A Pawn's Passage

After reading the two appointments, Lu Yushu was the first to congratulate Qi Xuansu. “Congratulations, Sage Qi.”

Right after, the others stepped forward, as if on cue, forming a loose circle around Qi Xuansu and applauding him.

Zhang Yuelu stood closest to Qi Xuansu. She spoke with genuine warmth, “Congratulations!”

Qi Xuansu cupped his hands to return a salute, then looked toward Zhang Yuelu without saying anything.

The others were tactful enough not to interrupt the two at this moment.

There was a time when most people did not think highly of Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu as a couple. Many believed Qi Xuansu was overreaching, unable to understand what Zhang Yuelu saw in him.

But today, such opinions have vanished completely. Most now thought the two were a perfect match, destined for each other. No one questioned Zhang Yuelu’s choice anymore. They only praised her extraordinary foresight, saying that she was unmatched when it came to choosing a Daoist companion.

Back then, among so many people, Qi Xuansu was unremarkable, yet she alone had seen his limitless future with a single glance.

Many could only comfort themselves by saying that Zhang Yuelu was born into a powerful lineage, so she naturally knew things ordinary people did not.

Xu Jiaorong was also among those offering congratulations. Qi Xuansu turned to her and said, “Second Deputy Xu, congratulations to you as well.”

While Qi Xuansu was still unconscious, Lu Yushu had already announced Xu Jiaorong’s appointment. Everyone had congratulated her then. Even Wang Jiaoying, who had been present, was acting warm and cordial, as if there were no enmity between them.

Xu Jiaorong was no fool. She accepted Wang Jiaoying’s congratulations, not wanting to show her grudge in public.

To anyone unaware of the truth, it would seem as though peace had returned to the Poluo Daoist Mansion. Chen Shuhua had been the sole mastermind behind all past turmoil, so with her gone, everyone remaining was a good and loyal Daoist. It would even look as if Poluo was still firmly under the Wang family’s rule.

However, Xu Jiaorong knew the matter was far from over. Otherwise, Zhang Yuelu would not have come, risking being charged with abandoning her post just to see Qi Xuansu. After all, Second Deputy Zhang was not someone ruled by emotion.

She had come under the pretext of investigating a case. Chen Shuhua’s rebellion had nothing to do with the Lingnan Daoist Mansion, so this investigation could only be about the Nanyang United Trading Company.

There would still be much fighting ahead.

As for the personal arrangements the Golden Tower Council made for her, Xu Jiaorong found little to complain about. She could not remain a secretary forever. Although being the chief secretary to a Great Sage came with considerable influence, Great Sage Lan was already advanced in age and would eventually ascend.

If she waited until Great Sage Lan ascended to look for new opportunities, it would be too late. Normally, a Virtuous Great Sage would arrange such matters before ascending. But the closer one got to ascension, the less effective one’s words became. Others would not dare openly oppose a Great Sage, but they would stall and delay any action. By the time the Great Sage ascended, the matter would be brushed under the rug.

That was because the positions were few, and the people wanting to rise were many. Even favors had to be given, they would be given to high-ranking Omniscient Sages who still had decades ahead of them to repay such favors. Giving someone about to ascend favors was often a waste.

Thus, for Xu Jiaorong, leaving Great Sage Lan now to serve as the Second Deputy at the Poluo Daoist Mansion was good for her career. Great Sage Lan no longer needed to arrange anything for her. While he was still alive, she could still borrow his influence and perhaps even use it to climb another step.

By seniority, Xu Jiaorong could already serve as the Second Deputy without the “Acting” prefix in the title. However, her promotion to the second rank was still being processed, so she was technically still a third-rank Youyi Daoist. But once her promotion took effect, that prefix would be removed.

The reason why Qi Xuansu’s paperwork went through so quickly was that his case was special and handled with exceptional priority. Back when he first returned from Fenglin, there were already discussions about promoting him to the second rank. The Golden Tower Council then agreed on the three-step plan. Thus, the promotion process had already begun at that time.

By the time Qi Xuansu arrived in Poluo, most of the administrative steps were already completed. Only one final step remained, so once he met the final requirement, his promotion to the second rank was immediate.

In the end, having allies in high places made everything easier. Qi Xuansu was originally from the Ziwei Hall, so the people handling his case were all former colleagues or subordinates. Though he had not worked with them for long, his former superior, Sage Donghua, held enormous influence over personnel matters. With that kind of support, how could the process not be fast?

By contrast, Xu Jiaorong had no such shortcut. All her paperwork had to begin from scratch, so she would remain a third-rank Youyi Daoist a while longer.

Xu Jiaorong also had a strong intuition that Qi Xuansu, who was now the Acting Chief Deputy, would not remain in the Poluo Daoist Mansion for long. Once he completed his assignment, he would likely return to the Jade Capital to become a Chief Deputy Hall Master.

When that time came, her status as a longstanding member of the Poluo Daoist Mansion would give her a great advantage for a promotion. After all, she understood all its affairs and maintained good relationships with Great Sage Lan and the Chief Deputy Qi. Even if Chief Deputy Qi were to leave, he would recommend Xu Jiaorong as his successor. Under normal circumstances, the Golden Tower Council would not overturn recommendations from a Great Sage and an outgoing Chief Deputy. So, such appointments were almost guaranteed.

The position of Mansion Master was beyond her reach because the Golden Tower Council would undoubtedly send an Omniscient Sage to stabilize the region.

What followed would depend on fate. If she maintained a good relationship with Qi Xuansu, even when Great Sage Lan eventually ascended, as long as Qi Xuansu inherited Sage Donghua’s position or even surpassed it, she could most likely secure a post as a Palace Master. The peak of this was the Zixiao Palace Master, a status far above that of other Daoist Palaces.

Although in most eras, the Zixiao Palace was personally overseen by a Virtuous Great Sage, there had been exceptions in the past. Such matters were never absolute. If she rose high enough, attaining immortality would no longer be unreachable.

This was not blind confidence on Xu Jiaorong’s part. Qi Xuansu and Great Sage Lan had fought against Wang Jiaohe and Chen Shuhua, which bound them to the same faction. Later, when Qi Xuansu tasked her with investigating the Ancient Immortals and she recommended Chen Jianchou as his secretary, the bond between them only deepened.

Qi Xuansu valued Chen Jianchou not merely for his ability but also as a favor to Xu Jiaorong. Just as Sage Donghua valued Qi Xuansu not merely for his talents but also for Madam Qi’s sake.

This round of personnel changes strengthened Xu Jiaorong’s resolve to firmly stand on Qi Xuansu’s side. This marked the beginning of Qi Xuansu’s power base, built step by step.

In the Daoist hierarchy, one could not rely solely on one’s superiors and subordinates. Allies were essential. Qi Xuansu now had two major allies within the Daoist Order. The closest of all was Zhang Yuelu. Another ally was Xu Jiaorong, who had gone through trials with him as a colleague. That was because beyond official relationships, they shared stronger private ties. Zhang Yuelu was his soon-to-be Daoist companion, and Xu Jiaorong’s godson was his secretary.

Next were Pei Xiaolou and Lei Xiaohuan, who were a bit more distant but still reliable. From Zhang Yuelu’s side, there were Bai Yingqiong, Xu Xiaoying, and others. Strictly speaking, even Great Sage Lan could count as Qi Xuansu’s ally, since Qi Xuansu had helped clean up the aftermath and preserve the Great Sage’s reputation. However, Great Sage Lan’s status was far too elevated, so calling him an ally would be forced. The Great Sage was considered a superior.

For Qi Xuansu to rise so quickly and already muster such influence was no small feat. This was precisely why scions of great clans always found success easier, as their family members were natural allies, and their bonds were reinforced by blood.

It was easy to foresee that as Qi Xuansu continued climbing, his faction would grow stronger, and his allies would multiply.

Of course, the line between allies and subordinates was not absolute. If Qi Xuansu truly became the Grand Master, then all of them would become his subordinates.

Qi Xuansu was very perceptive about such matters. Madam Qi had taught him some basic principles, but not in depth. The rest were mostly self-taught. Thus, one could say his natural talent was in political instinct, while his cultivation mostly relied on external boosts.

Thus, Qi Xuansu’s reactions were telling. First, he looked toward Zhang Yuelu, then extended congratulations to Xu Jiaorong. This showed the hierarchy of importance in his mind.

After acknowledging the two of them, Qi Xuansu then expressed his gratitude to Lu Yushu.

In Qi Xuansu’s view, the Lu family was different from the Li family. Even within the Li family, there were multiple factions, and not all conflicts were matters of life and death.

Since Lu Yushu was clearly extending goodwill toward him, he would not reject it.

Lu Yushu said softly, “My younger cousin has benefited greatly from being your subordinate. So I may need to trouble you to continue looking after her, Sage Qi.”

Qi Xuansu’s heart stirred. Just as he had suspected, Lu Yushu was indeed related to Lu Yuting. Outwardly, he remained polite. “You’re too courteous. Superintendent Lu has lightened my burdens in many ways and is not at all troubling.”

Lu Yushu continued, “If there were past misunderstandings, I hope you won’t hold them against our family. In life, many things are beyond one’s control. The original intentions might not have been what they appeared.”

Qi Xuansu smiled and replied, “A Confucian Sage once said that time passes like a relentless river, flowing day and night. What’s in the past is long gone, and we must look ahead. Wouldn’t you agree, Daoist Lu?”

Lu Yushu nodded. “You’re absolutely right, Sage Qi.”