A Pawn's Passage

Sage Donghua was not so cold-hearted as to forbid Qi Xuansu from seeing Zhang Yuelu one last time before deploying him for an overseas assignment.

Had the two already become Daoist partners, Sage Donghua would have been obliged to symbolically seek Zhang Yuelu’s opinion before sending Qi Xuansu off to Poluo.

As April drew to a close, less than three months remained before Sage Qingwei’s scheduled return. Within those months, the Daoist forces in Fenglin would withdraw in stages back to Jade Capital. Zhang Yuelu was among the first to return.

Naturally, Qi Xuansu went to welcome her.

In fact, many disciples of the Zhengyi Sect also came to greet Zhang Yuelu. This was a reception far grander than anything she had received in the past.

Among them was Dong Baijing, Zhang Yuyue’s husband.

Dong Baijing had originally served as a fourth-rank superintendent in the Wuzhou Daoist Mansion. When Zhang Jucheng was promoted to Jiangnan Mansion Master, a chain of personnel changes followed. As a son-in-law of the Zhang family, Dong Baijing was transferred from Wuzhou to Jade Capital and promoted to the third rank, serving as a Golden Tower Council Administrator.

A Golden Tower Council Administrator was akin to an Imperial Cabinet Scholar. The Grand Scholars of the Imperial Cabinet could not handle everything personally, as cabinet affairs were vast and intricate. Thus, they appointed Imperial Cabinet Scholars to assist in administrative affairs.

The same principle applied within the Daoist hierarchy. Golden Tower Council Administrators were appointed to alleviate the administrative work for the high-ranking Omniscient Sages and Deputy Grand Masters, since these important figures usually had multiple roles. For instance, Sage Donghua was the Chief Omniscient Sage of the Golden Tower Council, the Ziwei Hall Master, and the second-in-command of the Quanzhen Sect, serving as a de facto aide to the Earthly Preceptor. So naturally, he could not devote his energy to menial administrative tasks. Hence, Golden Tower Council Administrators were mostly filled by fourth-rank or third-rank Daoists, assisting the Omniscient Sages in clerical and policy work.

The importance of such a post needed no elaboration.

In the past, Dong Baijing had little ambition. He was content with a peaceful life in the Wuzhou Daoist Mansion. But after being publicly humiliated by Li Minghuang, his outlook changed. He knew he could not rely on Qi Xuansu’s help forever. At some point, he had to fight for his own future.

As the Zhang family’s son-in-law, Dong Baijing came to welcome Zhang Yuelu, who was the eighth-generation leader of the Zhengyi Sect jointly appointed by the Heavenly Preceptor and Sage Cihang.

Upon seeing his cousin-in-law, Qi Xuansu took the initiative to greet him courteously.

Dong Baijing kept a friendly attitude, but there was a note of deference in his demeanor.

After all, the two were in-laws by extension, and Qi Xuansu had once helped him. This was a debt of gratitude that Dong Baijing would not forget. His deference stemmed from their difference in rank and standing. Though both men were third-rank Youyi Daoists, their statuses were worlds apart.

Age aside, Dong Baijing was 10 years older than Qi Xuansu. When it came to position, Qi Xuansu was already an Acting Second Deputy Mansion Master, with one foot over the threshold toward becoming a second-rank Taiyi Daoist. He was certain to earn the title of Sage before he turned 30. Within the nine Daoist ranks, there were two big thresholds: from fifth to fourth rank—the divide between lower and higher-ranking Daoists—and from third to second rank—the divide between a regular Daoist and a Sage.

Moreover, in terms of prospects, Dong Baijing’s position was relatively stagnant with not much room for growth.

The Daoist Order valued grassroots experience greatly. Qi Xuansu’s career path—first serving in Tiangang Hall, then at the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion, back to Ziwei Hall, and soon to the Poluo Daoist Mansion—traced a steady, interwoven ascent between Jade Capital and the regional offices. He had handled minor reforms and fought in major wars. This was the path of someone who rose through the trials and had boundless prospects.

Qi Xuansu’s career might have advanced swiftly, but every step was built upon tangible merit, not empty appraisals or flattery.

His rise had been so rapid that even the proud scions of the Zhang family dared not look down on him, nor could they claim that Qi Xuansu had risen through their family’s influence.

Seeing him approach, the scions stepped aside respectfully. When it appeared he meant to speak with Dong Baijing, they tactfully withdrew a few paces.

Qi Xuansu’s impression of his cousin-in-law was not bad, so he made some small talk. “Cousin-in-law, how have you been lately?”

Dong Baijing gave a bitter smile, as if there was something he wanted to say but held back.

Qi Xuansu casually cast a privacy barrier and asked, “Is there something you can’t speak of openly?”

Dong Baijing sighed. “It’s not exactly unspeakable, but...ever since the Li Minghuang incident, things between her and me have been awkward. I came to Jade Capital, yet she stayed back in Wuzhou. I think she’s avoiding me.”

Qi Xuansu understood at once. That woman he spoke of was clearly his wife, Zhang Yuyue.

Dong Baijing suddenly said, “I can tell that she still hasn’t let go of Li Minghuang.”

Qi Xuansu was not surprised. “It’s actually not that complicated. I don’t think it’s about letting go or not.”

Dong Baijing was taken aback.

Qi Xuansu continued, “For women like her—born into privilege and raised within strict propriety—it’s easy to be drawn to so-called ‘bad men.’ What draws them isn’t the man, but the thrill of breaking the rules.”

Dong Baijing’s eyes widened. He had not expected Qi Xuansu to speak so bluntly.

The reason Qi Xuansu was never interested in women like Yue Liuli was that he had long seen through certain darker aspects of human nature. At this moment, he did not mind enlightening his pitiable cousin-in-law.

He said, “Humans are driven by their animal instincts, but all kinds of doctrines and rules exist to suppress and bind that instinct. For a woman like her who was raised with the shackles of propriety, meeting an unrestrained man who followed his instincts would inevitably lead to her downfall. Such shallow minds cannot distinguish between affection and excitement, or rather, they don’t want to distinguish it. They want to be subdued.

“Just imagine how intoxicating the thrill of straying from the path can be for a pampered flower raised in a safe greenhouse? To put it bluntly, they’ve had too many peaceful, comfortable days, so dull they need something dangerous to feel alive again. Li Minghuang treated her like a servant and made her kneel. Yet you treat her like a goddess. If you were in her place, which partner do you think seems more manly?”

Dong Baijing’s first instinct was rage. He nearly stormed off in a huff, but after the anger subsided, he realized there was some truth in Qi Xuansu’s blunt words.

Suddenly, he understood why Zhang Yuyue had thought Qi Xuansu was “another Li Minghuang” the very first time she met him.

That was because Qi Xuansu and Li Minghuang were the same kind of man, both orphans, ruthless, and brimming with primal instinct.

That was precisely why Qi Xuansu could see through the nature of the twisted bond between Li Minghuang and Zhang Yuyue at a glance. It had nothing to do with looks, family background, or even affection, but everything to do with human nature.

Dong Baijing still struggled to accept it. He muttered, “Why does it have to be like this?”

Qi Xuansu answered with a gentler phrasing. “That’s because she’s too weak. She believes men are big trees and she’s the vine, and that a vine cannot live alone and must cling to some tall trunk. Since that’s her belief, the outcome is inevitable.”

This weakness had nothing to do with cultivation or social status. It was about her mental state and courage.

Zhang Yuyue longed for freedom yet dared not rebel against her family. She feared authority and lacked the courage to defy it. Thus, she needed someone to lead her in crossing the line, mistaking that borrowed defiance for freedom itself.

Qi Xuansu left the second half unsaid.

Zhang Yuelu was nothing like that. She was a strong woman who could not be subdued, nor did she wish to subjugate anyone. She simply wanted the world to be as it should be. Only with such inner strength could she dare to declare that she would reform the Daoist Order.

That was why Qi Xuansu found Zhang Yuyue shallow. The latter was intoxicated by the thrill of crossing a boundary, while Zhang Yuelu sought to shatter the boundary itself and build a new one.

The difference between the two women could not have been greater.

Just then, Zhang Yuelu’s flying ship finally arrived.

This time, it was not the Yinglong Warship, but an ordinary Purple Flood Dragon flying ship.

As soon as the ramp descended, Zhang Yuelu was the first to disembark.

Qi Xuansu stopped chatting with Dong Baijing and quickly strode forward to greet his beloved.

Under the gaze of many onlookers, Qi Xuansu extended his hand first.

Zhang Yuelu did not shy away. Though she did not need any help getting down from the ramp, she still placed her hand into Qi Xuansu’s.

If Qi Xuansu could do as he pleased, he would have pulled her into an embrace. But Zhang Yuelu clearly had no such intention, so he had to give up the idea.

Spending so much time with Qi Xuansu had rubbed off on Zhang Yuelu. As soon as she saw him, she teased, “Why, I’m truly honored to be personally greeted by you, Second Deputy Mansion Master Qi!”

Qi Xuansu chuckled. “It’s hardly excessive for a hero to welcome another hero returning from the Fenglin battlefield.”

“Subtle bragging again, huh? Who could outshine you as the greatest hero in Fenglin?” Zhang Yuelu laughed and slipped her hand free, moving on to greet the others in turn.

Next came the customary welcome banquet. But this time, it doubled as a farewell banquet for Qi Xuansu.

Thus, both Zhengyi Sect and Quanzhen Sect disciples were present. It felt almost like a joint celebration between the two sects.

At such a banquet, Dreaming Death flowed like water. Zhang Yuelu did not refuse any toasts, and Qi Xuansu was not to be outdone. By the end of the banquet, both were tipsy.

When they left, Zhang Yuelu and Qi Xuansu supported each other and walked side by side.

Without realizing it, the couple had arrived outside Qi Xuansu’s new residence in Taishang Place.

Zhang Yuelu curled her lips into a smile and asked, “Why did you bring me here?”

Qi Xuansu raised his hand and pointed. “This will be our home from now on. Naturally, I wanted to show you the way.”

He continued, “It was funded by Madam Qi, but she said it’s only a loan. I’ll repay her with the money I’ve kept with her and my future stipends. Whatever’s still short, she considers it her subsidy. So, technically, I bought this house myself.”

Zhang Yuelu lifted her gaze toward the grand gates of the residence and remained silent for a long time.