A Pawn's Passage

Chapter 1441: Breaking the Man

Stopping at the right point meant stopping with Li Tianlan.

Zhang Jucheng was a veteran, so he understood immediately upon hearing it.

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Jucheng had never intended to widen the purge recklessly in the first place. With just the two of them, and without the coordinated support of the Zhengyi Sect and the Quanzhen Sect, they still lacked the ability to touch the people standing behind Li Tianlan.

Therefore, there was no need for the two of them to alter their strategy because of Sage Qingwei’s message. They only needed to continue carrying out the original plan.

Qi Xuansu’s thoughts returned to Zhang Jucheng’s earlier remarks.

For someone like Zhang Jucheng to suddenly say such things, it was probably not as simple as mere praise. There was likely a deeper intention behind it.

While affirming both Qi Xuansu and Li Changge, Zhang Jucheng had simultaneously rejected Zhang Yuelu and Yao Pei entirely.

In truth, Qi Xuansu was not particularly surprised.

Yao Pei’s issue was very straightforward. Sage Donghua’s decision to take Qi Xuansu as a disciple made it obvious that he intended Qi Xuansu to replace Yao Pei. So now, Qi Xuansu truly stood out alone, ahead of Zhang Yuelu, Li Changge, and Yao Pei. Qi Xuansu had occupied Yao Pei’s position, becoming Yao Pei’s superior replacement. To support Qi Xuansu naturally meant going against Yao Pei.

As for Zhang Yuelu, the reason was not complicated either. Her reforms had touched the nerves of far too many people.

She wanted to cut flesh from the upper ranks in order to heal the wounds of the Daoist Order. So how could she expect the upper ranks to serve her wholeheartedly while also denying them their desires?

That was absolutely intolerable.

Today, Zhang Yuelu was merely cutting into the flesh of Poluo. But if she became the Grand Master, then she would be cutting into everyone’s flesh.

Of course, Zhang Yuelu’s ideas were not without supporters, but most of them were lower-level Daoists and part of the middle ranks, as they were the ones being oppressed. Moreover, since they possessed few vested interests to begin with, they naturally supported a redistribution of benefits. But how much influence could the voices of lower-level and middle-level Daoists really carry? Once Zhang Yuelu offended the majority of high-ranking Daoists, she would immediately find herself surrounded by enemies on all sides.

Though Zhang Yuelu’s ideas had been proposed long ago, there was only a reaction now because it had been carried out.

Zhang Yuelu’s vision of reforming the Daoist Order was highly inspiring to young people, but exactly how the reform should happen remained highly debatable.

As a result, many people chose to wait and see.

Now, with Zhang Yuelu assuming the position of Chief Deputy Poluo Daoist Mansion Master, she had clearly demonstrated how she intended to carry out those changes.

That immediately stirred up a hornet’s nest.

Previously, people had assumed it was merely a slogan, but Zhang Yuelu actually intended to act on it.

She was digging up the very foundations of certain people’s interests.

Thus, ever since Zhang Yuelu began piloting her reforms in Poluo, her reputation had sharply declined. In contrast, more and more people began supporting Qi Xuansu. These people neither wished to support Zhang Yuelu’s internal reforms nor Li Changge’s outward expansionism. They feared war and feared change, showing tendencies similar to the culture of the Wei and Jin Dynasties. All they wanted was to preserve the status quo as much as possible, which made the comparatively moderate Qi Xuansu appear far more agreeable.

That did not mean they particularly liked Qi Xuansu. It merely meant that among several undesirable choices, he was the one they disliked the least.

Some might think Zhang Yuelu was still too impatient, saying she should have concealed her true intentions until after becoming the Grand Master and securing her position. By then, the matter would already be settled, and no one would be able to do much about it.

But Zhang Yuelu had her own difficulties as well.

If the three prodigies of the Daoist Order each had equal chances, then each would have slightly over a 30% chance of success. Adding Qi Xuansu into the equation meant that each person’s odds dropped to around 25%. Factoring in the early advantages possessed by the two manmade Banished Immortals as well as Qi Xuansu’s lead in rank and position, Zhang Yuelu’s chances fell even further.

For every candidate, failing to become Grand Master was the most likely outcome.

Rather than betting all her ambitions and ideals on what she might do after becoming Grand Master, it was better to begin acting now. Even if she ultimately failed to secure the position, she could still accomplish some meaningful things.

It was a rather pessimistic attitude, but also an extremely pragmatic one.

Qi Xuansu had long since understood this, yet he never tried to persuade Zhang Yuelu otherwise. It was not because he did not want to persuade her, but because he understood her too well and knew she would never change her mind. So instead, he simply made a bet with her.

From the beginning, Qi Xuansu had never intended to become the Grand Master Consort. But if Zhang Yuelu won, he would honor the bet and devote himself to assisting her.

That did not mean Qi Xuansu would willingly hand victory to Zhang Yuelu if he himself could win. After all, it was more satisfying to have ultimate power. This would also determine who would truly be the head of the household.

Under such circumstances, Qi Xuansu could not help but wonder whether Zhang Jucheng was implying he disapproved of Zhang Yuelu’s methods. After all, the Zhang family was one of the largest aristocratic Daoist clans. If true reforms were implemented, the Li and Zhang families would be the first to take the hit.

Thinking further, could this perhaps be a test? As long as Qi Xuansu clearly stated that he would not carry out internal reforms, the Zhang family might switch to supporting him instead. It was also a choice born of helplessness. So long as their own interests were not harmed, having their own son-in-law rise to power was still preferable to letting a member of the Li family take the Grand Master seat.

Qi Xuansu could not help but let out a sigh, not for himself, but for Zhang Yuelu.

At this moment, Qi Xuansu truly felt distressed for Zhang Yuelu. How had she endured that ever-present sense of loneliness? So many people stood against her, yet she could still press forward. That kind of suffering was difficult to describe.

No wonder Zhang Yuelu always wanted to change Qi Xuansu. She desperately needed a like-minded companion walking the same path as her. Qi Xuansu was considered her companion, but there were still differences between them.

Since Sage Qingwei had interrupted Zhang Jucheng’s conversation, the moment had already passed. No matter what Qi Xuansu thought, he could not immediately respond to Zhang Jucheng and could only leave it for another time. If Zhang Jucheng truly meant what he implied, then he would surely seek a deeper conversation with Qi Xuansu later.

......

Li Tianlan received news from two different fronts at the same time. His own household reported that his wife had been taken away by Zhang Jucheng’s people, and the Li family’s main branch informed him that Zhang Jucheng and Qi Xuansu had decided to move against him.

He immediately realized that the situation had become extremely precarious. If Gu Ying failed to withstand the pressure, she would instantly implicate him as well. Zhang Jucheng would show no mercy. The Mansion Master would arrest him immediately without leaving the slightest room for maneuver.

The key issue was how to prevent being dragged into this mess.

If Zhang Jucheng had imprisoned Gu Ying in the local prison, then he could still send someone inside to pass along a message, telling Gu Ying to hold firm and stay resolute. In that case, there would still be a way out.

But Zhang Jucheng had long anticipated this and imprisoned Gu Ying on Putuo Island. Li Tianlan did not even know where she was being held, so naturally, he had no way to send her a message. All he could do was put his faith in Gu Ying.

However, Li Tianlan did not simply wait helplessly for disaster to strike. While preparing contingency plans and escape routes for the worst-case scenario, he also took the initiative to seek out Zhang Jucheng.

When the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion was first established, its Daoist Palace was located on Putuo Island. Later, it was relocated to the Tianxin Daoist Palace.

This matter traced all the way back to the conflict between the Confucians and the Daoists.

The three great academies of the Confucian School had been the Wanxiang Academy, Tianxin Academy, and National Academy. After the Confucians were defeated, only the National Academy survived. The Wanxiang Academy was rebuilt into the Wanxiang Daoist Palace. Tianxin Academy was destroyed in the flames of war. Later, the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion constructed the Tianxin Daoist Palace upon its ruins. Since it was a reconstruction, it could no longer compare with the repeatedly expanded Wanxiang Daoist Palace. It did not become an independent palace with its own Palace Master, but instead served as the administrative Daoist Palace of Jiangnan Daoist Mansion, equivalent to the Sheji Palace of the Poluo Daoist Mansion.

Zhang Jucheng and Li Tianlan usually worked at the Tianxin Daoist Palace, so arranging a meeting between them was naturally very easy.

Early that morning, while Zhang Jucheng was walking toward his office, Li Tianlan “coincidentally” ran into him.

Thus, the two began walking side by side.

Zhang Jucheng got straight to the point. “Brother Li, your timing is perfect. I was just about to look for you. I need to brief you regarding Gu Ying’s matter.”

Li Tianlan appeared calm on the surface. “I’m not entirely clear on the details. I only heard it had something to do with false accusations. But so long as everything is lawful and reasonable, I will obey the Daoist Mansion’s decisions and cooperate with the investigation.”

Zhang Jucheng deliberately revealed a trace of sympathy on his face. “Of course. I know you’re unaware of this, Brother Li. After all, it concerns your son. If you had known, surely you wouldn’t have allowed them to behave so recklessly.”

“It even involves my useless, unfilial son?” Li Tianlan narrowed his eyes.

Zhang Jucheng let out a long sigh. “Yes. He was framed for forcing himself upon his stepmother and was wrongfully accused. When Chief Deputy Qi accompanied the Western Daoist delegation on a visit to Sahul, your son cried out his grievance. Later, the matter drew the attention of Deputy Hall Master Li of Beichen Hall and Deputy Hall Master Lu of Fengxian Hall. Through everyone’s joint efforts, the wrongful case has now been overturned, and your son has been released as innocent.”

Li Tianlan’s expression darkened slightly. “I see. How wonderful.”

Zhang Jucheng said this deliberately, creating the illusion that Li Zhuyu and Lu Yushu had already reached a consensus with Qi Xuansu, that the three had jointly overturned the case, and that it was members of the Li family who had stabbed Li Tianlan in the back. Perhaps Li Tianlan would not believe it, as Li Zhuyu might have already secretly informed him. But there was no harm in stirring the mud.

Zhang Jucheng continued, “Fengxian Hall has already initiated compensation procedures for your son. At the same time, accountability must be pursued, not only against the officials who mishandled the case, but also against those responsible for the false accusation. Back then, it was Gu Ying who personally accused your son of attempting to violate her, so naturally, she cannot escape involvement. That is why I had her detained. I didn’t inform you beforehand because I feared placing you in a difficult position. I hope you can understand, Brother Li.”

“Of course I understand.” Li Tianlan nodded, though his tone was far from pleasant.

Zhang Jucheng twisted the knife further. “There is one more matter. I wasn’t going to tell you this, Brother Li, but after careful thought, I felt it would be wrong to hide it from you. This case also involves another person. Although there is not yet conclusive evidence, according to your son’s testimony at Sahul, the one committing adultery with Gu Ying was someone else entirely—Li Minghuang of Tiangang Hall. Most likely, your son stumbled upon their affair, so they struck first and framed him.”

Li Tianlan’s face turned a dark, livid shade.