A Pawn's Passage

The Horned Dragon broke through the storm, wiping out the fleet of ghost ships along the way, and continued sailing across the open sea.

After the storm came clear skies, Qi Xuansu and his crew drifted for more than ten days before they gradually narrowed their search area and were now able to roughly determine the region where the Yin Moon would appear.

From then on, they rested during the day and traveled only at night, waiting for darkness to fall before sailing toward the moon.

Waiting was always a long affair, and utter boredom only made it feel even longer.

When they first set sail, everything had felt fresh and exciting. But as time wore on, the endless, monotonous expanse of ocean gradually wore away all enthusiasm, leaving behind nothing but endless boredom.

Qi Xuansu generally spent his time reading in his cabin, while Hun Ahau and Utu each busied themselves with their own affairs. The Horned Dragon had become remarkably quiet.

Every day, Utu prayed to Ixchel and poured out his thoughts to the goddess. Ixchel could probably hear him, but whether she responded was another matter. As far as Qi Xuansu knew, Godly Immortals could create an avatar specifically to handle the prayers of their followers, issuing automatic replies with prearranged, formulaic responses.

Hun Ahau had the habit of keeping a diary. In the past, when productivity was still low, paper was scarce, so very few people were literate. As a result, only a tiny minority could afford to write such records, and true diaries were rare. Travel journals were far more common.

Only in modern times, with dramatic improvements in productivity, did the habit of keeping diaries become widespread.

Hun Ahau’s diary was not exactly comprehensive. If nothing happened on a given day, he simply skipped writing altogether. Thus, during the period when he had made a mistake and was confined indoors as punishment, he did not write a single word, leaving his diary completely untouched. He was only able to make a comeback when Qi Xuansu selected him for a mission. Since then, the frequency of his diary entries suddenly soared. No matter how busy he became, he would always jot down at least a few lines. Even if he had no time that day, he would make up for it later.

However, Qi Xuansu remained highly skeptical. Who would write their inner thoughts down on paper? Once written, could they still be considered one’s inner thoughts? What respectable person even kept a diary? But perhaps I could have Little Yin keep one. Secretly reading a child’s diary is one of the great pleasures of being a parent. Actually, I’d just read it openly and unapologetically. I can hold her diary high above my head since that little imp is too short to reach it anyway!

At this point, Qi Xuansu did not even care about right or wrong. He only thought how amusing it would be. Though he would not want someone to read his inner thoughts, he would gladly read Little Yin’s. He had been part of the Daoist Order’s upper echelon long enough that he began to say one thing while doing another.

Completely absorbed in his book, Qi Xuansu barely noticed that it was sunset outside. The sky and the sea had both turned a brilliant orange-red while the setting sun slowly sank beneath the horizon. The clouds and the ocean seemed as though they had been set ablaze.

Old Pang came knocking again, his voice filled with panic. “Sage! They’re here! They’re here!”

Qi Xuansu set down the book in his hands and rose to open the door. “Who’s here?”

“The Longevous have arrived.” Only then did Old Pang regain his composure.

Qi Xuansu’s interest was immediately piqued. “The Longevous? The Daoist Order’s overseas loyalists?”

“Exactly!” Old Pang replied. “We just don’t know whether they came as friends or foes. We are awaiting your instructions, Sage.”

Qi Xuansu considered for a moment. “Notify Voyage Leader Yang. Raise the ship to level two alert. We’ll observe the situation first.”

“Understood.” Old Pang accepted the order and departed.

Qi Xuansu stepped out onto the deck. By then, Utu and Hun Ahau had also received the news. They emerged from their respective cabins and gathered beside him.

Looking into the distance, Qi Xuansu saw a giant whirlpool forming upon the sea. One spiral-shaped vessel after another slowly rose from the seabed. Some had already surfaced, while others were still ascending, releasing vast quantities of bubbles as they emerged.

Qi Xuansu was somewhat surprised. “Are these the legendary Snail Boats?”

According to legend, when the First Emperor once traveled east, he encountered the Wanqu people, who traveled aboard spiral-shaped vessels that could travel beneath the ocean and resembled giant seashells or snails. They were known as Snail Boats.

Hun Ahau was equally astonished. “I can’t believe Snail Boats actually exist.”

These Snail Boats made no further movement after surfacing, perhaps because the Horned Dragon was simply too imposing.

There was even an inherent imbalance between them. The Horned Dragon’s deck stood so high above the water that those aboard naturally looked down upon the newcomers from an elevated position.

Utu stepped forward and called out loudly, “Who are you people?”

From the largest of the Snail Boats, a strange figure slowly rose into view. He did not climb out of the vessel but was elevated out of it.

A beam of light projected upward from the Snail Boat, carrying the strange individual out from within the vessel.

He was called strange because he possessed certain fish-like features. Scales covered the exposed portions of his skin, and his aura was equally peculiar. He did not feel like a human at all, but rather something closer to a demon.

Even so, he retained a humanoid form. But this was not a demon who had cultivated to the point of assuming human form. This was his natural appearance.

It seemed that the Longevous had become half-human, half-demon.

However, Utu showed not the slightest fear. Having been eroded by the divine power of death, he looked even less human himself and was hardly in any position to judge the Longevous. “State your name, your origins, and your purpose here.”

The lofty arrogance in his tone was completely undisguised. But Utu did have the standing to act that way.

The Longevous countered, “And who might you be?”

The Longevous’s accent was rather unusual. It did not sound like modern speech but rather the official dialect of their own era, which had gradually evolved over countless years into this peculiar pronunciation. Even so, it remained understandable. After all, the Southern Continent was home to countless strange accents. Anyone who could speak the official Imperial Capital dialect would naturally earn a measure of respect.

Utu let out a cold laugh. “If you didn’t know who we were, would you have come looking for us on your own? Don’t play dumb. Since you’ve asked, I’ll tell you. This is Sage Qi, the Daoist Order’s Envoy and the Chief Deputy of Beichen Hall. Whatever business you have, speak freely. Sage Qi will naturally decide the matter for you.”

Although Hun Ahau had dismissed Utu as beyond saving, as Ixchel’s right-hand man, he was anything but mediocre. He had not earned the goddess’s favor merely through his devotion to her but was genuinely capable. At a glance, he had discerned the Longevous’ purpose, knowing they had come seeking help. Seizing the initiative, he deliberately put on airs, making the Longevous sound like ordinary commoners while portraying Qi Xuansu as a benevolent official.

It was a classic opening gambit—establish dominance first, then negotiate from a position of strength.

The Longevous fell silent for a moment before replying, “My name is Sun Jiatu. My ancestor was the esteemed Sun Lingxiu.”

Hearing this, Qi Xuansu thought to himself, So they truly are descendants of Sun Lingxiu. They really are the Longevous.

After introducing himself, Sun Jiatu continued, “I have come to ask Sage Qi to lend the Longevous a helping hand for the sake of our shared lineage.”

Qi Xuansu stepped forward and rested against the railing, looking down at Sun Jiatu below. “The Longevous originated from the Five Pecks Rice Sect, also known as the Heavenly Sect. Patriarch Lu Xiujing later reformed the Heavenly Sect, dividing it into the Northern and Southern branches. That came much later. The unification of the Daoist Order happened later still. Are you aware of all this?”

Sun Jiatu answered, “I am aware. We occasionally take in new members, most of them sailors who have fallen overboard. Through them, we learn of the changes on land. I know that the Holy Xuan unified the Daoist Order and replaced the Confucian School as the ruler of the realm. I also know of how the fourth-generation Grand Master and the fifth-generation Grand Master developed Nanyang.”

Qi Xuansu nodded. “The fourth- and fifth-generation Grand Masters ascended and departed this world decades ago. We now stand at the transition between the sixth- and seventh-generation Grand Masters. The Daoist Order today governs a vast territory and has far more than 10 million disciples. You are descendants of the Daoist Order, and I am a disciple of the Daoist Order. If you are truly in need, then for the sake of the Primordial Daoist Ancestor and our shared lineage, I will naturally lend you a hand.”

Sun Jiatu hurriedly replied, “Many thanks, Sage Qi.”

Qi Xuansu raised a hand. “No need to thank me just yet. Since we belong to the same sect, it’s only natural that we help one another. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Qi Xuansu deliberately emphasized the words “one another” as he looked down at Sun Jiatu below.

Although Sun Jiatu was one of the Daoist Order’s overseas descendants, as the leader of the Longevous, he was no fool. He immediately caught the implication behind Qi Xuansu’s words. “If Sage Qi has any need of us, we shall naturally do everything within our power to aid you as well.”

Qi Xuansu asked, “Very well. Do you know of the Blue Cloud Sect?”

Sun Jiatu hesitated briefly before answering, “I do. This place is not too far from the Blue Cloud Sect.”

Qi Xuansu looked at him and said, “The humanoid insects of the Blue Cloud Sect have committed countless unlawful acts. My purpose in coming out to sea is to eradicate them, and the main force will arrive shortly afterward. Since you are a descendant of the Daoist Order, are you willing to guide us there?”

Sun Jiatu replied, “How could I refuse? I only ask for Sage Qi’s understanding that, at present, I have the will but not the means...”

Qi Xuansu knew these Longevous would not commit themselves until they saw tangible benefits. With a wave of his hand, he said, “Very well. Come aboard and tell me about your difficulties.”

“Yes, Sage.” Sun Jiatu acknowledged the order, left the Snail Boat, and flew toward the deck of the Horned Dragon.

Hun Ahau whispered, “Sage Qi, it would be best to remain cautious. These people could also be bait laid by that female master.”

The female master he referred to was Zhou Mengyao. Like Madam Qi, her Daoist rank was not particularly high, and she held no official post. It was also inappropriate to address her directly by name, and calling her “Daoist Zhou” would hardly suit a true Immortal. Thus, considering Zhou Mengyao’s status, accomplishments, and standing, addressing her as female master was appropriate.

A master was a fairly gender-neutral honorific that could mean an elder, respected person, or teacher. Anyone of genuine ability could be respectfully addressed as master regardless of gender or background.

Qi Xuansu gave a slight nod, indicating that he understood.

Hun Ahau said nothing further.

Qi Xuansu invited Sun Jiatu into his cabin. “Let’s talk here.”

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!