A Pawn's Passage

At the highest levels of the Daoist Order, effort was the least noteworthy factor, not because it was unimportant, but because it was the most basic prerequisite. No one could become the Grand Master with ease. Even prodigies such as Li Changge and Yao Pei were no exception. If one did not strive for the best, there would be no shortage of others who were willing to work doubly hard.

Qi Xuansu was very diligent. He had little leisure time. The last time he went to see an opera with Zhang Yuelu was several years ago, when he was still just an ordinary seventh-rank Daoist.

There were many reasons why Sage Donghua valued Qi Xuansu. One of them was Qi Xuansu’s ability to handle monotony. He could handle various work affairs during the day and cultivated at night, with virtually no time for entertainment or indulgence. This was truly rare in the younger generation.

Midnight had already passed, yet Qi Xuansu still sat behind his desk, holding a file in his hands, his expression extremely grave.

This was the latest case file recently transmitted from Lion City via the rapid pot talisman. It was personally written by Li Zhuyu and marked “Top Secret.”

On the first page of the file was a name—Lin Qingcheng. Lin Qingcheng was Wang Jiaoying’s secretary, and the existence of his file meant that he had finally confessed.

When a secretary was caught, the person they served usually would not be able to escape. Qi Xuansu getting away unscathed when Chen Jianchou was arrested had been a rare exception.

This meant that Qi Xuansu could now prepare to arrest Wang Jiaoying.

With both Wang Jiaoyan and Wang Jiaoying arrested, Wang Jiaohe became a truly isolated figure.

Qi Xuansu set down the file and picked up a second one, which had Wu Burong’s name written on the first page.

Cases like this were like a dam. All it took was a single breach for the entire structure to collapse.

From this perspective, Li Zhuyu was indeed highly capable in handling affairs.

After looking through both files, Qi Xuansu closed them and finally picked up the latest confidential report from the Golden Tower Council. He then deciphered it using the Annotations on the Holy Xuan.

Qi Xuansu closed his eyes and leaned back against the chair.

Wu Burong had also confessed. As expected, the mastermind behind her was indeed Guo Yongyan, Wang Jiaohe’s current secretary.

If Wang Jiaohe were not an Omniscient Sage but merely an ordinary Sage, it would be more than enough to take him down with the evidence currently in hand. However, to take down an Omniscient Sage, a solid, airtight case with no room for objection must be built.

In truth, at this point, even an Omniscient Sage would be in a precarious position. Wang Jiaohe’s family members and secretaries had already been arrested. Only he himself was still at large. His capture would only be a matter of time.

The confidential report from the Golden Tower Council approved Great Sage Jiang’s plan.

Qi Xuansu subconsciously began to imagine confronting Wang Jiaohe.

However, the outcome was grim. No matter what external means he employed, the vast gap in their cultivation levels meant that he was still no match for Wang Jiaohe.

After more than a hundred exchanges, one of Wang Jiaohe’s hands reached toward Qi Xuansu’s face, growing larger and larger.

Qi Xuansu jolted violently and instinctively opened his eyes. The illusory Wang Jiaohe instantly vanished.

Steadying himself, Qi Xuansu finally noticed that the voice transmission talisman on his desk was ringing.

He knew that anyone contacting him at this hour must be someone familiar, and it had to be urgent.

Qi Xuansu activated the voice transmission talisman and said, “It’s me. What’s the matter?”

The night was quiet. The voice from the other end of the talisman was crystal clear. “Chief Deputy, Wang Jiaoying is making a move.”

This voice belonged to the Tiangang Hall local branch manager, whom Qi Xuansu had entrusted along with a second-rank Spirit Guard to closely monitor Wang Jiaoying’s movements.

Qi Xuansu remained calm. “Don’t rush. Speak slowly.”

The Tiangang Hall branch manager replied, “Yes, Sage. Wang Jiaoying is preparing to leave the Wang family estate. Judging by his looks, it doesn’t appear to be a temporary outing. He seems intent on leaving the city.”

Qi Xuansu was silent for a moment. He then asked, “Is he alone? Or is he bringing his family?”

The Tiangang Hall branch manager answered, “Wang Jiaoying is only bringing his Daoist companion and his son. He didn’t bring any other attendants. Also, this son isn’t born of his Daoist companion but of another mistress. However, he didn’t bring this mistress with him.”

“Understood. Continue monitoring him and report his movements to me.” Qi Xuansu did not make an immediate decision. After all, Wang Jiaoying was still the Third Deputy Mansion Master, so moving against him rashly would have enormous repercussions.

After ending the conversation, Qi Xuansu glanced at his pocket watch. It was already past 11 pm. He hesitated briefly, then activated the voice transmission talisman again and said, “Connect me to the Ziwei Hall in Jade Capital.”

This was a special channel reserved for the Chief Deputy Mansion Master, so the connection was established very quickly.

Qi Xuansu said, “Secretary Gong? Yes, this is Qi Xuansu. No need for the formalities! Please call me by my courtesy name, Tian Yuan. Oh no, not Sage Tian Yuan, just Tian Yuan is fine. Is Sage Donghua resting? Yes, I have some matters to report to the Sage. I know it’s very late, but the situation is somewhat complicated. Mm, alright...thank you for your trouble.”

Soon, another voice came through. “Tian Yuan?”

Qi Xuansu’s expression turned solemn. “Yes, Sage, it’s me. I apologize for disturbing you so late.”

Sage Donghua replied, “It’s alright. Have you received the confidential report from the Golden Tower Council?”

Qi Xuansu said, “I have received it. I trust that Great Sage Jiang will not fail in the encirclement and execution of Chen Shuhua.”

Sage Donghua said, “How Chen Shuhua is executed is not our concern. Eliminating this traitor at the lowest possible cost is Great Sage Jiang’s responsibility. Our current task is to stabilize the situation in the Poluo Daoist Mansion, especially to prevent escapes, defections, or betrayals. How are things on your end?”

Qi Xuansu opened a file he had personally compiled. “Lin Qingcheng and Wu Burong have both confessed. Based on the evidence we have gathered, we can confirm that the Third Deputy Mansion Master Wang Jiaoying and Mansion Master Wang Jiaohe’s secretary, Guo Yongyan, are both involved. As we speak, Wang Jiaoying is attempting to flee. But I have already arranged for close surveillance...”

Sage Donghua fell silent for a moment.

Qi Xuansu naturally could not urge his superior and could only wait for a response.

The silence did not last long. Sage Donghua’s voice soon came through again. “Wang Jiaoying must not be allowed to escape. If he does, the repercussions will be extremely severe. But this might alert Wang Jiaohe prematurely and provoke other reactions. What is your view?”

Qi Xuansu’s thoughts raced as he weighed his words. “In my view, it doesn’t really amount to alerting the enemy. Wang Jiaohe was already alarmed when we took down the Nanyang United Trading Company. After failing to bring me down through my secretary, he should have abandoned any lingering hopes of a reversal. I believe Wang Jiaohe has already made his decision, and no matter what we do now, it will neither influence nor change it.”

Sage Donghua immediately asked, “In your opinion, what decision has Wang Jiaohe made?”

Qi Xuansu replied, “Wang Jiaohe is unlikely to sit and await his fate, but he also won’t gamble everything in a desperate fight. He knows that killing me won’t change anything, so I believe that Wang Jiaohe will choose to flee. Great Sage Jiang will be leaving Thanglong Prefecture tomorrow, which will leave the Poluo Daoist Mansion relatively empty, making it the best opportunity for Wang Jiaohe to escape. The only difficulty is that as long as Wang Jiaohe has not truly attempted to flee, we cannot act prematurely. We can only maintain strict surveillance until he actually flees the region.”

Sage Donghua disagreed. “I still think that you shouldn’t be careless. Prioritize your personal safety and don’t resort to reckless tactics. It’s not worth risking your life over a homeless stray like Wang Jiaohe.”

Qi Xuansu did not speak, using silence to gently convey his gratitude.

Whether Sage Donghua was merely putting on a show or speaking from genuine concern, he had unmistakably expressed care for Qi Xuansu, and Qi Xuansu had to respond in some way. However, it was not like Qi Xuansu to express servile gratitude and tearful thanks. He had always been more restrained in his emotions. After all, too much of a display would seem false and might even make Sage Donghua think less of him.

Even setting aside utilitarian considerations, Qi Xuansu was genuinely moved. Qi Xuansu had been lacking a father figure throughout his life. His master, Qi Haoran, died far too early, and later, Madam Qi filled only a maternal role. Madam Qi was ruthless and did not raise Qi Xuansu into a pampered scion, quarreling daily with Qi Xuansu over a few Taiping coins.

To a certain extent, if Madam Qi fulfilled Qi Xuansu’s image of a mother, then Sage Donghua fulfilled his image of a father, showing him what an influential figure should be like. So Qi Xuansu found himself imitating the formidable man.

Of course, most people in the Daoist Order had no children of their own, which was why most regarded their masters as their parents. Whether Sage Donghua and Madam Qi truly regarded Qi Xuansu as a son was something only they themselves knew.

Sage Donghua had already made his decision, yet he still sought Qi Xuansu’s opinion as a sort of evaluation. This, too, was a form of teaching.

After a brief silence, Qi Xuansu broke it. “Thank you for your concern, Sage. I will be careful.”

Sage Donghua asked, “What do you plan to do?”

Qi Xuansu replied, “I want to arrest Wang Jiaoying and Guo Yongyan immediately. If Wang Jiaohe dares to flee, then I will eliminate him on behalf of the Golden Tower Council. I’m confident that I can succeed.”

“Very good.” Sage Donghua’s tone revealed satisfaction. “Young people should be like this—bold and daring to act. I support your plan.”

The conversation ended.

Qi Xuansu called toward the door, “Chou Zheng.”

Chen Jianchou quickly stepped inside.

Qi Xuansu said in a low and stern voice, “Notify Second Deputy Xu and Deputy Hall Master Yao that we can close the net. Before dawn, I want to see Wang Jiaoying in the Nether Prison.”