A Pawn's Passage

These people were priests from the Sub-Tiangang Hall.

Since they wore all-white clothes, they were also called the White Robes, corresponding to the Black Robes. However, the White Robes’ power and influence were only limited to a small area, far less widespread than the Black Robes’ influence, which extended outside the empire. Other countries around the world had also heard about the Black Robes.

However, within Qinzhou, the reputation of the White Robes surpassed that of the Black Robes.

Although Sub-Tiangang Hall could not compare to the actual Tiangang Hall, which was one of the Three Great Halls, it should not be underestimated.

Sub-Tiangang Hall was modeled after Tiangang Hall, only recruiting elite Daoist priests and refusing to accept flowerbed priests. Those who worked in the Sub-Tiangang Hall were entitled to additional subsidies and given corresponding resources, such as various elixirs, mother-child talismans, firearms, and the Jade Liquor that Qi Xuansu so badly wanted.

As a result, there were many who wanted to join the Sub-Tiangang Hall. Sub-Tiangang Hall adhered to the concept of valuing quality over quantity, so the selection criteria were strict. Age restrictions were added on top of a minimum requirement for cultivation level. This made Sub-Tiangang Hall the ideal training ground for young people to hone their skills.

These selected young talents received strong support from the Qinzhou Daoist Mansion. Since the amount of resources allocated was related to one’s internal rankings, the competition within Sub-Tiangang Hall was fierce.

These talents had to go through one annual test as well as a major exam every three years. Those who scored first on the major exam would get a recommendation to work in the Earthly Preceptor’s Chongyang Palace of Immortality.

The threshold for entering the three sacred Daoist residences was very high, as seen when Qi Xuansu was not qualified to enter the Dazhen Mansion on Yunjin Mountain and could only wait outside Zhang Yuelu. Tantai Qiong, Zhang Yuyue, and some others were only able to enter the Dazhen Mansion because they were members of the Zhang family. That was because Dazhen Mansion was the ancestral home of the Zhang family. Outsiders would have to be at least at the second rank to be eligible to enter.

This was the reason why Shangqing Palace, Wuxu Palace, and Qingling Palace were established alongside the three major sect’s sacred residences. In comparison, the threshold for entering these palaces was much lower.

To a certain extent, the Earthly Preceptor’s Chongyang Palace of Immortality, the Imperial Preceptor’s Zhenjing Courtyard, and the Heavenly Preceptor’s Dazhen Mansion were comparable to Jade Capital. Those who worked there could also be promoted to the second rank. As such, many Daoist Mansion Masters stayed in their localities all their lives and would only go to the Jade Capital to attend the Golden Tower Council Meetings once they were promoted to Omniscient Sages.

These members of Sub-Tiangang Hall could not compare to prodigies like Li Changge, Zhang Yuelu, and Yao Pei. However, many of them were on the same level as Qi Xuansu; all of them were also listed on the Ruyi Leaderboard.

There were rumors that Yao Pei, the prodigy of the Quanzhen Sect, had once joined Sub-Tiangang Hall under a pseudonym and stayed there for three years. Yao Pei even scored first for three consecutive years on the annual test and the major triennial exam. However, Yao Pei was originally from the Chongyang Palace of Immortality, so this recommendation was not needed. No one knew whether this was true because it could be a rumor used to boost the exclusivity of Sub-Tiangang Hall.

Qi Xuansu glanced at the aloof White Robes and silently picked up his severed arm.

He had heard of Sub-Tiangang Hall but had never seen or interacted with them. Thus, he did not know what to expect. That was why Qi Xuansu just planned to wait and see how things would unfold.

Among the seven White Robes standing before him, there was a decent mix of men and women of all ages. Although Sub-Tiangang Hall was mainly a training ground for young people, it did not only consist of young people because that would make it prone to trouble. Some old people were retained in leadership positions to guide the young talents. These veterans were exempted from the annual test and the triennial exam.

At this time, an old man with gray hair stood out among these young people. Qi Xuansu could not tell how old the man was, but he had a ruddy complexion, a strong spirit, and a faint shimmer in his eyes, indicating a high level of cultivation. Qi Xuansu was unsure if the old man was a Heavenly Being yet, but he was certain that the old man was at least at the Guizhen stage.

The old man did not move or speak. Instead, a young man in his thirties stepped forward. Thirty was considered young in the Daoist Order because most Daoist priests’ lifespans were generally longer than ordinary people. He looked dignified and arrogant.

The young man first glanced at Qi Xuansu and asked, “Who are you? Why did you engage in a private duel?”

Qi Xuansu’s heart shook. This man did not even care to find out what really happened and immediately labeled Qi Xuansu as a criminal who engaged in a private duel.

The well-traveled Qi Xuansu was aware of officials killing the innocent to falsely claim credits, but this was only common within the Green Phoenix Guard. When signing a confession with the Green Phoenix Guard, one must carefully read the contents to avoid becoming a scapegoat for additional crimes.

However, he did not expect this to be apparent in the Daoist Order.

Qi Xuansu immediately defended himself. “Sir, this is not a private duel. A cult demon was trying to kill me. I am a personal guard of General Loulan, under orders to return to Jiangling. When passing through Yongzhou, I met a group of Heavenly Court zealots and killed them. I didn’t expect a leader of Heavenly Court to chase me here. In order to protect myself, I detonated two Phoenix Eye Bullets.”

Not wanting to give these people a chance to wrongly accuse him, Qi Xuansu explained his purpose clearly.

“General Loulan?” A look of surprise flickered across the young man’s face. “Do you have any proof of identity?”

Qi Xuansu put down his severed arm and took out the Black Robes badge on his waist. He added, “There are corresponding checkpoint registrations and lodging records at the inns along the way. If you don’t believe me, you may confirm this with the Black Robes.”

“Are you trying to throw your weight around by using General Loulan’s name?” The young man glanced at the Black Robes badge and acknowledged Qi Xuansu’s identity, but his tone was still cold.

“I dare not, sir.” Qi Xuansu bowed his head slightly.

The young man stared at Qi Xuansu and said solemnly, “If I decide that you have engaged in a private duel, then there is nothing you can say to refute it.” He paused and sneered. “Even if you are part of the Black Robes.”

Qi Xuansu raised his head abruptly. “Why are you being unreasonable?”

The young man ignored Qi Xuansu and scoffed. “General Loulan is indeed famous. But his influence can’t reach Qinzhou.”

It was evident that the young man did not care about the truth and only cared about power and influence. If so, there was no point in being reasonable.

Qi Xuansu kept silent.

The young man continued, “If you come with us, you may be able to keep your life.”

Qi Xuansu’s eyelid twitched.

If Qi Xuansu went with them, he would be at the mercy of the prison guards. Qi Xuansu was not afraid of prison, but he still had the fish talisman from the Qingping Society, the Xuan Jade of Death, and his insignia from Tiangang Hall. If any of these items fell into the hands of these people, he would never be able to get out alive.

Qi Xuansu initially thought that he would be saved once he attracted the attention of the Daoist Order. However, he was wrong. He had just escaped from the tiger’s mouth, only to fall into a wolf’s den.

Seeing no other way out, Qi Xuansu pleaded. “Sir, please let me go for the sake of General Loulan—”

The young man interrupted him. “I am a fourth-rank Daoist priest, so according to the rules, you should call me Mage.”

Qi Xuansu was startled. He finally understood what exactly he had done to upset this young man.

The human heart was truly unpredictable.

Qi Xuansu wanted to speak, but the young man added, “There’s nothing you can say to make me change my mind. What’s wrong with coming with us if you’re not guilty? If you want to kick up a fuss, your crime will no longer be as simple as engaging in a private duel; it will be a violent rebellion against the Qinzhou Daoist Mansion, and the punishment for that is execution.”

Hearing this, Qi Xuansu fell into despair.

He finally understood why Zhang Yuelu was so adamant about wanting to reform the Daoist Order. Perhaps she had witnessed such situations when she was working in Beichen Hall.

It was true that such a Daoist Order was in need of reformation.

At this moment, a voice suddenly interjected, “You’re quite bold to order the execution of an Imperial Court soldier. It makes me wonder if you would have ordered the extermination of his entire family if he were an ordinary civilian. What impressive intimidation tactics!”

No one noticed the sudden arrival of this person. Even the old man who had not spoken a word could not help but feel terrified and wary.

The person who spoke was dressed in casual attire. He had a thin mustache that grew in two long tendrils, making him seem like a sly and sleazy man.

However, Qi Xuansu was delighted to see this man.

Before Qi Xuansu could speak, the old man hurriedly saluted the person. “Greetings, Sage Pei.”

This “sly and sleazy” man was none other than Pei Xiaolou.

Pei Xiaolou ignored the old man and glanced at the shocked young man. “Why are you being so unreasonable?”

Pei Xiaolou paused and added with a smile, “Oh, my bad. I should have addressed you as Mage first.”

Hearing the same question that Qi Xuansu asked earlier, the young man turned pale and speechless.

Pei Xiaolou’s smile faded as he questioned the young man. “Who gave you the authority to offhandedly convict people and dish out punishments like that? Is it the Qinzhou Daoist Mansion Master?”