A Pawn's Passage

Qi Xuansu left Prince Jin’s private residence with his new blade at his side. Somehow, the Daoist Three Virtues lingered in his mind.

Now that he reflected on it, upholding the Primordial Daoist Ancestor’s Three Virtues of compassion, frugality, and humility was truly no easy feat within the Daoist Order.

Fortunately, it seemed that the Holy Xuan had realized this, too. If those virtues were enforced strictly, hardly anyone would qualify. Thus, they were advocated rather than mandated. As long as one was not guilty of corruption or embezzlement, one would not be prosecuted for not being frugal.

For example, Qi Xuansu had attended a lavish banquet today that cost a fortune, but that was not something that could be used against him. Similarly, everyone was aware of Shi Bingyun’s relationship with Qin Quanyi. At most, people might criticize her reputation or conduct, since they were not officially married. But no one would accuse her of being extravagant, as the Daoist legal code simply did not contain such a clause.

Of course, while it was not a crime, frugality was not a requirement for promotion either. But it was a bonus. When aiming for promotion to a second-rank Taiyi Daoist master, if one lacked outstanding merit, had insufficient skill, or fell short in cultivation, then these intangible moral attributes might just tip the balance.

Qi Xuansu pondered. Based on his actions, he was nowhere near upholding the Three Virtues. He lacked compassion, dared to show off, and was not particularly frugal either. At this point, with so many shortcomings, one more did not matter; he might as well let things be.

However, the Primordial Daoist Ancestor also mentioned that it was through compassion that one found courage, through frugality that one found abundance, and through humility that one became a leader. If one cast aside compassion for strength, frugality for extravagance, humility for ambition, then the path would only lead to ruin.

Qi Xuansu was certain he fit the description of abandoning compassion for courage, as he was ruthless to his enemies. He also placed great importance on personal cultivation, which meant he had abandoned humility to race ahead of his peers. Who would not want to rise above others? The only consolation was that he was (forced to be) frugal, his final line of defense from walking the path to destruction.

He felt this was the Primordial Daoist Ancestor’s warning to him, that he should not seek to be generous without frugality, for such generosity would lead to ruin.

Dwelling on these twisted thoughts, Qi Xuansu walked along Penglai Pool toward the Taiping Inn branch.

The north was dry, and winds from the Grasslands often brought in sandstorms, so it left a constant layer of fine dust on the ground that would not dissipate. Just then, a carriage thundered past Qi Xuansu, kicking up a cloud of dust that coated him from head to toe.

Qi Xuansu had been so absorbed in the teachings of the Primordial Daoist Ancestor that he was deeply distracted. A bit of dust was not a big threat, so it did not trigger his Demonic Blade instincts. As such, he failed to dodge in time.

Qi Xuansu stopped walking, feeling displeased. So what if they’re from the imperial clan? I’ve just met with Prince Jin, who has been entirely courteous. Unless the one in the carriage is Prince Liao himself, someone owes me an explanation!

The distinction between the royal family and the imperial clan was essentially one between the main and minor branches of the Qin family. To use the Zhang family as an example, the Heavenly Preceptor’s lineage would be the main branch, equivalent to the royal family, while Zhang Yuelu was from a minor branch, equivalent to the imperial clan. That was why many people often said that Zhang Yuelu was talented but too far from the main bloodline to inherit the throne of the Heavenly Preceptor.

In the Great Xuan Dynasty, the founding emperor had three brothers. The descendants of the other two naturally became the imperial clan. As of today, only the current emperor’s immediate family counts as the royal family. During the late emperor’s reign, Prince Liao was a Royal Prince as the emperor’s son, but after the emperor passed, Prince Liao was officially granted the title of Imperial Prince as the new emperor’s brother. However, since the Empress Dowager was still alive, few would challenge the claim if someone insisted that Prince Liao was considered part of the main branch of the royal family.

The carriage bore the insignia of the imperial clan, which was a result of Western influences. In the West, nobles traditionally used crests to signify their lineage, with varying colors and patterns denoting status. In recent years, many imperial relatives and nobles have adopted similar customs, creating family emblems. For example, the symbol of the Great Xuan royal family and imperial clan was white mountains and black waters, alluding to the sacred site of the Northern Sect in Taibai Mountain.

Back during the reign of Emperor Shenzong in the previous dynasty, Western missionaries had already begun arriving in the East, influencing many scholars and court officials. In the current dynasty, maritime trade flourished, so exchanges between the East and the West became more frequent, further amplifying Western influence.

These family crests were minor matters, but in recent years, due to the decline of the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion, some nobles had even embraced the Holy Court. They were baptized and adopted Western religious names. This enraged both the Daoist Order and the Imperial Court, who jointly issued a stern notice to the Holy Court, threatening to ban the religion in the Imperial Capital if missionary activity was not curbed. If the Holy Court failed to act, the Daoist Order and the Imperial Court would intervene.

The Holy Court had no choice but to compromise, issuing new orders that missionaries were forbidden to convert nobles, court officials, or members of the imperial clan without express permission from the Imperial Court and Daoist Order. Any noble who converted was punished by the Imperial Clan Court, which ranged from salary cuts to being stripped of their noble titles.

The carriage came to a halt, and the driver quickly approached Qi Xuansu.

He was an elderly man, impeccably dressed in fine silks. If Qi Xuansu had not seen him step down from the driver’s seat, he would never have mistaken the old man for a mere carriage driver.

His hair was snow-white, secured into a topknot with a jade hairpin. He bowed to Qi Xuansu and apologized with a solemn expression, “Please forgive the offense of disturbing you, sir. We were in a hurry.”

Qi Xuansu felt a bit deflated. He had expected someone to jump down and curse at him for getting in the way, but instead, he had been offered a courteous apology. Were there really so many “nice people” in the capital, or did one simply find more polite company after reaching a certain status?

Qi Xuansu quickly understood that people in the Imperial Capital were not all polite, but that he was no longer the same person he once was. Even though he was not wearing the formal robes of a fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist master today, he had two treasures hanging from his waist. Anyone with a hint of discernment would not mistake him for some powerless commoner, so naturally, there would be no shouting or scolding.

To put it bluntly, people often judge how to treat others by their appearance.

Qi Xuansu brushed the dust off his robes. “It’s fine.”

He then turned his gaze to the carriage that had stopped. His attention had previously been drawn by the prestigious crest, but now that he was able to take a proper look, he noticed that it was a Western-style four-wheeled carriage with a side door and glass windows. Its ornate embellishments exuded luxury far beyond the means of an idle noble.

So Qi Xuansu reevaluated the old man before him. For a member of the imperial clan to travel without an entourage of guards might be believable if they were traveling in disguise, but not when paired with such a flashy carriage. That left only one explanation—the old man acting as the driver was also a bodyguard, a master in disguise.

Yet Qi Xuansu had not noticed anything at first glance. Only after reasoning through the logic did he examine more closely and finally spot subtle clues.

When the old man sensed Qi Xuansu’s scrutinizing gaze, his expression shifted slightly, and he quickly turned to leave.

However, Qi Xuansu exposed the man’s identity. “I’m curious. Why would a dignified Heavenly Being willingly pose as a servant?”

The old man’s expression changed drastically. He spun around at once and launched an attack on Qi Xuansu.

Qi Xuansu had only one impression—how fast!

He had only seen such speed from Yao Pei before, and that was often because she struck first.

It was too late to draw his blade. So in that split second, Qi Xuansu had no choice but to manifest his golden body, shielding any weak points.

Qi Xuansu was not sure whether the old man had held back or sacrificed too much power for speed, but in any case, the strike lacked the sheer force of Zhao Fu’an’s punch. With his manifested golden body and his strong physique, Qi Xuansu remained unharmed.

The two parted after a single exchange.

The old man frowned. “A Shaman?”

Qi Xuansu gripped the hilt of Flying White Shadow at his waist and said coldly, “Attacking without provocation—doesn’t that violate the rules?”

Just now, Qi Xuansu had not truly seen through the old man and was merely testing with words. But he had not expected such a strong reaction.

Still, he was not afraid. Although the old man was fast, if Qi Xuansu activated the Demonic Blade’s instinct, it would bypass the delay of his normal reaction, so he could still keep up.

The old man remained silent. He, too, had not expected the young man before him to be a Heavenly Being. It was no wonder this young man dared to flaunt two treasures at his waist. At such a young age, he must be one of the Daoist Order’s rising stars and not a thug, which brought the old man some relief but also concern.

Due to the turmoil in the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion, many Daoist elites had gathered in the city. The old man thought, Who exactly is this one? It can’t be Zhang Yuelu because she’s a woman. Could this young man be the mysterious Yao Pei?

At that moment, the carriage door opened, and a figure stepped out. “What’s going on?”

The old man’s face changed again. Ignoring Qi Xuansu, he swiftly stepped beside the carriage, placing himself in front of his master.

Judging by the voice, the carriage’s occupant was a woman.

Qi Xuansu did not have much experience dealing with women of royal blood. He only knew Qin Xiang, the District Princess. But this woman had a Heavenly Being as her attendant, so she clearly was not ordinary.

He thought to himself, Women of the imperial clan often come with complications, so it’s best not to get involved.Qing Xiao’s also in the capital. If rumors spread, she may not believe them, but I shouldn’t risk it.

So, he chose to step back. “It’s just a misunderstanding.”

The old man did not object. It was, indeed, a misunderstanding.

The woman ordered, “Master Chen, please move aside.”

The old man hesitated slightly but eventually stepped aside, revealing the woman behind him.

Qi Xuansu finally saw her face.

Though Qi Xuansu considered himself a man of the world, he had to admit that the woman was stunning. Her skin was flawless, her eyes shimmering, and her brows distinct and slender. She was certainly fit to be a national beauty.

But that made sense. Tracing from the founding emperor, the three brothers were all handsome, and his empress was from the Cihang lineage, renowned for beauty and hailed as the most beautiful woman in the world during that time. Their son, Emperor Taizong, inherited the best from both parents.

Royalty also had their pick of women, so they had always married beauties. After generations of such unions between beautiful people, the imperial clan turned out stunning. Qin Quanyi, whom Qi had just met, was also handsome enough to catch Shi Bingyun’s eye.

Then there was Qin Lingge, whom Qi Xuansu had not met but had heard of from Zhang Yuelu. According to her, Qin Lingge was hailed as the most handsome man in the world, and not without reason. When he arrived in Jade Capital, many female Daoists came just to catch a glimpse of this man. Even Li Changge had not received that kind of attention.

The woman bowed slightly to Qi Xuansu. “Please forgive us if we have been rude in any way. May I ask for your name, young master?”

Qi Xuansu calmly replied, “Qi Xuansu.”