Chapter 1017: Drinking

Chapter 1017: Drinking

Qi Xuansu wished to rally some allies, but it was clear that Zheng Jiaohe was not one of them. Therefore, Qi Xuansu had no intention of sparing his pride. “This is not just outrageous. It is also a dereliction of duty.”

Zheng Jiaohe looked at Qi Xuansu and asked, “What do you mean by this, Second Deputy Qi?”

Qi Xuansu replied, “In Poluo, the Great Sage of the Daoist Mansion oversees the military, the Mansion Master manages personnel, and the Chief Deputy handles administration. As the Second Deputy, my duty is to enforce internal discipline and carry out the will of the Golden Tower Council and the Daoist Mansion.”

Zheng Jiaohe forced a smile.

In the Daoist Order, most Second Deputy Mansion Masters were known as the whip because they were responsible for discipline.

Qi Xuansu continued, “Since I don’t have authority over appointments, I can’t dismiss him outright. However, I do have the power to suspend him from duties. I intend to take him with me today. Deputy Mansion Master Zheng, please issue the order and reassign his tasks to someone else.”

A chill ran down Zheng Jiaohe’s spine.

Tian Yongfen had not become the superintendent in charge of the prefectural temple because of his competence. He was only given this position because he was good at reading his superior’s moods. He pleased Zheng Jiaohe in every way and knew how to serve him as one of his most trusted lackeys.

If Tian Yongfen fell into Qi Xuansu’s hands, there was no doubt it would implicate Zheng Jiaohe.

Naturally, Zheng Jiaohe could not allow Qi Xuansu to take his man away. He hesitated for a while before saying, “That seems rather unreasonable, doesn’t it? Suspension from duties isn’t a criminal sentence, so it’s best if he can remain here at the prefectural temple.”

Qi Xuansu said, “Strictly speaking, Superintendent Tian is indeed not yet a convicted man, but I already have evidence of his dereliction. Would you like to take a look, Deputy Mansion Master Zheng?”

As he spoke, Ke Qingqing had already handed the image recording stone to Qi Xuansu.

Zheng Jiaohe glanced briefly at the stone in Qi Xuansu’s hand. “I trust you, Second Deputy Qi, so there’s no need for me to look.”

Qi Xuansu added, “I’m sure you’ve heard that Second Deputy Qian Xiangyun of the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion has fled. I was there during that period, and with that as a precedent, I don’t feel assured. So to prevent such incidents from recurring, it’s best that I take Superintendent Tian away. This is not detention, but rather a preventive measure for the safety of the Daoist Order.”

Zheng Jiaohe clasped his hands behind his back. His left hand gripped his right wrist, while his right hand was clenched into a fist.

This was his territory, so if there were to be an open confrontation, Zheng Jiaohe felt that he would have the advantage.

Just then, heavy footsteps echoed outside the door.

These were not the footsteps of one person but of a group of soldiers marching.

Zheng Jiaohe spun around sharply. A dense, shadowy mass of figures stretched before him. They were the Spirit Guards.

The prefectural temple also had its own Spirit Guards, but upon seeing their leading officer, these guards immediately froze and dared not move.

Leading the army was the first-rank Spirit Guard Ding Chou.

It was said that Great Sage Lan’s two hands each symbolized one of the first-rank Spirit Guards. His right hand, clenched into a fist, struck outward against enemies, while his left hand, with all five fingers pressing inward, was to keep Poluo under control.

Spirit Guard Ding Chou was Great Sage Lan’s left hand.

Zheng Jiaohe’s face grew solemn.

Law must always be backed by the power of armed forces.

Qi Xuansu gave a simple order. “Take him away.”

Immediately, two Spirit Guards stepped forward and hauled up the limp Superintendent Tian from the floor, one on each side of him.

“Deputy Mansion Master! Deputy Mansion Master!” Tian Yongfen stared desperately at Zheng Jiaohe like a drowning man grasping for the final straw.

Zheng Jiaohe ignored his subordinate. Instead, he said, “Second Deputy Qi, I’ve already arranged a banquet to honor your presence here in Phnom Penh Prefecture.”

Qi Xuansu replied indifferently, “Don’t you think it’s too early in the morning for a banquet? If word gets out, people will think that all the Daoist Order does is feast and drink all day. Wouldn’t you agree, Superintendent Tian?”

Tian Yongfen could not utter a word.

Zheng Jiaohe chuckled lightly. “No, no, this is different. It’s just a simple social courtesy! Even an ordinary household would set a table for a guest. If you refuse, you’d make me look rather bad.”

Qi Xuansu gave him a long glance and said, “Very well. Since this is a gesture of goodwill, I shouldn’t refuse your sincerity, Deputy Mansion Master Zheng.”

Then he turned to Spirit Guard Ding Chou and offered, “Please join us.”

Spirit Guard Ding Chou did not refuse.

Zheng Jiaohe smiled. “Of course. This way, please.”

The banquet was held at the prefectural palace. Over a dozen attendants bustled about in preparation.

After a round of polite refusal, Qi Xuansu insisted that Spirit Guard Ding Chou take the main seat of honor. After all, Qi Xuansu had not yet become a Sage, so he could not be placed on equal footing with a first-rank Spirit Guard.

In the Daoist hierarchy, the left seat was the seat of honor. Since Spirit Guard Ding Chou was seated in the central position, Qi Xuansu, as the Second Deputy, should have taken the seat to her left. However, Zheng Jiaohe feigned ignorance and took the second seat without even offering it to Qi Xuansu first.

Zheng Jiaohe could not possibly have misunderstood the seating rule, which meant his choice was intentional. Though his words might be courteous, deep down, he resented Qi Xuansu. After Qi Xuansu ordered for Tian Yongfen to be taken away, Zheng Jiaohe was effectively at odds with the young man.

This was a deliberate slight toward Qi Xuansu and the authority he represented. He thought bitterly,

Qi Xuansu can dream on if he thinks he can turn all of Poluo upside down!

Of course, his disdain was rooted in fear, the kind born of humiliation and anger. But after so many years in the Daoist bureaucracy, Zheng Jiaohe could no longer act like a common brawler pounding tables or throwing punches. Thus, his defiance could only manifest in these subtle, awkward displays.

Soon, the wine was served.

At a glance, every jar bore the label “Dreaming Death.”

This was a rare wine. Back when Zhang Yuelu had not yet been named the Zhang family’s successor, even she could only dream of tasting such wine. Yet this Deputy Mansion Master Zheng ordered four full jars with a single wave of his hand.

Qi Xuansu glanced at them and said, “Isn’t this a bit excessive?”

Zheng Jiaohe replied, “Not at all. This Dreaming Death is wine reserved for the Sages. Though you’re still young, you’re already serving as the Acting Second Deputy. I’m sure with a few more achievements, you’ll earn the title of Sage soon enough. That’s why I’m offering this Sage’s wine to toast your swift ascension.”

These words carried barbs. First, he reminded everyone that Qi Xuansu was only the Acting Second Deputy. Then, he hinted that Qi Xuansu had yet to become a Sage.

Qi Xuansu seemed unfazed by the insinuation. “Since Deputy Mansion Master Zheng has said so, it would be impolite of me to decline further.”

Someone immediately filled Qi Xuansu’s cup to the brim.

Qi Xuansu raised the cup and took only a symbolic sip.

Zheng Jiaohe immediately sneered, “It seems that you’re looking down on me. You’re not even willing to drink a full cup! But of course, it’s only expected since you’re a rising star contending for the Grand Master’s seat. Naturally, you’re too lofty to bother with people like me.”

Qi Xuansu said nothing.

The old him would have splashed the wine straight at that old man’s face and said, “So what if I dislike you? You got a problem with that?”

But now that his status was different, Qi Xuansu had to show restraint. He drained the cup in one go and said, “I’ve drunk mine, yet you haven’t touched yours, Deputy Mansion Master Zheng. Are you looking down on me?”

Zheng Jiaohe, confident in his cultivation and composure, drained his cup as well.

Then Zheng Jiaohe lifted his cup again and said with feigned respect, “Daoist Qi is not just a representative of the Daoist Mansion but also an envoy of the Golden Tower Council to oversee us. We humble workers must, of course, toast to Second Deputy Qi and beg that he speak kindly of us when he returns.”

As soon as he finished his sentence, everyone at the table raised their cups in unison.

Spirit Guard Ding Chou frowned slightly.

Qi Xuansu subtly gestured for Spirit Guard Ding Chou to remain calm. He did not even glance at the others offering toasts. His eyes stayed fixed on Zheng Jiaohe as he said, “Deputy Mansion Master Zheng, won’t you honor me with a drink?”

He had already seen through Zheng Jiaohe’s plan. The man intended to use Dreaming Death to get him drunk so he would make a fool of himself in public. That would provide Zheng Jiaohe with a pretext to downplay Tian Yongfen’s sin because even the Second Deputy in charge of discipline drinks himself senseless.

After all, one who could not keep good conduct would have no right to judge others.

Zheng Jiaohe was quick-witted, having already devised a way to save Tian Yongfen from punishment.

Hearing Qi Xuansu’s words, Zheng Jiaohe also raised his cup.

The two drank again, draining their cups together.

At Zheng Jiaohe’s subtle cue, the others began toasting Qi Xuansu one after another, showering Qi Xuansu with empty flattery and implying that if Qi Xuansu refused a single drink, he was insulting them all.

If Zhang Yuelu had been there, she would likely have flipped the entire table and refused to allow them the pleasure of guilting her into drinking.

But Qi Xuansu was not Zhang Yuelu. He did not lose his temper. He understood the principle of focusing on one target when surrounded. So he fixed his gaze entirely on Zheng Jiaohe.

He would only drink if Zheng Jiaohe drank first. Otherwise, it meant Zheng Jiaohe was disrespecting him. It was a perfect case of using the opponent’s own tactic against him.

Zheng Jiaohe was also at the Wuliang stage, but he had lingered in this realm far longer. In contrast, Qi Xuansu was still young. Before he was 20, he was not comparable to the three Daoist prodigies, so he must have relied on external aid to reach his level. Thus, Zheng Jiaohe believed that Qi Xuansu’s advancement was recent and unstable. Qi Xuansu’s cultivation must be fragile and unworthy of comparison to his.

Thus, Zheng Jiaohe was utterly unafraid, having made up his mind to outlast Qi Xuansu through sheer endurance.

The two men kept drinking until they emptied two entire jars of Dreaming Death.

Zheng Jiaohe’s eyes were hazy with drunkenness, his body swaying unsteadily.

However, Qi Xuansu remained completely clear-headed.

Though nominally, Qi Xuansu was a Rogue Cultivator, he was actually a manmade Banished Immortal, far beyond the reach of an ordinary Wuliang-stage Heavenly Being.

Across the entire Daoist Order, there were only two manmade Banished Immortals.

The Li family knew this secret, but they would never spread it, since Li Changge was also one such manmade Banished Immortal himself. Neither the Quanzhen Sect nor the Zhengyi Sects would make it public either.

Zheng Jiaohe silently cursed his own miscalculation, because it seemed like Qi Xuansu would stay sober while he himself would succumb first.

Now, the roles of attacker and defender have reversed.

He tried to refuse another drink, but Qi Xuansu would not let him go, forcing him to drink to the bitter end.

As soon as another jar of wine was emptied, Zheng Jiaohe waved his hands repeatedly and refused to take another sip no matter what. “I...I really can’t drink anymore...”

Qi Xuansu laughed. “Deputy Mansion Master Zheng, it was you who proposed drinking, and I agreed. Yet you want to back out now? Do you think the world runs according to your whims? That’s quite the fool’s dream you have there.”

Zheng Jiaohe had just opened his mouth to retort when a hand gripped the back of his neck. He could not move a muscle.

At some point, Spirit Guard Ding Chou appeared silently behind Zheng Jiaohe.

Qi Xuansu lifted the final jar of Dreaming Death with his right hand and seized Zheng Jiaohe’s jaw with his left, forcing the man to tilt his head back and open his mouth. “Don’t you people always say that the drinking table is like a battlefield? Then let me tell you. On the battlefield, surrender comes at a price.”

Then, under the horrified gazes of everyone present, Qi Xuansu poured the entire jar of Dreaming Death down Zheng Jiaohe’s throat.