A Pawn's Passage

After Wang Jiaoying emerged from the small world formed by the Go board, his cultivation had suffered severe damage. Xu Jiaorong, the second-rank Spirit Guard, and the Tiangang Hall branch manager immediately subdued Wang Jiaoying and shackled him with specially made restraints. Then they placed him under strict surveillance.

“Deputy Hall Master Yao, that was amazing!” Some people could not help but shout their praise for Yao Pei.

Yao Pei’s expression remained calm throughout.

Neither Yao Pei nor Zhang Yuelu wished to advance so quickly. As natural-born Banished Immortals, they had to rely on themselves to advance their cultivation. Though they could boost their strength by external means, advancing too fast would inevitably mean needing to stop later to consolidate and repay the “debt.” Thus, it was better to lay a solid foundation from the beginning.

However, there was no helping it. Li Changge and Qi Xuansu were on the opposite spectrum as manmade Banished Immortals. They were relentless, relying on external aid to advance through realms at breakneck speed.

This put Zhang Yuelu and Yao Pei in an awkward position. If they continued at their original pace, they would be left far behind by Qi Xuansu and Li Changge, which would be extremely disadvantageous.

If Qi Xuansu and Li Changge had already reached the Wuliang stage while Zhang Yuelu and Yao Pei remained at the Xiaoyao stage, the public opinion of the Daoist community would certainly shift. No matter what, one’s cultivation was an extremely important standard. On the path to becoming the Grand Master, the first threshold was having a Longevity-stage cultivation.

Thus, when competing for the position of Grand Master, one’s cultivation level had to be sufficient. Otherwise, nothing else mattered. In this regard, although the Daoist Order’s Three Heirs had not yet truly reached the Longevity stage, given their status and the resources they could mobilize, they could attain immortality at any time. Thus, it did not clearly place one above another.

However, among the eighth-generation disciples, cultivation became an especially critical criterion at this stage.

If the younger generation could not remain at the same level, and the disparity between them became too obvious, then there would be no talk of the Four Prodigies. It would instead become the Twin Pillars of the Daoist Order—Qi Xuansu and Li Changge—leaving Zhang Yuelu and Yao Pei out entirely.

The Li family only chose Li Changge due to his bloodline and his Longevity Stone Heart, which allowed him to secure an absolute advantage in cultivation. That way, Li Changge would stand out among the Three Prodigies and build a favorable impression early on. What they had not expected was Qi Xuansu’s emergence and rise to prominence, which the Quanzhen Sect had planned for.

Though they seized the opportunity to push Qi Xuansu forward to contend directly with Li Changge, they did not abandon Yao Pei. The Quanzhen Sect fully leveraged its greatest advantage of scale.

Under these circumstances, Zhang Yuelu and Yao Pei could only focus on the present. Regardless of what the future held, they had to strive not to be left too far behind Qi Xuansu and Li Changge.

There were many means to keep up. The simplest was to consume pills. If necessary, senior figures could even transfer power directly. The Quanzhen Sect was especially adept at such methods. Earthly Preceptor Shangguan had once undergone such an empowerment and advanced significantly.

By now, all four had successively entered the Wuliang stage. However, Qi Xuansu and Li Changge were advancing very quickly and were already not far from the Zaohua stage, while Yao Pei and Zhang Yuelu still had quite a gap to cover.

It was foreseeable that after Qi Xuansu and Li Changge stepped into the Zaohua stage, Yao Pei and Zhang Yuelu would remain in the Wuliang stage for quite some time. This would create a clear gap. If Qi Xuansu had not risen to prominence, then, according to the Li family’s original plan, this would have been the moment for Li Changge to stand alone at the peak and build his image.

Under the current circumstances, Qi Xuansu posed the greatest threat to Li Changge.

Since Wang Jiaohe was not in Thanglong Prefecture, Qi Xuansu had already taken control of the situation there. There was no longer any need to send prisoners to Lion City. They could be detained directly in the Daoist Mansion’s Nether Prison.

Just as Qi Xuansu had said, Wang Jiaoying would be locked in the Nether Prison before dawn.

Wang Jiaohe had not gone far. He and Sun Heyu had gone to Wu’an Prefecture, about 100 kilometers northeast of Thanglong Prefecture. It was the third largest prefecture after Thanglong and Annam, close to the Lingnan Daoist Mansion, with relatively developed trade and shipbuilding industries.

Sun Jiaofeng died here.

When Sun Heyu served as the Poluo Daoist Mansion Master, Wang Jiaohe was the Chief Deputy under him. The two were partners, mentor-mentee, and friends. The close relationship between the Wang and Sun families was established during that time, and Sun Jiaofeng’s marriage had also been arranged through Wang Jiaoyan’s matchmaking.

Naturally, Wang Jiaohe and Sun Jiaofeng had a close relationship, like brothers. Thus, it was reasonable for Wang Jiaohe to come and pay his respects after Sun Jiaofeng died.

This was the excuse Wang Jiaohe and Sun Heyu used to travel to Wu’an Prefecture. However, they were not permitted to go any further.

If they attempted to flee, they would not even get that final month. Great Sage Jiang would not mind dealing with them first before killing Chen Shuhua. Thus, they could only wait until Great Sage Jiang departed or even until the fighting truly began before making any move.

That was why Wang Jiaohe did not intend to notify Chen Shuhua. If Great Sage Jiang could not find Chen Shuhua and merely wandered at sea, that would hardly count as being held back. Great Sage Jiang could turn back at any moment as soon as he sensed a slight movement on Wang Jiaohe’s part. If so, Wang Jiaohe would not be able to escape Poluo and would be forced to await his fate.

Wang Jiaohe could only protect himself by using Chen Shuhua to tie down Great Sage Jiang. That way, the Great Sage would not be able to spare the attention, and Wang Jiaohe could then successfully leave Poluo.

At this point, all the cards were already shown.

Great Sage Jiang knew exactly what Wang Jiaohe was thinking, and Wang Jiaohe was fully aware as well. Thus, both sides had made their respective arrangements. All that remained was the final confrontation, where true strength would be tested. In other words, this was a giant gamble.

Great Sage Jiang was betting that Qi Xuansu could stop Wang Jiaohe, while Wang Jiaohe was betting that Qi Xuansu could not stop him.

In the early hours before dawn, Qi Xuansu came to the Nether Prison and met Wang Jiaoying.

An iron grille separated the two of them.

Qi Xuansu gestured for the others to leave before he spoke. “Wang Jiaoying, do you remember what I said the last time we met?”

Now a prisoner, Wang Jiaoying remained silent. He felt he had nothing to say, as those defeated always became outlaws, while victors became kings.

Qi Xuansu continued, “I said that you were as good as dead, and I always keep my word. At the time, I really was furious. But once the anger passed, I was no longer that enraged. Now that the moment has arrived, I don’t feel the satisfaction I imagined.”

At last, Wang Jiaoying snorted and said, “Qi Xuansu, you won, I lost. I have nothing more to say, and I don’t need you to put on a show of false sympathy here.”

Qi Xuansu did not refute him. He merely said, “A woman and a child were also captured about the same time as you were. That should be your Daoist companion and your son, right?”

Wang Jiaoying’s expression changed abruptly. “Qi Xuansu, what are you planning to do?!”

Qi Xuansu chuckled. “Rest assured, I won’t do anything to them. I even spared Wang Danqing, let alone your son.”

Wang Jiaoying’s expression eased slightly.

Qi Xuansu continued, “I believe that families shouldn’t bear the burden of one’s mistakes, but on the condition that they didn’t benefit either. Your Daoist companion has lorded power alongside you for many years, so it’s hard to believe she bears no responsibility at all. Her case will be investigated by the Fengxian Hall. But your son is innocent, so I will have him sent to the Wanxiang Daoist Palace. Whether he becomes a Daoist priest one day depends entirely on his own fate. It will be up to him if one day he becomes a high-ranking Daoist and wishes to avenge his father.”

Wang Jiaoying could no longer hold back. He asked, “Qi Xuansu...Chief Deputy Qi, what do you want me to do?”

Qi Xuansu replied, “I have only one demand—confess your crimes and submit to the law.”

Wang Jiaoying’s face instantly turned ashen.

He knew what confessing meant. Yet having come this far, he also understood that there was no longer any chance of escape for him.

Wang Jiaoying asked, “What will you do if I refuse to confess?”

Qi Xuansu replied, “Everything I just said still stands. I won’t coerce you.”

Wang Jiaoying fell silent for a long time, then said with great difficulty, “Fine. I’ll confess.”

The next morning, Qi Xuansu went to see Great Sage Jiang.

Since this was a covert operation rather than a full military expedition, there was no grand display. Only a small number of people were present, primarily Qi Xuansu and Xu Jiaorong.

At this time, the others boarded the Yinglong Warship one after another.

Great Sage Jiang was the last to walk up. He said, “I’ve already given all the necessary instructions. How things proceed from here depends on you two.”

Qi Xuansu replied. “Please rest assured, Great Sage. I’ve already arranged for some people to head to Wu’an Prefecture to ensure there are no oversights. I will also rush over shortly. Of course, if Wang Jiaohe chooses to turn back and submit to the Daoist Mansion, that would be the best possible outcome.”

Great Sage Jiang added, “Don’t grow complacent, and don’t underestimate your enemy. After all, you’ll be facing two Pseudo-Immortals.”

Qi Xuansu nodded solemnly.

Great Sage Jiang then said to Xu Jiaorong, “While Tian Yuan goes to Wu’an Prefecture, I’ll leave Thanglong Prefecture in your hands. You must stay vigilant, especially since Old Lan is still in seclusion.”

Xu Jiaorong replied, “Yes, Great Sage.”

“Then that settles it.” Great Sage Jiang turned away.

Qi Xuansu and Xu Jiaorong spoke in unison, “All the best in your mission, Great Sage.”

Great Sage Jiang was the last to board the Yinglong Warship. Afterward, the ramp retracted slowly, and the Yinglong Warship began to ascend into the sky.

Qi Xuansu and Xu Jiaorong watched until the flying ship had completely disappeared from sight. Only then did they withdraw their gazes.

The two exchanged a glance, and Qi Xuansu suddenly asked, “Second Deputy Xu, has Great Sage Lan still not emerged from seclusion?”

Xu Jiaorong paused for a moment, then replied, “When Great Sage Lan entered seclusion, he said it wouldn’t last longer than 49 days. Calculating the time, there are only a few days left.”

Qi Xuansu nodded. “Then I’ll leave Thanglong Prefecture in your hands, Second Deputy Xu.”