A Pawn's Passage

Chapter 519: The Ning Family

This welcome banquet was rather ordinary. It was hosted by a Deputy Palace Master named Ning Lingyun. While there was no strict ranking among the deputies, Ning Lingyun was effectively the Second Deputy, while Sun Hewu was the Chief Deputy, since the latter was acting in the stead of the Wanxiang Daoist Palace Master. @@novelbin@@

However, Sun Hewu had little interest in these trivial matters. During the ceremony, he did not deliver a speech on behalf of the Palace Master. Instead, another deputy gave a standard set of formal remarks. After all, aside from the Palace Master, it was inappropriate for others to speak too freely in such settings, lest they say too much, giving others leverage over them.

Thus, the best thing about delivering standard statements was that they were almost impossible to get wrong.

Sometimes, avoiding mistakes was an achievement in itself. Many believed that it was better to do nothing than to risk making errors.

Qi Xuansu had a very positive impression of Ning Lingge, his former superior who had once gifted him two theater tickets, indirectly acting as a matchmaker for him and Zhang Yuelu. More importantly, Zhang Yuelu spoke highly of this former superior. This in turn made Qi Xuansu develop a favorable impression of Ning Lingyun as well.

Ning Lingyun had clearly never heard of Qi Xuansu before. Compared to figures like Li Changge, Yao Pei, and Zhang Yuelu, who had been famous for a long time, Qi Xuansu’s rise was too rapid and recent. Just a year ago, Qi Xuansu had been hiding in The Inn at Fengtai County, plotting to intercept the Xuan Jade from the Green Phoenix Guards.

At that time, the mastermind behind the Green Phoenix Guards’ operation, Jiang Bieyun, had only been a fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist master. Who could have imagined that Qi Xuansu would also rise to the fourth rank just a year later, gaining entry into the Upper Palace?

Now, he sat alongside numerous fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist masters and even a second-rank Taiyi Daoist master, sharing drinks in the same hall.

Having spent many years navigating the Daoist Order, Ning Lingyun was not a reckless youth. Naturally, he would not make the mistake of underestimating Qi Xuansu. Instead, he was exceedingly amiable, making those around him feel at ease. His demeanor fully reflected the grace and poise of a high-ranking individual.

If this had been the old Qi Xuansu, he might have been overwhelmed by such treatment. However, the current Qi Xuansu had already seen much of the world, having met multiple high-ranking Daoists, including Sage Cihang, Lei Xiaohuan, and Pei Xiaolou. He had even been personally praised by Sage Donghua in front of the entire investigation team in Jinling Prefecture. As such, he remained composed and unaffected.

The banquet concluded with both guests and hosts thoroughly satisfied.

After the banquet, Ning Yuqing made sure to introduce the two men. Qi Xuansu had no objection to befriending a Quanzhen Sect Sage, and Ning Lingyun was more than happy to connect with a young talent with limitless potential. After all, true networking was about mutual benefit.

Qi Xuansu might not be able to help Ning Lingyun now, but no one could predict what would happen in the future.

However, Qi Xuansu was still preoccupied with the Demonic Blade, so he did not engage in lengthy conversation. After making a brief acquaintance, he took the initiative to excuse himself and left.

Qi Xuansu headed to Gen Garden, while Ning Yuqing and Ning Lingyun made their way to Kun Garden, where the high-ranking members of the Wanxiang Daoist Palace resided.

At this moment, Ning Yuqing no longer addressed Deputy Palace Master Ning formally. Instead, she switched to calling him uncle in a playful tone. “Uncle, does this Superintendent Qi have the bearing of a Great Sage?”

Ning Lingyun replied, “I can’t tell if he has the bearing of a Great Sage, but I do know one thing—he is definitely not from the Qi family. Old Qi could never have raised a child like this."

The Old Qi that Ning Lingyun referred to was Qi Jiaozheng, the Shuzhou Daoist Palace Master, who was an old acquaintance of Ning Lingge.

“However, I actually think he resembles someone from the Yao family.” Ning Lingyun changed the subject. “If he were named Yao Xuansu, I would truly believe he had some connection to Yao Pei.”

“The Yao family?” Ning Yuqing pondered for a moment, somewhat hesitant. “That can’t be right. Producing one Yao Pei is already remarkable. If they were to produce another young fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist master, that would mean their family is favored by the heavens!

“The Yao and Pei families have been intermarrying for years, with the Shangguan and Xu families as their vassals. If they had two outstanding successors—one to inherit the position of Earthly Preceptor and the other to succeed Sage Donghua—just like how the Li family’s Imperial Preceptor and Sage Qingwei control the Taiping Sect, then wouldn’t the Yao family become the third greatest Daoist family after the Li and Zhang families?”

Ning Lingyun shook his head. “I’m just speculating. If the Yao family truly had such young talent, why would they hide him? Look at the Zhang family—they are the most patriarchal and hierarchical of the Daoist families. Yet, when they faced a talent shortage, they had to grit their teeth and promote a girl from a minor branch. After all, having a Zhang daughter as the Heavenly Preceptor is still better than appointing an outsider.”

As the sibling of an Omniscient Sage, Ning Lingyun had access to far more confidential information than most ordinary Daoists. Since he was on his own turf and speaking with his niece, he spoke without restraint.

“That said, young talents and family inheritance complement each other. The Daoist Order has never lacked geniuses, but without support, success is often difficult unless one is an unparalleled prodigy.

“Reaching the rank of Omniscient Sage is already an exceptional achievement. Any higher is an almost impossible feat. Of course, without outstanding leaders and heirs, families and factions will decline and face a succession crisis.

“In this regard, the Li family has good foresight. They know they can’t choose their sons. If one turns out to be a fool, obsessed with indulgence, and incapable of leadership, there’s no way to send him back to the womb. But they can choose their sons-in-law and adopted sons.

“That’s why, even long before the revitalization of the Daoist Order, the Li family extensively adopted sons and allowed sons-in-law to take charge, ensuring their long-lasting prosperity.

“The Zhang family, on the other hand, is a counterexample. They stubbornly adhere to their ancestral rule that only the Zhang family’s bloodline could become the Heavenly Preceptor. They rigidly cling to tradition, even discriminating against their own minor branches. So it’s no surprise they have been overshadowed by the Li family for years. The fact they haven’t fallen like the Confucian School is quite fortunate.

“Be it a nation or a family, if the upward mobility from the lower ranks to the upper echelons is entirely blocked, problems are bound to arise. Although I do not favor the way the Li family conducts themself, I must admit they have done better in this regard.

“They provide talented individuals with a chance to leap ranks and rise to prominence—essentially giving people hope and something to aspire to. When people have hope and light in their eyes, the general mood will inevitably be positive and progressive.

“But if upward mobility is impossible, the hierarchy will become stagnant, causing severe consequences. If one tries to hoard all benefits without letting any slip through, what will be the result?”

Ning Lingyun casually crushed a small stone into fine sand with an ordinary grip, not using any mystical ability.

He held it loosely, showing that most of the fine sand remained in his hand. Then as he tightened his grip, more sand slipped through his fingers.

“Interests are not a solid rock but countless grains of sand—the tighter you grip, the faster they slip away, ultimately leaving you with nothing. Of course, this process may take decades, even centuries, but that day will inevitably come.

“The fall of the Confucian School serves as a precedent that must not be ignored. If one does not take heed, then one will lament the inevitable downfall, just as the Confucians had. If the future generations only lament the past and fail to learn from the mistakes of their ancestors, they will only perpetuate this cycle of regret.”

Ning Lingyun sighed deeply. Perhaps realizing he had gone off-topic, he laughed deprecatingly and stopped talking.

After hearing her uncle’s words, Ning Yuqing mused, “Speaking of the Zhang family, I just inquired about something. When Superintendent Qi arrived at the Upper Palace, the Zhang family’s daughter personally accompanied him and even specifically asked Sage Sun to look after him. Such treatment is quite unusual."

Ning Lingyun chuckled. “The Zhang family’s daughter? That must be the renowned Zhang Yuelu. If she is truly designated as the Zhang family’s heir, then unless she marries the Grand Master, she will have to take in a matrilocal husband.

“Does that mean this young man is to be the Zhang family’s future son-in-law? But how could being a son-in-law of the Zhang family compare to being one of the Li family? After all, a Li family son-in-law has the opportunity to lead the Taiping Sect.”

Ning Yuqing replied, “It’s a pity the Li family doesn’t have a woman as exceptional as Zhang Yuelu.”

Ning Lingyun said thoughtfully, “For an outstanding young man, having a partner who is too strong and capable may not be a blessing. In marriage, either the east wind prevails over the west, or the west wind prevails over the east. If two strong personalities clash, they may end up in a deadlock, exhausting their relationship.

“Furthermore, how many ambitious and talented individuals are willing to remain subordinate? A true man cannot remain oppressed indefinitely. Over the years, I have seen too many sons-in-law turn against their wives’ families. In their youth, they endure humiliation and suppression to benefit from their in-laws’ power. But once their father-in-law passes and they finally rise to power, they begin settling old scores. How many of these relationships truly end well?

“That’s why this sort of matter is difficult to manage. If the balance is lost, things will turn sour. What was supposedly a good match may turn into enmity. I have interacted with Madam Tantai before, and she is not someone capable of handling such delicate matters.

“Zhang Juqi, on the other hand, is capable, but he’s too mild-tempered to take charge. If this young man is to become the Zhang family’s son-in-law, the Heavenly Preceptor will have to oversee the situation.”

Ning Lingyun and Zhang Juqi, along with many other Zhang family members, were of the same generation and had even studied and worked together. Thus, they were familiar with each other’s personalities, far exceeding the closeness of the younger generation.

Ning Yuqing added, “By the way, I also heard that although Superintendent Qi is close to Zhang Yuelu, his rise has been entirely attributed to the support of the Quanzhen Sect’s Pei family. Sage Pei and Sage Donghua have both stepped forward on his behalf, whereas the Zhang family has remained unusually silent.”

When referring to Sage Pei, it almost always meant Pei Xiaolou, while Pei Xuanzhi was exclusively known as Sage Donghua.

“The Pei family?” Ning Lingyun was momentarily taken aback. “This is quite interesting. Could the boy really have some connection to the Yao family? There can’t possibly be two Yao Peis, right?”

Ning Yuqing smirked. “That’s why I think that Superintendent Qi and Zhang Yuelu’s relationship is still far from settled, and the Zhang family may not even approve. Besides, why should we let a Quanzhen Sect talent be given away to the Zhengyi Sect for nothing?”

Ning Lingyun glanced at his niece with some surprise, then shook his head and chuckled. “Oh, you...”

However, he did not delve deeper into the topic. Matters concerning young people were best left for them or their rightful guardians to handle. As an uncle, it was best not to meddle too much, lest he find himself caught in an awkward position.