A Pawn's Passage

The Upper Palace was still the same, consisting of seven gardens and one gate, forming eight distinct areas named Qian, Kun, Kan, Li, Zhen, Gen, Xun, and Dui.

Zhen Garden was situated in the east and served as the residence of fourth-rank Jijiu Daoists.

Dui Garden was in the west, where the high-ranking instructors of the academy resided.

The Li Gate was the main entrance, situated in the south. It was connected to the Ming Hall by a long bridge over 900 meters in length.

Kan Garden lay to the north and was the primary area for lectures.

In the northeast was Gen Garden, where the Tianshui Core Tower was located.

In the southeast was Xun Garden, which was connected only to Zhen Garden. It served as the residence for Prospective and Apprentice Jijiu Daoists.

In the northwest was Qian Garden. Besides the exceptionally expansive White Jade Square, it also housed a massive ceremonial hall used for hosting various rites and ceremonies.

In the southwest was Kun Garden, connected only to Dui Garden and facing Xun Garden from afar across the Li Gate. This was where the Palace Master and the upper echelons of the Wanxiang Daoist Palace resided.

Newly promoted second-rank Taiyi Daoists were in no way comparable to fourth-rank Jijiu Daoists. This time, there were only about 20 of them in total. Some, like Xu Jiaorong, had been unable to free themselves in the year of promotion and had to postpone their studies until now.

This was entirely reasonable. If there were too few people, it made sense to wait until the cohort grew larger. After all, it was unseemly for a group of Daoist heavyweights to teach only two or three people each time. That would be wasting their time.

Since there were too few second-rank students, there was no need to allocate a separate area for them. They were simply arranged to stay in Kun Garden, where the Palace Master resided.

The group proceeded into the Upper Palace.

The Li Gate was connected to a straight bridge as wide as the outer steps, with waist-high railings on both sides. Leaning against the railing and looking down, one could see an unbroken stretch of rooftops and treetops, along with roads laid out like a chessboard. Tiny figures could be seen walking among them. That was the Lower Palace.

Viewed from above, the entire Wanxiang Daoist Palace looked like three nesting squares. The innermost square was the Ming Hall. The square surrounding it was the Upper Palace, which was connected to the second level of the Ming Hall by a bridge. The outermost square was the Lower Palace, which was connected directly to the first level of the Ming Hall.

When viewed from the front, the Wanxiang Daoist Palace resembled a mountain divided into three tiers.

Qi Xuansu had already marveled at the sight the last time he came, so this time, he felt little emotion. He only felt a twinge of regret for Little Yin. She could also join them, but she would only be able to study among the fourth-rank Jijiu Daoists. Upon hearing this, she immediately hid away, preferring to return home to study privately with her grandfather rather than come along for further training.

At the end of the bridge was the main structure of the Wanxiang Daoist Palace—the Ming Hall. Its three levels rose almost 100 meters high and measured 100 meters from north to south and east to west. The lower level corresponded to the four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The middle level represented the hours of the day, with a dome ceiling supported by nine dragon pillars. The upper level followed the 24 solar terms and also had a dome, topped by a 3-meter-tall golden phoenix statue. At the very center of the Ming Hall was a colossal wooden pillar that served as the core support for all beams.

Under normal circumstances, new students registering would need to go to the office at the southwest corner of the Ming Hall to register and receive a jade token. This token served as proof of identity and as a key to open residential access points. It had to be returned upon departure.

Now, things were different. Second-rank Taiyi Daoists all had their official license, so any access could be granted directly through them.

Zhang Juxian was Zhang Juyan’s brother. Back then, Zhang Juyan had let Zhang Wuhen go, and he himself had died as a result. How that matter should be settled afterward still required discussion with the Zhang family. No one knew how Great Sage Shi and the Heavenly Preceptor had deliberated, but in the end, Zhang Juxian was transferred here to take over Zhang Juyan’s former post.

At this moment, Zhang Juxian’s emotions were complicated. Zhang Juyan had indirectly died at Qi Xuansu’s hands, and at that time, Qi Xuansu had only just been promoted to the fourth rank. But in the blink of an eye, Qi Xuansu had not only replaced Qi Jianyuan, who had also died in the Wanxiang Daoist Palace back then, but had also gone far beyond him to become the youngest second-rank Taiyi Daoist, even surpassing the Three Prodigies.

In the past, there had only been one Sage Qi, which was Qi Jiaozheng. Now, when mentioning Sage Qi, one would have to ask which one—the old one or the young one? Thus, everyone now referred to Qi Jiaozheng as Sage Wanmiao, while Sage Qi was reserved for Qi Xuansu.

Zhang Juxian had originally harbored certain opinions about Qi Xuansu. These had nothing to do with Zhang Yuelu but stemmed from the tangled matters of Zhang Wuhen and Zhang Juyan. Yet now, even if he still had misgivings, there was nothing he could say. The Heavenly Preceptor would not support him, and the disparity in status and position was plain for all to see. What could he possibly do to a future Omniscient Sage?

Before long, under Zhang Juyan’s guidance, Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu arrived at the residence of the Palace Master, located within Kun Garden.

As the Daoist Order advocated frugality, it was not a grand or majestic palace but an ordinary residence.

Ning Yuqing happened to be coming out at that moment. Upon seeing Qi Xuansu, she could not help but pause in surprise.

Only a few years had passed since their last meeting. Qi Xuansu had not changed much in appearance, yet his aura had undergone a profound transformation. His former restraint and caution had been replaced by authority and decisiveness, with an added edge.

This edge was not the killing aura from the past but from commanding armies across battlefields and seizing cities and territories. By uttering a single word in the halls of power, he could decide the life or death of tens of thousands. It was something far beyond the crude ferocity of a Jianghu man who had merely killed a few people.

Ning Yuqing almost did not dare to greet him casually, for fear of recognizing the wrong person. It was only when Qi Xuansu took the initiative to greet her that she finally confirmed the person before her was indeed Qi Xuansu.

In the past, Qi Xuansu had merely appeared to have boundless prospects. Now, it was indeed realized. The difference between the two was enormous.

In the past, Ning Yuqing had harbored some thoughts toward Qi Xuansu. But now she no longer dared to entertain such hopes, especially since Zhang Yuelu stood right by his side at the moment. Anyone who saw this couple knew they were a match made in heaven.

Ning Yuqing stepped aside and invited the couple inside. Great Sage Shi was waiting for them in the study.

The last time Qi Xuansu came to the Upper Palace, Great Sage Shi happened to be away. This time, they would finally meet.

To Qi Xuansu, Virtuous Great Sages were no longer mysterious figures. Of the seven Virtuous Great Sages, he had already met three: Zhang Qihan, the Great Sage of Fenglin Daoist Mansion; Jiang Hedao, the Great Sage of the Zixiao Palace; and Lan Hexu, the Great Sage of the Poluo Daoist Mansion. Now, another would be added to the list—Shi Hesheng, the Great Sage of the Wanxiang Daoist Palace.

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu arrived before the study door and knocked lightly.

A resounding voice replied, “Come in.”

The two pushed the door open and entered. An elderly man sat behind the desk, which was piled high with various files and documents.

To be fair, due to the edicts of the fifth-generation Grand Master, these Virtuous Great Sages seemed to be carved from the same mold—elderly men with white hair and white beards. Even their demeanor was quite similar. They were neither overly imposing nor excessively aloof, blending a touch of benevolence with warmth, appearing approachable. If one did not look carefully at the first meeting, it would be hard to tell them apart. Only the Three Grand Masters showed more obvious differences.

Of course, that was only when one was unfamiliar with them. Upon closer observation, one would find that the Virtuous Great Sages each had their own distinct traits.

Great Sage Shi gestured for the two juniors to sit in the chairs opposite him and said, “Qing Xiao, it has been some time since we last met, hasn’t it?”

Zhang Yuelu replied, “The last time I met you was at the Three Religions Assembly during the Zhongyuan Festival.”

Qi Xuansu remembered that during that Zhongyuan Festival, Shi Bingyun had requested more manpower from Sage Donghua at the lantern-viewing event. That was why Qi Xuansu had been transferred to the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion.

Great Sage Shi then turned to Qi Xuansu and said, “Tian Yuan, this is our first meeting, but since you come from the Wanxiang Daoist Palace, you are family.”

Qi Xuansu replied, “Yes.”

Great Sage Shi asked, “How do you feel about coming here for further training this time? If you have any requests or issues that need me to resolve, you may speak freely.”

Qi Xuansu did not speak.

Zhang Yuelu replied, “Great Sage, we have no particular requests.”

Great Sage Shi nodded slightly, then changed the subject. “You two are the future of the Daoist Order, its very pillars. Therefore, you are different from ordinary second-rank Taiyi Daoists. You may have no requests, but I have some demands to place upon you.”

Both Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu straightened their backs.

Great Sage Shi said, “Qing Xiao, I have heard that you still refuse to learn the languages of the Westerners?”

Zhang Yuelu responded calmly, “Great Sage, I believe that a language contains power. It is not merely a collection of symbols but carries with it an entire system of thinking and logic. If one learns the language of the Westerners, one will unconsciously be influenced by it, leaning toward Western modes of thought and reasoning. The deeper one studies it, the greater the influence becomes, which is extremely unfavorable.”

Great Sage Shi’s expression hardened. “Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. If you do not learn the Westerners’ language and do not understand their way of thinking, how can you defeat them? There is a Cardinal Bishop of the Holy Court who could write elegant prose in our classical language. Can you write a report in a Western language? The Confucian Sage said that when three walk together, there must be one who can be my teacher. You are arrogant and complacent. On what grounds do you think you can surpass others?”

Zhang Yuelu wilted. She knew that she was wrong.

Great Sage Shi said, “During this period of further training, I want you to master one Western language. At the time of graduation, you’ll submit a report written in that language to me.”

Zhang Yuelu had no choice but to agree.

Great Sage Shi then turned his gaze toward Qi Xuansu.

Learning from precedent, Qi Xuansu shrewdly positioned himself properly and took the initiative to speak. “Great Sage Shi, please tell me what I need to rectify.”

Great Sage Shi cut to the chase. “Your problems aren’t serious. Your governance of the Poluo Daoist Mansion is worthy of praise. But you need to strengthen your study of traditional literature. You need not seek exhaustive mastery, but you mustn’t be ignorant. I don’t want to hear another ridiculous saying like the Jianxiu Mountain Grain Person again. If that spreads, even if you don’t feel embarrassed, the Wanxiang Daoist Palace still has its reputation to uphold!”

This time, like Zhang Yuelu, Qi Xuansu instantly wilted.