A Pawn's Passage

After finishing the notebook, Qi Xuansu pondered for a moment and said, “It seems that this last Grand Tutor of the Jin Dynasty was silenced.”

Hun Ahau said, “Most likely because someone feared the secret would be exposed. My master suspected that the deity mentioned in Chen Jingguan’s letter was the Insect Queen, whom the humanoid insects also call the Merciful Mother or the Matriarch. The Insect Queen bestowed insect eggs, turning Chen Jingguan and the others into the first generation of humanoid-insect hosts, from which they began to grow and prosper.”

Qi Xuansu closed the notebook in his hands. “Even if we uncover the origins of the humanoid insects, it won’t actually solve our problem. The question we face now is, why are the humanoid insects trying to stop the shadows’ blood sacrifice? Who exactly are they working with?”

Hun Ahau said, “Perhaps those two questions share the same answer. Once we determine who the humanoid insects are cooperating with, we’ll also understand why they’re trying to stop the shadows’ sacrifice.”

Qi Xuansu asked, “Who do you think it is? No evidence needed, just your intuition.”

Hun Ahau replied, “Don’t you already have a suspicion, Sage Qi? Earlier, you asked me about the Heron Society. Surely that wasn’t without reason. Generally speaking, my views are the same as yours.”

Qi Xuansu did not beat around the bush. “Chowen is a member of the Heron Society. What about Utu? As a chosen servant of Ixchel, is he also a member of the Heron Society? I’ve heard that Ixchel is the power behind the Heron Society. Since it was Chowen who worked with the humanoid insects to plant the human-faced fruit tree, and now Utu is splitting the profits fifty-fifty with them, it’s difficult not to connect all of this to the mysterious and immensely influential Heron Society.”

Hun Ahau said, “I would not dare deceive you, Sage Qi. I truly know very little about the Heron Society. But from what I do know, Unulatu may also be a member.”

Qi Xuansu was somewhat surprised. “Isn’t it a problem for Hun Chowen and Unulatu to work together?”

Hun Ahau said, “Before the leak from the Evangelical Ministry, neither the Juesheng Hall nor the Tawantin Court knew about Chowen’s problems. Even I, as his elder brother, only had suspicions and did not dare draw conclusions. How could Unulatu have known about Chowen’s desire for revenge? She may even have thought he was still heartbroken and unable to move on. From Chowen’s perspective, getting close to Unulatu served two purposes. He still had lingering feelings for her, and it made it easier to keep track of developments within the royal family.”

Qi Xuansu nodded. “That does make sense.”

Hun Ahau continued, “Unulatu is no ordinary woman. She was also trained by the Western Daoist Order and is well-versed in the culture of the Central Plains. The person she admired most was Empress Mingkong. When we studied together under our master, her dream was to become the Empress Mingkong of the Southern Continent. At the time, I dismissed it as childish talk and never took it seriously. Looking back now, I clearly underestimated her.”

In truth, Hun Ahau still had not let go. After all, Chowen was his beloved brother. He did not dare resent the Western Daoist Order or Qi Xuansu, nor did he have the standing or justification to do so. Chowen had broken the law and been executed, which was justifiable. Yet he had to find an outlet for his resentment, so he directed all his hatred toward Unulatu. In his view, had Unulatu not betrayed his brother in pursuit of wealth and status, Chowen would never have been driven onto a dead-end path.

Now that he had the opportunity, Hun Ahau naturally intended to mention his junior sister, Unulatu, in front of Qi Xuansu.

People who have been shaped by power were always especially sensitive to shifts in power. Judging from the implications in Qi Xuansu’s words, the Daoist Order intended to make a major issue out of Kukulkan’s case and further strengthen its control over the Tawantin Court.

Once a major case was launched, even members of the royal family could be dealt with by a single order. A convenient charge could be assigned, followed by execution. In essence, it was a purge, a reshuffling and redistribution of power.

The person who held the power to determine guilt was Qi Xuansu, the special envoy of the Daoist Order.

Hun Ahau not only intended to use this opportunity to make a comeback but also to settle old scores and avenge old grievances.

Qi Xuansu showed some interest. “Empress Mingkong? You’re saying that Unulatu is not content with being the emperor’s consort and wants to become an empress regnant herself?”

Hun Ahau said, “I’ve always believed that the reason she abandoned Chowen and became the Crown Princess back then was to pursue this childhood dream. After all, Empress Mingkong also rose from being an empress consort to becoming emperor.”

Qi Xuansu replied in an even tone, “It’s understandable for women to seek advancement. After all, equality has been established. The Daoist Order also has quite a few female Daoists who aspire to become the Grand Master. There’s nothing wrong with that, nor is it forbidden. The key is to have the capability and not resort to conspiracies. Empress Mingkong has a great reputation. She was highly skilled at internal political struggles, but her record in external warfare was far less impressive, with more defeats than victories. She reportedly lost quite a bit of territory because during her reign, the empire was unstable internally. Her energy was spent suppressing rebellions and unrest. How could she focus on fighting external enemies? That’s why stability is the most important thing. No matter who becomes emperor, internal stability is always the top priority.”

Hun Ahau immediately caught the implication behind Qi Xuansu’s words and said, “Although the Emperor isn’t a great visionary ruler, he is capable of preserving the status quo. He deeply embodies the Daoist principle of governing through non-interference and has maintained a harmonious relationship with the Western Daoist Order over the years. If Unulatu wishes to become emperor, she will either have to overthrow or eliminate him. That would almost certainly plunge the Tawantin Empire into chaos. Also, this woman is extremely ambitious. I doubt she’d be willing to remain under the leadership of the Western Daoist Order.”

Qi Xuansu’s tone grew slightly cold. “Would she really dare do such a thing? General Hun, do you have evidence for these claims? The Daoist Order believes in the presumption of innocence. We cannot make baseless accusations.”

Hun Ahau lowered his head slightly. “I have evidence, but I’m not sure if it’s enough.”

Qi Xuansu asked, “What do you mean?”

Hun Ahau explained, “I have evidence showing that Unulatu has maintained unusually close ties with Maranga, the commander of the Northern Palace Guards. But it might not be enough because such evidence can only prove that Unulatu has been cultivating her own political faction. It cannot prove that she is definitely plotting to seize the throne.”

Qi Xuansu fell into deep thought.

The Daoist Order did not require justice but the maintenance of stability at the lowest possible cost.

Unulatu becoming emperor was something neither Qi Xuansu nor the Daoist Order wished to see. It had nothing to do with gender. But such an act would disrupt stability.

It was not that stability could never be disrupted. The Daoist Order itself could disrupt it when necessary, taking the initiative to reshuffle and redistribute power.

But if someone else sought to disrupt that stability, that was absolutely unacceptable. It was a grave crime tantamount to attempted subversion.

The Daoist Order could control the extent and limits of such actions, but others could not.

Qi Xuansu said, “Organize the evidence you have and submit it to me.”

Hun Ahau replied solemnly, “Understood.”

Qi Xuansu’s tone softened again. “General Hun, I didn’t realize your reach extended so far, even into New Paititi.”

Hun Ahau answered truthfully, “To be honest with you, Sage Qi, my original target was not Unulatu. Rather, Maranga and I were on poor terms. I had secretly dispatched some people to investigate Maranga and did not expect to uncover something else in the process.”

The royal guards of New Paititi were divided into two branches—the Northern Palace Guards and the Southern Palace Guards. The Southern Palace Guards were responsible for defending the capital city, while the Northern Palace Guards protected the royal palace itself. Naturally, the Northern Palace Guards wielded greater influence, and their commander was no ordinary figure.

Hun Ahau was a Pseudo-Immortal who had once shared control of Cusco’s military authority with his younger brother, Chowen. He was also a second-rank Daoist Priest Kindred, a genuine powerholder on the Southern Continent.

Had Hun Chowen not committed a monstrous crime, and had Hun Ahau not acted impulsively and failed to maintain the proper stance, he would never have been implicated. Otherwise, it would have been almost impossible for him to lose his position.

Thus, before Hun Ahau fell from power, extending his influence into New Paititi was hardly difficult. Even now that he was sidelined, he had completely lost power. He was merely lying low for the time being.

After all, Hun Chowen had once described his elder brother as being the same kind of person as Huangfu Ji, who cared little for romance and only for the power they held in their hands.

Now that Hun Ahau had attached himself to Qi Xuansu, his former subordinates would soon begin to react. This was one of the reasons Qi Xuansu intended to make use of him. It was not merely Hun Ahau’s combat strength that interested him, but also his influence within the Tawantin Empire, which would greatly facilitate Qi Xuansu’s work. Though the Juesheng Hall was useful, they were still one step removed from the Tawantin Court.

This made Qi Xuansu sigh with emotion. Once upon a time, he had been nothing more than a minor pawn. Now, he had grown into a towering tree, capable not only of sheltering others from the wind and rain but also of attracting countless people eager to curry favor with him.

Qi Xuansu instructed, “You are to resume the investigation in secret, even if Unulatu turns out to have no connection to the humanoid insects, the Heron Society, or the Shadow Tide. Our fundamental objective is to maintain stability. I do not oppose Unulatu’s desire to advance, since that is human nature. But the Southern Continent must not descend into chaos. That is the bottom line, and it is also my primary responsibility as the Daoist Order’s special envoy.”

Hun Ahau answered seriously, “Understood.”

With Qi Xuansu backing him, it was equivalent to having the authorization of the Daoist Order itself. Many obstacles would simply cease to exist.

Unulatu probably never imagined that a youthful romance would ultimately lead to Chowen’s destruction, which would in turn cause Ahau to seek vengeance. Thus, taking advantage of his proximity to Qi Xuansu, Ahau seized the opportunity to stab Unulatu in the back.

However, to Qi Xuansu, all of this was of little importance.

Sage Qingwei had taught Qi Xuansu that one should be cautious when employing people. Even those one harbored doubts about should still be employed when necessary. The key lay in using them well.

This was precisely how Sage Qingwei practiced what he preached. Against considerable opposition, he appointed Qi Xuansu as the Chief Deputy Beichen Hall Master. The decision brought both advantages and disadvantages, but in retrospect, the benefits clearly outweighed the costs. The situation on the Southern Continent had been stabilized, and Sage Qingwei shared those achievements.

Qi Xuansu’s use of Hun Ahau now was much like Sage Qingwei’s use of Qi Xuansu back then. There was always a price to pay. Sage Qingwei trusted Qi Xuansu’s judgment, and Qi Xuansu likewise trusted Hun Ahau’s judgment.

Hun Ahau cautiously asked, “If Unulatu truly harbors rebellious intentions...”

Qi Xuansu replied coldly, “If the Empress rebels, then strip her of her title immediately and arrest all those involved. If members of the Western Daoist Order attempt to shield her, then request the two Great Sages to investigate those individuals. If the Royal Guards of the Tawantin Court rebel, dispatch troops at once to suppress the uprising. If the ancient gods are involved as well, then report the matter to the Daoist Order, destroy their golden bodies, and obliterate their divine kingdoms.”

Upon hearing these words, Hun Ahau unexpectedly felt a chill run through him.