A Pawn's Passage

A person’s worldview and temperament were more or less fully shaped by the age of twenty. Unless they experienced a tremendous upheaval, such things were very difficult to change.

Today, Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu enjoyed status and authority, but before the age of twenty, they had nothing of the sort. Qi Xuansu’s earlier hardships needed no elaboration. Zhang Yuelu, despite being from the prestigious Zhang family, was not particularly valued. The Zhang family divided resources strictly. What she had was more like the daughter of a small, ordinary household.

Though the two had made something of themselves, many of the habits ingrained in their youth remained and showed themselves unintentionally. One could call them down-to-earth or simply petty, depending on perspective.

Qi Xuansu had the thought of emulating his superiors to be reserved and magnanimous, but he still occasionally revealed a rough Jianghu killing aura.

Zhang Yuelu was more extreme because she was shaped by her early environment. Though she tried hard to change and be more inclusive, she still often fell back into old patterns.

In short, Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu lacked this noble aura, at least for now.

Qi Xuansu felt that true nobility belonged to people like Li Changge, Yao Pei, and of course, Li Tianzhen.

This noble aura was not about luxurious clothing or refined manners but an innate confidence and fearlessness—the entitlement and belief that everything they possessed was well-deserved.

This could not be learned.

Qi Xuansu endured hardship to reach his current status, so he knew that none of this was guaranteed. That was why he was always suspicious about the hidden price behind his fortunes. It was also why he was so grateful to Madam Qi, and why he cherished everything he had gained.

Only those who possessed everything from birth would think it was natural.

To them, wealth, comfort, and supplies seemed to sprout from storerooms and shelves by nature’s will. Thus, they knew nothing of the hardship needed to obtain those things. They believed that the respect, obedience, flattery, fondness, and service from others were all rightfully theirs, so they knew nothing of gratitude.

The people who possessed everything since birth had unwavering backing, which was why they were fearless.

Without a doubt, Li Tianzhen was one of them.

Those who started with nothing disliked entitled and arrogant fools who took their privilege for granted.

However, not all those born with a silver spoon were arrogant. Some realized their privilege and tried to change themselves. Even if they could not change their instinct, they consciously restrained or disguised it, like Li Changge. But others severely lacked such self-awareness.

This was why, disregarding Zhang Yuelu, Qi Xuansu had never been fond of Li Tianzhen and even hated the man.

Qi Xuansu did not pretend to show magnanimity that was only befitting of his current status. He made no effort to hide his delight. “Li Tianzhen, even you have come to this, huh?”

At this moment, Li Tianzhen felt nothing but shame and fury. Because of Zhang Yuelu, two men who originally had no direct conflict had developed a subtle rivalry. It was nothing more than male vanity. A man did not fear being rejected by a woman and only feared losing to another man because he did not want to be deemed inferior.

To Li Tianzhen, being humiliated face-to-face by Qi Xuansu was a complete denial of his worth, which was worse than death.

Qi Xuansu was no different, but he was the double victor. He had won Zhang Yuelu’s favor and reduced Li Tianzhen to a prisoner. All he felt was satisfaction.

Li Tianzhen closed his eyes, refusing to look at Qi Xuansu or speak.

Qi Xuansu did not bother addressing Li Tianzhen again. Instead, he turned to praise Little Yin, not sparing any compliments.

Verbal praise costs the least. Any other form of praise required real money. However, Qi Xuansu had none. He could not use public funds to reward Little Yin either, nor did he have the power to promote her. So he could only praise her with words.

Little Yin accepted it happily, grinning from ear to ear. But she remained blunt. She stretched out her hand toward Qi Xuansu, with her palm up and five fingers spread wide open.

This was the universal gesture of asking for money.

Qi Xuansu had no money because he had bought his luxury residence on credit, so he could only turn to Zhang Yuelu.

Zhang Yuelu took out a cash note and placed it in Little Yin’s hand. “Since you’ve done well, I’ll give you 1,000 Taiping coins.”

Little Yin accepted it with great satisfaction.

Li Tianzhen was so infuriated that he could faint on the spot, thinking, Am I only worth 1,000 Taiping coins?!

Qi Xuansu said, “Little Yin, loosen Daoist Li’s chain. There’s no need for this.”

Little Yin responded promptly. She took out her large brush once again. With one swipe, the metal chain vanished.

Qi Xuansu glanced at the large brush but did not ask about it. Instead, he turned to Li Tianzhen and said, “Daoist Li, playing dead won’t help. Matters must be resolved, so let’s talk.”

Li Tianzhen slowly opened his eyes. “Now that I’m in your hands, what’s there for me to say?”

Qi Xuansu replied, “If you have nothing to say, then we might as well tidy things up and dispose of you. What do you think?”

Little Yin immediately volunteered eagerly, “Leave it to me! I promise I’ll swallow him whole and leave nothing behind!”

Originally, Li Tianzhen was not afraid because he did not believe Qi Xuansu would dare kill him. After all, Qi Xuansu was a person of status now, so he would have concerns and would then hold back.

What truly unnerved him was Little Yin.

This little girl struck without restraint and could easily kill him without hesitation or guilt.

Thus, Li Tianzhen had no choice but to ask, “What do you want to talk about?”

Qi Xuansu asked, “I was ambushed in Lion City. Was it your doing?”

Li Tianzhen did not even hesitate before denying it. “I have no idea.”

Even though Qi Xuansu would not kill him outright, admitting it would give Qi Xuansu something to hold over him. It would become a legitimate reason to press charges and ultimately destroy him through formal channels.

Qi Xuansu did not press further. Instead, he said, “Dragon Scale Island is your property, so why was Wu Guangbi, the Heavenly Court’s Grand Leader, here? I caught you in the act, which changes everything. You’ve been in the Daoist Order for many years, so I’m sure you understand this principle. You’d better think of a good excuse.”

Wu Guangbi and Madam Qi were not the same. Madam Qi belonged to the Yao family and was listed in their genealogy. If Li Tianzhen tried to use Madam Qi as an excuse, the fire would not land on Qi Xuansu but would scorch the Yao family instead. On the surface, Qi Xuansu had been promoted by Sage Donghua and favored by Zhang Yuelu and the Heavenly Preceptor. His ties with the Yao family were actually distant.

On the other hand, Wu Guangbi was not from the Li family.

More importantly, the Daoist Order had a principle of no conviction without evidence. If one was not caught, then the crime did not exist.

Li Tianzhen understood this perfectly. Knowing Qi Xuansu was trying to solidify the accusation through his own confession, he immediately said, “Sage Qi, Dragon Scale Island is not mine. It belongs to the Li family. If you insist on asking and pursuing the matter to the end, then you should ask the Imperial Preceptor directly.”

“You’re saying your close dealings with Wu Guangbi were on the Imperial Preceptor’s orders?” Qi Xuansu stared into Li Tianzhen’s eyes. “If you dare admit that, I’ll take you back to Jade Capital tomorrow to request an audience with the Imperial Preceptor.”

“I—I didn’t say that...” Li Tianzhen grew flustered.

The Imperial Preceptor was both their pillar and their face, which must remain spotless, radiant, and infallible. Anything wrong was always the subordinates’ fault and never the Imperial Preceptor’s. All sins were due to unworthy descendants deceiving him and acting behind his back, never because he instructed them.

In many cases, someone even had to voluntarily step forward to shoulder the blame to prevent even a speck of dust from landing on that face.

If Li Tianzhen dragged the Imperial Preceptor into the matter, dumping filth onto that spotless face, he would be severing himself from the Li family.

Li Tianzhen had originally intended to use the Imperial Preceptor to pressure Qi Xuansu, but Qi Xuansu turned it around, leaving him flustered.

Qi Xuansu pressed on. “Then what did you mean earlier when you told me to ask the Imperial Preceptor?”

Li Tianzhen replied, “I meant the ownership of Dragon Scale Island.”

Qi Xuansu pushed harder. “What does the island’s ownership have to do with Wu Guangbi appearing on it? You might as well explain.”

Li Tianzhen had no choice but to answer, “There is no relation, of course. Dragon Scale Island belongs to the Li family. But the Imperial Preceptor is occupied with important matters and will never bother with such a minor place. I have foolishly befriended villains and invited Wu Guangbi to the island. All faults are mine alone and have nothing to do with the Imperial Preceptor.”

Since the matter involved the Imperial Preceptor, Qi Xuansu could not press too hard. He neither refuted nor continued to speak. He simply looked at Li Tianzhen, prompting him to speak further.

Li Tianzhen composed himself. “I mistakenly consorted with cult demons. So I will not object to whatever punishment that may befall me, even if it means exile or death.”

Qi Xuansu finally spoke. “The Heavenly Court is not as evil as the Cult of Fates or the Lingshan Witch Cult. So your punishment will not be as serious as exile, let alone death.”

Li Tianzhen could not discern Qi Xuansu’s intention. He asked, “Qi Xu—Daoist Qi, what do you mean?”

Qi Xuansu said, “As you said earlier, the Imperial Preceptor is busy with important affairs and cannot spare the attention for such a small case. Yet your status is not ordinary, so I can’t handle this case casually. So I thought of a solution. I will report the matter to Sage Qingwei and let him decide. That would be most appropriate. Coincidentally, Deputy Hall Master Li Zhuyu of Beichen Hall is also in Poluo. What do you think, Daoist Li?”

Li Tianzhen’s expression darkened.