A Pawn's Passage

Of the four people Qi Xuansu named, Sun Jiaofeng, Wang Jiaoyan, and Lin Tianhe were all in Thanglong Prefecture. Only Sun Yaozhen was in Lion City. With his relatively low status, there was no need for the three prodigies to take action. Han Yongfeng alone was sufficient.

Lion City was under Qi Xuansu’s sole control for now. With the Grand Protector absent, Qin Hengjun held authority over the Nanting Protectorate and now aligned himself with Qi Xuansu. With Wu Guangbi gravely wounded and Li Changge present in Lion City, the Heavenly Court was no longer an obstacle. Instead, it would even assist in the case. Other powerhouses like Tianfu Palace and the Ziguang Society’s local branch were also now at Qi Xuansu’s disposal.

The Goddess Society, led by the Holy Court, still existed. But it had suffered heavy blows and no longer dared to show itself so simply.

Not to mention, Qi Xuansu could also ask for the assistance of the Spirit Guards from the Old Port Pacification Commission Office to reinforce Lion City at any moment.

Under such circumstances, Lion City had effectively become Qi Xuansu’s headquarters.

If he disregarded appearances and political considerations, Qi Xuansu could arrest anyone he pleased with little effort, including Marianne of the Goddess Society.

In truth, this operation was not merely about Sun Yaozhen. Most of the senior executives of the Nanyang United Trading Company were also marked for arrest. But since they were not the key targets, Qi Xuansu had not mentioned them by name and merely referred to them collectively as “all relevant individuals.”

After receiving his instructions, Han Yongfeng did not charge toward Sun Yaozhen’s residence like an ordinary constable. Instead, he temporarily took over Tianfu Palace’s Spirit Guards and began deploying them, while he himself remained at the headquarters to command the operations.

By now, people in Tianfu Palace had already sensed something was amiss. Several superintendents had heard rumors that the Chief Deputy had just concluded an emergency meeting and was likely about to make a move. Thus, they waited outside the council hall.

The council hall was large, divided into various segments. Besides the grand assembly hall and the chamber used by Qi Xuansu, there were smaller rooms dedicated to the superintendents and Spirit Guards.

Han Yongfeng was gathering Spirit Guards and Black Robes to assign tasks. Upon seeing the superintendents, he gave them a polite nod of greeting.

Superintendent Du asked, “Brother Han, what play are you staging here?”

Han Yongfeng did not wish to elaborate and brushed it aside. “Simply carrying out official duties.”

Superintendent Du glanced at the people behind Han Yongfeng and did not spot any familiar faces. They were likely personnel from the Old Port Pacification Commission Office. One of them was even a Black Robes Deputy General.

They were mobilizing both Spirit Guards and Black Robes, yet bypassing the superintendents in Tianfu Palace entirely. Even the Deputy Mansion Master did not attend the emergency meeting.

Superintendent Du thought, Does the Chief Deputy no longer trust us?

The answer was not hard to guess. There were too many vested interests tangled in this, so Qi Xuansu feared they might leak information.

Superintendent Du asked casually, “What kind of duties?”

Han Yongfeng was irritated by this question. As one of Qi Xuansu’s two hand-picked confidants, whose orders could he possibly be executing? Wasn’t the answer obvious? Would Xie Jiaofeng even dare assign Han Yongfeng anything?

But Han Yongfeng was experienced in Daoist bureaucracy. He did not show his displeasure outwardly and merely said, “I’m carrying out Chief Deputy Qi’s orders.”

Superintendent Du had already suspected as much. But hearing it confirmed from Han Yongfeng’s own lips still sent a chill through him.

By now, most people already understood the situation, especially after Great Sage Jiang became the Acting Mansion Master while Great Sage Lan was recuperating. Great Sage Jiang had publicly chastised Wang Jiaohe at the council, but many others were tied far too deeply to the Wang family’s interests. Even if they recognized the shifting winds, they could not cut themselves free, let alone switch sides or strike back. They could only remain bound to the Wang family’s ship—either sit and await death or make desperate, reckless moves. Either way, both paths led only into darkness.

After so many years of dominating Nanyang, the Wang family had far too many people entangled in their web of interests.

Thus, Qi Xuansu did not trust the superintendents and Spirit Guards under Xie Jiaofeng. After all, the events had proven him right.

Superintendent Du knew that Qi Xuansu was about to make his move. But against whom?

With that realization, his legs went weak. Superintendent Du no longer wished to linger here. He needed to leave immediately, gather news, and find out what exactly was happening—whether there was still room to maneuver or salvage the situation.

Superintendent Du forced himself to remain composed. “In that case, I won’t disturb you, Brother Han. Let’s have a drink another day.”

Han Yongfeng pressed his lips together and replied, “When this is all over, you should drink several extra cups at the victory banquet.”

Superintendent Du jolted again but kept up an enthusiastic smile. “Of course, of course.”

He turned away, somewhat dazed, almost spiritless.

Han Yongfeng watched his departing figure and silently murmured to himself, “I hope that day does come.”

Once they parted, Superintendent Du could no longer sit still. He immediately began reaching out through every connection he had, yet everyone he contacted claimed ignorance. It was understandably so, as the emergency meeting consisted entirely of people from the top, prodigies of exceptional standing. How could news about them be casually leaked? Without this incident, many of them might never see such rising stars in their lifetime.

Chen Jianchou’s lips were sealed tight. Nothing could be pried from him.

After all, that was the basic quality of a secretary. Otherwise, Qi Xuansu would never have kept him.

Although Chen Jianchou had Xu Jiaorong as his godmother, he still climbed his way up from the bottom. He had considerable experience, and for someone of humble origin, it was always better to be cautious.

A storm was brewing.

Han Yongfeng convened a small meeting with five people. He was the only Daoist priest present and acted as commander. Among the remaining four, three came from the Old Port Pacification Commission Office, and one was a Black Robes officer from the Nanting Protectorate. All were deemed trustworthy.

Upon entering the council chamber, Han Yongfeng issued the first order. For confidentiality, everyone must surrender all communication-related talismans and items, which would be returned afterward.

Everyone handed over their items to Han Yongfeng.

He then announced the second order. By Chief Deputy Qi’s command, he would be overseeing coordination and command. During this period, all four others were to obey his instructions.

The four realized the severity of the day’s operation and immediately expressed their firm commitment to carry out Chief Deputy Qi’s orders.

After issuing the two orders, Han Yongfeng invited everyone to sit. He said, “It has been confirmed that the Nanyang United Trading Company is involved in embezzling the Daoist Order’s assets, tax evasion, human trafficking, and several other felonies. Today’s operation is to simultaneously apprehend all implicated individuals and seize the forces hidden behind the company.”

Han Yongfeng then politely addressed the Deputy General. “Deputy General Lin, please issue orders to secure all routes entering and leaving Lion City to prevent any suspects from escaping.”

The Great Xuan Court had regional administrative offices across the realm. The Nanting Protectorate was a hybrid of civil administration and military headquarters. Thus, the Grand Protector held supreme authority over both governance and military affairs, equivalent to a state governor and a military commander.

This Deputy General held a high rank. But since the Grand Protector had authorized Qi Xuansu to temporarily exercise part of his authority, the Deputy General had no choice but to obey. He agreed without hesitation.

Han Yongfeng then produced a list and said to the three Spirit Guards, “This operation is unusual. Chief Deputy Qi requires synchronized action, so you will each be responsible for the individuals assigned to you. I will personally handle the capture of Sun Yaozhen. Let’s synchronize our timing. I want everyone in their designated positions within two hours, and the arrests to begin an hour after that.”

The three Spirit Guards spoke in unison, “Yes, sir.”

Han Yongfeng said, “One final thing—after apprehending the targets, escort them immediately to the Black Robes Camp and file a written report. If the capture is successful, everything is straightforward. But if anyone escapes, you must provide a valid reason. Otherwise, you will be held responsible.”

Such were the conveniences of power. Qi Xuansu did not need to act personally. With a single command, all of Lion City was sealed off. The Spirit Guards and Black Robes spread out everywhere, making escape impossible.

By comparison, the situation in Thanglong Prefecture was far more difficult. Even with Great Sage Jiang and Xu Jiaorong present, Great Sage Jiang’s attention was devoted primarily to hunting Chen Shuhua, leaving little room to interfere.

Moreover, with the Wang family’s decades of entrenched influence, the situation remained complex. They expected to face tremendous resistance in this operation to seize Wang Jiaoyan, Sun Jiaofeng, and Lin Tianhe right under Wang Jiaohe’s nose.

Thus, to capture these individuals, the three prodigies had to personally intervene since few dared offend them with their illustrious background.

......

In the headquarters of Nanyang United Trading Company in Lion City, most of its senior staff were present. Some among them were well informed and caught wind of what was happening, so they attempted to flee.

However, with the Spirit Guards and Black Robes locking down Lion City, even those who managed to slip out were soon captured and brought back.

There was a small incident when arresting Sun Yaozhen. When Han Yongfeng arrived, Sun Yaozhen happened to be in the middle of a tryst with Zhao Changlao. Thus, when Han Yongfeng’s men broke down the door, she thought they were catching adulterers. Rather than panicking, she angrily shouted, “Get out! Out! Who let you in?”

Han Yongfeng ignored her and read aloud the arrest order transmitted through Xu Jiaorong’s rapid post talisman.

Only then did Sun Yaozhen realize the gravity of the situation. She tried to bolt for the door but was subdued by the Spirit Guards.

Han Yongfeng glanced at the disheveled Sun Yaozhen and ordered, “Cover her with something and take her away!”

From beginning to end, Zhao Changlao curled up in the corner, motionless.