A Pawn's Passage

Under the guidance of Junior Sister Xiao, Zhang Yuelu arrived at the Tiangang Hall Master’s office.

Compared to the Deputy Hall Master’s office, the Hall Master’s was of a higher standard. In addition to the essential meditation room and bedroom, there were two studies, one large and one small.

The large study functioned as the primary office for handling official affairs, while the smaller study was more private. Outside these two studies was a living room and a separate office for the secretary.

For ordinary people, seeking an audience with the Hall Master was not an insurmountable challenge, but it did require passing through several checkpoints.

However, Zhang Yuelu was an exception. As a disciple of Sage Cihang and the so-called Junior Tiangang Hall Master, she did not even need to be announced and could directly enter Sage Cihang’s large study. This demonstrated the close relationship between the two.

When Zhang Yuelu arrived at the large study, she saw Sage Cihang seated behind the desk, holding a page of an official document.

“Master.” Zhang Yuelu took the initiative to bow in greeting.

Sage Cihang did not speak but merely waved, indicating for Zhang Yuelu to sit across from her.

Junior Sister Xiao knew that her master and senior sister had matters to discuss, so she voluntarily retreated from the room.

“Take a look.” Sage Cihang pushed the document in hand toward Zhang Yuelu.

Zhang Yuelu picked up the document and quickly skimmed through it, her expression calm.

She had initially assumed it was another case of some secret society stirring up trouble. Instead, it was about the Three Religions Assembly.

The Three Religions Assembly was a colloquial term. Its full name was the Three Religions Debate and Martial Arts Assembly, an event hosted by the Daoist Order. It was a grand gathering where the Three Religions—Daoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism—convened for debates and martial arts contests.

The event was always held in Jade Capital, serving as a means for the Daoist Order to reaffirm their position as the leader among the Three Religions. It symbolized the Daoist Order’s prestige, but it was not a life-or-death matter.

During the first Three Religions Assembly, the Holy Xuan personally presided over the event. At that time, Yan Feiqing, the leader of the Zhengyi Sect, engaged in a fierce verbal dispute with a Buddhist Great Virtuous Monk and emerged victorious in the debate.

Following this, Donghuang, the then-leader of the Taiping Sect, took the stage and showcased overwhelming martial prowess, defeating top experts from both the Buddhist Sect and Confucian School in the contests. The event was truly remarkable in its influence.

At that time, the Daoist Order had already triumphed over the Buddhist Sect in their long-standing rivalry. Although the assembly did not solely determine the Daoist Order’s dominance among the Three Religions, it served as the final closure to their ascendancy. From that point onward, no one dared to openly challenge the Daoist Order.

The secret societies merely disrupted the rules set by the Daoist Order rather than seeking to overthrow it. Any delusional individuals who attempted such an endeavor were insignificant and never posed a real threat.

By the time the Three Religions Assembly became a regular event, the higher-ranking individuals in the Daoist Order, Confucian School, and the Buddhist Sect no longer wanted to engage in combat. As a result, the martial arts segment gradually became a stage for young talents to make a name for themselves.

Many young disciples saw this as a golden opportunity for fame and eagerly participated. These young talents mainly referred to those under 30 who were not yet Heavenly Beings, a standard similar to that of the Ruyi Leaderboard.

Later, even the elders lost interest in debating scriptures, their attitude becoming increasingly perfunctory. Thus, the debate segment also became a stage for the younger generation.

Unlike martial arts, debating doctrines did not have strict cultivation-level requirements. The main criterion was age, with participants required to be under 40 years old.

The high-ranking elders simply sat on the elevated stage, watching the performances of the younger generation with benevolent expressions.

Zhang Yuelu had long heard of the Three Religions Assembly but had never attended because she had always missed it due to various circumstances. This time, if it were not for the Cult of Fates’ intervention, she would still be entangled in the quagmire of Jinling Prefecture—overwhelmed by the attack on Zhenwu Temple and too occupied to participate.

With the Cult of Fates making its move, all blame had been conveniently placed on them. Since they already bore numerous offenses, one more made no difference. Meanwhile, many within the Daoist Order used this opportunity to absolve themselves of any crime, leaving Zhang Yuelu with unexpected free time. Thus, she could finally attend the Three Religions Assembly.

However, Zhang Yuelu had little interest in this matter and asked knowingly, “Isn’t this the concern of the Ciji Hall? What does it have to do with our Tiangang Hall?”

Sage Cihang glanced at her. “I don’t want to be involved either, but Elder Zhou is retiring, and Sage Ning has taken over as the Ciji Hall Master, making it his responsibility. He was your former superior and has always looked after you, so do you really think his affairs have nothing to do with you?”

Clearly, the Sage Ning that Sage Cihang referred to was none other than Ning Lingge, the former Tiangang Hall Master.

Zhang Yuelu was stunned for a moment. “Master, were you absent earlier because of the leadership transition in Ciji Hall?”

“Yes.” Sage Cihang did not deny it. “Ciji Hall doesn’t significantly impact Jade Capital’s political landscape, and Elder Zhou’s retirement was decided a year ago. Moreover, Sage Ning has sufficient qualifications. With the Wanxiang Daoist Palace Master traveling to Jade Capital to endorse Sage Ning and offer full support, even the three Deputy Grand Masters had to show some respect. So, this transition was a mere formality in the Golden Tower Council.”

The Ning family’s foundation lay in Wanxiang Daoist Palace. The current Palace Master was a disciple of Ning Lingge’s grandfather and the junior brother of Ning Lingge’s father. In terms of seniority, Ning Lingge had to address him as Martial Uncle.

Zhang Yuelu nodded. “Since it concerns Sage Ning, I will participate. But I am a Heavenly Being now. By tradition, I can no longer participate in the martial arts contests.”

Sage Cihang chuckled. “I’m not asking you to participate in the martial arts segment, but rather in the debate. Originally, Yao Pei was selected for the debate, but since you’ve advanced to the Heavenly-Being stage, Yao Pei did not want to lag behind and advanced as well. Now, she has gone to the Upper Palace of Wanxiang Daoist Palace for further studies, so you’ll have to take her place.”

Zhang Yuelu sighed. “I’ve met Yao Pei at the Upper Palace. It seems she has reached a bottleneck in her cultivation of the Taishang Emotionless Sutra because she’s acting a bit peculiar. However, in this state, she is perfectly suited for philosophical debates. She can ramble off-topic and be completely disconnected from the discussion, yet the audience will still applaud and praise her.”

She made no effort to hide her disdain and mockery toward idle philosophical discourse.

Sage Cihang did not reprimand her but simply instructed, “This concerns the reputation of the Daoist Order, so we can’t afford to be careless. Prepare well tonight. Sharpening a spear before battle will still be useful even if it is last minute. Then you’ll come with me to the debate tomorrow.”

Regardless of her reluctance, Zhang Yuelu had no choice but to comply. “Yes, Master.”

Her residence in Jade Capital had no shortage of such books, but she had barely read them, nor did she like them. Most were stacked away in her house at Taishang Place. It seemed she would need to make a trip there.

Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night for Zhang Yuelu.

......

Qi Xuansu keenly detected a trace of anomaly in Ning Yuqing’s smile.

Although he had not encountered many subtle hints before, he was not a true scion from a prestigious family, so he did not share the mindset of people like Li Tianzhen, who viewed women as prey.

Naturally, he would not fall into a trap unknowingly. After all, the most skilled hunters often appeared as prey.

Zhang Yuelu was right that as long as he did not entertain improper thoughts, he would remain unshaken by temptations.

Qi Xuansu walked into Gen Garden, returning to the library where the Demonic Blade was kept. Once again, he faced the figure wielding the blade.

Practicing the blade required constant progress, or one would regress. Since Qi Xuansu did not immediately enter the right state, he was struck down by the 32nd blade. However, he quickly adjusted and lasted until the 50th blade on his second attempt.

Objectively speaking, Qi Xuansu’s progress far surpassed that of ordinary people. His reading of the original Demonic Blade text was progressing much faster than Sun Hewu had anticipated. While the unorthodox perfected methods were considered fast-track techniques, that was only in comparison to orthodox perfected methods, which could take decades. Unless one was an Immortal with absolute talent, truly mastering a perfected method still required significant time.

This was thanks to Qi Xuansu’s remarkable comprehension. Even Zhang Yuelu acknowledged this. Her standard of measuring comprehension was based on herself, so if she deemed someone to have good comprehension, they would not be far behind her.

Qi Xuansu was not as gifted as Zhang Yuelu because his natural physique and aptitude were inferior. Often, his mind grasped concepts, but his body lagged behind. However, with the assistance of the Xuan Jade, he had become extremely close to a Banished Immortal, making rapid progress that surpassed the vast majority of people.

Only those like Xie Jin could be compared to him, while true prodigies like Zhang Yuelu and Yao Pei—who were one in a million—could outpace him.

The time spent practicing always felt brief. Soon, the appointed time arrived.

Qi Xuansu reluctantly left the library and headed out to attend the welcome banquet.

This was an old tradition of the Wanxiang Daoist Palace. After three months, there would also be a farewell banquet before everyone left.

Gen Garden had two gates—west and south—connecting to Zhen Garden and Kan Garden, respectively. Qi Xuansu arrived at the west gate leading to Kan Garden and found Ning Yuqing already waiting.

She had changed into casual attire, appearing more feminine compared to her usual formal robes. Coupled with the dim twilight and scattered lantern lights, there was an indistinct charm to her presence.

In contrast, Qi Xuansu was still in his plain Daoist robe, clearly indifferent to appearances.

“Superintendent Qi,” Ning Yuqing greeted him proactively.

Qi Xuansu saluted. “My apologies for keeping you waiting, Instructor Ning.”

“I only just arrived as well.” Ning Yuqing smiled slightly. “Let’s go.”

Walking side by side with Ning Yuqing, Qi Xuansu asked, “Instructor Ning, where is the welcome banquet being held?”

Ning Yuqing answered, “Qian Garden, in the side hall next to the main hall.”

Qi Xuansu nodded and fell silent. Looking up, he could see the brightly lit Ming Hall.

Ming Hall had three floors. The first and second floors served as hubs connecting the Upper and Lower Palaces, the seven gardens, and one gate, while also housing various offices. The third floor was divided into several areas, including the Palace Master’s office and a conference area for the Deputies. Since the Palace Master was currently absent, ordinary individuals could not enter.

Qi Xuansu could not help but wonder what was the Wanxiang Daoist Palace Master doing in Jade Capital. Had another major event occurred there?