A Pawn's Passage

There were many reasons why Qi Xuansu had not been affected by the Scripture of Zuriel. But the key one was that the Earthly Preceptor had previously processed these pages.

Though Qi Xuansu was not afraid of Zuriel, he did not immediately agree to Audrey’s request. He was not a kind-hearted fool who would risk everything simply because a beautiful woman pleaded with him softly.

Seeing that Qi Xuansu remained noncommittal, Audrey quickly said, “If you can help me obtain freedom and rid myself of Zuriel’s control, I can offer you everything I have.”

Qi Xuansu shook his head. “I have no interest in anything you possess, including your Gold Crowns, status, position, reputation, and body.”

Audrey was not surprised by his refusal. She continued, “But what about the list of traitors inside the Tawantin Empire?”

In an instant, the air between them seemed to freeze.

Qi Xuansu still appeared calm on the surface, but his tone turned cold. “Miss Ale, what do traitors within the Tawantin Empire have to do with me?”

Audrey seemed not to notice the change in his tone and continued, “It is said that the Scripture of Zuriel’s influence is all-pervasive. Even its creator, Zuriel himself, once fell under its influence, believing himself capable of rivaling the Supreme Will. In his arrogance, he even launched an attack on the Holy Seat. In the end, he was cast into Hell, and the Scripture of Zuriel fell into the hands of the Holy Court. The Holy Court did not destroy it but sealed it instead, treating it as a weapon against their enemies.

“For several hundred years, the Scripture of Zuriel remained in the Holy Court’s possession. But a few years ago, Taurinus, one of the Holy Court’s apostles, descended upon the eastern seas and lost it. According to rumors, the Scripture ended up in the hands of the Daoist Order. Yet you somehow possess the aura of the Scripture of Zuriel. That makes things interesting... Mr. Dutch Vanderlind, do you have some connection with the Daoist Order across the ocean?

“Oh, I also heard some rumors about the violent explosion in the Lower District last night. It seems to have something to do with the protectors of the Tawantin Empire.”

Qi Xuansu regained his composure. “Miss Ale, you are remarkably well-informed.”

Audrey smiled. “I once toured throughout the Old Continent and made several clergy friends along the way.”

Qi Xuansu was not alarmed. Since Audrey had brought these matters up directly instead of reporting them to the Holy Court, it meant she wanted to negotiate terms. So there was nothing to fear.

Audrey added, “I’m not saying this to threaten you. I only wish to prove that you truly need this intelligence.”

“Where did this so-called list of traitors within the Tawantin Empire come from?” Qi Xuansu asked.

Audrey replied, “I have a fairly good relationship with a cardinal priest. While visiting his home, I happened to discover the list by accident.”

Although Qi Xuansu had already set up a privacy barrier around them, he still said, “Let’s talk somewhere more appropriate.”

“My apartment?” Audrey suggested.

Qi Xuansu said. “Outside the city. Your real body doesn’t need to go. A projection will suffice.”

Audrey nodded, and the projection slowly dissipated.

Qi Xuansu vanished from the spot as well.

Although this was the Central District, the most prosperous part of St. York and home to St. Francis Church, the Patriarch was in the Upper District. Therefore, Qi Xuansu was not worried about being discovered.

Soon, Qi Xuansu appeared on a patch of wasteland outside the city, with the Hudson River not far away.

Following the aura of the Scripture of Zuriel, Audrey projected herself once more before Qi Xuansu.

This time, Qi Xuansu went straight to the point. “As you said, I am indeed interested in the list of traitors you possess. But there is one thing I need to know. How can you guarantee that the list is genuine and reliable?”

“I’m sorry. I can’t guarantee that,” Audrey said, slowly shaking her hooded head.

“Then there’s nothing to discuss,” Qi Xuansu replied.

Audrey looked at Qi Xuansu and said solemnly, “But I can stake my life on it.”

“What do you mean?” Qi Xuansu met her gaze. “Explain.”

Audrey said in a soft voice, “I can leave St. York and go to the Tawantin Empire. If this intelligence proves false and I have deceived you, then you may execute me. But if the intelligence is genuine and reliable, then please grant me asylum.”

Qi Xuansu fell silent for a moment before speaking. “Miss Ale, you’re saying that you not only want to escape Zuriel’s control, but you also want to leave the Western world. Am I right?”

Audrey paused briefly, then nodded. “Yes, that’s correct.”

Qi Xuansu said, “You’re killing two birds with one stone. But is it really worth it? In St. York, you have reputation, status, identity, and countless admirers. Your life is dazzling. Yet you insist on risking everything to go to the Tawantin Empire. Even if you succeed, you will gain nothing there. It lacks St. York’s prosperity, and once you arrive, you will no longer possess all that you have now. You might even face hostility from the locals. May I ask what all this is for? Is it merely to escape Zuriel?”

Audrey fell into a long silence before saying, “Freedom. Hell is Zuriel’s prison, while St. York is my prison. No matter how exquisite or luxurious it is, a cage is still a cage. I am the bird inside it, without the slightest freedom. If I go to the Tawantin Empire, I can gain freedom.”

Qi Xuansu said, “Or perhaps you are simply moving from one cage into another. The Tawantin Empire merely stands in opposition to St. York. It doesn’t mean it’s a paradise. Leaving one’s homeland is not always a wise choice.”

Under Qi Xuansu’s gaze, Audrey fell silent again.

Qi Xuansu said slowly, “I believe everything you said is true. But I think freedom is only one of the many reasons driving your decision. There must be a deeper cause. I dislike it when people withhold the whole truth. If we are to cooperate, we should be more honest with each other. Since we are talking about cooperation, we should be honest and frank. Don’t you think so?”

Audrey sighed. “Very well. As you said, freedom is indeed only one of the many reasons I want to leave St. York. The deeper reason, and the most fundamental one, is survival.”

Qi Xuansu asked, “Is someone threatening your life in St. York? From what I’ve observed, you seem to have a good relationship with Chairman Sophia August. Under her protection, you should be quite safe.”

Audrey countered, “What if the person who wants to harm me is Sophia August herself?”

Qi Xuansu replied calmly, “I don’t deny that possibility. But you will need more reasons to prove it and to convince me.”

Audrey bit her lip lightly, putting on a pitiful look. “I can certainly give you more reasons to persuade you. But a projection alone is not enough. You will need to meet my real body.”

Qi Xuansu asked directly, “When? And where?”

“Right now is fine. As for the location—I’ve already returned to my apartment,” Audrey said, studying his expression. “You don’t suspect I’ve set some kind of trap, do you?”

Qi Xuansu simply replied, “I’ll be there shortly.”

Audrey could locate Qi Xuansu by following the Scripture of Zuriel’s aura. Likewise, Qi Xuansu could also determine Audrey’s position the same way. This was a two-way connection.

Audrey Ale finally finished dealing with the nobles and dignitaries, so she had returned to the entrance of her apartment on White Avenue.

She looked exhausted and listless.

When Audrey opened the door to her apartment, her eyes widened in shock.

Qi Xuansu, who had just been by the river outside the city, was now sitting on the sofa in her living room, with both hands resting on his walking cane.

“Mr. Vanderlind, you arrived quite quickly,” Audrey said, instantly regaining her composure as she closed the apartment door.

The moment the door closed, the entire apartment was completely sealed off from the outside world.

Qi Xuansu said, “Now we can continue our discussion.”

Audrey’s expression turned serious once more. “Very well. I will provide more reasons to convince you.”

With that, Audrey began removing her evening gown.

Qi Xuansu frowned slightly but quickly relaxed again.

Audrey was not attempting to seduce him. Beneath the gown lay a rather horrifying sight. Her body was covered in strange characters. Although Qi Xuansu did not recognize these symbols, they were not unfamiliar to him. They were identical to those found in the Scripture of Zuriel.

These characters covered nearly every part of Audrey’s body, except for the areas that were commonly exposed, such as her cheeks, neck, collarbones, upper chest, and ankles.

A body like this could never be used to seduce others. If she undressed in front of those dignitaries, they would likely turn flaccid from fright.

Qi Xuansu realized his earlier assumptions had been wrong. There was clearly more to this than a simple exchange of power and beauty.

In a deeply sorrowful tone, Audrey said, “I can clearly feel my life slipping away and my consciousness gradually fading. Before long, I will be replaced by Zuriel. That’s why I must free myself from Zuriel and escape St. York.”

Qi Xuansu asked, “What does your corruption by Zuriel have to do with becoming a widely known actress?”

Audrey replied in a low voice, “Sir, the apostles require a great number of followers. Those admirers who are obsessed with me are the most suitable candidates.”