A Pawn's Passage

The Yinglong Warship rose into the sky, departing from Lion City of the Jawa Kingdom and heading toward Thanglong Prefecture of the Yu Kingdom at full speed in a straight line, so much so that the journey took two hours.

At that moment, Thanglong Prefecture was in chaos. Outside the city, a massive sinkhole had appeared out of nowhere. There was no meteor strike, nor an earthquake. The sinkhole that was nearly half the size of Guijian Lake simply manifested silently.

Fortunately, the sinkhole had formed in a remote, uninhabited area, so there were no casualties or property loss. Yet those in the know whispered that an ancient tomb lay beneath the ground. Now, every brick and stone had vanished, but the pit had expanded far beyond its original boundaries.

The sinkhole seemed to have formed atop the old tomb, as if the earth itself had hollowed it out.

At the bottom of the pit, a blood-red lake rippled faintly. If the pit was a colossal bowl, then that lake was the dregs of water pooled at its base.

Now, the lake’s surface lay eerily empty.

Only Xu Jiaorong knew the truth. Had it not been for Wu Luo’s divine kingdom that absorbed most of the unleashed power, the resulting destruction would have been catastrophic.

It would have been like the Yunjin Mountain disaster that occurred 200 years ago. The Deposed Heavenly Preceptor had conspired with Song Zheng and others in rebellion. Infuriated, the Holy Xuan unleashed the fourth stage of the Taiyi Supreme Technique, severing part of Yunjin Mountain’s earth veins, triggering vast earthquakes that toppled peaks and even collapsed a part of the Dazhen Mansion. Due to this, the terrain in Yunjin Mountain was forever changed. Though the Zhengyi Sect later worked to restore the original state of the mountain, they failed to do so, leaving the mountain’s terrain complex.

By comparison, today’s event was merciful because this sinkhole did not harm the earth veins.

Even so, the appearance of the pit could not escape the eyes of the Daoist Mansion. Before long, speculations spread that the sinkhole was connected to Great Sage Lan.

The reasoning was simple. Normally, earthquakes and meteor strikes both leave fractured traces, but this pit was too smooth, as if a chunk of the earth had been cleanly erased from existence. Such an effect matched the Taiyi Supreme Technique, the power to reduce everything to Primordial Chaos.

Every senior Daoist priest knew about the Five Innate Tais, and across all of Poluo’s Daoist Mansion, only Great Sage Lan had ever mastered the Taiyi Supreme Technique.

If the incident truly involved Great Sage Lan, he should have convened a council immediately to explain what had transpired and who he had fought. At the very least, he should issue orders for containment or even impose martial law to hunt down those involved.

However, the Daoist officials waited, but no instructions ever came. The Great Sage remained silent, which deepened one’s suspicion.

Had Great Sage Lan met with some unexpected misfortune?

One after another, Daoist officials came to the Water Palace seeking an audience, hoping to verify his condition. But Xu Jiaorong personally blocked them all at the gate.

This only increased the people’s doubts.

Wang Jiaohe and Chen Shuhua did not appear in person. Instead, they sent Wang Jiaoying, the Third Deputy Poluo Daoist Mansion Master, to probe the situation.

Even from the name alone, one could tell their relation. Wang Jiaoying was Wang Jiaohe’s younger brother. In the Poluo Daoist Mansion, he was known for being arrogant and impulsive.

It was no surprise that he was sent to confront Xu Jiaorong, as he was the sort who would charge ahead without fear. Thus, if things went awry, it could easily be brushed aside by blaming it on his usual foul personality.

At that moment, a big crowd had gathered outside the Water Palace. Xu Jiaorong stood upon the front steps, while rows of Spirit Guards lined the palace gates, blocking the entrance.

Though Wang Jiaoying was neither the Chief nor Second Deputy, he wielded great influence due to his brother’s power. He pushed through the crowd and stormed up to the gate, barking, “Deputy Palace Master Xu, what is the meaning of this? You’ve blocked off all these people. Are you trying to cut off communication between the Water Palace and the outside world?”

Since ancient times, isolating the emperor from the world was a grave charge reserved for powerful court officials. This included blocking the emperor’s words from extending beyond the palace walls and silencing the voices that might reach the emperor’s ears. That way, the court officials could manipulate the court as they pleased.

Thus, it was a serious accusation.

Xu Jiaorong answered coldly, “Who am I to cut off communication to the Water Palace? Deputy Mansion Master Wang, mind your words.”

Wang Jiaoying pressed on. “If it isn’t isolation, then why are you blocking our way? Why won’t you let us see the Great Sage? Will he still take charge of the Daoist Mansion’s affairs? Does the Great Sage even know what you’re doing, Deputy Palace Master Xu?”

His barrage of questions only made Xu Jiaorong’s face grow colder. She replied with steely calm. “Deputy Mansion Master Wang, I’ve told you before that the Great Sage himself instructed me that he does not wish to receive any visitors at this moment. I am merely carrying out his command. Whether or not he will still take charge of the Daoist Mansion’s affairs is not your place to ask, and I have no intention of answering you.”

Wang Jiaoying had long ruled the halls with his brother’s power, answerable to no one but Great Sage Lan and Wang Jiaohe. Now that he was rebuked so sharply by a secretary, his temper flared.

“The rise and fall of the world is every man’s duty! I am a Deputy Mansion Master, so how is it not my place to ask? Who will bear the responsibility if important matters are delayed?”

However, Xu Jiaorong was no meek secretary. She replied coolly, “Please rest assured, Deputy Mansion Master Wang, should the sky collapse, there will be those taller than you to bear the weight of it, so it won’t fall upon your head. Besides, the sky is perfectly intact.”

Wang Jiaoying narrowed his eyes and raised his voice. “Deputy Palace Master Xu, I will ask one more time—is Great Sage Lan in trouble?”

Xu Jiaorong’s expression did not change one bit. “The Great Sage is in seclusion. I will not disclose anything beyond that.”

Xu Jiaorong needed a plausible reason to bar their entry. She could not simply forbid audiences outright, so she mixed in the truth with some lies, claiming that Great Sage Lan was cultivating in seclusion. When the Great Sage emerged from seclusion, all would be made clear.

What Wang Jiaohe most wanted to confirm was whether Great Sage Lan was truly in seclusion or recuperating from an injury. It was likely the latter, but they feared that there was a slim chance it was not. If they stirred up trouble now and Great Sage Lan suddenly emerged from seclusion, it would spell disaster for them all.

Their pretext for probing this was that Great Sage Lan’s message was relayed through Xu Jiaorong and not himself. So it gave Wang Jiaoying the reason to accuse Xu Jiaorong of isolating the Great Sage from the outside world.

The pressure on Xu Jiaorong was immense.

However, she knew she could not yield. Every moment she delayed was a moment gained. She simply had to hold out until Qi Xuansu returned.

Wang Jiaoying roared, “Xu Jiaorong! Stand aside!”

He had come with armed men. At his roar, his men marched forward in unison.

These were Spirit Guards directly under the Mansion Master’s command.

When Wang Danqing had gone to the Imperial Capital, he had brought a Spirit Guard with him who was bold enough to attack Qi Xuansu.

Without Xu Jiaorong’s instructions, the Spirit Guards loyal to the Great Sage stepped forward as well, facing their counterparts head-on.

Two forces now stood opposed, with their blades almost drawn.

Surrounded by her guards, Xu Jiaorong warned. “Wang Jiaoying! Do you intend to rebel?”

Wang Jiaoying shot back, “Xu Jiaorong! I suspect you’ve taken advantage of the Great Sage’s illness to usurp his authority and isolate him from the world! The envoys from Beichen Hall and Fengxian Hall are already on their way. You’d best step aside to avoid punishment.”

Just as the two sides were on the verge of clashing, the sky above suddenly dimmed.

Someone murmured instinctively, “Clouds?”

Wang Jiaohe looked up without thinking. In that instant, his face froze solid.

A colossal Yinglong Warship had appeared silently above Thanglong Prefecture, hovering like a storm cloud, its vast shadow blotting out the sun.

Around the warship were three Purple Flood Dragons. Rows of elite Spirit Guards clad in black armor stood on the decks of the flying ships.

The sight was awe-striking, as if Heavenly Troops had descended upon the mortal realm.

Xu Jiaorong caught sight of the flying ships and let out a long breath of relief, thinking to herself, Finally...they’re here.

More and more people noticed the unnatural shadow overhead and turned their faces skyward.

For a heartbeat, the entire city held its breath. Then came a wave of clamor and uproar,

spreading like fire through dry grass.

Some of the Spirit Guards had already begun descending from the sky, choosing to enter through Thanglong Prefecture’s main gates.

After all, if Spirit Guards landed directly upon the Sheji Palace, that would look far too much like an act of war.

But these were Spirit Guards, not invaders. Thus, the city gates swung open without resistance, allowing the detachment of 500 guards to march straight in.

At the head of the formation was a Daoist priest and a Spirit Guard.

The Spirit Guard removed her helmet, holding it gracefully under one arm. She was a woman with a gentle and refined beauty. Were it not for the jet-black armor encasing her, one might have mistaken her for a noble lady of some great family.

Some onlookers, recognizing the engraved insignia upon her armor, gasped in realization of her rank.

She was a first-rank Spirit Guard. Ironically, the Chou in her name meant “ugly,” yet Spirit Guard Ding Chou was anything but. Her beauty was disarming, almost surreal beneath that martial exterior.

Her gesture of removing the helmet was deliberate, meant to show that she had come in peace, not aggression.

Meanwhile, Spirit Guard Jia Yin remained aboard the Yinglong Warship, keeping watch in case of any unforeseen danger.

Of course, the Daoist priest next to Spirit Guard Ding Chou was Qi Xuansu. On the way to Thanglong Prefecture, he had changed into his official Daoist hechang, looking solemn and composed as he led the entire procession.

Behind him followed a sea of black-armored Spirit Guards, marching in striking rhythm with the Second Deputy Mansion Master’s steps.

The Spirit Guards advanced through Qinglong Avenue.

Aside from the steady thunder of boots, not another sound could be heard. It was as if the entire city held its breath, watching in awe and fear.

On both sides of the main avenue, spectators froze, not daring to breathe loudly.

The Yinglong Warship hovered above them, its massive shadow weighing upon the city like a dark storm cloud.

The spectators all had one thought. Is this a palace coup? Or are the Daoists turning on one another?

Only when the marching battalion receded into the distance did the spectators finally exhale, their tense faces loosening as if a great weight had been lifted.

At the inner city gates, the stationed Spirit Guards had already received word that another contingent was entering the city. However, with no orders from above, they stood bewildered, uncertain what to do.

As the two forces drew nearer, even the dullest observer could feel the thick tension in the air. No one dared linger to watch.

Along the now deserted main avenue, Qi Xuansu strode steadily at the very front. Even Spirit Guard Ding Chou kept one pace behind. At this moment, no one walked beside him.

The inner gates were not closed, but a wall of Spirit Guards stood motionless and watchful before them.

Qi Xuansu, unbothered by their presence, continued forward with unhurried grace.

With each step he took, the Spirit Guards before him retreated one pace.

At last, Qi Xuansu passed through the arched gate of the inner city. As he emerged from the dim tunnel, Qi Xuansu suddenly halted.

In that same instant, the entire contingent behind him halted as one, their movements perfectly synchronized.

The opposing faction’s Spirit Guards stiffened, gripping their weapons as though facing a formidable foe.