A Pawn's Passage

Madam Qi said with displeasure, “Have you gotten so used to giving orders out there that this is how you speak to me?”

Qi Xuansu had no choice but to change his tone. “Dear Madam Qi, Xuansu has two favors to ask of you.”

“Now that’s more like it.” Madam Qi nodded in satisfaction. “Go on.”

Qi Xuansu said, “Will you be coming to my wedding ceremony? You skipped my disciple acceptance ceremony. Surely you won’t skip my wedding as well?”

Madam Qi had actually made up her mind long ago not to attend, but she still put on a show. “I think it’s best for me not to attend. On that day, nearly half of the Daoist Order’s senior leadership will be there to offer their congratulations. Although I am part of the Daoist Order, I’m not exactly legitimate. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to appear publicly. It would only create a bad impression.”

Qi Xuansu had long anticipated this excuse. “Madam Qi, during the tea ceremony, you’ll be the one seated in the place of honor. You’ll only have this opportunity once in your lifetime. If you miss it, there won’t be another chance. Don’t end up regretting it.”

Madam Qi raised an eyebrow. “I never regret my decisions.”

Had Tantai Qiong witnessed this scene, she would probably have sighed and thought that perhaps Madam Qi and Zhang Yuelu were the real mother and daughter.

Qi Xuansu pleaded. “Madam Qi, please come for my sake.”

“Forget it. I still won’t be going.” For most people, a token refusal meant they were beginning to soften. However, for Madam Qi, a token refusal meant she had already made up her mind.

Qi Xuansu was not particularly disappointed since he had expected as much. “Very well. If you’re not going, then I’ll ask Sage Cihang to take your place.”

“Zhi Sheng?” Madam Qi raised an eyebrow. She seemed to have something to say about that, but ultimately, she held it back. “Do as you like.”

Qi Xuansu continued, “The second matter is about someone named Zhong Boyu. He used to be a member of the Eight Tribes and the White Jade Hall, though he’s effectively been expelled now. He was the one who retrieved that piece of Xuan Jade from the shores of Cuowenbu back then. Do you remember him?”

Madam Qi recalled the incident. “I remember the incident. You want to make use of this man, but you’re worried it might be someone else’s trap, so you want me to investigate him for you, right?”

Qi Xuansu nodded. “That’s right. You’re one of the Eight Tribes’ senior figures, so it’s much more convenient for you.”

Madam Qi did not refuse his request. “Give me a few days. I’ll get back to you.”

As for how the investigation should be conducted, Madam Qi was far more experienced, so there was no need for Qi Xuansu to instruct her.

After ending the conversation with Madam Qi, Qi Xuansu intended to read through the file that Zhang Wuyue had brought him. However, after only a few pages, Tantai Ying arrived again.

“Do you have the results?” Qi Xuansu looked up and asked.

Tantai Ying sat opposite Qi Xuansu. “Everyone within the city who was secretly conducting blood sacrifices has been arrested. We can proceed with the public trials according to our original plan.”

Qi Xuansu instructed, “Good. Make sure the trials are thorough, the verdicts are clear, and the executions are carried out openly and honorably. We can’t have secret executions because it needs to serve as a warning to others.”

Tantai Ying nodded to indicate she had taken note, then continued, “As for the humanoid insects, we captured one alive and killed the other.”

Qi Xuansu said, “Interrogate the prisoner thoroughly. I want the exact location of the Blue Cloud Sect. As for the methods you use, I’ll leave that to your discretion. After all, they’re humanoid insects, so there’s no need to be overly concerned about such things.”

“We’ve already begun the interrogation,” Tantai Ying replied. “Utu and Hun Ahau intercepted the fleeing High Priest of the Sun God Temple, but they were unable to capture him alive. At the time, he was only a single river away from the Northern Continent. To ensure nothing could go wrong, and fearing that delays might lead to unforeseen complications, they decided to kill the High Priest. They brought back the Sun God’s Sword.”

After thinking for a moment, Qi Xuansu said, “My suggestion is to present the Sun God’s Sword to Ixchel as a gift celebrating her ascension as the King of Gods. What do you think?”

“I have no objections.” Tantai Ying was not a Shaman. The entire Western Daoist Order primarily followed the Manly Immortal and Earthly Immortal lineages. As such, Godly Immortal artifacts like this were of little use to them, so they might as well turn the opportunity into a favor.

Qi Xuansu said, “Then it’s settled. By the way, when I get married, I hope you will honor us with your presence in Jade Capital, Sage Tantai.”

Tantai Ying was momentarily taken aback before smiling. “I certainly will.”

Qi Xuansu said, “The exact date hasn’t been decided yet. Once it is, I’ll send you a formal invitation.”

Tantai Ying took her leave, and Qi Xuansu resumed reading through the thick file.

Having reached this point, Qi Xuansu had begun preparing to wrap up his affairs in the Southern Continent. The Daoist Order’s primary objectives had already been accomplished, and the major destabilizing factors here had been eliminated. The next phase of reconstruction and development would fall to Huangfu Ji. Qi Xuansu had left Zhang Wuyue here as his own representative, while Huangfu Xi remained to oversee matters on behalf of the royal family.

The two goals Qi Xuansu had personally set for himself—abolishing blood sacrifice and eradicating the humanoid insects—were now well underway. Once both had achieved their initial objectives, it would be about time for him to return to the Central Plains.

That was why Qi Xuansu devoted most of his attention to resolving these two issues, striving to bring his mission to a perfect conclusion.

But for now, this was only the beginning. The key to resolving the blood sacrifice issue depended on the determination of the ancient gods, while the key to solving the humanoid insects’ problem lay in destroying their main backing—the Blue Cloud Sect.

In the blink of an eye, ten days had passed.

During this period, Qi Xuansu accomplished a great deal. He first finished reading the file Zhang Wuyue had submitted. After revising several sections, he returned it to Zhang Wuyue and told him it was ready for implementation.

Back then, Qi Xuansu knew nothing about such matters, but Madam Qi had given him an opportunity. After all, talent was forged through training. No one was born capable of governing the world. The key was to grow through experience. Different kinds of experience cultivated different kinds of growth.

As such, he learned most things through practical experience, eventually putting his talents fully to use. If Madam Qi had never given him that chance, he would likely have lived an ordinary, unremarkable life, and no one would ever have considered him a rising star.

Though Qi Xuansu knew nothing about economics or commerce back then, he had pursued advanced studies at the Wanxiang Daoist Upper Palace and later gained practical experience at the Poluo Daoist Mansion. That was how he naturally came to understand these things.

The Confucian Sage once said that a gentleman was not a tool. A tool referred to a specialist who only excelled in one field, who could be used for a specific purpose but could not command the whole situation. As such, a leader must be a well-rounded individual rather than someone who merely mastered a single discipline. The Daoist Order interpreted this as the usefulness of seeming uselessness.

This was precisely the philosophy behind Qi Xuansu’s development. Sage Donghua had never intended for him to specialize in any one field. Instead, he continually exposed Qi Xuansu to different disciplines without requiring exhaustive mastery of each. From grassroots administration to the battlefield, from military affairs to anti-corruption campaigns, then to economics, and now to diplomacy and matters concerning gods and spirits. His next assignment at the Wanxiang Daoist Palace would focus more on education and high-level governance. After that, he would likely be assigned to become a Daoist Mansion Master, taking charge of every aspect of its administration. A Daoist Mansion could be regarded as a miniature version of the Daoist Order itself, making it an ideal training ground for greater responsibilities.

From this, it was clear that Qi Xuansu was being groomed for the ultimate office. One could also call it building a complete résumé. Aside from certain extraordinary circumstances, anyone aspiring to become the Grand Master needed a comprehensive record without obvious gaps. For example, spending an entire career teaching at a Daoist Palace or remaining within the Nine Halls without ever governing a regional Daoist Mansion would both be insufficient qualifications.

That was why the promotion paths of the Three Prodigies were similar to Qi Xuansu’s. They repeatedly alternated between Jade Capital and regional Daoist Mansions, with each transfer moving them up another rung of the ladder while exposing them to a different field of responsibility. Others followed very different career paths. Some spent their entire lives in a regional Daoist Mansion, while others remained in a single Hall throughout their careers. Not everyone had the same opportunities as the elites.

Meanwhile, Madam Qi also delivered her findings. There was nothing suspicious about Zhong Boyu. He was not anyone’s pawn. However, once Qi Xuansu placed him in an important position, there was no telling whether Zhong Boyu’s former associates might come looking for him again. That was something Qi Xuansu needed to watch carefully.

After thanking Madam Qi, Qi Xuansu summoned Zhang Wuyue and told him that Zhong Boyu could be entrusted with responsibilities. He also gave Zhang Wuyue a few reminders, telling him to pay close attention to Zhong Boyu’s former connections.

Zhang Wuyue readily agreed.

These were all minor matters. Great Sage Jiang then contacted Qi Xuansu to inform him of a resolution from the Golden Tower Council. Ixchel was to be granted the title of a first-rank Daoist Priest Kindred.

Ordinarily, only the Grand Master had the authority to confer first-rank Daoist Priest Kindred status. However, the Great Sage Lunzhi was the Acting Grand Master. Although the position lacked certain key powers, this particular authority remained within its jurisdiction.

To reflect the solemnity of the occasion, the Daoist Order decided that Tantai Zhenxiao would formally announce the decision on their behalf and preside over the relevant ceremony. Qi Xuansu, as the Daoist Order’s envoy, would also attend.

This first-rank Daoist Priest Kindred status should not be underestimated. Within the Daoist Order, a genuine first-rank Tianzhen Daoist was an extremely prestigious figure, at the very least a retired Omniscient Sage. Moreover, someone granted a first-rank Daoist Priest Kindred status enjoyed the treatment of a Virtuous Great Sage, placing them a notch above an ordinary Great Sages.

From this perspective, Ixchel had indeed obtained exactly what she had sought.

Qi Xuansu specifically set aside a day to attend the Moon Queen’s second “coronation.” The ceremony was held within Itzamna’s divine kingdom. Gong Fu, Huangfu Zhao, Huangfu Ji, and many others were present. Qi Xuansu attended as the Daoist Order’s envoy, while the ancient gods and all the chosen servants also gathered, making for a truly magnificent occasion.

Ixchel was delighted. Dressed in the robes of a Great Sage, she bowed her head slightly as Tantai Zhenxiao, representing the Daoist Order, placed the Golden-Purple Lotus Crown upon her head, signifying that she had taken another step toward her ultimate goal.

However, a difficult problem now lay before her. Once she entered the Daoist Order’s political arena, she would have to choose a side. If she backed the right person, then when rewards were distributed according to merit, she would naturally achieve what she desired. But if she chose the wrong side, the outcome would be far less certain.

The Daoist Order had chosen to confer a first-rank Daoist Priest Kindred status upon Ixchel now, rather than waiting until the seventh-generation Grand Master had been elected to bestow the honor personally. The intent behind this decision was deeply significant.