A Pawn's Passage-Chapter 1148: Father and Son

Wang Jiahe was in the study of his family estate in Thanglong Prefecture. In fact, it was more accurate to call it a library, as it was as large as several rooms, with a double-volume ceiling height, forming an expansive space. There were bookshelves on all four sides that reached the ceiling, which made for an overwhelming sight.

The Poluo Mansion Master had been inside this study all day, staring blankly at the sea of books around him.

These books were certainly not mere decoration. Wang Jiaohe had read most of them. At the very least, he had skimmed through them. Thus, there were various exquisite bookmarks tucked between the pages.

In the past, Wang Jiaohe regarded reading as a pleasure. He also preferred quiet time by himself, so most people were never allowed into this study, including Wang Jiaoying and Wang Jiaoyan.

His son, Wang Danqing, was the only exception.

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.

“Is that you, Qing’er?” Wang Jiaohe kept his gaze on the bookshelves. “Come in.”

The study door opened, letting in a sliver of daylight that illuminated the motes of dust swirling in the air.

Wang Danqing stepped inside and greeted his father.

Father and son sank into silence.

After an unknown span of time, Wang Jiaohe withdrew his gaze from the shelves and turned it toward his son.

Kinship was indeed special.

Although this son had disappointed Wang Jiaohe in many ways—straying from the right path and indulging in debauchery—Wang Danqing remained the most important person to him at the critical moment.

For the first time in ages, a trace of tenderness appeared in Wang Jiaohe’s eyes. “Sit.”

Wang Danqing hummed and took a seat opposite his father. His expression carried a rare urgency. His usual proud bravado and habitual laziness were gone.

Only in the midst of storm and turmoil could one see another’s true nature.

But at a moment like this, Wang Jiaohe no longer had the heart to lecture his son. He spoke softly. “You’ve heard about what happened in Lion City, haven’t you? That’s why you came in a hurry to see me?”

“I heard some things from friends in the Heavenly Court, though I don’t know if they’re true,” Wang Danqing whispered.

Wang Jiaohe leaned back in his chair and looked at his son across the table. “It’s true that Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu raided Dragon Scale Island and severely injured Wu Guangbi. It’s also true that Golden Patriarch and Great Sage Jiang intervened personally.”

Wang Danqing trembled slightly. “You mean the Heavenly Court has been defeated and won’t surface again soon?”

Wang Jiaohe sighed. “They say Wu Guangbi’s injuries are severe. The five qi correspond to the five organs, and he’s lost two of them. Without proper recovery, he might not even be able to keep his Pseudo-Immortal cultivation. So we may not see this Grand Leader again for a long time to come. If Wu Guangbi has fallen so far, what of the others?”

Wang Danqing murmured, “They’ll be afraid and lean toward Qi Xuansu, just as Xie Jiaofeng did. Qi Xuansu has already announced that anyone who blocks his path in Nanyang will be destroyed, Pseudo-Immortal or not. What’s worse, even Golden Patriarch couldn’t stop him and was suppressed by Great Sage Jiang. Wu Guangbi had Golden Patriarch behind him and still ended up like this. Those without such backing will certainly reconsider their stance. The wind has shifted completely.”

Wang Jiaohe said, “Yes, the wind direction has shifted, and the fence-sitters have leaned the other way. But this gust does not originate from Qi Xuansu. It comes from the Golden Tower Council. Without Jiang Hedao supporting him, Qi Xuansu would never have dared strike Wu Guangbi. With Jiang Hedao’s backing, that boy can run rampant across Nanyang without fear.”

Wang Danqing took a deep breath. “First Lan Hexu, now Jiang Hedao...why do these exalted Virtuous Great Sages favor Qi Xuansu so much?”

Wang Jiaohe replied, “It’s not about favoring Qi Xuansu. It’s because someone behind him wants to shake Nanyang. Our family has held power here for so many years. The countless people we’ve killed, offended, and obstructed wanted us dead. In the past, someone protected us. Now, no one will. When a wall collapses, everyone pushes. Put plainly, I’ve misread the situation. One wrong step, and the whole game is lost.”

Wang Danqing stared at his father in shock. His lips moved a few times before he managed to speak. “Lost the whole game? It can’t be that serious, right? After so many years of ties and goodwill, we can still live like the wealthy gentry even if we simply give up control over Poluo, can’t we?”

Wang Jiaohe laughed bitterly, or perhaps mockingly, at his son’s naivety. “A wealthy gentry? Perhaps. But if Qi Xuansu stood right now and swore to the heavens that he would spare us, would you believe him? There is no such good fortune in the world. This is a fight to the death. Either both sides avoid openly offending each other and maintain superficial peace, or one must eradicate the other completely. Leave no roots to prevent future troubles.”

Hearing this, Wang Danqing’s expression turned vicious. “If they show no mercy, then let’s set Nanyang aflame. Ignite chaos everywhere, so Qi Xuansu is too busy putting out fires. We’ve always been reluctant to abandon these assets, but since it’s come down to this, I’d rather let them burn. As long as we stall until the Fenglin war is won...”

Wang Jiaohe interrupted, “Do you know that a flying ship from Fenglin landed in Lion City yesterday at dusk? Qi Xuansu was also part of the welcoming party.”

Wang Danqing was startled. All his attention had been on Wu Guangbi’s situation, leaving him completely unaware of this matter. This piece of information filled him with a sense of dread.

Wang Jiaohe continued, “Do you know who was on that flying ship? Judging by your expression, you don’t. Then let me tell you—Li Changge. You didn’t expect that, did you? You’ve always assumed Qi Xuansu and the Li family were mortal enemies, just like you and Qi Xuansu, so the Li family must surely stand with us. After all, the enemy of our enemy is a friend. But Qi Xuansu managed to invite Li Changge and even coordinate behind closed doors. If you were to face Qi Xuansu alone, you wouldn’t even know how you died. Also, stop talking about retreating and living as a wealthy gentry. When the time comes, Qi Xuansu won’t even need to step in. Two prison guards will be enough to make you wish they’d kill you instead.”

These words were harsh, yet Wang Danqing no longer had room for anger. He stared at his father in shock. “How could the Li family do this?! How could they...? Father, how did you know?”

With effortless calm, Wang Jiaohe revealed the natural authority of a Mansion Master and an Omniscient Sage. “I have been the Poluo Daoist Mansion Master for nearly 20 years and managed Nanyang for decades. You think I wouldn’t know what happens here? Especially now, when someone already has a blade against our necks, a single misstep is all it takes for blood to spill within five paces. I cannot afford not to know.”

Wang Jiaohe had spent most of his life in Nanyang as the Chief Deputy Mansion Master and as the Mansion Master, his service totaling decades. Coupled with the Wang family’s influence, his grasp over the region far surpassed anyone else’s.

Before him now, Wang Danqing felt like he had returned to a child, looking at him with youthful longing and relying on his father for everything. “Father...do you know what Li Changge and Qi Xuansu intend to do?”

Wang Jiaohe countered, “Forget what they intend for the moment. Do you know why Li Changge traveled so far from Fenglin to Poluo just to meet Qi Xuansu?” 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Wang Danqing had no idea. He could only stare blankly at his father.

Wang Jiaohe emphasized, “Then I will tell you. It’s because Qi Xuansu captured Li Tianzhen. Attacking Dragon Scale Island and injuring Wu Guangbi were secondary. The critical part was capturing Li Tianzhen.”

Wang Danqing suddenly understood. “Qi Xuansu used Li Tianzhen to threaten the Li family, so they yielded?”

A surge of frustration rose in Wang Jiaohe’s chest, but he forced it down and spoke calmly. “Who would dare threaten the Li family? At the very least, Qi Xuansu would not. The Li family has always been domineering and resistant to coercion. Had Qi Xuansu truly threatened them with Li Tianzhen, the Li family would have gladly abandoned Li Tianzhen and gone all-out against Qi Xuansu, pushing them to our side instead. To put it simply, the Li family bends to softness, not force. Here is where Qi Xuansu’s brilliance shows. He didn’t threaten the Li family but used a borrowed knife instead.”

Wang Danqing froze. “A borrowed knife? Do you mean Qi Xuansu and Sage Qingwei have joined forces?!”

Wang Jiaohe replied, “You don’t need to know every detail. Just grasp a few key points and think them through. One—we know Qi Xuansu captured Li Tianzhen. Two—we know Li Changge arrived in Lion City the next day. Three—we know Sage Qingwei is at odds with many elders of the Li family. So the matter becomes simple. Qi Xuansu exploited this division and handed Li Tianzhen over to Sage Qingwei as a favor. To reciprocate, Sage Qingwei is handing us over to Qi Xuansu. Sending Li Changge here was itself a declaration of their stance.”

For a moment, Wang Danqing was at a loss for words. His teeth trembled as he muttered resentfully, “Qi Xuansu...his intentions are so vicious!”

Wang Jiaohe continued, “Do you know that Yao Pei seized your uncle’s secretary, Lin Qingcheng, while the Poluo Daoist Mansion Council was held? Now Li Changge, Yao Pei, and Zhang Yuelu are all gathered in Lion City. The three prodigies of the Daoist Order have all become Qi Xuansu’s allies. Do you understand what that means?”

Wang Danqing could not help but feel a shiver run down his spine. “It means the Zhang, Li, and Yao families have reached a consensus to put us to death...”

Finally, Wang Jiaohe said, “I have a task for you.”

Wang Danqing looked at his father.

Wang Jiaohe ordered, “Go to Lion City.”

Wang Danqing froze. “Father, are you asking me to take charge of the situation in Lion City?”

Wang Jiaohe scoffed. “You don’t need to take charge of anything. You need only do one thing. Seek an audience with Qi Xuansu and apologize.”

Wang Danqing protested reluctantly. “Father, didn’t you just say this is a fight to the death? Even if I apologize, Qi Xuansu won’t let us go, and neither will those behind him...”

“Enough!” Wang Jiaohe cut him off sharply. “Listen to me. We can’t just sit here and wait for our deaths. But we do need time. You must put on a full display of contrition and distract Qi Xuansu. Make him believe we still harbor illusions of reconciliation. What’s most important now is for us to buy time. Do you understand?”