A Pawn's Passage

By the end of the Golden Tower Council meeting, the three Deputy Grand Masters had reached a compromise that was deemed acceptable to all three sects.

Whether it was coincidental or intentional, all three candidates for the seventh-generation Grand Master now had positions in the Nine Halls, each of them taking charge of the Three Great Halls.

Sage Donghua was in charge of Ziwei Hall, Sage Qingwei was in charge of Beichen Hall, and Sage Cihang was in charge of Tiangang Hall.

Disregarding the first-rank Tianzhen Daoist masters, these three candidates had the highest rank within the Daoist Order.

It was clear that the competition for the seventh-generation Grand Master was becoming increasingly fierce.

Although other Sages also had the qualifications and were theoretically allowed to compete for the title of Grand Master, their chances of winning were slim compared to these three candidates.

Among the 36 Omniscient Sages, Ning Lingge—the former Tiangang Hall Master—became the first person to be eliminated from this competition.

Although Ning Lingge had resigned from the position of Hall Master, he did not leave his post immediately. He had various personal belongings in his office, and the handover to the new Tiangang Hall Master would also take some time. So, before the new Hall Master officially took office, Ning Lingge would continue to perform the duties of the Tiangang Hall Master.

The staff in Tiangang Hall had different thoughts regarding this change. The Yaoguang Division was particularly optimistic about this change because their Deputy Hall Master, Zhang Yuelu, was the direct disciple of the new Tiangang Hall Master.

In the Daoist community, the relationship between master and disciples was akin to that of parents and children. It was like an Imperial Court official having his father as his immediate boss.

In fact, the Yaoguang Division was not the only team that viewed it as such. Other people in Tiangang Hall even started calling Zhang Yuelu “Junior Hall Master,” since Sage Cihang was the Tiangang Hall Master.

If Sage Cihang could become the seventh-generation Grand Master, then Zhang Yuelu’s status would rise accordingly. Her position as an Omniscient Sage would also be guaranteed.

However, Zhang Yuelu was not ecstatic about the change. Although her master becoming her immediate boss was definitely the better option compared to Sage Qingwei, who was Li Tianzhen’s elder, Zhang Yuelu had a good relationship with the former Hall Master, Ning Lingge. Otherwise, he would not have given her two theater tickets back then. She viewed Ning Lingge as a respected elder.

Zhang Yuelu only felt depressed by the series of bad news since the beginning of the new year. Moreover, her master had warned her that this was just the beginning. Even though Zhang Yuelu was mentally prepared for change, her mood was still affected. However, she understood that the right path was always full of thorns. As long as the setbacks did not knock her down, they would only make her stronger.

Zhang Yuelu came to the Hall Master’s office. It looked different, with many things packed in various boxes. There were also many files that had been sealed in categories and piled up for the handover. Therefore, the office was a mess.

Ning Lingge was sitting alone behind the desk with a book in hand. When Zhang Yuelu came in, he placed the book face down on the desk. It turned out to be Five Thousand Words by the Primordial Daoist Ancestor, which was a must-read fundamental book in Daoism.

Zhang Yuelu bowed respectfully. “Hall Master.”

“Qing Xiao, is something wrong?” Ning Lingge asked.

Zhang Yuelu hesitated for a moment before she spoke. “Actually, I don’t have anything to report. I’m just here to visit you.”

Ning Lingge could not help but laugh. “I’m an old man who has weathered through many storms. Leaving this job isn’t a big deal for me, so I don’t need a youngster like you to comfort me.”

Hearing Ning Lingge’s infectious laughter, Zhang Yuelu smiled. “I’m not here to comfort you, as I know I’m not qualified to do so. Hall Master, I want to ask about your view on the series of changes lately.”

Ning Lingge flashed a gratified smile, but he did not rush to answer her question. Instead, he picked up the book he was reading earlier and remarked, “I find this excerpt from Chapter 58 interesting.”

“When the government is in a state of disarray, the people are simple and honest; when the government is well-ordered, the people are devious. Misfortune often lies hidden within good fortune, and good fortune often lies hidden within misfortune. Who can understand the ultimate truth of these things? Only those who are truly wise. Therefore, the sage is upright but not harsh; honest but does not wound; straightforward but not unruly; bright but does not dazzle.”

Zhang Yuelu immediately explained the excerpt. “The Primordial Daoist Ancestor is saying that a lenient environment will make the people content and law-abiding, while a harsh environment will drive them to flee. Even in times of disaster, fortunes can eventually turn around, and even in times of prosperity, misfortune can strike from out of nowhere. Who can predict when fortunes and misfortunes will change? It is inherently difficult to determine that.

“What is considered righteous can become strange, and what is seen as good can turn into evil, causing confusion among people. The sage understands that contradictions will eventually reverse themselves and that opposites can transform into each other. Therefore, when dealing with others, the sage adheres to principles without being overly forceful, gaining respect without forcing submission, acting with integrity rather than stubbornness, and shining brightly without blinding others.”

Ning Lingge added, “The people have been confused for a long time. Who within the Daoist Order isn’t bewildered? Who is righteous or evil? What is considered a blessing or a disaster? Where is this supposed sage that is mentioned?”

Zhang Yuelu disagreed. “The situation in the Daoist Order is no longer just a matter of electing a Grand Master. The Holy Xuan was strongly against putting this huge burden on one person alone. For this matter, we can’t possibly follow the Primordial Daoist Ancestor’s advice on inaction, right?”

Ning Lingge gave his input. “Knowing what is right and wrong is easy, but doing what is right is difficult. Now, what we face is a significant issue. As someone in power, if you find that the foundation beneath you is beginning to decay, will you choose to maintain the status quo? If you choose to maintain the status quo, you will become a criminal in the Daoist Order. What happens then if you are unwilling to maintain the status quo, yet you are not yet capable enough to establish a new path?”

Zhang Yuelu was speechless for a moment.

Ning Lingge continued, “Most people will choose the former and maintain the status quo. At the very least, they can still survive for a while longer. Maybe they will be proven wrong after thousands of generations, but by then, it no longer concerns them since they will be long dead. No matter how powerful a tide is, it won’t affect the dead. For those with grand ambitions but limited abilities, this is a deadlock. The reason is simply insufficient ability. That is why only the capable shall remain.”

Zhang Yuelu looked at Ning Lingge and muttered, “What about now?”

Ning Lingge pointed at himself and then outside the door. “Whether or not we have grand ambitions, we are essentially people of limited abilities. We are good at conspiracies but are lacking in grand schemes. We certainly do not have the capability to lead the Daoist Order. At most, we can only seek to achieve some minor successes in supporting others.

“The reason the Daoist Order cannot change is because it is like the sky. How can the sky change? The so-called changes in the sky are weather changes, but it is inherently still the same sky. It is merely the change in appearance, not the essence. To truly bring about change, one must change the sky and open up a new world, akin to the creation of heaven and earth. How can we, as ordinary folk, achieve such a feat?”

Ning Lingge paused for a moment before adding, “Of course, it's not yet time for such changes. That’s why I mentioned this is a one-person problem.”

“One person…” Zhang Yuelu frowned and repeated softly.

Ning Lingge explained, “This is, of course, contrary to the Holy Xuan’s philosophy. But it’s the reality. The Daoist Order needs a qualified Grand Master who is capable, responsible, and selfless. To put it bluntly, we are no different from the civilians who hope for a wise king and upright officials.

“The Primordial Daoist Ancestor says that a lenient environment will make the people content and law-abiding, while a harsh environment will drive them to flee. But in reality, aren’t we the exact opposite? When the Grand Master is lenient, we act without restraint; when the Grand Master is strict, we tread cautiously. Without the Grand Master, chaos is inevitable.”

Zhang Yuelu fell into silence.

Ning Lingge finally said, “I don’t think highly of Sage Cihang, Sage Donghua, or Sage Qingwei. They all have more than enough talent to be good supporting generals, but in my opinion, they are still not good enough to be the leader of the entire Daoist Order. Unfortunately, disregarding the Holy Xuan, Donghuang, and the fifth-generation Grand Master, such people are rare, almost non-existent.”