Chapter 843: The Intermediary
From the standpoint of power struggles, the truth has never been important.
Whether Zhang Juquan truly committed suicide depended entirely on the stance of both sides.
If both sides agree that his death was convenient, then it was a suicide.
If one side disagreed, then it became a matter of competing tactics.
If both parties were to reach a consensus, communication was crucial.
Since the conflict among the three Daoist sects intensified, communication between the Zhang and Li families had nearly been cut off.
This so-called communication was not just about face-to-face conversation—everyone could speak formalities and diplomatic jargon. The real test lay in whether they could put aside suspicion and engage sincerely in deep discussions on stances, bottom lines, and interests.
If the two families wish to communicate, they would need an intermediary who was not a Zhang or a Li.
The day after Zhang Juquan’s death, Qi Xuansu returned to his official duties. His first task was to understand Suzuka Gozen.
In this regard, both the Fenglin Daoist Mansion and Chancellor Toyotomi's Office held extensive information.
Suzuka Gozen was a female ghost of Mount Suzuka. It was said she had once traveled to the Shakya Kingdom and was adept at divine arts and swordsmanship. Many conflicting accounts existed regarding her life.
Initially, she was known as a notorious bandit who robbed imperial tributes, nicknamed Tate Eboshi.