A Pawn's Passage

There was no way Yao Shu would turn against his former superior, Sage Donghua, and personally go after Sage Donghua’s former secretary, Xie Jiaofeng. Yet Zhang Yuelu saw no indication whatsoever that Yao Shu intended to protect Xie Jiaofeng at all costs or let the matter end with him.

Yao Shu’s ambiguous attitude carried a hint of epicaricacy. He did not seem opposed to the Fengxian Hall and Beichen Hall jointly investigating the case. From the perspective of factional rivalry, someone who should have opposed the investigation was instead adopting a neutral, strictly-business attitude. That alone offered some clues about his intentions.

Before long, the carriage arrived at the square in front of Sheji Palace.

As soon as Zhang Yuelu stepped out, Sun Yongfeng personally held a large umbrella over her, leaving half of his own body exposed to the rain as he continued his report. “There’s another piece of news. Our Mansion Master summoned Chen Shuwen.”

“Why did he summon Chen Shuwen?” Zhang Yuelu’s heart sank.

Chen Shuwen had been personally promoted by Qi Xuansu to serve as the Chairman of the Nanyang United Trading Company. He was also an important figure with direct influence on the economic lifeline of Nanyang.

Since this concerned economic affairs, it primarily fell under the purview of the Chief Deputy Mansion Master. If Chen Shuwen also had problems, the situation would become even more unfavorable for Zhang Yuelu.

“This also happened after you left Lion City,” Sun Yongfeng reported methodically. “It was not long after Old Xie was arrested.”

Zhang Yuelu hesitated briefly. “What did they talk about?”

——Flashback——

As the Mansion Master, Yao Shu naturally possessed an imposing air of authority. He sat behind a broad desk, leaning back comfortably in his chair with a leisurely demeanor.

Chen Shuwen sat opposite Yao Shu, his back perfectly straight.

Yao Shu tapped his fingers lightly against the desk as he said, “Chairman Chen, you should think this through carefully. Don’t make a foolish decision.”

Chen Shuwen replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, “Mansion Master, there’s no need to frighten me. I’m merely a businessman, and business is all I know. I know nothing whatsoever about political affairs, much less dare to involve myself in them.”

Yao Shu said, “You can’t put it that way. The Nanyang United Trading Company is involved in every aspect of Nanyang. It is hardly something that can be summed up as merely ‘business.’ On a broader scale, it concerns the stability of the entire Nanyang. No matter where you are, stability is always the foremost priority. How can you say it has nothing to do with politics? Chairman Chen, you’re an old hand in Nanyang yourself. You’ve weathered plenty of storms and watched them build towers and feast their guests. Surely you understand something as simple as this?”

Chen Shuwen had indeed seen his share of great upheavals and was not intimidated. Instead, he continued the verse, “I watched them feast their guests and watched their towers collapse. Amid these moss-covered heaps of blue tiles, I once slept through dreams of splendor and witnessed fifty years of rise and fall to my heart’s content. But I am a dull man. Pray tell, who does this ‘they’ refer to?”

Yao Shu chuckled. “Wang Jiaohe and Chen Shuhua, of course. Who else could it be?”

Chen Shuwen feigned realization. “Here I thought you were referring to Chief Deputy Qi and Chief Deputy Zhang.”

Yao Shu gave Chen Shuwen a long, searching look. “That’s rather bold of you. Aren’t you afraid Chief Deputy Qi and Chief Deputy Zhang might be displeased if they hear about this?”

Chen Shuwen said, “The two Chief Deputies are magnanimous people. I’m sure they wouldn’t hold a thoughtless remark against an old man like me.”

Yao Shu abruptly changed the subject. “Of course, this could also refer to someone else, perhaps Deputy Mansion Master Xie Jiaofeng. He has now been formally arrested, so I suppose his tower has collapsed as well. Before this, Xie Jiaofeng was riding high in the Daoist Mansion. I hear you had quite a few dealings with him.”

Chen Shuwen replied honestly, “The headquarters of the Nanyang United Trading Company is in Lion City, where Deputy Mansion Master Xie is based. We’re practically neighbors, so how could we possibly have had no dealings with each other? But everyone in the Daoist Mansion had dealings with Deputy Mansion Master Xie. That includes Great Sage Lan and yourself. I’ve even heard that Deputy Mansion Master Xie once served as Sage Donghua’s secretary. If we follow that line, far too many people would be implicated. Compared with all these important figures, I’m afraid that I’m hardly worth mentioning.”

Yao Shu regarded Chen Shuwen and finally understood why Qi Xuansu had entrusted the Nanyang United Trading Company to this man. Chen Shuwen was indeed no simple character.

Chen Shuwen appeared perfectly composed on the surface, but inwardly, he was lamenting his predicament. The vast disparity in their status placed enormous pressure on him. Yao Shu had not summoned him merely to discuss Xie Jiaofeng. This matter probably went far beyond Xie Jiaofeng and might even implicate Chief Deputy Zhang and Chief Deputy Qi.

Yao Shu wanted him to provide more ammunition. From this, it seemed that some members of the Yao family had become deeply dissatisfied with Sage Donghua’s series of actions.

Although the Yao family could not openly fall out with Sage Donghua, they wanted to remind him at this critical juncture in the contest for Grand Master that he had not become Grand Master yet. Even if he did become Grand Master, the Yao family would still remain a formidable force. The Three Great Families had endured through several generations of Grand Masters without falling and remained at the height of their power. This time would be no exception.

However, Chen Shuwen had no intention of switching allegiances. Leaving aside the fact that Qi Xuansu had promoted him, from a purely practical standpoint, Yao Shu did not wield absolute power in the Poluo Daoist Mansion. There was still a Great Sage above him, as well as the Chief and Second Deputy Mansion Masters balancing out his power. No matter how advanced Yao Shu’s cultivation was or how great his authority was, there was only so much he could do to Chen Shuwen.

Yao Shu said, “During the investigation, we have uncovered an enormous amount of assets whose origins cannot be accounted for belonging to Xie Jiaofeng. I want to know whether this illicit wealth has anything to do with the Nanyang United Trading Company.”

Chen Shuwen chuckled. “I wouldn’t dare make any rash conclusions. After all, the Nanyang United Trading Company has a long history. Its origins can be traced back to the days of the Nanyang Federation of Mutual Aid and even further back to the Nanyang Federation of Daoist Expulsion. No one would dare claim to know everything that has happened within the company. Perhaps the core members of the Wang family knew, but they are no longer around. I have only been in charge of the Nanyang United Trading Company for a short time. Many of the muddled old accounts from before my tenure were written off when the company was restructured.

“Besides, Deputy Mansion Master Xie has been in his position for a long time and has served in the Poluo Daoist Mansion even back when you were still the Chief Deputy Ziwei Hall Master. At the time, I was still idling at home, while Chief Deputy Qi was still serving in Ziwei Hall as your subordinate.”

When trouble arose, it was best to blame the dead, as there was no way the dead could defend themselves.

Yao Shu corrected him, “When Chief Deputy Qi was in Ziwei Hall, he was never my subordinate. He always reported directly to the Hall Master. Only the Hall Master knew what he was doing. I had no authority to interfere.”

Something stirred in Chen Shuwen’s mind. “There’s no need to draw such clear distinctions, is there? You, Chief Deputy Qi, and Sage Donghua all came from Ziwei Hall. You’re all one family. Since you’re family, harmony should naturally come first.”

Yao Shu looked at Chen Shuwen. “Is there any discord among the three of us?”

Chen Shuwen avoided Yao Shu’s gaze. “Whether there is harmony or discord, only the three Sages involved would know. How could an outsider like me possibly comprehend such intricacies?”

Yao Shu did not dwell on the subject and instead gave him a subtle warning. “Let’s leave it at that for today, Old Chen. I’ve always considered you an intelligent man, and more importantly, a man who understands how things work. Your sensitivity to many matters far surpasses that of many high-ranking Daoist priests. In some respects, you would be more than qualified to be a Sage yourself. That is why I still made time to speak with you despite my busy schedule. Given the problems Poluo is facing now, you must have a clear idea of what you should do from here on and which path you should take.”

Chen Shuwen rose to his feet. “I will be sure to remember the Mansion Master’s guidance.”

——End of Flashback——

Zhang Yuelu had already passed through the gateway of Sheji Palace.

On either side, the Spirit Guards stood motionless in the pouring rain, allowing the downpour to wash over their armor without so much as flinching.

“That’s what happened. Old Chen originally wanted to report this to you, but he was worried it wouldn’t be secure and that someone might intercept the message through some means, so he reported it to Second Deputy Xu in person at the first opportunity.” Sun Yongfeng walked half a step behind Zhang Yuelu as he concluded his report.

Nothing on Zhang Yuelu’s face betrayed her thoughts. In the Daoist Order, it was important to learn how to conceal one’s expressions. Young Daoists like Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu were still relatively expressive compared to some older Daoists, who were practically like corpses. Only their eyes occasionally moved while the rest of their faces remained utterly unchanged. This was what it meant to show neither joy nor anger on one’s face. But at times, it could be rather unnerving.

Lin Yuanmiao, who had remained silent until now, suddenly asked, “Should we inform Chief Deputy Qi?”

Zhang Yuelu’s first instinct was to reject the suggestion. “I don’t think it’s necessary. He already has plenty on his plate over there, and he still needs to prepare for the handover with Yong Yan.”

Lin Yuanmiao said, “Old Chen was personally promoted and appointed by Chief Deputy Qi. If someone is trying to implicate Old Chen now, then they’re also trying to implicate Chief Deputy Qi. Since this concerns Chief Deputy Qi, I think he should at least be informed beforehand so he knows what to expect.”

Zhang Yuelu thought it over and agreed with his reasoning. “Alright, then. Go inform Tian Yuan.”

As she spoke, Zhang Yuelu handed her Daoist license to Lin Yuanmiao.

Lin Yuanmiao turned and disappeared into the downpour since he was not required to attend the council meeting.

......

While Nanyang was battered by endless rain, the Southern Continent basked beneath a brilliant sun.

Qi Xuansu’s conversation with Huangfu Ji was also drawing to a close. The two had a pleasant discussion. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, matters on the Southern Continent could be wrapped up ahead of schedule.

Huangfu Ji stood up and suggested, “How about we follow the Westerners’ custom and shake hands?”

Although the middle and lower ranks of the Southern Continent were highly resistant to Western customs, to the point that such resistance had almost become the politically correct stance, the upper echelons of the Western Daoist Order were actually well-versed in Western learning. Quite a few of its senior figures had even lived on the Western Continent in their youth.

Qi Xuansu did not refuse. He rose and shook hands with Huangfu Ji.

The pleasant scenery outside the window formed a fitting backdrop behind them.

Just then, Qi Xuansu felt an alert from his Daoist license and saw that it was Zhang Yuelu. He excused himself to Huangfu Ji. “Qing Xiao is looking for me.”

Huangfu Ji joked, “Should I make myself scarce? I wouldn’t want to interrupt the two of you.”

Qi Xuansu waved his hand. “I can count the sweet nothings she has ever said to me on one hand. There’s really nothing you can possibly interrupt.”

As he spoke, Qi Xuansu accepted the communication. But to his surprise, it was not Zhang Yuelu on the other end. It was Lin Yuanmiao.

Qi Xuansu’s first thought was that something had happened to Zhang Yuelu.

Lin Yuanmiao took the initiative to speak, “Chief Deputy Qi, Chief Deputy Zhang is about to attend the Daoist Mansion Council, so she asked me to brief you on her behalf.”

Qi Xuansu already had a bad feeling. If this were an ordinary matter, Zhang Yuelu would have waited until after the meeting. Since it could not wait, the matter was clearly urgent and likely connected to this council meeting that Zhang Yuelu was about to attend.