A Pawn's Passage

Zhang Yuelu said nothing more. The Sheji Palace was the best possible place for secluded cultivation. Not only was Qi Xuansu there, but so were Great Sage Lan and a first-rank Spirit Guard.

Meanwhile, Qi Xuansu was about to return to his old job and temporarily resume the role of Chief Deputy Qi.

Even if Qi Xuansu held no formal position, as long as Lin Yuanmiao, Xu Jiaorong, Pei Xiaolou, Ji Jiaozhen, Chen Jianchou, and the others were willing to listen to him, then he wielded power. It made no difference if he exercised that power from behind the scenes.

By the same logic, Qi Xuansu was not a member of Ziwei Hall either, but since Sage Donghua was willing to listen to his opinions, Qi Xuansu indirectly wielded the power to influence personnel appointments. So many people valued Qi Xuansu not merely because he had become Sage Donghua’s disciple. The key was that his words carried weight with Sage Donghua, who indulged him at every turn. This was what a true successor looked like.

If someone was merely a disciple whose words meant no more to his master than passing wind, then no one would take that disciple particularly seriously either.

Li Tianqing, Li Tianzhen, and others likewise held no official positions, yet they could still wield tremendous influence.

Moral platitudes were only good for show. If everyone were truly moral, things would never have ended up this way in the first place. The world would have been harmonious long ago.

By the following day, nearly half of Nanyang had heard that Qi Xuansu had returned. People seeking an audience with him arrived in an endless stream.

Qi Xuansu selectively met with only a few people—Chen Shuwen, Chen Jianqiu, followed by Qi Muyu and Genki. Aside from Qi Muyu, all of them had been personally promoted by Qi Xuansu and could be considered members of his inner circle.

Qi Xuansu mainly emphasized a few points. Above all, they had to ensure the stability and development of Nanyang and not allow themselves to be affected by the personnel changes within the Daoist Mansion. This situation was only temporary and would soon pass.

This was an assurance, something to put their minds at ease.

Qi Xuansu’s appearance also represented Sage Donghua’s position.

Although nothing had changed in practical terms, it could still bolster confidence. At any time, confidence was the most precious thing.

If territorial waters were included, Nanyang could be considered the largest Daoist Mansion. More importantly, unlike the Western Region Daoist Mansion, it was not empty and desolate. In the early days, some within the Daoist Order had proposed dividing Poluo into northern and southern regions. Later, due to the outbreak of war on Shakya and considerations regarding the coordination of trade and development, the Poluo Daoist Mansion ultimately remained undivided.

Although Wang Jiaohe’s influence had been extremely harmful, his dominance had suppressed many others with ulterior motives. After their faction was brought down, various forces began reaching into Nanyang. Therefore, the disorder during this transitional period was unavoidable.

What surprised Qi Xuansu was that no one from the Taiping Bank’s Nanyang Branch Headquarters came to see him.

However, Qi Xuansu soon learned the answer. Since they would not come to see him, he would simply have to go see them.

When Qi Xuansu returned to Lion City, he personally went to the Taiping Bank’s Nanyang Branch Headquarters. Upon arriving at the administrative office, he did not see Manager Hu. Instead, he encountered an unfamiliar woman.

“I am here on behalf of the Taiping Bank to inspect the Nanyang Branch Headquarters. Manager Hu is currently being questioned.” The woman got straight to the point.

Although this was their first meeting, Qi Xuansu immediately guessed the woman’s identity.

This was because the woman’s eyes and brows closely resembled Yao Pei’s, while the contours of her face bore a striking resemblance to Sage Donghua. The resemblance was so strong that Qi Xuansu even began to wonder whether Pei Xiaolou had been adopted off the streets.

This woman was none other than Pei Shenfu.

Facing Qi Xuansu, Pei Shenfu appeared somewhat aloof, while also carrying a hint of Sage Donghua’s domineering aura. She did not rise to greet him and remained seated behind the desk.

Qi Xuansu smiled. He was neither particularly humble nor arrogant, treating her simply as he normally treated others. “Should I address you as Martial Aunt?”

Pei Shenfu said softly, “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

Qi Xuansu joked. “Going by my master’s side, I should address Su Yi as Senior Sister. But going by Madam Qi’s side, I instead become Su Yi’s uncle. If I don’t address you as Martial Aunt, should I call you Sister-in-Law instead?”

His flippant attitude irked Pei Shenfu, who raised an eyebrow and scoffed. “Tian Yuan, you really are quite bold.”

Qi Xuansu said, “Courage is something one builds through experience. If I were still the old me, I would probably feel uncomfortable and wouldn’t even dare look you directly in the eye.”

Pei Shenfu said, “So you’re saying you’re no longer afraid now?”

Her tone was calm, making it difficult to discern any emotion from her voice. At the very least, her composure was far superior to Zhou Mengyao’s.

Qi Xuansu chuckled. “If I’m frightened even when meeting my sister-in-law, how could I possibly talk about greater ambitions?”

His words sounded arrogant, but they were from the heart. Having come this far, what did Qi Xuansu still have to fear? If he were afraid, then why bother competing for the position of Grand Master? Would it not be easier simply to kneel before the Li family?

Pei Shenfu said, “Qi Xuansu, Tian Yuan—these are not your real names. You came from the Yong-generation of the Wanxiang Daoist Palace, but somehow, Yao Qi took a liking to you at first sight. From that point onward, you rose rapidly through the ranks. You truly are one extraordinarily lucky man.”

Qi Xuansu sat down in the chair opposite Pei Shenfu and leaned back, gesturing for her to continue.

He did not show Pei Shenfu the respect normally accorded to an elder, just as Pei Shenfu had shown none of the warmth one would expect from family.

Qi Xuansu believed in reciprocity.

At the same time, he wanted to see just how long Pei Shenfu could maintain this attitude.

In any case, Zhou Mengyao had ultimately failed to maintain her composure. ℴℴ𝘮

In Qi Xuansu’s experience, a dog that bites does not bark.

Those who put on a lofty front all ended up stumbling in the end. On the contrary, those who appeared gentle and mild were often the ones who took Qi Xuansu completely by surprise. For example, Ixchel had never put on airs in front of Qi Xuansu. She was gentle and courteous, addressing him as Sage Qi at every turn, seemingly no different from Hun Ahau. Yet she had been the greatest beneficiary in Paititi’s upheaval. She was now a Quasi-First-Tribulation Immortal who wielded tremendous power, while Qi Xuansu had become a pawn she used to break the deadlock. There was nothing he could do about it.

In truth, Qi Xuansu had very clear preferences. He had a favorable impression of people like Zhang Yuelu, Madam Wu, Madam Qi, and Little Yin. He did not mind people having tempers, because that at least showed their genuine nature. What he hated most were those who remained utterly unmoved by anything, looked down at everyone, and acted as cold as ice.

Yao Pei was different, because her behavior was influenced by the Taishang Emotionless Scripture. But who was Pei Shenfu trying to impress by deliberately putting on such an act?

Pei Shenfu did not become angry and continued, “There are two things I’m very curious about. First, what exactly did Yao Qi see in you? Judging by the results, you have indeed done very well, but I don’t believe that Yao Qi had such keen judgment of character. Second, why did Yao Qi name you Qi Xuansu? Was there some special meaning behind it?”

Qi Xuansu did not answer directly. Instead, he gave a soft snort. “It seems you’re also someone in the know.”

Pei Shenfu said nothing, tacitly confirming it.

Qi Xuansu said, “Perhaps Madam Qi once had an old acquaintance named Qi Xuansu, so she gave me that name in remembrance of that person.”

Pei Shenfu was not surprised by this answer. “You mean the accomplice who broke into the Lingshan Paradise with Yao Qi?”

Qi Xuansu countered, “You all still haven’t found this accomplice?”

Pei Shenfu narrowed her long, almond eyes that were so similar to Yao Pei’s. Her gaze sharpened as she sneered. “Since you don’t want to say it, then forget it. A poor boy who clawed his way up from the very bottom is the sort who can never truly be tamed. I told them long ago, but they refused to listen and thought there would be no problem. In the end, you still turned around and bit the hand that fed you. But then again, Yao Qi’s origins are equally dubious. No one knows where she was picked up from. The two of you are quite a fitting pair.”

Qi Xuansu did not get angry. He merely said, “Pei Shenfu, for my master’s sake, I’ll forgive you this once.”

Pei Shenfu’s gaze finally wavered slightly. “Forgive me? You?”

The unspoken words were, “Are you even worthy?”

Qi Xuansu raised an index finger. “You can try me. Or you can ask my other master, Zhou Mengyao, whether she has managed to reattach her head yet.”

Pei Shenfu’s chest visibly rose and fell.

Qi Xuansu said, “I displaced Su Yi from her position, so I can understand why you, as her mother, would hate my master and me. But there is a limit to my tolerance. Don’t mistake me for a saint. My temper is actually nowhere near as good as you people imagine.”

The office fell into a brief silence.

After that brief emotional fluctuation, Pei Shenfu regained her composure. “Qi Xuansu, don’t think you can act mighty just by running your mouth. Great Sage Jiang can protect you for a while, but he can’t protect you forever. Do you plan to keep hiding behind Qi Wu and Yao Qi? Qi Wu can be your father, Yao Qi your mother, and when you grow old, you can rely on the Emperor Willow Spirit as your daughter. How are you any different from those spoiled young masters who rely on their families? I’ve seen plenty of people like you...”

Qi Xuansu interrupted her without the slightest courtesy. “Then you clearly haven’t seen enough. How many people have you actually seen? Are those people you’ve met even worthy of being compared to me?”

Pei Shenfu froze. A look of disbelief flashed across her face.

In her view, Qi Xuansu might have thrown out some harsh words like a young man eager to prove himself, or perhaps challenged her out of sheer rebelliousness. But she had never imagined that Qi Xuansu would speak to her from such a commanding position, almost as though he were reprimanding her.

Qi Xuansu saw nothing inappropriate about it. In terms of rank, Yao Yi, Zhang Wuliang, and Li Changsheng—the three Managers of the Taiping Bank—enjoyed treatment equivalent to Omniscient Sages. Pei Shenfu was merely an ordinary Sage. As a soon-to-be Omniscient Sage, why should Qi Xuansu not be able to reprimand her?

If she were not his master’s sister, she would not even have had the opportunity to say these things to him.

Qi Xuansu said, “Alright, that’s enough childish bickering. Let’s talk about serious matters. I’m sure you have something in mind since you came all the way to Nanyang. You might as well say it directly.”

He even took out Madam Qi’s secondhand pocket watch and glanced at it. “I don’t have much time. I still have to go to Tianfu Palace to meet the old Daoist priests. So you’d better keep it brief and stop beating around the bush.”