A Pawn's Passage

Zhang Yuelu initially thought that Qi Xuansu would mock this kind of new play. She did not expect him to be so absorbed in it. She glanced at him several times and found that he was extremely focused on the stage.

In the past, Zhang Yuelu would have dwelled on the reason behind his focus, trying to pick out any flaws in him. However, her mindset changed. She subconsciously assumed the best of Qi Xuansu, thinking that he was just in awe because it was his first time watching a new play. Moreover, The Infernal Priest was a story from the Eastern Continent rather than The Trials of Galileo, which was from the Western Continent. It was not as unfamiliar, so it was easier for people to accept.

When the play was over and the curtains on the stage slowly fell, Qi Xuansu came back to his senses. He sighed and praised. “Wow, it’s great!”

“What’s so good about it?” Zhang Yuelu asked with a smile.

Qi Xuansu pondered. “I’m not sure where to start. But there is a saying that encapsulates this. In the real world, people can’t always do what they like and must compromise somehow.”

“The real world?” Zhang Yuelu questioned.

Qi Xuansu nodded. “Yeah, anywhere with humans, really. Take the Yaoguang Pavilion as an example. You’re the boss, and I’m the lackey. Everyone has a role to play.”

Zhang Yuelu lightly punched Qi Xuansu. “The way you put it makes it sound like I’m enslaving you. Tian Yuan, you don’t have to insult me in such a roundabout way. Am I really that abominable?”

Sensing something wrong with Zhang Yuelu’s tone, Qi Xuansu hurriedly said, “I mean, others will just see me as a lackey. But I don’t think that you’re enslaving me. To me, you’re just like—”

Zhang Yuelu did not speak. She only crossed her arms across her chest and cast a sidelong glance at him. It was as if she was waiting to see how he would flatter her.

Qi Xuansu deliberated his word choices before muttering, “Like a fairy?”

“Lame,” Zhang Yuelu said expressionlessly.

He tried again. “A heroine?”

The corners of Zhang Yuelu’s mouth curled up. “I really like that word, but unfortunately, most people in the Daoist Order merely consider me a henchman. How can I be a heroine?”

Qi Xuansu thought about it. “What about the bright moon?”

“Why didn’t you say the stars? ‘Yuelu’ is the name of a constellation, you know.” Zhang Yuelu was not satisfied.

Qi Xuansu shrugged. “Well, I’m not that knowledgeable. That’s all I got.”

Zhang Yuelu snorted. “I doubt it. I think that’s just all the sincerity you have for me.”

“Sincerity? Didn’t you say that you don’t like it when people flatter you?” Qi Xuansu felt helpless.

Zhang Yuelu was taken aback. Then she mumbled, “That was then. It’s different now.”

“In that case, I’ll tell you the truth. To me, you’re unattainable, like a flower in the mirror and the moon in the water.” Qi Xuansu admitted.

Zhang Yuelu was surprised by his confession. “I’m not that mysterious...”

Not knowing how to continue the conversation, Qi Xuansu merely flashed a sappy smile.

Zhang Yuelu stood up awkwardly. “We should go.”

The two of them left Miaoling Tower and came to Shaochu Street. The lanterns hanging on both sides of the street were still brightly lit, and there were even fireworks. This was the last of the three major festivals in the Daoist community for the year, so it was particularly lively.

They walked side by side in silence. When they were approaching the end of Shaochu Street, Qi Xuansu carefully considered his words and took the initiative to speak. “Qing Xiao, do you have something to say to me?”

Zhang Yuelu, immersed in her own thoughts, was startled. “You noticed?”

Qi Xuansu stated, “Sometimes, silence speaks volumes.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “You’re quite knowledgeable after all. That means you didn’t have much sincerity for me earlier.”

“My knowledge comes from the Wanxiang Daoist Palace. But after graduation, I pretty much returned all my knowledge to my teachers,” Qi Xuansu said.

Zhang Yuelu recalled. “I remember that you had an excellent grade from the Wanxiang Daoist Palace.”

Qi Xuansu sighed. “It’s a pity that it’s only the lower palace.”

The Wanxiang Daoist Palace was divided into an upper and a lower palace. The lower palace mainly adopted orphans and taught the younger generation, grooming talents for the Daoist Order. The upper palace was where fifth-rank Daoist priests studied to get promoted to the fourth rank. Thus, the upper and lower palaces were worlds apart.

Thinking of this, Qi Xuansu asked, “Qing Xiao, have you been to the Wanxiang Daoist Palace since you were promoted to the fourth rank?”

“Yeah.” Zhang Yuelu replied, “I stayed there for a month and made some friends.”

Qi Xuansu noticed her expression and remarked, “But judging from your expression and tone, it seems more like you’re talking about an enemy.”

“Is it that obvious?” Zhang Yuelu stretched out her hand and rubbed her cheek. “This so-called friend ruined my experience there.”

Qi Xuansu probed. “Worse than Li Tianzhen?”

Zhang Yuelu explained, “Li Tianzhen is from the Li family, and I’m from the Zhang family. The conflict between our families can be traced back to the Great Sword Immortal Era. The Great Sword Immortal was the father of the Holy Xuan and Donghuang.

“When the Great Sword Immortal ascended, the Holy Xuan took power, and the conflict between the Zhang and Li families eased. But that was only because of the suppression of all the opposing voices. Many people in the Zhang and Li families have died at the hands of the Holy Xuan. That’s also why the terms Southern Zhangs and Northern Lis came about.

“After so many years, the Zhang and Li families remain on opposing sides. When I defeated Li Tianzhen, it was akin to humiliating the Li family. All of those old geezers from the Zhang family were happy to see that and were only united in this aspect.”

Qi Xuansu carefully digested the information she revealed. “You mean, Li Tianzhen is a foreign foe, but you actually have internal enemies?”

Zhang Yuelu let out a long sigh. “You can say that. Everything in this world is so entangled, and that’s where everything goes wrong.”

Qi Xuansu was quite quick-witted. At this moment, he roughly understood the situation.

As expected, Zhang Yuelu continued, “Our elders want to continue the generational friendship between both families, and the most direct way is through a marriage alliance. Those old geezers are also united on this front.”

Qi Xuansu did not rush to express his views on the matter. Instead, he pointed out. “Usually, you address the Hall Master respectfully, whether we’re alone or in public. But you address the elders in your family as old geezers. It sounds like you’re annoyed at them.”

Zhang Yuelu grumbled, “They’re just distant relatives that I don’t normally see. But when it comes to this, they like to express their opinions and boss me around. It’s beyond annoying.”

Qi Xuansu pondered for a while. “Don’t you have the support of the Earthly Preceptor? Why don’t you just ask the Earthly Preceptor to help?”

Zhang Yuelu looked at Qi Xuansu as if he were mentally challenged. “Have you forgotten that the Heavenly Preceptor is from the Zhang family? If I asked the Earthly Preceptor to intervene in the Zhang family’s affairs, where would that put the Heavenly Preceptor? Going to the Earthly Preceptor is the last resort. It shows that I intend to leave the Zhengyi Sect to join the Quanzhen Sect.”

“Sorry, I didn’t think of that.” Qi Xuansu also realized how horrible his suggestion was. “Then what are you going to do?”

Zhang Yuelu stopped walking and sized him up.

Qi Xuansu also halted, feeling a chill in his spine.

Zhang Yuelu suddenly unloaded a great deal of trivial information. “Yan Mingchen, a 30-year-old fourth-rank Daoist master and a Guizhen-stage Qi Refiner working in the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion. He’s young, promising, and considered an outstanding bachelor among the many children of prestigious families.

“When I was studying in the Wanxiang Daoist Palace to be promoted to the fourth rank, he happened to be in my class, so we got to know each other. He’s slightly older than me, so he’s considered my senior. Back then, I didn’t think much about it and treated him as an ordinary friend. But somehow, my mother found out about my friendship with him and insisted that I go back for the New Year to meet this senior.”

Over these few months, Qi Xuansu gradually understood Zhang Yuelu’s character. She was somewhat rebellious, so she would not do something if someone forced her to do it. He figured that Madam Tantai’s plan would probably backfire.

“Being a fourth-rank Daoist master at just 30 years old is indeed promising. But why are you telling me this?” Qi Xuansu had a bad premonition in his heart.

Zhang Yuelu tried her luck and offered, “Since you’re celebrating the New Year alone in Jade City, why don’t you come home with me?”

Qi Xuansu froze, feeling as if he had been struck by lightning.

After a while, he came back to his senses. “I’m just a menial seventh-rank Rogue Cultivator at the Kunlun stage with no family background. How can I go head-to-head with a fourth-rank Qi Refiner at the Guizhen stage and offend your mother?! Do you seriously think that I’m that unhinged to agree to it? You’re crazy for suggesting this!”

Zhang Yuelu laughed. “Do you think I’d fight a battle without preparation? Leave the main enemies to me. You can just watch the show. You’ll be the puppet emperor while I manipulate the scenes and do the groundwork.”

Seeing Zhang Yuelu’s confident face, Qi Xuansu added, “In that case, why don’t you just find someone else? Xu Kou is a good candidate.”

Zhang Yuelu said indifferently, “Xu Kou’s wife died, and he came from the Qizhou Daoist Mansion. He even dueled with me in public. Will you believe it if I tell you that I fell for someone like that? How will my mother believe such a lie? On the contrary, there are rumors that we have a special relationship, so you’re definitely the most suitable candidate for this.”

Qi Xuansu stuttered. “B-But—”

“No buts.” Zhang Yuelu waved her hand in dismissal. “You are no longer a seventh-rank Daoist priest, but a sixth-rank Daoist priest. You even slayed a Duke, which is equivalent to a Heavenly Being. Moreover, you’re not yet 25 years old, so you have a bright future ahead. Most importantly, you stay calm in the face of danger. I need someone who won’t get scared if things go south.”

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

Zhang Yuelu explained, “Well, my father will be easy to handle. The key is my mother. If I’m busy dealing with Yan Mingchen and my mother manages to force out a confession through some threats, then the whole act will be in vain. You’re so used to acting, and you’re a courageous person at heart. I’m sure this small family drama can’t scare you.”

Qi Xuansu could not help but smile bitterly. He did not know if he should thank Zhang Yuelu for the compliment or feel helpless about his situation.

Zhang Yuelu looked at him seriously and begged, “Tian Yuan, I won’t force you if you’re unwilling. But will you please help me out this time?”