A Pawn's Passage

The Dharma Lotus was an ancient sword passed down through generations of the Cihang lineage. Initially, it was merely a personal weapon of a past leader—remarkable but still within the category of top-tier treasures.

However, since the Holy Xuan revitalized the Daoist Order, successive leaders of the Cihang lineage had continuously enhanced the sword, elevating it to the level of a semi-immortal object. It was also a symbol of authority, currently held by Sage Cihang.

If Sage Cihang were to give the Dharma Lotus to Zhang Yuelu, it would signify Zhang Yuelu’s ascension as the next leader of the Cihang lineage. Clearly, Zhang Yuelu had not yet reached that level. Even if Sage Cihang were willing, Zhang Yuelu would not be able to bear its weight.

Compared to the Dharma Lotus, the Amorphous Paper lacked killing power but made up for in versatility. It could be used in offense or defense, and it did not demand high cultivation levels to use. Even disregarding the special significance of the Dharma Lotus, Zhang Yuelu’s current cultivation level would make it difficult for her to wield its full power, making the Amorphous Paper a better fit for her.

Of course, everything had its pros and cons. The Dharma Lotus was still useful to an Immortal. However, the Amorphous Paper might be reduced to little more than a child’s plaything—amusing but of little practical value to an Immortal.

Marshal Thunder knew full well that Zhang Yuelu could not possibly possess the Dharma Lotus at this time, so he was merely goading her.

Zhang Yuelu remained unfazed, choosing not to defend but to attack instead. Her figure darted forward, and the Amorphous Paper in her hand transformed into a paper whip that lashed out toward Marshal Thunder.

Marshal Thunder reached out to grab the paper whip, intending to yank it away. However, he did not anticipate that the whip would be as sharp as a sword. Being a semi-immortal object, what might be considered a child’s toy for Immortals could still harm a Heavenly Being.

In an instant, the whip slipped from Marshal Thunder’s grasp, leaving a deep wound on his hand that exposed the bone.

At the same time, the small paper swords that had been circling Zhang Yuelu seized the opportunity to attack. While not as fast as the bullets fired from a rifle, their power rivaled that of the Grade-B Series One Dragon Eye Bullet.

Marshal Thunder’s expression grew solemn. Suddenly, a long sword with an ancient design appeared in his hand, its blade crackling with electricity, like a purple serpent slithering across its surface.

The sword emerged, accompanied by booming thunder, reminiscent of a summer storm.

There was no doubt this was also a treasure of considerable power.

With a few casual swings, Marshal Thunder struck down all the attacking paper swords, reducing them to tiny scraps of paper that scattered in the wind.

From this, it was evident that his swordsmanship was exceptional—precise and devoid of unnecessary flourishes.

Qi Xuansu watched from the sidelines and kept glancing at Madam Qi, his meaning clear. You have already killed Marshal Tianpeng, so why not kill Marshal Thunder too? Since we’re already offending the Heavenly Court, we might as well go all the way. One more death won’t make a difference.

Madam Qi immediately saw through Qi Xuansu’s thoughts and rolled her eyes. “Why are you so anxious? You’re underestimating your girl. She’s a ninth-level Guizhen-stage Banished Immortal from a prestigious family with first-class tutelage. She has a semi-immortal object and a top-tier treasure. If she can’t even handle a Xiaoyao-stage Heavenly Being, what kind of Banished Immortal is she?”

Qi Xuansu replied, “The problem is, outside Jiangling Prefecture—”

“Are you trying to say that she struggled to fight you then?” Madam Qi could not help but laugh. “One shouldn’t be overly confident, but there’s also no need to sell yourself short. After all, I personally trained you. Compared to Zhang Yuelu, Li Changge, or Yao Pei, you’re still a ways off, but you’re much better than ordinary people.

“You just exchanged a few moves with Marshal Tianpeng, indicating you weren’t entirely defenseless. Besides, when Zhang Yuelu sparred with you in Jiangling Prefecture, she held back and didn’t even use her semi-immortal object.”

Qi Xuansu froze for a moment before he asked, “Madam Qi, how do you know the details of my fight with Qing Xiao?”

Madam Qi adjusted her sunglasses, pretending to be mysterious. “The Qingping Society has great powers and is capable of anything.”

Qi Xuansu did not bother probing further, knowing he would not get an answer. Instead, he tried to persuade her. “Even so, we don’t know if she can win. Won’t it be better if you step in and end this once and for all, Madam Qi? It’ll be much simpler.”

Madam Qi extended her hand, demanding, “You want me to fight? Fine, I will; but you have to pay up first. I won’t ask for much. Last time, I charged you 100 Taiping coins for killing Zhuge Yongming, a Yuxu-stage Martial Arts Practitioner.

“Going with the standard that one Guizhen-stage master equals three Yuxu-stage fighters and three Guizhen-stage masters count as one Xiaoyao-stage Heavenly Being—killing Marshal Thunder, who is a Heavenly Being at the Xiaoyao stage, will cost you 900 Taiping coins.

“I think it’s fair enough, right? If it were anyone else, I’d ask for no less than 20,000 Taiping coins. Oh, I only take cash—no bartering or item exchanges."

Qi Xuansu was at a loss for words.

Madam Qi always had this rule. It was not something she made up on the spot to dismiss him. To be fair, 900 Taiping coins was considered a modest amount, perhaps even too cheap for such a service. If word got out, people seeking Madam Qi’s services would probably line up at her door—that is, assuming they could find her residence.

But Qi Xuansu simply did not have 900 Taiping coins. Even if he were to include the mission funds Lei Xiaohuan had given him, it was far from enough.

Seeing Qi Xuansu’s reaction, Madam Qi chuckled. “That’s what I like about you. You never lie to me or try to hide things. You really are a broke child! Well, as your godmother, let me give you some honest advice.”

Qi Xuansu listened attentively.

“How many times have I told you to stay calm in the face of big events? Don’t act rashly. Have you done that?” Madam Qi continued, “Let me ask you—if I deal with Marshal Thunder, how will you explain my identity to Zhang Yuelu afterward?”

Qi Xuansu was taken aback. His consternation had indeed made him overlook this detail.

As she spoke, Madam Qi extended her five fingers and then clenched them into a fist. Marshal Tianpeng’s remains turned to dust and scattered in the wind, including his hechang, leaving nothing behind.

Qi Xuansu thought carefully and realized he truly had no way to explain it to Zhang Yuelu.

If it were anyone else, Qi Xuansu might have gotten away with a superficial excuse, but Zhang Yuelu was perceptive and hard to deceive. Moreover, Zhang Yuelu knew of Madam Qi’s existence, even if they had never met.

Madam Qi continued, “If I intervene, your little romance with Miss Zhang might face an uncertain future. Your prospects in the Daoist Order could be severed as well. Unless absolutely necessary, it’s better if I stay out of it. Let’s wait and see—your girl may not lose. She may even win this battle.”

Since Madam Qi had said so, Qi Xuansu had no choice but to observe quietly.

Madam Qi tilted her head to watch the battle in the sky and casually remarked, “Among all weapons, the sword reigns supreme. The Qingwei lineage, Cihang lineage, and the Yin-Yang lineage are all exemplary in swordsmanship.

“Fun fact: although Sage Donghua hails from the Donghua lineage, he has fully inherited the teachings of the Yin-Yang lineage. After all, all lineages belong to the Daoist Order, so there isn’t as much of a strict division as before. If someone wishes to learn everything, there’s nothing stopping them. The primary difference lies in the master’s guidance.

“For instance, members of the Li family learn their own techniques because they have teachers, but if they want to learn the Quanzhen Sect’s methods, there’s no one to guide them. They’ll just have to figure it out on their own from books and manuals.

“The Daoist Order has Four Great Swordsmanship: the Cihang Sword Sequence, the Beidou 36 Swords Technique, the Nandou 28 Swords Technique, and the Taiyin 13 Swords. Miss Zhang studied the Cihang Sword Sequence under the personal guidance of Sage Cihang, so she has already mastered the technique.

“On the other hand, Marshal Thunder is from Jianghu, without proper tutelage. While his swordsmanship is formidable, it is ultimately the product of personal exploration, which cannot compare to the collective wisdom of dozens of generations embodied in the Cihang Sword Sequence.”

These words were naturally meant to comfort Qi Xuansu.

Since Madam Qi said so, Qi Xuansu felt somewhat reassured that Zhang Yuelu was capable enough to fight a Heavenly Being and was not just being reckless.

In fact, what Madam Qi said was true. Marshal Thunder found Zhang Yuelu to be quite a tough opponent. If not for his higher cultivation level, he would have already been injured by her paper sword.

The greatest advantage of Heavenly Beings was their ability to fly and escape. No matter how lethal or exquisite a sword technique was, it would be powerless if the opponent took to the skies. However, Zhang Yuelu’s Taiyi Cloud Robe allowed her to fly and served as an extra protective layer.

Marshal Thunder’s sword was also a top-tier treasure, but unless the blade itself struck Zhang Yuelu, the lightning on its surface could not harm her.

Marshal Thunder knew he could not stay long. If he could not defeat Zhang Yuelu quickly, retreating would be the wiser choice because she would not be able to stop him. However, he was reluctant to withdraw from this fight just like that.

After much hesitation, Marshal Thunder decided to go all out. No matter what, he was in the dominant position, so the advantage was his.