Qi Xuansu could not dine and dash, so he contacted Chen Jianchou.

Secretary Chen rushed over immediately to pay the bill. This was exactly what a secretary was for.

This time, Qi Xuansu finally resolved to visit Sage Donghua. No one knew a son better than his mother. Others might not understand him, but Madam Qi certainly did. She was not making the decision for him but helping him commit to it. In other words, Qi Xuansu already had an answer. He just had not made the final call. What he needed was someone to give him a push.

Now that the decision was made, there was no reason to delay.

Taking on a disciple was a major matter for Sage Donghua. It required extensive preparations, ceremonies, invitations, and more. Qi Xuansu was not going to become a disciple immediately. He was only going to give Sage Donghua an answer.

After that, preparations would begin. On the appointed day, Qi Xuansu would attend the ceremony, and under the witness of many guests, their master-disciple relationship would be formally established.

Qi Xuansu first contacted Gong Jiaojun to confirm Sage Donghua’s availability.

To be a secretary, one must be perceptive and insightful. One must read between the lines and grasp the superior’s meaning even when it was not explicitly stated.

Gong Jiaojun excelled in this regard. As one of Sage Donghua’s closest aides, Gong Jiaojun was well aware of the situation between Sage Donghua and Qi Xuansu. Qi Xuansu’s visit likely meant the matter was about to be finalized.

Once finalized, it would signal a major shift in the Quanzhen Sect’s structure. The top two would still be the Earthly Preceptor and Sage Donghua, but the third most important figure would no longer be Yao Pei. Instead, it would be Qi Xuansu. As attendants to these important figures, the secretaries could no longer behave as before.

After all, outsiders could not come between those with close ties. A secretary would eventually be assigned elsewhere, but a disciple would inherit the legacy and become the next leader. The difference in importance was obvious. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Gong Jiaojun had this much sensitivity. He had begun laying the groundwork long ago, so now everything fell into place naturally. When facing Qi Xuansu, he subtly adopted the attitude of a subordinate and respectfully informed him that Sage Donghua was currently available.

Qi Xuansu soon arrived at Sage Donghua’s residence. At his level, life was actually rather dull. Aside from endless official duties, leisure time was spent on personal hobbies like calligraphy, painting, chess, or card games. But chess and cards usually required two players, and suitable opponents were often lacking. Playing with one’s secretary all day would be boring. As a result, hobbies that could be done alone became the preference of most Sages.

The trio in Nanyang—Lin Yuanmiao, Ji Jiaozhen, and Pei Xiaolou—going whale fishing together was rare and only possible when stationed outside Jade Capital. It could not be done at the political center. More importantly, finding like-minded companions was difficult. Little Yin had long hoped to join that trio, but she had never succeeded.

In his spare time, Sage Donghua often painted landscapes and portraits. Recently, he had decided to repaint portraits of past patriarchs. He had already completed those of Elder Li, Elder Zhang, and Elder Yao and was now preparing to paint Elder Xu. The portrait of the Holy Xuan would be left for last.

When Qi Xuansu practiced calligraphy, Chen Jianchou would attend to him. Now, Qi Xuansu was reduced to an ink grinder for Sage Donghua, and Gong Jiaojun tactfully stepped aside.

Sage Donghua painted as he spoke to Qi Xuansu in a casual tone. “Many of the Daoist Order’s problems are internal. Looking back at history, no great empire has fallen due to external enemies alone. They all fell because of internal troubles. Only when internal issues go unresolved do external enemies find opportunities, and internal problems are closely tied to talent.

“Elder Xu put it well. At the beginning of a dynasty, governance was clean, and everyone worked diligently because of the harsh times. Survival must be prioritized. But as conditions improve and stability sets in, people grow lax. What begins as a minority becomes the majority, and laziness becomes the norm. Even great effort cannot reverse it, and it becomes difficult to remedy. Some are driven by ambition, forming factions and attacking others. When talent begins to decline and becomes insufficient, the situation grows complicated.”

Qi Xuansu asked, “Are you referring to the Daoist Order’s talent development and reserves?”

Sage Donghua said, “A few days ago, I went down to take a look. Everyone has an impressive résumé, graduating from the Wanxiang Daoist Palace with excellent results or coming from the Shangqing Palace, Wuxu Palace, or Qingling Palace. They all ranked highly in the major examinations and collected awards during their studies. If those were Western medals, they could cover the entire torso like scale armor.

“But the problem is, they’re only good at talking theory. When it comes to real work, they’re pretty much hopeless. Their feet never touch the ground, and their shoes never touch mud. They remain aloof and disconnected from the grassroots. Trying to learn real conditions from them is like climbing a tree to catch fish. You’ve been to the New Continent, so you’ve probably seen those intricate machines of the Steam Evangelical Sect. These people are like machines—press a button, and lights flash. But who knows what lies behind those lights? After pressing many times and seeing nothing but flashing lights, you realize there is no real function behind it.”

The primary role of the various Daoist academies was to train Daoist priests. Zhang Yuelu studied at the Zhang family academy, which was affiliated with the Shangqing Palace. Among all schools, the Wanxiang Daoist Palace holds the greatest prestige and legitimacy, so the training of high-ranking Daoists was concentrated in its Upper Palace.

Qi Xuansu himself had graduated from the Wanxiang Daoist Palace, but he had not won any awards. In his cohort, those who won the most awards were either dead or imprisoned, and Qi Xuansu was connected to both their tragic ends. It was no secret that Qi Xuansu was involved in Yue Liuli’s imprisonment.

Of course, no one would bring this matter up anymore.

Qi Xuansu said, “It’s best to start from the grassroots.”

Sage Donghua put down his brush and straightened up. “You came to see me today because of the Golden Tower Council deliberations?”

Qi Xuansu asked, “You already know about it?”

“It’s obvious. A word of advice—when you’re under someone else’s roof, don’t push back too hard. It’s no big deal to lower your head a little.” Sage Donghua took the towel Qi Xuansu handed him and wiped the ink from his hands.

Qi Xuansu hesitated, then asked, “What exactly do you mean?”

Sage Donghua said, “My stance has always been consistent. I firmly oppose reckless action and rash advancement, and I also oppose the idea of quick victory. Things cannot be rushed. Seeking quick results will only lead to serious problems.”

Qi Xuansu was not surprised by this answer. “I believe this Golden Tower Council meeting is actually a test.”

Sage Donghua replied calmly, “Since it’s a test, then the response must be firm.”

As he spoke, Sage Donghua left the desk and sat in a nearby chair, gesturing for Qi Xuansu to sit as well. Gong Jiaojun served them tea.

“By the way, how are the wedding preparations between you and Qing Xiao going?” Sage Donghua asked.

Qi Xuansu lifted his teacup. “This time, I’ve returned to report on my duties. But the time is too short, and there’s too much to handle. I probably won’t have the chance to deal with it, so it’ll likely have to wait until my current term ends. I used to be in a hurry, hoping to have a child while my cultivation was still low. But now, that’s probably not realistic anymore. With Little Yin around, there’s also no need anymore.”

Sage Donghua nodded slightly. “Descendants may not necessarily inherit one’s legacy. Family-based succession often ends up becoming stagnant. Father-to-son inheritance does not work in the Daoist system.”

This was indeed true. After the Holy Xuan took control of the Daoist Order, even the Zhang family’s Heavenly Preceptor lineage rarely passed from father to son. For example, the current Heavenly Preceptor Zhang Wushou’s father was not his predecessor, and he himself had no descendants. As a result, these three generations of Heavenly Preceptors had no direct father-son or grandfather-grandson relationships. Although the title remained within the Zhang family, father-son succession was extremely rare.

The Li family’s succession was even more chaotic, skipping generations and not following any set pattern.

As for the Yao family, it appeared the most conventional, but what it was really like remained uncertain.

Sage Donghua’s sudden mention of master-disciple inheritance versus father-son inheritance was on purpose.

Qi Xuansu understood the implication and said, “You should know that I spent several years as an unaffiliated wandering Daoist.”

“I’ve heard a bit about it.” Sage Donghua nodded slightly.

Qi Xuansu continued, “When I was a wandering Daoist, I once offended the Green Phoenix Guard in Fengtai County. Back then, I bluffed, using your name as leverage to scare them. I said that Sage Donghua sent his regards to their commander, hoping they would think I was your disciple and not pursue the matter.

“At the time, I only knew your name but had no real understanding of what ‘Sage Donghua’ meant or who you were. I thought you and the Green Phoenix Guard Commander were just important figures. Looking back, it was rather ridiculous. How could a Sage like you send greetings to a mere commander? It should have been the other way around.”

Sage Donghua laughed. “The Daoist Order is not like the Confucian system. We don’t place that much emphasis on hierarchy. There’s nothing wrong with me sending him greetings.”

After saying that, Sage Donghua instructed Gong Jiaojun. “Send an official letter to the Green Phoenix Guard Commander in my name. Ask how he has been lately and whether he is in good health.”

Gong Jiaojun acknowledged the order and departed.

Qi Xuansu sighed softly. “Who would have thought that it actually became a self-fulfilling prophecy?”