A Pawn's Passage

There were 24 neighborhoods in Jade Capital, divided into the Upper Eight Blocks, the Middle Eight Blocks, and the Lower Eight Blocks.

Taishang Place was a part of the Upper Eight Blocks, while Haichan Place was located in the Lower Eight Blocks. The former was located in the northwest corner of Jade Capital, close to Xuan City, while the latter was located in the southeast corner of Jade Capital, close to the ports where the flying ships landed outside the city.

Nun Cui’s vacation ended, so she took the flying ship back to the Jade Capital on New Year’s Day. It departed from Zhongzhou and arrived in Jade Capital on January 2nd.

The port in Jade Capital was so large that it could accommodate more than 20 flying ships docking at the same time. On January 2nd, many flying ships docked in a neat row, which was a spectacular sight.

When Nun Cui walked down the ramp, the passengers from other flying ships were also disembarking one after another. Since it was still the festive period, there were not many people disembarking. Nun Cui noticed that there was an empty docking bay not far away.

Nun Cui was surprised by this. “Is that ship late?”

After she got off the ramp, she saw a crowd gathering in the front. She was curious about what was going on and happened to spot a colleague, so she went over and asked about the situation.

Her colleague said, “I heard that there was an accident. A flying ship was shot down by cult demons, killing many on board. Even the Tiangang Hall was dispatched.”

“The flying ship crashed?!” Nun Cui was startled. She recalled the empty docking bay and asked, “Which flying ship was it?”

The colleague replied, “I think it’s from the Shangqing Palace. They say that the cult demon sneaked onto the flying ship. These demons are really pervasive, causing trouble all the time.”

Nun Cui suddenly had a bad premonition; her face tinged with worry.

The colleague noticed her expression and asked, “Why? Do you have an acquaintance on that flying ship?”

Nun Cui shook her head. “My neighbor went to Yunjin Mountain, but he’s supposed to return on the 15th of January. I don’t think it’s him, but it’s such a close call.”

“Yeah, it’s such a close call. Fate is a cruel thing. If those passengers had left a few days earlier with the Quanzhen Sect’s ship, they would still be alive. After all, there are many Sages onboard that ship, so no one would dare hijack it. If those passengers left later, on the 15th of January, there would be more high-ranking priests and Heavenly Beings onboard. They’re so unlucky to have taken the flying ship on New Year’s Day. Those people were probably rushing back for their duties. What a pity...” The colleague sighed.

Most people felt sorry for their own kind; the same was true for these Daoist priests. They might not care much about what happened to ordinary people because they could not relate to them. But they were deeply shaken by this accident because it could have happened to them. Thus, they were saddened but also fearful.

Due to this fear, the higher-ups would soon reach a consensus to crack down on the secret societies, especially the three major cults.

While they were talking, a flying ship landed on the lake behind them, stirring up a cloud of mist.

“That’s the flying ship of Tiangang Hall!” Someone had already recognized the logo on the flying ship.

After the ramp was lowered, a group of Tiangang Hall priests in formal attire disembarked, looking exhausted. Trailing at the end of the group was a woman dressed in casual clothes, looking so out of place. Her face was pale, and her eyes were downcast.

Nun Cui recognized the woman at a glance and shouted, “Deputy Hall Master Zhang!”

Zhang Yuelu turned around upon hearing her name. When she saw that it was Nun Cui, she hesitated for a moment and dismissed Mu Jin before walking toward the old woman by herself.

Nun Cui excused herself from her colleague and went up to Zhang Yuelu.

“Mage Cui.” Zhang Yuelu still remembered Nun Cui, who was Qi Xuansu’s neighbor. They met and chatted briefly when Zhang Yuelu went to Haichan Place over a month ago.

Nun Cui looked behind Zhang Yuelu and did not see the person she was looking for, so her heart skipped a beat. She asked softly, “Where’s Tian Yuan? He didn’t come back with you?”

Zhang Yuelu closed her eyes for a few seconds. When she opened them again, she whispered, “Tian Yuan… He fell…”

“Did he…?” Nun Cui covered her mouth and almost gasped.

……

Nun Cui and Zhang Yuelu went to Qi Xuansu’s home in Haichan Place.

Since Qi Xuansu’s luggage was still in Zhang Yuelu’s magical receptacle, Zhang Yuelu had the key to Qi Xuansu’s house.

At this time, Zhang Yuelu and Nun Cui were sitting in the living room of Qi Xuansu’s home. Zhang Yuelu briefly recounted the incident on the flying ship. “That’s what happened. I decided to mark him as missing first. Maybe Tian Yuan will come back one day.”

Nun Cui wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. “Tian Yuan and his master have such miserable lives. We still don’t know who killed his master. Now this...”

Hearing this, Zhang Yuelu suddenly remembered that Qi Xuansu had mentioned wanting to avenge his master. What Zhang Yuelu did not know was that Qi Xuansu had already taken revenge. Her eyes turned red as she promised, “I will fulfill any unfinished business he has.”

Nun Cui let out a long sigh. “Tian Yuan has no relatives. Deputy Hall Master Zhang, I’ll leave all these arrangements to you. Please tell me if there is anything I can do to help.”

“Of course, it’s my duty.” Zhang Yuelu nodded.

Nun Cui stood up and said, “Then I’ll take my leave first.”

After Nun Cui left, Zhang Yuelu took out Qi Xuansu’s luggage from her magical receptacle, wanting to put the items back in their original places.

When she went to the study, it looked the same as the last time she was there. Zhang Yuelu looked around and suddenly thought about the time when she was packing Qi Xuansu’s luggage with him. Her nose tingled as she felt the urge to cry.

Two of them departed, but only one of them returned.

……

After learning about the flying ship incident, Zhang Juqi, Tantai Qiong, Zhang Yuyue, Zhang Chiyue, Zhang Juping, Yan Mingchen, and a few others wrote to Zhang Yuelu, asking about her situation. However, Zhang Yuelu was not in the mood to respond, even to the mother-child talismans. She did not want others to worry, so she asked Mu Jin to reply to them on her behalf.

Mu Jin replied to each letter truthfully. After the Zhang family confirmed that Zhang Yuelu was safe and sound, they could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. They had also learned that Qi Xuansu had died in this crash.

Tantai Qiong did not show any sadness regarding Qi Xuansu’s death. She was indifferent to the news. Upon seeing his wife’s reaction, the usually reticent Zhang Juqi was infuriated.

Zhang Juqi usually avoided direct conflicts with his wife, but this time, he scolded her. “No matter how much you dislike Tian Yuan, he sacrificed himself to save our daughter. Is it too much to even shed a few tears out of gratitude? Is this your upbringing? Where’s your humanity?!”

Tantai Qiong was furious and wanted to refute her husband.

However, Zhang Juqi interrupted her. “If you want to argue with me, let’s get a few witnesses first and argue in front of Qing Xiao. Even if that young man has nothing to do with Qing Xiao, he’s still a Daoist disciple. Shouldn’t you at least feel some sympathy for all those people who have died in this accident?”

Rendered speechless, Tantai Qiong had no choice but to suppress her anger.

Zhang Juqi turned to Zhang Yuyue and berated her. “You keep saying that Tian Yuan is the next Li Minghuang and that he must have some bad intentions in approaching Qing Xiao by using her as a stepping stone. What about now? What else do you have to say about him? Do you think that Li Minghuang will sacrifice himself for you? You were deceived by that jerk, but does that give you the right to prejudge all men the same way?”

Zhang Yuyue was also rendered speechless. After a long time, she muttered, “I was wrong."

Zhang Juqi let out a huff and continued, “This whole family is blind! Only Qing Xiao is smart enough to see things clearly. Yes, Tian Yuan is indeed an orphan and a low-rank priest, but the fact that he sacrificed himself for Qing Xiao makes him a hundred times better than Li Tianzhen. I advise you two to stop all your scheming and start being more considerate about Qing Xiao’s feelings.”

For a moment, the hall was silent. Neither Tantai Qiong nor Zhang Yuyue spoke.

……

Zhang Yuelu returned to the Yaoguang Pavilion in Tiangang Hall and went to her room. That was when she noticed a set of folded new clothes and some documents on Qi Xuansu’s table.

“What’s this?” Zhang Yuelu stopped in her tracks.

Mu Jin replied hesitantly, “That’s the sixth-rank priest’s formal attire, insignia, salary, subsidies, and relocation fees.”

Although Mu Jin did not mention who it was for, they both knew who the recipient of these was.

Zhang Yuelu was silent for a while before she instructed, “Put them away in a cabinet in the inner room and give them to him when he comes back.”

Mu Jin subconsciously answered, “But he’s—”

Before Mu Jin could complete her sentence, Zhang Yuelu shot a sharp glance at her.

Zhang Yuelu sighed and ordered, “Go.”

“Alright.” Mu Jin picked up Qi Xuansu’s things and turned to leave.

As soon as Zhang Yuelu sat down in Qi Xuansu’s seat, the Tiangang Hall Master came in. Zhang Yuelu was startled to see him here and subconsciously wanted to get up to greet him. But the Hall Master stretched out his hand, signaling for her to relax.

He said, “I’ve heard what happened. Is he the young man who accompanied you to the theater?”

Zhang Yuelu nodded.

The Hall Master sighed. He had always treated Zhang Yuelu as his disciple. A few months ago, he had given her two theater tickets as a reward, hoping that she would perhaps find a lifelong partner for herself one day. The pair of theater tickets did have some effect, but no one had expected this accident to occur.

“I know of that young man. He had good prospects. It’s just a pity this happened.” The Hall Master lamented. “But don’t be too sad. Everyone dies eventually. We must learn to move on.”

Zhang Yuelu said softly, “Yes, Hall Master.”

The Hall Master added, “You have to cheer up as soon as possible. If I’m not mistaken, the Daoist Order will soon launch an operation to crackdown on the secret societies. When the time comes, I’ll select you for the mission.”

Zhang Yuelu answered solemnly, “Please rest assured, Hall Master.”

The Hall Master did not say anything more and left.

After the Hall Master left, Lingquanzi, Sun Yongfeng, Cao Liyou, and Xu Kou came over to check on Zhang Yuelu, who had survived this catastrophe. They also wanted to confirm the news of Qi Xuansu’s death.

Cao Liyou asked with a trembling voice, “Deputy Hall Master, is it true that Deacon Qi—”

Zhang Yuelu nodded.

Cao Liyou was so shocked that he did not know what to say.

Regardless of their sincerity, everyone bore somber expressions upon hearing this. Lingquanzi, who had fought side by side with Qi Xuansu, was truly saddened by the news.

Xu Kou mumbled to no one in particular, “I’m finally convinced that you’re a true man.”