A Pawn's Passage

Li Tianlan’s casual dismissal of any responsibility was within Lei Xiaohuan’s expectations.

The older the person, the more cunning they tend to be. Those who were not cunning had either retired early, died, or lived in obscurity. The ones left standing in the Daoist Order were those refined by the relentless tide of time.

Lei Xiaohuan’s intention was not to use a simple confession to convict Li Tianlan, but to stir the grass and startle the snake.

People often said not to alert the enemy, but Lei Xiaohuan chose to do the exact opposite.

Li Tianlan, this old snake, had long been lurking deep in the bushes, hidden in the shadows. So Lei Xiaohuan wanted to bring him into plain sight, which was better than letting him remain hidden.

By forcing Li Tianlan out to the forefront, Lei Xiaohuan could not harm him but could put him in a passive position.

At this moment, Li Mingzhi spoke up. “Sage Li has spoken the truth. Do you have any further questions, Sage Lei?”

Lei Xiaohuan stood up and said, “I have no further questions, but the Golden Tower Council does.”

Everyone’s expression changed upon hearing these words.

Li Mingcheng, who had been leaning back in his chair, instinctively sat up straight. Li Mingzhi’s expression also darkened.

Zhang Yuelu, however, remained composed, her gaze shifting toward Qi Xuansu.

Coincidentally, Qi Xuansu’s gaze also turned toward her. Their eyes met briefly before quickly averting.

Lei Xiaohuan took out a mother-child talisman, which transformed into a light screen that was as tall as an adult.

On the other side of the screen was a chair.

Moments later, Pei Xuanzhi’s figure appeared on the light screen, seated in the chair.

Through the mother-child talisman, it seemed as though Sage Donghua had also arrived in Jinling for the meeting.

Everyone stood up and bowed to the Omniscient Sage.

An Omniscient Sage was one level higher than an ordinary Sage. There was also a hierarchy even among the 36 Omniscient Sages. Sage Donghua was indisputably the foremost among them, while Sage Qingwei ranked second, and Sage Cihang ranked third. Moreover, at this moment, Sage Donghua was also representing the Golden Tower Council. Thus, no one dared to show any disrespect.

Sage Donghua glanced around the room and questioned, “I have reviewed the confession. Sage Li, since you claim no responsibility in the matter, whose responsibility is it? Is it the investigation team’s?”

Li Tianlan dared not remain silent or evade the question. He replied solemnly, “Ye Xiu acted with utter depravity. I am guilty of negligence and should bear part of the responsibility.”

Sage Donghua looked at him. “Official ranks can’t be inherited, but Taiping coins can be passed down through generations. Using one’s family inheritance to purchase property or engage in legitimate business is perfectly proper. As the Second Deputy Jiangnan Daoist Mansion Master, you are occupied with official duties and cultivation, leaving no time to personally manage your assets. So hiring others to assist you in managing your assets is reasonable. At most, it is a matter of negligence.”

Li Tianlan responded, “Although such master-servant relationships are not practiced within the Daoist Order, they may exist outside the system. Ye Xiu, acting under my name, committed countless unlawful acts. This matter arose because of me, and I failed to detect it in time or rectify the situation. So I am at fault for this. I will fully cooperate with the investigation team to thoroughly resolve this case.”

Sage Donghua no longer looked at him but turned to Zhang Yuelu. “Qing Xiao.”

Qing Xiao was Zhang Yuelu’s courtesy name. While Sage Donghua referred to Li Tianlan as Sage Li, he addressed Zhang Yuelu by her courtesy name, signaling a difference in familiarity and perhaps a hint of seniority.

“Yes,” Zhang Yuelu responded.

“You have done exceptionally well,” Sage Donghua praised. “In this investigation, you deserve the highest credit.”

Zhang Yuelu quickly replied, “Sage Donghua, you flatter me. I dare not accept such praise.”

This was Zhang Yuelu’s genuine sentiment. In her view, the credit should belong to Qi Xuansu, who inadvertently killed Su Ran, thereby uncovering Liu Futong’s corruption. He had also discovered Bai Xiaojin. However, these contributions could not be publicly acknowledged.

Sage Donghua said, “This is not just my opinion. It is also recognized by the three Deputy Grand Masters.”

Everyone was startled. Even Zhang Yuelu’s expression changed slightly.

It was not surprising for the Earthly Preceptor to commend her or for the Heavenly Preceptor to praise her. But why would the Imperial Preceptor also recognize her efforts?

Had the other two Deputy Grand Masters’ endorsements forced the Imperial Preceptor to agree? Or did the Imperial Preceptor deem Zhang Yuelu inconsequential, planning to use this as a gesture to support the investigation? Or perhaps the Imperial Preceptor had other intentions that they had yet to discern?

Sage Donghua showed no intention of explaining and continued, “This case has far-reaching implications. The three Deputy Grand Masters have inquired about it, and the Golden Tower Council places great importance on this. Should anyone attempt to obstruct or sabotage the investigation, they will face severe punishment without mercy.”

After Sage Donghua finished speaking, he suddenly turned his gaze to Qi Xuansu. “Tian Yuan.”

No one expected Sage Donghua to initiate a conversation with a mere fifth-rank priest.

In an instant, all eyes were on Qi Xuansu.

Those who knew Qi Xuansu’s background were unfazed, but many who merely saw him around could not help but feel surprised.

Li Mingcheng finally realized that this young man was not just Lei Xiaohuan’s subordinate but also had ties to Sage Donghua. No wonder Qi Xuansu dared to subtly challenge him. It turned out the boy had a powerful backer.

Mu Jin, who had always wondered why Qi Xuansu had suddenly joined Ziwei Hall, finally understood. Qi Xuansu had climbed the ranks by relying on Sage Donghua. Her first reaction was to see Qi Xuansu as a traitor, but on second thought, Zhang Yuelu did not seem displeased by this. On the contrary, their relationship had grown closer.

Considering Zhang Yuelu’s rise in ranks due to the Earthly Preceptor’s favor and her connections with the Quanzhen Sect, Mu Jin suddenly felt that Zhang Yuelu might even be pleased about this.

Elder Jiao and Lin Youzhen, the two superintendents seated among the observers, were initially surprised to see Qi Xuansu in charge of recording. Seeing Sage Donghua address Zhang Yuelu and then Qi Xuansu left them utterly speechless.

Lin Youzhen thought, It turned out that this wild priest had such a significant background! Could I have misjudged him? Was he not a wild priest but a scion from an influential family? Otherwise, why would Sage Donghua recognize him? I recall an Omniscient Sage from the Quanzhen Sect with the last name, Qi.

The more Lin Youzhen thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. She even vaguely recalled hearing that Zhang Yuelu had once brought a man with the last name, Qi, to the Dazhen Mansion. Could it have been Qi Xuansu?

Qi Xuansu was also somewhat surprised, but he responded calmly, “Yes, Sage.”

Sage Donghua sized up Qi Xuansu and praised him. “Lin Ge has relayed to me all that you’ve done. You did a good job.”

Qi Xuansu lowered his head slightly. “I am unworthy of such praise.”

A figure as significant as Sage Donghua would not engage in lengthy dialogue with Qi Xuansu in such a setting.

After acknowledging Qi Xuansu briefly, Sage Donghua turned elsewhere. “Regarding the matter with the Holy Court, the Golden Tower Council has reached an agreement with the Cardinal Deacon. The specifics of its resolution have been communicated to Sage Lei, who will now announce them.”

“Understood,” Lei Xiaohuan replied.

The light screen formed by the mother-child talisman gradually dissipated.

Lei Xiaohuan’s expression turned solemn as she relayed the action items. “There are two main points.

“First, Shi Luosi’s actions do not represent the Holy Court. If he continues to harbor cult demons, the Golden Tower Council authorizes the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion to forcibly enter St. Mary’s Church. Any resulting damages will be borne by Cardinal Deacon Shi Luosi.

“Second, with authorization from the Holy Court, the investigation team deployed by the Golden Tower Council is allowed to search all warehouses under the Holy Court’s name, accompanied by personnel from the Holy Court. The investigation team is also authorized to audit all of Jiangnan Daoist Mansion’s accounts.

“The results of the investigation will be reported directly to Sage Donghua. Bai Yingqiong, the Chief Deputy Jiangnan Daoist Mansion Master, and Li Tianlan, the Second Deputy Jiangnan Daoist Mansion Master, are required to fully cooperate with the investigation team. The official note will soon be delivered via the rapid post talisman.”

Silence fell in the hall.

Everyone understood what these two points implied.

Li Mingzhi and Li Mingcheng both turned their gazes toward Li Tianlan.

In terms of seniority, Li Tianlan was from the Tian generation, while they were from the Ming generation, making him their uncle. In terms of rank, he was a second-rank Taiyi Daoist master, while they were merely third-rank Youyi Daoist masters. In terms of position, Li Tianlan was the Second Deputy Jiangnan Daoist Mansion Master, standing as one of the three pillars alongside the Mansion Master and Chief Deputy, whereas they were both lower-ranked Deputy Hall Masters in their respective halls.

Li Tianlan was the true powerhouse of Jinling Prefecture. He had no choice but to speak. “The Holy Court has shown respect to the Daoist Order, so we cannot deny them the same respect. After all, they have been our partners for many years, and we will continue to work with them in the future. It will not be wise to handle this too harshly and embarrass the Holy Court.”

“Second Deputy Li, what do you mean?” Lei Xiaohuan immediately asked, her gaze sharp as an eagle’s.

Everyone tensed up, their eyes fixed on Li Tianlan.

Li Tianlan replied unhurriedly, “It’s simple. The investigation must proceed. However, to maintain trade stability and preserve the long-standing friendship between the Daoist Order and the Holy Court, we should prioritize diplomacy first.

“I suggest speaking to Shi Luosi first and making our position clear, as it will fulfill the necessary courtesies. If Shi Luosi sees reason and agrees to back down, that will be best for everyone. But if he remains obstinate, then we cannot be blamed, and we can proceed without delay.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Yushu immediately voiced her agreement. “Sage Li’s words are those of a wise and prudent elder.”

Li Mingzhi and Li Mingcheng echoed her stance.

Lei Xiaohuan exchanged a glance with Pei Xiaolou. They found it hard to argue, as trade and economics were paramount. Such reasoning would hold up even in a Golden Tower Council discussion.

Thus, she reluctantly nodded. “Then let’s prioritize diplomacy first, and use force later.”

Since Sage Donghua had entrusted the matter to Lei Xiaohuan, she naturally bore the responsibility of carrying out the negotiations with Shi Luosi.