A Pawn's Passage

At this time, the Innkeeper’s office had become a temporary “General’s tent,” with a tactical map of the Black Robes hung up and soldiers coming in and out to make reports.

This was where Qi Xuansu was brought to meet Qin Wubing.

Judging from his appearance alone, Qin Wubing was not old. He looked similar in age to Qi Xuansu. But Qi Xuansu knew that Qin Wubing’s appearance was due to an extremely high level of cultivation, which could allow one to practice reverse-aging methods.

However, Qin Wubing’s real age was not more than 40 years old, which was considerably young among the high-ranking Black Robes. He was what one would describe as handsome and talented.

Given his family background, ability, and experience, Qin Wubing would inherit the title of Commandery Prince and be a part of the Imperial Cabinet in the future, becoming one of the few people in the highest echelon of the Imperial Court.

It was similar to how Zhang Yuelu was expected to be in the Golden Tower Council and become one of the big shots influencing the direction of the Daoist Order.

However, these expectations were dependent on whether they could survive the tribulations along the way.

Qi Xuansu had already learned from the soldier on the way over about the joint operation of the Daoist Order and the Imperial Court to eliminate all secret society members in Yongzhou.

He was not surprised by the Daoist Order’s ruthless approach, but he did not expect them to act so quickly. They skipped the Golden Tower Council’s lengthy debate, indicating that the three Deputy Grand Masters had reached a consensus on this matter.

Qin Wubing scrutinized Qi Xuansu. After a long time, he introduced himself. “My name is Qin Wubing, but you can address me as Deputy Protector. I won’t mind if you want to call me General or Commander either.”

Qi Xuansu used a Daoist salute to avoid the awkwardness of having to kneel. At the same time, he said respectfully, “Greetings, Commander. My name is Wei Wugui.”

“Are you from the Daoist Order?” Qin Wubing raised an eyebrow.

Qi Xuansu knew that it was difficult to cover up his Daoist identity, so he decided to mix in some truths and lies. “I was born in the Wanxiang Daoist Palace and later decided to travel alone.”

This was not completely false. Before going to Tiangang Hall, Qi Xuansu was indeed a lone traveler. After the flying ship crash, he returned to his old ways. There were quite a number of people like Qi Xuansu who were known as “wandering Daoists” by the Daoist Order.

These wandering Daoists did not care about their Daoist rank and were no different from traveling swordsmen. Over time, they became “former Daoists.”

The Daoist Order was so large that it was difficult to verify in a short time whether there was a former Daoist named Wei Wugui.

Qin Wubing was not suspicious of Qi Xuansu. He continued, “I already know what happened between you and that sentry officer. They shot you first, so you were fighting in self-defense. After they told you about the military order from the Protectorate, you stopped resisting, but Chen Meng still attacked you intending to kill you.

“Although the circumstances were excusable, Chen Meng violated military law, and you retaliated as a last resort. As soldiers, we Black Robes must be reasonable. We can’t expect non-reprisal when we make the first move.”

Qi Xuansu relaxed a little. After all, he understood the meaning behind Qin Wubing’s words. Qin Wubing did not intend to pursue Qi Xuansu’s responsibility for killing the sentry leader.

This was the reason Qi Xuansu did not go all out on a killing spree. If he had, Qin Wubing might not have forgiven him so easily. Of course, the most critical factor in this was Qin Xiang.

Although Qin Xiang was only a District Princess, she had the same social status as Qin Wubing. Qin Xiang’s status alone would not be enough to protect a cult member, but it was enough to protect a righteous Daoist who saved her from harm’s way.

Qin Wubing was willing to do her this favor. After all, interpersonal relationships between the rich and powerful were important.

After brushing over the death of a sentry leader, Qin Wubing changed the topic. “You have done well saving the District Princess. Do you know who attacked her?”

Qi Xuansu pretended to ponder this question before replying, “Commander, I can’t say for sure. But I suspect her attackers are from the Eight Tribes.”

“Why do you say so?” Qin Wubing questioned.

Qi Xuansu said, “During my travels, I have more or less come into contact with these cult demons and observed their different characteristics. For example, those Heavenly Court bigots are delusional. The Inn and Seven Treasure Pavilion are more like businesspeople, while the Qingping Society is the most mysterious.

“There are also three major cults: Ziguang Society, Cult of Fates, and Lingshan Witch Cult. They’re all lunatics. The Eight Tribes are easy to identify from their physical appearance, as they usually have strange deformities caused by consuming questionable elixirs. Some of them have bluish or grayish skin, scales, fangs, sores on the face, horns on the head, and so on.”

Qin Wubing nodded. “Oh, I see. According to the Daoist Order’s recent reports, there are indeed traces of the Eight Tribes’ activities in the area. This is a good chance to wipe them out.”

Qi Xuansu could not read Qin Wubing’s true thoughts about this, so he chose to remain silent.

Qin Wubing continued, “Anyway, I want to thank you for saving the District Princess from the Eight Tribes. If the Eight Tribes captured her and used her as a test subject, it would be a great humiliation to the imperial family. As such, I will ask the Imperial Court for credit on your behalf.”

“Commander, I dare not claim credit with the Imperial Court.” Qi Xuansu quickly added, “After all, this will not be good for the District Princess’s reputation. She may be punished if this comes to light. So I think it’s better to sweep this under the rug.”

Qin Wubing took a deep look at Qi Xuansu and smirked. “I see that you’re quite protective over the fairer sex.”

Qi Xuansu’s face turned solemn. “I dare not harbor such thoughts, Commander.”

“It doesn’t matter. By the way, the District Princess is waiting for you. She wants to thank you in person.” Qin Wubing smiled. “She’s on the second floor. You can go see her.”

Qi Xuansu saluted Qin Wubing again before leaving the Innkeeper’s office. Then he walked up the stairs to the second floor.

As soon as Qi Xuansu got to the second floor, Qin Wubing’s subordinate walked into the Innkeeper’s office. This subordinate was a Regional General. However, he did not lead troops but served as a strategy advisor.

“General, this is an official document from the Xiliang Governor’s Office.” The subordinate held out a piece of paper specially used in government offices.

Qin Wubing did not reach out to take it. Instead, he instructed, “Read it to me.”

“Yes, sir.” The subordinate obliged, trying his best to keep a flat tone while reciting in order to reduce the shocking contents on this piece of paper.

“To Deputy Protector Qin Wubing of the Xizhou Protectorate:Dated 26th January, 42nd year of the Jiushi Era.The Governor’s Office has received a confidential note from the Daoist Order’s Beichen Hall. According to Beichen Hall’s intelligence, a core member of the Qingping Society has infiltrated the foreign troops stationed in Yongzhou, lurking among thousands of soldiers with evil intentions.

Beichen Hall deduced that this person may have caused the failure of the operation to annihilate secret societies in Yongzhou. How did Beichen Hall obtain such incredulous information? How did the situation escalate to such serious consequences? How should the Governor’s Office reply to Beichen Hall’s note? Please advise accordingly.Best Regards,The Xiliang Governor’s Office.”

Qin Wubing was expressionless, keeping silent.

“General.” The subordinate asked tentatively, “Why didn’t Beichen Hall inform Tiangang Hall about this instead? Why would they send this note to the Governor’s Office and get them to inform us?”

Qin Wubing closed his eyes. “In any case, the Governor of Xiliang is nominally in charge of the Xizhou Protectorate, so they have a justifiable reason to issue this official note. The key lies in Beichen Hall and Tiangang Hall.

“At this time, it’s very clear that there are undercurrents among the three Daoist sects. Among the so-called Three Great Halls, the Zhengyi Sect controls Tiangang Hall, the Taiping Sect controls Beichen Hall, and the Quanzhen Sect controls Ziwei Hall.

“Tiangang Hall is leading this operation in eliminating the secret societies. Our Protectorate has always been on good terms with Tiangang Hall because of the war in the Western Region. The Quanzhen Sect is an ally of the Zhengyi Sect, but the Taiping Sect doesn’t want Tiangang Hall to claim all the credit.”

The subordinate was shocked. “There’s infighting within the Daoist Order?”

“It’s not as simple as infighting within the Daoist Order. The Imperial Court is also involved.” Qin Wubing held a high rank at a young age, so he was familiar with politics.

“From the moment Sage Qingwei met with the Emperor, the Imperial Court decided to intervene in the Daoist Order’s affairs. As a result, the Quanzhen Sect and the Zhengyi Sect set aside their past conflicts and joined forces without hesitation. But at this juncture, the Governor of Xiliang has made it clear that he is siding with the Taiping Sect.”

The subordinate’s face was solemn. “Don’t they want this operation to succeed?”

Qin Wubing opened his eyes and pondered for a moment. “Do you think it’s worth sacrificing a little bit of the Daoist Order’s prestige in exchange for replacing the Hall Master of Tiangang Hall?”

The subordinate was startled. “But how is it possible to depose a Hall Master with these small actions?”

Qin Wubing explained, “The Governor’s Office made it clear that there is a spy in our army, so we must stop all operations and catch the traitor. Regardless of whether we manage to catch the mole, we can no longer cooperate with Tiangang Hall to exterminate the cult demons.

“Back then, the Chief General received the military intelligence of the Golden Horde army through a spy in the Golden Horde, thus defeating and killing thousands of our enemies.

“With this as a precedent, it’s not surprising that the secret societies will know about the movements of Tiangang Hall. Those cult demons are not easy opponents. Tiangang Hall may not withstand simultaneous attacks from internal and external forces.

“If Tiangang Hall suffers a defeat, someone will be held responsible. Besides, deposing the Hall Master isn’t the same as stripping the Hall Master of his rank. He is merely being replaced.”