A Pawn’s Passage

The little boat descended, landing within the shrine of Yoshida Castle.

Qi Xuansu put away the golden sun disc and stepped off first. Zhang Yuelu took hold of Princess Tamako's wrist and gave a gentle pull. With her cultivation sealed, Princess Tamako had no choice but to stumble along as Zhang Yuelu led her off the boat.

The little boat then shrank rapidly before Zhang Yuelu placed it back into the pouch hanging at her waist.

Xu Kou, having received word, came forward to greet them. "Deputy Hall Master Zhang. Deputy Hall Master Qi."

Zhang Yuelu asked, "Have preparations been made to welcome the Sage Commander?"

Xu Kou replied, "All men have already been dispatched. The streets are being cleared, vagrants restrained. We've spoken with the city officials and major households, telling them to keep their families and retainers in check. I've informed them that there will be repercussions for defying orders."

"In six hours, Yoshida Castle and Lake Koshizu will enter level-one security. The Sage Commander has many places to inspect on this tour, and Yoshida Castle is only the second stop, so he likely won't stay long."

Zhang Yuelu pursed her lips, clearly unimpressed by such pageantry. However, knowing it was the usual practice, she held her tongue and only said, "Handle it as you see fit."

Qi Xuansu did not ask further either, as it was not within his duty. Still, when Sage Qingwei arrived at Yoshida Castle, the two of them would of course have to welcome him.

Pointing at Princess Tamako, Zhang Yuelu said, "Sage Commander has named her a wanted prisoner, so please find a larger room for us. I'll stay with her and watch her myself."

Xu Kou nodded in agreement.

Just then, someone called out, "Master Docho?"

Startled, Qi Xuansu turned his head toward the source of the voice.

Asai To and Toyotomi Chiyo stepped out from the shrine.

At this moment, Asai To had shed her miko's outfit and donned the robes of a Daoist attendant. It seemed that under Toyotomi Chiyo's influence, Asai To had already defected to the Daoist Order. This was hardly surprising because Asai To was still young and of noble birth. She was not a temple orphan raised by the Tenmon Sect. Her time with the Tenmon Sect had been short, so her loyalty could not have run deep. With Toyotomi Chiyo's persuasion, Asai To joining the Daoist Order was easy to understand.

Qi Xuansu no longer concealed his identity. "Yes, it's me."

"Aren't you the Onmyoji from the Harima School? Why are you here?" Asai To was in disbelief.

Qi Xuansu said calmly, "That was only a false identity. I'm not a Harima Onmyoji, but a third-rank Youyi Daoist master. My name isn't Docho either. My real name is Qi Xuansu, though you may also address me by my courtesy name, Tian Yuan."

Asai To opened her mouth slightly, as if unsure of what to say.

Qi Xuansu continued, "Yes, I deceived you. At this point, there's nothing left to hide. Under orders from the Sage Commander, I crossed Ise Province and went to Mount Suzuka in hopes of getting Suzuka Gozen to submit to the Daoist Order. Now, that task is complete."

Asai To looked somewhat hurt.

After all, it was never pleasant being lied to.

Qi Xuansu offered little comfort, nor did he feel much guilt.

He was not the type to pity delicate beauties. He would not treat Asai To differently just because she was a pretty young girl.

After all, Qi Xuansu had even deceived Zhang Yuelu and had only come completely clean not long ago. But Zhang Yuelu did not care about such trivial matters. She only became more resolved to change him.

Meanwhile, Toyotomi Chiyo cautiously moved to Zhang Yuelu's side.

After all, this was the legendary Zhang Yuelu, whom she had long admired.

Zhang Yuelu had already grown used to such admirers popping out of nowhere. What once felt awkward had gradually become something she could handle with composure.

At that moment, Princess Tamako glared furiously at Toyotomi Chiyo and Asai To, scolding them. "You are nobles, born into generations of imperial grace, yet instead of repaying the nation with your lives, you sell yourselves to traitors! Do you feel no shame?!"

Asai To, still young, was overcome with shame at the words and lowered her head.

Toyotomi Chiyo, however, glared back with fury. "Don't forget—it was your people who sent assassins after my elder brother! If that is what you call imperial grace, then such grace is far too much for me to bear. We have long been mortal enemies. I'd rather tear your flesh with my teeth!"

For a moment, Princess Tamako was left speechless.

Zhang Yuelu, not wishing to say more, gripped Princess Tamako's wrist and pulled her toward the shrine. "Enough. Come with me."

Princess Tamako could not break free and had no choice but to follow Zhang Yuelu away.

With Princess Tamako acting as a third wheel, Qi Xuansu could not tag along with Zhang Yuelu. So, he returned to his quarters to continue studying the sun disk.

Thus, the day passed peacefully. By the next day, Sage Qingwei had arrived.

Before this, Sage Qingwei had first gone to Yamada Castle in Watarai District, where he focused on inspecting logistical supplies. Yoshida Castle was the second stop on his tour.

Naturally, Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu went to Lake Koshizu to welcome the Sage Commander.

The road from Yoshida Castle to Lake Koshizu had already been sealed off. Other than their convoy, no one else was allowed through. Around the lake's perimeter, the Black Robes stood in formation, heavily armed and on high alert.

After the assassination attempt in Xiujing, the field headquarters issued strict orders to heighten security. This meant a first-class protection detail, second only to when the Grand Master traveled, even though Sage Qingwei possessed the power of an Immortal.

When the convoy halted, two rows of Black Robes formed living walls, leaving a single corridor in the center. Qi Xuansu, Zhang Yuelu, and the others walked forward along this passage. At the end, a temporary formation had been erected to verify identities.

Once past the formation, they entered the docks of Lake Koshizu. There, Daoist Spirit Guards had taken over security. Aside from them and other Daoist priests, not a single "outsider" remained.

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu were the last to arrive. The other Deputy Hall Masters and several superintendents had long since gathered.

After regrouping, they all stood together at the docks, waiting.

Before long, a Yinglong Warship descended from the skies.

A surge of water vapor transformed into a fine spring drizzle, instantly increasing the humidity in the air around them.

When the ramp lowered, the first to disembark were Sage Qingwei's personal guards, the lowest-ranking among them being third-rank Spirit Guards. Upon descending, they first surveyed their surroundings, then lined up on either side, facing forward with solemnity.

Qi Xuansu was in awe. What would it take to receive this level of respect?

After that, Sage Qingwei himself appeared, accompanied by his retinue.

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu were not the highest-ranking among those present, but their identities were the most exceptional, so the two of them walked to the front and stepped forward to offer their greetings.

Sage Qingwei praised them in front of everyone, commending the pair for repeatedly accomplishing great feats.

Those around who witnessed this scene more or less understood what it implied.

Once the war ended, Deputy Hall Master Qi and Deputy Hall Master Zhang would likely be reassigned to new positions.

Given their age and relatively shallow experience in bureaucracy, a direct promotion to a second-rank Sage might be premature. But their official positions could certainly be elevated from the lowest-ranking Deputy Hall Master to a Second Deputy Mansion Master.

In theory, Deputy Hall Master and Deputy Mansion Masters were of the same rank, but in practice, the power gap between the two was vast. Thus, it would still count as a promotion.

To be promoted to the Second Deputy Mansion Master meant being assigned to an external post.

Zhang Yuelu's assignment was not hard to guess. It would mainly be within the Zhengyi Sect's territory. The first choice was Wuzhou Daoist Mansion, which was practically her home. The second choice was the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion, which was the home ground of the Cihang lineage. The least favorable option was Lingnan Daoist Mansion, which also fell under the Zhengyi Sect's influence but was far more complicated, with local gangs, the Heavenly Court, merchant guilds, Western powers, and pirates all tangled together. Achieving success there would be difficult, so it would not be considered a helpful promotion.

Qi Xuansu's next posting was harder to predict. Since he was both a member of the Quanzhen Sect and the Zhang family's son-in-law, he could be assigned either to the Quanzhen Sect's territory or the Zhengyi Sect's territory.

For the two young people, becoming the Second Deputy Mansion Master was just part of a process toward their final goal. At the beginning, they would not directly assume the position. After all, there had never been a precedent of a third-rank Youyi Daoist master serving as a Second Deputy Mansion Master. Usually, one would first serve as Acting Second Deputy Mansion Master, or merely a lower-ranked Deputy Mansion Master while the existing Second Deputy Mansion Master was reassigned. Once they were familiarized with the situation and produced minor achievements without mishaps, the "Acting" prefix would naturally be removed. With the post secured, their official rank would advance accordingly, solving the issue of promotion to second-rank Taiyi Daoist master with far less resistance.

After being the Second Deputy Mansion Master, they would then be promoted to Chief Deputy Mansion Master, Mansion Master, and Hall Master. This marked the leap from an ordinary Sage to an Omniscient Sage.

This was also why everyone praised Zhang Yuelu and Qi Xuansu for their boundless prospects.

The progression beyond an Omniscient Sage was no longer something anyone could casually arrange. It depended on destiny, influence, and luck. Whether one could become a Deputy Grand Master or even the Grand Master was a matter of fate.

After speaking with the two of them, Sage Qingwei then conversed with the others one by one.

For the rest of the day, Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu accompanied Sage Qingwei, tirelessly moving about without pause.

To Qi Xuansu, this was rather dull, yet it was unavoidable.

Sage Qingwei first went to the temporary branch of the Huasheng Hall to visit the wounded, offering his consolation. He then proceeded to the makeshift shantytown to see the refugees, paying special attention to the porridge factory and granary. He even went to inspect the prisoners of war, among whom was Princess Tamako.

Princess Tamako still carried an unyielding look of defiance, but Sage Qingwei paid it no mind, merely ordering her to be taken aboard the Yinglong Warship to be escorted to the Xiujing field camp.

Throughout the entire day, there was hardly a single moment of rest.

Everywhere Sage Qingwei went, he gave speeches—sometimes to inspire, sometimes to console, sometimes to win hearts, and sometimes to gather information. He inspected every part of Yoshida Castle and its surroundings, spoke countless words, and met innumerable people. He could only endure this schedule due to his boundless energy as a Pseudo-Immortal. A frail scholar with no strength would never have been able to last the day.

By evening, Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu once again escorted Sage Qingwei onto the Yinglong Warship, marking the end of their duties for the day. But for Sage Qingwei, rest was still far off. He had to rush to the next stop on his tour and continue his inspections.