A Pawn's Passage

Each regional Daoist Mansion had a small council that only included the Mansion Master, the Chief Deputy Mansion Master, and the Second Deputy Mansion Master. It was also known as the Three-Person Council.

Although this council is not a formal decision-making body and cannot rule on major matters, it was like a pre-meeting where the Mansion Master gathered the two deputies to align on the agenda and direction. In practice, once the three agreed, decisions would easily pass at the larger council.

This was why the first-rank Spirit Guards pinned their hopes on Qi Xuansu. Among the various councils, Spirit Guards only had speaking rights in the large council, except during wartime.

However, the Second Deputy Mansion Master had speaking rights in all councils. Back in the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion, Li Tianlan held this same seat and stirred storms with a word. That “Second” prefix in the title made all the difference in power.

Mansion Master Wang Jiaohe called this Three-Person Council specifically to decide whether to convene a large council.

With only three chairs, Wang Jiaohe sat at the central top seat, facing south. Chen Shuhua and Qi Xuansu sat opposite him on the left and right.

Wang Jiaohe spoke first. “This major incident was beyond our expectations. Fortunately, the impact is not large.”

Qi Xuansu glanced at Chen Shuhua. “I believe Great Sage Lan should be the one to judge whether the impact is great or not, since he was the one attacked.”

Wang Jiaohe looked toward him. “Second Deputy Qi, what do you mean...?”

Qi Xuansu replied, “This matter is critical. Great Sage Lan can’t appear for now, so I believe we must immediately report it to the Golden Tower Council and request support. I can draft the official document and submit it with your name, Mansion Master.”

Qi Xuansu had no real desire to report it to the Golden Tower Council, but he leveraged it as a threat to pressure Wang Jiaohe and Chen Shuhua into compromising.

Chen Shuhua replied, “It’s not that critical. Aside from Great Sage Lan entering seclusion, there are no further losses. As you said, Great Sage Lan has just suffered a minor injury and will emerge from seclusion soon. If we escalate this to the Golden Tower Council, they will accuse us of making a mountain out of a molehill.”

Chen Shuhua used Qi Xuansu’s own words against him.

Qi Xuansu answered. “If it were merely the divine descent of Ancient Immortals, we shouldn’t escalate. But this incident involves the leakage of the Southern Dragon’s qi. That’s no small matter, so shouldn’t we report that to the Golden Tower Council?”

Chen Shuhua’s expression turned grim. “What do you mean by a leakage of dragon qi?”

Qi Xuansu explained, “Ancient Immortals need vessels to descend into the mortal realm. Normally, such vessels can only manifest Pseudo-Immortal power. But this time, they wielded the might of true Immortals. Before Great Sage Lan went into seclusion, he told Deputy Palace Master Xu that the vessels were formed using the Southern Dragon’s qi. That points to a leak. At best, we’ll be charged with negligence. At worst, it can be spun into collusion with Ancient Immortals.”

Wang Jiaohe shut his eyes briefly. “Second Deputy Qi, must you insist on reporting this to the Golden Tower Council?”

Qi Xuansu replied, “I insist, because all evidence indicates a traitor within our Daoist Mansion working with secret societies. The leakage of dragon qi is proof. We all remember Second Deputy Qian Xiangyun’s betrayal in the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion. That’s a recent and painful lesson, so reporting to the Golden Tower Council is the safest course.”

Then Qi Xuansu paused and shifted his tone. “However, dirty laundry shouldn’t be aired. We shouldn’t allow the other Daoist Mansions the opportunity to mock us. We are one body, so if we can resolve this internally and prevent the traitor’s escape, there’s no need to alarm the Golden Tower Council. That’s why I suggest holding a large council to restore stability. After all, one traitor alone cannot sway the majority under public scrutiny. Wouldn’t you agree, Mansion Master?”

Wang Jiaohe and Chen Shuhua both understood that the masses had nothing to do with it. Qi Xuansu simply lacked votes in the smaller council and needed a larger stage to gain power. Thus, threatening to report the matter to the Golden Tower Council was a tactic to get them to yield.

Wang Jiaohe knew that he had underestimated this young man. Qi Xuansu was so young, yet as bold as thunder, storming the city with troops and taking command. Now, the boy even maneuvered through political traps with ease.

He was truly formidable.

To rise so high at such a young age, he had to be capable even though he had strong backing. His future was limitless.

No wonder the proud daughter of the Zhang family chose him, even with her family’s approval and the Heavenly Preceptor supporting their match. Beyond a political alliance, such a son-in-law was a rare treasure. If Wang Jiaohe was being honest, he felt that his son Wang Danqing’s defeat was perfectly just.

Both boys were around the same age. While one commanded armies, the other merely blustered. The disparity between them was just too great. Thinking of this, Wang Jiaohe felt indignant.

However, with decades of political experience, he suppressed his anger instantly and said calmly, “The large council, then.”

Qi Xuansu withdrew a document he had already prepared. “Here is the report to the Golden Tower Council that I drafted.”

Qi Xuansu placed the document on the side table next to Wang Jiaohe.

Wang Jiaohe did not look at it. He simply remained silent.

After a moment, Chen Shuhua spoke. “Since Second Deputy Qi insists this is for the good of the Daoist Mansion, then let’s convene the large council.”

She turned toward Wang Jiaohe. “Mansion Master, what do you think?”

Wang Jiaohe sighed softly. “Very well. Go ahead and make the arrangements.”

He rose and left the room.

Thus, under Qi Xuansu’s persistent pressure, they had finally decided on convening a large council in the Daoist Mansion.

Any third-rank Youyi Daoist or higher in the Daoist Mansion could attend, including Spirit Guards.

Since many were not stationed in Thanglong Prefecture, it would take some time to notify people and wait for their arrival.

During this interval, Qi Xuansu personally visited the royal palace of the Yu Kingdom, accompanied by Lu Yuting and personnel from the Huasheng Hall.

His reason was straightforward. As the Second Deputy of the Poluo Daoist Mansion, he must meet the rulers of all nations. The Yu King was foremost among them and the closest in proximity, so it was only proper that Qi Xuansu visit and inquire after the King’s illness.

The justification was entirely proper.

Thus, Chen Shuhua’s subordinates had no grounds to block Qi Xuansu from entry.

Chen Jianchou and Ke Qingqing followed closely behind Qi Xuansu.

On the way to the King’s bedchamber, Qi Xuansu suddenly asked, “Chou Zheng, Deputy Palace Master Xu mentioned you have feelings for Princess Furui.”

Chen Jianchou’s face flushed instantly. “N-No...no!”

Qi Xuansu replied, “It’s nothing shameful. What matters is that you fight for it.”

Chen Jianchou hesitated. “But she’s...”

Qi Xuansu said, “I know who backs her. It’s not a big issue.”

Chen Jianchou was stunned. Not a problem? She belonged to the Ziguang Society, one of the Three Great Secret Societies!

To Qi Xuansu, it really was not a big deal. He could personally communicate with True Lord Ziguang, and Zhang Yuelu could mobilize the Ziguang Society. The legendary Zhang Yuelu wielded even greater influence than him.

Thus, Qi Xuansu felt that he and Chen Jianchou had some similarities. Both had an adoptive mother, and Chen Jianchou seemed to like someone who was superior to him in status and cultivation.

Chen Jianchou steadied himself slightly and said, “I’m not entirely certain of that affection...she may have used some methods.”

Qi Xuansu chuckled. “Without a seed, no amount of water or fertilizer can grow a tree, let alone make it bloom. The methods you speak of merely amplify emotions, from a faint liking to an undying devotion. That is indeed excessive.”

He then asked Ke Qingqing. “Where is this Princess Furui?”

Ke Qingqing replied, “She should be attending to the King.”

Qi Xuansu nodded. “Good. We will meet her as well, then.”

Upon entering the bedchamber, the most striking sight was the large bed draped with thin gauze. Aside from the standing eunuchs and physicians, Chen Jianqiu was at the King’s bedside.

As Qi Xuansu entered, everyone in the chamber bowed.

Qi Xuansu waved casually, indicating they need not be overly formal. He then stepped toward the bed alone.

Chen Jianqiu greeted him. “Second Deputy.”

Qi Xuansu asked, “How is the King’s condition?”

“Thanks to your blessing, Father is much improved,” Chen Jianqiu replied respectfully.

Qi Xuansu raised an eyebrow. “What does that have to do with me?”

Chen Jianqiu lowered her gaze and lifted the gauze curtain, revealing a shriveled face beneath.

As a Heavenly Being in his fifties, the King looked startlingly withered. Still, the resemblance to Chen Jianqiu in his features remained faintly visible. This was unmistakably the King of the Yu Kingdom.

Chen Jianqiu bent down and whispered in his ear, “Father, Second Deputy Qi from the Daoist Mansion has come to see you.”

The Yu King slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was cloudy, almost dim with age. His lips barely moved as he said, “Second Deputy Qi, thanks for coming to see me. My frail condition prevents me from greeting you personally.”

Qi Xuansu smiled. “No need for such courtesy. Since I have just assumed my post, it is only proper that I come to visit you, Your Majesty. But I was delayed by mundane duties.”

The Yu King coughed several times again.

Qi Xuansu asked, “Your Majesty, I heard you often dreamed of the red-robed Bodhisattva. How is it now?”

The King replied between breaths, “Thanks for your concern, Second Deputy Qi. It has improved greatly. If I dream at all, it’s now an empty lake of blood. It seems the red-robed Bodhisattva has been eradicated. This is thanks to the Daoist Mansion.”

Qi Xuansu smiled. “I’m glad that you’re fine. But just in case, you should still be properly examined.”

Without needing Qi Xuansu to instruct them, Lu Yuting and the Daoists of Huasheng Hall had already stepped forward to examine the Yu King.