A Pawn's Passage

Whether in the East or the West, the present structure was a typical dual system—the transcendent and the secular were separated.

This arrangement also solved a very practical issue—one of civilization and morality. As the world developed, expanding territory became increasingly difficult. Killing was often the easiest way to erase problems, yet indiscriminate slaughter not only invited moral condemnation but also left behind serious hidden dangers.

This dual structure helped address the problem of territorial expansion.

Take the Eastern world as an example. Although the Great Xuan Empire was the strongest and most central nation of the East, it did not annex smaller states such as Fenglin, the Yu Kingdom, or the Funan Kingdom. These states remained vassal states under the Great Xuan Empire, accepting its investiture while still governing themselves. The relationship belonged to a tributary system, and thus, the Great Xuan Empire could not truly be called an invader.

The Daoist Order served as the key that maintained this tributary system. Though the various states belonged to different nations and different ethnic groups, they all followed the Daoist faith and shared the same civilization. Bound together by culture and belief, the nations of the East were united within a tributary framework centered on the Daoist Order, collectively forming the Eastern Continent. Meanwhile, the Great Xuan Court served as the supporting pillar.

The Western Continent operated in much the same way. The Western nations were united under a framework centered on the Holy Court. The difference was that after the collapse of the Roman Empire, there was no dominant state capable of uniting the Western Continent. Thus, the Western nations frequently fell into chaotic wars among themselves.

At present, it seemed possible that the Lune Kingdom, which controlled the Northern New Continent, might become this new hegemon. However, the conflict between the Lune Kingdom and the Holy Court could not be ignored.

One must not forget that steam technology originated from the Lune Kingdom’s Arcane Council. The Steam Evangelical Sect maintained countless ties with the Arcane Council, almost like a rebellious child jointly produced by the traditional Holy Court and the Arcane Council. Even the city’s name came from the Lune Kingdom’s Duke of York.

From this perspective, both the clergy and the secular nobility were rulers. They merely occupied different positions and bore different responsibilities.

The archbishop’s name was Orvil Swanson.

According to Western custom, close friends addressed each other by their given names, while those less familiar used the last name with an honorific. Thus, Strauni called Qi Xuansu “Dutch” rather than “Mr. Vanderlind.” Likewise, Qi Xuansu addressed Strauni as “Josiah” rather than “Councilman Strauni,” since the two were supposedly childhood friends.

At this moment, Qi Xuansu addressed the archbishop as “Archbishop Swanson” rather than “Orvil.”

Swanson extended an invitation to the two of them. “If you both still have time to spare, we could go to the side hall and discuss some sacred doctrine together.”

“The honor is ours,” Strauni said, placing his hat against his chest.

Even among archbishops, their weight and influence differed. Just as Chen Jianchou, who was a fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist, held considerable influence because he served as Qi Xuansu’s secretary. Many third-rank Youyi Daoists would even take the initiative to befriend Chen Jianchou and curry favor with him.

Swanson, as the archbishop of St. Paul Church and a direct subordinate of a cardinal bishop, was naturally not comparable to ordinary archbishops. Even Strauni, a city councilman, had to take the initiative to show him goodwill.

Under Swanson’s lead, the three of them entered a smaller hall behind the main hall. Inside were tea tables carved with floral vine patterns and soft, plush sofas, making the space feel more like a drawing room than a religious hall.

Qi Xuansu also noticed that the holy emblem hanging on the wall was somewhat unusual. It was formed by three gears arranged into an inverted triangle, rather than the traditional plain inverted triangle.

Swanson sat on a single sofa and looked at Qi Xuansu. “You don’t seem to be a local.”

“I came to the New Continent from the Lune Kingdom,” Qi Xuansu explained, leaning slightly forward. “I’ve just arrived yesterday.”

Strauni added, “Dutch is a friend of mine from our younger days on the Old Continent. Now, he has come to seek better prospects in the New Continent, where opportunities abound.”

Among Westerners, the “Old Continent” specifically referred to the Western Continent.

Swanson smiled. “You’re quite right, Councilman. Opportunities are indeed everywhere here. Londinium on the Old Continent is known as the current capital of the world, but St. York will become the capital of the world in the future. Today, it is the city of freedom.”

Qi Xuansu asked with some confusion, “The city of freedom?”

Swanson explained, “The Holy Court, centered on the Pope of the Holy Seat, represents the Great Tradition that unifies the Old Continent. Yet beyond that, various regions possess their own little traditions. When these traditions oppose the Great Tradition in doctrine or organization, the former Inquisition—now the Holy Court Tribunal—declares them heresy.

“The Inquisition once hunted heretics throughout the Old Continent, but an undercurrent had already formed. These so-called ‘heretics’ joined forces with regional lords, causing even greater turmoil for the Holy Court. The Lune Kingdom, as an island off the Old Continent, has long had tense relations with the Holy Seat. In the year 1300 of the Sacred Calendar, the Lune Kingdom and the Arcane Council enacted the Clerical Appointment Act, stipulating that the election of bishops and other clerical offices would not be subject to the Pope’s interference.

“For that very reason, the Steam Evangelical Sect believes that the Holy Court should not be centered on the Pope and the cardinals. The true core should be the entire body of the Chosen representing the Supreme Will. The Holy Court’s only leader is the Goddess, not the Pope. In the New Continent, we have abolished the Tribunal. We hold that the salvation of a sinner comes solely from the grace of the Supreme Will, through faith in the Goddess alone, not through reliance on personal deeds. This differs from the doctrine of the Old Continent’s Holy Seat, which teaches that in order to receive grace and be saved, faith must also be accompanied by sufficient good works as atonement. That is why we have freedom, tolerance, and openness here.”

Qi Xuansu raised a question. “Yet I have heard that a bill targeting Daoists is about to be introduced here, and that stakes for burning have already been erected in the square...”

Swanson laughed at this, looking at him as though at a lost lamb. “A heretic and a heathen cannot be confused with one another.”

Without revealing any reaction, Strauni smoothly changed the subject. “Speaking of Daoists, how do you view the recent global situation?”

Swanson paused, leaned back in his chair, and then said, “The history of the Old Continent—from emperors to the First Citizen—has always revered conquest. But this young lady from the East, for the past several centuries, has sat behind her silk curtain wearing black silk gloves, unwilling to step out. It’s quite unusual. She matured too early, surrounded only by barbarians less civilized than herself. Thus, she grew arrogant, believing she was the sun and that all benefits should naturally go to her.”

Qi Xuansu certainly did not take this as praise of the East. It sounded more like mockery by portraying the East as an aristocratic young lady who was pampered, proud, and weak.

It could not be denied that since the Jin Dynasty, the East had indeed entered a long period of decline, far from comparable to the glory of the Qi Dynasty.

Strauni said with a smile, “But things are different now. Ever since the weak Confucians lost power over the Eastern Continent, everything has changed.”

Swanson agreed. “Yes, everything has changed. The Confucians lacked experience with conflict. Even when they possessed great power, they tended to use it internally rather than externally. Daoists, however, are far more adept at struggle. Many years ago, the Daoist Order already realized she would become one of the two masters of this world, yet at the time, she was unwilling to remove her silk gloves. Now the noble Eastern queen is finally taking off her costly silk gloves and joining this contest for supremacy.”

Qi Xuansu offered no comment.

After that, they chatted casually about various other matters.

At one point, Archbishop Swanson casually mentioned the Lower District.

The authority had already filled the Upper District and the Central District. However, the harsh conditions of the Lower District made the elites above unwilling to manage it. So long as it generated profit, that was enough. This left a considerable power vacuum there, and so, gangs emerged to fill the gap.

In the Lower District, there were four major gang bosses: the Beggar King, the Butcher, the Hound, and the Baron.

These four gang bosses formed a loose alliance, jointly managing the Lower District and filling the vacuum left by the gentlemen above. In practice, they performed functions similar to the city council and were therefore mockingly called the “Lower Council.”

Of course, behind these four gang leaders were deep networks of interest and influence, some of which even reached into the Upper District.

For this very reason, when the four gang bosses ceased to get along, the Lower District would shake violently. Even the Central District would feel the tremors. At the very least, Archbishop Swanson had already sensed it.

This only strengthened Qi Xuansu’s desire to visit the Lower District himself. In his current identity, it would be impossible.

However, he was not only a Zaohua-stage Martial Arts Practitioner, but also a Zaohua-stage Rogue Cultivator capable of splitting off a Liberation Incarnation.

If he could create another self, he could go on two paths and gain two perspectives.

Admittedly, those who had only just entered the Liberation Realm could not sustain an incarnation for long. But exceptions always existed. The key lay in what served as the binding object.

What if he used an immortal object and one that had given birth to a spirit? Qi Xuansu planned on using Madam Wu, who could exist independently for a long time.

If Qi Xuansu used Madam Wu as the binding object, then rather than a Liberation Incarnation, it would be more accurate to say that Qi Xuansu was sharing Madam Wu’s body.

Qi Xuansu divided his attention into two streams—listening attentively to Archbishop Swanson’s conversation while simultaneously considering the feasibility of creating a Liberation Incarnation.