A Pawn's Passage

Sage Donghua still had more gifts to dish out. He suddenly asked, “I heard that you have a fondness for firearms?”

Qi Xuansu nodded. “I dabble in them occasionally, though I wouldn’t call myself an expert.”

Sage Donghua explained, “When it comes to firearms, none can surpass those from Tianji Hall and the Divine Armory. Tianji Hall’s weapons are designed for the Dragon Eye Series ammunition, which makes them slower to fire than the Westerners’ guns but far more powerful. Su Yi[1] gave you a Dragon Painting Pistol, which is already the pinnacle of handheld weapons, capable of firing the Grade-A Series Seven Dragon Eye Bullets. Generally speaking, the more powerful the projectile, the larger it is, so the larger the gun’s bore must be. To increase the caliber, one must lengthen and reinforce the barrel. Thus, a handgun becomes a long gun, which then evolves into artillery.”

As he spoke, he retrieved a long rectangular case and gently lifted its lid to draw out a long rifle.

At a glance, the weapon exuded an extraordinary aura. Its bore was larger than that of an ordinary Sun-Shooting Rifle, nearly as thick as his arm and noticeably longer.

Its barrel resembled a smooth bamboo cane, greenish with speckled black dots. It did not have a metallic sheen, but it bore a unique, almost antique grace. This material was a mystery to Qi Xuansu.

Sage Donghua handed the long rifle to the junior before him.

In Sage Donghua’s hands, the rifle looked deceptively light, but that was only because of his high cultivation. In truth, it was heavy, nearly twice the weight of the Dragon Painting Pistol. Even disregarding the cost or complexity of its manufacture, its sheer weight alone made it impossible to issue this weapon to the masses.

Sage Donghua said, “This is the modified version of the Sun-Shooting Rifle, a prototype from Jianxiu Mountain. It can fire a Grade-A Series Six Dragon Eye Bullet, which has a longer range and higher power than the Series Seven Bullets. It’s ideal for long-distance ambushes. For someone of your caliber, it may not count as a true weapon, so consider it a toy. Still, it would serve you well for hunting.”

Then Sage Donghua produced a magical receptacle shaped like a tobacco tin. “Of course, artillery is the most powerful among firearms. Jianxiu Mountain has designed a portable cannon called the Starpicker. It can fire the Grade-A Series Three Dragon Eye Bombs. Though its assembly is somewhat troublesome, its destructive power is unquestionable. Even a Pseudo-Immortal struck by it would find the blow unbearable.

In close combat, you’d never have time to assemble it. But with prior preparation, you could easily catch your enemy completely off guard.”

Qi Xuansu’s eyes were already gleaming with fascination.

He knew very well what this was. Back in Jinling during True Lord Siming’s divine descent, Madam Qi had assembled this cannon atop the Ascension Platform. She also used the waist-height and cylindrical Grade-A Series Three Dragon Eye Bomb. That single shot had struck the Ancient Immortal with astonishing power—an image forever etched in Qi Xuansu’s memory.

Strictly speaking, during his time in the Wanxiang Daoist Palace, Qi Xuansu had merely been interested in firearms, treating them as nothing more than a hobby. His true fascination for firearms grew under Madam Qi’s influence. After all, when facing formidable foes, firearms were often the most decisive means of victory.

Among the Phoenix Eye and Dragon Eye Series ammunition, the Grade-A Series One and Two were tightly controlled by the Daoist Order. They were limited in number and required official approval, forbidden to circulate outside. Thus, the Series Three ammunition was the practical upper limit. The Grade-A Series Three Phoenix Eye Bomb was far too large, requiring airborne deployment via flying ships. Hence, the Grade-A Series Three Dragon Eye Bombs remained the only truly portable heavy firearm. However, its price was a staggering 23,500 Taiping coins per round to manufacture, making it at least double for sale.

Sage Donghua slid the magical receptacle toward Qi Xuansu. “This magical receptacle contains the corresponding components, blueprints, and three rounds of Grade-A Series Three Dragon Eye Bombs. Keep them well.”

Qi Xuansu accepted it, his hands slightly stiff with disbelief.

Never mind the value of the Starpicker cannon; just the three shells amounted to 70,000 Taiping coins at an internal rate. On the black market, they would fetch at least 100,000 Taiping coins. Clearly, Sage Donghua was being generous.

Sage Donghua then took out a final box divided neatly into nine small compartments, each holding an array of vials and jars. “There are a few items from Huasheng Hall here. I believe you already know what the Shebishi Venom does. This is superior-grade Soul-Returning Incense, capable of calling back one’s spirit at a critical moment. Spirit Pills to enhance cultivation or quickly restore true essence in battle. Top-grade Jade Liquor, which is good for deep cultivation or for rapidly replenishing blood qi. Six Qi Pills and Zaohua Rebirth Pills. I won’t go into the details. Take them all and study them at your leisure.”

Qi Xuansu was momentarily speechless.

Zhang Yuelu had used the Six Qi Pill and Zaohua Rebirth Pill before. The former cost about 10,000 Taiping coins, while the latter cost 20,000 Taiping coins a piece. Qi Xuansu was familiar with Shebishi Venom and Soul-Returning Incense. The venom portion might be modest, but it was more than enough.

Qi Xuansu also remembered buying the cheapest Jade Liquor for 1,500 Taiping coins per jar. So this top-grade liquor likely cost 10,000 Taiping coins.

A finished Spirit Pill was also valuable. The Blood Pill Qi Xuansu had once recovered from the ruins of the Cuowenbu manufacturing plant had merely been a half-finished version.

This box of goodies was worth at least 100,000 Taiping coins.

In total, Sage Donghua had just gifted him 200,000 Taiping coins’ worth of treasures without so much as a blink.

Now this was what one called a grand gesture, and what it meant to be protected under the shade of a great tree.

In the past, Qi Xuansu had never fully felt the protection of this great Daoist tree—but now, he did.

Judging from Sage Donghua’s nonchalance, he probably considered none of these gifts particularly valuable, apart from the seven pages of the Scripture of Zuriel.

This astronomical sum that Old Master Gao went bankrupt to save his family was nothing more than a pittance to Sage Donghua.

Still, the scale of this generosity revealed the dire peril of Poluo. Otherwise, Sage Donghua would never have equipped him so heavily without cause.

When Qi Jianyuan had been dispatched to the Wanxiang Daoist Palace, he had not received such treatment.

As a courtesy, Qi Xuansu still attempted to decline politely. “Sage Donghua, these gifts are far too precious.”

Sage Donghua replied bluntly, “You need only accept what I give you.”

Gong Jiaojun added with a smile, “Deputy Hall Master Qi, it’s rare for any eighth-generation disciples to receive such favor from the Hall Master. This is a token of appreciation for your hard work, so you should accept it.”

Only then did Qi Xuansu finally take all the boxes and store them carefully.

Finally, Sage Donghua reached into his sleeve and drew out an exquisite mother-child talisman. It was gold with cloud patterns that shimmered faintly at its edges.

He placed it before Qi Xuansu and explained, “This mother-child talisman was crafted personally by the Earthly Preceptor, able to bypass distances and all barriers, like pocket realms, divine kingdoms, or any seals. You may use it to call for aid, though I would rather you use it to report your victory.”

Qi Xuansu received it solemnly with both hands. “Please rest assured. I shall give my all in this assignment to Poluo. To live up to your trust and the Earthly Preceptor’s expectations, I promise to brave every danger and complete the mission.”

Sage Donghua’s tone softened slightly. “You’ll depart as a third-rank Youyi Daoist master, and I hope you will return as a second-rank Taiyi Daoist master. There are greater tasks in Jade Capital awaiting your return.”

It was no wonder Sage Donghua favored him. Qi Xuansu’s competence spoke for itself, from the Anchor the Monkey operation at Wuxing Mountain to his contributions in the Fenglin campaign. Moreover, with Madam Qi’s connection, he was practically family. Most importantly, he was tactful. He knew how to show resolve before his superiors rather than strut about with pride or mope about grievances, waiting to be consoled.

In this regard, Qi Jianyuan could not compare to Qi Xuansu. The former lacked capability, so all else became moot.

As for Yao Pei, she was capable and close to Sage Donghua, but she would never pledge herself so extremely to a mission. Instead, she would likely counter with a question.

But this was not Yao Pei’s fault alone. All three Daoist prodigies carried some measure of pride. Li Changge and Zhang Yuelu might have close ties to Sage Qingwei and Sage Cihang, respectively, but the juniors still kept a certain pride and would never position themselves as humbly as Qi Xuansu did.

Li Changge possessed the stern grace of the Imperial Preceptor, while Zhang Yuelu was infamously known to be difficult to get along with.

Zhang Yuelu was rigid, serious, and hot-tempered. This was evident in her twisting Xu Ko’s wrist and gripping Yuan Shangdao by the throat at his own banquet. Her gentleness toward Qi Xuansu was unique. It did not mean she treated others the same.

Everyone had many sides. Qi Xuansu might have been a good son before Madam Qi, but when he killed his foes, he sure did not look naive.

Compared to Zhang Yuelu, not many badmouthed Qi Xuansu for being arrogant. That was because Qi Xuansu had climbed from the bottom rungs and bore no such pride. He bowed when he had to and stretched when he could. He had once bowed to Sun Yongfeng, so he had no qualms about showing respect toward Sage Donghua.

The other three prodigies were shaped by their environments and upbringing. Almost everyone saw them as heirs apparent, and their youth amplified their haughtiness. Even when they were merely in the fourth rank back then, they carried themselves grander than most second-rank Taiyi Daoists.

Neither way was wholly right or wrong. They merely had different temperaments.

Qi Xuansu longed to stand proud and defiant, but he lacked family backing. If he wished to rise higher, he would have to compromise on his pride first. However, this was not the same as weakness. There was a fine line between the two.

Finally, the conversation with Sage Donghua ended. Once he met with Zhang Yuelu, Qi Xuansu would depart for his assignment in Poluo, where a storm awaited him.

1. Yao Pei’s courtesy name. ☜