A Pawn's Passage

The commendation decree clearly stated that it was to be announced throughout the Daoist Order, so the army camp had to conduct a public reading as well. Thus, a small ceremony was held. Daoist priests, Spirit Guards, and Daoist Priest Kindreds of the fourth rank and above gathered as witnesses. Great Sage Zhang Qihan personally read the decree, and Qi Xuansu went on stage to receive the award.

After handing the decree to Qi Xuansu, Zhang Qihan praised, “Tian Yuan can truly be called the foremost achiever in battle among the disciples of the eighth generation—the leading hero of many commendations.”

At once, applause broke out from the crowd.

The commendation decree came in two forms. One was the official written document, consisting of a heading with its reference number, the main body, and the closing signature. It listed the recipient’s main achievements, the details of the commendation, and expectations for his future.

The other was a simplified version that only had a few lines, suitable for display. Its title was simple—the Golden Tower Council Commendation Decree. Then, on a new line, the content read, “Awarded to Qi Xuansu for making outstanding contributions in the Fenglin campaign.”

This was followed by the signature of the Golden Tower Council’s Chief Omniscient Sage, Pei Xuanzhi. Dated March 3rd, 43rd year of the Jiushi Era.

Qi Xuansu first looked toward Zhang Yuelu, who smiled at him while clapping, communicating without words.

Li Changge and Yao Pei were the first to step forward and congratulate Qi Xuansu, displaying magnanimity.

Then came Li Tiangang and other figures of real authority. In the past, they could still treat Qi Xuansu as a junior due to their higher status. Now, whether they were willing or not, they had to regard him as an equal.

Lastly, people like Xu Kou, Lu Yuting, Han Yongfeng, and Qian Daren came forward, not to offer congratulations but rather to pay respects.

After all, Zhang Yuelu was not the only one who could see the three-step approach. The Daoist Order never lacked discerning eyes, and many had already sensed it.

The Daoist Order prided itself on equality, but in this world, there was no true equality with hierarchy and stratification embedded deep within the fabric of society.

Compensation was an issue Qi Xuansu cared about most. Since his rank was tied to his office, his base salary had not changed. But his allowance rose by 100 Taiping coins when he went from superintendent to Deputy Hall Master. Originally, Qi Xuansu’s base stipend was 200 Taiping coins per month. With various allowances, his total came to 400 Taiping coins a month. Over a year, this amounted to 4,800 Taiping coins.

After he became a true third-rank Youyi Daoist Master, his base stipend doubled to 400 Taiping coins per month. Adding in various allowances, his monthly total rose to 800. Over a year, that was 9,600 Taiping coins, close enough to round it up to 10,000 Taiping coins.

In truth, by this stage, one’s stipend no longer held much real meaning. However, he was still glad for this increment because this was a legitimate income, able to withstand scrutiny. If he wished to climb higher, then he had to be wary of how he behaved and spent.

In this aspect, Qi Xuansu greatly admired the fifth-generation Grand Master. Though that Grand Master’s reputation was mixed, he had lived up to the Daoist principle of frugality. Stripped of all items attached to the Grant Master’s seat, his private property—including books—converted to roughly 300,000 Taiping coins.

The fifth-generation Grand Master was a Longevity-stage Immortal. Even outside the Daoist Order, he could not possibly have been poor. The fifth-generation Grand Master’s entire savings were essentially what remained of his annual stipend. If the head of the Daoist Order had less than 300,000 Taiping coins, that would have been a joke. Compare this to the three Deputy Grand Masters, each one’s wealth rivaled that of nations.

Back in his tent, Qi Xuansu held the simplified version of the commendation decree, looking at it from left to right. “I should find someone to frame this and hang it in my study or office.”

Zhang Yuelu laughed. “Yes, it should be framed and hung. This is genuine battlefield merit. Too bad we don’t use Western medals. Otherwise, they’d be pinning a big medal on your chest.”

This was the good thing about Zhang Yuelu. She always encouraged Qi Xuansu, supporting him to grow better, rather than belittling him to raise herself up and keep him under control.

Was this not also a kind of confidence? Even if Qi Xuansu became Grand Master, she would still be able to hold her own.

Qi Xuansu smiled. “I have no interest in wearing medals. I prefer carrying the Sword of Wisdom.

Zhang Yuelu replied, “It won’t be long.”

As the two were speaking, there was a commotion outside. Qi Xuansu already knew who it was and quickly put away the commendation decree.

The voice arrived before the person. “Xiao Qi, time to settle the bill!”

Sure enough, Little Yin burst in, brushing past Mu Jin’s attempts to stop her, with Lin Yuanmiao following behind.

The debt collector had arrived.

Little Yin waved a slip of paper in her hand. It was the promissory that Qi Xuansu wrote.

“February 10th, 43rd year of the Jiushi Era, within the borders of Anno County, Ise Province, Fenglin. Qi Xuansu owes Yin Wanmiao 15 Heavenly-Being-level demon hearts. The debt shall be fully repaid once the Daoist Order takes Ise Province. If repayment cannot be made in full, medicinal pills or elixirs of equal value shall be provided as compensation.”

Qi Xuansu’s seal was stamped at the bottom.

Of course, Qi Xuansu had not forgotten this matter. During the assault on Mount Omikami he had slain many demons, but in that situation, he could not collect their hearts. So afterward he reported it to Sage Qingwei. Sage Qingwei did not fuss and instead granted him a special allotment of 7.5 kilograms of dragon meat.

To build flying ships, the Daoist Order required dragon bones and Dragon Pearls. Dragon scales and sinews could be used to craft treasures, and dragon blood could be used for alchemy. Dragon meat was of relatively lesser importance, useful mainly for strengthening one’s blood qi to fortify the body.

Qi Xuansu had once asked if it was appropriate for Little Yin—a yin creature—to eat dragon meat.

Sage Qingwei did not explain in detail and only said, “Just give it to her. She’ll definitely like it.”

Qi Xuansu was hesitant at first, but then he thought that the knowledgeable Sage Qingwei could not be wrong.

Thus, Qi Xuansu took out the dragon meat he had just received from his magical receptacle. The meat had already been cut into neat, uniform cubes and stacked tidily inside a special chest.

At first, Little Yin was curious, sniffing it lightly. But when she opened the chest, her eyes instantly widened in surprise.

“Th-this is...” For once, Little Yin actually stammered.

Qi Xuansu pretended to be nonchalant as he replied, “Dragon meat.”

Little Yin could not help but lick her lips. “It’s all mine?”

Qi Xuansu nodded. “It’s all yours.”

With a loud snap, Little Yin shut the chest, then quickly opened her huge mouth and swallowed the entire box whole.

A treasure like this was meant to be savored slowly.

Fortifying one’s blood and body was secondary. The key was the taste. Dragon meat was said to be the finest and most satiating delicacy under heaven.

Qi Xuansu said, “Now that I’ve settled my debts, give me the promissory note.”

Little Yin handed the note back to Qi Xuansu and patted her belly.

Qi Xuansu casually destroyed the note and asked, “Anything else?”

Little Yin nodded firmly. “It’s about that seal in the Tenshukaku I mentioned last time. I think that you, me, Deputy Hall Master Zhang, and Old Lin should go investigate it again.”

Qi Xuansu turned to Zhang Yuelu. “Qing Xiao, what do you think?”

Zhang Yuelu considered for a moment and hesitated. “We do have time now, so it wouldn’t hurt to take a look. But we must be extremely careful. I suspect this seal is one of the Five Great Seals of Izanagi-no-Mikoto.”

Qi Xuansu thought it over carefully and decided to report it first. After all, it was better to be safe than sorry.

Sage Qingwei did not object. At present, the Daoist Order’s focus was not on Izanagi but rather on the Westerners in Satsuma Domain and the remnants of the Fenglin royal family in Heian Capital. Since it was not an officially assigned mission, completing it would not even count as merit. At most, they would get some unexpected gains, such as a divine art or an external treasure, which the Daoist Order did not lack. However, it would be a grave fault if they accidentally stirred up trouble.

After all, Sage Qingwei was not Madam Qi. The Sage Commander would not discipline Qi Xuansu as though he were a child.

After reporting the matter, Qi Xuansu made some brief preparations and set off once more for Ise Province.

Since Ise Province was entirely under Daoist control now, there was no need for them to conceal their identities. Led by Little Yin, the four arrived at the abandoned Taira Tenshukaku.

Had the Ise-jingu been victorious in the previous battle, there would have been guards posted here. But since the Sonno-joi faction had been defeated, no one would come to a place blanketed with yin energy.

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu did not rush to examine the seal. Instead, they first walked around the Tenshukaku and carefully inspected the two corpses. After hearing Lin Yuanmiao’s deductions about the bodies, Qi Xuansu largely agreed.

Only then did they finally approach the site of the seal.

It was just as before. No one had come over in the meantime.

Little Yin cautiously asked, “Shall we open it?”

Qi Xuansu was somewhat tempted. The last time he had opened a seal, he had obtained Shuten-Doji’s head. Surely this time, it would not be much worse. Yet blind optimism was dangerous. If what emerged was too powerful and they could not clean up the aftermath, the cost would outweigh the gain.

Zhang Yuelu said bluntly, “Let’s do a divination.”

The Guizang Lantern could foresee the future, so using divination to decide major matters was no trifling affair.

Qi Xuansu, Little Yin, and Lin Yuanmiao all agreed.

Zhang Yuelu took out divination sticks from her magical receptacle and followed a formula to cast the hexagram.

But to their surprise, the hexagram was abnormally chaotic, nearly impossible to interpret.

Zhang Yuelu shook her head. “It’s being disrupted by some force. That only proves this seal is highly unusual.”

Qi Xuansu said, “Let me try.”

With that, Qi Xuansu activated his Celestial Phenomena Spiritual Body and employed the Purple Star Astrology granted by True Lord Ziguang. He did not have to fear disruption because he would directly seek revelation from True Lord Ziguang, who would divine on his behalf and reveal the result.

However, each revelation required the expenditure of divine power. It could be seen as the cost of receiving insight or as an offering to the deity. In the past, Qi Xuansu had never used it because his divine power was scarce. But now, with a reserve of 4,500 marks of divine power, he could afford to be generous.

At this moment, he spent 500 marks of divine power to seek revelation from True Lord Ziguang. No matter how many questions he asked, the revelation would only last for a few minutes. If he wished to extend the time, he would have to pay more.

Qi Xuansu posed his first question. “Is this seal dangerous?”

A purple star flickered before Qi Xuansu’s eyes, sometimes bright, sometimes dim.

This indicated there was indeed some danger, though not enough to threaten his life. It was about a 50% risk.

If it had gone completely dark, it would have meant grave danger, with the risk of death. If the star had shone brilliantly, then there would most likely be some good fortune at hand.

Qi Xuansu then asked his second question: “How can the seal be broken?”