"Then what does the Songhai Branch mean to do?" Zhang Yuanqing asked.
"If the Fu Province Branch can shield Zhu Rong, the Songhai Branch can naturally shield the Palace Master of Halting Slaughter."
Hearing the Centurion say this, Zhang Yuanqing understood immediately and smiled. "So the Zhu family just has to swallow this bitter pill for nothing."
Neither the Zhu family nor the Fu Province Branch had law enforcement authority in Songhai. As long as the Songhai Branch offered protection, there was nothing they could do to the Palace Master of Halting Slaughter.
This was giving them a taste of their own medicine.
Fu Qingyang kept his hands in his pockets, his handsome face impassive as he gave a slight nod. "The Palace Master of Halting Slaughter may seem mad and extreme, but in truth, she is calculating."
Zhang Yuanqing agreed with Fu Qingyang's assessment.
The Palace Master was sending a message to the Zhu family: even if she flayed Zhu Rong's face and slapped the Zhu family across the mouth, they could do nothing to her.
If they dared set their sights on her paramour again, next time wouldn't be as simple as flaying skin—it would be murder, and the Zhu family would still be helpless against her.
Of course, if she actually killed Zhu Rong, the Zhu family certainly wouldn't let it rest. If overt moves failed, they would resort to covert ones. That was why the Palace Master hadn't killed Zhu Rong, but had merely taught her a brutal lesson instead.
This way, the Zhu family received the warning while some room was left to maneuver. Even if they choked on indignation, they would swallow their anger.
The line had been drawn with absolute precision.
*The trouble with Zhu Rong is settled for now. Once I have the strength in the future, I'll settle scores with her myself. For the Bronze Sparrow Tower case, she must pay the price...*
Zhang Yuanqing shifted to another matter. "Centurion, has there been any reply from above regarding Kou Beiyue's sister's case?"
Fu Qingyang knit his sharp, handsome brows. "There is no reply, nor could there ever be. If you want to overturn the case for Kou Beiyue and his sister, you can, but the Public Security Bureau cannot be made to admit that a captain fabricated evidence to frame Kou Beiyue.
"If you are willing to take a step back, you might consider my proposal."
Zhang Yuanqing straightened his back. "Please go ahead, Centurion."
Fu Qingyang's gaze remained fixed on the battle in the arena. "The new chief of the Shakou District Public Security Bureau just took office last week. Striving for reform and strict discipline, he reopened cases from the past few years and discovered that the case of Kou Beiyue murdering his sister was rife with doubts and lacked sufficient evidence, concluding that the true culprit was someone else.
"Consequently, he revoked Kou Beiyue's wanted notice. The Shakou District Public Security Bureau will reinvestigate the case and will certainly apprehend the real killer."
At this point, Fu Qingyang turned to look at him. "If you agree with this phrasing, I will handle the communication on your behalf."
*Fu Qingyang's political skills are truly maxed out...* Zhang Yuanqing couldn't help recalling this aloof young master's maneuver pinning the blame on Dark Night Rose during the Chi Yue'an incident, marveling inward.
*This is the best we can do. As long as it clears Kou Beiyue's name and lets him walk with his head held high, the goal is achieved.* Zhang Yuanqing said, "All right."
Fu Qingyang nodded slightly and turned his gaze back to the ring. "Your second solo Spirit Realm should be coming soon, right? Let me share a bit of gossip. In the Elders' group chat, quite a few old fellows are eagerly looking forward to what difficulty rating your second exclusive Spirit Realm will be. They're even more excited for that than for the Saint stage tournament."
Zhang Yuanqing blinked in surprise. "Why is that?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Zhang Yuanqing regretted asking. He could practically hear Fu Qingyang's answer already: *Because the tournament holds no suspense—the champion will inevitably be me!*
Yet Fu Qingyang replied, "During her Transcendent stage, the female Grand Marshal cleared one S-rank, two A-ranks, and one killing trial before advancing to Saint.
"The old fellows are assessing your potential based on your number of dungeon entries, their difficulty ratings, and your leveling speed. If your growth trajectory in the Transcendent stage resembles the female Grand Marshal's, then you possess the makings of an Alliance Leader.
"If your growth trajectory in the Saint stage also resembles hers, then you..."
"Then I become a candidate for the next Alliance Leader?"
"Then you can snatch away the title of Crossing-River Pawn."
*The title of Crossing-River Pawn...* Zhang Yuanqing thought about it carefully for a few seconds, the corner of his mouth twitching.
*Good grief, so that's what you were setting up. I let my guard down.*
Fu Qingyang showed not the slightest blush or shame as he said slowly, "I, too, am eager to see the difficulty rating of your next dungeon. Remember to report to Li Dongze before you enter."
***
The next morning, nine o'clock.
Zhang Yuanqing arrived at Fujia Bay and walked into the luxurious office.
Fu Qingyang sat behind the broad desk, dressed in pristine white. Gazing at his arriving subordinate, he said, "The Shakou District Public Security Bureau has replied. They agreed to my proposal, but their people will not show their faces. You must deliver the explanation yourself. In addition, there will be no compensation money."
He pushed forward a document stamped with the official seal of the Shakou District Public Security Bureau.
"This notice is their greatest concession."
*I have to go tell them myself... and no compensation at all.* Zhang Yuanqing's expression darkened.
The Shakou District Public Security Bureau's attitude was like a reluctant compromise forced by a nagging nuisance, dripping with disdain and arrogance.
*Our agreement is already giving you face, but don't even dream about our officers showing up in person for this. As for compensation, out of the question.*
Zhang Yuanqing drew a deep breath. "Fine!
"Though I must trouble you, Centurion, to pass a message to the chief of the Shakou District Public Security Bureau. You must deliver it without fail."
Fu Qingyang nodded. "What message?"
"Fuck him and his mother!"
***
Wuhen Hotel.
Dressed in a delivery courier's uniform, Kou Beiyue sat on the lounge chair beside the reception counter with a face full of sorrow, scratching at his head every now and then.
Xiao Yuan stood poised and elegant behind the counter, saying mildly, "Are you worrying about Yuanshi Tianzun? He has already taken care of the curse; there won't be any lingering effects."
"Really?" Hearing this, Kou Beiyue looked visibly relieved. "That's good."
Then he sank straight back into despondency, scowling with worry.
Xiao Yuan frowned. "If something is bothering you, speak up."
Kou Beiyue had been in this state for a long time. She had initially thought he was anxious over Yuanshi Tianzun's safety.
Kou Beiyue mumbled, "My dad is sick. Yesterday, I snuck over to where they live to check on them."
"What illness?"
"Ankylosing spondylitis."
"So you need money, is that it?" Xiao Yuan asked.
Kou Beiyue fell silent. After a long pause, he squeezed out a single word: "Yes."
Once that word escaped his lips, the prickly youth finally set aside his stubborn pride and vanity as though shedding a heavy burden. Finding an outlet for his emotions, he said, "Ever since trouble struck my sister and me, my dad has been deeply depressed. He couldn't bear to stay in the place he'd lived in for decades, so he took my mom, moved away, and cut off all contact with relatives.
"My mom's heart is bad, and she has to take medicine constantly. My dad has been carrying an immense burden, struggling terribly. When I saw him yesterday, I suddenly realized his hair has turned completely white. He's so dark and thin, I almost couldn't recognize him.
"I want so badly to show myself and see them, to stay by their side, to let them hold their heads high as honest people again... but I didn't dare."
Kou Beiyue rubbed his face hard. "Xiao Yuan, I miss my parents. I want to go home..."
Xiao Yuan listened quietly, a distant look in her eyes.
Just then, the hotel's glass doors swung open, and a young man in a public security officer's uniform carrying a briefcase walked inside.
Xiao Yuan scrutinized the young man up and down.
Kou Beiyue immediately wiped the dejected, mournful expression from his face, puffing out his chest with his usual defiant attitude as he sized him up. "Why the hell are you wearing that dog skin?
"Strip it off right now! My fists itch whenever I see anyone wearing dog skin."
Zhang Yuanqing sneered. "You can't beat me anyway. Believe it or not, with just a few words, I can make you call me Daddy."
How could Kou Beiyue tolerate such provocation? His eyebrows shot up. "Bullshit! If you've got that kind of ability, I'll call you Daddy every time I see you from now on."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Yuanshi Tianzun pulled a document from the briefcase and flashed it before his eyes.
*What kind of crap is—* Kou Beiyue was about to swat it away, but as his eyes swept over the page, his pupils dilated abruptly. His body froze stiff, and his breathing turned ragged.
Seeing the rash, crude, and emotionally unrefined Kou Beiyue make such an expression, Xiao Yuan was momentarily stunned. Then, connecting the dots with Yuanshi Tianzun's uniform, an understanding dawned on her.
A brilliant light sparked in her typically dull eyes.
Zhang Yuanqing patted Kou Beiyue's cheek with the document, like a tycoon slapping a corporate drone's face with a stack of banknotes, and barked, "Call me Daddy!"
Kou Beiyue's face flushed bright red.
***
A white sedan drove slowly into Pingxiang Town.
Pingxiang Town was adjacent to Jinshan City. It had no towering skyscrapers or aesthetic infrastructure, dominated instead by the red-brick houses common to countryside towns. The more respectable ones had white paint brushed over their exterior walls and red glazed tiles laid across their roofs.
The convenience stores, shops, and restaurants lining the town's main road bore a decorative style reminiscent of the early 2000s.
Before long, following Kou Beiyue's directions, the white sedan arrived in front of a four-story red-brick building. His parents lived here.
To be precise, they lived in one of the rooms in this building.
With economic growth, industrialization had spread from the cities to surrounding towns and villages. The influx of people had brought housing demand, making building properties to collect rent the quickest and most reliable income stream for locals.
Kou Beiyue's parents occupied a room on the third floor, near the head of the stairs.
Zhang Yuanqing had heard from Kou Beiyue that his parents had lived in dire poverty over the past two years, enduring minor illnesses through sheer willpower and never daring to seek treatment for major ones. In truth, Kou Beiyue's family owned an apartment in Jinshan City.
Yet the elderly couple had never sold it, preferring to scrape by in hardship rather than part with the property.
The reason was likely that they feared that unfilial brute of a son wouldn't be able to find his way home one day.
The three got out of the car, entered the red-brick building, and ascended the stairs to the third floor.
Kou Beiyue took several deep breaths. His right hand rose and fell repeatedly before he finally mustered the courage to knock on the door.
*Thump, thump!*
A few seconds later, the door opened. Behind it stood a frail, middle-aged woman with dark skin covered in sunspots and deep crow's-feet etched around her eyes.
Her face was the very portrait of a life weathered by wind and frost.
Seeing Kou Beiyue, the middle-aged woman visibly froze. Then her lips began to tremble, followed by her eyes.
She simply stared at Kou Beiyue, letting tears flood down her face.
Zhang Yuanqing watched silently from the side. From the woman's expression and eyes, he saw a tumultuous blend of emotions: rage, grief, hatred, longing... It was hard to imagine that in just a few seconds, a person could radiate such complex feelings.
Her heart in this moment was surely submerged beneath a tidal wave of emotion.
Kou Beiyue pressed his lips together, staring at his mother without a word.
He resented his parents for not trusting him, and he resented everyone for wrongly accusing him.
He refused to cry, and he refused to say a single softening word.
A youth of this age could be stubborn to the extreme.
Suddenly, a low, furious roar echoed from inside the room.
A middle-aged man wearing an undershirt, clutching a kitchen knife and moving with a stiff spine, came charging out.
His face was twisted with savage fury, yet his eyes welled with a sorrow as deep as the sea.
Now Zhang Yuanqing could no longer stand by. Stepping past the middle-aged woman, he met Kou's father as the man brandished the knife, snatching it away with a swift chop of his hand.
"You beast! I'll hack you to death, you beast! How dare you show your face here? How do you have the nerve to come back..."
The middle-aged man roared in fury, tears streaming down his face.
Facing his father's curses and accusations, Kou Beiyue's eyes rimmed with red, his neck stiffening as he kept stubbornly silent.
Zhang Yuanqing repeated phrases like "Calm down," "Don't do anything rash," and "I am a public security officer," using half persuasion and half force to pull the middle-aged man over to a table and sit him down.
The layout of the room was simple: a single room with an attached bathroom. The bedroom and kitchen were one and the same—or rather, there was no kitchen at all. The so-called kitchen was merely a table placed by the window holding a gas stove.
Beside it stood a canister of liquefied petroleum gas.
"Don't get worked up. Calm down!"
Zhang Yuanqing reiterated firmly before taking out the document and setting it on the table. "Kou Beiyue's case is being retried. Through our investigation, we have found that he is innocent. This is the official statement issued to you by the Shakou District Public Security Bureau."
As he spoke, he produced his credentials. "I am an officer from the Shakou District Public Security Bureau."
Hearing these words, the middle-aged woman by the door practically threw herself onto the table. Alongside her husband, whose trembling hands picked up the notice, she read through the document.
A dozen seconds later, the woman broke into loud wails, as if venting all the grievances accumulated over the past two years all at once.
Kou Beiyue's father continuously rubbed his eyes, tears streaming down his weathered cheeks, unable to tell whether he felt joy or grief.
"Comrade Officer, thank you... thank you..."
The middle-aged woman gripped Zhang Yuanqing's hands tightly, choking on her sobs.
*This was an explanation they were owed in the first place. Why does it feel like an act of charity?*
Zhang Yuanqing, who had expected to be chased with a cleaver, suddenly found all emotion draining from him. Setting his briefcase on the table, he said, "There is three hundred thousand in here. It is the compensation from the Public Security Bureau."
Having done this, he turned around and briskly walked out.
Aunt Xiao Yuan pulled the door shut, choosing not to intrude on the family reunion, and followed Zhang Yuanqing downstairs.
"Why the sudden gloom?"
As they stepped out of the red-brick building, her voice carried a rare hint of gentleness.
"I paid the compensation out of my own pocket. The Shakou District Public Security Bureau didn't want to acknowledge this at all; they were only willing to issue an explanatory document. They couldn't see Kou Beiyue's wrongful suffering, nor could they see the humiliation and despair of the victim's family.
"They never felt they owed ordinary people an accounting. No, they were stingy even with an explanation." Zhang Yuanqing looked toward the distant horizon and murmured, "I saw the arrogance of those in power. I'm furious, yet there's nothing I can do."
***
The next day, nine-thirty in the morning.
Inside the arena, the new favorite of the White Tiger Guards sat beside his faction leader and said, "Centurion, Kou Beiyue's matter has been settled. Thank you very much."
Fu Qingyang didn't look at him, keeping his eyes on the ring. "I don't sense any gratitude in your tone. By the way, I already relayed yesterday's words."
"Thank you very much!"
"Mm, now I sense it." Fu Qingyang nodded in satisfaction.
Zhang Yuanqing let out a soft breath. Regardless of how it had gone, it was finally settled.
Next, he needed to adjust his state to welcome the killing trial or his second solo Spirit Realm.
If the second solo Spirit Realm occurred after the killing trial, it would no longer be a Night Wanderer exclusive realm, but an exclusive realm for a Star Official.
He wondered what a Star Official dungeon would be like.
Time slipped by. By eleven o'clock, four pairs of contestants had concluded their matches. Notably, today's bouts were to determine the top sixteen for the Saint stage.
The caliber of the contestants was distinctly higher than during the previous two days.
Fu Qingyang remarked that if everything went smoothly, the top eight and top four would be decided tomorrow, followed by the championship match the day after.
"Yuanshi, going by the timing, your solo Spirit Realm should arrive within the next couple of days, right?" Guan Ya said.
"I've been reviewing guides recently. Even if I run into an S-rank, I'm confident," Zhang Yuanqing declared with full assurance.
The Sacrificial Set granted him immense confidence.
From the row behind them, Youfeng Laiyi warned, "Don't get cocky, you bastard. The difficulty of an S-rank trial realm and an S-rank Level 3 realm aren't even in the same league."
The danger in Sheling Tunnel had been certain death for ordinary people, but to a Level 2 or Level 3 Spirit Realm walker, it was child's play.
Therefore, a Level 3 S-rank solo Spirit Realm—no, even an A-rank realm—would be exceptionally perilous.
Just as Zhang Yuanqing was about to speak, the Spirit Realm notification chimed in his ear:
[Ding! Spirit Realm map loading. Entering Spirit Realm in 60 seconds. The Spirit Realm you are entering this time is 'Mute Village', Number: 1018.]
[Difficulty Level: A]
[Type: Solo (Lethal)]
[Main Objective: Survive for 24 hours.]
[Note: Non-Spirit Realm items may not be brought inside.]
[Dungeon Introduction for Realm 1018: One day, the villager Wang Xiao'er excavated an ancient tomb in the back mountains. Inside lay a woman's corpse alongside lavish burial goods. Wang Xiao'er plundered the burial goods, intending to travel to the provincial capital to sell them to wealthy households. Little did he expect that on that night, she followed him out...]
Zhang Yuanqing had never expected his solo Spirit Realm to trigger at this moment. His previous three Spirit Realm missions had all commenced at night.
That had created an illusion in his mind: *My Spirit Realm missions always occur at night.*
*Wait, Mute Village? I've read through all the Spirit Realm guides provided by the Taiyi Sect, and there's no dungeon called Mute Village... Is this an uncleared dungeon? Or is it simply not recorded by the Taiyi Sect?*
There was a difference between the two. If it was uncleared, it would be a first-clear dungeon. If the latter, Night Wanderers outside the Taiyi Sect might have cleared it already, but because none from the Taiyi Sect had done so, it was absent from their database.
Regardless of which it was, a dungeon absent from the database possessed immense value—yet for the person entering it, the danger increased dramatically as well.
Zhang Yuanqing's expression changed instantly.
"Centurion, my Spirit Realm mission has arrived."
Chapter 222