A Pawn's Passage

Qi Xuansu and the fat monk stood opposite each other. Qi Xuansu instantly sobered up and subconsciously rested his hand on the handle of the Divine Dragon Pistol on his waist. He could already see that the monk in front of him did not have good intentions.

However, Qi Xuansu was overthinking this.

The monk was on the way to the restaurant northwest of Longmen Prefecture when he met Qi Xuansu, who startled him first. The former decided not to spend the night in the brothel because of the important gathering at the restaurant.

The monk’s Buddhist name was Deng Hua. He was originally the monk in charge of lighting the fire in Jingchan Temple’s Xiangji Kitchen. His superior at the time—the abbot of Xiangji Kitchen—was an irritable man with cultivation, often venting his anger on Monk Deng Hua. Thus, Monk Deng Hua was beaten badly several times. Out of resentment, Monk Deng Hua secretly learned the skills of Jingchan Temple.

Although the Buddhist Sect imitated the Daoist Order in restructuring, its curriculum and system were not as strict and regulated as the Daoist Order’s. If one studied hard, one would get many opportunities.

Monk Deng Hua was talented, so with some hard work, he managed to reach the Kunlun stage in about 20 years. He also knew that there were many masters in Jingchan Temple, and that his cultivation level at the Kunlun stage meant nothing. That was why he looked for an opportunity to escape from Jingchan Temple.

After Monk Deng Hua left Jingchan Temple, he dared not stay in Zhongzhou for a long time and fled to the Western Region, which had its own sect of Buddhism different from that of the Central Plains. The difference between the two was equivalent to the difference between the Daoist Taiping and Quanzhen Sects.

One advocated indulgence, while the other advocated asceticism. Since Monk Deng Hua had some cultivation, he practiced Zen Wisdom under the tutelage of a Western Region Buddhist Master.

The Western Region Buddhist Sect was not easy to practice. Besides the terrifying ritual implements of human skin drums and human skull prayer beads, the disciples’ service to their master was countless times more demanding than that of the Central Plains Buddhist Sect. That was because Central Plains Buddhism was largely influenced by Daoism and Confucianism.

Monk Deng Hua complained endlessly. His master was equivalent to a Daoist third-rank Deputy Hall Master, holding great power, so Monk Deng Hua dared not escape from the Western Region rashly.

After so many years, Monk Deng Hua quietly waited for an opportunity. His Buddhist master held a grudge against a Deputy Western Region Daoist Mansion Master, as they had engaged in several gambles with no outcome.

As soon as Monk Deng Hua learned about this, he became the Deputy Western Region Daoist Mansion Master’s spy and successfully plotted against his Buddhist master, who died in the end. Thus, Monk Deng Hua took this opportunity to steal his master’s magical weapons book and escape from the Western Region, returning to the Central Plains.

Monk Deng Hua possessed the skills of both Central Plains Buddhism and Western Region Buddhism, which made his cultivation soar, allowing him to reach the Guizhen stage.

However, after losing his master, Monk Deng Hua could only practice on his own without guidance. The Buddhist techniques were extensive and profound. He was not a genius like the Holy Xuan, so he could not learn it thoroughly, making many mistakes and omissions.

Over the years, he had been gathering yin energy to replenish his yang energy, absorbing an enormous amount of primordial yin energy. However, he could not refine this yin energy, so he could not advance to become a Heavenly Being. Although his qi and essence were abundant, he could not condense them. As a result, his body became increasingly bloated, leading to his current appearance.

At this time, Monk Deng Hua felt guilty when confronted by Qi Xuansu. He was unaware of Qi Xuansu’s identity, but he figured that someone who dared show off like this in Longmen Prefecture was most likely a disciple of the Three Religions.

When Qi Xuansu revealed the ivory handle of the Divine Dragon Pistol from under his cloak, Monk Deng Hua was surprised. That was because the Divine Dragon Pistol was rarely used by gangsters and thugs. It was mostly used by officials from the Imperial Court or the Daoist Order.

Monk Deng Hua wondered if this man was a Daoist disciple.

Even with the Daoist Order’s lax control over Longmen Prefecture, it would be unwise to have a head-on conflict with a Daoist disciple here. Moreover, Master Deng Hua could tell that the man in front of him had a high cultivation level, at least in the Guizhen stage.

Due to this, Monk Deng Hua acted as if he were a proper Buddhist disciple to fool this man.

“Are you a mage from the Wanxiang Daoist Palace?” Monk Deng Hua still had his palms together in a prayer position.

Qi Xuansu slowly let go of the handle of his gun and coughed lightly. “Zen Master, you have a keen eye. I am indeed from the Wanxiang Daoist Palace, visiting the Upper Palace.”

After all, it was no secret that Daoist priests of the fourth rank would have to complete further training in the Upper Palace.

Monk Deng Hua bowed slightly, still with his palms together. “Congratulations, Mage, for advancing in the Daoist Order.”

“Thank you.” Qi Xuansu saluted him and asked, “Zen Master, are you a monk from the Jingchan Temple in Zhongyue?”

“I am indeed.” Monk Deng Hua nodded.

Qi Xuansu inquired, “I have met with Zen Master Yan Xiu from your temple. I wonder if you know him.”

Monk Deng Hua felt cold sweat oozing out from his back. However, he did not show his nervousness. “Zen Master Yan Xiu is famous. How can I not know him?”

“Has he returned to the Jingchan Temple? If so, I plan to pay him a visit after I finish my training in the Upper Palace.” Qi Xuansu was not saying this to test Monk Deng Hua. He truly thought that Monk Deng Hua was also from Jingchan Temple and wanted to get more information from him about Monk Yan Xiu.

Monk Deng Hua was indeed a disciple from Jingchan Temple, but he had defected a long time ago.

Similarly, Qi Xuansu was indeed a Daoist priest, but he was supposedly deceased on paper.

These two fraudsters were just thinking of ways to deceive each other.

Monk Deng Hua’s mind spun rapidly. Finally, he admitted. “To be frank with you, I was visiting the Buddhist Sect in the Western Region under the orders of my master. I have just returned to Longmen Prefecture, so I’m unsure about Master Yan Xiu’s whereabouts.”

“It’s alright.” Qi Xuansu was understanding. “In that case, let’s part ways here. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye, Mage.” Monk Deng Hua bowed humbly. Since the revival of the Daoist Order, Daoist disciples were considered higher in status among the disciples of the Three Religions.

The two fraudsters finally parted ways, heading in opposite directions.

......

Zhang Yuelu was annoyed upon receiving Qin Wubing’s reply, which made Mu Jin nervous.

It was purely coincidental that Zhang Yuelu was assigned to this case because it seemed to be related to Qi Xuansu. That was why she did not hesitate to contact Qin Wubing for clarification. However, Qin Wubing was unclear about the situation and started to overthink Zhang Yuelu’s intentions, especially considering Zhang Yuelu’s identity as Sage Cihang’s successor. Thus, he delayed answering her question and even diverted her attention by mentioning Beichen Hall’s involvement in the Cuowenbu attack.

Zhang Yuelu already knew that there was something fishy about Shangguan Jing’s death, but she did not expect Beichen Hall to be involved in stopping Qin Wubing from aiding Shangguan Jing.

Now, Qin Wubing aimed the question back at her, asking her whether Wei Wugui was related to the Beichen Hall’s intelligence that day.

Zhang Yuelu was at a loss for how to answer this, so naturally, she could not continue pursuing Wei Wugui’s identity.

Pan Cuiqing, who was in charge of this case, was also curious about Wei Wugui’s identity. After hearing that Qin Wubing had responded to Zhang Yuelu, he immediately went over to see her.

As a result, Zhang Yuelu handed over the official note and asked him to read it himself. Pan Cuiqing’s expression was amusing and everchanging. He clearly had not anticipated such a reply.

“This...this...this...” Pan Cuiqing stuttered, not knowing what to say.

Anyone with a discerning eye would know that Shangguan Jing’s death was due to the infighting between the upper echelons of the Daoist Order, but no one knew of the details. Zhang Yuelu was an insider, so it did not matter whether she knew this information or not.

Pan Cuiqing was different. He would be doomed if he made a step in the wrong direction.

In the end, Pan Cuiqing could only change the topic. “This case...”

“Now it seems that General Qin may have something to do with it,” Zhang Yuelu remarked.

Pan Cuiqing could not help but ask, “Why do you say so?”

Zhang Yuelu explained. “It’s simple. If Qin Wubing did not know Wei Wugui, he could have easily denied it. Why bother diverting the topic? He’s just trying to delay answering my question by saying that he needs time to investigate. That’s because he was unsure of my intentions and was unaware of what Wei Wugui did, so he was afraid of being implicated. But it was on record that Wei Wugui’s badge was issued by him, so he dared not deny it.”

Pan Cuiqing nodded slowly. “So, this Wei Wugui is really Qin Wubing’s personal guard, huh?”

“That’s not necessarily true.” Zhang Yuelu waved her hand. “A personal guard can be considered a confidant. If Wei Wugui is really Qin Wubing’s personal guard, then Qin Wubing would have known what Wei Wugui did.

“Their relationship is strange. It looks like Qin Wubing can’t control Wei Wugui. If so, why would he give Wei Wugui a badge? This indicates that they are in some sort of cooperative relationship. Who else would cooperate with people from the Imperial Court? The Daoist Order or secret societies.”

Everyone was shocked to hear Zhang Yuelu’s analysis.

She continued, “By the way, Wei Wugui also has a badge issued by Sage Pei. This guy is really something to be able to get badges from the Deputy Protector of the Imperial Court and a second-rank Taiyi Daoist master. His identity is truly a mystery.”

Pan Cuiqing felt that this case had gone completely out of his control, as it involved the top leaders of the Daoist Order, secret societies, and Imperial Court generals. This was no longer just about Wan Xiuwu.

He laughed dryly. “Deputy Hall Master Zhang, if Wei Wugui is someone influential, how could he be hunted down by Feng Bo?”

Zhang Yuelu asked back, “Feng Bo is a well-known high-ranking figure in the Heavenly Court. Is this guy worth Feng Bo’s pursuit if he’s just an insignificant minion? Feng Bo even took the risk to chase him to Xijing City and tried to silence him right under the nose of the Wuxu Palace. Doesn’t Feng Bo’s aggressiveness prove that Wei Wugui is special?”

Pan Cuiqing was rendered speechless.

Zhang Yuelu’s voice deepened. “I must catch this person.”