A Pawn's Passage

There was a saying that if the master was humiliated, the servant would die. The so-called equality within the Daoist Order was only to go against the Confucian rule. But in essence, its core still could not escape Confucian roots.

Chen Jianchou understood this well and slowly rose to his feet.

He also understood why Qi Xuansu remained silent. That young noble stubbornly clung to the “law,” using it as a shield. Regardless of the truth, openly refuting him would appear improper.

If Second Deputy Qi were to speak rashly, even impartial words would be branded as biased.

People seldom cared about right or wrong. They only sided with whoever was weaker.

Thus, Second Deputy Qi held his tongue.

But Chen Jianchou could no longer remain silent. He said, “How arrogant of you! Second Deputy Qi was sent here by the Golden Tower Council, yet you don’t even regard him with respect. I wonder, then, who could possibly meet your lofty standards?”

The young noble turned his gaze on Chen Jianchou. “Oh, look, another righteous hero sprouting out of nowhere! You speak so boldly for that Second Deputy Qi. Do you all work for him?”

Chen Jianchou replied, “We’re from the Water Palace.”

“Oh, how impressive!” The young noble clicked his tongue mockingly. “Pity, though, there’s only one sun above Poluo. Everyone knows that the sun signifies fire, which is naturally incompatible with water. So, the Water Palace will never outshine the Fire Palace.”

Chen Jianchou raised an eyebrow. “Are you saying the Sage outranks the Great Sage?”

The noble’s smile froze for a moment before returning to normal. “The Great Sage is in seclusion now, so naturally, the Sage takes precedence.”

Chen Jianchou said in a deep voice, “You even know about the Great Sage’s seclusion, huh? It seems you do have extraordinary connections. Since that’s the case, why hide your name? Tell us.”

At that moment, a group entered the restaurant. Leading them was a superintendent who radiated stern authority, followed by a squad of black-armored Spirit Guards. It was an intimidating sight.

Spotting the newcomer, the young noble ceased his argument with Chen Jianchou. He hurried forward and bowed respectfully, “Superintendent Huang.”

Superintendent Huang returned the bow politely. “Young Master Sun.”

A young master like this never traveled alone. One of his attendants had probably gone ahead to report the situation.

Young Master Sun pointed at the first female Daoist. “She’s the one who attacked me.”

He then pointed toward Qi Xuansu and the two beside him. “These are her accomplices. They’re all from the Daoist Mansion. You must uphold justice for us commoners and not allow these parasites of the Daoist Mansion to abuse their power and ruin its reputation!”

Superintendent Huang gave a slight nod, glancing at the group. “You there, come with me.”

Chen Jianchou asked, “And you are?”

Superintendent Huang cleared his throat and declared, “I am Huang Jiaoqing, chief officer of Fengxian Hall, responsible for investigating Daoist misconduct within Thanglong Prefecture.”

He then turned to the Spirit Guards behind him and ordered, “Arrest them all and take them in for questioning. Whoever dares resist shall be punished by the law!”

Most people feared Daoist priests. Even Daoists treated one another with courtesy. Only Beichen Hall and Fengxian Hall feared no one, as they were in charge of internal discipline. To them, interrogating a Daoist was no different from questioning a criminal. Ordinary Daoists would keep a low profile upon seeing them because they were notoriously arrogant and unreasonable.

As soon as he finished speaking, the Spirit Guards behind him surged forward to seize Qi Xuansu and his group.

Young Master Sun clapped his hands and laughed. “Now, that’s more like it. These are the true upright officials of Thanglong Prefecture!”

Chen Jianchou raised his hand, signaling the Spirit Guards to wait. He repeated calmly, “We are from the Water Palace.”

“So what?” Superintendent Huang’s tone grew righteously stern. “Does being from the Water Palace exempt you from the law? Does it give you the right to assault people in public and defy the Daoist Order? You’re a disgrace not only to the Water Palace but to the entire Daoist Mansion! Also, don’t even think of bringing up Second Deputy Qi to me. Even if he were standing here, he wouldn’t shield you. Now come quietly and face the full weight of Daoist law!”

His words rang with such righteous fury as he effortlessly escalated the matter to “defying the Daoist Order.” It truly was an unimaginable accusation.

A tongue could kill, and this kind of killing left no blood behind.

Qi Xuansu suddenly recalled what Zhang Yuelu had mentioned before. “Everything is intertwined, and that’s where the problem lies.”

Foreign enemies were not the real danger. The most frightening ones were those within.

By rank, Superintendent Huang should actually have been his subordinate.

The regional branches of the Daoist Halls operated under dual authority, reporting to both the headquarters in Jade Capital and to the local Daoist Mansion. Since the Second Deputy Mansion Master oversaw law and discipline in a Daoist Mansion, both Fengxian Hall and Beichen Hall branches technically fell under the Second Deputy’s command.

However, Qi Xuansu had only recently arrived and had appeared publicly a handful of times. This Superintendent Huang had never met the Second Deputy, hence had failed to recognize who stood before him.

Anyone hearing this would have thought that Huang Jiaoqing was backed by Second Deputy Qi.

Informally, Ke Qingqing was known as the “Mini Second Deputy” because she was the representative of Qi Xuansu. Thus, everyone treated her with respect wherever she went. She had never been humiliated like this before. Now, she was enraged.

She pointed a finger at Huang Jiaoqing and scoffed. “Huang Jiaoqing, is it? I’ll remember you. Don’t you regret this later!”

Young Master Sun said indifferently, “Superintendent Huang is an upright and uncorrupted man. What could he possibly regret? Do you think he’ll be scared of your threats?”

By now, the female Daoist who had first struck the young noble was completely panicked. She had no idea how the situation had escalated to this point.

Qi Xuansu was still observing coldly, showing no expression.

This incident had broadened his horizons.

In the past, he had dealt with people like Li Changge and Yao Pei, capable people who would never stoop to such petty tricks. Those of slightly lesser caliber, like Li Tianzhen, had their own methods and were often ruthless and decisive. Now, witnessing these local petty tyrants, he saw another craft altogether. They had honed the skill of twisting words, slapping labels on people, and using others’ power against them.

Having seen enough, Qi Xuansu finally spoke. “Hasn’t Spirit Guard Ding Chou already taken full command of city defenses? According to regulations, all Spirit Guards are to follow her orders during martial law. So why is Fengxian Hall still able to mobilize Spirit Guards?”

Ke Qingqing froze, then turned toward Qi Xuansu. “Umm...”

Qi Xuansu continued, “The Great Sage holds supreme command over all military affairs. Under martial law, all Spirit Guards must obey the coordinated orders of the two first-rank Spirit Guards, who in turn answer directly to the Great Sage. But now that the Great Sage is in seclusion, Second Deputy Qi acts under his direct mandate. This is a fact recognized by both Mansion Master Wang and Chief Deputy Chen. Second Deputy Qi declared martial law, redeployed all Spirit Guards, increased guard presence, strengthened patrols, organized searches, imposed curfews, and restricted city movement under unified command. Tell me, is Fengxian Hall exempt from this authority?”

Huang Jiaoqing’s face shifted slightly. He looked at Qi Xuansu and asked, “May I know who you are, sir?”

Qi Xuansu ignored the question and pressed further, “Did Second Deputy Qi grant you this privilege?”

Huang Jiaoqing’s expression turned grim. “What if he did?”

Qi Xuansu replied calmly, “You speak so grandly of the law. Do you know what the punishment is for forging orders?”

Huang Jiaoqing now realized he had run into a metal wall.

Since Spirit Guards were still human beneath all that armor, they had their own opinions and sentiments. They knew that orders from distant authorities mattered less than the one standing before them. So now, they turned their gaze toward Huang Jiaoqing.

Huang Jiaoqing’s eyes grew dark, and he ground his teeth. “Take them down!”

Four Spirit Guards struck at once.

Though clad in armor, the four Spirit Guards moved like phantoms. Two seized Qi Xuansu’s shoulders, while the other two gripped his arms, trying with their combined strength to wrench his arms behind his back.

To be fair, these four Spirit Guards were part of the elite team, each possessing the strength of a Guizhen-stage Xiantian Being. With the force of four combined, even a Heavenly Being would find it hard to resist.

But Qi Xuansu was no ordinary Heavenly Being. He had the physique of a Wuliang-stage Martial Arts Practitioner. Thus, he did not even budge.

No matter how hard the four Spirit Guards strained, they could not move him at all.

Instead, with a casual shake of his arms, the four Spirit Guards were hurled backward.

The Spirit Guards crashed to the ground and looked at each other in shock.

Qi Xuansu rose from his seat slowly.

Ke Qingqing and Chen Jianchou quickly stepped behind him, standing at attention with their palms clenched.

The female Daoist hesitated for a moment, then imitated them and took her place behind Ke Qingqing.

Qi Xuansu said coldly, “You sent Spirit Guards to arrest me?”

Huang Jiaoqing was terrified inside, but he forced himself to keep his composure. He pointed a trembling finger at Qi Xuansu and shouted, “Assaulting Daoist Spirit Guards is outright defiance against the Daoist Order! Are you rebelling?!”

Even knowing they were hopelessly outmatched, the remaining Spirit Guards stepped forward protectively before their superintendent.

Qi Xuansu strode forward, with 365 body spirits glowing all over. With a single motion, he seized the Spirit Guards one by one and flung every one of them aside until he stood face-to-face with Huang Jiaoqing.

Cold sweat trickled down Huang Jiaoqing’s forehead.

Qi Xuansu said calmly, “You claimed Second Deputy Qi granted you special authority. But how come I’ve never heard of it?”

Young Master Sun was shocked and furious. But he was no fool, knowing that the man before him was anything but ordinary. He hurriedly tried to smooth things over. “I think this is all a misunderstanding. Perhaps you two have yet to get acquainted. All of you serve under Second Deputy Qi, so you’re family!”

Qi Xuansu chuckled. “So the law no longer matters? Moments ago, you were shouting at the top of your lungs. Why are you so quiet now? The Water Palace cannot defy the law, but Second Deputy Qi’s subordinates may do as they please?”

Young Master Sun was struck speechless.

Huang Jiaoqing forced a bitter smile. “I’ll concede defeat today. But I’d at least like to know whose hands I’ve fallen into.”

Qi Xuansu smirked. “My name is Qi Xuansu, the Second Deputy Qi this young man has been talking about.”

In an instant, the two men’s faces went ashen.

Qi Xuansu ordered, “Send for Spirit Guard Ding Chou at once and have these Spirit Guards taken away. As for Superintendent Huang, I will not adjudicate whether your handling of that matter was right or wrong. But you have illegally mobilized Spirit Guards during martial law. From this moment, you are suspended from your post pending review.”

Ke Qingqing obliged.

Huang Jiaoqing swayed slightly and did not dare reply. If Qi Xuansu had raised the matter of the assault itself, he might have been able to retort or protest and find some room to maneuver. But Qi Xuansu did not bring that up. Instead, Qi Xuansu accused Huang Jiaoqing of a far graver breach of summoning Spirit Guards without permission during martial law. It was a cardinal infraction that left no room for rebuttal.

Qi Xuansu finally turned to Young Master Sun. “You’re right for saying that everything must be decided by law. But do not assume that past deeds simply vanish and others cannot learn of what happened.”

Then, Qi Xuansu instructed Chen Jianchou, “Bring several Diviners to do an Earth Qi Recall. In the meantime, have this Young Master Sun come with us to assist with the investigation.”

He then pointed at the female Daoist. “Also, take the woman who struck him into custody as well.”