A Pawn's Passage

The moments of solitude between lovers always seemed fleeting, passing in the blink of an eye.

Before they knew it, the magnificent full moon had risen high in the pristine night sky, its reflection casting a silvery glow across the entire lake.

The bottle of Dreaming Death was already more than half-empty. Despite both being in the Guizhen stage and using their cultivation to dispel the effects of this strong alcohol, they were still mildly inebriated.

Qi Xuansu had drunk less, so he was about 60% tipsy. Meanwhile, Zhang Yuelu, despite her higher cultivation, was around 80% drunk.

As the night grew darker, Qi Xuansu knew it was time to leave. He joked, “Can you still walk? Do you want me to carry you back?”

Zhang Yuelu shook her head drunkenly. “What would people think if they saw us? Besides, you can barely stand yourself. If you tried to carry me, we’d both end up rolling into the lake!”

Qi Xuansu did not insist, so the two drunkards supported each other and staggered back to Zhang Yuelu’s courtyard.

Zhang Yuelu did not forget to bring along the remaining bottle of Dreaming Death.

Luckily, Zhang Yuelu’s study was located in the innermost part of the courtyard, separated from the front yard by a moon gate. Without her explicit summons, people would rarely disturb her, so it was quiet.

As such, the couple did not encounter a single person on their way over to the study.

Though it was called a study, it actually consisted of three rooms. The two inner rooms served as Zhang Yuelu’s living quarters, while the outer room functioned as an office for handling documents and receiving guests.

That was when Zhang Yuelu seemed to realize something. She asked, “Where are you planning to stay tonight? Your room should be over at Sage Lei’s courtyard, right?”

Qi Xuansu played dumb. “What do you mean? Aren’t we supposed to talk all night?”

Under normal circumstances, Zhang Yuelu would never agree, but she was currently befuddled, though not completely incoherent. She nodded in agreement. “Alright, let’s talk all night.”

When they entered the study, Qi Xuansu went to light some candles. Zhang Yuelu casually placed the bottle of Dreaming Death on the table and turned toward the inner room.

She seemed to have forgotten Qi Xuansu’s presence, as her actions were so natural, like she was alone. Yet she remembered to lock the door behind her.

Qi Xuansu had no choice but to sit on the long bench by the tea table.

Not long after, Qi Xuansu heard the sound of running water coming from inside. Judging by the volume of water, it was not just face-washing. She seemed to be drawing a bath.

Jinling Prefecture was a prosperous place, no less impressive than the Imperial Capital or Jade Capital. As the largest Daoist temple in Jinling Prefecture, Zhenwu Temple often hosted dignitaries of high status. Apart from its vast grounds, its interior was equally remarkable.

For example, all the furniture in Zhang Yuelu’s residence was made of yellow rosewood. The paper, brushes, inkstones, and ink on her desk were clearly of the highest quality and meticulously arranged. On the table and tea stand were fine porcelain tea sets, along with various vases and antiques.

Although kerosene lamps were available, many still preferred the ritual of lighting candles. Thus, there were various types of candle holders—tall standing holders in the four corners of the room, short table-mounted holders with lampshades, and even eight-sided palace lanterns with tassels hanging from above. If all of them were lit, the room would be as bright as day.

Besides that, there was an extensive piping system. Zhenwu Temple had long moved past manual water hauling. Instead, metal pipes brought water directly into the courtyards. With just a turn of a faucet, water was available on demand, making it easy to take a bath without needing to heat water as in the past.

Of course, ordinary citizens and even most of the well-off households could not afford such luxuries.

As Qi Xuansu listened to the faint sound of water splashing, his thoughts began to drift, fantasizing about the scene inside. However, his imagination was rather limited—conjuring only hazy steam and a vague silhouette.

At some point, the sound of water ceased.

Qi Xuansu instinctively sat upright.

By now, it was late at night, and the entire Zhenwu Temple was silent, so every subtle sound became distinctly audible.

Qi Xuansu heard the rustling sound of fabric, likely from Zhang Yuelu getting dressed.

A moment later, footsteps approached, and the door latch was unlocked from the inside.

Zhang Yuelu reappeared in front of Qi Xuansu.

After her bath, Zhang Yuelu’s hair was slightly damp and casually draped over her shoulders. She had changed out of her formal Daoist attire and into a simple dress.

While half of the female Daoists favored full-white attire, Zhang Yuelu did not particularly like wearing pure white. She always added some contrasting colors. Her current dress was mainly a combination of green and white. In casual attire, her usual sharp demeanor was replaced with a touch of elegance and gentleness.

This was Qi Xuansu’s first time seeing Zhang Yuelu as such.

Zhang Yuelu sat down beside Qi Xuansu, taking the other half of the long bench. After her bath, she sobered up slightly, but she was still not entirely clear-headed.

She avoided looking at Qi Xuansu. Instead, she stared blankly at the tips of her shoes that were peeking out from under her skirt.

Although Qi Xuansu had suggested they talk all night, he now found himself unsure of what to say.

After a moment, Zhang Yuelu lifted her head and broke the silence. “So, tell me more about your experiences after we parted ways in Jiangling Prefecture.”

“Alright.” Qi Xuansu agreed without hesitation.

Catching a whiff of the faint fragrance emanating from Zhang Yuelu, Qi Xuansu suddenly felt thirsty and instinctively reached for the half-empty bottle of Dreaming Death on the table, taking a small sip.

From there, Qi Xuansu began recounting his journey—how he boarded the ship, met Xu Kou, encountered the pirates together, and what Shen Mingshu had done, among other events.

Zhang Yuelu listened attentively, occasionally taking the wine bottle from Qi Xuansu for a small sip. Since they had left their glasses at the lakeside pavilion, they decided to drink straight from the bottle instead.

Thus, one spoke while the other listened, sharing the same wine bottle in this harmonious moment. That was until Qi Xuansu mentioned Li Qingnu.

“Li Qingnu, as in the Finest Courtesan renowned across the land?” Zhang Yuelu asked, her tone feigning nonchalance.

With the alcohol clouding his senses, Qi Xuansu failed to notice the danger lurking in her words and replied casually, “Yeah, the one we met in Shangqing Prefecture.”

“I know,” Zhang Yuelu said, seeming slightly more sober as her thoughts grew sharper. “Are you close with her? Back then, I didn’t even know your identity—how did she know who you were?”

Afraid of almost slipping up, Qi Xuansu sobered up a bit and managed a quick-witted response. “It was my fault for being careless. I gave my mask to Liu Hu, leaving my face exposed, so Li Qingnu accidentally recognized me. Fortunately, she isn’t part of the Daoist Order and didn’t know that Qi Xuansu was supposedly ‘dead,’ so I paid no heed to it.”

“Is that so?” Zhang Yuelu narrowed her eyes, her earlier sobriety now giving way to another rising sense of intoxication.

“Of course!” Qi Xuansu produced the white fox mask from his bag to corroborate his story.

Zhang Yuelu took the mask, examined it briefly, and made no comment.

Seeing this, Qi Xuansu added some unnecessary details. “I even made a deal with Li Qingnu. I helped her deal with Lu Yunfeng, the young master of the Taiping Sect’s Lu family in exchange for her ensuring Liu Hu’s safe journey to Liaodong.”

Dreaming Death was no ordinary wine. Even Zhang Yuelu, who was immune to ordinary alcohol, was now inebriated, seeming like a completely different person.

She let out a dry chuckle. “A hero rescuing a beauty, huh?”

Qi Xuansu hastily clarified. “No, it was merely a fair transaction.”

Zhang Yuelu smiled dubiously and raised her eyebrows. “Lu Yunfeng pursued Li Qingnu, and you came to her defense. I wasn’t so lucky back when Li Tianzhen had his eyes on me. No one was there to stand up for me, and I had to rely on myself.”

Hearing this, Qi Xuansu did not know whether to laugh or cry. The Zhang Yuelu I’m familiar with will never complain so bitterly under normal circumstances. Besides, I hadn’t even met her yet at the time, so how could I have come to her defense? It seems totally unreasonable for her to hold that against me! It looks like she’s truly drunk.

However, that was only what he thought. He would never dare say it out loud.

Qi Xuansu reconsidered this.

Li Tianzhen was a direct descendant of the Li family, ranking only below Li Changge among those of the same age. At the time, Zhang Yuelu had only just arrived in Jade Capital and was known as a member of the Zhang family’s side branch. While Li Tianzhen could freely enter Zhenjing Courtyard, Zhang Yuelu was not yet allowed into the Dazhen Mansion. She was not yet Sage Cihang’s chosen successor and had not yet earned the favor of the Earthly Preceptor.

Against Li Tianzhen, Zhang Yuelu’s last name was her only advantage. She had no other support back then.

Although many cited this incident as proof of Zhang Yuelu’s powerful background and her indifference to Li Tianzhen, it was, in fact, a misinterpretation. For Zhang Yuelu, that was not a pleasant memory at all.

Had it not been for her exceptional wit, which she used to maneuver Li Tianzhen into agreeing to a duel and ultimately forcing him to leave Jade Capital, her fate might not have been so favorable.

She was also naturally strong-willed, unwilling to show even the slightest weakness in front of others. She never voiced her inner helplessness, grievances, or fears and always presented herself as tough, resilient, and composed, as though she were an unfeeling and unyielding individual.

Perhaps only when truly drunk and in the presence of her comrade through life and death would she reveal even a hint of vulnerability.

Thinking of this, Qi Xuansu could not help but feel a surge of pity for her, along with a wave of bravado. “It’s just Li Tianzhen, right? Don’t worry; one day, I’ll avenge you.”

Zhang Yuelu smiled without saying a word and took another small sip of wine.

“You don’t believe me?” Qi Xuansu asked.

“I believe you,” Zhang Yuelu replied. “Of course I do.”

Qi Xuansu snatched the wine bottle from Zhang Yuelu, took a big gulp, and could not help but burp. “I mean what I say.”

Zhang Yuelu took the wine bottle back from Qi Xuansu. “And then? After you helped Li Qingnu deal with Lu Yunfeng, what happened next?"

“What else? I rushed back to see you, of course.” Qi Xuansu simpered, refraining from speaking carelessly again. “After Sage Pei informed me of my official transfer, I didn’t linger for a moment and was eager to reunite with you.”

Zhang Yuelu blinked her sparkling eyes. “Really?”

“Absolutely.” Qi Xuansu reassured her.

Zhang Yuelu’s gaze grew even brighter, but she quickly lowered her head and took a small sip of wine.

In the end, both of them were wasted.

They leaned against each other on the long bench and fell into a deep sleep.