A Pawn's Passage

Seeing that there was no way to push matters forward in the Northern Continent for the time being due to the absence of key personnel, Qi Xuansu simply left Shen Yubing to handle things there. Meanwhile, he convened Utu, Tantai Ying, Hun Ahau, Huangfu Xi, Huangfu Zhu, and others to discuss the upcoming cleanup operation.

This cleanup operation had three objectives: eliminating the remaining followers of Kukulkan and Chak Chel, eradicating the humanoid insects, and abolishing blood sacrifice.

This was a formal council meeting, conducted according to official procedure.

Two Spirit Guards pushed open the doors from either side, and Qi Xuansu strode into the council chamber. Everyone inside immediately rose to their feet.

Qi Xuansu walked to the central seat of honor and took his place. Only then did everyone else sit back down.

“Let’s begin the meeting,” Qi Xuansu said. “Some of you have traveled a great distance to come to New Paititi, and I appreciate your efforts. I chose New Paititi as our meeting place because I believe the situation here is the most severe. Since this matter is of great importance, I must announce one rule before we officially begin. Everything discussed during this meeting is to remain strictly confidential. Under no circumstances is any of it to be disclosed.”

Qi Xuansu paused and slowly swept his gaze across the room before continuing. “Now, let us proceed. The remaining followers of Kukulkan and Chak Chel, the humanoid insects, and those secretly conducting blood sacrifices overlap to a certain extent and are closely interconnected. They are like weeds in a field that are tangled together. Therefore, there are several questions we must address.

“First, what exactly is the current condition and organization of these groups within New Paititi?

“Second, what conditions allow them to exist? Do they have influential protectors shielding them?

“Third, how should we weed them out? To those unfamiliar with farming, weeds can look remarkably similar to young wheat. How do we distinguish them accurately? We must not harm innocent people.”

For Qi Xuansu, this sort of work was already second nature. It was much the same as dealing with secret societies, both in practice and in nature.

The difficult part was never eliminating the secret societies but dealing with the powerful figures protecting them. Such organizations were merely one link in a larger chain of power. Only with the backing and protection of those in authority could they survive over the long term.

To eradicate a secret society, two things were essential—destroy its core leadership and eliminate the powerful patrons protecting it.

Before the Heavenly Court was legalized, eliminating its leader, who was an Immortal, or forcing the Taiping Sect to abandon the Heavenly Court was unrealistic. In the end, the Daoist Order compromised with reality, so the Heavenly Court was legalized.

Though the Cult of Fates and the Lingshan Witch Cult also had formidable leadership, they lacked protection from the upper echelons. Consequently, they were naturally classified as organizations that had to be dealt with through uncompromising suppression.

Authority in name was not the same as actual power. Converting nominal authority into real power required skill. Likewise, power itself was not the same as profit, and turning power into tangible benefits also required skill. Secret societies were one of the primary channels through which power could be monetized, which was why those in power liked to support secret societies.

Destroying a secret society meant cutting off someone’s source of income and might even threaten their power. Naturally, those people would fight with everything they had.

Among those attending the meeting, Huangfu Xi held the highest official rank on paper. In reality, however, Tantai Ying wielded the greatest authority because she represented the Western Daoist Order, just as Qi Xuansu represented the Daoist Order. That had little to do with their formal positions.

Tantai Ying spoke with characteristic frankness. “I certainly have something to say regarding the three points Sage Qi raised. The only question is what kind of answer Sage Qi wants to hear.”

Qi Xuansu chuckled. “What do you mean by that?”

“If Sage Qi wants pleasant words, then the problem is insignificant. It’s nothing more than a minor skin ailment, hardly worth worrying about. Under Sage Qi’s wise leadership, we’ll soon eliminate every enemy, successfully complete the mission entrusted to us by our superiors, and hand in a perfect report,” Tantai Ying said unabashedly.

Qi Xuansu gestured for her to stop. “Then what about the unpleasant version?”

Tantai Ying replied, “The unpleasant version is simply the truth. I’ll answer your questions one by one. First, these people are widespread. The problem is quite serious, and what we’re facing is a complete mess. Second, there are indeed powerful protectors behind them, and the connections run deep, possibly reaching certain highly sensitive figures. Third, we’re faced with a dilemma. Some of these people are deeply entrenched. If we want to eradicate them completely, innocent people will inevitably get caught up in it. But if we refuse to harm the innocent, then complete eradication becomes impossible. Frankly speaking, there is no perfect solution.”

Qi Xuansu nodded. “Sage Tantai, it seems the problem is quite serious.”

Tantai Ying answered candidly, “I can’t speak for what others think, but that’s my assessment.”

Qi Xuansu then turned his gaze toward the others.

After carefully choosing her words, Huangfu Xi said, “Although what Sage Tantai has said may be difficult to accept, it is an objective fact. I believe that if this were not a genuinely difficult problem, Sage Qi would not have convened this special meeting. We should all approach this matter with the utmost caution and prudence.”

Qi Xuansu said, “A cautious and prudent attitude is certainly important. Does anyone else have a different opinion?”

No one spoke. Everyone present accepted Tantai Ying’s assessment.

Qi Xuansu continued, “Speaking of the second point, is there anyone among us who serves as a protector?”

Everyone’s expression immediately turned solemn.

Utu slowly said, “Perhaps there were in the past. But now, there shouldn’t be any.”

Qi Xuansu nodded. “Let’s set the past aside and focus only on the present. We’ve already reached a preliminary consensus on the nature of this problem, which can be summed up in one word: difficult. The next thing we need to discuss is how we’re actually going to deal with it.”

Tantai Ying had always been fearless, carrying an air reminiscent of Zhang Yuelu. She was the first to speak once more. “The first thing we need is resolve, especially from Sage Qi. No matter who is implicated, we must have the determination to investigate to the very end. If necessary, arrest them outright. If we’re going to hesitate at every turn, we might as well not do this at all. Second, we must guard against cover-ups and leaks. Therefore, I propose that we adopt a system of mutual oversight and cross-jurisdictional investigations.”

Qi Xuansu nodded in approval. “That’s an excellent proposal. As for resolve, I’ve never lacked it. I trust no one here doubts that.”

Utu lowered his gaze, staring at the tip of his nose as though lost in quiet contemplation.

Qi Xuansu continued, “For the specifics of mutual oversight and cross-investigation, here’s my proposal. Utu and Hun Ahau will handle matters concerning the humanoid insects. The remnants of Kukulkan and Chak Chel’s followers will be dealt with by the Juesheng Hall, with support from the Northern Palace Guard. Abolishing blood sacrifice will be handled by the Temple of the Moon Goddess, assisted by the Southern Palace Guard. Sage Tantai will not be responsible for carrying out operations herself. Instead, she will oversee the entire process. If any problems arise, report them directly to me.”

He swept his gaze around the room once more. “If there are no further questions, let’s proceed to a vote.”

“I agree.”

“Agreed.”

“I support it.”

“Agreed.”

“No objections.”

Qi Xuansu said, “Excellent. The motion passes unanimously. Daoist Huangfu, work together with Sage Tantai to produce a detailed operational plan as soon as possible. Once we’ve reviewed and approved it, we’ll begin implementation immediately. Our goal is to complete this cleanup operation before the Qingming Festival and restore New Paititi to a clean state.”

The two women answered in unison, acknowledging the order.

Qi Xuansu rose to his feet. “Then it’s settled. I’ll leave you with two final requirements. First, absolute secrecy. Second, swift action.”

After the meeting concluded, Qi Xuansu went to see Lu Yujue once again and had another lengthy private conversation with him.

On the surface, Qi Xuansu was simply comforting Lu Yujue in his capacity as a superior, hoping he would put the matter aside and focus on his duties.

In reality, however, Qi Xuansu was also drawing Lu Yujue over to his side.

He intended to plant a spy in Li Changge’s camp.

After all, the two men had already laid their cards on the table. Each knew the other was their greatest rival. Over the years, the Li family had made no shortage of underhanded moves against Qi Xuansu, and he had no intention of simply taking the blows without striking back. Bringing down Li Tianlan was merely the beginning.

In principle, stability took precedence throughout the overseas continents, so key positions were not changed lightly. Although Qi Xuansu would not remain in office much longer and would soon depart for the Wanxiang Daoist Palace to serve as its Palace Master, it was foreseeable that Lu Yujue would remain in his current post for quite some time, making him highly irreplaceable.

If Qi Xuansu could forge a closer relationship with Lu Yujue, he could further strengthen his strategic position in the Southern Continent while also gaining an easier means of tracking Li Changge’s movements.

Of course, if Qi Xuansu truly wanted to win Lu Yujue over, words alone would not suffice. He needed concrete action, and the key lay with Li Minghuang.

Qi Xuansu also had legitimate grounds for going after Li Minghuang. After all, Li Minghuang had wronged Zhang Yuyue, who happened to be Zhang Yuelu’s cousin. As Zhang Yuelu’s Daoist companion, it was only natural for Qi Xuansu to stand up for his sister-in-law.

Compared with the previous day, Lu Yujue was no longer quite so agitated, but he still could not swallow the humiliation. Hatred like this could not be feigned. Given that he was the heir of a prestigious family, his reaction was only to be expected.

Lu Yujue said, “Since ancient times, there have been three great debts of gratitude and two irreconcilable hatreds. One should have gratitude for being raised, having one’s life saved, and being recognized and promoted. Likewise, one should never forget getting vengeance for a murdered father and a stolen wife. If I simply let this go, I will never be able to swallow this humiliation, and everyone else will look down on me as well.”

By now, Lu Yujue already regarded Qi Xuansu as someone who might help him take revenge, and he harbored no suspicions. After all, Qi Xuansu certainly did not have the ability to make Li Minghuang seduce Lu Yujue’s wife. Qi Xuansu was merely taking advantage of the situation as it unfolded.

Qi Xuansu said, “Yuting was once my subordinate, and you’re my subordinate as well. You two are brother and sister. For the sake of that relationship alone, I have to lend you a hand. Have you considered approaching the Fengxian Hall? Perhaps you should get in touch with Deputy Hall Master Lu.”

The Lu family also had influential figures of its own. Lu Yushu, for example, belonged to the same generation as Lu Yujue. They were both of the Yu-generation.

Lu Yujue sighed. “The Li family is determined to protect Li Minghuang. She wouldn’t dare go against the Li family’s wishes.”

Seeing that the timing was right, Qi Xuansu casually remarked, “I’ll be honest with you. When the Li Tianlan affair caused such an uproar, I interrogated him personally. During the interrogation, Li Tianlan confessed that Li Minghuang had been carrying on an illicit affair with Gu Ying behind his back and that the two of them had conspired to frame his eldest son, Li Mingping. Because of Chief Deputy Zhang’s elder cousin, I had intended to use that opportunity to investigate Li Minghuang as well. But Sage Qingwei personally intervened and halted the case. There was nothing I could do but stop there. Still, I kept all the relevant evidence.”

Lu Yujue clenched his fists tightly, his expression shifting unpredictably between anger and contemplation.