in soul cultivation. In other words, Martial Arts Practitioners could not use this method at all.

Moreover, even if the transmission was completed and the recipient accepted it, there could be an issue with compatibility. In truth, just as people chose what methods to practice, such methods also chose their practitioners. There must be an affinity between the two. Some were born physically robust and excelled in martial arts with minimal effort, but when it came to spells, they were hopeless no matter how hard they tried. That was a suitability problem.

The more crucial issue was that this method had major limitations. Since the entire content was based on someone else’s realizations, any skill gained through it tended to stagnate for life. Furthermore, the transmitter would suffer some loss in cultivation. That was why respectable masters rarely used this method to teach their disciples, who were made to cultivate on their own. Large-scale use was also impossible since not enough people qualified. Moreover, even minor losses in cultivation could shake one’s foundation if accumulated over time.

Zhang Yuelu was a Banished Immortal at the Wuliang stage, and Qi Xuansu was a Heavenly Being, so both met the requirements. Qi Xuansu also had no intention of delving deeper into the Cihang Sword Sequence, so he was not concerned about future stagnation.

Still, Zhang Yuelu was concerned that Qi Xuansu might be incompatible with the Heart Series, so she first had him memorize the mantras for a few days. He did not need deep comprehension and only a general understanding of the concepts. If anything was unclear, he could ask her.

After all, Zhang Yuelu had many responsibilities. She had just helped arrange the meeting between Zhang Wuliang and Sage Qingwei and had no time for hands-on teaching.

After Qi Xuansu had thoroughly memorized the mantras, he went to find Zhang Yuelu.

Zhang Yuelu was buried in a sea of official documents and case files. When she saw Qi Xuansu enter, she set aside her work for the moment, pressed a finger to the middle of her forehead, pulled out a wisp of spiritual light, and handed it to Qi Xuansu.

Qi Xuansu took the wisp of spiritual light and pressed it into his own forehead, then asked, “That’s it?”

“What more do you want?” Zhang Yuelu replied. “If you still can’t learn it, there’s nothing I can do.”

Qi Xuansu responded with confidence, “Madam Qi said I have exceptional comprehension. I’m just lacking a bit in innate talent. There’s no way I won’t be able to learn it.”

As a gifted Banished Immortal, Zhang Yuelu did not like discouraging Qi Xuansu. She nodded. “That’s true. I believe in you.”

Qi Xuansu felt something new settle into his upper Dantian. While he began to internalize Zhang Yuelu’s transmission, he asked, “What’s the latest on Zhang Juquan’s case?”

“There shouldn’t be any other major ripples,” Zhang Yuelu replied. “It’s actually easy to tell. If the Zhang family were planning revenge, there would’ve been signs—secret coordination, passing word among insiders, and so on. Such undercurrents are hard to hide. But for now, there’s no sign of any.”

Qi Xuansu asked, “The Zhang family lost someone for nothing. Are they really going to let it go?”

Zhang Yuelu said, “Zhang Juquan brought it upon himself. In the end, it was his own fault. Others merely added fuel to the fire. If he had kept himself clean, no one would’ve had such damning evidence to use against him. If it were a false accusation, the Zhang family would’ve been the first to object.

“Still, the main branch of the Li family surely offered compensation, perhaps conceding the post of Jiangnan Daoist Mansion Master to Zhang Jucheng in exchange for peace. On the Zhang family’s side, even if they retaliated, there’s no guarantee of victory. Both sides might suffer heavy losses, allowing the Quanzhen Sect to profit instead. Don’t be fooled by appearances. Just because the Zhengyi Sect and the Quanzhen Sect are allies doesn’t mean they share everything. It’s mutual fear that drove the swift reconciliation.”

Qi Xuansu sighed with emotion. “From this, it seems that no matter the time, one must always keep an upright attitude to withstand scrutiny.”

Thinking of the mountain of work waiting for her, Zhang Yuelu grew a little impatient. “Are you done yet?”

“Almost, almost.” Qi Xuansu pouted. “I just want to chat with you a little longer...”

Zhang Yuelu rolled her eyes at him. “In front of outsiders, you look pretty decent—commanding, even. But in private, why do you act like such a rascal?”

Qi Xuansu answered matter-of-factly, “Everyone has three faces, each for different people. Would you want me to treat other female Daoists the way I treat you?”

Zhang Yuelu smiled sweetly. “You’re welcome to try.”

Qi Xuansu laughed wryly. “You treat me differently than you treat others, too. You have three faces as well, so why call me out?”

Zhang Yuelu did not argue the point. “Last time, I told you that if you ever did something to betray me, I’d strike you down with a sword. What if I did something to betray you? What would you do?”

Qi Xuansu answered righteously, “Isn’t that obvious? I’d strike you down with a sword, too. That’s what equality means. If we both betrayed each other, then we’ll both go down together. Neither of us gets to walk away. We die and get buried side by side—no peace, just eternal torment.”

Zhang Yuelu could not help but laugh. “Good, that’s the spirit! Equality above all. If you ever say you forgive me, I’ll lose all respect for you.”

Qi Xuansu quipped, “Looks like we’re both pretty messed up. It’s perfect that we’re together—saves us from messing up other people.”

Though it sounded like a joke, it was not entirely one. Being an orphan, Qi Xuansu was especially guarded and serious when it came to emotions. He rarely acknowledged anyone as a friend or casually called others his brothers. He also did not recognize elders lightly and lived a solitary life. But once he accepted someone, his loyalty was unwavering. He would never betray them, nor could he tolerate betrayal. If he were betrayed, there would be no telling what he might do.

Most people could not handle such intense emotions unless they were the same kind.

Now, it seemed Zhang Yuelu had a similar nature. From their very first meeting, they had left a strong impression on each other. It was hard to deny the magnetic pull of kindred souls. That was what gave their relationship such a solid beginning.

Although Zhang Yuelu had both her parents, she was, in the broader sense, still quite lonely.

The main branch of the Zhang family viewed her as a threat and kept their guard up against her, as if she were not a part of the family. There was no warmth of kinship. Even Zhang Yuyue, with whom she had the closest relationship, was not truly close to her in heart.

Though she was a disciple of the Cihang lineage in name, she had never even set foot on Putuo Island. Her relationships with her senior and junior sisters were distant. In truth, it was awkward for a member of the Zhang family to become a disciple of the Cihang lineage. After all, when had anyone from the Li family become a disciple of the Qingqiu lineage? Some might bring up Yao Pei being a disciple of Sage Donghua, but Yao Pei’s mother was from the Pei family, and Sage Donghua was technically her uncle.

Zhang Yuelu even went to the Beichen Hall, where she was inevitably ostracized. Thus, when she was sent to investigate the first major Jiangnan case, she found herself surrounded by enemies on all sides.

This was why Zhang Yuelu had the ambition to reform the Daoist Order, and she did her utmost to remain untainted. However, all she got in return was being labeled as difficult to work with, arrogant, out of touch, pretentious, and overbearing.

Not to mention, her own mother did not understand her. They were like people from two different worlds. Her father might have understood her, but due to his own temperament, he could not wholly support her.

Many people claimed to support the legendary Zhang Yuelu, but did they care about what Zhang Yuelu herself thought? They supported her because of what she represented. They projected all kinds of unrealistic hopes onto her, as if her excellence somehow reflected onto them, making them feel honored by association.

Therefore, Zhang Yuelu was just as lonely as Qi Xuansu. Thankfully, she was mentally strong and could endure the pressure.

So in a sense, beyond their emotional bond, the two were simply two lonely souls finding warmth in each other.

In such a situation, when Zhang Yuelu met someone who understood and supported her, like Qi Xuansu, she was naturally delighted. Perhaps at first, Qi Xuansu did not fully understand her, but he changed—not to please her, but because he believed she was right. Due to this, Zhang Yuelu opened her heart to him, let go of her reservations, and took the initiative to deepen their relationship.

As someone who was also lonely, Zhang Yuelu could not tolerate betrayal either. This made it easier for her to truly understand Qi Xuansu.

If it were anyone else hearing Zhang Yuelu say she would strike them down if they betrayed her, they would either laugh it off as a joke, be secretly terrified and distance themselves, or rush to declare their loyalty.

Only Qi Xuansu would respond with equality.

If their feelings still lingered after death, then they would just be buried together so they could go on tormenting each other for eternity.