A Pawn's Passage

The next morning, Qi Xuansu had already sobered up. He first went to Ziwei Hall and happened to run into Lei Xiaohuan.

Qi Xuansu felt genuine closeness to his former superior, now turned colleague. Naturally, he offered his congratulations for Lei Xiaohuan’s promotion to Chief Deputy Mansion Master of Jiangnan Daoist Mansion.

The news that Lei Xiaohuan would succeed Bai Yingqiong as the Chief Deputy Jiangnan Daoist Mansion Master had already been made public. In a few days, she would formally assume office, partnering with the new Jiangnan Daoist Mansion Master, Zhang Jucheng. These past days, she had been busy clearing out her office at Ziwei Hall as she had many belongings to bring along.

The appointment was reasonable, since Lei Xiaohuan represented the Pei family under Sage Donghua. The frivolous and idle Pei Xiaolou had been disappointing, unable to advance his cultivation. So no matter how much his brother Sage Donghua tried to support him, it was futile. At best, Pei Xiaolou could only be a Deputy Palace Master. By contrast, Lei Xiaohuan had advanced vigorously these past years, having lingered at the Wuliang stage for quite some time, quietly building her foundation. Within a few more years, she would likely break through to the Zaohua stage.

Like Bai Yingqiong, Lei Xiaohuan was not certain she could reach immortality. But she could certainly become a Pseudo-Immortal. Thus, Sage Donghua decided to shift his support to his sister-in-law, leaving Pei Xiaolou to live as a carefree idler.

This was the Daoist Order’s rigid rule. Without sufficient cultivation, one could not command respect and thus could not climb to a high office. Since the Golden Tower Council was fundamentally a collective deliberation, individual strategic thinking was not so important, aside from special positions like the Grand Master.

Put plainly, if one could not command others, even grand strategies would be wasted, simply reduced to empty talk or armchair scheming. At most, such people were suited to be advisors.

Lei Xiaohuan showed little joy in gaining this promotion. She sighed and shook her head. “Well, this isn’t something to be happy about. You were there when the seven-person task force went to Jiangnan, so you know what the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion is like. To serve as Chief Deputy in such a place is no simple task.”

Qi Xuansu replied, “Precisely because it’s no simple task that the Earthly Preceptor chose you to assume the position. The Golden Tower Council also saw the complexity of Jiangnan, so they ordered a personnel change for new blood, not only replacing the Mansion Master and Chief Deputy, but several other Deputies as well.”

Lei Xiaohuan finally laughed. “You rascal, spouting nonsense so smoothly. Others may not know the reason for the personnel changes, but I’m sure you’re aware of Zhang Juquan’s matter.”

Of course, Qi Xuansu knew. He had even personally arrested some of those involved. But it was not something fit to speak out in the open.

So Qi Xuansu changed the subject. “Jiangnan is prosperous, being the empire’s granary. As they say, with wealth comes strife, and with abundance comes contention. Now, with the rift between the three Daoist sects widening, you must be cautious during your posting, Sage Lei.”

Lei Xiaohuan sighed once more. “I know. That’s why I feel uneasy.”

She paused for a moment, then changed the topic. “Enough about me—let’s talk about you.”

Qi Xuansu feigned ignorance. “What about me?”

Lei Xiaohuan scoffed, tapping her fingers in the air. “Everyone knows you’ve piled up military achievements in Fenglin. The Earthly Preceptor even instructed the whole Quanzhen Sect to sing about your reputation. It’s clear as day that you’re marked for heavy use. I’ve even heard word that you’re being considered for a Second Deputy Mansion Master. To hold such a post at your age, you might be able to contend for the Grand Master’s seat in about 30 years!”

Qi Xuansu modestly replied, “Sage Lei, you flatter me. I dare not dream of becoming the Grand Master. But is it really true that I’m being considered as the Second Deputy Mansion Master?”

“Here I thought you were indifferent to fame and fortune.” Lei Xiaohuan teased. “Turns out you do care.”

Qi Xuansu played along. “Everyone is driven by gain. I’m just a mere mortal, so how could I not be moved by fame and fortune?”

Lei Xiaohuan answered, “Well, that’s just what I heard. I’m not sure, but I hear Lingnan and Poluo may see some personnel changes too.”

Qi Xuansu was not surprised. In fact, he had sort of expected it from Madam Qi’s hints. It was clear that both the Quanzhen Sect and the Zhengyi Sect intended to stir things up in Nanyang.

Nanyang referred to a region of countless islands, as if a single continent had been shattered into fragments.

Within the Daoist-controlled Nanyang, three major powers held sway—the Lingnan Daoist Mansion, the Poluo Daoist Mansion, and the local forces, including maritime merchants, pirates, and chief among them, the Heavenly Court. There were also Western trading fleets, but they were only traders, hardly a united power.

These three factions each corresponded to one of the Three Sects. The Heavenly Court was backed by the Taiping Sect, the Lingnan Daoist Mansion by the Zhengyi Sect, and the Poluo Daoist Mansion by the Quanzhen Sect.

Behind the Lingnan Daoist Mansion was the Zhengyi Sect, with the mighty Feng family entrenched there. They had migrated south during the Northern Dynasties and rooted themselves in Lingnan ever since. Since Lingnan was remote and beyond the emperor’s reach, the Feng family rarely meddled in Central Plains conflicts, setting them apart from other prestigious houses.

Back when the Daoist factions were not yet unified, Elder Xu had sought the Feng family’s aid in his uprising, but they flatly refused. Enraged, Elder Xu planned to seize Lingnan by force. The Feng family knew they could not defeat Elder Xu, so they sought aid from the Zhang family of Wuzhou, who intervened and drove Elder Xu out. Since then, the Fengs and Zhangs had become allied by marriage. After the Daoist unification, most of the Feng family worked for the Lingnan Daoist Mansion. Their roots there were deep and strong, making Lingnan Zhengyi Sect’s territory.

The Poluo Daoist Mansion belonged to the Quanzhen Sect, led by the newly-arisen Wang family. Their rise traced back to the war between the Daoist Order and the Holy Court in West Shakya.

Now, the Wang family harbored ambitions of changing allegiance, or at least using the claim as a banner to pursue autonomy, driving out one tiger with another wolf and slipping free of the Quanzhen Sect’s control. This was taboo and fraught with danger.

Naturally, the Taiping Sect would not act rashly. Given the bitter lessons of the past, even a willing victim-and-betrayer stratagem left deep scars. Building trust would take time. But once the Quanzhen Sect learned of this, they knew that words could not dissuade the damned. So they prepared to strike first and move against the Wang family. That was why Madam Qi had suggested taking revenge on the Wangs. Without this larger backdrop, Madam Qi and Qi Xuansu alone could never shake such a towering mountain.

The Quanzhen Sect had the standing to move against the Wang family. Special Daoist Mansions always had two Mansion Masters—a Great Sage and a Sage—like the Fenglin Daoist Mansion. There would also be a first-rank Spirit Guard stationed. In Fenglin, the role of the Great Sage of the Daoist Mansion was held by Zhang Qihan of the Taiping Sect; in Poluo, it was a Great Sage from the Quanzhen Sect.

Yet relying on a single Great Sage was insufficient. The Sage and the Chief Deputy of the Poluo Daoist Mansion were both members of the Wang family. So another person would be needed to coordinate with the Great Sage.

Qi Xuansu roughly had an idea of what would happen.

Lei Xiaohuan’s words had not been idle talk; there was substance behind them. To act against the Poluo Daoist Mansion, they could either directly strike at their core or take a more circuitous route via the Lingnan Daoist Mansion, making their move through maritime trade.

After parting from Lei Xiaohuan, Qi Xuansu went to Sage Donghua’s office.

Sage Donghua’s secretary, Gong Jiaojun, greeted Qi Xuansu with warmth. There were many with connections in this world, but few who rose successfully to prominence. Deputy Hall Master Qi was one of those rare few who were truly destined for a bright future.

Qi Xuansu remained courteous, as secretaries were not to be underestimated. These close aides spent more time with influential figures than family members or disciples did. They might not bring great matters to fruition, but they could easily ruin things if they wished to. If one wanted to know the opinion of a Sage, what they planned, where they would go, and whom they would meet, one would have to go through the secretaries.

Gong Jiaojun kept Qi Xuansu company for a short while until Sage Donghua entered the office. Qi Xuansu immediately rose to greet the Chief Omniscient Sage.

No matter how formidable Sage Qingwei was, he belonged to another faction and had little direct connection to Qi Xuansu. All Sage Qingwei could do was kick Qi Xuansu back to Jade Capital. If he really wanted to target Qi Xuansu, others would rise to the latter’s defense.

However, Sage Donghua was Qi Xuansu’s direct superior. When the Earthly Preceptor eventually passed, the vast Quanzhen Sect would fall under Sage Donghua’s rule. Thus, he held Qi Xuansu’s fate in his hand. If Sage Donghua chose to discipline Qi Xuansu, Sage Qingwei would never stand up for the latter.

It was akin to a parent disciplining their own child. If an outsider bullied the child, the parent would defend them. But if the parent struck the child, no outsider would intervene.

Once one chose a faction, who became one’s friend and foe was fixed. Choosing sides was never entirely voluntary either.

Sage Donghua motioned for Qi Xuansu to sit. “You performed well in Fenglin. Both the Earthly Preceptor and the Heavenly Preceptor are quite pleased with you.”

This was no surprise. Qi Xuansu had acted under the direct orders of both Deputy Grand Masters to confront Sage Qingwei head-on. Had they not been satisfied with Qi Xuansu, only Sage Donghua could have stepped in to go against his opponent.

Sage Donghua paused, then continued, “With all your merit, it’s no longer fitting for you to be a last-ranking Deputy Ziwei Hall Master. The Earthly Preceptor wants to use this opportunity to send you for a regional posting to gain experience. What do you think?”

Qi Xuansu replied, “I will follow whatever arrangements the Earthly Preceptor and you decide, Hall Master. I have no objections.”

This was a textbook answer, flawless and beyond reproach. In truth, when superiors asked for one’s “opinion,” it was mostly a formality. What could voicing one’s disagreement accomplish anyway? It would only cause open conflict.

Moreover, in Qi Xuansu’s situation, it was indeed what he desired, yet he dared not request it outright.

Sage Donghua gave a slight nod. “This matter is not finalized yet. I only wished to give you advance notice so you can be mentally prepared.”

Qi Xuansu hesitated briefly, then tentatively asked, “Hall Master...does this concern Nanyang?”

Sage Donghua cast him a glance, then chuckled. “You’re quite well-informed, huh?”