A Pawn's Passage

Hearing this, Zhou Hegang immediately flew into a rage and slammed the table. “Zhang Yuelu! Are you saying that I’ll ruin my reputation in my final years? Sun Heyu became estranged from the Golden Tower Council and ultimately ended up imprisoned. That was what he deserved. But I have been loyal to the Daoist Order and the Golden Tower Council my entire life. You can’t lump me with Sun Heyu!”

Zhang Yuelu replied calmly, “I’m not trying to scare you, Elder Zhou. I’m merely reminding you of a precedent. If one doesn’t learn from history, one will end up becoming the next cautionary tale.”

Zhou Hegang glared fiercely at Zhang Yuelu. “Hmph! No wonder people say you’re domineering and stubborn. I’ve finally seen it for myself today. Zhang Yuelu, don’t forget this. I have committed no wrongdoing. I am still a Sage recognized by the Daoist Order, so you are not above me. Although I no longer hold a formal post, I have served the Daoist Order my entire life and have remained unwaveringly loyal since childhood. How many years have you worked? Yet here you are, issuing threats without shame! Do you even understand the proper order between elders and juniors?

“Zhang Yuelu, I might as well tell you. I’m not the only one dissatisfied with you. Quite a few old comrades are unhappy as well. We have devoted our entire lives to the Daoist Order, yet this is how you treat us when we are in our twilight years. How can we not feel disappointed? Those who know the situation understand that it’s you acting on your own whims. But those unaware might think the Daoist Order has forgotten our contributions and now intends to discard us once the work is done.

“What are you trying to do? Are you trying to shake the foundations of the Daoist Order? Can you even consider yourself a Daoist if you’re opposing the Daoist Order and throwing it into chaos?!”

These accusations were extremely serious. The label he slapped on her was detrimental. If she had been someone of humble origins, she likely would not have been able to withstand it.

But Zhang Yuelu was different. This was the advantage of being born into a great family.

The Zhang family had been one of the major contributors to the rebuilding of the Daoist Order, a founding stakeholder who had invested heavily from the beginning. Like the Li family, they were one of the pillars of the Daoist Order. Thus, accusations like this could not be pinned on Zhang Yuelu, just as they could not be pinned on the Li family.

Zhang Yuelu said coldly, “Elder Zhou, I do not deny that you have devoted your life to the Daoist Order and remained loyal to it. But the Daoist Order has not treated you poorly either. What benefit of a second-rank Taiyi Daoist have you been denied? You may list them right now, and I will apologize to you immediately.”

Zhou Hegang froze for a moment, unsure how to respond.

The Daoist Order never cut corners when it came to ensuring the benefits of retired senior Daoists. After all, these elders were not ordinary Daoist priests. Many had disciples, old associates, and extensive networks. Their cultivation was also far from weak. If they truly stirred up trouble, it would not be a trivial matter. When ordinary people caused disturbances, they could be appeased or suppressed. But when old Daoists caused trouble, the usual response was simply to avoid them. Otherwise, one would have to endure endless scolding.

Zhou Hegang could not simply make things up, because Jade Capital kept detailed records. Talking nonsense would amount to spreading false accusations and could lead to an investigation. Once that happened, his benefits might truly be taken away.

Zhang Yuelu continued, “So that means you have been receiving the appropriate benefits. Since nothing has been taken from you, what exactly do you mean by repeatedly accusing us of discarding you after the work is done? In what way have I made people like you feel disappointed? You might as well speak openly. Better yet, don’t just say it to me—let’s bring it to the Daoist Mansion Council so everyone can hear and see for themselves exactly how I am supposedly acting recklessly and undermining the foundations of the Daoist Order.”

Zhou Hegang grew furious again and slammed the tea table in front of him. “Don’t try to pressure me with the Daoist Mansion Council! I don’t buy into that!”

Zhang Yuelu did not hold back either and replied sharply, “You don’t accept this, you don’t accept that—then what do you accept? This isn’t your family shrine. This is the Daoist Mansion Office. You can’t just do whatever you please here. I am the Chief Deputy, not your granddaughter, whom you can beat or scold whenever you wish.”

Zhou Hegang suddenly stood up. “Zhang Yuelu, don’t put on airs in front of me! I’ve been the Chief Deputy before! Sooner or later, you’ll step down too!”

Zhang Yuelu said, “Daoist Zhou Hegang, whether I step down or not is a matter for the future. I respect your past merits. The words you’ve said are indeed unpleasant, but I’ll simply attribute them to senility and not take them to heart.

“But right now, I am not speaking to you as an individual. I am speaking as the Chief Deputy representing the entire Poluo Daoist Mansion. If you still maintain this attitude, then I have reason to believe you are attempting to place yourself above the Daoist Mansion. According to the Daoist laws, I could charge you right now with contempt and have the Spirit Guards arrest you. That way, you can reflect on your behavior in the Nether Prison for a few days. It’s only because you are old that I’m letting it pass. But don’t mistake kindness for weakness.”

Zhou Hegang fiercely swept his sleeve, knocking the teapot and cups off the table and sending them crashing to the floor. He shouted while pointing at Zhang Yuelu, “Zhang Yuelu, go ahead and lock me up, then. I dare you! I’d like to see how you plan to clean up the mess afterward!”

Zhang Yuelu glanced at Ke Qingqing, who made a gesture, indicating that she had collected the necessary evidence.

Zhang Yuelu ordered, “Guards.”

Two Spirit Guards stepped into the reception room.

Zhou Hegang’s expression changed drastically. “Zhang Yuelu, are you really going to arrest me? Let me remind you—arresting someone may be easy, but releasing them is difficult. The world will be the judge of this matter!”

Zhang Yuelu replied, “Stay in the Nether Prison as long as you like. I don’t care. In fact, with you comfortably settled there, there will be fewer troublemakers outside while I implement new policies. Or perhaps I can use you as bait and draw out all those troublemakers and sweep them up in one net.”

Zhou Hegang shouted, “Zhang Yuelu, who do you think you are to speak of a new policy? You’re nothing more than a Chief Deputy Mansion Master. The seventh-generation Grand Master hasn’t even been chosen yet, and you’re already dreaming of becoming the eighth-generation Grand Master? Let me tell you—based on the things you’re doing, you will never become the Grand Master!”

Zhang Yuelu let out a cold laugh. “So you’ve finally said what’s really on your mind. Why didn’t you say that from the beginning? Just admit that I’ve touched your interests. Instead, you insist on talking about disappointing people and shaking the foundations of the Daoist Order. Do you think you represent the people’s will? Do you think you represent the Daoist Order? With financial deficits, foreign enemies watching closely, and factions of vested interests everywhere, if these are not effectively restrained and broken apart, the achievements built through more than 200 years of struggle since the Holy Xuan will be destroyed in an instant. Let me be clear. The new policies will absolutely be carried out. Even if I die, the reforms must still be implemented. I will show no mercy to whoever dares to block my path, no matter who they are or what qualifications they have.”

Zhou Hegang pointed at Zhang Yuelu, his finger trembling. “Zhang Yuelu, aren’t you afraid of eternal damnation?!”

Zhang Yuelu stood up, picked up the teacup, and flung its contents onto the floor. “If death is the outcome, then so be it.”

With that, Zhang Yuelu turned away and flicked her sleeve. “Escort Sage Zhou to the Nether Prison.”

The two Spirit Guards immediately stepped forward.

Zhou Hegang had once served as Chief Deputy Hall Master, and his cultivation was formidable. With a casual motion, he brushed aside the two Spirit Guards and lunged toward Zhang Yuelu with a roar.

Zhang Yuelu was prepared. She drifted lightly and stepped on air, as if she were walking upon waves. Where her feet touched, ripples shaped like lotus blossoms spread outward.

The two Sages shot out of the reception room one after the other, arriving in the courtyard outside.

Once they closed the distance, their sword lights crossed, and a continuous clash of metal rang out. When they separated, Zhou Hegang swung the ancient sword in his hand, gathering gloomy clouds and black qi. With the howling of the yin wind, the surging black qi transformed into hundreds of swords pouring down from above like a torrential storm.

Zhang Yuelu merely slashed once with her sword. Wherever the blade passed, the roiling black clouds and mist split apart like waves of the sea, surging back to either side.

The hechang on Zhou Hegang fluttered, possibly stirred by his own innate qi or by Zhang Yuelu’s overwhelming sword qi. The ancient sword in his hand suddenly flew free, shooting straight toward Zhang Yuelu.

Zhang Yuelu simply maneuvered her sword to block it.

In a single instant, Zhou Hegang’s ancient sword clashed with Zhang Yuelu’s Amorphous Paper more than a hundred times. Though the ancient sword was incomparably fierce, it could not harm Zhang Yuelu in the slightest.

Zhou Hegang changed his sword technique once again.

The sword qi on the ancient blade surged violently, like a flood dragon stirring up waves.

For a moment, everything vanished from Zhang Yuelu’s sight. All she could see was black mist and clouds. An unimaginable coldness lurked within Zhou Hegang’s sword qi and surged toward Zhang Yuelu.

Brilliant seven-colored light spread from Zhang Yuelu’s body, followed by the sound of sacred Buddhist chants. Her Guanyin Spiritual Statue appeared, with hundreds of sword-wielding arms spread out like a peacock displaying its tail.

She spun like a giant top, spinning hundreds of swords at once. Countless streams of sword qi shot in every direction, each razor-sharp and unstoppable, scattering the dark clouds. Zhou Hegang’s ancient sword could not reach her.

Immediately afterward, Zhang Yuelu’s true body separated from the Spiritual Statue. Her true body deployed the Nandou 28 Swords, enveloping Zhou Hegang within it. She then struck with the Star Shift Technique, leaving Zhou Hegang with nowhere to dodge while simultaneously evading his counterattacks. In the blink of an eye, three sword wounds had appeared on Zhou Hegang’s body, each striking a vital point and bleeding profusely. Yet Zhou Hegang seemed to have cultivated some unknown technique. He remained completely unmoved, still vigorous and full of life.

But Zhang Yuelu had already expected this. She had never intended to win with the sword formation alone. Instead, she used it as a restraint. Seizing the opportunity, she closed in on Zhou Hegang, grabbed his wrist, and began circulating the Xiaoyao Six Void Tribulation.

Zhou Hegang felt six strands of foreign qi invade his body. Startled, he immediately tried to break free. But Zhang Yuelu’s five fingers clamped around his wrist like a shackle, making it impossible to escape. Then, he realized that his own innate qi was beginning to collapse and disintegrate.