A Pawn's Passage

In the blink of an eye, almost six months had gone by in the 43rd year of the Jiushi Era.

Earlier that year, the Daoist Order had carried out a trial reform. Since it did not touch the upper echelons of the hierarchy, and with most attention still drawn to the Fenglin Campaign, the change stirred little uproar.

The reform targeted only the superintendent and deacon ranks without affecting the Deputy ranks. It was not a structural overhaul and was merely a move to turn the long-standing informal customs into explicit regulations.

The main adjustment lay in introducing a Chief Superintendent and Second Superintendent, as well as a Chief Deacon and Second Deacon.

For example, when Qi Xuansu served as a Superintendent in the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion, he wielded the most power among his ranks, second only to the Deputy Mansion Masters. Thus, he was the de facto Chief Superintendent.

However, a Chief Superintendent and Second Superintendent could not be compared to a Chief or Second Deputy Mansion Master. That was because the latter two functioned as a check and balance for the Mansion Master, forming a stable trio of authority.

By contrast, the Chief and Second Superintendents did not enjoy such privilege. They still had to obey the orders of the Deputy Mansion Master. Even when seasoned Superintendents bullied a young Deputy Mansion Master, it was considered a petty maneuver, not one backed by the Daoist Order.

The difference lay in governance. During the council meetings within every Daoist Mansion, there were two veto powers—one was held by the Mansion Master, while the other vote was shared between the Chief and Second Deputy. It was much like how the three Deputy Grand Masters could jointly veto the decisions of the Grand Master.

When matters escalated to the Mansion Master level, things grew even more tangled. If there was infighting within a Daoist Mansion, each side could veto the other’s decisions, leading to a stalemate and eventually forcing the Golden Tower Council to intervene. This usually ended in mutual removal from office or total ruin.

Hence, under normal circumstances, even when conflicts arose, the involved parties seldom allowed matters to reach a stalemate. They would usually compromise and, at the very least, maintain the facade of unity.

Superintendents were not involved in council decisions, so they had no means of restraining the Deputy Mansion Masters.

In the end, this reform merely formalized unwritten conventions, bringing them into regulations. Thus, it did not cause any turmoil within the Daoist Order.

Yet clearly, the Daoist Order did not implement this on a whim. The discerning soon tasted its intent. Among Superintendents, the Chief Superintendent was destined to become a Deputy Hall Master one day. Being a Second Superintendent would mean being posted to become a Deputy Mansion Master. Lower still were the Superintendents who served as secretaries, as they would likely become Deputy Palace Masters.

Moreover, certain special secretaries like Gong Jiaojun, whose position was uniquely pivotal, were now explicitly recognized as Chief Superintendents.

There were also secretaries serving under high-ranking figures with powerful backing who were in no hurry to become Deputy Palace Masters, nor did they wish to stay confined to the secretarial path. Such individuals could first transition from an ordinary Superintendent to a Chief Superintendent, and then advance to Deputy Hall Master later.

Of course, there were still limited seats in the upper tiers of the Daoist hierarchy. For most Superintendents, that was where the road ended.

Zhang Yuelu understood this as well. Mu Jin, who had followed her since their Beichen Hall days all the way to Tiangang Hall, was her most trusted aide and her true confidante. Hence, Zhang Yuelu did not want Mu Jin to remain stuck on the Daoist Palace route. With this organizational reform providing an opportunity, she decided to help Mu Jin take a step forward by appointing her as a Chief Superintendent, paving the way for the future.

This had already been discussed with Qi Xuansu. Once Mu Jin was reassigned, Ke Qingqing would be transferred to Zhang Yuelu’s office, while Qi Xuansu would recruit a new secretary from within the Poluo Daoist Mansion.

Before departing Jade Capital, Zhang Yuelu resolved to settle the matter personally. She summoned Mu Jin and explained her intentions.

When Mu Jin heard her out, she remained silent for a long while.

“What do you think?” Zhang Yuelu asked. “The formal appointment will arrive soon—ten days at most, perhaps as few as three. By then, I’ll be leaving for Lingnan to take up my post.”

At last, Mu Jin muttered, “Deputy Hall Master...did I do something wrong?”

Zhang Yuelu replied calmly, “You’ve done nothing wrong. You should understand that I’m doing this for your own good.”

Of course, Mu Jin understood. This transfer concerned her future prospects. However, after so many years by Zhang Yuelu’s side, she simply could not bear to part ways with her.

“But...” Mu Jin’s lips trembled.

Zhang Yuelu raised her hand decisively. “No buts. The decision is final.”

Such was Zhang Yuelu’s assertiveness. When she could make a decision herself, she never hesitated. This was why people often said she was difficult to deal with.

Mu Jin said no more.

Zhang Yuelu’s tone softened slightly. “The moon waxes and wanes; people meet and part. Such things have been inevitable since ancient times. It’s not as if we’ll never meet again, so don’t be too sad.”

Mu Jin nodded quietly.

In age, Mu Jin was several years Zhang Yuelu’s senior, yet in their interactions, it was always Zhang Yuelu who took on the role of the elder. This was not only due to their official hierarchy but also due to their different temperaments.

Zhang Yuelu continued, “I’ll give you two choices. One—you may stay in Tiangang Hall under the arrangement of the Mansion Master. Two—you can go to the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion to serve under Sage Lei.”

Mu Jin thought carefully for a moment before replying, “Ever since starting out in Beichen Hall, I’ve always been stationed in Jade Capital. I lack field experience in the regional offices, so I personally prefer to go and serve under Sage Lei.”

Zhang Yuelu nodded approvingly. “Good. I thought the same. We may not be heroes, but it seems we share the same mind this time.”

Now, with Zhang Jucheng serving as the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion Master and Lei Xiaohuan as the Chief Deputy, Zhang Yuelu had no concerns about sending Mu Jin there.

In truth, these personnel arrangements should have been settled well in advance, not left until Qi Xuansu had already assumed his post and Zhang Yuelu was preparing to depart. But their schedule had simply been too tight.

After arranging Mu Jin’s transfer, Zhang Yuelu still had family matters to attend to.

In this regard, Qi Xuansu was unencumbered. Madam Qi came and went like the wind, and there was nothing left to delay him. Once he said his farewell to Zhang Yuelu, he could depart immediately.

However, Zhang Yuelu had a large family to look after. Upon hearing the news, Zhang Juqi and Tantai Qiong had already traveled to Jade Capital aboard the Heavenly Preceptor’s flying ship.

The Heavenly Preceptor, on his part, made it clear that he intended to bolster Zhang Yuelu’s prestige to erase the lingering shadow of the Zhang family’s internal conflict between the main branch and minor branches. In essence, he was publicly declaring that the Zhang family’s disputes were now settled and that the entire clan had united to fully support Zhang Yuelu going forward.

Within the Daoist Order, equality and unity were principles not to be neglected.

Of course, the “equality” and “unity” they referred to were not exactly the textbook definitions of these words.

By all measures, Zhang Yuelu’s departure carried far greater fanfare than Qi Xuansu’s. Naturally, Sage Donghua would not escort her personally. Once again, this duty fell to the Chief Deputy Hall Master, Yao Shu. It was no wonder Yao Shu had mentioned to Qi Xuansu that he would be busy for this period of time. He had clearly anticipated this task all along.

Furthermore, Lingnan’s situation was far simpler than that of Poluo. That was because Lingnan shared a border with Wuzhou, which was where the Dazhen Mansion was located.

Besides coming to see their daughter off, Zhang Juqi and Tantai Qiong also intended to meet with Sage Cihang. After all, with the Heavenly Preceptor’s tacit consent, Sage Cihang had discussed the marriage between Zhang Yuelu and Qi Xuansu with Madam Qi. Sage Cihang would report the final outcome of that talk to the Zhang family.

......

Meanwhile, Qi Xuansu had finally arrived at Lion City, where he was warmly received by the Nanting Protectorate.

At first, Qi Xuansu felt a trace of unease. Though he had Great Sage Lan’s assurance, he still could not truly grasp the Nanting Protectorate’s stance. If they had been in cahoots with Wang Jiaohe, it would have posed a significant obstacle to his mission.

Fortunately, the Nanting Protectorate’s grand reception served as an implicit declaration of goodwill. At the very least, they were openly standing on Qi Xuansu’s side.

As Qi Xuansu’s flying ship descended, the Nanting Protectorate fired ceremonial cannon shots in greeting, as they had already received word of his arrival.

Protector Lin even rode out of the city gates to meet him in person.

After disembarking from the flying ship, Qi Xuansu saw rows of Black Robes lined in perfect formation on both sides of the main street. This wall of muscle stretched from the pier all the way to Lion City’s main gate.

Qi Xuansu made his ceremonial entry into the city alongside Protector Lin.

At the welcoming banquet, Qi Xuansu—on behalf of the Poluo Daoist Mansion—expressed heartfelt gratitude for the Nanting Protectorate’s active involvement in Nanyang affairs and praised their indispensable role in preserving stability across the region.

Of course, this was the usual official pleasantries.

Qi Xuansu planned to remain in Lion City for two days. Strictly speaking, the Daoist Order disliked interference from the Imperial Court in its internal affairs. Hence, Qi Xuansu did not expect any direct assistance from the Nanting Protectorate. He just hoped that they did not side with Wang Jiaohe.

The reason for his two-day stay was for another task that required the Nanting Protectorate’s cooperation.

On external matters, the Daoist Order and the Imperial Court stood united in purpose.

Qi Xuansu bore more than one special mission. His internal mission was to reform and purge the Poluo Daoist Mansion, while his external mission was to eradicate the Holy Court’s infiltration. On that front, the Nanting Protectorate bore equal responsibility, which was precisely why Qi Xuansu had publicly praised them for their role in maintaining Nanyang’s stability.

Thus, Qi Xuansu made little mention of the Poluo Daoist Mansion’s internal affairs and instead focused on the West Shakya Company. Though this matter fell under the jurisdiction of the East Shakya Daoist Mansion, the West Shakya Company had a stronger presence in Poluo due to extensive trade.

In a sense, the East Shakya Daoist Mansion had long stood on the front line against the Holy Court’s infiltration. They were extremely vigilant, which ironically made it harder for the West Shakya Company to breach. By contrast, Poluo was involved in trade, so they rarely had wars. Its security was lax, thus making it the weakest link in the chain.

This was not a problem that force could solve. Trade could not simply be banned, as cash flow was much needed. Thus, with commerce came the Holy Court’s subtle infiltrations, each seemingly harmless gesture masking a deeper scheme.

Just as a long dyke may collapse from an ant’s nest, these small intrusions might seem inconsequential at first, but if left unchecked, they would one day fester into calamity. That was why the Daoist Order resolved to launch a full-scale purge, with Tiangang Hall and Beichen Hall taking the lead, joined by the other seven halls and the regional Daoist Mansions. Together, they would uproot the Holy Court’s schemes, leaving not a trace behind.