A Pawn's Passage

In the end, the burly man accepted the 10 Taiping coins and decided to let the matter rest.

As the saying goes, there was always a hidden cause when something was abnormal. It was certainly strange for a noble to bow his head so readily, especially when his bodyguard was a Guizhen-stage Martial Arts Practitioner.

Sensing something dangerous beneath the surface, the man dared not press further.

But he did not notice the look of quiet pity in Zhang Quande’s eyes.

Zhang Quande’s cultivation might not be high, but his instincts were sharp. He could tell that these people had just provoked something far beyond them, and when disaster eventually struck, they might never even know why.

On the way back, Qi Xuansu asked, “Who were those people?”

Zhang Quande quickly replied, “Young master, that man’s the local tyrant of Chralong Lake. All the taverns and courtesans here pay him tribute. They call him by his nickname, Keeper of Chralong.”

Qi Xuansu continued, “Whose power does he rely on? Is he a Mage from the Daoist Order?”

“No, not at all,” Zhang Quande said. “Rumor has it he’s backed by the Witch Sect. Even the officials don’t dare touch him.”

Qi Xuansu paused. “The Witch Sect?”

He had long known that remnants of the Ancient Witch Sect, also known as Wuism, still lingered in Poluo, but he had not expected to encounter them so soon. He had imagined such remnants hidden deep in mountains or jungles, not walking openly in the capital of a kingdom.

Catching the shift in Qi Xuansu’s expression, Zhang Quande hurriedly explained, “Not the Ancient Witch Sect. It’s the Lingshan Witch Cult.”

Qi Xuansu’s steps halted.

Zhang Quande held his breath, uncertain which nerve he had just struck.

Qi Xuansu had long been entangled with the Lingshan Witch Cult. He frequented Lingshan in his dreams and was a witness to two of Wu Luo’s assaults. First, the Ancient Immortal shattered a flying ship. Then she brought down the Yinglong Warship. He had also crossed paths with these cult demons at Yishan City.

Now, by chance or fate, he encountered them yet again.

Qi Xuansu resumed walking in silence.

Zhang Quande glanced at him again and saw that Qi Xuansu’s face was now grim. His composure from earlier was completely gone.

A chill crept up Zhang Quande’s spine, and inwardly, he began to mourn for the Chralong Keeper and his men.

Ke Qingqing and Han Yongfeng remained silent.

People always said that to serve a master was to walk alongside a tiger, because at times, a single misplaced word could breed misunderstanding. Once that misunderstanding took root, no amount of explanation could save them. Hence, most kept to the old adage to guard their tongue.

Before the city gates closed, the four of them returned to their inn. But as soon as they entered the courtyard, a faint sweet scent drifted through the air.

Zhang Quande immediately felt his head spin and his legs weaken.

Han Yongfeng reacted instantly. He cut off his breathing and switched to embryonic respiration.

Ke Qingqing quickly followed his lead.

Qi Xuansu, however, paid it no mind. He simply sat down, calm as ever.

Soon, faint noises came from outside as three knife-wielding men crept in.

Their intent was obvious. Had Qi Xuansu’s group truly been drugged, the outcome would have been grim. Their valuables would have been stolen. Their lives would also be uncertain. For Ke Qingqing, it would have been a fate worse than death.

But when the three thugs pushed open the door and saw Qi Xuansu sitting upright and composed in the chair, they instantly knew something was wrong and tried to flee at once.

“Leaving so soon?” Qi Xuansu lifted his hand gently. All three men were dragged back as if they were pulled by invisible ropes. Their bodies slammed heavily onto the floor.

Qi Xuansu did not bother talking with the thugs. Instead, he instructed, “Old Han, interrogate them. Let’s see what kind of gods these three think they are.”

Han Yongfeng obeyed, lifting the three like chickens and dragging them into the next room.

About two hours later, Han Yongfeng returned, the faint scent of blood clinging to him.

The Daoist Order forbade torture in interrogation. But there were many things the Daoist Order forbade, such as disciples turning on one another or Deputy Grand Masters conspiring to sideline the Grand Master. And yet, such things still happened.

Qi Xuansu was in no mood to mind these rules at the moment. These thugs had drugged them and then crept in with knives, so they were hardly innocent by any measure.

After all, the law was a tool to preserve order and stability.

Han Yongfeng said, “They’re tough, and I didn’t bring my instruments, so I had to use my hands.”

Qi Xuansu did not bother with the details. “Did they talk?”

Han Yongfeng replied, “They talked. This inn’s not clean, but these men aren’t staff. They’re from a local gang that is a branch of the Heavenly Court.”

Qi Xuansu did not get infuriated. Instead, he laughed softly.

Han Yongfeng kept his gaze low, not knowing what to say.

Qi Xuansu tapped the armrest lightly. “What should I say? Is Poluo a land of hidden dragons and crouching tigers? In the blink of an eye, I’ve stumbled upon two secret societies. Am I just lucky, or are these factions simply too fearless?”

Ke Qingqing asked softly, “Sir, should we return to the Daoist Mansion for now?”

Qi Xuansu replied, “Just send word to Spirit Guard Ding Chou and ask her to arrive the day after tomorrow. We’ll proceed as planned.”

Ke Qingqing asked, “What about the flying ship?”

“Leave it at Chralong Lake. It’s best not to alert the Daoist Mansion,” Qi Xuansu said.

Ke Qingqing nodded and drew out a rapid post talisman to send a message to Spirit Guard Ding Chou.

They made no effort to conceal any of this from Zhang Quande.

Zhang Quande trembled so hard his knees nearly gave out, cold sweat trickling down his brow.

He repeated the words inwardly. Spirit Guard...flying ship...Daoist Mansion...Are they really high-ranking Daoist officials?

Fortunately, he had no idea who Ding Chou was. Otherwise, he would likely have fainted on the spot.

The next day, Qi Xuansu behaved as if nothing had happened. He strolled through the city, silently observing. But Ke Qingqing and Han Yongfeng both knew he was already planning his move. Many people were going to suffer for it, perhaps never even realizing they had offended an influential figure.

That night, Qi Xuansu headed for the local prefectural temple.

Normally, each prefecture had only one prefectural temple and one Daoist Palace. But the Poluo Daoist Mansion was unique since the region was split among many small kingdoms.

Aside from the Sheji Palace in the Yu Kingdom, there were several other palaces, one for each kingdom, each overseen by a Deputy Mansion Master. Only during council meetings did those Deputy Mansion Masters travel to the Sheji Palace.

Qi Xuansu visited a prefectural-level temple, headed by a fourth-rank superintendent. He did not reveal his true identity and instead had Han Yongfeng present his own fourth-rank credentials to request an audience with the local superintendent.

Since both were of equal rank and title, such a request could hardly be refused.

Soon, a fifth-rank deacon emerged to greet them, ushering the group into the Daoist temple while ordering tea to be served. He spoke with practiced courtesy. “You must have had a long journey. Please forgive me for not welcoming you sooner.”

Han Yongfeng spoke on Qi Xuansu’s behalf and said bluntly, “Let’s skip the pleasantries. We’re on official business. Where is your superintendent?”

His rank and office were both above that of the deacon, so there was no need for polite circles.

The deacon blinked, hesitating before replying, “The superintendent is not in the temple at the moment.”

Han Yongfeng raised an eyebrow. “A Daoist superintendent not in his own temple? Where has he gone?”

The deacon replied, “The superintendent is on leave today.”

Han Yonfeng asked again, “What about tomorrow?”

The deacon looked deeply troubled. “Tomorrow as well, sir.”

Han Yongfeng glanced at Qi Xuansu, who remained perfectly calm with an inscrutable expression.

“The day after tomorrow?” Han Yonfeng pressed. “Surely we can see him by then, right?”

The deacon lowered his head in silence.

Han Yonfeng took a deep breath. “That’s quite a long leave. If not the day after tomorrow, what about the day after that? Surely, he’s got to return one day.”

After a long pause, the deacon muttered, “Superintendent Han...please don’t ask anymore.”

Han Yonfeng slammed the tea table beside him, and the teacup jumped about 10 centimeters into the air.

“Don’t ask?!” Han Yongfeng roared. “The Daoist Order allows all staff to go on leave. Some even take half a month off. But that’s reserved for those returning from war or a major case! Since when does a local prefectural temple have such privileges?”

The deacon paled and said helplessly, “Superintendent Han, I only follow orders. How could I possibly control my superior?”

Qi Xuansu finally spoke. “We won’t make things hard for you. Why don’t you just fetch your superintendent? We’ll speak with him directly.”

The deacon sneaked a glance at Qi Xuansu. He could tell that Han Yongeng was only following this young man’s lead. Clearly, this young man was the true master in the room.

Han Yongfeng’s tone deepened as he barked, “Go now! If you don’t come back, you’ll have to bear the consequences yourself.”

The deacon hurried out at once, nearly tripping in his haste.

Qi Xuansu calmly lifted his teacup and took a slow sip.

After about 15 minutes, the deacon returned and stuttered, “S-Superintendent Han...”

Han Yongfeng deliberately drew out his tone. “What did your superintendent say?”

The deacon braced himself and said, “My superintendent said he will arrive shortly.”

Ke Qingqing, who had been silent all along, interjected, “That’s for the best.”

They were all equal in rank, so they need not fear each other. Yet none had ever seen someone so arrogant and leisurely.

However, “shortly” in Poluo clearly did not mean the same as it did in the Central Plains. Qi Xuansu’s group ended up waiting the entire night.

The deacon scurried back and forth, repeatedly changing the tea leaves and refilling cups.

Han Yongfeng, being a Martial Arts Practitioner with strong blood qi, was hot-tempered by nature and had little patience. After waiting so long, his temper finally flared. He began cursing openly, saying that even the superintendents of the Nine Halls in Jade Capital were not that arrogant.

He muttered, “At this rate, you’d think we were waiting for the Junior Imperial Preceptor himself!”

Ke Qingqing looked toward Qi Xuansu and spoke softly, “Sir...perhaps we should just return for now?”

Qi Xuansu remained composed. “No rush. Just as well, Spirit Guard Ding Chou and the rest should be arriving soon.”

When dawn finally broke, a disheveled Daoist priest swaggered through the doorway. His robes were rumpled, and his steps were unsteady. A strange scent wafted from him, with a blend of wine and women’s powder, clearly indicating what he had been up to the previous night.

Qi Xuansu lifted his gaze. “Are you the superintendent of this temple?”

“That’s right. I am.” The superintendent’s voice was thick with drowsy pride. He was clearly still half drunk. It was perhaps not from the Dreaming Death. There were still plenty of fine liquors in the Daoist community capable of achieving the same effect without harming the body. The only downside was their exorbitant cost.

Qi Xuansu rose slowly to his feet. “Excellent.”

The superintendent squinted at Qi Xuansu through bleary, drunken eyes and sized the man up. “And who might you be? I don’t recall ever seeing you before.”