A Pawn's Passage

A man’s three primary kinship groups were his paternal clan, maternal clan, and wife’s clan. These three family ties were of great importance. Among members of the Daoist Order, however, master and disciple were like father and son, so it made these kinship networks even more complicated.

For Qi Xuansu, the Zhang family was his wife’s clan. His actual father-in-law, Zhang Juqi, might not carry much weight, but Zhang Jucheng, the next patriarch of the Zhang family, certainly did. If Sage Donghua became the Grand Master, and Sage Cihang became the Grand Master Consort as the Zhang family hoped, then Zhang Jucheng would succeed Sage Cihang as the Tiangang Hall Master. Once the Heavenly Preceptor ascended, Zhang Jucheng would naturally succeed to the position.

The Three Deputy Grand Masters would certainly remain at their posts until the very end. Only after the seventh-generation Grand Master had been firmly established and properly ushered into office would they ascend.

This was all for the greater good of the Daoist Order.

If Qi Xuansu wished to compete for the position of eighth-generation Grand Master, he would need the Zhang family’s support. Thus, aside from helping Zhang Yuelu, he was also quite willing to involve himself in Zhang family affairs, looking after his brothers-in-law in order to expand his own influence.

Take Zhang Wuyue, for instance. He genuinely feared Qi Xuansu because of his formidable reputation. Had Qi Xuansu merely been a fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist, Zhang Wuyue would not have feared him. He would probably have been threatening Qi Xuansu instead, saying things like, “If you ever mistreat my cousin, you’ll answer to me.”

No matter how close the relationship, status still mattered. The contrast between how the Zhang family viewed Qi Xuansu in the past and how they viewed him now was a perfect example.

One of Qi Xuansu’s strengths was that he could hold a grudge, but he could also be magnanimous.

This was the time he chose to be magnanimous toward the Zhang family.

Qi Xuansu was neither a good man nor an outright villain. He had ambition, but he also had principles. His ambition meant he had to achieve tangible accomplishments in order to climb higher. His principles meant he could not dirty his own hands by openly doing things that violated the rules.

Yet the Daoist Order’s political environment over the past several decades had created a dilemma. Ambition and principles were often incompatible, sometimes even directly at odds with one another. This was precisely the predicament Zhang Yuelu faced.

Qi Xuansu recognized this. If he wanted to fulfill his ambitions while remaining true to his principles, he needed support from both above and below. He needed powerful patrons and a solid foundation of subordinates.

With powerful patrons, one could weather storms. With a strong foundation, one could take root more deeply. Sage Donghua naturally filled the role of a patron, and the advantages were obvious. But the disadvantage was that if Sage Donghua were ever to fall from power, Qi Xuansu would inevitably be treated as one of Sage Donghua’s remnants and subsequently purged, regardless of how much he had contributed to the Daoist Order. That was the harshest reality.

His patron was not something Qi Xuansu could choose, but when it came to building his own foundation, he had considerable room for maneuver. He had long intended to cultivate a network of his own, and his younger brother-in-law, Zhang Wuyue, naturally fell within that plan.

By helping Zhang Yuelu resolve a family dilemma and strengthening their relationship in the process, Qi Xuansu also gained a capable assistant, earned the Zhang family’s gratitude, and expanded his own influence within the clan. It was a move that accomplished several objectives at once.

Zhang Wuyue acted swiftly. Not long after Qi Xuansu received Zhang Yuelu’s letter, he boarded a Yellow Hornless Dragon flying ship operated by the Tianji Hall and arrived on the Southern Continent.

Having only just arrived on the Southern Continent, Zhang Wuyue had not yet acclimated to its climate. Qi Xuansu took him to a manor nestled among the verdant mountains and clear waters. It was an ideal place for retreat and recuperation. As usual, a banquet had been prepared. However, Zhang Wuyue noticed that Qi Xuansu, who normally occupied the seat of honor, had deliberately left it vacant today.

Only then did Qi Xuansu tell Zhang Wuyue that he had invited Huangfu Ji of the Western Daoist Order. Huangfu Ji, though a Western Daoist, enjoyed the same status as an Omniscient Sage within the Daoist Order. He currently served as the Juesheng Hall Master and was the future leader of the Western Daoist Order.

Zhang Wuyue was nervous because the Western Daoist Order used to be the Western Daoist Sect, and its leader held a status comparable to that of a Deputy Grand Master, placing him on the same level as the Heavenly Preceptor. Huangfu Ji was the future leader of the Western Daoist Order, so he stood alongside figures such as Sage Donghua, Sage Qingwei, and Sage Cihang.

Although Zhang Wuyue came from the Zhang family, he had rarely interacted with figures of such stature. People often said that dining with bigwigs involved countless unspoken rules and subtleties, but no one had ever taught him any of them.

While Zhang Wuyue was still feeling anxious and uncertain, Huangfu Ji arrived.

Qi Xuansu rose to his feet with a smile and greeted him, “Brother Li Ming, it has been far too long.”

Zhang Wuyue also stood, his smile somewhat stiff. “Greetings, Sage Huangfu.”

“Tian Yuan, it’s truly rare for you to host a banquet of your own accord.” Huangfu Ji exchanged greetings with Qi Xuansu, but his gaze soon shifted to Zhang Wuyue.

Qi Xuansu took the opportunity to introduce him. “This is Qing Xiao’s younger cousin, my brother-in-law, Zhang Wuyue. His courtesy name is Tian Zhong.”

Huangfu Ji laughed. “Since you’re Qing Xiao’s brother, you’re my brother as well. Little Tian Zhong, don’t call me Sage Huangfu from now on. Just call me Brother Huangfu.”

Qi Xuansu chuckled. “You’re flattering him.”

Zhang Wuyue could only smile in response.

Once everyone had taken their seats, Qi Xuansu said, “My father-in-law has only one daughter, Qing Xiao. However, he also has a younger brother, who happens to be Tian Zhong’s father. The two families have been neighbors for decades, and their relationship is exceptionally close. Qing Xiao practically watched Tian Zhong grow up, so their bond is unlike any other. She often tells me to look after her younger brother. That’s why I brought him to the Southern Continent, to broaden his horizons and temper him through experience, instead of letting him spend all his time chasing after women.”

Huangfu Ji smiled. “A true man should set his sights on the wider world. It’s only right that he comes out and makes something of himself.”

Qi Xuansu left the matter at that. He did not mention Zhang Wuyue again, instead turning the conversation to seemingly unrelated topics, such as the progress of the new port’s construction. He also raised his cup repeatedly throughout the meal. Anyone unaware of the situation might have thought Qi Xuansu was a great lover of wine.

When the banquet was well underway and everyone was pleasantly tipsy, Qi Xuansu glanced at Zhang Wuyue and said, “Tian Zhong, offer a toast to Sage Huangfu.”

Zhang Wuyue immediately stood, raised his cup, and said, “Sage Huangfu, I offer you this toast.”

Huangfu Ji could afford to be informal, but Zhang Wuyue could not disregard proper etiquette, so he continued to address him respectfully as Sage.

Huangfu Ji did not make things difficult for him. Raising his own cup, he said, “Young man, work hard.”

He then downed it in one gulp.

By the end of the banquet, Qi Xuansu had not mentioned Zhang Wuyue’s business even once. All he had done was introduce Zhang Wuyue to Huangfu Ji.

Over the following days, Zhang Wuyue had nothing further to do. Qi Xuansu merely instructed him to acclimate to the Southern Continent as quickly as possible and familiarize himself with the local situation.

Although Zhang Wuyue had no idea how Qi Xuansu intended to proceed, he knew his brother-in-law was taking this seriously. If Qi Xuansu merely wanted to brush him off, a simple greeting would have sufficed. Instead, Qi Xuansu was clearly spending genuine political capital and personal favors on his behalf.

Zhang Wuyue understood that his brother-in-law was certainly not going to such lengths because he particularly liked him. It was entirely for Zhang Yuelu’s sake, and that realization filled him with a measure of guilt toward her.

Once Zhang Yuelu had risen in the world, relatives who had treated her like their own child would eventually come asking for a favor. If she helped, it would earn their gratitude, and everyone would remain on good terms. If she refused, she would be branded as an ingrate.

Qi Xuansu truly was doing all this for Zhang Yuelu. He simply did not want to put her in an impossible position.

After returning, Huangfu Ji instructed his secretary to contact Duan Changqing, the Shibo Hall Master of the Western Daoist Order.

“Brother Duan, I have a favor to ask of you.” Huangfu Ji cut to the chase.

Duan Changqing did not refuse. “Li Ming, just tell me what you need.”

Huangfu Ji said, “I’d like you to help arrange a position for someone. He’s from the Shangqing Zhang family, the younger brother of Chief Deputy Zhang. Chief Deputy Qi personally came to me about this, so I really couldn’t refuse. After all, Chief Deputy Qi has spoken up for the Western Daoist Order before. We can’t let people say we don’t appreciate favors. Since we’re helping, we might as well see it through to the end, wouldn’t you agree?”

Duan Changqing said, “Naturally. If it’s a favor for Chief Deputy Qi, then we must help.”

Huangfu Ji said, “Good. Then I’ll leave this matter in your capable hands, Brother Duan. No problems, I trust?”

“No problem.” Duan Changqing agreed without hesitation. “Though I’d like to ask first. How exactly should he be placed?”

Huangfu Ji replied, “From what Chief Deputy Qi told me, this young Daoist Zhang has a preference for foreign trade. Both Chief Deputy Qi and Chief Deputy Zhang previously served as Chief Deputies of the Poluo Daoist Mansion, and the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion Master is also from the Zhang family. If Young Daoist Zhang is put in charge of trade, it will save us a great deal of trouble.”

Duan Changqing nodded. “Our trade is primarily concentrated in Nanyang and Jiangnan. When it comes to building local networks and connections, Young Daoist Zhang has an innate advantage.”

“Exactly,” Huangfu Ji said. “This isn’t simply a matter of doing Chief Deputy Qi a favor. It genuinely benefits our own development as well. The spheres of influence of the Three Daoist Sects determine the direction of many of our policies. Although we would never openly admit such things, the reality is that they do exist.”

After a pause, Huangfu Ji said, “I’ve gone off on a tangent. In any case, it’s settled. I’ll leave this matter for you to handle.”

Duan Changqing replied, “Once everything has been arranged, I’ll report back to you.”

Although the two men held the same rank, Huangfu Ji was widely regarded as the future leader of the Western Daoist Order, so Duan Changqing still chose to be deferential.

After returning, Duan Changqing summoned the Deputy Hall Master responsible for this area of work and asked, “Have you assigned someone to this position yet?”

The Deputy Hall Master had already selected a candidate. However, he could read between the lines and immediately understood Duan Changqing’s intent, so he changed his answer on the spot. “Several parties are interested, so we haven’t made a final decision yet.”

Duan Changqing said, “Excellent. I happen to have a candidate here. His name is Zhang Wuyue. Sage Huangfu and I have discussed it, and we’ve decided to appoint him.”

Naturally, the Deputy Hall Master could not object. He nodded repeatedly. “Of course. Certainly.”

Duan Changqing added, “This Young Daoist Zhang is from Shangqing Prefecture in Wuzhou. Make sure he is treated with the proper respect.”

The Deputy Hall Master immediately understood most of the situation. This was someone from the Shangqing Zhang family. Sage Qi’s Daoist companion also hailed from the Shangqing Zhang family, which meant that Young Daoist Zhang was probably related to Sage Qi in some way. Otherwise, Sage Huangfu would never have intervened personally.

Thus, Zhang Wuyue’s affair was finally settled. When word of it reached the Zhang family, their impression of Qi Xuansu only grew more favorable.