A Pawn's Passage

After the meeting was adjourned, Qi Xuansu followed the crowd out of the assembly hall. At that moment, Qian Wan came up to him. “Deputy Master Qi, the Hall Master requests that you visit her office.”

Qi Xuansu was not surprised. He gave a slight nod and headed toward Sage Cihang’s office.

He had expected that Sage Cihang would want to speak with him. However, the discussion would not be about official matters, but rather some private affairs concerning the union of two last names.

Of course, Qi Xuansu’s situation was rather special, as it involved four different last names. His own name was Qi, Zhang Yuelu’s was Zhang, Sage Cihang’s was Su, and Madam Qi’s was Yao. The Zhang family was the leading family of the Zhengyi Sect, while the Yao family headed the Quanzhen Sect. The Su and Qi families were also prestigious families within the two sects. However, the origin of Qi Xuansu’s last name still remains a matter of debate. Nevertheless, it was something that had to be discussed.

The Tiangang Hall Master’s office was located right behind the main hall. Qi Xuansu had been there once before when he came with Zhang Yuelu. This was his first time coming alone.

When he entered the office, he saw that Sage Cihang had only just returned herself, as she was still dressed in the formal attire she had worn at the joint council. She gestured for Qi Xuansu to sit, while Qian Wan had already served him tea.

Qi Xuansu accepted the tea, thanked her, and set it casually to the side, waiting for Sage Cihang to speak first.

After Qian Wan activated the privacy barrier to prevent eavesdropping or prying, she withdrew of her own accord. Sage Cihang did not sit behind her desk but instead sat directly opposite Qi Xuansu. “I heard from a friend in Tianji Hall that Madam Qi had bought you a house.”

“Yes,” Qi Xuansu replied.

Sage Cihang cautioned, “I know that it was once Sage Yuying’s old estate, commonly known as Princess Xuanzhen’s Mansion. It’s an excellent place, but you must be careful of others making an issue out of this, saying that the money used to purchase it came from an improper or unknown source. If it were linked to secret societies, it would not only harm your career but would also count as a grave offense.”

Qi Xuansu quickly replied, “Madam Qi has already considered this. It’s entirely her own money that has no connection to Seven Treasure Pavilion whatsoever. It was handled through the Yao family’s channels.”

Sage Cihang gave a slight nod.

Going through the Yao family’s channels meant it had passed through their hands, which legitimized the source. Even if someone wanted to make an issue of Qi Xuansu, the trail would end with the Yao family. They could hardly go on to question whether the Yao family’s funds were legitimate. If they investigated the Yao family, would they also investigate the Pei family? Would they scrutinize the Earthly Preceptor, who represented the Yao family, and Sage Donghua, who represented the Pei family? If so, would they investigate the Zhang and Li families as well?

Therefore, anyone trying to stir trouble over this residence would simply point out that Madam Qi was a member of the Yao family. But this was hardly a secret among the Daoist Order’s upper echelon. Both Sage Cihang and Sage Donghua already knew. The Li family was also not in the dark since they were well aware of Qi Xuansu’s Longevity Stone Heart.

In truth, there was an unspoken understanding among these major families that, unless absolutely necessary, they would not target each other’s core members. After all, each family had its own key figures.

However, the Daoist Order was not composed of just these families. There were also rising families like the Wangs, or somewhat weaker ones like the Qis. These forces could not be underestimated, and they might target Qi Xuansu.

Sage Cihang merely mentioned it without pressing into how Madam Qi managed things. After all, Madam Qi was a seasoned expert in this area. In Sage Cihang’s view, if Madam Qi had not left the Daoist Order, the most suitable role for that Pixiu[1] would have been the Duzhi Hall Master.

But everyone has their own aspirations. Madam Qi disliked the solemnity of the Daoist Order and was highly resistant to the ways of the fifth-generation Grand Master. She would rather stir up storms in Jianghu.

Thinking of this, Sage Cihang sighed with some emotion. “In ancient times, there were those who held the seals of six states. Madam Qi isn’t far off from that since she holds high positions in five secret societies. Did you know this?”

Qi Xuansu was taken aback.

He had only known that Madam Qi was one of the seven Moguls of Seven Treasure Pavilion, and one of the six members of the Qingping Society’s Privy Council. At most, he thought she had some ties to the White Jade Hall. But he was completely unaware of her dealings with the other secret societies.

Seeing Qi Xuansu’s reaction and expression, Sage Cihang guessed as much and explained, “Apart from Seven Treasure Pavilion and the Qingping Society, she is also an elder of the White Jade Hall and the Deputy Leader of the Eight Tribes. As for the last secret society, even I’m not fully aware. I only vaguely know that she’s involved in five secret societies.”

For a moment, Qi Xuansu did not know what to say.

Madam Qi always managed to overturn his understanding of her again and again.

At first, he had thought that Madam Qi was merely a B-rank member of the Qingping Society. Later, he learned that she was also Mogul Yao of Seven Treasure Pavilion. He once thought she was no different from Wu Guangbi, but then later found out that she was born into the Yao family and represented them in the upper levels of the Qingping Society. For a long time, he had thought he knew all of Madam Qi’s identities. Yet now, Sage Cihang had told him that she held senior positions in five different secret societies.

There was nothing surprising about the White Jade Hall since he had guessed as much when Madam Qi had sent him to fetch the Xuan Jade. The Eight Tribes was also justifiable, since the founding members had split off from the old Daoist creation project, which itself had countless ties with the Quanzhen Sect. After all, all Earthly Preceptors had been the leaders of the creation project.

Sage Cihang had not shared this merely to shock Qi Xuansu. She had a clear motive. “Among all the secret societies, the Eight Tribes rarely appear in the Central Plains. Especially in coastal regions, their traces are almost never seen. They usually operate in the Western Region and other remote areas, sometimes entering Liangzhou or Yongzhou. More recently, however, they have been active in Nanyang. The Eight Tribes are divided into several factions, some moderate, others more radical. Many of the radicals’ actions violate human morality, which can’t be tolerated in the Central Plains. Thus, they moved their operations into Nanyang. While that region is also under Daoist influence, without the support of the Great Xuan Imperial Court, it’s relatively chaotic.”

Qi Xuansu was not surprised.

The Central Plains were the core territory of the Daoist Order and could not be lost. Other lands, including Poluo and Fenglin, were just secondary. This was reflected in their governance. Administration in the Central Plains was meticulous, while it was comparatively lax elsewhere.

Strictly speaking, Poluo resembled an alliance of many small kingdoms, with the Daoist Order as its overlord. All those kingdoms acknowledged the Daoist Order’s authority, taking the Order’s word as law. However, conflicts and enmities between the kingdoms were frequent, and at times, the Daoist Order had to step in as mediator. Within these kingdoms, numerous local chiefs and tribal lords held power, often outwardly submitting to their monarchs while inwardly resisting.

The absence of a unified central dynasty gave secret societies ample room to grow and expand.

Qi Xuansu had privately studied the distribution of powers in Poluo. Beyond the Daoist Order, the Buddhist Sect, the ever-watchful Holy Court, and remnants of Ancient Wuism had some presence there. The Lingshan Witch Cult had also extended its reach there, hoping to absorb these remnants under its own banner. The foreign sailors and maritime merchants brought with them a jumble of beliefs involving sea gods and sea demons. Added to these were various indigenous cults. So, to call it chaotic was an understatement. Now, the Eight Tribes had entered the mix as well.

Though these forces were fragmented and unable to shake the Daoist Order’s rule, they made it nearly impossible to bring order to Poluo. It was an even greater challenge than Fenglin. At least Fenglin had the Chancellor’s Office, which nominally governed the entire region, allowing the Daoist Order to rotate the Fenglin Daoist Mansion Masters with relative frequency.

In contrast, it was difficult to even find a proper royal court to deal with in Poluo. It often took years to sort out its affairs, so the Poluo Daoist Mansion Masters usually held their posts for 10 or even 20 years at a time. Over time, they grew entrenched, difficult to dislodge. They came to resemble regional lords ruling in their own domains.

Qi Xuansu realized that Sage Cihang would not mention Poluo without reason. He thought, Has my assignment been decided?

Thus, he asked, “Sage, do you mean that my assignment to Poluo is already settled?”

Sage Cihang did not hide it from him. “I figured Sage Donghua has given you some hints. The Earthly Preceptor does intend to send you to Poluo.”

Qi Xuansu asked softly, “What is your opinion on this, Sage?”

Sage Cihang did not answer directly. “Within the Daoist Order, there is a type of people who once made outstanding contributions but, after achieving fame and success, allowed themselves to fall into decline. In their earliest days, they remembered the teachings of the Primordial Daoist Ancestor and the Holy Xuan, enduring hardship, living simply, and working diligently. But once they achieved certain accomplishments, they would always adopt a particular view.”

She deliberately paused before continuing, “Not long ago, I heard a certain young master openly declared, ‘If not for my ancestors, who would Poluo belong to today? Without my family, there won’t be this current Poluo.’”

Qi Xuansu’s first thought was, How arrogant.

The Li family prided themselves on being descendants of the Primordial Daoist Ancestor and the Holy Xuan. They were always invoking these names, considering themselves the true orthodox rulers of the Daoist Order. However, even Li Changge would not dare speak like this.

If Li Changge actually said something like the Daoist Order would not exist without the Li family, he would be bidding farewell to the eighth-generation Grand Master’s seat.

Sage Qingwei also would not openly claim that without him, the war in Fenglin could not have been won.

Right or wrong aside, there were some things one could say but not do, and some that could be done but never said.

However, there were always people who said such things nonetheless.

What the young masters of the Li family did not dare say or do, this arrogant young master did. How extraordinarily foolish!

Sage Cihang continued, “These people hold a mistaken belief that they are the chosen ones, being the most central and most important figures. They attribute every achievement in their jurisdiction to themselves while disregarding the efforts of others. From this mindset, they come to treat their jurisdiction as their private kingdom, taking whatever they wish, acting as though they are the true masters of their land.”

Qi Xuansu knew what Sage Cihang was hinting at, but he had a small doubt lingering in his mind.

Such words seemed more fitting coming from Sage Donghua, rather than Sage Cihang.

Sage Cihang saw Qi Xuansu’s doubt and said, “The Heavenly Preceptor and the Earthly Preceptor have already reached a consensus regarding this. The Imperial Preceptor likely would not oppose it either.”

1. Mythical beast with a voracious appetite for gold and treasures. ☜