A Pawn's Passage

Hun Ahau had not expected Qi Xuansu to already know the function of the black tree. A brief flash of surprise crossed his face before he quickly returned to his usual composure.

Some might ask, what became of the people buried beneath the black tree? Nothing had changed. They were still there.

Qi Xuansu could not save them. Their faint spark of life was barely present, almost indistinguishable from death itself, and he had no ability to revive the living dead.

The Western Daoist Order could not save them either. They had been unable even to cure Audrey and simply lacked the necessary means, nor could they realistically rely on the Daoist Order that was far across the ocean. Furthermore, the Daoist Order could not save just anyone. Many of Huasheng Hall’s methods had extremely demanding requirements on the patient. Those without cultivation, or with cultivation levels that were too low, might not survive the treatment and could die from the very methods intended to save them. Even among the emperors of the Great Xuan Dynasty, there had been many who died young. The key issue was that they had not matured and their cultivation levels were too low, so the Daoist Order was powerless in such cases.

If these people were truly dug out, it would not take long before they all truly died. The black tree was both the thing that had stolen their lives and the thing preserving their final sliver of vitality. Until a better solution could be found, it was best to maintain the status quo.

To put it bluntly, the circumstances did not allow it. The Western Daoist Order was already overwhelmed dealing with compensation and support for fallen soldiers. How could they spare attention for this matter? It was effectively a death sentence for these people, leaving them to slowly await death before eventually confirming their identities.

In a certain sense, the Western Daoist Order could already be considered morally upright simply by refusing to use the black tree any longer or by destroying it outright. Had the tree fallen into the hands of someone with questionable morals, they might well have exploited it for their own purposes.

When Qi Xuansu raised the matter, Hun Ahau remained completely unafraid. “Chief Deputy Qi, perhaps I should call you Sage Qi, since you are not a member of the Western Daoist Order. What I am about to say may not be politically correct. Some people may condemn me for it or subject me to moral criticism. Nevertheless, it’s the reality. People’s lives in the Southern Continent are simply not worth as much as lives in the Central Plains.”

The implication behind Hun Ahau’s words was obvious. These lives were not enough to bring him down.

Qi Xuansu’s response was equally straightforward. “The evidence is right here, and I’ve caught the culprit red-handed. If I say you’re guilty, then you can’t escape.”

Hun Ahau’s breathing abruptly faltered, and he turned his gaze toward Qi Xuansu once more.

Qi Xuansu was nonchalant as he said, “What? You disagree?”

Hun Ahau wanted to strike, but he dared not attack Qi Xuansu. In the end, he forced out a single question. “So this is the Daoist Order’s rule of law?”

Qi Xuansu laughed. “When I tried to discuss the rule of law, you wanted to discuss the price of human lives. Now that I’m no longer discussing the rule of law, you suddenly want to discuss the rule of law with me?”

Hun Ahau fell silent.

The implication behind Qi Xuansu’s words was equally simple. Hun Ahau refused to listen to reason, so he could not blame Qi Xuansu for being unreasonable.

Qi Xuansu’s title as the envoy of the Daoist Order gave him considerable influence and advisory authority in the Western Daoist Order, whether it concerned New Port, aid from the Daoist Order, or even the Daoist Order’s broader policies toward the Southern Continent. In certain matters, he also enjoyed substantial autonomy and decision-making power.

At present, the Western Daoist Order still depended heavily on the Daoist Order, so naturally, they had to keep Qi Xuansu satisfied. Any request he made would be accommodated whenever possible. For example, Tantai Ying had pressed for something for a long time, yet Huangfu Ji had paid it little heed. However, the moment Qi Xuansu spoke, Huangfu Ji immediately agreed and declared that the Juesheng Hall would fully support and cooperate with Qi Xuansu’s investigation.

In short, Qi Xuansu represented the Daoist Order.

This was the power of authority.

Had Qi Xuansu lacked this status and relied solely on his cultivation and personal strength, getting Hun Ahau to lower his head would have been virtually impossible. Now, just a few words were enough.

Hun Ahau finally said, “Ahau is slow-witted and ignorant. I humbly ask Sage Qi for guidance.”

According to the customs of the Central Plains, referring to oneself by one’s given name signified humility, while using one’s courtesy name implied arrogance, pride, and even a degree of contempt for others. Thus, when famous generals challenged enemies on the battlefield, they did not announce themselves by their full names but by their last name and courtesy name.

At this moment, Hun Ahau referred to himself simply as “Ahau,” a clear sign that he was yielding.

Qi Xuansu waved his hand. “I wouldn’t dare call it guidance. I merely hope General Hun can answer a few questions and clear up some doubts for me.”

Back in Cusco, Hun Ahau had not joined Hun Chowen’s rebellion and had instead chosen to submit. Having made that choice once, he was even less likely to rebel now and would only continue yielding. Thus, he quickly adjusted his mindset. “Please ask your questions, Sage Qi.”

Such was human nature; one would be gradually tamed by power, little by little.

Qi Xuansu asked, “When did you first establish contact with the humanoid insects? What was the purpose of planting this black tree?”

Hun Ahau did not answer immediately. He thought for a moment before replying. “About five years ago, I think. I don’t remember the exact date. As for the purpose, it was a business arrangement. I merely provided the location and cover, while the humanoid insects paid the money. I didn’t inquire into what exactly they intended to do.”

Qi Xuansu chuckled. “They paid you? For taking on such a huge risk, how much money are we talking about?”

Hun Ahau replied, “400,000 Taiping coins.”

The Tawantin Empire had no currency of its own. Since the Western Daoist Order strictly prohibited the circulation of Gold Crowns and Eagle Silver, the Southern Continent used the Daoist Order’s currency exclusively.

Qi Xuansu’s smile faded. “400,000 Taiping coins is not a small sum. Where is the money?”

Hun Ahau remained silent for a moment before replying, “I spent it, of course. At my position, whether for official matters or personal affairs, my expenses are considerable.”

Qi Xuansu pressed further. “What exactly was it spent on? Are there any records?”

A trace of irritation appeared on Hun Ahau’s face. “How am I supposed to remember what I spent on? I don’t have any records of my spending. What do you want those records for, anyway? To use them as evidence to convict me?”

Qi Xuansu replied calmly, “General Hun, you are overthinking it.”

He deliberately paused before adding, “Even without any account books, I can still convict you.”

Qi Xuansu then looked at Hun Ahau with a provocative gaze, as if daring the general to object.

Of course, Hun Ahau had to accept it. He did not dare do otherwise. Everyone hated injustice, but more often than not, what they truly hated was being unable to wield such unjust power themselves.

Qi Xuansu continued, “General Hun, I must say, you’re not very good at lying.”

Hun Ahau frowned. “What do you mean by that, Sage Qi?”

Qi Xuansu said, “Don’t you think that excuse you came up with is rather clumsy? Is that simply the limit of your imagination? Or do you think that I am some gullible fool?

“You took on an enormous risk that could’ve condemned you to eternal ruin. Yet you supposedly agreed without asking a single question, all in exchange for only 400,000 Taiping coins.

“Moreover, you can’t even say where these 400,000 Taiping coins went when asked. I’ve handled many cases like this. They’re usually not that complicated. Either the money was used for bribes and networking, spent on women or illegitimate children, squandered on hobbies and pleasures, or hidden away somewhere without daring to spend a single coin. Is that really so difficult to explain? Unless, of course, you’ve never received those 400,000 Taiping coins in the first place. In that case, you wouldn’t be able to explain where they went.

“General Hun, I have long heard that you are a man who never forgot his roots. Even after rising to prominence, you retained your old habits and lived quite frugally. You have little interest in luxury or women. A person like that is certainly not obsessed with wealth and does not place much importance on money.”

Hun Ahau had lost count of how many times he had fallen silent that day.

In truth, Qi Xuansu had another consideration in mind. Could this all be an act staged by Hun Ahau? Had he deliberately left flaws in his story for Qi Xuansu to discover so that he could place himself in the emotionally convenient position of being coerced rather than acting of his own accord, thereby easing some of his guilt?

But to Qi Xuansu, none of that really mattered. Even if it was all an act, he did not mind playing along.

If it was not an act, then all the better.

Either way, the outcome was the same.

Qi Xuansu said, “General Hun, the tree at the manor is actually connected to Chowen, isn’t it?”

Hun Ahau remained silent, but this time, his silence was clearly an admission.

Qi Xuansu continued, “Hun Manor was always the property of the Hun brothers, not yours alone. I also know that the two of you shared a deep bond and that you would never betray your own brother. Though you have been like a father to your younger brother, you cannot shoulder every burden for him, much less take the blame for everything.”

Hun Ahau remained silent.

Qi Xuansu was not discouraged and continued, “Hun Chowen’s goal was to overthrow the Tawantin Empire. Given his status and influence, merely colluding with the Steam Evangelical Sect and acting as a spy would have been far beneath his capabilities. Nor would he have placed all his hopes in the hands of Westerners. I suspect he had other methods as well, pursuing several avenues simultaneously.

“Now it seems that this other method was the humanoid insect. The extermination campaign years ago nearly wiped them out, so they had every motive for revenge. In that regard, they were perfectly aligned with Hun Chowen, who was determined to bring down the Tawantin Empire.

“So, the humanoid insects sought out Hun Chowen, not you. The black tree was planted by Hun Chowen as well, and it was ultimately Hun Chowen who struck the bargain with the humanoid insects.

“Unfortunately, I can no longer question Hun Chowen, so I can only ask you. General Hun, surely you were not completely unaware of these matters, right? I am not trying to make things difficult for you, nor am I seeking leverage over you. I simply need to investigate and understand certain things clearly.”

When he finished speaking, Qi Xuansu turned his gaze toward Hun Ahau.

At last, Hun Ahau spoke. “Sage Qi, since you’ve laid things out so plainly, I’ll have to come clean. I do know some of the inside details. All of this happened right under my nose, so it wouldn’t have been easy for them to conceal everything from me. As far as I know, the humanoid insects have been pursuing a single objective: to open a path to the mother hive and allow the Insect Queen to descend into the mortal world.”