A Pawn's Passage

After all the scheming and strategic buildup, internal power struggles within the Daoist Order usually culminate in only two forms. They either resorted to force, where the victor had the final say, or, when neither side dared to strike first, it would turn into a showdown of rhetoric and cunning arguments.

All the prior planning and maneuvering merely served to boost one’s confidence and chances. Yet no matter how high the odds, everything would seem meaningless without this final move.

Chen Shuhua said, “Second Deputy Qi, what exactly do you intend to do? Do you plan to ignore Daoist rules and bypass the council? Or do you mean to act willfully on your own?”

Qi Xuansu certainly would not step into the trap that Chen Shuhua laid. He replied, “I dare not bypass the council nor override the Mansion Master. I merely have two proposals. My first suggestion is to report this directly to the Golden Tower Council.”

He deliberately paused to observe Chen Shuhua’s face, which paled slightly.

Qi Xuansu had already weighed the pros and cons. Reporting this matter to the Golden Tower Council was his last resort. But he also knew that Chen Shuhua and her accomplices feared it even more. For him, it was something to avoid unless necessary. But for them, it was absolutely unthinkable.

Sure enough, Chen Shuhua asked, “What is your second proposal then?”

Qi Xuansu answered, “My second suggestion is to convene an internal council, but not just among the Deputy Mansion Masters, but with other high-ranking officials.”

The highest decisions of the Daoist Mansion usually came from a council with only the Deputy Mansion Masters and Mansion Masters, which was what Chen Shuhua wanted. This was based on position. Meanwhile, Qi Xuansu proposed an internal council with more participants based on their ranks. Thus, it would include those normally unqualified, including Spirit Guards of the second rank and above and Daoist priests of the third rank and above. As such, the two first-rank Spirit Guards and aides like Xu Jiaorong were eligible to attend.

Since Great Sage Lan controlled military affairs, the high-ranking Spirit Guards were all under his command. By including them, Qi Xuansu was no longer fighting alone. Also, Xu Jiaorong, being the Great Sage’s secretary, held the highest rank among all the secretaries, equivalent to a regular secretary of the Three Deputy Grand Masters or the chief secretaries of the Three Daoist Heirs. Thus, she was the only third-rank secretary qualified to participate in this council, further strengthening Qi Xuansu’s side.

Another factor was the special status of first-rank Spirit Guards. Since they did not sit in the Deputy Mansion Masters’ council, they generally could not voice opinions unless it was wartime. Thus, they were often seen as inferior to the Chief and Second Deputies. But when the scope expands, such as in major ceremonial occasions, rank alone decided the order. In that case, first-rank Spirit Guards stood right after Wang Jiaohe, an Omniscient Sage, and above ordinary Sages like Chen Shuhua. There were only 12 first-rank Spirit Guards in the entire Daoist Order, far fewer than ordinary Sages, so their standing was extremely elevated.

Generally, a small council was used to set strategy, a medium council decided on tactics, while a large council focused on execution. To put simply, a large council was a mobilization meeting, not a place for detailed debate.

Qi Xuansu never intended to discuss anything in detail. The priority was to stabilize the situation, even if it meant creating a deadlock.

Chen Shuhua frowned and asked, “How can a large council solve anything?”

Qi Xuansu immediately replied, “Why couldn’t it? More hands can accomplish feats. Strength comes from the masses, so it’s only fitting we get more people involved.”

The thing about grand principles was that they were almost impossible to refute.

Using lofty principles to suppress someone was just like accusing them of something unimaginable. It was always effective.

Unable to disprove the logic, Chen Shuhua felt cornered. She wanted to refuse, yet she feared that Qi Xuansu might report to the Golden Tower Council.

In a case where two carriages were charging toward each other on a narrow lane, they would crash head-on if both refused to yield. Yet if one yielded at the last moment, they would be branded a coward, but it would avoid mutual destruction.

No one wished for mutual ruin, so it became a contest of who could hold their ground longer to force the other to yield.

This was exactly the situation between Qi Xuansu and Chen Shuhua. Neither wanted the Golden Tower Council involved. But they wanted to wait till the other yielded.

That would depend on who breaks first.

Qi Xuansu held the advantage since he was an envoy of the Golden Tower Council. Thus, the Golden Tower Council would surely take his side.

Seeing her hesitation, Qi Xuansu added fuel to the fire. “Chief Deputy Chen, if you disagree with a large council, we can only report the matter to the Golden Tower Council. I can draft the official note, while you and Mansion Master Wang review and sign it. Then we’ll submit the report and await the Golden Tower Council’s decree.”

After a long silence, Chen Shuhua said, “Let’s consult the Mansion Master on whether to hold a large council.”

Qi Xuansu nodded. “Of course.”

Chen Shuhua turned away with a dark expression.

Qi Xuansu stood with his hands behind his back, watching her leave.

Spirit Guard Ding Chou stepped up beside Qi Xuansu. Though older and of a higher rank, she could not help but feel admiration for him at this moment.

At first, they hoped Qi Xuansu would speak up only because he alone had the legitimacy. They had no choice then. But now, his performance far exceeded expectations, which was a pleasant surprise. They finally realized why he had risen so high despite his young age. He was truly worthy of being the Daoist Order’s fourth prodigy.

Spirit Guard Ding Chou said, “I’ve already divided some troops from the 500 to take over key positions, so defenses should be secure for now.”

Qi Xuansu replied, “We’ll go to the Water Palace and meet Deputy Palace Master Xu. Also, notify Spirit Guard Jia Yin to bring in the troops in batches and gradually assume full control of the city’s defense. The Yinglong shall remain airborne.”

Spirit Guard Ding Chou answered in acknowledgment.

When Qi Xuansu arrived at the Water Palace, Wang Jiaoying and the others had already left. Only Xu Jiaorong still guarded the entrance.

Xu Jiaorong had already conveyed most of the situation by the voice transmission talisman, like Great Sage Lan being ambushed by Wu Luo and True Lord Siming, the restriction on reporting to the Golden Tower Council. But the details still needed more face-to-face discussion.

Seeing Qi Xuansu and Spirit Guard Ding Chou arrive, Xu Jiaorong let out a long breath of relief. Her years of comfort made her adept in subtle political strife, not blade-to-blade confrontation. Thus, what happened earlier terrified her.

Qi Xuansu was a wild Daoist shaped by life-and-death experiences. He had gone on the battlefield, so such scenes were normal.

In truth, Qi Xuansu lacked skills in non-violent political struggle, but he was a fast learner. Zhang Yuelu, Sage Donghua, and even Sage Qingwei were all models he had learned much from.

After a brief exchange of courtesy, the trio entered the Water Palace.

Xu Jiaorong began explaining Great Sage Lan’s condition in detail.

Great Sage Lan was in seclusion and injured, so the situation was not ideal.

When Great Sage Lan returned to the Water Palace, his condition was critical, so he could not wait for Qi Xuansu’s return. After briefly entrusting matters to Xu Jiaorong, he had no choice but to enter seclusion immediately.

According to the Great Sage, he was not at a disadvantage against Wu Luo alone. What changed everything was True Lord Siming’s ambush, which shattered his heart.

For those who had reached immortality, a shattered heart was not fatal. A Manly Immortal could regrow one instantly. Even an Earthly Immortal could temporarily form a qi heart. But this was not the reason Great Sage Lan had to enter seclusion.

The key was that he had used the fourth stage of the Taiyi Supreme Technique to escape.

Theoretically, the fourth stage was the absolute limit, consuming 80% of one’s innate qi. It was manageable if used once, but never consecutively.

The third stage of the Taiyi Supreme Technique consumed 40% of innate qi, while the fourth stage consumed 80%. If used consecutively, it totaled 120% of energy consumption, exceeding one’s limits and inevitably resulting in backlash.

Great Sage Lan first used the third stage of the Taiyi Supreme Technique to block Wu Luo and True Lord Siming’s combined strike. Then, he immediately unleashed the fourth stage to shatter their vessels and Wu Luo’s divine kingdom, forcing both Ancient Immortals into retreat.

He won, but it was a pyrrhic victory.

The resulting backlash was more than his body could bear.

It was like a costly expedition. Though victory was achieved, there was little gained. The homeland was exhausted, and uprisings were imminent.

The Great Sage only said that his Three Corpses were raging, and he felt smoke rising from his orifices.

An Immortal could not truly be killed by external blows. It was only when one collapsed from within would death become possible.

This could be seen in the Jin Dynasty’s Imperial Preceptor, Lin Lingsu. Countless enemies had attempted to strike him down. Yet in the end, he died by his own hands.

No one knew how long the Great Sage would need to quell this internal chaos. So during this time, Qi Xuansu could only do his utmost to keep everything stable.