A Pawn's Passage

Qi Xuansu’s wedding was set to be held at the Chiming Palace.

This palace had no specific function, so the various Daoist halls could borrow it to hold joint council meetings. It could be used for ceremonies, making it highly versatile. Since it was under the jurisdiction of the Zixiao Palace, permission had to be sought from Great Sage Jiang.

Given Qi Xuansu’s relationship with Great Sage Jiang, this was not at all difficult. Great Sage Jiang not only agreed to lend them the venue but also sent people over to help.

Chiming Palace was located within the Purple Mansion, which served as a natural threshold capable of effectively keeping out uninvited guests hoping to slip in unnoticed. After all, the Purple Mansion was an important restricted area with extremely tight security.

If someone could not even enter the Purple Mansion, then they were most likely not a guest. Of course, there would also be a few lower-ranked Daoist priests on Qi Xuansu’s side, such as Liu Hu, but they would generally be escorted inside by others with access. Apart from them, the lowest-ranked attendees were all fourth-rank Jijiu Daoists.

Invitations had been sent to everyone from the Earthly Preceptor and the Imperial Preceptor to the seven Virtuous Great Sages and the 32 Omniscient Sages.

There were only seven Great Sages because Madam Wu was not included as a “guest.” She now regarded herself as part of Qi Xuansu’s side of the family. Likewise, there were only 32 Omniscient Sages because those directly involved, like Sage Donghua, Sage Cihang, Zhang Jucheng, and Qi Xuansu, had been excluded. After all, there was no reason to send a wedding invitation to the immediate family already involved in the wedding planning. Everyone else received an invitation regardless of how close or distant their relationship was, from those as close as the Zhang family to those as distant as the Li family.

Quite a number of ordinary Sages and third-rank Youyi Daoist priests would also be attending, probably numbering in the hundreds. Some might be unable to come personally, but they would generally send someone in their place to offer congratulations.

If someone was capable of entering the Purple Mansion despite not receiving an invitation and voluntarily came to witness the ceremony and offer congratulations, they would still be welcomed with smiles. With so many Immortals, Pseudo-Immortals, and Heavenly Beings present, there was no need to be afraid of people taking the opportunity to cause trouble. Even Zhou Mengyao would not have the courage to do such a thing.

Geographically, Chiming Palace was very close to Ziwei Hall, so Sage Donghua sent people over to help as well.

The reasoning was obvious. If the entire wedding were handled by the Zhang family, it would make Qi Xuansu look as though he were marrying into the Zhang family as a matrilocal son-in-law. This would allow the Zhang family to gain plenty of prestige from it, but where would that leave Sage Donghua’s and Sage Taiwei’s dignity?

At the very least, the group responsible for welcoming the guests would mainly consist of Sage Donghua’s people. They included members of the Pei family as well as people from the Donghua lineage.

Chiming Palace was now filled with a festive atmosphere. Lanterns and colorful decorations had been hung throughout the palace, and the entire place had been rearranged for the occasion.

Despite being extremely busy, Sage Donghua found time to visit Chiming Palace and inspect the preparations. He was reasonably satisfied but noticed a tiny figure mixed among the Daoist priests bustling back and forth. The little figure did not look as though she had come to help. If anything, she looked more like she was there to cause trouble.

She was tiny in stature, yet astonishingly high in cultivation, having already reached the Zaohua stage, which naturally drew attention.

Sage Donghua knew that this was the third-generation Emperor Willow Spirit. He had originally thought that the Emperor Willow was already a spent force, with each generation weaker than the last. Unexpectedly, it had encountered another fortuitous opportunity and managed to turn things around.

But Sage Donghua paid her no mind and turned to leave.

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu were equally busy at this time. Zhang Yuelu strongly opposed the idea of wearing elaborate ceremonial wedding attire, but they could not exactly have her get married in an hechang either. Its black-and-white colors were simply too plain. Yet the Daoist Order did not follow the tradition of phoenix coronets and embroidered bridal capes, nor was it particularly fond of the color red. Thus, after Zhang Jucheng and Tantai Qiong discussed the matter, they specially commissioned two custom-made purple and gold hechangs.

Zhang Yuelu had compromised on this.

The Daoist Order revered the color purple. Purple clouds were regarded as auspicious, and many important places had purple, or Zi,in its name. When the Primordial Daoist Ancestor arrived, purple qi was said to have come from the east for thousands of kilometers.

Gold ranked just below purple, which was why the lotus crowns worn by the Virtuous Great Sages were made of purple and gold.

The purple and gold hechangs now being specially made for Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu were equivalent to the attire of the Grand Master. The principle was much the same as allowing ordinary commoners to wear ninth-rank official robes and phoenix coronets with embroidered bridal capes at their weddings. It was a temporary elevation beyond one’s proper status within permissible bounds. Under the circumstances, no one would find fault with it, much less object.

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu were currently trying on their hechangs separately. Things were relatively simple on Qi Xuansu’s side. The male Daoist priests had little interest in such matters, so once Qi Xuansu was more or less done getting fitted, they decided to go drinking.

But things were completely different on Zhang Yuelu’s side. A large group of female Daoists surrounded her, including her female cousins from the Zhang family, elders such as Tantai Qiong, her senior and junior sisters from the Cihang lineage, as well as various friends. Every single person had an idea of her own and eagerly voiced her opinion, so much so that Zhang Yuelu felt as though she were about to explode. She desperately wanted to slam the table and rise to her feet, but she forcibly restrained herself. This was precisely one of the reasons she had insisted on keeping everything as simple as possible.

Truth be told, Zhang Yuelu wanted to go drinking too. Little Yin had already tagged along with the others, yet Zhang Yuelu still had to sit here.

Toward the end, even Sage Cihang and Madam Wu came over to take a look.

As soon as the Third Omniscient Sage and Great Sage Qi entered, everyone hurriedly greeted them according to proper etiquette. Sage Cihang waved her hand and said with a smile, “It’s such a joyous occasion. There’s no need for formalities.”

Madam Wu added, “We’re here on behalf of the groom’s family to see how the preparations are coming along.”

Some of the more perceptive people immediately noticed that Great Sage Qi had used “we.” Did this “we” include Sage Cihang as well?

But no one could very well ask about it openly, so they could only keep their questions to themselves.

The female Daoist responsible for Zhang Yuelu’s makeup continued her job.

Meanwhile, Qi Xuansu had already gone to a side hall with a group of male Daoists. Besides those closest to him, such as Pei Xiaolou, Ji Jiaozhen, Lin Yuanmiao, Yan Yongzhen, Xu Kou, Chen Jianchou, Lu Yujue, and Mo Qingdi, there was also a delegation from the Western Daoist Order. Huangfu Ji headed the group, with Tantai Ying, Hun Ahau, and Utu among them. Huangfu Ji represented Great Sage Tantai, Great Sage Gong, as well as his own father, Great Sage Huangfu. Tantai Ying represented the other Sages beneath the three Great Sages, Hun Ahau represented the Tawantin Court, while Utu represented the ancient gods headed by Ixchel.

Zhang Wuyue had also returned after recovering from his injuries.

Since Ixchel was a Quasi-First-Tribulation Immortal, she had managed to save Zhang Wuyue. However, the price was that Zhang Wuyue had to switch cultivation paths. From now on, he would follow the Shaman lineage. Fortunately, the Zhengyi Sect governed matters concerning ghosts and gods and possessed more than enough experience in this field, so it was not much of a problem.

Zhang Wuyue should have gone over to Zhang Yuelu’s side, but after seeing a room packed with female Daoists, he very sensibly joined Qi Xuansu’s side instead.

Little Yin had also slipped in and followed along.

Once they arrived, Pei Xiaolou immediately called for wine. Naturally, they could not serve Dreaming Death, because if they actually got drunk and delayed the important event tomorrow, it would have been a major incident. After all, half of the Daoist Order’s upper echelon would be attending the ceremony, along with distinguished guests from the Western Daoist Order. Nothing could be allowed to go wrong. So they merely served ordinary yellow rice wine, just for a taste.

Naturally, Qi Xuansu was the center of attention, so everyone made him drink quite a bit.

But this amount of alcohol was hardly worth mentioning to him as a Pseudo-Immortal.

Little Yin did not like drinking this “bitter water.” While everyone else drank, she ate to her heart’s content. Half the dishes on the table ended up in her stomach, as though she were a bottomless pit.

The ninth day of the month happened to be the ideal day for sacrifices, prayers for blessings, and marriage.

At dawn, a flock of white cranes circled upward into the blue sky, their cries ringing out one after another.

The guests had already begun arriving one after another, converging on Chiming Palace. Looking around, one could see lotus crowns and Swords of Wisdom everywhere. Sages, who were usually difficult to encounter, became commonplace today.

There was also no shortage of white-jade lotus crowns and golden-purple lotus crowns.

Among the Three Deputy Grand Masters, the Earthly Preceptor and the Imperial Preceptor did not attend. However, the Heavenly Preceptor came in person, wearing his hibiscus crown.

Of the eight Virtuous Great Sages of the Golden Tower Council, four were present, including Madam Wu, Great Sage Jiang, Great Sage Shi of the Wanxiang Daoist Palace, and Great Sage Yan of Shakya.

Great Sage Yan had not rejuvenated herself, so she now had the appearance of a white-haired old woman. She was considered tall for a woman, though nowhere near as exceptionally tall as Lei Xiaohuan. She carried herself with dignified grace and imposing authority. One could tell that she must have been an aloof beauty in her youth, but with age, that aloofness had turned into an intimidating aura. Her movements were a bit rigid, and she was meticulous in everything she did. Whether walking, standing, sitting, or conversing with others, she remained expressionless, making people instinctively wary of her.

She was completely different from Sage Cihang and Madam Wu.

Sage Cihang always made people feel as though they were basking in a spring breeze, naturally inspiring goodwill. Meanwhile, Madam Wu was cold on the outside but warm within. Great Sage Yan was cold both inside and out and was indeed difficult to deal with. The Zhang family’s prestige had been crucial in persuading her to attend this time.

As for Great Sage Lan, it was not that he had anything against Qi Xuansu, nor was he particularly concerned about the situation in Poluo. He was simply too lazy to make the trip, so he sent Xu Jiaorong as his representative.

The other Virtuous Great Sages of the Golden Tower Council also sent representatives to offer their congratulations as a gesture.

Of the 36 Omniscient Sages, half were present. Those who could come had all attended. Nearly all the Sages based in Jade Capital were there, with the exception of Sage Qingwei. Even so, Sage Qingwei had entrusted Li Zhuyu to represent him.

Among those who did not attend, some were genuinely too occupied with official duties to get away. Others simply did not want to come, such as Yao Shu, Li Wuji, and Li Changlu. There were also those who did not actually want to come but had little choice in the matter and ultimately showed up anyway, such as Li Ruoshui, who was also there as the Imperial Preceptor’s representative.

The Omniscient Sages who could not attend likewise sent representatives to offer congratulations on their behalf.

The Earthly Preceptor likewise sent a representative—Yao Pei. It was difficult to say whether this counted as showing respect or withholding it. On the one hand, the Earthly Preceptor had not appeared, nor had Yao Yi and Yao Shu. On the other hand, Yao Pei, the future head of the Yao family, had personally attended.

Two of the Three Daoist Prodigies were present. Li Changge was far away on the Southern Continent, and the reconstruction of the intelligence network on the Northern Continent had reached a critical stage, making it genuinely impossible for him to leave. Qi Xuansu could only express his understanding. Had Li Changge been in the Central Plains, he most likely would have attended and would have done so as the Imperial Preceptor’s representative, much like how Yao Pei represented the Earthly Preceptor. Since Li Changge could not come, Princess Chiying attended on his behalf.

To Qi Xuansu’s surprise, the Imperial Court had also sent representatives. Jade Capital was a city of Daoists. With the exception of unusual cases such as Qin Lingge, members of the Great Xuan royal family also had Daoist status by default.

Prince Jin, Qin Quanyi, arrived in Jade Capital with Shi Bingyun, conveying the Emperor’s and the Empress Dowager’s congratulations to the two rising stars of the Daoist Order.