Zhang Chiyue had grievances he could not speak of. As someone who had climbed the ranks within the Daoist Order through steady progress, he was not of the same crowd as these scions. Now that he worked in Ziwei Hall, which was under Sage Donghua’s and the Quanzhen Sect’s influence, many of his personal connections might not be effective here.0

Thus, he had arrived early to wait for Qi Xuansu, staging this coincidental encounter in hopes of building a closer relationship.1

Personnel appointments at the Deputy Hall Master level lay in the hands of the Golden Tower Council. Two key components were required to be successfully promoted to Deputy Hall Master. Aside from the necessary merits or accomplishments, nomination from below and appointment from above were needed.0

Unless one had the backing of the Deputy Grand Masters or there were special circumstances justifying a direct appointment, the usual path was nomination from one’s Hall, Daoist Mansion, or Palace, followed by the Golden Tower Council’s review and deliberation. If there were no nominations from below, even support from above would be useless. Likewise, without someone to back the nomination at the top, the Golden Tower Council would...0