A Pawn's Passage

Zhang Yuelu composed herself and changed the topic. “Let’s not dwell on these matters. How are you feeling now?”

Qi Xuansu replied, “The Xuan Jade is immensely beneficial. I think I’m only a step away from becoming a Heavenly Being.”

Zhang Yuelu shifted her gaze to scrutinize Qi Xuansu. “Tian Yuan, do you know Mogul Yao?”

“I don’t. You were the one who told me who she was.” Qi Xuansu shook his head.

Zhang Yuelu accepted the explanation and asked, “Then why did she throw the Xuan Jade at you?”

Qi Xuansu let out a small cough and muttered, “Maybe Mogul Yao found me pleasing to the eye?”

Zhang Yuelu clicked her tongue. “So, you’re quite popular with women, huh? You even managed to catch the eye of the distinguished Mogul Yao.”

“Well, I can’t compare to you, who caught the eye of the Earthly Preceptor.” Qi Xuansu argued confidently. “Besides, I even caught your eye. Doesn’t that just prove your excellent judgment? It’s like they say, fine horses are common, but a true scout is rare to come by.”

“Don’t joke around,” Zhang Yuelu said sternly, her expression turning serious. “Answer the question honestly.”

Qi Xuansu cleared his throat. “I think it was just luck. You saw it too. When Mogul Yao threw the Xuan Jade, I wasn’t the first one to come into contact with it. All the Sages and Deputy Hall Masters dodged it, and those who didn’t get away in time got knocked back.

“I don’t think Mogul Yao deliberately threw it at me. Logically, I should have been knocked away like the others, but something unexpected happened. Instead of repelling me, the jade fused into my body. I think that was also beyond Mogul Yao’s expectations.”

Zhang Yuelu thought it over and found the explanation reasonable. Besides, she did not suspect Qi Xuansu much, to begin with, so she accepted his reasoning.

Qi Xuansu continued, “After acquiring the Xuan Jade, I now have the Shaman lineage. However, I feel that Rogue Cultivators supplemented by the Xuan Jade aren’t quite the same as a natural-born Banished Immortal like you.”

Then, Qi Xuansu voiced his doubts.

Zhang Yuelu explained, “Actually, Banished Immortals can also regenerate flesh and soul travel without relying on external objects, provided we learn specific techniques for them.

“The reason Martial Arts Practitioners can gain body regenerative abilities is because of the set of techniques that the Holy Xuan compiled from the Manly Immortal lineage. As long as Daoist disciples follow the prescribed training, they are guaranteed to acquire this mystical ability. But the techniques from the Manly Immortal lineage demand extremely high levels of blood qi, making them exclusive to Martial Arts Practitioners.

“Qi Refiners and Diviners can’t practice these techniques, but Banished Immortals don’t have such restrictions. The reason I don’t possess these abilities is simply because I haven’t learned them. It’s not because the Daoist Order prohibits it. I just have limited capacity, so I have no choice but to prioritize my learning.”

Qi Xuansu was momentarily speechless.

He had considered many possibilities, but he had not thought of this one.

Zhang Yuelu continued, “On the other hand, this method of supplementation doesn’t come from oneself. While it’s initially more comprehensive, it has limited potential. Decades down the line, it may not compare to a Banished Immortal’s painstakingly trained skills.”

Qi Xuansu finally understood. Zhang Yuelu’s current limitations stemmed from her limited capacity. But if given enough time to study Daoist canons, she could put effort into learning more mystical abilities and eventually master everything.

In contrast, Qi Xuansu’s enhancement through the Xuan Jade did not depend not on his efforts but on the jade itself, thus limiting his potential growth.

A man-made Banished Immortal was akin to a skilled craftsman bound by rigid ideas and frameworks, unable to step beyond limits set by their patrons. Meanwhile, a natural-born Banished Immortal was akin to an unrestrained master painter, with the freedom to innovate.

However, this made sense. The Daoist Order was to mass-produce Banished Immortals, necessitating a standardized “mold.” For ease of control, they certainly would not allow these man-made Banished Immortals to grow on their own accord.

Qi Xuansu stopped fixating on the issue and asked, “What is the Golden Tower Council’s stance? With so many deaths, they must give the public an explanation.”

“They’re still deliberating,” Zhang Yuelu replied, her tone slightly somber. “Aside from me, the rest of the seven-member investigation team has been recalled to Jade Capital. Li Tianlan from the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion and some others have been ordered to report to the Golden Tower Council for questioning.

“I was exempted because we were the first to uncover the Cult of Fates’ conspiracy and immediately notified the Golden Tower Council. This even counts as a merit.”

Qi Xuansu asked, “What about Sage Pei and Sage Lei?”

“They’re a part of the investigation team, so who can completely absolve themselves? It’s undeniable that the calamity happened due to the negligence of the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion. Moreover, some claim that the Jinling’s calamity resulted entirely from the investigation team overextending their case. Naturally, others refuted this. In the end, it’s a muddled mess. The intent is simple—either everyone is punished, or everyone compromises.” Zhang Yuelu sighed.

Qi Xuansu was no longer surprised.

Zhang Yuelu continued, “Our merits could have gone either way. Without someone to speak for us, our achievements might have been deemed faults. In the end, it was the Earthly Preceptor who vouched for us, declaring our contributions. The other two Deputy Grand Masters wouldn’t refute the Earthly Preceptor over two menial figures like us, and no one else has the standing to argue. That’s why we’re allowed to remain in Jinling.”

Qi Xuansu chuckled. “Then I’ve benefited from being associated with you.”

Everyone knew that the Earthly Preceptor favored Zhang Yuelu. If not for Zhang Yuelu’s last name, the Earthly Preceptor would likely have already taken her in as a disciple of the Quanzhen Sect.

Grateful for the Earthly Preceptor’s recognition, Zhang Yuelu had considered joining the Quanzhen Sect but ultimately chose to remain with the Zhengyi Sect out of respect for her parents and master.

Zhang Yuelu waved her hand. “We’re about the same in this regard. Sage Donghua personally recognized you as a Quanzhen Sect disciple. By the way, after we jointly took down a high-ranking leader of the Cult of Fates who is a Wuliang-stage Heavenly Being, you’re guaranteed a Heaven merit, which is the highest merit possible.

“Due to this, you may be exempted from the tenure system and get promoted to a fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist master, just like I was. Meanwhile, I’ll likely be promoted to a third-rank Youyi Daoist master. That will finally make my rank match up to my position of Deputy Hall Master.”

Qi Xuansu’s eyes lit up. “Really?!”

“I’m about 80 percent sure.” Zhang Yuelu nodded. “Since it’s been acknowledged that we’ve made contributions, it’s not just empty words. Rewards will naturally follow.”

Qi Xuansu began calculating the benefits of a fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist master.

At that moment, Zhang Yuelu retrieved a large envelope from her magical receptacle. “Here’s your stipend and allowances for the past few months, up to the first day of June. You’ve been a fifth-rank Daoist priest for about five months, so you’ll get 50 Taiping coins per month, plus a subsidy of 20 Taiping coins for being a Prospective Mage.

“That totals 70 Taiping coins a month and 350 Taiping coins for five months. You also have a 1,000 Taiping coins relocation allowance, so the Duzhi Hall rounded it up to 1,400 Taiping coins.”

Qi Xuansu excitedly took over the envelope, opened it, and found a stack of crisp new cash notes that still smelled of fresh ink.

Having been on the brink of poverty, this sum instantly turned the poor Qi Xuansu into a wealthy man. This did not even include the 1,000 Taiping coins that Madam Qi promised him and the 300 Taiping coins in unspent mission funds. Altogether, it added up to 2,700 Taiping coins.

Qi Xuansu could now consider renting a new house in the Middle Eight Blocks of Jade Capital, with a lease of around 10 years. He could even afford to hire a helper. However, purchasing a residence in Taishang Place was still a distant dream.

Zhang Yuelu owned a residence in Taishang Place with a 100-year lease, valued at an astounding 100,000 Taiping coins. Zhang Yuyue had gifted it to her using the name of the Heavenly Preceptor—a testament to the opulence of affluent families.

Content, Qi Xuansu carefully put away the large envelope. That was when he noticed he was still wearing the Taiyi Cloud Robe he had borrowed from Zhang Yuelu.

Seeing this, he removed it, wanting to return it to the rightful owner.

Zhang Yuelu initially intended to refuse. However, upon reconsideration, letting Qi Xuansu parade this robe around would be tantamount to announcing their relationship to the public. Zhang Yuelu was more conservative, so she decided to accept it.

She took the Taiyi Cloud Robe from Qi Xuansu and put it back on. Although she was a Heavenly Being, which rendered the robe’s flight function unnecessary, its protective cloud aura still provided valuable defense.

After tidying her appearance slightly, Zhang Yuelu said, “Now that you’re awake, there’s no need for me to stay here. I’ll head to the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion. Rest well. I’ll check on you later.”

Qi Xuansu nodded in agreement.

Shortly after Zhang Yuelu left, the door opened slightly, revealing a face that was mostly covered by a pair of sunglasses.

“Madam Qi!” Qi Xuansu blurted out.