After leaving Sage Donghua, Qi Xuansu hurried to meet Zhang Yuelu, who had also just returned from seeing Sage Cihang.
Sage Cihang had already informed Zhang Yuelu of the Golden Tower Council’s decision, that Qi Xuansu was about to become the Acting Mansion Master of the Western Region Daoist Mansion.
The first thing Zhang Yuelu said was, “I knew the Golden Tower Council had faith in your integrity and abilities. But that’s only natural. After all these years, you’ve never once disappointed the Golden Tower Council.”
Qi Xuansu waved his hand dismissively. “Let’s not talk about that. I need to return to the Wanxiang Daoist Palace immediately to hand over my work, then prepare to depart for the Western Region Daoist Mansion. What’s the situation over at the Tiangang Hall?”
Zhang Yuelu replied, “My master has already briefed me. The operation will mainly be divided into two fronts, external and internal. The external front will be led by the Tiangang Hall, focusing on eliminating external enemies. The internal front will be led by the Beichen Hall, focusing on purging traitors. Although the Hall Masters won’t personally travel there this time, they’re taking the matter extremely seriously. The Tiangang Hall is dispatching me, the Chief Deputy, to the Western Region Daoist Mansion.”
Qi Xuansu joked, “The last time we went to the Western Region together, you were my superior. Who would’ve thought that on our next trip, I’d be the one in charge? Truly, fortunes change with time. One should never look down on a young man just because he’s poor! Qing Xiao, heed my command!”
Strictly speaking, there was nothing wrong with what he said. If Sage Cihang were personally traveling to the Western Region Daoist Mansion, she would naturally be the one in command. However, Zhang Yuelu was not yet an Omniscient Sage, so she would have to obey Qi Xuansu’s orders because he was an Omniscient Sage and the Acting Mansion Master.
Zhang Yuelu rolled her eyes. “Dream on! The Great Sage of the Daoist Mansion is responsible for military affairs, so I’ll mainly be handling matters on Madam Wu’s side. My work has nothing to do with you, Mansion Master.”
Qi Xuansu said, “I understand. The Great Sage will oversee the external front and coordinate with the Tiangang Hall, while I, as Mansion Master, will oversee the internal front and coordinate with the Beichen Hall. However, Yong Yan is currently far away on the Southern Continent. Surely they wouldn’t recall him just for this, right? Are they sending Shen Mingxin, the Second Deputy Beichen Hall Master?”
Zhang Yuelu replied, “It might be Li Zhuyu. She could be considered one of your former subordinates.”
Qi Xuansu said, “Dan Jin probably doesn’t have a particularly favorable impression of me, but that doesn’t really matter anymore. As long as she follows orders, that’s enough. Oh, there’s one more thing. Little Yin will also be going to the Western Region this time.”
Zhang Yuelu thought for a moment before saying, “Although none of us anticipated the turmoil in the Western Region when we arranged for Little Yin to serve as Madam Wu’s secretary, things have already developed this way. We absolutely cannot make special exceptions for her. Besides, both Madam Wu and I will be there, so we’ll make sure she’s well looked after.”
In truth, Qi Xuansu’s original reasoning had been quite simple. Arranging for Little Yin to become a secretary had been forceful parenting on his part. He had genuinely been thinking about her future prospects.
In a certain sense, being a secretary was much like being an apprentice. During one’s apprenticeship, one had to work like an ox before the master would be willing to teach anything worthwhile.
Being a secretary was somewhat similar. Most of the time, a secretary’s primary duty was to serve their superior, almost like a son attending to his father. However, by staying close to a superior, one could leverage their authority and influence to cultivate personal connections while also learning a great deal. Eventually, one might even be assigned to an external post and advance further in one’s career. Of course, what one learned could be either good or bad. It might be the skills needed to govern a region effectively, or it might be corrupt tricks and illicit wealth accumulation.
By arranging for Little Yin to serve at Madam Wu’s side, Qi Xuansu was essentially placing her in an apprenticeship.
However, this situation was fundamentally different from anything they had encountered before. Even an Omniscient Sage at the Pseudo-Immortal stage had been killed. Little Yin, who was merely at the Zaohua stage, was hardly powerful enough to protect herself in such circumstances.
The previous Fenglin Campaign and the infighting among the Ancient Gods of the Southern Continent had ultimately been internal conflicts, struggles conducted within the framework of the Daoist Order’s rules. This time, however, it was a conflict between enemies. There would be far less room for personal relationships, favors, or compromise.
Qi Xuansu said, “That’s exactly what I was thinking. When I return to the Wanxiang Daoist Palace this time, I’ll bring Little Yin along with me.”
Zhang Yuelu still had many matters to attend to. With a large army about to be deployed to the Western Region, the Tiangang Hall would soon be holding discussions with the Spirit Guard Office. As the Chief Deputy Tiangang Hall Master, Zhang Yuelu was required to attend the meeting.
After the newlyweds parted ways, Qi Xuansu wasted no time and immediately returned to the Wanxiang Daoist Palace.
During his journey back, messages and inquiries kept pouring in. Following the conclusion of the Golden Tower Council’s deliberations, the entire upper echelon of the Daoist Order had learned of the shocking developments in the Western Region. Some particularly well-informed individuals had even heard that Qi Xuansu was about to be appointed Acting Mansion Master of the Western Region Daoist Mansion. Consequently, quite a few people contacted him to inquire about the situation.
Qi Xuansu merely gave them perfunctory responses, revealing very little.
Upon returning to the Wanxiang Daoist Palace, Qi Xuansu immediately went to see Great Sage Shi. As it happened, Sun Hewu was also present, so Qi Xuansu briefed both of them in detail on the relevant developments.
Great Sage Shi immediately expressed his position. Qi Xuansu could depart at once, and Little Yin’s advanced training program could also be concluded ahead of schedule. After all, extraordinary circumstances called for flexibility in applying the rules.
As for handing over his responsibilities, that was relatively straightforward. Sun Hewu could simply take over. In any case, Qi Xuansu did not have many pressing duties as the Palace Master, and the Wanxiang Daoist Palace could continue operating as it had before.
Qi Xuansu’s primary purpose in returning this time was to appoint his generals, assembling the personnel who would accompany him. Apart from Little Yin, Lu Yujue and Long Xiaobai would also be going with him. They were all members of Qi Xuansu’s trusted inner circle. After all, he could not simply parachute into the Western Region as a Mansion Master without any troops of his own. There simply was not enough time for him to gradually consolidate authority after arriving.
Cheng Lixue would remain behind at the Wanxiang Daoist Palace. Since Qi Xuansu would continue to concurrently serve as Palace Master for a considerable period, it was still necessary to leave someone he trusted within the palace.
Then, Qi Xuansu went to see Lu Yujue. Given the urgency of the situation, the Ziwei Hall would dispense with its customary personnel interview. Instead, Qi Xuansu would conduct the discussion on the Ziwei Hall’s behalf.
When Qi Xuansu informed Lu Yujue of the news, Lu Yujue was overwhelmed by a mixture of emotions.
Although Qi Xuansu had hinted at this possibility long ago, Lu Yujue had still felt somewhat apprehensive. After all, making a promise was one thing, but actually following through on that promise was another matter entirely.
Even if Qi Xuansu devoted himself wholeheartedly to arranging everything, it would still have taken several years. But who could have anticipated the sudden upheaval in the Western Region?
Qi Xuansu had been appointed Acting Mansion Master, so Lu Yujue had risen along with him, benefiting from his superior’s promotion. Lu Yujue had crossed the crucial threshold to become a Second Deputy Mansion Master in one leap.
Generally speaking, apart from exceptional cases such as Pei Xiaolou, Ji Jiaozhen, and Lin Yuanmiao, the position of Second Deputy Mansion Master also represented the threshold for becoming a second-rank Taiyi Daoist Master. Reaching this level meant entering the ranks of the Sages and becoming a senior official of the Daoist Order answering directly to the Golden Tower Council.
Lu Yujue could not help but reflect on how dramatically his fortunes had changed. Not long ago, his Daoist companion had cheated on him with Li Minghuang. This incident caused a fallout with him and the Li family, leaving his future looking utterly bleak. But after he decided to follow Qi Xuansu, Li Minghuang had been demoted to a powerless department with no influence or lucrative opportunities. That outcome allowed Lu Yujue to vent some of his resentment.
Now, Lu Yujue had crossed another critical threshold in his career, and his future looked brighter than ever.
More importantly, his ex-wife, Zhou Xiaosong, had been demoted by the Tiangang Hall because of her affair with Li Minghuang and subsequently transferred to the Western Region Daoist Mansion.
Lu Yujue thought to himself, Well, well...isn’t that quite the coincidence? She ended up falling right into my hands. To hell with being a gentleman! The fact that I didn’t kill her was already the greatest display of gentlemanly restraint I could muster.
In terms of physical strength and combat ability, male Daoists generally held the advantage. Therefore, many laws were deliberately added to protect female Daoists, seeking to establish a dynamic equilibrium between the genders.
Lu Yujue decided that, for once, he would practice true equality. After all, giving his opponent everything he had was the greatest form of respect. However, he had no intention of resorting to an outright physical confrontation. Instead, he would give her a taste of her own medicine.
As the Second Deputy Mansion Master, he had the authority to interpret the rule of law. He intended to let Zhou Xiaosong experience the power of the rules firsthand. This would be his delayed justice.
Qi Xuansu informed Lu Yujue that the proper procedures still had to be followed. Therefore, for the time being, Lu Yujue would not yet be promoted in terms of rank.
Lu Yujue understood perfectly well that once Qi Xuansu became the official Mansion Master, he would likewise be able to convert his position-based rank into a formal rank. He had now tied his fortunes completely to Qi Xuansu’s. From this point onward, they would rise and fall together.
If he ever tried to stab Qi Xuansu in the back, he would inevitably suffer the consequences himself.
Qi Xuansu had the power to promote him and could just as easily crush him.
Next, Qi Xuansu went to see Little Yin and informed her of the situation in the Western Region Daoist Mansion with an extremely serious expression.
Little Yin was the sort who delighted in stirring up trouble and watching the world descend into chaos. Thus, upon hearing the news, she was positively delighted.
As far as she was concerned, this advanced training at the Wanxiang Daoist Upper Palace was practically imprisonment. How could that possibly compare to going off to fight a war in the Western Region?
Besides, to Little Yin, going to war meant getting to eat dragon meat, since she had gotten a fair share from the Fenglin War.
Little Yin asked, “Old Qi, is Madam Wu going to the Western Region?”
Qi Xuansu replied, “You’re Madam Wu’s secretary, so of course she’s going. To be precise, wherever Madam Wu goes, you go.”
Little Yin asked again, “Old Qi, is Old Zhang going too?”
Qi Xuansu answered, “Yes. You and Old Zhang will be taking orders from Madam Wu, so the two of you are now on equal footing.”
Little Yin pressed on. “What about Old Lin?”
Qi Xuansu replied, “Yes. He’s going with Old Zhang.”
Little Yin continued, “What about...”
Qi Xuansu interrupted her. “Why do you have so many questions?”
Little Yin threatened. “What’s wrong with asking a few questions? You still owe me Taiping coins that you haven’t paid back! If you keep treating me like this, I’ll report you to Madam Wu! I’m Madam Wu’s secretary now, so that wouldn’t count as bypassing the chain of command, would it? That’s perfectly legal and fully compliant with the rules! Also, I know that Madam Wu is the Great Sage of the Western Region Daoist Mansion, while you’re just the Mansion Master. Madam Wu outranks you, just like Great Sage Lan outranks Yao Shu.”
Qi Xuansu rolled his eyes. “Fine, fine, fine. Go ahead and ask.”
Little Yin continued with her questions. “Is Madam Qi going?”
Qi Xuansu pondered. “Probably not, but she might. You’ll have to ask Madam Qi yourself.”
Little Yin asked again, “What about Secretary Yan? Xiaobai? Old Lu?”
Qi Xuansu nodded. “Yes. They’re all going.”
Little Yin cheered. “Yay! We’re going to the Western Region to fight a war!”
Qi Xuansu could not help but give Little Yin another stern lecture.
Warfare was a matter of utmost importance to the state and a matter of life and death. It was an extremely serious undertaking, and an exceptionally cruel one at that. As such, it should be treated with utmost gravity and care.
Yet Little Yin was treating the whole affair as though the entire family were heading out on a picnic together. How could that possibly be acceptable? Did she want to repeat the disastrous mistakes of the first-generation and second-generation Emperor Willow Spirits?
After receiving Qi Xuansu’s stern reprimand, Little Yin temporarily lost all her enthusiasm.
Arranging matters for Long Xiaobai was also straightforward. Her application for official recognition of her status as a Daoist Priest Kindred was swiftly approved.
At present, everything had to give way to the war effort in the Western Region.