A Pawn's Passage

Chen Jianchou realized that there were too many things he could not make sense of, and the truths behind them were far too terrifying. After much hesitation, he decided to use special channels to contact his godmother, Xu Jiaorong, before the half-month deadline.

They met again at the same small tavern as before.

Chen Jianchou arrived first. He went to a private room on the second floor, ordered a jar of wine, and began drinking alone.

Soon, the stairs creaked, and unconcealed footsteps approached. Chen Jianchou slowly rose to his feet.

The newcomer wore a black cloak, the hood pulled low to hide her face, revealing only her chin. She raised a hand slightly toward Chen Jianchou as a subtle gesture for him to sit. He obeyed and sat back down.

The cloaked figure sat opposite him. “Time is limited, so get to the point.”

Chen Jianchou nodded, then laid out all his suspicions and deductions without holding anything back.

The woman was Xu Jiaorong. After listening in silence, she replied with a seemingly unrelated question, “Do you know why Second Deputy Qi came to Poluo?”

Chen Jianchou hesitated, then said, “I’ve heard that Second Deputy Qi carries a special mission from the Golden Tower Council.”

Xu Jiaorong pressed further, “Then do you know what exactly this special mission entails?”

After a moment’s silence, Chen Jianchou answered cautiously, “It’s said that the Golden Tower Council is dissatisfied with the current Poluo Daoist Mansion and intends to make a move. That’s why people say Second Deputy Qi is an envoy.”

Xu Jiaorong neither confirmed nor denied it. Instead, she asked, “Which is greater—the Golden Tower Council or the Poluo Daoist Mansion?”

This time, Chen Jianchou did not hesitate before he replied, “Of course, the Golden Tower Council is greater.”

Xu Jiaorong continued, “If the Golden Tower Council decided to move against the Poluo Daoist Mansion, do you think the latter will have any power to resist?”

Chen Jianchou glanced at her cautiously but remained silent.

“What are you looking at me for? Just speak your mind.” Xu Jiaorong tapped the table idly with her finger.

Chen Jianchou finally answered, “Under the Golden Tower Council are the Nine Halls and dozens of Daoist Mansions and Palaces. Poluo is merely one of the many, so I believe the Poluo Daoist Mansion has no power to resist.”

Xu Jiaorong nodded slightly. “Exactly. The Golden Tower Council is displeased with the Poluo Daoist Mansion. It could easily crush it outright. So why do you think they only sent Second Deputy Qi here instead of an army? Would the Golden Tower Council go to such trouble for nothing?”

Chen Jianchou was startled for a moment, then said, “Of course, there must be a point in everything. The Golden Tower Council must uphold the laws of the Daoist Order and ensure that others believe in its fairness. Only by enforcing punishment openly and righteously can it serve as an example to others. If there is no solid evidence, then it becomes mere fabricated guilt, and it will forever be remembered as a stain in history for generations to come. That’s why the Golden Tower Council sent Second Deputy Qi to uncover the truth and deliver justice openly.”

Xu Jiaorong smiled faintly. “Well said. Since you understand this principle, why then do you think the Poluo Daoist Mansion would deliberately seek to kill the King of the Yu Kingdom?”

Chen Jianchou froze again, momentarily speechless.

Xu Jiaorong’s smile faded as she spoke. “The Daoist Order has always been consistent in its methods. Since the days of the Holy Xuan, it has avoided resorting to underhanded means against influential figures. If someone must die, then it would have to be an open execution, not an assassination. Though the Daoist Order may be displeased that the Yu King secretly turned to Buddhism, they would never kill him. They also would not have a Chief Deputy personally do the deed.”

She continued, “No matter what, the Yu King publicly professes to the Daoist Order and has not elevated Buddhism. He merely found solace in it privately. He hasn’t crossed the red line, so the Daoist Order won’t touch him. If he did cross it, they would depose him publicly and not resort to murder in the shadows. One should have conspiracy theories, but it won’t be wise to see every matter through that lens. You must understand that the weak use intrigue to challenge the strong, but the strong rule through open strategy.”

“Then...Chief Deputy Chen...” Chen Jianchou’s mind grew muddled again.

Xu Jiaorong explained calmly, “The common folk don’t understand what the Daoist Order truly is. To them, Daoist priests represent the Daoist Order. So, to commoners, Chief Deputy Chen’s actions are the Daoist Order’s actions. If she were truly the one who killed the Yu King, in the people’s eyes, the Daoist Order would have been their King’s murderer. That would cause immense damage to the Daoist Order’s reputation. As such, the Daoist Mansion would never do such a thing, nor allow her to. If she did, she’d face severe punishment and not be let off lightly as you imagine.”

The chief secretary of the Poluo Daoist Mansion continued, “Also, the Daoist Mansion hasn’t ignored the Yu King’s illness. You’ve seen Huasheng Hall’s medical records. If we truly didn’t care, we wouldn’t have sent Huasheng Hall to treat him in the first place. We only withdrew because Chief Deputy Chen took over the case.

“As for those eunuchs who died suddenly, the Daoist Mansion didn’t order it. At the very least, no such command was issued internally. Of course, that doesn’t mean the Daoists had nothing to do with it. If someone within the Daoist Mansion made a move, it would have been through personal means, not official decree.”

Chen Jianchou hesitated. “So...was Chief Deputy Chen acting on her own behind the Daoist Order’s back? Or is Princess Furui simply overthinking this?”

Xu Jiaorong did not answer directly. “If we already knew everything, there would be no need for an investigation, don’t you think?”

Chen Jianchou gave a sheepish smile.

Xu Jiaorong added, “What you mentioned about the Lingshan Witch Cult is something I hadn’t considered. If Chief Deputy Chen were truly colluding with them in secret, that would be an earthshaking affair. The entire Poluo Daoist Mansion would be thrown into chaos, and Second Deputy Qi’s mission would already be half accomplished. But I think the possibility is extremely slim because it would be far too foolish for her to do so.”

Chen Jianchou agreed. “You’re right, Godmother. I also think it’s unlikely.”

Xu Jiaorong was silent for a moment before she said, “Also, you must neither believe nor dismiss what Princess Furui says.”

Chen Jianchou looked at her in puzzlement.

Xu Jiaorong said, “Princess Furui’s mother was a Western woman. The Daoist Mansion investigated her background and found nothing suspicious. But you must remember this—what was harmless in the past may not be harmless now, and what seems harmless now may not remain so in the future.”

Chen Jianchou said nothing.

Xu Jiaorong continued, “You’re still young and full of ideals, like many others of your generation. Right now, you can remain upright and self-disciplined. But can you guarantee that you will still be the same 20 years from now? It’s the same principle. Before that Western woman married the Yu King, she might not have any ties to the Holy Court. But who’s to say that the Holy Court hasn’t found a way to reach her after she became Queen of the Yu Kingdom?”

Chen Jianchou suddenly asked, “How did the Queen die?”

Xu Jiaorong replied expressionlessly, “Heaven is unkind, as the fairest bloom is usually the first to fade.”

Chen Jianchou had hoped Xu Jiaorong would show him a clear path. Instead, he was left with even more confusion. The situation was no longer just about Chief Deputy Chen and the Yu King. It now entangled the Daoist Order, the Buddhist Sect, the Lingshan Witch Cult, and even the Holy Court.

Xu Jiaorong glanced at him, her tone softening. “If this were so simple that a casual investigation could prove Chief Deputy Chen’s guilt, I wouldn’t have assigned it to you.

It’s because it’s so difficult to unravel that succeeding will count as a real achievement. Do this well, and I’m certain it will secure you a bright future.”

Chen Jianchou asked innocently, “As a seventh-rank Daoist?”

Xu Jiaorong chuckled. “A seventh-rank Daoist? Is that what you call a future? If that’s all you want, I can place you in the Daoist Mansion right now. But that would also be the end of your ambitions.”

Chen Jianchou quickly said, “Then I’ll pass.”

In this respect, the Daoist Order was much like the Imperial Court, which recognized only two proper paths to office—through the imperial examinations or by earning military merit. Anyone who advanced through family connections or marital ties was seen as a fortunate opportunist, looked down upon by others.

It was the same in the Daoist Order. Only those who entered through examination were considered legitimate. Those who entered through recommendation were viewed as deviants.

Strictly speaking, even Qi Xuansu himself had been admitted through examination.

Before the age of ten, children in Wanxiang Daoist Palace were taught the basic breathing and meditation techniques, along with reading, writing, and arithmetic. They would then face their first examination upon turning ten.

Those who passed became Daoist attendants and began their studies in the classics of Daoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Mohism, and Legalism, alongside introductory lessons in astronomy, geography, mechanisms, and talismans. They would also learn more advanced cultivation methods.

Those who failed became common Daoist believers and trained in various artisan crafts.

At eighteen, they would undertake a second examination. Successful graduates would leave the Wanxiang Daoist Palace and formally enter the Daoist Order, advancing from mere attendants to ninth-rank Daoists.

Qi Xuansu was one of the few who rose above countless other attendants and believers. By ordinary standards, he was already exceptional. However, compared to elites like Zhang Yuelu, Li Changge, or Yao Pei, his start was modest.

The true barrier for Qi Xuansu lay at the seventh rank.

The gulf between those with backing and those without was immense. According to Daoist rules, in certain special cases, an official post might be granted. But that did not mean it was a given. In other words, even if one met all the qualifications, promotion was still not guaranteed. It depended entirely on the will of those above.

Simply put, promotions and transfers were possible if one met the rules, and not all Daoists had an equal probability for such treatment.

The fact that Qi Xuansu could become a Second Deputy before turning thirty was entirely reasonable, legitimate, and within the rules. No fault could be found, but it was far from fair.

Qi Xuansu’s promotion was merely permissible, not exceptional.

On the other hand, Li Changge and the others were truly promoted by exception. Reaching a certain cultivation at a young age qualified them for special advancement, but that advantage of youth and skill had been forged through immense family resources.

Again, equality in the Daoist Order was self-proclaimed.

Qi Xuansu understood this perfectly well. That was why he never credited his success solely to his own ability. Deep down, he was grateful to Madam Qi.

Madam Qi had changed his destiny, just as Xu Jiaorong had changed Chen Jianchou’s destiny.

At last, Xu Jiaorong said earnestly, “In this regard, you should learn from Second Deputy Qi. I’ve heard from Great Sage Lan that Second Deputy Qi’s rise is thanks to his adoptive mother. But he has earned enough merit by joining in the second major Jiangnan case, the Anchor the Monkey operation, and the Fenglin campaign. That’s why, he became the Acting Second Deputy Mansion Master before turning thirty.”

She continued, “I’ve spoken at length with Second Deputy Qi. He plans to have his current secretary transferred to serve Deputy Hall Master Zhang. Since he’s not as senior or respected as Great Sage Lan, and as a young man, he finds it inconvenient to work closely with a female subordinate. So, he wants a male secretary instead. If you handle this current investigation well and earn his favor, I’ll personally recommend you for the position.”