A Pawn's Passage

After the banquet ended, Lei Xiaohuan deliberately sought out Qi Xuansu to offer her apologies.

Had Qi Xuansu not known Lei Xiaohuan well, he might have thought she had planned everything from the start.

Naturally, Qi Xuansu did not blame Lei Xiaohuan for anything. In truth, even without her involvement, Qi Muyu would have found some other way to approach him. It was only a matter of time.

Lei Xiaohuan told Qi Xuansu that although the Quanzhen Sect mainly managed the overland trade routes through the Western Region, with maritime commerce now flourishing, the overland routes had declined. As a result, Daoists from the Quanzhen Sect had also turned to maritime trade.

Qi Muyu was also involved in that field, focusing on trading with Nanyang and having many business dealings with the Wang family. However, she had probably caught wind of certain rumors, which was why she now sought out Qi Xuansu.

That made things rather interesting. What exactly had Qi Muyu heard? If it were only the news that Qi Xuansu would be appointed as the Deputy Poluo Daoist Mansion Master, then Qi Muyu probably just sought a normal business partnership. But if she had heard that the Quanzhen Sect planned to move against the Wang family, then she was betting everything on Qi Xuansu.

In truth, Qi Xuansu had no desire to be entangled with Qi Muyu at all. However, she had Qi Jiaozheng as a backer. Since Qi Jiaozheng was a powerful regional lord, it would not be wise to offend him without reason. Thus, Qi Xuansu could only play along with polite pretense.

Although there was no proof that Qi Jiaozheng was directly behind this or even aware of it, Madam Qi had once taught Qi Xuansu an important truth. What was spoken might not matter, but what was left unspoken always did. No matter what, Qi Muyu had invoked Qi Jiaozheng’s name, so Qi Xuansu had to show due respect. However, how he would do so required careful consideration. It had to be reasonable and lawful so no one could hold anything over him, yet sufficient to earn the Qi family’s gratitude. That was no easy task.

Now was not the time to probe too deeply into the old grievances between his master and the Qi family. Qi Xuansu’s rise had been too rapid, so his foundation was still shallow. He had already made enemies of the Li family, making it unwise to provoke yet another foe. He needed to stabilize his own influence first.

Moreover, judging from Qi Muyu’s attitude, there did not seem to be any deep, irreconcilable hatred. If his master truly had a life-and-death feud with the Qi family, they would have long since silenced him. There would have been no need for Shen Yuzu to hire assassins. If the Qi family truly bore such enmity, their approach to Qi Xuansu would not have been one of active cooperation. Rather, they would not allow him to live.

Thus, Qi Xuansu surmised it had probably been a quarrel of pride. His master had left the Qi family in a fit of anger, perhaps without Qi Jiaozheng’s knowledge. The last time he met the head of the Qi family, the man had not even heard of the name “Qi Haoran,” which seemed to confirm this conjecture.

After seeing Lei Xiaohuan off, Qi Xuansu ran straight into Qi Muyu again, who invited him to a private banquet, which consisted of only the two of them. It was an occasion to speak of practical matters away from others and a way to build closer relations.

Qi Xuansu had no choice but to agree and attend the private banquet. This time, Qi Muyu behaved properly. Though her alluring eyes still carried that seductive gleam, it seemed to be a natural charm rather than a deliberate intent. At this moment, she was more of a businesswoman, discussing matters of trade.

As expected, Qi Muyu was already aware that Qi Xuansu would soon be assigned to Poluo. Their discussion revolved around the Nanyang trade. She asked for his future support, promising suitable compensation in return.

What that compensation might entail was open to interpretation. It could be wealth, beauty, or perhaps both. As Qi Muyu herself had once teased, a handsome man like Qi Xuansu was just his type.

Naturally, Qi Xuansu had no intention of entangling himself in impropriety. But he had a ready excuse. As long as it conformed to Daoist law, he would handle them fairly and would not make things difficult for their own people. If troubles arose, he would offer his best assistance. That was his official answer. As for specific business dealings, he claimed ignorance and redirected her to discuss them with Madam Qi or Genki.

Since Qi Xuansu had not yet assumed office, Qi Muyu could not discuss concrete details. Even so, his response was enough to satisfy her. She had achieved what she came for.

After leaving, Qi Xuansu felt a deep weariness. This was what it meant to govern a territory. Even before taking office, those with sharp ears and tongues were already circling him. Once he officially assumed the post, who knew how many more would come to “hunt” him down?

Agreeing to some conditions would risk violating the law, while refusing would offend others.

In a key position, blocking another’s path to profit meant they would simply pull you down and replace you with someone more compliant. Thus, many without powerful backers chose to go with the flow even when knowing something was improper or unlawful, compromising for the sake of survival. Countless Daoists had been dragged into the mire this way.

Qi Xuansu returned to his office and had his secretary, Ke Qingqing, prepare ink and brush. He wrote the word “vigilant,” then stared at it for a long time.

An assortment of flowers could dazzle the eye. Women and Taiping coins were flowers, and so was power, which was the most dazzling flower of them all.

At last, Qi Xuansu instructed Ke Qingqing to frame up this word.

Naturally, invitations to banquets came daily. If he accepted them all, his days would be spent drinking, feasting, and navigating “fateful encounters.” Usually, unless attendance was absolutely necessary, he would have Ke Qingqing politely decline on his behalf.

By mid-April, the situation in Fenglin had largely stabilized and was gradually returning to order.

The second phase of the three-step plan had settled.

Before the official announcement, as was customary, Sage Donghua, acting in his capacity as the Ziwei Hall Master, would hold a formal conversation with Qi Xuansu on behalf of the Golden Tower Council.

Qi Xuansu was already within the Ziwei Hall, a few doors away from Sage Donghua’s office.

At the moment, Sage Donghua was presiding over a council meeting and had not yet returned.

So, Qi Xuansu was accompanied by Sage Donghua’s secretary, Gong Jiaojun.

During the days when Madam Qi had been in Jade Capital, she had taught Qi Xuansu many grounded, practical lessons.

In the past, Qi Xuansu had always assumed that when it came to the Daoist Order’s internal web of fame and profit, it was all about mutual interests, that asking for help inevitably meant sacrificing a portion of one’s tangible gains.

But Madam Qi had told him that such thinking only applied to those at the lower ranks. Now that he had been promoted to a Second Deputy Mansion Master, only two or three rungs below the top. He would have to deal with many of equal or lesser rank. So if he still thought in terms of trading interests, that would only demean his position. Yet if he refused to yield any benefit, there would be no reason why others would help him. At such times, he had to be more subtle. What mattered was no longer Taiping coins or material gain. It was connections, which were considered a form of interest, though less tangible. It was more like a debt of goodwill, faint and elusive.

Building a solid network of relationships was essential, yet it could not be achieved overnight. Every bond required time and trust to mature. This was where Qi Xuansu was still lacking, since his rise had been too swift.

This was the reason secretaries often rose quickly, because their very position made it easy to build such networks.

Gong Jiaojun was still relatively new under Sage Donghua and not yet promoted to Assistant Palace Master, so he ranked below Qi Xuansu in status. But Qi Xuansu dared not underestimate him.

After some casual small talk, Qi Xuansu said, “Brother Gong, you’ve been close to Sage Donghua, and he holds you in high regard. I’ve even heard people privately refer to you as the Second Hall Master.”

Gong Jiaojun hurriedly waved his hands. “Heaven forbid such talk! One mustn’t say that.”

Qi Xuansu smiled playfully. “It’s not every day I get a chance to speak privately with you, Brother Gong, so I’d best make the most of it.”

Gong Jiaojun laughed. “Deputy Hall Master Qi, whatever it is, just say the word.”

Qi Xuansu replied, “Since you’ve said so, I’ll speak plainly. Brother Gong, you’ve been in Jade Capital a long time and have a broad circle of acquaintances. Could you introduce me to a few trustworthy friends—preferably those in Poluo?”

Gong Jiaojun could not help but regard Qi Xuansu more highly. The young man had not bluntly asked for favors or alliances, only for introductions. This was a small request masking a deeper intent. It was no wonder Sage Donghua favored him. Unlike the other three prodigies with immense family backing, Qi Xuansu knew when to lower himself. A true man knew when to bend and when to stand tall.

After a brief moment of thought, Gong Jiaojun said, “Now that you mention it, I do happen to have a few good friends.”

This sort of exchange was mutual. For now, Qi Xuansu sought favor from Gong Jiaojun. The latter could not remain by Sage Donghua’s side forever and would eventually be assigned elsewhere. By then, Qi Xuansu would likely have risen to an even higher position, and repaying the favor would in turn mean helping to lift Gong Jiaojun. It was a matter of give and take, or investing in his own future.

Of course, should Qi Xuansu falter or fall midway through his ascent, then all would come to nothing. Such an investment would simply be in vain.

Gong Jiaojun mentioned several names without specifying their exact posts. Instead, he explained how he knew them, the depth of their rapport, and especially highlighted each one’s preferences and temperament.

Qi Xuansu did not probe further. Naturally, he would do his homework later.

Besides, Gong Jiaojun would also send word ahead. Though he was a mere secretary, in many ways, he represented Sage Donghua himself, so few dared to refuse him. When Qi Xuansu later paid visits to these figures, their doors would open easily. Some might even come to seek him first. Such influence had nothing to do with rank and everything to do with power.

After a round of easy conversation, it might have seemed as though Qi Xuansu had made no promises and Gong Jiaojun had asked for nothing, just idle talk about others in passing.

Only those long steeped in Daoist politics could perceive the delicate undertones within.

Qi Xuansu was no longer the wild wanderer he once was. Through years of tempering, he had learned more than just superficial official talk. As Madam Qi liked to put it, one’s communication style should depend on one’s audience. The way to handle Qi Muyu and the way to handle Gong Jiaojun were two entirely different methods.

As the two were conversing, Sage Donghua concluded his meeting and began walking toward them.

Both men rose at once and stepped forward to greet the Chief Omniscient Sage.