A Pawn's Passage

This matter could be considered temporarily resolved.

At its core, this was an issue of moral principle. Setting aside mystical abilities and firearms, even the most primitive army would overwhelm unarmed civilians with absolute ease. But the problem could not be handled that way.

That was why the Daoist army exercised restraint in Fenglin. Using brute force felt satisfying in the moment, but the hidden consequences were never pleasant. If the Daoists crushed everything indiscriminately, they would only be sowing the seeds of even greater disasters.

Thus, Qi Xuansu’s strategy was broken into stages. First, he lowered his stance and reason with the crowd so that they would disperse from Tianfu Palace. Second, he issued a curfew order so that the masses would return home or leave Lion City within two hours.

These two steps acted like a filter, separating the coerced and misled civilians from the true agitators, after which force could be applied to the remaining threats.

Most people understood this principle. This was also why they hesitated. Take Qin Hengjun, for example. Issuing a suppression order was not difficult for a Deputy Protector. After all, they were not going against the Sonno-joi faction on the Fenglin battlefield. In this case, defeat was impossible, and he did not even need the army. He alone could kill these rioters without difficulty.

The issue was that he could not predict the aftermath. If ordinary civilians were accidentally hurt in the fight, the conflict would escalate, and future consequences would be like hidden landmines. He never knew when one might blow up and ruin him. Since it involved his own survival, he could not bring himself to make a decision.

That was why Qin Hengjun only arrived after Qi Xuansu successfully dispersed the crowd surrounding Tianfu Palace. Since Lion City was his jurisdiction, he would also bear responsibility if the city fell into chaos. He had simply been observing how the situation would escalate because he did not know how he should help. After all, he was fundamentally a military man and not adept at softer methods.

Only when Qi Xuansu created an opening did Qin Hengjun see a path to resolution, prompting him to come forward and follow Qi Xuansu’s command.

Though the Daoists could use the Bewitching Technique, there were simply too many people to use such a delicate technique. Otherwise, Ancient Immortals would never have needed to preach. They could have simply bewitched the masses all at once.

Furthermore, even if the Daoist Order could bewitch the masses, they would never use it recklessly. Doing so would severely damage their credibility and destroy public trust. Every incident thereafter would spark suspicion of manipulation, causing disastrous long-term consequences.

Though the chaos had subsided, it did not mean the matter was over.

Qi Xuansu convened another emergency meeting, inviting those with real authority within Lion City to attend, whether from the Daoist Mansion or the Great Xuan Court.

Xie Jiaofeng spoke on behalf of the Daoist Mansion, bluntly telling the Daoists that their task was to handle the aftermath, including assessing losses and tracking down escaped culprits. Anyone who failed would have their personnel file frozen. Though Xie Jiaofeng might not be able to promote them, he could certainly suppress them. Any mistakes would result in demotion or dismissal. Severe offenses would even cause a demotion in rank.

Qin Hengjun addressed those from the Great Xuan Court with the same message, holding them accountable for any failures.

Such threats meant little to some Daoists. For example, when Qi Xuansu had been a wandering Daoist, he held no official post and did not even receive stipends, so he did not fear such things. But those in office were entirely different. They had tasted the sweetness of power, and those with promising futures would never give it up lightly.

Their response was simple. Pressure from above would be passed downward, spreading fear to every level and often adding more severity.

Later, in a smaller closed-door meeting, Qi Xuansu harshly criticized Xie Jiaofeng and Qin Hengjun, pointing out that they were complacent and blind to the infiltration of the Holy Court. The disastrous situation in Lion City was directly tied to their dereliction of duty.

Both men sincerely admitted their mistakes and even deeply criticized themselves. To show his regret, the slick Xie Jiaofeng nearly burst into tears at one point. Qin Hengjun, being a military man, was stiff and less expressive, far less emotional than Xie Jiaofeng.

Of course, both understood that while they bore responsibility, others did too, like Spirit Guard Jia Yin, the Grand Protector, even Mansion Master Wang and Great Sage Lan. But no subordinate had the authority to demand accountability from their superiors. That was the prerogative of their superiors’ superiors.

Qi Xuansu understood this perfectly. Still, the blame was not misplaced. These two were essentially the masters of Lion City. Those with ill intentions had conspired right under their noses, yet they noticed nothing. After all, this could not be done in a day and required long-term planning. Their failure to detect it sooner meant they were indeed at fault.

But ultimately, Great Sage Lan, the Grand Protector, and Spirit Guard Jia Yin were responsible for military matters. As long as there was no large-scale rebellion, Xie Jiaofeng and Qin Hengjun’s responsibility was limited. No one could blame Qi Xuansu because he had only just arrived in Lion City.

Qi Xuansu had the standing to reprimand Qin Hengjun because the Grand Protector, who was in the Imperial Capital, had issued an order shortly after the riots began, instructing the Nanting Protectorate to fully cooperate with Qi Xuansu. Thus, Qi Xuansu could act as the commander of Lion City during his absence.

After all, if Lion City spiraled into chaos, it would damage the authority of the Nanting Protectorate and hence jeopardize the Grand Protector’s own career. Though Qi Xuansu would also have been driven out of Nanyang in disgrace, the Emperor might see the Grand Protector as negligent, incompetent, and unfit for high office.

Thus, the Grand Protector delegated his authority to Qi Xuansu without hesitation. Qi Xuansu’s swift suppression of the unrest in its infancy also demonstrated his capability, giving the Grand Protector confidence to entrust him with real authority.

The longstanding rule was that with every benefit came its drawbacks. Everything was ultimately a double-edged sword.

Given his mission from the Daoist Nine Halls’ Joint Council, Qi Xuansu then publicly announced that a full investigation would be launched within the Daoist Mansion. He sternly warned any Daoists involved to confess early to be granted leniency. If they waited until they were caught to weep and beg, it would be too late to regret.

The next day, the personnel from the Lingnan Daoist Mansion that Zhang Yuelu promised arrived by flying ship. Qi Xuansu assigned them all to Lu Yuting.

If Wang Jiaohe wanted to pressure him, Qi Xuansu would return the gesture to the Nanyang United Trading Company. This became a test of endurance to see who would collapse under pressure first.

Everyone could see that Sage Wang and Sage Qi had already begun exchanging blows. For now, Qi Xuansu seemed slightly ahead, having resolved the unrest in Lion City.

However, no one dared say Wang Jiaohe was doomed. After all, this was only the first round. Judging from Wang Jiaohe’s opening move, each strike carried enormous force. Qi Xuansu only needed one misstep to be severely wounded.

Qi Xuansu’s biggest problem now was manpower. The Nanting Protectorate’s Black Robes and the Spirit Guards from the Old Port Pacification Commission Office followed his command, but they could not be used to investigate personnel from within the Daoist Mansion. They could only be deployed to suppress riots.

Xu Jiaorong was now the Second Deputy and should theoretically oversee such matters, but she had only just taken office and lacked the foundation. Worse still, the previous Second Deputy Mansion Master had left this entire division in ruins, so its reliability was questionable.

Since arriving in Poluo, Qi Xuansu had relied heavily on his own trusted subordinates like Lu Yuting and Han Yongfeng to handle the actual affairs.

Even with Zhang Yuelu’s reinforcements, manpower was still stretched thin. With no other choice, Qi Xuansu decided to consult his future mother-in-law, Sage Cihang.

This situation was different from before because it also involved the Holy Court. Such cases were best handled by Beichen Hall, whose duty was purging traitors. By right, the Joint Council of the Nine Halls should have been led by Beichen Hall, but Sage Qingwei was unavailable, so Sage Cihang, as the Tiangang Hall Master, presided over the council instead. As such, reporting this matter to the Golden Tower Council was the proper procedure.

As the second-most important Daoist palace after Sheji Palace, Tianfu Palace had a mother-child mirror that connected to Jade Capital.

Qi Xuansu easily contacted Sage Cihang with it. She first congratulated him on his promotion to a Sage, after which Qi Xuansu began reporting the situation in detail.

After hearing the full report, Sage Cihang said, “Your region is indeed a severe hotspot of Western infiltration, so you will need reinforcements. How many people do you require?”

Qi Xuansu did not dare to be excessive. After a brief hesitation, he said, “One hundred?”

Sage Cihang scoffed. “You’re really not shy at all. Do you think this is as simple as dispatching Spirit Guards? Do you remember how few people Qing Xiao had when you two were in Yaoguang Division? Now, you’re asking for half a division in one breath. You have quite the appetite, huh?”

Qi Xuansu, who was always deferential before his elders, said humbly, “Well, I’m asking a little higher so we can settle for something in a suitable range...”

“Do you think this is a marketplace where you can bargain and haggle prices?” Sage Cihang laughed.

After some consideration, she said, “I can only give you fifty—half from Beichen Hall and half from Fengxian Hall. If you want more, go ask Sage Qingwei. He’s the Beichen Hall Master, so he would be the proper person to request for an internal investigation.”

Qi Xuansu nodded. “Fifty it is. A single incompetent soldier is one thing, but an incompetent commander ruins the whole unit. So please arrange a capable leader for me. If I can’t have quantity, at least give me quality.”

Sage Cihang did not refuse his request. “I’ll think about it and let you know within three days.”