A Pawn's Passage

The Wanxiang Daoist Palace had already received the news. With a word from Great Sage Shi, preparations began in earnest for the arrival of the new Palace Master.

This was undoubtedly meant to build momentum for Qi Xuansu, making sure everyone in the palace understood just how much weight the new Palace Master carried and that he was not someone to be slighted or underestimated. This was also a special treatment reserved for one of their own, since Qi Xuansu had come from the Wanxiang Daoist Lower Palace. After so many years, it had not been easy for the Lower Palace to finally produce someone with a real prospect of contending for the position of Grand Master.

Even without all this fanfare, the senior officials of the Wanxiang Daoist Palace were well aware of how formidable Qi Xuansu was due to the previous affair. No one dared to make trouble for this renowned new Palace Master, much less oppose him, unless they no longer wanted to be part of the Daoist Order.

Looking over the new Palace Master’s record, he had accumulated no shortage of military achievements outside the Daoist Order, from Fenglin to the New Continent. His achievements within the Daoist Order were equally impressive. More than a few people had fallen at his hands.

By now, Shi Yu had already been promoted to a Regular Instructor and transferred to the Wanxiang Daoist Upper Palace. There were even rumors that she would soon be promoted to a Silver-Green Instructor.

From beginning to end, Qi Xuansu had never once brought up Shi Yu. He was simply too busy and had never even given the matter much thought.

At most, whenever they met, he would ask whether they were having any difficulties. Shi Yu was living quite comfortably now, so that was enough to put Qi Xuansu’s mind at ease. He would not pry any further. After all, he could hardly concern himself with every little detail and take care of absolutely everything for them.

With Qi Xuansu’s arrival imminent, the entire Wanxiang Daoist Palace sprang into action and was busy with preparations.

At this moment, Ning Yuqing walked in front while Shi Yu followed behind, carrying a large stack of documents in her arms.

After arriving at the Wanxiang Daoist Palace, Shi Yu had mainly been working under Ning Yuqing.

Ning Yuqing knew about Shi Yu’s relationship with Qi Xuansu, so she treated her quite courteously as well. She asked, “Shi Tou, I heard you attended Sage Qi’s wedding.”

Shi Yu was a little embarrassed. “We were greatly honored that Sage Qi still remembered us.”

Ning Yuqing sighed. “You have no idea how many people are green with envy.”

Shi Yu said, “I wouldn’t even have dared to dream of it before. It was in the Purple Mansion, more specifically, the Chiming Palace. Without Secretary Yan leading the way, we wouldn’t even be able to get in. Once we got in, all we could see were lotus crowns everywhere. I even saw Great Sage Yu and Chief Deputy Sun. I took a rough look around, and the lowest-ranked people there were at least at the fourth rank. There was even a child there. Though I didn’t get a clear look at her face, she was already a third-rank Youyi Daoist at such a young age. Old Mo and I aren’t even fourth-rank Jijiu Daoists, so we almost felt too ashamed to hold our heads up.”

Ning Yuqing asked, “No one gave you a hard time, did they?”

Shi Yu said, “Not at all. Although our ranks were low, everyone was quite courteous to us. A few Sages even came over and greeted us.”

Ning Yuqing smiled. “That’s only to be expected. When something is out of the ordinary, there must be more to it than meets the eye. For people of your rank to be invited to the grand wedding of Sage Qi and Sage Zhang, there had to be a good reason. You were either old acquaintances of Sage Qi or people from Sage Zhang’s side of the family. Your ranks might have been low, but the connections behind you ran deep, so naturally, no one would dare offend you.”

Shi Yu said, “It’s just that Sage Qi was so busy that we barely had a chance to see him or speak with him.”

Ning Yuqing said, “With an occasion that grand, how could he not be busy? By the way, Sage Qi is about to become the new Palace Master. What do you think about it?”

Shi Yu hesitated. “Well...things should get even better, I suppose?”

Ning Yuqing said, “Of course, they’ll get better. The question is how, exactly. Given what you know about Sage Qi, do you have any ideas?”

Shi Yu thought about it seriously for a moment, then said, “Oh, right. When I was in Jade Capital, I met with Sage Zhang once.”

Ning Yuqing was somewhat surprised. “Shi Tou, you even know Sage Zhang personally? Sage Zhang isn’t exactly easy to deal with.”

Shi Yu said, “Back when Sage Qi hadn’t made a name for himself yet, or rather, when he was just starting to rise, he once brought Sage Zhang to one of our class reunions. That’s when we met. Actually, in private, Sage Zhang is quite easy to talk to. When that incident involving Old Mo and the Qingping Publishing House happened last time, Sage Zhang stepped in and resolved it because Sage Qi wasn’t in the Central Plains.”

Ning Yuqing nodded and asked, “What did Sage Zhang say?”

Shi Yu said, “We mostly just chatted about everyday matters. But Sage Zhang happened to mention that Sage Qi had been busy writing up some materials whenever he had any free time lately, which was why he had been so occupied. It sounded like they were for his new post.”

Ning Yuqing said thoughtfully, “If it were just an ordinary inaugural address, he could simply leave it to his secretary. There’d be no need to write it himself. It seems our new Palace Master intends to make some moves.”

As they spoke, the two had already arrived at Sun Hewu’s office. Ning Yuqing pushed open the door and walked inside.

Sun Hewu was standing by the window, looking down at the Lower Palace outside. Hearing them enter, he said, “Just put them on the desk.”

Shi Yu did as instructed and placed the documents on the desk.

Ning Yuqing said, “Elder Sun, this year’s advanced training at the Upper Palace is about to begin. Under the Young Talent Program, Prospective and Apprentice Jijiu Daoists are to be included. Here are the detailed roster and personnel files for this cohort.”

Sun Hewu turned around and said, “There’s an unexpected development. We’ll be adding one student at the last minute this year. Her name is Qi Xiaoyin.”

Little Yin had many names, including Yin Wanmiao, Yin Dabai, and Qi Xiaoyin. Within the Daoist Order, changing one’s given name or even one’s last name was commonplace. Li Minghuang had changed both his last name and generational name, while Sage Donghua, Sage Qingwei, Pei Shenfu, and many others had changed their given names. Qi Xuansu had gone even further and changed both his last name and given name. Strictly speaking, he originally had no last name and only had a Daoist generational name. It was only later that he changed his name to Qi Xuansu. Those without a suitable last name who did not wish to use a Daoist name would normally adopt the last name “Wan” upon graduation. This “Wan” was short for the Wanxiang Daoist Palace.

So in the end, Qi Xuansu had Little Yin’s records amended, giving her his own last name, Qi. In a sense, he was simply going along with the mistake. He had also decided on her courtesy name—Wan Miao. This courtesy name was actually the same as Qi Jiaozheng’s Sage title as Sage Wanmiao.

Although Qi Xuansu had plenty of grievances against Zhou Mengyao, he had no issue with his last name Qi. After all, his name had now become a golden signboard in its own right. He had built such a formidable reputation that his name inspired awe throughout Nanyang, and there was almost no Daoist in the world who did not know his name. As such, he could hardly change his name again.

Ning Yuqing froze for a moment before she realized who he meant. “Sage Qi’s adopted daughter?”

Sun Hewu said, “That’s right, that little rascal. She caused quite an uproar in the Lower Palace last time, and now she’s charging back here again.”

Ning Yuqing hesitated. “Does this comply with the regulations?”

Sun Hewu said, “There’s nothing about it that violates the regulations. Don’t underestimate that little rascal. She performed exceptionally well during the Fenglin Campaign and the Nanyang affair. Through accumulated merit, she has already become a third-rank Youyi Daoist. She isn’t part of the Young Talent Program, but a special category of individual Daoists returning for further training.”

Ning Yuqing asked, “Was this Sage Qi’s idea?”

Sun Hewu chuckled. “This has nothing to do with Tian Yuan, at least not directly. It was Great Sage Qi’s decision. The Golden Tower Council wanted to assign Great Sage Qi a secretary and asked for her opinion, and she chose this little one. According to the Daoist Order’s rules, before taking up a formal post, one must first undergo further training at a Daoist Palace. That’s why she has to return here for another round of training. In other words, even if Sage Qi weren’t our new Palace Master, Qi Xiaoyin would still have to come here for further training.”

Ning Yuqing nodded. “I understand. I’ll make the arrangements right away.”

Sun Hewu instructed, “It would be best to have everything arranged before Tian Yuan arrives.”

Ning Yuqing replied, “Yes, Sage.”

Sun Hewu waved his hand. “That’s all. You may leave.”

Ning Yuqing and Shi Yu withdrew from the room.

Shi Yu said, “I’ve met Little Miss Yin before. She’s quite the mischievous little trickster.”

Ning Yuqing sighed. “She’s already been to the Lower Palace once and caused such a huge commotion that Sage Qi personally came over to demand an explanation. Who knows what will happen this time?”

At this point, Ning Yuqing stopped and looked outside. A group of students were rehearsing the ceremony for welcoming the Palace Master, going about it as though they were arranging battle formations.

“What’s the point of going through all this?” Shi Yu came over to stand beside Ning Yuqing. “From what I know of Sage Qi, he definitely won’t like it.”

Ning Yuqing gave a wry smile. “Sage Qi is entitled to his opinion, but his subordinates dare not neglect such treatment. Putting on such a ceremony isn’t a mistake. At worst, we’ll only get criticized a little, but Sage Qi will know that our intentions were good and that we’re aligned with him. But if we don’t do anything, he will inevitably start wondering whether we have something against him as the new Palace Master. By then, it becomes a question of disloyalty and alienation.”

Shi Yu said, “Sage Qi definitely wouldn’t think that way.”

Ning Yuqing said, “That’s true enough, but things have always been done this way all these years. We’re merely following established precedent and carrying on according to the old rules.”

Naturally, Shi Yu had nothing more to say.

......

Meanwhile, Little Yin was throwing a tantrum. She did not want to go back to school, nor did she want to become anyone’s secretary.

But how could they possibly let Little Yin have her way in a matter like this?

The entire family joined forces, taking turns trying to talk some sense into her, alternating between coaxing and pressure.

In the end, Little Yin finally agreed to undergo further training at the Wanxiang Daoist Palace, albeit most reluctantly.

Besides that, although Sage Donghua had jokingly said that he would not send anyone to accompany Qi Xuansu to take up his new post, in the end, he still sent someone. After all, Qi Xuansu’s formal appointment had to be read aloud before the senior leadership of the Wanxiang Daoist Palace, including Great Sage Shi.

They could not exactly have Qi Xuansu read out his own appointment, as it would be improper and entirely against protocol.

Therefore, the Ziwei Hall still had to send someone to formally announce the appointment. Sage Donghua would not go in person, but considering that Qi Xuansu was now an Omniscient Sage, the Ziwei Hall wished to demonstrate the importance it attached to the occasion and thus dispatched its newly appointed Chief Deputy Hall Master, Yao Pei.

When Qi Xuansu first went to the Wanxiang Daoist Upper Palace for further studies, he and Yao Pei had been classmates. This time, Yao Pei would accompany him to take up his new post, bringing the two of them to the Wanxiang Daoist Palace together once again. This could be considered a rare twist of fate.

Qi Xuansu had no objections to this. After all, he harbored no prejudice against Yao Pei. In fact, he was rather nostalgic for the friendship they had shared as classmates back then.

Thus, Qi Xuansu set out with Yao Pei, making their way to the Wanxiang Daoist Palace again, but this time, with Little Yin, Yan Yongzhen, Lu Yujue, and some others in tow.