A Pawn's Passage

Before attending the banquet, Qi Xuansu had to change into the new clothes Zhang Yuelu had bought for him.

Qi Xuansu spread his arms and turned his back to her while Zhang Yuelu adjusted the trailing hem for him.

Zhang Yuelu could always shift effortlessly between the serious Deputy and the gentle wife, just as Qi Xuansu could move between resolute authority and humble deference.

Taking advantage of this brief lull, the two continued exchanging information with one another.

“Has Sage Cihang decided to join forces with Sage Donghua?” Qi Xuansu asked somewhat abruptly.

“It’s hard to say,” Zhang Yuelu replied. “In matters like this, both sides may understand each other tacitly, but they certainly won’t sign any Heart Demon Contract.’”

“That’s true,” Qi Xuansu nodded. “In that case, this banquet carries significant meaning. By the way, Sage Donghua has remained unmarried his entire life, and Sage Cihang has likewise never married. If the two became Daoist companions, wouldn’t that settle everything?”

Zhang Yuelu laughed. “You really dare to imagine things. If that actually happened, should I call him father-in-law or master-father? Should you call Sage Cihang mother-in-law or master-mother?”

“I haven’t even taken Sage Donghua as my master yet, so how could Sage Cihang be my master-mother?” Qi Xuansu said. “I’m just thinking aloud. If Sage Donghua became Grand Master, Sage Cihang could be the Grand Master’s consort. The Heavenly Preceptor’s position would remain with the Zhang family, which would appease the main branch. The Earthly Preceptor’s position would still belong to the Yao family, keeping them satisfied. Likewise, the Imperial Preceptor’s position would remain with the Li family, preventing them from lashing out.”

“You’re thinking quite far ahead. Turn around,” Zhang Yuelu said, her hands still working. “From a compromise standpoint, that would indeed be the best outcome. But it’s very difficult to achieve. After all, that’s the Grand Master’s seat. Who would truly accept defeat so easily?”

After some effort, the outfit was finally neat.

Qi Xuansu examined himself in the standing mirror. “Where did you get these clothes? They’re so complicated that I actually need someone else to help me put them on.”

“I had them custom-made,” Zhang Yuelu replied. “This banquet isn’t just for the two of us. There will be many senior and junior sisters there. Originally, I was going alone, but who would have thought you’d suddenly come to Jade Capital at this time? So I have to bring you along. Quite a few of my sisters who’ve never met you want to see the famous Little Sage Qi.”

“The famous Qi Xuansu and the legendary Zhang Yuelu, huh?” Qi Xuansu laughed. “You had this outfit made long ago, but only brought it out now. What’s your intention?”

“It was finished half a year ago,” Zhang Yuelu said. “I just didn’t have a chance to come to Jade Capital, so it stayed at the shop.”

Qi Xuansu suddenly changed the subject. “By the way, Sage Donghua mentioned that you helped resolve a false accusation against me. What exactly happened?”

Zhang Yuelu replied casually, “It’s nothing serious, just the same old tricks. They can’t really harm you, but they want to damage your reputation. Daoist Xu and I were investigating, but once we traced it to the Kunlun Daoist Mansion, it became difficult to proceed. Then we had to attend the Nine Halls Joint Council, so the matter was temporarily set aside.”

Qi Xuansu said, “There’s no time to worry about that now. According to Great Sage Jiang, my priority is to draw a clear line and report everything. Thinking about it now...Never mind, let’s not talk about it.”

Zhang Yuelu spoke gently, “It doesn’t feel good, does it? But there’s no way around it. Once you step into the arena of power and fame, this is how it is. There’s no room for freedom or settling of grudges. If you want power, you have to give up certain things.”

Qi Xuansu had already composed himself. “I know. Once I make my choice, I won’t regret it.”

At that moment, Qi Xuansu suddenly recalled a quote from the second-generation Grand Master: “All Daoists are equal. The Daoist Order has no emperor. I am merely the first among all equal Daoists.”

Qi Xuansu could not help but sigh. “The first among all equal Daoists...”

Zhang Yuelu offered no comment. “Alright, let’s go.”

Qi Xuansu had come to Jade Capital alone without prior preparation, so Zhang Yuelu handled all the arrangements.

A carriage was already waiting outside. If they had been at Zhang Yuelu’s residence in Xuan City, it wouldn’t have been so troublesome since Sage Cihang’s residence was just next door.

The two boarded the carriage, sitting opposite each other.

Qi Xuansu was not nervous.

In the past, he might have felt some tension. After all, these were Zhang Yuelu’s junior and senior sisters, practically her family. But Qi Xuansu was no longer the inexperienced youth he once was.

What occupied his thoughts were still the proposals from Great Sage Jiang and Sage Donghua. This concerned whether he could advance further and become the youngest Omniscient Sage. If he were restricted like Chen Shuhua, stuck as the Chief Deputy of the Poluo Daoist Mansion at the age of 30, he would have 70 years ahead of him to watch those less capable surpass him and eventually stand above him. That would be unbearable.

Decades later, people like Li Changge might ascend to the Grand Master’s throne while he remained a mere Chief Deputy Mansion Master. He might not even enter the Golden Tower Council.

At that point, he might even be driven to seek the Longevity Stone, and it would have to be the second-generation version without hidden dangers.

When they arrived at Sage Cihang’s residence, Xiao Yueru was already waiting outside. Among Sage Cihang’s many disciples, this Junior Sister Xiao was the youngest, one of the most familiar with Qi Xuansu, and the first to call him “brother-in-law.”

“Quite a few senior sisters have already arrived,” Xiao Yueru said as she stepped forward to greet them.

Qi Xuansu said, “Looks like we’re late. Would that seem a bit presumptuous?”

“Not at all,” Xiao Yueru replied. “Others just came early. Your timing is perfect.”

Led by Xiao Yueru, the two entered Sage Cihang’s residence.

Since it was a family banquet, bringing companions was allowed. Qi Xuansu attended as Zhang Yuelu’s partner, and other female disciples had also brought their families, so he was not the only male Daoist present.

Still, Qi Xuansu was the most eye-catching. This had nothing to do with his looks. It was purely about status and power.

Among the eighth-generation disciples, none had yet become an Omniscient Sage. At best, they were simply Sage, on par with Qi Xuansu. Even Bai Yingqiong, who was already serving as Acting Palace Master, was still one step away as long as the word “Acting” remained before her title. No one knew how long that step would take.

Just then, Bai Yingqiong emerged from the main hall with a group of people.

She had long since separated from her husband, so she only brought her daughter along, intending for the girl to meet her martial aunts.

As it happened, Bai Yingqiong’s daughter, Bai Xiaojin, had some interaction with Qi Xuansu. He had personally rescued her in the past.

Bai Yingqiong gestured to her daughter. “Xiaojin, come and greet your savior. Sage Qi personally rescued you back then.”

Bai Xiaojin stepped forward obediently and bowed. “Greetings, savior.”

Xiao Yueru corrected her, “Xiaojin, you should call him uncle.”

Qi Xuansu waved his hand. “A bit early for that.”

Xiao Yueru laughed. “Your new residence is already prepared. How is that still early?”

Someone teased, “Who doesn’t know about the Princess Xuanzhen Mansion? We’re all so envious!”

Qi Xuansu said, “Of course, I’d prefer it sooner rather than later, but the elders still need to discuss it. That part isn’t up to me.”

His words drew a round of laughter. “Sage Qi, have you come to urge our master to hurry up the wedding?”

“It would be more accurate to say I’m here to confront her in person,” Qi Xuansu played along.

The remark wasn’t particularly funny, but because of Qi Xuansu’s special status, it still drew plenty of agreeable laughter, instantly livening the atmosphere.

Qi Xuansu did not need to put effort into warming up relationships or energizing the room. There were naturally people ready to support him. For those in high positions, social interactions were never burdensome.

There was no such thing as a nervous future son-in-law being tested, scrutinized, or given a welcome intimidation. Simply put, no one had the standing to do so.

A reckless youngster could be interpreted as carefree. A quiet one would be seen as steady and composed. Someone like Qi Xuansu, who actively made jokes, was considered approachable and personable.

There was always something positive to say.

This was the special treatment granted by power, being surrounded like the moon among stars. Once accustomed to such privilege, who would willingly return to the past?

Amid laughter and conversation, they entered the main hall together.

Some younger ones teased, asking whether Qi Xuansu had brought any gifts.

Bai Yingqiong stepped in to defend him. “Off with you—Tian Yuan is famously incorruptible. Where would he get spare money to prepare gifts for you?”

Without anyone noticing, Bai Yingqiong had shifted through several forms of address, finally settling on the more intimate Tian Yuan. Only she had the standing to do so, since her current position was still slightly higher than Qi Xuansu’s.

Throughout, Zhang Yuelu said little, letting Qi Xuansu take the lead.

Among everyone present, only Sage Cihang truly had the authority to “test” Qi Xuansu. But that would be a matter of power politics rather than personal relations, and not something she alone could decide.

Just then, a voice sounded, “Tian Yuan, it’s been a long time.”

Qi Xuansu turned, smiling politely. “Sage Shi, you’re here as well.”

The newcomer was none other than Shi Bingyun, Qi Xuansu’s former superior in the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion.

Shi Bingyun replied bluntly, “Am I not allowed to attend a family banquet of the Cihang lineage?”

Qi Xuansu said, “That’s not what I meant. I was just wondering why Prince Jin isn’t here.”

“You rascal,” Shi Bingyun said, pointing at him. “He couldn’t get away. I only came because of the opportunity created by the meeting.”

Everyone, including Bai Yingqiong and Zhang Yuelu, bowed and addressed her as martial aunt.

It seemed that Sage Cihang and Shi Bingyun had resolved their past tensions.

Thinking of Princess Chiying’s arrival in Jade Capital and Great Sage Jiang’s remarks about choosing sides, Qi Xuansu increasingly understood that as the struggle intensified, every faction was rallying all possible allies. Everyone would have to choose a side. Even the past conflict between Shi Bingyun and Sage Cihang seemed insignificant before the bigger picture.

Shi Bingyun sized Qi Xuansu up with a smile. “They say that one should view another with new eyes after three days apart. It’s only been a few years, and you’re already a Chief Deputy Mansion Master. In a few more years, when you become a Mansion Master, you might even be my superior!”

“You flatter me, Sage Shi,” Qi Xuansu said, waving his hands modestly.

At that moment, the host herself—Sage Cihang—finally appeared.