A Pawn’s Passage

Sage Qingwei added, "Truthfully, Deputy Hall Master Zhang would be a more suitable choice for this kind of matter. After all, she once served in Beichen Hall and has handled several major cases with great success. However, since this case involves the Zhengyi Sect, and given that she is both a Zhang family descendant and from the Cihang lineage, she ought to recuse herself. Tian Yuan, you're from the Quanzhen Sect, so be sure to act impartially and leave no room for criticism. As per protocol, don't inform Deputy Hall Master Zhang for now."

Qi Xuansu responded solemnly, "Understood."

To make arrests and conduct investigations, the first prerequisite was manpower. Qi Xuansu could not do it all alone.

Qi Xuansu requested several personnel from Sage Qingwei, mainly Han Yongfeng from the Liaodong Daoist Mansion, Li Mingshan from the Ciji Hall, Lu Yuting from the Huasheng Hall, Tang Yongshui from the Tianji Hall; and Qian Daren from the Tiangang Hall.

Technically, none of these individuals hailed from Beichen Hall or Fengxian Hall, making them less than ideal. However, since two of them were affiliated with the Taiping Sect—deemed trustworthy—Sage Qingwei approved the request and even authorized an additional 200 Spirit Guards.

Qi Xuansu left the command tent with Sage Qingwei's personal decree and the case file, then summoned the superintendents he personally selected to convene an urgent meeting that very night.

Since they were all stationed at the army camp, they arrived promptly.

Having been through hardships together before, they skipped the formal introductions.

"I didn't expect to see everyone again so soon," Han Yongfeng bellowed in his usual loud voice.

Lu Yuting, who carried herself with an intellectual air, glanced at Han Yongfeng but remained silent.

Qian Daren remarked, "I heard we've all been assigned under Deputy Hall Master Qi's command."

"That's right," Li Mingshan said in a low voice. "Word is, the order came directly from the Sage Commander himself. It must be something major."

Tang Yongshui said while polishing his pistol, "Sigh...Deputy Hall Master Qi really hasn't had a moment's rest. He has just escorted that regent to camp, and now he's got another task. If it were me, I couldn't handle that pace."

Lu Yuting narrowed her eyes and finally spoke, "Well, that's why they say Deputy Hall Master Qi is a promising young talent. I think it's better to stay busy. With greater responsibilities come greater merits. He might just move up another level when the war is over."

"Move up again?" Han Yongfeng's eyes widened. "That would mean becoming a Sage!"

Just as Lu Yuting was about to reply, Qi Xuansu lifted the tent flap and entered.

The tent instantly fell silent as everyone rose in unison and greeted him respectfully, "Deputy Hall Master Qi."

"No need for formalities. Please, take a seat," Qi Xuansu said as he took the central seat of honor, raising his hand to gesture downward. A third-rank Spirit Guard followed close behind him.

Qi Xuansu motioned for the Spirit Guard to sit down, then handed the file to Lu Yuting on his left. "Superintendent Lu, read this and pass it around."

"Yes, Deputy Hall Master," Lu Yuting replied. She opened the file first, and her expression instantly grew grave.

She said nothing the entire time. After reading it, she handed the file to Han Yongfeng beside her.

Once everyone had read it, the file was returned to Qi Xuansu.

Qi Xuansu closed the file and looked around at everyone. "This embezzlement and smuggling case involves critical military logistics. This time, we are acting on behalf of the Sage Commander to arrest those involved. If anyone has questions, speak up now."

Lu Yuting said, "Deputy Hall Master Qi, even if this pertains to the army camp, shouldn't this matter still fall under Beichen Hall and Fengxian Hall?"

Qi Xuansu explained, "The main issue is a lack of manpower, so we're the ones temporarily assigned to assist with the case. The personnel selections were primarily made by me and approved by the Sage Commander."

Han Yongfeng said, "Deputy Hall Master, to be honest, I've worked in local administrations for a long time and done a bit of everything, so this kind of job isn't new to me. Old Qian from Tiangang Hall has probably done this too. But I doubt the others have experience with arrests, since one deals with firearms, another with creations, and another with rituals..."

Qi Xuansu said, "That's fine. Just follow my lead. Everything has a starting point. No one is born knowing how to do everything."

Li Mingshan asked, "Deputy Hall Master Qi, I have a question. The order is to arrest and investigate. Should we investigate and get a feel for the situation first, or arrest first and then conduct a detailed investigation?"

Qi Xuansu replied with a serious tone, "Fengxian Hall and Beichen Hall already have solid evidence. This time, we are to arrest the suspects first, then interrogate them to uncover further details to help make breakthroughs in their investigation, leading to final convictions."

"Understood." Li Mingshan nodded.

Qi Xuansu looked around again. "Any more questions?"

No one spoke.

"Then we're all clear. I have three key points to emphasize." Qi Xuansu explained, "First, during the case, no one is allowed to leak any information by any means, such as mother-child talismans, rapid post talismans, or licenses. Whether intentional or accidental, any violation will be punished severely. Second, ensure the safety of the involved suspects. We have to prevent silencing, suicide, or any foul play. If anyone dies due to negligence, the responsible party will face the same punishment. Third, during interrogation, cut off any external contact. Do not allow outsiders to pass messages to the suspects, which could cause them to recant, refuse cooperation, or even commit suicide."

Everyone responded in unison, "Yes, sir."

Qi Xuansu opened his pocket watch for a glance. "It's now 1:00 AM. Everyone, go over the plan carefully again. Review the procedures and measures to see if we've overlooked anything. We'll set out in an hour at 2:00 AM."

An hour later, a flying ship quietly departed from the army camp, heading toward a major port roughly 150 kilometers away. Two supply ships from the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion responsible for transporting military goods were docked there for maintenance.

By then, the flying ship was already equipped with a mother-child mirror. The mirror was activated, and a Spirit Guard guarding the port appeared on the other end. "Deputy Hall Master Qi, the Jiangnan A3 flying ship is attempting to take off by force. The port garrison is unable to stop it. We await your instruction on the next steps."

"They're quite well-informed," Qi Xuansu remarked.

He did not believe the leak came from his side. The case was far too large. It started with Superintendent Su reporting Zhang Juquan, then it was handed over to the Sage Commander, and finally an order of arrest. There were countless points where news could have slipped. Thus, it was only natural that some people would catch wind of it.

After a brief pause, Qi Xuansu ordered, "Take immediate action to ensure the other flying ship doesn't escape. I'll handle Jiangnan A3."

The Spirit Guard responded, "Yes, sir."

Qi Xuansu ended the communication through the mother-child mirror and ordered, "Accelerate!"

Han Yongfeng answered loudly, "Yes, sir!"

The flying ship surged forward with sudden speed.

There were three different models of flying ship, each with a distinct purpose.

The first was a passenger vessel known as the White Carp, the kind Qi Xuansu had boarded during both of his previous crashes.

The second, called the Yellow Hornless Dragon, was used for transporting goods.

The third, known as the Purple Flood Dragon, was built for escort, combat, and troop deployment.

Each had a different structure and trade-off. The White Carp carried the most people, but was bulky and the slowest. The Yellow Hornless Dragon had the highest cargo capacity but was also relatively slow. The Purple Flood Dragon carried the fewest passengers but was equipped with weaponry and was the fastest of all.

The two flying ships were both Yellow Hornless Dragons, while Qi Xuansu was aboard a Purple Flood Dragon. It did not take long before they caught up to the fleeing vessel.

Qi Xuansu commanded, "Call out to the Yellow Hornless Dragon. Order them to land immediately and await judgment."

The Spirit Guard activated the ship's voice transmission talisman and shouted toward the Yellow Hornless Dragon ahead. "Yellow Hornless Dragon, by order of the field command, you are to land immediately and await judgment. I repeat—descend and land immediately."

The Yellow Hornless Dragon gave no response even after several warnings.

Qi Xuansu stepped to the voice transmission talisman and spoke directly. "This is Deputy Hall Master Qi Xuansu of Ziwei Hall. I am acting under orders from the Sage Commander to investigate a smuggling case. Let me make this clear. Those backing you and those who made money off you are already in deep trouble. No one can save you now, except yourselves. In this major smuggling case, you're merely accomplices. If you land immediately, cooperate with the investigation, and name the mastermind, your sentence can be reduced. I'll repeat—land immediately and confess truthfully to receive leniency."

The Yellow Hornless Dragon continued its defiant flight.

Tang Yongshui from the Tianji Hall was well-versed in flying ship artillery. He promptly asked, "Deputy Hall Master, shall we use cannons to shoot it down?"

Qi Xuansu shook his head. "We need them alive. If we shoot it down, not only will the ship be destroyed, but the people aboard likely won't survive. Even if some do, the sea is right below us, making the rescue mission extremely difficult."

After a brief pause, Qi Xuansu said, "Superintendent Lu, take the helm. Bring us alongside the Yellow Hornless Dragon. I'll attempt to board it myself."

Lu Yuting hesitated but finally said, "Deputy Hall Master, please be careful. Even if they escape, your safety must come first."

"I understand." Qi Xuansu strode straight out of the bridge and onto the outer deck.

The Purple Flood Dragon was flying at top speed, and the violent wind could easily blow a person off the deck. Though not in danger of being blown away, Qi Xuansu's robes were flapping wildly in the gale.

The Purple Flood Dragon flew far faster than a Xiaoyao-stage Heavenly Being, so if Qi Xuansu left the ship, he would quickly be left behind. That was why he ordered the Purple Flood Dragon to align alongside the Yellow Hornless Dragon, essentially initiating a boarding maneuver, an ancient naval tactic of bringing hulls together for close-quarters combat.

Only this time, Qi Xuansu was the sole boarding party.

The Purple Flood Dragon gradually closed the gap and veered its hull, crashing thunderously into the Yellow Hornless Dragon. As a warship with armor plating, the Purple Flood Dragon remained unscathed, while the Yellow Hornless Dragon cargo ship shuddered violently on impact.

The two flying ships flew side by side, their hulls locked together. Qi Xuansu strode across the deck rail and leapt onto the Yellow Hornless Dragon's deck.

Since this was primarily a cargo vessel, it was not heavily armed, posing little threat to Qi Xuansu.

Ignoring the fierce gale, Qi Xuansu headed straight for the ship's bridge.