A Pawn's Passage

Chapter 1363: Hun Ahau

The atmosphere between the two became extremely tense and murderous.

Hun Chowen merely stood there, yet he was like a dark, towering mountain. It was the imposing aura of a Pseudo-Immortal.

In terms of Daoist lineage, he was considered a Martial Arts Practitioner.

It was also the most suitable lineage for a general. In military camps, where the atmosphere was filled with surging killing intent, Diviners would naturally be suppressed, while Martial Arts Practitioners would thrive and draw strength from this bloodlust to surpass their usual limits.

Huangfu Ji was also a Martial Arts Practitioner and a Pseudo-Immortal. Under normal circumstances, he would fear nothing and even be confident of victory. After all, he was hailed as a prodigy destined to inherit Tantai Yun’s legacy.

Unfortunately, Huangfu Ji had been injured by Joseph earlier, and his wounds had yet to heal. Thus, facing Hun Chowen, who was also a Pseudo-Immortal, Huangdu Ji was at a severe disadvantage at this time since he could not unleash his full strength.

Huangfu Ji’s preparations had also been misdirected.

At the beginning, both Huangfu Ji and Qi Xuansu suspected Hun Ahau, so Qi Xuansu went to speak with him. With Madam Wu at his side, Qi Xuansu could wield Pseudo-Immortal strength, making it the safer choice.

Moreover, Huangfu Ji had not intended to approach Hun Chowen. The traitor had come to him on his own.

From this, it was clear that Hun Chowen’s visit was not merely to probe the situation. He had come prepared for a desperate, all-or-nothing confrontation, aiming to catch Huangfu Ji off guard.

But Huangfu Ji was not one to await death. He rose as well and scoffed. “Chowen, do you intend to fight me to the death?”

Hun Chowen curled his lips. “You’re the one making trouble for me. If you hadn’t come to Cusco, none of this would have happened. You chose to walk into hell, so don’t blame me for it.”

Huangfu Ji said, “You act so arrogantly only because you know I’m injured and not at my peak. But I’m afraid your fists alone may not be enough to kill me.”

Hun Chowen remained expressionless. “Then I shall see just how much of your Three Sacred Fist remains.”

The two men struck almost simultaneously.

Their fists met without any flourish, sending out a ripple of force. Everything in the room, including the furniture, was reduced to dust.

In an instant, it was as if the entire house had been emptied out, yet the structure of the house itself remained completely intact.

Huangfu Ji’s body swayed, while Hun Chowen did not move at all.

The disparity in strength was already clear.

But determining superiority was one thing. A life-and-death fight was another matter entirely.

It was no easy feat to beat a Martial Arts Practitioner to death.

Hun Chowen said nothing more and threw a second punch without any flourish.

Huangfu Ji’s pride prevented him from dodging awkwardly. Instead, he met it head-on with a punch of his own.

The two fists collided once more.

This time, Hun Chowen still did not budge, while Huangfu Ji stepped back. His blood surged, flushing his face red.

Without any pause, Hun Chowen followed with a third punch.

Huangfu Ji let out a roar, forcing down the surging blood and throwing a punch as well.

The force of their exchanged blows flattened everything around them, turning the indoor space into an open battlefield.

However, Hun Chowen had already made arrangements. His stationed troops were now mobilized and attacking the Juesheng Hall’s base, so Huangfu Ji’s subordinates had no time to come to his aid.

This did not mean the army originally intended to rebel with Hun Chowen. He could easily use other justifications, such as accusing Juesheng Hall of injustice and framing loyal officials or stirring up anger among the troops and inciting mutiny. Once they attacked, those who realized the truth would have no way out and could only follow him down this irreversible path.

Meanwhile, Qi Xuansu, who was speaking with Hun Ahau, finally sensed the disturbance and abruptly stood up.

Qi Xuansu immediately realized his misjudgment. The traitor was not the abnormal Hun Ahau, but the seemingly normal Hun Chowen.

Hun Ahau also slowly stood up, his brows tightly furrowed, his face filled with bitterness.

It was neither shock nor anger, but pain.

Although Hun Chowen claimed his brother had no emotions, it now seemed that Hun Ahau was not devoid of feeling after all.

The source of this pain was quite intriguing.

Qi Xuansu knew Huangfu Ji’s situation. If anything serious happened, he would have to resign and take responsibility, so he needed to go and support the future leader of the Western Daoist Order immediately.

But at that very moment, Qi Xuansu suddenly felt a brief daze.

In the next instant, he found himself in an elevated perspective, looking down upon both himself and Hun Ahau.

This was not the first time Qi Xuansu had experienced such a state.

This was a manifestation of the Guizang Lantern’s mystical powers.

Back in the Lingshan Paradise, he had experienced this more than once, but he had always seen the past.

This time, Qi Xuansu saw the future.

He saw himself darting outward, and at that very moment, Hun Ahau suddenly launched a sneak attack.

Both were Pseudo-Immortals at the moment. Qi Xuansu, having concluded he had misjudged, grew slightly careless and lowered his guard, allowing Hun Ahau’s ambush to succeed.

Hun Ahau still wore a pained expression as he said, “Forgive me, Sage Qi. That is my brother, my only family. I can disregard a woman’s betrayal, as she is ultimately an outsider. But I cannot watch my own brother die. I cannot allow you to take him away.”

The vision ended abruptly there.

Qi Xuansu came back to his senses. He halted his movement to leave and instead turned to Hun Ahau. “General Hun, is there nothing you wish to say?”

Hun Ahau still frowned deeply. “I don’t understand what you mean, Sage Qi.”

Qi Xuansu spoke directly. “Hun Chowen is your brother, your only family. You may not care about a woman’s betrayal, as she is an outsider. But can you truly stand by and watch your own kin die?”

With each sentence Qi Xuansu spoke, Hun Ahau’s pupils trembled. By the time he finished, Hun Ahau could no longer control his expression, revealing profound shock.

At that moment, Hun Ahau felt that the young man before him was capable of seeing through his very thoughts.

Qi Xuansu stared at him. “You won’t allow me to take Hun Chowen away, will you?”

Hun Ahau forced a smile. “On what basis do you say that, Sage Qi?”

Qi Xuansu continued, “I understand how you feel. Confucianism speaks of concealing for one’s kin. It’s only human nature. But...”

Qi Xuansu deliberately paused, then took on a solemn tone. “Even in Confucianism, which values protecting one’s kin, there are three exceptions. Treason, rebellion, and grave disobedience are not to be concealed because among heaven, ruler, kin, and teacher, the ruler comes before kin. This shows concealment is not absolute. The Daoist Order also has clear rules. Crimes that endanger the Daoist Order’s security or major interests must not be concealed. Likewise, crimes within a household, such as parents abusing children, children harming parents, or siblings killing one another, must not be concealed.

“Betraying the Tawantin Empire and the Western Daoist Order concerns the greater good. Whether from a Confucian or Daoist perspective, you cannot conceal it. General Hun, everything you have today comes from the Tawantin Court and the Western Daoist Order.

“Now, it is your turn to make a decision. Between duty and personal feelings, which weighs more? You must stand firm, align your thoughts, and stand with the people and the greater good, not with the invaders of the West. One misstep, and there is no return.”

Hun Ahau’s expression shifted constantly, flickering between light and shadow.

Noticing his hesitation, Qi Xuansu continued, “Let’s set aside ideals of state and duty and speak practically. You are only a Pseudo-Immortal, not a true Immortal. Even if you can get past Brother Huangfu and me, can you get past Sage Tantai and Sage Gong? The Patriarch is not even in the Northern Continent. Joseph alone can’t hold everything together.

“Even taking a step further. What if you were a true Immortal? I’m sure you’ve heard of Chen Shuhua. She was the Chief Deputy of the Poluo Daoist Mansion before me. She was disloyal, resisted investigations, harbored resentment, and secretly plotted rebellion. Her end was tragic, resulting in eternal infamy.

“Sometimes, it comes down to a single thought. We judge actions, not intentions. As long as you haven’t taken that irreversible step, it’s not too late to turn back. But once you do, no one can save you.

“I can vouch that you have only just learned the truth, just like me. You are shocked, and given that he is your brother, it is understandable that you can’t go against him. But you have not obstructed investigations and will fully cooperate with Brother Huangfu and me afterward. I believe that Jade Capital, Sage Tantai, and Sage Gong will understand your position.

“I’ve said all I can, so it’s now up to you to decide which path to choose.”

Hun Ahau fell into a long silence, torn by inner conflict.

Though Qi Xuansu wished to rush to Huangfu Ji’s aid, he knew he could not act hastily because of a possible ambush from Hun Ahau.

Since they were both at the same cultivation level, the advantage of striking first could not be ignored.

In the end, Hun Ahau only let out a long sigh. He said nothing and turned his back. Though his posture remained upright, he seemed to have aged instantly, his hope draining away.

Qi Xuansu once again moved to depart.

This time, the Guizang Lantern gave no warning.

Qi Xuansu finally put his mind at ease and shot forward like a streak of light.