A Pawn's Passage

With a long-held wish finally fulfilled, Qi Xuansu no longer felt weak at all. “Help me up. I’ll go see the envoy right now!”

Zhang Yuelu did not rain on his parade. She held him up and explained, “This isn’t a secret anymore. The entire Daoist Mansion already knows. If you hadn’t been unconscious, the line of people coming to congratulate you would’ve stretched from the Sheji Palace all the way to the Yu royal palace.”

Qi Xuansu was only putting on a show. He was not actually going to rush off to see Lu Yushu. That would make him look impulsive and too eager. Besides, after everything he had experienced, meeting so many great figures and witnessing so many grand situations, he was no longer the same Qi Xuansu as before.

More importantly, Qi Xuansu had long anticipated this. It was the “three-step plan” that Zhang Yuelu had mentioned before. He had merely followed the path as laid out.

Thus, he felt more sentimental than shocked.

After that first rush of joy faded, Qi Xuansu felt hollow in his chest. He had always had a single goal. But now that the goal was achieved, he suddenly felt lost, because he no longer knew where to go.

Was he really supposed to compete for the position of Grand Master now?

Qi Xuansu was a man seasoned by countless storms. He quickly adjusted his mood and joked. “Second Deputy Zhang, are you feeling unhappy by any chance?”

Zhang Yuelu countered, “Why would I be unhappy?”

Qi Xuansu spoke frankly. “In the past, you were always ahead, and I followed behind trying to catch up. Now it’s my turn to step ahead. Does that make you feel uncomfortable?”

Only people who truly saw each other as equals could speak this bluntly. Anyone else would probably be upset hearing such a remark.

Qi Xuansu knew Zhang Yuelu was never bothered by petty things like this, which was why he dared to say it deliberately.

Zhang Yuelu rolled her eyes at him. “Yes, yes, I’m devastated and jealous. I’d love nothing more than to eat you alive. So, will you hand over the title to me?”

Qi Xuansu burst out laughing. “Dream on! Even if you swallow me whole, I’m not giving it up.”

Zhang Yuelu froze for a moment, as if catching an unintended implication. She shot Qi Xuansu a glare but said nothing.

Qi Xuansu restrained his smile. “Qing Xiao, if I remember correctly, you’re a year younger than me.”

“Yes,” Zhang Yuelu nodded. “Almost exactly one year.”

Qi Xuansu said, “Then you still have hope. As long as you solidify your second rank within a year, the title of ‘youngest second-rank Taiyi Daoist’ will be yours.”

Zhang Yuelu waved her hand. “I’m not interested in these titles. Besides, I’m unlikely to make such great contributions as you did. If we treat this as a competition to see who reaches the second rank first, then I admit defeat wholeheartedly.”

This was exactly what Qi Xuansu admired about Zhang Yuelu. She could advance when needed and let go when necessary, unlike others who had won all their lives, so the moment they lost, they fell apart. They would be melancholic at best or reject their Daoist identity at worst.

As for Qi Xuansu, he had never understood why losing once would ruin one’s lifetime. In his view, such people were simply too fragile to be entrusted with anything important.

In the Daoist Order, advancement was full of ups and downs. If someone collapsed the moment they hit a setback, they were better off retiring to the mountains early.

Although Qi Xuansu had been winning lately, his past was full of failures. He had been plotted against by Yue Liuli, stepped on by Wan Xiuwu, nearly killed by Shen Yuzu, and even beaten half to death by an unknown Zhuge Yongming. Even after returning to the Daoist Order, misfortune followed. He encountered the Lingshan Witch Cult, was involved in the flying ship crash, and had multiple brushes with death. Zhao Fu’an had broken his arm and humiliated him, and Feng Bo had hunted him down like a stray dog with nowhere to run or hide.

The list of negative experiences was endless.

So Qi Xuansu did not care much about winning or losing anymore. He was used to it.

But for Zhang Yuelu to genuinely remain calm and unbothered was rare. She could be indifferent to fame and fortune, or she could just have a broader vision and bigger heart, enough not to fuss over trivialities. Qi Xuansu felt it was most likely the latter.

Since Qi Xuansu was an injured patient, Zhang Yuelu gently helped him put on his outer robe. Qi Xuansu was perfectly capable of dressing himself, but he happily pretended otherwise, enjoying the rare moment of being cared for by Second Deputy Zhang.

After tidying up, the couple prepared to meet the envoy. Zhang Yuelu called Little Yin inside and instructed her to go fetch Lu Yushu.

Little Yin was, of course, extremely unwilling, but she dared not disobey her “mother,” who would not hesitate to send her back to the Ghost Kingdom. Thus, she trudged off obediently.

When Lu Yushu met Little Yin for the first time, she was startled. The little girl carried a heavy ghostly and draconic aura and no human aura at all. Her cultivation was also unnaturally high, so it was strange in every sense. Setting everything else aside, Little Yin was definitely someone of considerable weight.

The Mansion Master and the Second Deputy resided at the left and right of the Water Palace, respectively, with the main hall at the center.

By the time Qi Xuansu arrived at the main hall from his residence, Lu Yushu was already waiting there.

Qi Xuansu quickened his steps. “I should have gone over to meet the envoy, but as I’ve only just recovered from a serious injury, I must trouble you to come here instead, Daoist Lu.”

Lu Yushu smiled. “Not at all. Second Deputy Qi, you have lived up to the Golden Tower Council’s expectations this time, rendering great service to the Daoist Order. Since your injuries were sustained for the sake of the Order, it’s only right that I come to you.”

Qi Xuansu replied, “I don’t dare accept such praise.”

“You deserve it. First in Fenglin, now in Poluo—who in the entire Daoist Order hasn’t heard of your name, Daoist Qi? You’re a true model for us all, a pillar of our Order.” Lu Yushu was giving full diplomatic courtesy, praising Qi Xuansu to an almost excessive degree, to the point where even he felt a bit embarrassed.

Qi Xuansu had to redirect the conversation. “You must have come with the Golden Tower Council’s decree this time.”

Lu Yushu replied, “As we did not know when you would awaken, the administrative arrangements for the Daoist Mansion were already announced in advance to Mansion Master Wang and other relevant parties. I’m sure Daoist Qing Xiao should have already told you about the details, so I won’t repeat them. What remains is the Golden Tower Council’s decision regarding you, personally.”

This resembled an imperial edict being read. If this were the Imperial Court, one would have to kneel to receive it. But the Daoist Order had no such rituals. Qi Xuansu only needed to stand, which he already was.

Lu Yushu took out an official document and read, “Qi Xuansu, the Acting Second Deputy of the Poluo Daoist Mansion, has shown exceptional abilities to command in the case of former Chief Deputy Prefect Chen Shuhua’s collusion with secret societies and betrayal of the Daoist Order, perceiving her treachery ahead of time, hence turning the tide at the critical moment. Upon recommendation by the Ziwei Hall and upon deliberation by the Golden Tower Council, it is hereby decided that Qi Xuansu shall be promoted from a third-rank Youyi Daoist master to a second-rank Taiyi Daoist master.”

After reading, Lu Yushu handed the document to Qi Xuansu.

Qi Xuansu received it and read it again for himself.

In truth, the document contained much additional formality like header titles, ceremonial rhetoric, and the date, all of which Lu Yushu had omitted.

The key parts were the seals and signatures of two authorities—the Great Sage Lunzhi Li Changgeng and the Ziwei Hall Master Pei Xuanzhi. Li Changgeng’s signature was sharp as an unsheathed blade, whose strokes carried sword intent, almost too dazzling to be stared at. Meanwhile, Pei Xuanzhi’s signature resembled a mystical talisman, with strong brushstrokes.

Qi Xuansu took a deep breath to steady himself and put the document away.

With Lu Yushu’s signal, her attendants stepped forward, presenting Qi Xuansu with the prepared insignia, license, hechang, and ceremonial headpiece.

The Daoist licenses corresponded solely to a Daoist’s rank. Only upon reaching the fourth rank would one begin to receive their license.

A fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist received the Novice License; a third-rank Youyi Daoist received the Intermediate License; a second-rank Taiyi Daoist was granted the Shangdong License; an Omniscient Sage received the Taixuan License; a first-rank Tianzhen Daoist master received the Taishang Merit License; and a Deputy Grand Master received the Taishang Moral License.

The Grand Master did not receive a license but a Three Treasures Scepter, which granted utmost authority over Kunlun Paradise.

The Taishang Moral Licenses of the Three Deputy Grand Masters corresponded to the Demon-Vanquishing Cave, Demon Suppression Tower, and the Dragon Cave.

Licenses of Omniscient Sages and below did not grant actual authority, but Qi Xuansu did not care for that. The important thing was that the Shangdong License allowed an increase in the number of registered contacts, which meant he could finally add someone other than Zhang Yuelu. It was a practical benefit.

Next was the hechang, which was similar to that of a third-rank Youyi Daoist, except it now had a ceremonial pendant about a meter long, ending in an arrow-shaped tip. It symbolized the severing of worries, desire, greed, and anger and thus was called the Sword of Wisdom.

His headgear changed as well, from the Five Peaks Crown to the Golden Lotus Crown.

Attendants immediately helped Qi Xuansu change into his new robe and crown. From this day onward, outsiders no longer needed to debate whether to call him High Mage Qi or Second Deputy Qi. He could now be formally addressed as Sage Qi or Sage Tian Yuan.

Lu Yushu then announced a second appointment. “Upon recommendation by the Ziwei Hall and deliberation by the Golden Tower Council, it is decided that Qi Xuansu shall no longer serve as Acting Second Deputy of the Poluo Daoist Mansion but shall instead assume the role of Acting Chief Deputy Mansion Master.”

Qi Xuansu had not expected that his title would still have the “Acting” prefix, but it was still a promotion, so he was not complaining.

He asked, “Then who will take the position of Second Deputy?”

Lu Yushu replied, “Daoist Xu Jiaorong performed outstandingly in the Chen Shuhua rebellion case. She was calm under pressure and highly effective in coordinating with you, so the Golden Tower Council has decided that Daoist Xu will succeed you as the Acting Second Deputy Mansion Master.”

Qi Xuansu’s heart eased.

With both the Chief and Second Deputies aligned, the balance of power had shifted completely to his side.