A Pawn's Passage

Although Yao Pei and Li Zhuyu did not hold particularly high positions or ranks, their backgrounds were far more distinguished. Even if one ignored the official ranks, their family names commanded respect. They were also sent from Jade Capital, so the welcome banquet was of a notably high standard, with dignitaries attending to receive them.

Once the banquet ended, it was time to discuss official matters. Qi Xuansu instructed Xie Jiaofeng to settle the others, then invited Yao Pei and Li Zhuyu into his office.

Chen Jianchou followed as well, bowing respectfully to the two noble ladies. He had never imagined that he would meet so many legendary figures in succession in such a short span. First Zhang Yuelu, now Yao Pei. Though not Li Changge himself, Li Zhuyu was close enough. Although he lived far away in Poluo, he was an aspiring youth determined to join the Daoist Order, so naturally, he knew of the Three Daoist Prodigies. Now, there were four prodigies, including his boss.

Compared to the domineering Zhang Yuelu, Yao Pei was of a completely different style. If Zhang Yuelu was the sun, then Yao Pei was the moon. Zhang Yuelu would most likely strike back openly if anyone ever offended her, whereas Yao Pei would retaliate quietly and without warning.

Yao Pei said, “I have heard of you.”

Chen Jianchou was even more stunned. How could he live up to this honor?

Li Zhuyu continued, “In the Thanglong Prefecture incident, you were a meritorious contributor. Both Chief Deputy Qi and Second Deputy Xu endorsed you. The key point is that you’re not even an official Daoist priest yet. It’s so unusual that everyone has been talking about you. We couldn’t avoid hearing it even if we wanted to. That’s why you’re allowed to serve as Chief Deputy Qi’s secretary. It’s a special exception granted to a meritorious person.”

Yao Pei asked, “Are you planning to take the August grand examination?”

Chen Jianchou nodded. “Yes.”

Yao Pei said, “Do your best. With your merit, Ziwei Hall will settle your rank immediately once you pass.”

Suppressing his excitement, Chen Jianchou began briefing them on the current situation in Lion City, the investigation into the Nanyang United Trading Company, and the details of the recent riots.

After listening, Yao Pei said, “External forces alone won’t have this much impact. There must be internal collaborators aiding them.”

Qi Xuansu replied, “That is precisely why I asked the two of you to come.”

Yao Pei asked, “What does Daoist Qing Xiao say?”

Qi Xuansu glanced at Li Zhuyu. “Qing Xiao believes that the Heavenly Court is also involved.”

Li Zhuyu’s expression did not change in the slightest.

There were also divisions within the Li family. Li Tianzhen did not belong to Sage Qingwei’s faction. Instead, he was aligned with Li Tianlan and the others. This was evident from the Zhang Juquan case, where Li Tianlan’s inaction forced Sage Qingwei into a compromise with the Zhang family.

This was unsurprising. When Sage Qingwei was young, his brilliance was unmatched. But he was rebellious, and he openly went against his elders. Li Tianyue, Li Tianlan, and Li Minghuang’s adoptive father, Li Tianqing, had clashed with him many times.

Sage Qingwei’s greatest act of rebellion was changing his name to Wugou, which meant “clear of corruption,” to express his ideals. This stirred much private criticism among the Li family. Some even mocked him, saying he might as well change his last name to Zhang while he was at it.

The seeds of conflict were sown then, and they never truly eased over the years. The Imperial Preceptor’s authority was the only thing keeping them from a full-blown clash, forcing both sides to scheme against each other in secret.

Li Changge was an exception. He seemed aligned with Sage Qingwei, having helped resolve the Zhang Juquan matter. Even Li Tianlan dared not trouble this Junior Imperial Preceptor. Both factions were respectful of this prodigy.

In the Jinling Prefecture incident, the Heavenly Court had stepped in to clean up the mess for Li Tianlan. In other words, the Heavenly Court was not necessarily aligned with Sage Qingwei.

By the time Li Tianzhen came of age, Sage Qingwei was no longer rebellious, and there had been no occasion for conflict. Moreover, at that time, Sage Qingwei held great authority, and Li Tianzhen had neither the rank nor the qualification to oppose him.

But things were not so simple. Li Tianzhen had a potential rival—Li Zhuyu. If the Imperial Preceptor were no longer in the mortal realm, Sage Qingwei would become the head of the Li family. So, with Li Zhuyu being Sage Qingwei’s adopted daughter, her status would surely surpass Li Tianzhen. Moreover, if Sage Qingwei became the Grand Master, his adopted daughter could become the Li family’s third-in-command, ranking just below Sage Qingwei and Li Changge.

The Li family was united only in comparison to the Zhang family or the Quanzhen Sect. It did not mean they had no internal conflicts.

Qi Xuansu had seen all this clearly, which was why he deliberately mentioned the Heavenly Court in front of Li Zhuyu.

As expected, Li Zhuyu did not have much of a reaction and did not show the slightest hint of tension.

Qi Xuansu continued, “Right now, there are likely three parties colluding with each other—certain people within our Daoist Mansion, the Heavenly Court, and the Holy Court. Thus, Fengxian Hall will investigate internal corruption, while Beichen Hall will focus on rooting out the Holy Court’s infiltration. We can temporarily set aside the Heavenly Court.”

Yao Pei said, “Since I am here on behalf of Fengxian Hall, leave the internal purge to me. Dismantling the Holy Court’s infiltration will be Deputy Hall Master Li’s task.”

Li Zhuyu nodded. “No problem.”

Qi Xuansu continued, “Aside from mobilizing Spirit Guards and using force, I’m not well-versed in other methods for striking at the Holy Court. So I won’t give reckless orders. But I do have some experience when it comes to purging internal corruption.”

Yao Pei looked at Qi Xuansu with her sleepy eyes.

Qi Xuansu said, “Since there are no outsiders here, I’ll speak plainly. I suspect this matter is connected to the Mansion Master, Wang Jiaohe. Sage Wang is shrewd and calculating, so it will be very difficult to get to him. But he does have weaknesses, namely, his family. The key people we can focus on are Wang Jiaoying, Wang Jiaoyan, and Wang Danqing. Su Yi, I believe that the best entry point is Wang Danqing.”

Yao Pei lowered her gaze. “I’ve heard of him. He was the one who shot you in Ziwei Hall.”

Qi Xuansu cleared his throat lightly. “This is not about personal revenge.”

That was the truth. At this point, Qi Xuansu no longer concerned himself with a minor figure like Wang Danqing. If Wang Jiaohe were to confess everything on the condition of sparing Wang Danqing, Qi Xuansu would probably agree. Qi Xuansu did not even consider that Wang Danqing would be capable of taking revenge, so there was no threat.

In a sense, it was a form of confidence in himself and disdain for Wang Danqing.

Yao Pei considered for a moment. “In recent years, many high-ranking Daoists who fell from grace did so because of issues involving their Daoist companions or children. This angle is not bad.”

Qi Xuansu shot Chen Jianchou a glance. The secretary stepped forward with the case file he had prepared.

Yao Pei took it and flipped through casually, reading ten lines at a glance and remembering everything instantly.

“The Sun family,” Yao Pei murmured thoughtfully.

Qi Xuansu explained, “There is no formal marriage alliance between the Sun and Wang families, but Sun Heyu’s daughter-in-law and Wang Jiaohe’s sister, Wang Jiaoyan, are martial sisters. Sun Heyu’s son, Sun Jiaofeng, is a business partner of Wang Jiaoyan in the Nanyang United Trade Company.”

Yao Pei listed several names. “Sun Heyu, Sun Jiaofeng, Sun Yaoping, Wang Jiaoyan, Lin Tianhe, Xu Youyi, Du Yuhua.”

Du Yuhua was the former secretary to the previous Great Sage of the Poluo Daoist Mansion—the one before Great Sage Lan. Unlike Great Sage Lan’s hands-off attitude, the former Great Sage was domineering and hoarded power. Du Yuhua bore him a grandson and rose far faster than Xu Jiaorong ever did. She only lost her backing and retired after the Great Sage ascended. Her son, however, remained in the Poluo Daoist Mansion and married Sun Heyu’s granddaughter, making him Sun Yaoping’s brother-in-law.

Though Du Yuhua was no longer the Chief Deputy, she still had a strong influence within the Daoist Mansion due to her network of long-standing connections.

Qi Xuansu said, “Sun Yaoping and Xu Youyi are both in our hands. Xu Youyi is temporarily held at the Dongdu Prefecture of the Lingnan Daoist Mansion, and Sun Yaoping is detained at the Sheji Palace of Thanglong Prefecture. You may summon and interrogate them at any time.”

Yao Pei asked, “What are the names of Sun Yaoping’s older sister and her husband? There’s only a one-line note here. Why isn’t there a case file on them?”

Chen Jianchou hurriedly answered, “Sun Yaoping’s brother-in-law is the son of Du Yuhua. His name is Du Fuzhou. Due to certain sensitive matters that cannot be revealed publicly, Du Yuhua has always claimed he is an adopted son.”

Yao Pei asked again, “What about Du Fuzhou’s father?”

Chen Jianchou hesitated for a moment and looked toward Qi Xuansu.

Qi Xuansu replied, “He’s the son of the former Great Sage, but he’s utterly incompetent. After the Great Sage ascended, Du Yuhua fell out with him and prohibited Du Fuzhou from acknowledging him. He has lived in Jade Capital ever since and has not returned to Poluo in decades, so he probably isn’t involved in this matter.”

Yao Pei nodded, then asked, “What kind of person is Du Fuzhou?”

Chen Jianchou answered, “Extremely low-profile, almost reclusive. We don’t have much concrete information on him. But Sun Yaoping’s sister, Sun Yaozhen, has a very good relationship with Wang Danqing. They grew up together.”

Yao Pei said, “Our arrival in Poluo is no secret. These prominent figures will surely be on guard, and even if they aren’t, Wang Jiaohe will warn them. A direct assault on them may not yield results. My suggestion is to strike from an unexpected angle while intensifying the interrogations of Sun Yaoping and Xu Youyi. We can start with Du Fuzhou and Sun Yaozhen, catching them off-guard.”

Qi Xuansu said, “Then we’ll proceed that way.”