Chapter 1052: Second Deputy Zhang
Qi Xuansu was already well-practiced in handling such matters. Back in the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion, when he could not move against Wen Weng directly, he had started by targeting one of his subordinates, Old Master Gao. Later, in the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion, when neither he nor Zhang Yuelu could do anything to the officials of the Daoist Mansion, they began cracking down on the Beggar Gang. That was what he meant by finding the breakthrough point.
Thus, when Qi Xuansu left the restaurant, his mood was not particularly foul or grim.
He had just been worrying about lacking a place to begin, and this Young Master Sun had conveniently delivered himself right to his door.
Qi Xuansu was not surprised by Superintendent Huang’s conduct. The previous Second Deputy had been manipulated by others, so naturally, the superintendents below would have followed whichever way the wind blew. Moreover, Superintendent Huang was not one of the nine direct subordinates under the Second Deputy’s command. Otherwise, he would never have failed to recognize Qi Xuansu.
Since Qi Xuansu had also brought back Superintendent Tian from Phnom Penh Prefecture, he had two superintendents caught in his grasp. It gave him more than enough to work with. At the smallest scale, it could serve to establish his authority. But on a larger scale, it could become a convenient excuse to dig much deeper into their backer.
Still, after such an incident, Qi Xuansu had no desire to continue strolling about the city.
He decided instead to visit the prison, a place where no more mistakes could be tolerated, to ensure that Qian Xiangyun’s incident did not happen again.
Qian Xiangyun’s case was now Zhang Yuelu’s burden to carry. Rumor had it that both Qian Xiangyun and Wen Weng had fled to Lingnan. Though the region was not as chaotic as Nanyang, it encompassed the vast Nanhai and bordered Nanyang, which became a perfect refuge for those who wished to disappear.
Strictly speaking, the disorderly Nanyang would have been the better hiding place. However, Qian Xiangyun had gone to Lingnan specifically for Tongzhen Palace, which was left behind by Lin Lingsu.
The legacy of a Longevity-stage Immortal was an irresistible lure. Without her Daoist identity, Qian Xiangyun’s only remaining hope for her later life now rested entirely on this palace.
By now, Zhang Yuelu had already assumed office as the Second Deputy of the Lingnan Daoist Mansion. Her circumstances were far better than Qi Xuansu’s, since Wuzhou—her hometown—lay just north of Lingnan. Moreover, the Zhengyi Sect still held dominance within Lingnan. Whether one was of the Zhang family or from the Cihang lineage, all had to show Zhang Yuelu due respect.
Finally, Zhang Yuelu was enjoying the same status once held by Li Changge and Yao Pei.