Qi Xuansu bid farewell to the Wanxiang Daoist Palace and returned once again to Jade Capital. This time, accompanied by Little Yin, Long Xiaobai, and Lu Yujue.
Given the extraordinary circumstances, all formalities were simplified.
Moreover, these were merely temporary assignments, so there was little need for elaborate ceremonies. Issuing an official appointment document was enough, after which the appointees would immediately assume their new duties.
However, Qi Xuansu would not be taking up his new post alone this time. He would be accompanied by a sizable group of people.
Apart from Qi Xuansu and his companions, the group also included Madam Wu, Zhang Yuelu, Lin Yuanmiao, Li Zhuyu, Li Mingcheng, and their respective entourages.
The others were all familiar faces and required little introduction. Li Mingcheng was a Deputy Beichen Hall Master. During the second major Jinling Prefecture case, Li Mingcheng had been one of the members of the seven-person investigation team. Even earlier, when Zhang Yuelu had served as a Superintendent in the Beichen Hall, Li Mingcheng had been her superior.
The Golden Tower Council’s instructions were clear. The operation would proceed along two fronts simultaneously. Qi Xuansu would lead the internal front, whose primary objective was to eliminate traitors within the Daoist Order. As such, both Li Zhuyu and Li Mingcheng would temporarily be placed under Qi Xuansu’s command.
One could only marvel at the unpredictability of fate.
Back when Li Mingcheng had already been a Deputy Hall Master, Zhang Yuelu was merely a Superintendent, while Qi Xuansu was still a wandering Daoist. Now, their fortunes had changed. Zhang Yuelu, who was once Li Mingcheng’s subordinate, had risen above him, while Qi Xuansu, who was once Zhang Yuelu’s subordinate, had in turn risen above her. The man who had originally occupied the lowest position among them now held the highest rank.
In light of the tragedy that had befallen Chen Zhengxian, the Daoist Order had arranged for a Yinglong Warship this time rather than an ordinary Mansion Master’s flying ship. Within Jade Capital, the only port capable of accommodating the takeoff and landing of a Yinglong Warship was Kunlun’s Jade Pond, located within Zixiao Palace. However, access to that facility was a privilege reserved exclusively for the Grand Master and the three Deputy Grand Masters.
Therefore, the group departed from Yuxu Peak and headed toward the neighboring Yuzhu Peak, which housed a military port specially constructed by the Daoist Order, capable of accommodating Yinglong Warships.
The Daoist Order had also specifically dispatched two first-rank Spirit Guards for this operation—Spirit Guard Jia Chen and Spirit Guard Jia Shen.
They could also be considered old acquaintances. Qi Xuansu had first met Spirit Guard Jia Chen during the Anchor the Monkey Operation at Wuxing Mountain. Later, during the Fenglin Campaign, he had also worked alongside both of these first-rank Spirit Guards.
The two first-rank Spirit Guards specialized in different aspects of warfare. Spirit Guard Jia Chen excelled at breaking enemy formations and leading assaults, particularly in being the first to scale enemy fortifications. He preferred personally leading his troops from the front. On the other hand, Spirit Guard Jia Shen was more skilled in strategic coordination and battlefield command. Moreover, Spirit Guard Jia Shen had participated in the previous Western Region Campaign and was relatively familiar with the region.
In addition, the Western Region Daoist Mansion already had a permanently stationed first-rank Spirit Guard, Spirit Guard Ding Si. However, because the Western Region Daoist Mansion had previously lacked a Great Sage, Spirit Guard Ding Si had reported directly to the Tiangang Hall. This existing command arrangement was also what provided the foundation for Madam Wu’s appointment as Great Sage of the Western Region Daoist Mansion.
Now that Madam Wu had formally assumed office, the three first-rank Spirit Guards would all be subject to her command. Zhang Yuelu, as the Chief Deputy of Tiangang Hall, would also be assisting Madam Wu in her duties.
Strictly speaking, although Madam Wu’s authority still fell short of that wielded by the Sage Commander, she had already become the undisputed highest-ranking figure in the Western Region Daoist Mansion. Qi Xuansu could only be considered the second-in-command.
Sage Cihang had not come personally because she did not want to steal Madam Wu’s spotlight. At their level, there could only be one central figure. There was no room for a second person of equal standing and comparable influence. Everyone was accustomed to being the boss, and no one was willing to play second fiddle.
As one of the Three Daoist Heirs, Sage Cihang was like a moon around which countless stars revolved. Other people would need to flatter or seek favor with her. But Madam Wu had not yet established a circle of her own.
Interactions between individuals of equal standing at this level were matters of social courtesy and diplomacy, not attempts to band together into a single faction.
This was also the reason why Li Changge would never become part of Qi Xuansu’s circle, just as Qi Xuansu would never become part of Li Changge’s. Each man was surrounded by his own followers, had his own trusted team, and occupied the central position within his respective circle. Even if the two were not direct competitors, they would never develop the kind of relationship shared by close brothers. Simply put, two tigers could not share the same mountain.
If Sage Cihang were to come personally, the relationship between her and Madam Wu would become extremely awkward. The two senior figures would feel uncomfortable, and their subordinates would find themselves in an equally difficult position. How could they truly treat both sides with perfect impartiality? More likely, they would end up offending both superiors. Therefore, it was better to simply dispatch Zhang Yuelu instead. Since Zhang Yuelu was not considered Madam Wu’s equal in rank or status, there would be no such concerns or awkwardness.
The same principle applied to Qi Xuansu’s side. Bringing Li Changge to the Western Region would create complications. Unlike their previous short-term collaborations, this assignment would require prolonged cooperation, which would inevitably place Qi Xuansu’s and Li Changge’s respective circles in a state of secret rivalry.
Although Li Changge’s position-based rank was lower than Qi Xuansu’s, the resources he could mobilize were by no means inferior to those available to Qi Xuansu. Such an arrangement would be highly detrimental to internal unity. As such, replacing Li Changge with Li Zhuyu eliminated this problem. Li Zhuyu simply did not possess the standing or influence necessary to challenge Qi Xuansu. Instead, she would temporarily become a member of Qi Xuansu’s circle.
Examples of this arrangement were everywhere. Whenever the Great Sage Lunzhi completed a handover of responsibilities, the outgoing Great Sage would depart almost immediately, rarely lingering afterward. Similarly, whenever Sage Qingwei or Sage Donghua served as the Sage Commander, the other would generally remain out of the picture.
When Qi Xuansu had occupied a relatively low position, he had not fully appreciated the significance of such considerations. However, as his status continued to rise, he increasingly found himself obliged to pay attention to these delicate matters of hierarchy and influence.
This demonstrated just how thoroughly Sage Donghua had considered the personnel arrangements. His objective was to preserve internal unity and stabilize the situation. At such a critical juncture, they absolutely could not afford to become embroiled in internal power struggles.
In addition, Sage Donghua had originally intended to send Yao Pei to the Western Region as a representative of the Ziwei Hall. First, with so many personnel appointments involved, Ziwei Hall had to be involved. As the former Chief Deputy of the Western Region Daoist Mansion, Yao Pei was particularly familiar with the region’s circumstances as well. However, Sage Donghua eventually changed his mind and decided against sending her. Perhaps he was concerned that certain individuals within the Western Region Daoist Mansion might take advantage of Yao Pei’s influence and connections to obstruct Qi Xuansu’s authority.
After everyone assembled at Yuzhu Peak, Little Yin regained her cheerful spirits. She greeted Madam Wu with an impressive show of proper etiquette, then went over to cozy up to Old Lin. Finally, mustering her courage, she decided to provoke Old Zhang a little. After all, Old Qi had said that she and Old Zhang were now equals in status.
As a result, Little Yin lost her happiness once again. Through her tears, she complained that Old Qi was nothing but a liar.
With a Yinglong Warship, one Immortal, and five Pseudo-Immortals, along with numerous other Heavenly Beings and Spirit Guards, this expedition was clearly formidable and of high caliber. If the Buddhist Sect dared to launch another surprise attack, it was far from certain which side would emerge victorious.
The Yinglong Warship slowly ascended into the sky and departed from Yuzhu Peak.
Four Purple Flood Dragon flying ships also took off alongside it, serving as escorts.
Their route remained unchanged. They would cross the Death Sea and head toward Jade Pond in Daxue Mountain.
Sure enough, the Buddhist Sect made no moves against them this time. It appeared that its forces had completely withdrawn from the area.
The fleet crossed the Death Sea without incident and landed in the Jade Pond of Daxue Mountain.
Zhao Jiaowu, the Chief Deputy Mansion Master of the Western Region Daoist Mansion, had already received advance notice of their arrival and was waiting there with a delegation.
Madam Wu was the first to descend the ramp, followed by Qi Xuansu.
Zhao Jiaowu stepped forward to welcome them. He first bowed respectfully to Madam Wu, addressing her as Great Sage. Then, he greeted Qi Xuansu with equal courtesy, addressing him as Mansion Master.
For those who had never interacted closely with Madam Wu, their impression of her would simply be that she was aloof, reserved, and difficult to approach. As the highest-ranking authority in the Western Region Daoist Mansion and a genuine Immortal, Madam Wu’s naturally distant demeanor was further enhanced by an imposing air of authority.
At that moment, Madam Wu merely gave a slight nod. She offered no pleasantries, did not return their greetings, and even seemed somewhat oblivious to the people standing around her. This left everyone from the Western Region Daoist Mansion, including Zhao Jiaowu himself, feeling deeply uneasy and apprehensive.
Her behavior conveyed an unmistakable message. The Great Sage was extremely dissatisfied with their performance. By extension, it also meant that the Golden Tower Council was extremely dissatisfied with their performance.
This was nothing like an ordinary assumption of office, where everyone exchanged smiles and pleasantries and pretended that all was well. Even during internal anti-corruption campaigns targeting high-ranking officials, people would generally maintain an outward appearance of harmony until the moment their true intentions were finally revealed.
But this time, there could be no such pretense of cordiality. The matter could not be resolved by merely making a few people sweat under questioning. The Western Region Daoist Mansion would have to bear the overwhelming majority of the responsibility for Chen Zhengxian’s death.
The Golden Tower’s thunderous fury was directed not only at external enemies but also at those within the Daoist Order itself. The consequences of that fury would undoubtedly be severe. It was only because the situation in the Western Region remained unstable that a full reckoning had not yet begun. Otherwise, responsibility would certainly have been pursued through every level of the hierarchy, and there was no telling how many people would have suffered the consequences.
Qi Xuansu’s attitude was equally stern. Madam Wu represented the Golden Tower Council’s position, but Qi Xuansu would ultimately be the one carrying out the actual work. Since he was responsible for the internal investigation, there was no possibility of him playing the good cop.
The attitudes of their two newly appointed superiors left everyone in the Western Region Daoist Mansion feeling deeply uncomfortable. Zhao Jiaowu, in particular, was so thoroughly embarrassed that he had no idea how to respond.
Consequently, when Madam Wu and Qi Xuansu began walking forward, the assembled officials remained standing awkwardly on the spot. Not a single person dared to move.
In the end, it was Zhang Yuelu who broke the awkward silence. “We should proceed with the meeting first.”
Zhao Jiaowu finally found a way out of his predicament. He hurriedly followed behind the group and repeatedly assured them, “Everything has already been prepared.”
The group proceeded directly to the Daxue Mountain Palace, then headed straight for the council hall.
This was a full Daoist Mansion Council meeting. In addition to the Deputy Mansion Masters, the Branch Hall Managers, Superintendents, and Spirit Guards of various ranks were all in attendance. The council hall, which could accommodate several hundred people, was filled to capacity.
Madam Wu took the central seat, with Qi Xuansu seated to her left and Zhang Yuelu to her right. The remaining attendees were arranged according to their respective ranks and official positions.
Little Yin sat behind Madam Wu. However, because she was so young and short, many people did not even notice that someone was sitting behind the Great Sage. They simply assumed that Madam Wu had not brought a secretary with her.
Madam Wu glanced at Qi Xuansu, her meaning unmistakable. Since her primary responsibility lay with external military affairs, Qi Xuansu would take the lead in this internal council meeting.