Chapter 790: Not Following the Rules

Qi Xuansu had long anticipated this kind of clichéd drama, yet there was nothing he could do about it.

He simply did not belong to the same circle as certain people.

In truth, there were distinct differences even among scions of noble families.

Some scions had lofty aspirations and aimed to reach the summit of the Daoist hierarchy. Naturally, they acted with propriety and were aware of the consequences, never lashing out over trifles or drawing weapons without cause.

For instance, Li Changge’s family background was among the most prestigious in the Daoist community, far surpassing Qi Xuansu’s. Yet when he first arrived in the Imperial Capital, Li Changge kept a low profile and treated Qi Xuansu with courtesy. Only in the final, decisive moment did his blade show its edge, leaving Yao Pei wounded.

Others relied solely on their noble background, unwilling to endure hardships and refusing to risk their lives investigating major cases or participating in perilous events like the Wuxing Mountain operation. Their conduct was far more capricious—rash youth brimming with arrogance, unconcerned with consequences, eager to flaunt power and indulge every whim. Wang Danqing was such a scion.

These two kinds of people belonged to completely different worlds.

The former were Qi Xuansu’s true adversaries—formidable and calculating—while the latter were undeniably a nuisance.

Qi Xuansu laughed out loud. “Actually, I find them quite fascinating too.”

The atmosphere instantly turned tense.

After three months of training at the Wanxiang Daoist Upper Palace, Qi Xuansu had come to understand many things. Rather, he had always understood these principles but lacked the words to express them.

People only followed and upheld the rules that safeguarded their interests. Conversely, if said rules failed to protect their interests, they would cast the rules aside and protect themselves.

In short, rules were not laws of heaven or immutable decrees. Their power lay only in serving the interests of the privileged. Those whose rights were trampled by the rules would naturally disregard them. Victory or defeat depended on one’s own ability and fate.

That was exactly what Qi Xuansu had done. Since the rules had failed him, he took revenge himself, killing Wan Xiuwu and banishing Yue Liuli to the Demon Suppression Tower.

When a rule failed only a few, it would still persist. But if it failed the majority, it would eventually be overthrown.

Clearly, Zhang Yuelu had long grasped this principle. Hence, she had readily agreed to help Qi Xuansu seek his revenge.

At the time, Qi Xuansu had still been rather naive, not fully understanding Zhang Yuelu’s motives.

Later, Qi Xuansu understood that Zhang Yuelu was someone who would break the rules too, but only when those rules failed to protect her rightful interests.

As for the present, some people, even though their own interests remained untouched, were already preparing to break the rules and stir up trouble. Worse still, they were intent on harming Qi Xuansu’s interests. Who were they to brandish their claws when Zhang Jucheng had said nothing?

Qi Xuansu figured that these youths probably had nothing to do and wanted to show off, or they simply could not stand the sight of him.

This was the definition of immaturity. Li Changge, Yao Pei, and Zhang Yuelu would never stoop to such antics. But many noble scions, having grown up emboldened by their families, were spoiled and unchecked, so they always ended up pulling stunts like these.

Under these circumstances, Qi Xuansu certainly was not going to play by the rules. He had to strike hard, regardless of their background. If he swallowed his anger, it would only render the Heavenly Preceptor’s support of him meaningless.

Qi Xuansu was not overestimating himself. Without relying on a semi-immortal object, Zhang Yuelu might not be able to defeat Qi Xuansu in a fight. He simply did not believe the Zhang family was hiding someone on par with Li Changge or Yao Pei. If they truly had such a person, then the main branch of the Zhang family would not be fretting over Zhang Yuelu’s rise in the first place.

Zhang Chiyue was momentarily stunned, clearly not expecting such a reply from Qi Xuansu.

His first instinct was displeasure. After all, he was also a Zhang. So for Qi Xuansu to dismiss the Zhangs so bluntly was, in effect, a slap to his own face.

Yet Zhang Chiyue could not let that dissatisfaction show. He could only respond in a low voice, “Brother Qi, you would be wise not to underestimate them. I know you’re a Heavenly Being, but some of these people are many years your senior and have the same level of cultivation.”

Becoming a Heavenly Being in one’s thirties was hardly something to boast about. Zhang Yuelu was nearly ten years younger than they were, and she was already on the verge of entering the Wuliang stage. By her mid-thirties, she might advance to the Zaohua stage, be a Pseudo-Immortal by forty, and an Immortal by sixty. There was simply no way these people could contend with her.

Still, in the context of a hundred-year lifespan, someone in their thirties was still considered a youth.

Qi Xuansu only gave a nonchalant reply. Having met Li Changge, few others could truly catch Qi Xuansu’s eye.

Zhang Chiyue added, “Brother Qi, please be careful. Two fists can’t fend off four hands.”

Qi Xuansu still replied with a simple grunt, his tone noticeably indifferent.

Zhang Chiyue grew a bit anxious. “Deputy Hall Master Qi!”

Had this been the last time they met, Zhang Chiyue would certainly have assumed the role of an elder brother and lectured Qi Xuansu. But things were different now. Qi Xuansu was his superior, and in the Daoist community, one’s official post outranked family status.

Qi Xuansu turned and gave Zhang Chiyue a glance. “I know what I’m doing. Brother Zhang, why don’t you lead me to those people? I’ll settle this once and for all. I still need to head to a meeting with an elder later.”

With nothing more to say, Zhang Chiyue could only lead the way.

Soon, the two arrived at Lingzhi Garden.

Lingzhi Garden covered a vast area. The red fruit trees grew deep within, and the outer grounds were filled with medicinal herb fields and numerous flowerbeds. It was more like an ornamental garden.

Many people were gathered there, clearly not for sightseeing.

Upon seeing Qi Xuansu, they whispered among themselves, wearing amused, mocking smiles.

Qi Xuansu stepped forward and asked, “Are all of them from the

Yue

-generation?”

“Yes,” Zhang Chiyue replied.

Qi Xuansu scanned the group. Sure enough, just as Zhang Chiyue had said, there were quite a few Heavenly Beings among them. He could not help but remark, “The Zhang family sure has deep foundations.”

Zhang Chiyue sighed. “It’s a pity there’s no true leading figure.”

𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Qi Xuansu chuckled. “That’s not right. Can’t Qing Xiao be that leader?”

As he spoke, Qi Xuansu did not bother lowering his voice, so everyone heard him loud and clear.

In an instant, all whispering ceased. Every gaze turned toward Qi Xuansu.

Qi Xuansu remained unfazed and continued, “From where I stand, only Qing Xiao is fit to be that leading figure. No one else measures up to her.”

Qi Xuansu had no intention of taking blows passively. After all, offense was the best defense.

He had been taught by Madam Qi and knew all too well how to press on an opponent’s sore spots.

Zhang Chiyue was left speechless.

Moments later, someone stepped out from the crowd. “Qi Xuansu.”

Qi Xuansu showed no sign of anger. He smiled slightly. “That’s me. And you are?”

The man replied, “Zhang Renyue.”

Qi Xuansu nodded, then asked, “What do you want?”

Zhang Renyue said, “I heard that you’re a seasoned warrior, Deputy Hall Master Qi.”

“I wouldn’t dare claim that,” Qi Xuansu replied.

Zhang Renyue continued, “Deputy Hall Master Qi, you just said that Qing Xiao is suited to be the leading figure.”

“Yes,” Qi Xuansu replied concisely, almost at the moment Zhang Renyue finished his sentence.

Zhang Renyue said, “But I disagree.”

Qi Xuansu replied, “I know.”

“You do?” Zhang Renyue stared at him.

Qi Xuansu chuckled. “It’s nothing more than the old arguments of birthright, seniority, virtue, and favor. Some think that Qing Xiao only holds two parts, virtue and favor. But since she’s young and from the minor branch of the family, you all think she’s unfit to lead. Meanwhile, all of you happen to be both from the main branch and her senior.”

He paused, then suddenly raised his voice. “But you’ve all forgotten that the Daoist Order does not follow Confucian principles. The Zhang family is not some feudal noble house. You all are part of the Daoist community, so you’re supposed to represent progressive moral thought and uphold the Daoist principle of equality. All that talk about legitimacy and birth order has long been outdated.”

Zhang Renyue narrowed his eyes but said nothing.

The advantage of official rhetoric was that it was difficult to refute directly. There was a fine line between high-minded principles and empty slogans.

Qi Xuansu scanned the group. “That’s all I have to say. Who agrees with me, and who doesn’t?”

No one spoke.

Zhang Renyue slowly said, “Deputy Hall Master Qi, you claimed that Qing Xiao has virtue.”

Qi Xuansu finished the rest of his sentence for him. “I was taught by Deputy Hall Master Qing Xiao. I was once her subordinate, and I learned the Dayan Spirit Blade Technique from her. If anyone has objections and wants to challenge Qing Xiao, you’ll have to get past me first.”

Zhang Renyue scoffed. “Good, good, good. Then I shall look forward to learning from your brilliant techniques, Deputy Hall Master Qi. I hope you won’t hold back.”

Qi Xuansu drew Flying White Shadow, gripping its sheath with one hand while his thumb pressed against the blade guard, eyes filled with indifference. “I’ll use the Dayan Spirit Blade Technique that Qing Xiao taught me.”

At that moment, Zhang Yuelu, who was in Wangyun Pavilion, received word that some people were planning to test Qi Xuansu’s strength.

Of course, that was the polite way to put it. The more direct version was that some people wanted to teach Qi Xuansu a lesson.

After all, they were all Xiaoyao-stage Heavenly Beings. Who was stronger could only be determined through combat.

Upon hearing the news, Zhang Yuelu made no move to rush over and defuse the situation. She simply nodded. “Alright.”

Of all people, she knew best just how capable Qi Xuansu was. As long as no Wuliang-stage Heavenly Beings intervened, there was no chance of defeating him, not even with a semi-immortal object, unless someone could bring Li Changge into the fray.

Was she to believe that one of the Daoist world’s only three Longevity Stone Hearts was inferior to some semi-immortal object?

As for Yao Pei, in her current weakened state, she might not even be a match for Qi Xuansu.

The only real concern was that they might try to defeat Qi Xuansu through sheer numbers, but that would bring disgrace to the Zhang family.

If word got out that the Zhang family’s young elites could not win in a one-on-one fight and resorted to a group beatdown, they would become the laughingstock of the entire Daoist community.

Moreover, if things ever reached that point, there would be no need for her to intervene. The elders of the Zhang family would step in themselves.