A Pawn's Passage

The Spirit Guards stationed at Thanglong Prefecture were not fools. With the Second Deputy Mansion Master himself leading the advance, who would dare raise a hand without orders from above?

If they did act rashly, who would bear the responsibility if the higher-ups were looking to place blame afterward—the one who struck first, or the higher-ups?

It was a simple truth that everyone understood.

At such a time, even if an order truly existed, it would have to be a written decree, not just a verbal command passed down the line.

When the time came for accountability, a written decree would mean that they merely obeyed orders. Without it, they risked becoming the scapegoats.

Since no written order existed, only a fool would block the Second Deputy Mansion Master. Thus, for every step Qi Xuansu advanced, the opposing Spirit Guards retreated a step in turn.

Those with authority dared not issue commands, while those under authority dared not act. Thus, no order equaled no movement.

Qi Xuansu did not need to give a written order because his presence was all the authority needed. That was why he led the Spirit Guards into Thanglong Prefecture with such fanfare.

Had Wang Jiaohe or Chen Shuhua appeared at that moment and personally given the command to stop Qi Xuansu, then these Spirit Guards would not have yielded so easily.

But Qi Xuansu came too swiftly and caught the two completely unprepared. While they were still weighing their options, Qi Xuansu had already closed upon the inner city.

There was another reason—the Yinglong Warship suspended above the city. After all, no one could bear the pressure of going against their own people with the colossal storm cloud hovering right above them.

By the time Qi Xuansu reached the inner city, the situation was beyond reversal.

Of course, Qi Xuansu was bearing monumental risk in this act. All it took was one misstep, and his career would end here. However, Wang Jiaohe and his faction had misjudged this young deputy, underestimating his decisiveness.

Even with Wang Jiaohe’s cunning, he could not have failed to foresee Qi Xuansu’s eventual return to stabilize the situation in the Daoist Mansion. But in his mind, Qi Xuansu was merely an inexperienced youth. He assumed Qi Xuansu would surely panic upon hearing such grave news, needing to weigh risks and outcomes and perhaps consult with the Spirit Guards.

No one expected the boy would rally his forces and return with such blinding speed and unshakable resolve.

This was Wang Jiaohe’s miscalculation. Qi Xuansu was not a pampered scion raised in silk and comfort. He was a man who had crawled out from the edge of life and death, surviving the wild Jianghu. If there was one thing he never lacked, it was decisiveness.

Beyond having Great Sage Lan’s trust and Xu Jiaorong’s support, Qi Xuansu’s decisiveness inspired confidence and strength. This strength did not come from his cultivation or rank but from his spirit and conviction, arousing security and trust.

Conversely, had Qi Xuansu been hesitant, it would have made him seem weak, and the two first-rank Spirit Guards would have doubted his capability.

More crucially, Qi Xuansu’s decision was not reckless. It was a battle strategy that aligned perfectly with the two Spirit Guards—speed was the key to winning a war. Thus, they followed the young deputy’s lead without reservation.

So, contrary to Wang Jiaohe’s expectations, Qi Xuansu did not waste time on cautious deliberation. Qi Xuansu and the Spirit Guards reached consensus at once and rushed back to Thanglong Prefecture without delay.

Now standing firm at the city gate, Qi Xuansu’s voice resounded, clear and commanding. “By order of Great Sage Lan, Spirit Guard Ding Chou will temporarily assume command of all city defenses. Thanglong Prefecture is to be placed under full lockdown.”

At those words, faces blanched all around.

A third-rank Spirit Guard stepped forward after a brief moment of hesitation. “Second Deputy Mansion Master, may I ask the reason for such an order?”

Qi Xuansu gave a faint smile. “There are secret societies within the city plotting mayhem.”

The Spirit Guard froze. “Then may I ask if you have Great Sage Lan’s written order?”

Qi Xuansu’s smile vanished. “A first-rank Spirit Guard holds rank equal to a second-rank Taiyi Daoist master. Great Sage Lan ordered Spirit Guard Ding Chou to assume command and for me, the Second Deputy Mansion Master, to announce it. Who are you to question me?”

This reasoning might not stand scrutiny, but this was no time for logic or debate.

Crushed beneath Qi Xuansu’s imposing aura, the third-rank Spirit Guard was rendered speechless.

Qi Xuansu paused briefly, then gave his order. “Seize anyone who dares defy orders!”

Behind him, 500 Spirit Guards answered in a single, thunderous assent. The force of their voices made dust rain down from the city gates.

The opposing Spirit Guards were completely cowed into silence. They were rooted to the spot, none daring to move.

Had Qi Xuansu not come, Spirit Guard Ding Chou’s first-rank authority would still have sufficed to seize control of the city’s defenses, as the lower-ranking Spirit Guards would not have opposed her. However, once she faced Wang Jiaohe and his faction, she would have been caught in a bind. After all, according to the Daoist hierarchy, Daoist priests held authority over the Spirit Guards.

In a situation where Great Sage Lan could not appear, Wang Jiaohe, as the Mansion Master, would become the highest authority. Even a first-rank Spirit Guard would be left powerless before the new chain of command.

Thus, Qi Xuansu had to come in person to convey this order. Spirit Guard Ding Chou merely stood quietly by Qi Xuansu’s side, like a silent bodyguard, until he had issued his orders. Only then did she step forward, naming several key officers to be stationed at vital posts, officially taking charge of the city’s defenses.

It was only then that Chen Shuhua finally appeared.

Qi Xuansu turned to face her directly, staring down at the Chief Deputy Mansion Master.

The titles “Chief Deputy” and “Second Deputy” were merely modifiers. Within the Daoist hierarchy, both were equal in station, differing only by seniority of rank, not authority.

Qi Xuansu saluted her. “Chief Deputy Chen, you’ve also heard the news, I see.”

Chen Shuhua returned the salute, her gaze sharp as she stared him down. “Heard what, exactly? Second Deputy Qi, what are you doing? Are you attempting a rebellion?”

This was the heaviest accusation imaginable, a dangerous charge. Yet Qi Xuansu remained composed. “As I said earlier, I am acting under Great Sage Lan’s orders to assume control of the city’s defenses by enforcing a full lockdown to suppress secret societies and prevent mayhem.”

Chen Shuhua let out a cold laugh. “Where’s the written order? Others may lack the standing to demand it, but surely, I have the right to see it.”

Qi Xuansu replied calmly, “The matter arose suddenly, so Great Sage Lan issued a verbal command. The formal decree will follow later.”

Chen Shuhua seized upon that flaw like a hawk. “A verbal command for a matter of this magnitude? Do you think this is child’s play?!”

Qi Xuansu retorted. “Chief Deputy Chen, are you afraid that I’m usurping authority of the Daoist Mansion? Did you forget that there are still two Mansion Masters above us, not to mention the Golden Tower Council above them? This post is appointed by the higher-ups, not seized by ambition. Whoever dares harbor such crooked thoughts will face the full wrath of the Daoist Order. As for whether this verbal order is genuine, we’ll know soon enough once Great Sage Lan emerges from seclusion. What’s the hurry, then, Chief Deputy Chen? Why can’t you wait for a few days?”

“Tian Yuan!” Chen Shuhua finally lost her composure. “You should know that forging an order and defying the Daoist Order is treachery!”

Qi Xuansu’s voice remained calm. “Then Chief Deputy Chen, you should also know that colluding with secret societies to plot against the Great Sage of the Poluo Daoist Mansion is also treachery.”

Chen Shuhua clenched her jaw, suppressing her fury. “Who are you accusing of such collusion?”

Qi Xuansu answered, “To be precise, it’s collusion with the Lingshan Witch Cult and the Cult of Fates, two of the most vicious secret societies. To be entangled with them is not mere defiance of the Daoist Order but an open subversion of the Order. As for who exactly I am accusing, only the guilty party knows that.”

Chen Shuhua had half a mind to suppress Qi Xuansu by relying on her superior cultivation. But with Spirit Guard Ding Chou standing beside this insolent boy, she dared not act rashly.

If their roles were reversed and Qi Xuansu were in Chen Shuhua’s place, he would have taken the gamble without hesitation. After all, Qi Xuansu was accustomed to the rough edges of Jianghu, willing to risk it all for survival. On the contrary, Chen Shuhua was a princess of the Yu Kingdom, born to privilege and propriety. Thus, their ways of handling crises would never be the same.

Chen Shuhua fell silent for a moment. Seeing the pause, Qi Xuansu took the offensive. “As I’ve said before, Great Sage Lan ordered Spirit Guard Ding Chou to assume command and enforce the lockdown because of heretics wreaking havoc within the city. The reason I brought 3,000 Spirit Guards from the old Port Pacification Commission Office is that there are traitors inside our Daoist Mansion colluding with the secret societies. They not only plotted to assassinate Great Sage Lan but also sought to overthrow the entire Poluo Daoist Mansion!”

His words cracked like thunder, stunning everyone into wide-eyed silence.

The assembled people stared at one another, faces pale in fright.

Chen Shuhua’s face blanched. “What exactly are you implying?”

Qi Xuansu smirked. “I see you have finally caught on.”

Chen Shuhua glared at him, her words squeezed through clenched teeth. “Tian Yuan, even as Second Deputy Mansion Master, fabricating accusations and slandering others can have you stripped of office and thrown into prison!”

Qi Xuansu met her glare head-on. “You all wanted to know why the Great Sage entered seclusion? Then let me tell you. Great Sage Lan was ambushed by those cult demons and was wounded, so he’s now recuperating. Thanglong Prefecture is the heart of the Poluo Daoist Mansion, and the Great Sage is its supreme leader. Do you think anyone will believe that there are no traitors within our ranks when our leader was attacked at his own doorstep? Is that something I’ve fabricated?”

He lifted a hand and pointed skyward. “I was a Deputy Hall Master from Ziwei Hall, so I have no history with the Spirit Guard Office. I’ve also just arrived in Nanyang. Without the Great Sage’s order, why would the two first-rank Spirit Guards directly under his command obey my word? Even if I possessed the silver tongue of the ancient strategists, I could have maybe persuaded one, but two at once? Who could accomplish such a feat?”

Those two first-rank Spirit Guards were the very foundation of Qi Xuansu’s authority now.

Chen Shuhua’s eyes flickered with uncertainty. She could no longer tell if Qi Xuansu was just bluffing or telling the truth. She knew that Great Sage Lan was injured, but she was clueless about how severe the injury was.

After a long pause, Chen Shuhua spoke slowly. “If there are truly traitors within our Daoist Mansion, they must be investigated immediately. But such proceedings must follow due process. The matter must be brought to the council, not decided by you alone, Second Deputy Qi.”

With Great Sage Lan absent, Chen Shuhua and Wang Jiaohe would hold the advantage, outvoting Qi Xuansu within the council.

But Qi Xuansu was not about to play by their rules. “If we already know the Daoist Mansion’s upper ranks are compromised, then insisting on a council debate strikes me as unwise.”