A Pawn's Passage-Chapter 1253: Drinking Tea

With Qi Xuansu absent, Chen Jianchou found himself with a bit of free time.

Today, someone had invited Chen Jianchou out for tea.

This was a Lingnan custom that had spread to the Nanyang region.

Since Chen Jianchou had long been accustomed to serving as a secretary, he disliked arriving late or arriving exactly on time. Instead, he preferred to arrive early to scout ahead for his superior.

So even though someone else had invited him for tea, Chen Jianchou arrived an entire hour early.

The teahouse was located in the northwest district of Lion City, a place of mixed crowds and characters. Chen Jianchou did not hurry to the private room on the second floor. Instead, he casually found a seat in the ground-floor hall, ordered a cup of bland tea, and drank it slowly.

The present-day Chen Jianchou was no longer who he once was. In the eyes of others, he was now an important figure—secretary to Chief Deputy Qi and godson of Second Deputy Xu, someone with influence on both sides. He even had connections with Great Sage Lan due to the investigation into the Ancient Immortals. To outsiders, this made him seem extraordinarily well-connected.

When Qi Xuansu was absent, Chen Jianchou carried himself with composure and dignity. But when he was by Qi Xuansu’s side, he remained as quiet and reserved as ever, with little overt presence.

This was not unusual. Qi Xuansu behaved one way before Sage Donghua and Madam Qi and another way before his subordinates at the Daoist Mansion.

Before his subordinates, he seemed stern, making him less approachable. But before elders, he had to maintain the proper position of a junior and avoid overstepping.

Such were traditional Eastern relationships, a cage from which no one could escape.

Chen Jianchou’s thoughts were somewhat mixed. Though outsiders might not know about the accusation report filed against Qi Xuansu, he did. As someone close to Qi Xuansu, he would share in his superior’s rise and downfall. Wang Jiaohe, Wang Jiaoying, and Zheng Jiaohe were precedents. None of their secretaries had escaped unscathed.

Fortunately, with Chief Deputy Qi absent, Second Deputy Zhang had taken over in handling this report, preventing the scandal from escalating and causing too much disturbance. This left Chen Jianchou genuinely impressed. No wonder even someone like Chief Deputy Qi would never dare to underestimate Second Deputy Zhang.

Recently, his godmother and Second Deputy Zhang had both been investigating the mastermind behind the incident. They had uncovered some clues, tracing them back to Jade Capital, which made things complicated.

That was where the true powerhouses gathered. Even someone as influential as Wang Jiaohe was not considered among the top figures in Jade Capital. At the very least, he had not been qualified to sit in the front row of the Golden Tower Council.

On the surface, it was Chief Deputy Qi who had brought down Wang Jiaohe, but everyone knew that Chief Deputy Qi was merely the executor. The true order had come from Sage Donghua behind him. This showed just how much power Sage Donghua held to be able to topple a Nanyang emperor without even stepping forward personally.

There were two other Omniscient Sages like Sage Donghua.

Just as Chen Jianchou’s thoughts drifted far away, the guest who had invited him for tea arrived.

Upon seeing Chen Jianchou, the person visibly paused in surprise. He had deliberately arrived an hour early, yet Chen Jianchou had come even earlier.

Since both had arrived ahead of time, there was no need to wait for the appointed hour. They went straight to a private room upstairs.

The man was Deng Yushi, known in Jianghu as the Master of Rain, alongside his late counterpart, Fengbo the God of Wind, who had been killed by Master Wan with a single punch.

Within the factions of the Heavenly Court, Deng Yushi answered only to the Golden Patriarch and operated independently.

After they sat down, Deng Yushi personally poured tea and got straight to the point. “I tried several times through Deputy Palace Master Tang to arrange a meeting with you. It hasn’t been easy.”

Chen Jianchou lifted his teacup and took a sip. “This tea is quite good, probably the first harvest of the year. Let’s drink.”

Deng Yushi steadied his teacup but did not drink. “I won’t beat around the bush since it’s business.”

Chen Jianchou set down his cup with a faint smile. “You’ve been in Nanyang for many years. This isn’t your first day doing business. You’ve already paid respects where needed. There’s no need to come make another round here.”

“That sounds rather distant, Mage Chen,” Deng Yushi said, deliberately lowering his stance. “Let’s speak frankly. Nanyang has changed. The old relationships belong to the past. When entering a new temple, one worships new buddhas.”

The smile gradually faded from Chen Jianchou’s face. “Leaving other matters aside, Chief Deputy Qi has been in Nanyang for three years now, so that’s hardly new. How things were done these past two years is how they’ll continue to be done.”

Deng Yushi replied, “Mage Chen, with war breaking out in West Shakya, so many refugees are pouring in. Many areas have begun wartime controls, making business difficult, especially border crossings, which now require reporting to the Daoist Mansion.”

Chen Jianchou waved his hand. “Then do so. I alone cannot represent the Daoist Mansion.”

Deng Yushi refilled Chen Jianchou’s tea. “You’re too modest, Mage Chen. Everyone knows you’re the Little Chief as Chief Deputy Qi’s most trusted confidant. With your word, this matter would be resolved.”

“You flatter me,” Chen Jianchou said, covering his teacup lightly with his hand. “Leaving aside whether I have that kind of ability, even if I did, I wouldn’t dare speak recklessly. If you ask me, my answer is simply to follow the rules. However, wartime control measures won’t last forever. They mainly target firearms and food supplies. Even I don’t know all the details. As I’ve said, my primary and only duty is to serve the Chief Deputy. Beyond that, I do not directly involve myself in the affairs of the Daoist Mansion. Since you mentioned Deputy Palace Master Tang, continue liaising with him. He knows what to do.”

Deng Yushi fell silent for a moment, then said, “Understood. We went straight to the point earlier without introductions. But I trust you should know whom I represent, Mage Chen.”

Chen Jianchou adjusted the hairpin at his temple and nodded. “Yes, of course I know. But you should also know who currently steers the ship in the Daoist Mansion.” 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

“That’s precisely why I said times have changed,” Deng Yushi replied.

Chen Jianchou chuckled. “I am but a menial figure with little influence. If I cannot accomplish your request, you won’t hold it against me, will you?”

Deng Yushi forced a smile. “You jest, Mage Chen.”

Chen Jianchou raised his teacup again. “Let’s drink tea.”

Jianghu was not about fighting and killing. It was about human relationships and social maneuvering.

Chen Jianchou took the initiative to stand and leave, also paying the tea bill himself.

Deng Yushi sat alone in the private room, gently spinning the thin, almost translucent teacup between two fingers.

At present, he was not even qualified to request a direct audience with Chief Deputy Qi Xuansu and had to approach indirectly through his secretary Chen Jianchou. Even then, he was met with a polite but firm refusal.

If even the secretary was like this, one could imagine just how high the threshold was to reach Chief Deputy Qi himself.

The height of a threshold was closely tied to the foundation of one’s power.

It was said that Chief Deputy Qi was currently in seclusion, though no one knew what he was working on.

In Deng Yushi’s view, this Chief Deputy Qi was perhaps overly protective of his reputation and was somewhat intimidating.

Before a man rose to prominence, people often measured his worth through women. For example, at the lower levels of society, a man’s family standing was often judged by whether he could find a wife, as it was the simplest and most direct standard. If a man frequently changed the women around him, even though he might be morally criticized, many would subconsciously acknowledge his capability.

But once a man had risen in status, such measures no longer applied. Instead, if he could remain disciplined and restrained in his personal life, it would seem frightening.

That was because once a man held a high position, the dynamics of offense and defense reversed. Instead, women seeking social advancement would begin pursuing these powerful men. In other words, the temptations surrounding them were immense. Indulging oneself and keeping dozens or even hundreds of lovers was not truly impressive, because at that level, it was not difficult to achieve. On the contrary, restraining oneself and resisting temptation was the true sign of capability and willpower.

People pursuing wealth and men pursuing women were instincts. Going against those instincts by suppressing one’s nature was self-discipline.

If someone renounced both wealth and desire, it would mean the person was ruthless and harsh toward oneself. This was often an indicator that the person was ambitious, with greater pursuits, either in lofty ideals and aspirations or in gaining power.

Which kind was Chief Deputy Qi? Did he wish to revitalize the Daoist Order? Or was he simply seeking to seize supreme power?

Deng Yushi did not know. But he was certain of one thing. Qi Xuansu would never be satisfied with merely being a Chief Deputy Mansion Master nor a Mansion Master.

Anyone wishing to gain a foothold in Nanyang could not avoid dealing with Qi Xuansu.