A Pawn's Passage

While Qi Xuansu was presiding over the Daoist Mansion Council in Thanglong Prefecture, Zhang Yuelu returned to Lion City all alone, leaving Ke Qingqing to help out Qi Xuansu. After all, Zhang Yuelu’s primary responsibility was investigation, and the case had largely been concluded, with the suspects apprehended. What followed was mainly interrogation, which was handled by professionals from the Fengxian Hall and the Beichen Hall, making it unnecessary for Zhang Yuelu to personally intervene. Thus, whether Ke Qingqing stayed or not made little difference, since she was not a specialist in this area to begin with.

On the contrary, Qi Xuansu was involved in many substantive affairs, such as restructuring the Nanyang United Trade Company and handling post-disaster relief. These matters demanded considerable time and energy, and Qi Xuansu genuinely needed an assistant while his secretary was in prison.

This arrangement also allowed Ke Qingqing to take things a bit easier, sparing her from running back and forth between the two sides.

After returning to Lion City, Zhang Yuelu first visited Lin Yuanmiao, who had been injured in the line of duty. She then took over Tianfu Palace.

Of course, in name, she was just providing guidance to comply with procedure. She only offered suggestions and did not issue orders directly. The actual commands were still given by Xie Jiaofeng. Whether to listen was up to them, and whether to speak was up to her.

Little Yin and Xie Jiaofeng were not so pleased with this arrangement. The easygoing Old Qi had left, and the hard-to-please Second Deputy Zhang had arrived. Their good days were over.

It was almost common knowledge among the Daoist upper ranks that Second Deputy Zhang was notoriously difficult to deal with. Some even likened her to the fifth-generation Grand Master in temperament. While that might be an exaggeration, it still showed that Second Deputy Zhang was no easy character and not someone who could be easily pleased.

This time, Zhang Yuelu’s return was not about Wang Jiaoyan, but Chen Jianqiu.

Whether for the interests of the Zhang family or for Qi Xuansu’s broader plans, they could not allow Chen Jianqiu to fall into Wang Jiaohe’s hands.

Thus, she repeatedly instructed Star Lord Yuheng to ensure Chen Jianqiu’s safety.

In fact, even without Zhang Yuelu’s reminder, Star Lord Yuheng would have done so anyway. After all, they were all members of the Ziguang Society, and Chen Jianqiu’s status was special. After Qi Xuansu designated her as the Queen of the Yu Kingdom, Chen Jianqiu became a special member directly under True Lord Ziguang rather than a subordinate of Star Lord Yuheng.

This was a hidden danger. If True Lord Ziguang were to exploit Chen Jianqiu’s status to cause trouble, such as stealing dragon qi, Qi Xuansu would have to bear responsibility as well. Yet under the circumstances at the time, Qi Xuansu had no choice but to do so.

If one day Qi Xuansu were to follow in Wang Jiaohe’s footsteps, there would inevitably be another person who would step forward to expose Chen Jianqiu’s affairs.

Perhaps Xu Jiaorong would become a second Chen Shuhua. Who could possibly say for sure how such things might unfold?

At present, Chen Jianqiu had been arranged to stay at the residence of Star Lord Yuheng. Once Qi Xuansu finished handling matters in Thanglong Prefecture, Chen Jianqiu would be able to return and continue her role as sovereign.

Zhang Yuelu did not immediately go to see Chen Jianqiu and merely asked Star Lord Yuheng to convey her regards.

After all, Zhang Yuelu was extremely busy, with many matters requiring her attention.

Only after Qi Xuansu sent word from Thanglong Prefecture did Zhang Yuelu decide to personally check on Chen Jianqiu’s situation, as she was afraid that Wang Jiaohe and his faction might resort to desperate measures.

However, Zhang Yuelu could not go in a conspicuous manner. She removed her hechang and lotus crown and changed into a green set of plain robes, looking like an ordinary, demure young woman. She then set out with Little Yin.

By now, Lin Yuanmiao’s condition had improved considerably. He was able to take care of himself and no longer required Little Yin to guard him. Moreover, Little Yin could not endure boredom and grew restless after guarding Lin Yuanmiao for so many days. She had long since reached the limits of her patience. Had Zhang Yuelu not been keeping an eye on her, she would have already dashed out.

If Zhang Yuelu did not take her along, Little Yin would slip away right after she left. Thus, Zhang Yuelu thought it was better to bring Little Yin along, lest the little imp cause trouble at this critical time.

Star Lord Yuheng had no fixed residence, or rather, she had residences in every major district of Lion City. At present, she was staying in the northwest district. The area was a chaotic mix of all sorts, making it easier to remain hidden.

Taking advantage of the night, Zhang Yuelu and Little Yin arrived in the northwest district. The streets crisscrossed in all directions, making it feel like a labyrinth. From time to time, they encountered drunkards or beggars.

Naturally, Little Yin handled these situations. She did not need to lift a finger and simply opened her large mouth. Pulling the corners of her mouth back to her ears was enough to sober the drunkards and send the beggars into a deep sleep.

Zhang Yuelu was in a fairly good mood today and teased, “You shouldn’t be called Little Yin, but Big Mouth Yin!”

Little Yin could tell it was not a compliment, but she dared not confront Zhang Yuelu. So she could only let out a soft snort to express her displeasure.

Before long, the two crossed several more rivers. The waterways were packed with small boats docked for the night. Eventually, they arrived at a dark alley.

At the end of the alley was a two-story Western-style house, with a fairly large and lush garden outside. This was Star Lord Yuheng’s residence.

Just as Zhang Yuelu was about to enter, Little Yin suddenly reached out to stop her. “There’s killing intent!”

Zhang Yuelu was startled and immediately halted in her steps.

Little Yin’s senses were extraordinarily keen, far sharper even than Qi Xuansu’s or Zhang Yuelu’s.

In truth, Little Yin should have been sent to East Shakya to search for Lin Tianhe. She alone might well have matched Yao Pei and Xu Jiaorong combined.

Zhang Yuelu asked softly, “How strong is the killing intent?”

Little Yin gestured with her hands as she replied, “Stronger than mine, and yours, and even Old Qi’s!”

Zhang Yuelu’s expression turned grim. This would mean a Zaohua-stage Heavenly Being at the very least, possibly even a Pseudo-Immortal.

Had Wu Guangbi returned to Lion City?

Zhang Yuelu quickly dismissed the thought.

Wu Guangbi had had his heart and liver torn out by Madam Bai. He was neither a Martial Arts Practitioner who had refined his body nor a Diviner who could disregard the physical body. Thus, he could not recover fully in such a short time. Moreover, the situation had already changed. Li Tianzhen was gone, replaced with Li Changge. Even if Wu Guangbi had some special means to heal his injuries, he would never involve himself in this mess at such a moment.

Surely, it could not be Wang Jiaohe in person, right? As the Mansion Master, Wang Jiaohe’s movements were closely monitored, especially with Great Sage Jiang around. There was no way Wang Jiaohe could slip quietly into Lion City unnoticed.

So, who was it?

At this moment, Star Lord Yuheng sat on a sofa inside the two-story house, facing off against an elderly man.

Star Lord Yuheng looked as she always did. Like Chen Jianqiu, she had Western blood. Her black, curly hair cascaded loosely like waves, and her purple eyes contrasted sharply with her red lips. She wore a white shirt with the collar open, a black vest with gold-threaded patterns, black velvet trousers, and glossy-black high-heeled leather boots. Seated on the sofa with her legs crossed, her long legs appeared all the more striking.

A faint scent of lilac clung to her. She held a stemmed wineglass filled with dark red wine. As she gently swirled the glass, the ruby ring on her finger glimmered. The candlelight filtered through the moving wine, casting a dim glow across half of her face that was veiled by her black curls.

The elderly man standing opposite her did not reveal his true face. He was dressed entirely in black and wearing a bronze mask. Only his pure white hair was visible.

This was not out of the ordinary, as cultivation was accumulated over time. Generally speaking, the older one was, the higher one’s cultivation. The Daoist Order only restricted excessive rejuvenation and strictly forbade those of advanced age from appearing as children or youths, with no limits on appearing old. After all, old age usually signified wisdom and virtue, hence why most pictured an Immortal with white hair and a white beard. Thus, many simply choose the appearance of a white-haired elder. Whenever the Daoist Order convened a grand assembly, there would be no shortage of white hair.

In Jianghu, many senior figures also commonly adopted the appearance of an elderly person.

“To what do I owe you the honor of visiting me so late at night?” Star Lord Yuheng was not particularly nervous, yet she did not dare to be careless either.

The black-robed elder’s voice was concealed, as though many voices overlapped into one. “I beg your pardon for this late-night intrusion, Star Lord. I have come this time to ask you for someone.”

Star Lord Yuheng laughed softly. “You’re bold to be asking me for someone as an uninvited guest. Surely, the person you seek wouldn’t happen to be a Chen, would they?”

“Star Lord, you sure are perceptive to get it with one hint,” the old man replied with a laugh as well.

Star Lord Yuheng said, “If you are looking for Chen Shuhua, then I can do nothing for you. Immortal Chen is as elusive as a dragon. Even I cannot find her. I regret not being able to help, so please take your leave.”

The black-robed elder snorted coldly. “I advise you not to beat around the bush, Star Lord. You know very well who I am asking for.”

Star Lord Yuheng took a sip of red wine, her crimson lips parting slightly. “I truly do not know. Perhaps you would care to enlighten me.”

The black-robed elder said in a deep voice, “Very well, I will be direct. I ask that you hand Chen Jianqiu, the ruler of the Yu Kingdom, over to me.”

Star Lord Yuheng feigned sudden realization. “Oh, you want her. But why? I happen to have use for this person at the moment, so choose someone else.”

The black-robed elder said nothing, clearly stating his stance through silence.

Star Lord Yuheng continued, “If I refuse to hand her over, what do you intend to do?”

The black-robed man replied in a grim tone, “Then we can only settle it by force.”

This time, it was Star Lord Yuheng who fell silent.

However, her silence did not mean she was at a loss for what to do.

Star Lord Yuheng still held the wineglass in her right hand. With the nail of her left thumb, she pierced the pad of her left index finger. Then, she used that finger as a brush and her blood as ink to draw a talisman in the air.