A Pawn's Passage

Chapter 455: Total Isolation

Chapter 455: Total Isolation

Bai Yingqiong sat behind the desk, propping her forehead with her hand, unable to conceal her fatigue.

First, the Zhenwu Temple caught on fire last night, so Bai Yingqiong had to direct the firefighting operations to stabilize the situation. She also had to prepare a report to her superiors to absolve herself of blame.

Then, she received a message from her master, Sage Cihang, who was far away in Jade Capital, informing her about the Cult of Fates and instructing her to discuss countermeasures with Zhang Yuelu.

Initially, Bai Yingqiong still harbored a glimmer of hope, but upon contacting Zhang Yuelu and learning that the water treatment plant had been targeted, flooded with so-called Gifts, she realized calamity had struck.

This was a catastrophe not only for Jinling City but also for her and the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion. Mishandling the situation could lead to unimaginable disaster. By then, advancing her career was no longer an option. Instead, she would consider herself lucky if she could avoid being escorted to Jade Capital for punishment.

With her future on the line, Bai Yingqiong could not afford the slightest mistake. She stayed awake all night, discussing strategies with Zhang Yuelu, coordinating with various authorities, and overseeing operations.

After years of peace, the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion had grown complacent and was ill-prepared for sudden crises. Bai Yingqiong had to personally intervene in numerous cases of mishandling and inefficiency because all matters fell to her, the Chief Deputy Mansion Master, when the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion Master and several Deputy Mansion Masters were absent.

Thus, the sheer mental and physical toll rivaled a life-and-death battle. Even as a Heavenly Being, she felt utterly drained.

Fortunately, Pei Xiaolou returned past midnight and took over some responsibilities, handling the aftermath of the fire at Zhenwu Temple.

At this moment, Zhang Yuelu was still at the water treatment plant with the Tiangang Hall members, clearing out substantial quantities of Gifts.

However, Lei Xiaohuan and Li Tianlan were nowhere to be seen.

Lei Xiaohuan’s absence was understandable because she was most likely trapped.

But Li Tianlan was free as ever and still scheming behind the scenes.

Bai Yingqiong could not suppress her anger. At such a critical time, that old fox was still prioritizing factional struggles over national affairs.

Yet, she was powerless to do anything about it.

......

In a private room within the water treatment plant, Qi Xuansu sat there with his large sleeves rolled up to reveal his bare arms that had veins bulging all over. They resembled small green dragons coiling around his arms—a result of internal injuries from over-exertion. These were not mere surface wounds; even his regenerative abilities as a Martial Arts Practitioner could not heal them quickly.

Zhang Yuelu held a gourd of thick medicinal liquid from Huasheng Hall. She diluted the liquid with water and poured a little onto Qi Xuansu’s arm before gently wiping the substance back and forth with a handkerchief.

After repeating the process several times, the bulging veins subsided. Qi Xuansu tried clenching his fist. Apart from his recently reattached hand, he could now exert normal strength.

Zhang Yuelu poured out the last of the medicine, rubbed it on her hand, and patted Qi Xuansu’s arm. “Done.”

Qi Xuansu carefully observed the veins on his arm. The delight in his tone was childlike as he exclaimed, “Wow, it really works!”

“Of course.” Zhang Yuelu smiled, rolling down his sleeves and smoothing out the creases of the Taiyi Cloud Robe.

“With our current situation, leaving the city may not be easy. Apart from me and a few Sages, only you have a good chance of getting out alive. The odds for anyone else are grim. We’ll have to look at the bigger picture. How can my survival be prioritized over the lives of millions in Jinling?”

Hearing this, Spirit Guard Xu no longer hesitated and nodded in agreement.

Zhang Yuelu waved her hand. “Everyone, back to your posts.”

Everyone acknowledged her command and dispersed.

Only Qi Xuansu remained standing in place.

As a superintendent of Ziwei Hall, Qi Xuansu had no role within Tiangang Hall. All he could do was wait for Zhang Yuelu to assign him a suitable task.

Zhang Yuelu turned to him and smiled. “You can stay with me.”

Qi Xuansu certainly had no objections.

In terms of cultivation level, rank, and even capabilities, Zhang Yuelu surpassed him by far, so it was only natural for the stronger partner to lead. This was simply the objective rule of the competent taking charge over the less capable.

It was no wonder Madam Qi teased Qi Xuansu that living off Zhang Yuelu would be the more realistic option for him.

Zhang Yuelu headed toward the ground level, with Qi Xuansu following closely behind.

The entire water treatment plant had been placed under strict lockdown, so the ground level was equally swarming with Spirit Guards.

Zhang Yuelu looked to the east but did not see the light of dawn. The faint sliver of light on the horizon that had been there earlier had vanished, and the entire sky had turned a dull gray.

“Whoa...” Qi Xuansu was taken aback.

Zhang Yuelu’s expression turned grave. “They’re altering the weather...This is far more than just spreading curses through the water supply. The Cult of Fates has vast ambitions. I’m afraid I have understated the situation when I reported it to my master earlier. I fear it may lead to a misjudgment on their part.”

As she spoke, Zhang Yuelu retrieved a mother-child talisman.

This time, the talisman’s projected screen displayed only chaotic, interwoven lines resembling rippling lake water, with no sign of anyone.

Qi Xuansu instinctively felt for the mother-child talisman he used to contact Madam Qi.

Just as Zhang Yuelu was about to dismiss the screen, a figure appeared. It was not Sage Cihang, but a young man with a high nose, deep-set eyes, and a blade of green foxtail grass between his teeth.

“Mage Zhang, Daoist Qi, it’s an honor to meet you,” the young man said while clasping his hands in greeting.

Qi Xuansu asked in a deep voice, “Who are you?”

The young man grinned, his smile was radiant, with a touch of naivety like that of a boy. “My name is Situ Xingluan, from the Cult of Fates.”