Protagonist Squad's Striving Group.
[Sun Miaomiao: Yuanshi Tianzun left the group. Have you guys seen the Five Elements Alliance forum? @Zhao Chenghuang @World Returns to Fire @Xiahou Aotian]
[Zhao Chenghuang: I saw it. He actually killed Cai Longshen in the dungeon. No matter the reason, this matter is very thorny.]
The aloof little Zhao uncharacteristically sent a string of "sigh" emojis.
[Xiahou Aotian: Are the higher-ups out of their minds? While Yuanshi Tianzun isn't one-tenth of this Protagonist, he is still an outstanding talent. Isn't he much better than that Cai Longshen? Are they going to sanction Yuanshi Tianzun for a reptile?]
Although his words and actions were often wild and untethered, and not very reliable, Protagonist Xiahou's stance was unswervingly on Yuanshi Tianzun's side.
Since Yuanshi Tianzun killed Cai Longshen, that guy named Cai definitely deserved to die.
[Xiahou Aotian: It is hateful that this Protagonist hasn't grown up yet. Otherwise, I would charge into headquarters, shatter the firmament, and subdue Yuanshi Tianzun.]
Everyone ignored his nonsense. Sun Miaomiao tagged @World Returns to Fire:
[Lend me your account. Right now, the Five Elements Alliance forum is full of slander against Yuanshi Tianzun. It pisses me off so much. I want to go flame them.]
Taiyi Sect accounts could not post or comment.
[World Returns to Fire: The silent majority is the mainstream; the clamoring ones are a minority. The post has already been deleted, but the seeds of suspicion are indeed fermenting in the minds of low- and mid-tier members. If headquarters doesn't clear Yuanshi Tianzun's name, this stain will follow him for the rest of his life.]
[World Returns to Fire: But I obviously won't lend you my account. I don't want to live on the run yet. More importantly, flaming them is pointless.]
[Xiahou Aotian: Is there any way to save this kid? Ah, right, aren't you guys from the Taiyi Sect always shouting "Elder Sun is muddled"? Sun Miaomiao, Zhao Chenghuang, why don't you have your grandfathers step forward to threaten the Five Elements Alliance—if they dare sanction Yuanshi Tianzun, recruit him into the Taiyi Sect.]
[Zhao Chenghuang: @Xiahou Aotian, that's my great-grandfather. My grandfather returned to the spirit realm long ago. Besides, your idea is terrible. That amounts to deliberate disruption, intentionally damaging the Five Elements Alliance headquarters' face and undermining their regular law enforcement. Official organizations wouldn't take things that far with each other.]
[Sun Miaomiao: The Heaven's Punishment organization would do that kind of thing. Xiahou Aotian always comes up with terrible ideas. Does anyone else have a solution?]
[World Returns to Fire: Two options. First, hire internet shills to stir up public opinion and pressure them. Then find a way to handle the Nine Elders, make some concessions and compromises, and reduce this big crisis into a minor issue. Second, send his family abroad and defect from the Five Elements Alliance. Ideally, join Heaven's Punishment and have them publicize that the Five Elements Alliance forced out a genius, cut off their own arm, and that their internal corruption cannot tolerate talent.]
[World Returns to Fire: Finally, bewitch a group of followers to defect from the Five Elements Alliance one after another, amplifying the impact and dealing a blow to Elder Cai's prestige and status. But that's a mutually destructive strategy, completely burning bridges with the official side. I personally don't recommend it.]
[Xiahou Aotian: To think such a despicable Fire Master exists in this world...]
Hang City.
Wearing a headset, mask, and sunglasses, Guan Ya led Queen, Xie Lingxi, and a squad of plainclothes peace officers patrolling the bustling streets.
*Beep.*
The headset's yellow light blinked once, and Li Chunfeng's grave, serious voice came through:
"Team Leader, something happened to Yuanshi Tianzun."
By the roadside, Guan Ya abruptly stopped and pressed her headset. "What happened?"
"I took a screenshot and sent it to the group. Take a look," Li Chunfeng said.
Guan Ya immediately pulled out her phone and opened the patrol squad's chat group, seeing a screenshot along with a message from Li Chunfeng:
[The original post has already been deleted.]
Guan Ya furrowed her brows and clicked on the image. Taking a closer look, her expression changed drastically.
"Sister Guan Ya..." Xie Lingxi exclaimed behind her. "Brother Yuanshi was arrested. The headquarters Investigation Department took him away."
The young girl's face was filled with panic, wishing she could immediately return to Songhai—no, rush to Capital City to visit him in detention.
Queen was relatively composed, merely frowning tightly as she waited for Guan Ya's response.
"Continue patrolling," Guan Ya said in a low voice, resuming her steps while turning on her microphone. "Li Chunfeng, log into my account and make a post. Use the deletion of the original post as an angle to question whether someone within headquarters is trying to suppress Yuanshi Tianzun. Say that if headquarters cannot give a fair and reasonable verdict, we will go on strike."
"Stirring up conspiracy theories to set the rhythm, huh? How about this: Yuanshi Tianzun leveled up too fast, so whose toes did he step on? A commoner is just a commoner, don't dream of getting ahead. It's only been a century since the spirit realm was born, yet some people have already grown so arrogant," Li Chunfeng suggested smoothly.
Queen immediately chimed in, "You really understand public opinion! Take my account too!"
Maple Forest Mountain, winding mountain road.
A black commercial van sped along the quiet mountain road. Lingjun leaned lazily against the back of his seat, silently scrolling through his phone. He suddenly let out a startled sound:
"Guan Ya posted! She actually knows how to steer public opinion? Her phrasing is quite sharp."
He refreshed the forum and found the post had been deleted, but similar posts were already beginning to ferment.
More and more official members posted questions, demanding that headquarters disclose the case details, demanding a livestream, and demanding that Yuanshi Tianzun be allowed to speak.
The unexplained deletion of the confession post had caused previously silent official members to sense something amiss. Once public opinion was steered, conspiracy theories began taking root and sprouting vigorously.
"Fu Qingyang, do you want to hire shills to fan the flames? Feels like a good counterattack opportunity," Lingjun said, perking up as he scrolled through the forum.
"Given Yuanshi's prestige and fame, there's no need for me to hire shills to stir things up," Fu Qingyang said indifferently. "The pressure of public opinion has already taken effect; otherwise, the post wouldn't have been deleted."
The Money Prince gazed at the scenery retreating outside the window, his tone deep:
"Public opinion can only apply pressure; it remains an auxiliary measure. To truly achieve results, one's own standing must be solid enough.
"To severely punish Yuanshi Tianzun, according to the rules, five or more elders must agree. Winning over the Ten Elders is what we need to do right now."
Among the Ten Elders, those who could definitely be pulled into their camp were Grand Elder Baihui, the two elders from the White Tiger Guards, and Grand Elder Dihong. As for the others, Fu Qingyang had no certainty.
A phone ring resonated right on cue.
The assistant in the back seat handed forward a phone. "Young Master, it's your aunt."
Fu Qingyang frowned. In his foul mood, he had no desire to deal with Fu Xue, but after a moment's thought, he answered.
The moment the call connected, Fu Xue's forceful and urgent voice emerged from the speaker:
"Did Yuanshi Tianzun really kill Elder Cai's grandson? How is headquarters going to handle it? What are the other elders' attitudes? Fu Qingyang, you have to protect him. If you aren't confident, go find Xuanxuan."
Fu Qingyang was slightly taken aback.
Fu Xue's shift in attitude toward Yuanshi Tianzun surprised him.
"Your stance is certainly firm," Fu Qingyang scoffed.
Firm in prioritizing interests.
Fu Xue chuckled coquettishly. "Isn't that our Fu family's fine tradition?"
Fu Qingyang said coldly, "I'm not in the mood to bicker with you. Protecting Yuanshi Tianzun doesn't need your reminder... If you want to contribute, have your ex-husband pull some strings to stir up some public sentiment from Heaven's Punishment."
"He'd like nothing more than for the Five Elements Alliance to deal with Yuanshi Tianzun," Fu Xue sneered before hanging up.
Before long, the black commercial van arrived in the depths of Maple Forest Mountain, pulling up before a manor resembling a botanical research institute.
Familiar with the path, Lingjun led Fu Qingyang into the estate. Riding a shuttle cart, they passed sunrooms and villas one after another, arriving at the castle-like grand villa at the very center.
At the wrought-iron gate shaped like black thorns, the stunningly beautiful Teng'er had long been waiting.
She wore a dark blue dress revealing rounded, delicate shoulders, her lustrous hair floating in the mountain breeze. She combined the pristine innocence of a young girl with the allure of a mature woman—two contradictory charms blending together to exude astonishing allure.
She hurried toward her cousin and Fu Qingyang, lowering her voice:
"I heard about Yuanshi Tianzun. Grandfather just received an invitation to a video conference from Elder Cai."
Fu Qingyang's stern face darkened slightly.
Clearly, Elder Cai was doing the exact same thing as he was.
Lingjun grew anxious and urged, "Let's go in."
The three entered the "castle" together and arrived at the parlor, where they waited for two full hours.
Fu Qingyang sat expressionless, like a statue.
Lingjun paced back and forth, somewhat irritated and embarrassed.
The Ten Elders' time was extremely precious; how could a meeting last two hours?
Grandfather was clearly giving Fu Qingyang the cold shoulder. This attitude made people uneasy.
Miao Teng'er sat up straight, slightly furrowing her delicate brows, and phrased her words carefully: "Yuanshi saved me and Lingjun. Grandfather won't refuse to help."
Fu Qingyang nodded slightly.
Just then, a middle-aged man in a tailored suit entered the parlor and bowed.
"Elder Fu, the Grand Elder invites you to the rear garden."
The "rear garden" was only a nominal name; in reality, it was a primeval forest where anomalous plants and mutated beasts thrived.
Thick tree canopies dropped tentacle-like vines, snatching up passing insects and small animals.
Palm-sized red ants rampaged through the forest; wherever they passed, large animals were stripped down to carcasses.
A large bird covered in steel-like plumage perched on a branch, its amber pupils fixed on the ants before abruptly swooping down to peck at them.
There were also pythons, tigers, leopards, elephants, and other giant beasts, all mutated to some degree and vastly different from their normal forms.
Fu Qingyang walked alone through the peril-laden primeval forest. Whether vines, ant swarms, or colossal beasts, all scattered away from him in panic and fear.
Fu Qingyang met Grand Elder Baihui by a pond.
This was a humanoid monstrosity. He possessed the appearance of an elderly human man, but his feet were constantly writhing roots, buried firmly into the earth.
His hair consisted of finger-thick black snakes, flicking their tongues and swaying like aquatic weeds.
He wore a cyan robe, and his exposed hands continually shifted—at times webbed, at times clawed...
"Elder Miao!"
Fu Qingyang bowed respectfully.
The headquarters Ten Elders possessed three great traits: First, peak Level 9 Dominators; second, possession of a Dominator-tier rule-based item; third, wielding immense power.
They were the most powerful group of spirit realm walkers beneath demigods.
Such figures were far beyond Fu Qingyang's league, even with that Swordsman's Cloak.
After all, he was only a newly promoted Level 7 early-stage Dominator.
"Elder Cai wants to sentence Yuanshi Tianzun to death on charges of colluding with evil factions." Elder Miao by the pond smiled genially like a gentle elder.
"The Five Elements Alliance finally produced a genius with Alliance Master potential. We certainly cannot allow him to be ruined like this. If you came to preserve Yuanshi Tianzun's life, you may head back.
"On this matter, we old fellows have a clear picture in mind. We know our bounds."
Fu Qingyang shook his head. "I know he won't die, but he will pay an extremely devastating price. I cannot tolerate that happening."
Elder Miao said slowly, "Headquarters has always been waiting for a chance to teach him a lesson and put him in line. You understand what I mean."
"Elder Miao, not everyone can be knocked down a peg. You must admit that some people possess an unyielding character and would rather break than bend. You claim you want to discipline Yuanshi Tianzun, yet you look down from on high without bothering to understand him. You are too arrogant," Fu Qingyang said in a solemn voice.
"The arrogance of rulers is the cradle of chaos, the poison of order, and the root of all evil in the world."
Elder Miao wasn't angry, keeping a smile on his weathered face. "The allure of political struggle lies in dividing up interests. Therefore, knowing how to compromise and yield interests is the greatest political wisdom. What Elder Cai can offer is something you cannot."
Fu Qingyang had no rebuttal for that.
In the face of absolute strength, no matter how many clever stratagems or miraculous ploys one devised, all was in vain.
At a time like this, choosing compromise and concession was what a wise person should do. From ancient times to the present, who among those who clashed to the bitter end with superior leadership ever met a good end?
Those famous ministers and generals demoted away from the capital in history books were prime examples.
Compromise, endure, and continue climbing up was the proper path.
"Since you agreed to see me, it means I have something you want," Fu Qingyang said with calm eyes.
Elder Miao chuckled. "I heard that a few days ago, the Zhao family in Du auctioned off several Qin Dynasty antiques."
He glanced at Fu Qingyang. "This old man likes Qin antiques. However many Elder Fu has, I want them all."
Fu Qingyang understood Elder Miao's meaning.
—Return everything taken from Qin Wind Academy.
For figures at this level, many things were judged by inner conviction; material evidence was rather unimportant.
Fu Qingyang pondered for a moment. "I did have quite a collection on hand earlier, but they have all been sold. If Elder Miao likes them, I can give you the remaining few pieces."
The implication was that he could only return a portion.
Elder Miao smiled. "Keep them for yourself then."
The negotiation failed.
Fu Qingyang's expression darkened, only to hear Elder Miao add:
"Teng'er has reached the age to marry, yet she still doesn't have a partner."
"Elder Miao, do you mean to have Yuanshi Tianzun marry Teng'er?"
"No," Elder Miao cast a sideways glance, staring at this promising new elder. "I mean for you to marry Teng'er."
"..."
In the parlor, Lingjun waited anxiously until he finally saw Fu Qingyang return expressionless.
"How did it go? Did you reach an agreement?" Lingjun and Miao Teng'er stood up simultaneously.
"The talks broke down!" Fu Qingyang grabbed his white suit from the sofa, turned, and left.
"What? Grandfather wants you to marry Teng'er?!"
On the winding road leaving Maple Forest Mountain, Lingjun was utterly flabbergasted.
This was a path he had never even imagined.
"Women and romantic feelings are meaningless burdens to me," Fu Qingyang said coldly.
It was evident he was furious.
"Right, women will only slow down the speed at which you draw your sword... I'm not joking around," Lingjun sighed. "Although I'd be very happy to tighten our family ties, you really aren't Teng'er's type."
"I know she likes the Demon Lord," Fu Qingyang said.
"The Demon Lord is dead, why bring him up? Well, if I had to pick one person from the people I know..." Lingjun thought for a moment, the corners of his mouth twitching. "Yuanshi is actually the type Teng'er would like, except she still can't forget the Demon Lord."
"How about we head back and ask Grandfather about having Yuanshi Tianzun marry Teng'er?" Lingjun's eyes lit up.
"I would rather Yuanshi leave the Five Elements Alliance," Fu Qingyang, in his capacity as a future brother-in-law, rejected coldly.
Investigation Department, interrogation room.
The incandescent light was stark white and desolate. The soundproof door was tightly shut, shutting out sound while simultaneously shutting out time.
Zhang Yuanqing could not see the daylight outside and could only judge the time by the clock hanging on the wall.
It was currently six in the morning.
The third day since he was brought to the Investigation Department.
During this period, aside from eating, drinking, and using the restroom, he had remained seated in the interrogation room. There was no bed, no desk, no sofa—only a cold, rigid interrogation chair.
In fact, he rarely even used the restroom; Saints could go long periods without food or water, having little need for sustenance.
In two more hours, he would be escorted to the "Five Elements Alliance Supreme Court" to face trial by headquarters.
Presiding over the case was the Deputy Director of the Investigation Department—Elder Cai.
Elders from various branch offices would attend to serve as the jury, while senior deacons from major branches would observe.
The headquarters' other nine elders would also observe.
This indicated that Fu Qingyang's maneuvering had not yielded ideal results.
While Zhang Yuanqing felt a heavy weight in his heart, he also deeply realized how immense the Ten Elders' power was. Even with reason on his side, and given Fu Qingyang's shrewd methods, they were still suppressed by Elder Cai.
No wonder Fu Qingyang wanted to enter headquarters and rank among the Ten Elders; the Ten Elders and regular elders were completely different concepts.
Fu Qingyang was a newly promoted elder whose foundation was not yet secure. Attempting to suppress Elder Cai was simply too difficult.
However, Fu Qingyang's maneuvering had not been in vain. Because public opinion was boiling over and attracting attention from all sides, headquarters had invited senior deacons to represent mid- and low-tier members at the trial.
And it was Fu Qingyang who had fueled that public outcry.
He had initially wanted to push for a livestream, but headquarters sternly rejected it, citing no precedent.
In addition, Fu Qingyang had explicitly informed him that his life was not in danger, but headquarters wanted to use this to knock him down a peg, so he might have to pay a certain price.
As for what that price was and to what degree, that would be settled in the tribunal.
Although the trial was merely going through the motions—the old men had already discussed how to punish him and to what extent—the Money Prince would still make a final effort to minimize the punishment.
Amid his swirling thoughts, the soundproof door of the interrogation room pushed open, and two men in tailored suits walked in with straight backs.
"Time's up. We're taking you to the tribunal."
The two took out handcuffs, put them on Zhang Yuanqing, and made an inviting gesture.
Chapter 496