Zhang Yuanqing clicked open the post titled "Yuanshi Tianzun Denounces Headquarters in Court." The original poster's handle was "Ambush on All Sides."
Using his keyboard, Ambush on All Sides had turned the entire sequence of events from the tribunal into a lengthy, detailed account.
He then proclaimed in emotionally charged words:
"Yuanshi Tianzun calls himself born with a rebellious streak, but all I saw was an unyielding backbone of iron. Facing injustice and abuse of power, he dared to shout out at the top of his lungs, 'Like hell I accept this!' I could never measure up to that. Perhaps that is the gap between myself and a prodigy.
"After the trial ended, I reflected for a long time, Yuanshi Tianzun's defiant proclamation echoing again and again in my mind. We belong to the orthodox faction, we are the official organization, and we are the guardians of social stability.
"We ought to stand for justice, light, and conviction. Yet headquarters' actions are truly chilling. Just imagine—if Yuanshi Tianzun were the son of an Alliance Leader, would Elder Cai have dared to touch him?
"Yuanshi Tianzun contributed so much to the official organization and amassed glorious merit, yet what came of it? He is treated worse than a cowardly second-generation heir.
"Such a state of affairs fills someone like me, who came from the bottom, with indignation and despair. I felt I could no longer remain silent, so I posted everything that happened in the courtroom on the forum. My account may get banned, but I no longer care."
In the comment section below, Zhang Yuanqing spotted many familiar handles.
There were Extraordinaries such as "Passionate Jenny," "Jiang Yang," "The King Has An Affliction," "Lairifangzhang," and "George the Pig."
There were also Saints such as "Natsuki's Love," "Yu," "Miao Teng'er," and "High Mountains, Flowing Waters."
The comments from Extraordinary Walkers leaned toward fan-club zeal. Upon learning that Lord Tianzun had been wronged and had gone on to "wreak havoc in heaven" inside the courtroom, their concern transformed into passion, and their excitement into fury.
They took to the comments with dripping sarcasm aimed at headquarters, voicing plenty of biting remarks that would have led to beheadings in ancient times.
[Wangfei: This is without question the biggest official scandal in recent years. What happened to Yuanshi Tianzun is outrageous. Is this how headquarters treats those who have performed great service? I hope the Alliance Leader honors his words.]
Outrageous, borderline treasonous comments like this abounded.
The Saints' comments were far more restrained. The higher one's status, the less one dared to speak without filter.
Even so, the vast majority voiced support for Yuanshi Tianzun, whether they were merely riding the wave or expressing genuine conviction.
Zhang Yuanqing browsed the comment section with great enthusiasm until, after turning the page once more, the screen displayed: *Post does not exist!*
The post had been deleted.
He returned to the home page and refreshed, only to find that all the related posts from just moments ago had been purged.
"All gone," he scoffed.
Fu Qingyang sat with one leg crossed over the other and remarked calmly, "The momentum has already been stirred up. No matter how many times they delete them, new posts will pop up.
"I didn't hire many astroturfers. Those who took the job didn't do it purely for money, either. Petty profits aren't enough to tempt people into questioning headquarters on a forum requiring real-name verification. They are supporting you.
"Among the low- and mid-tier Spiritual Realm Walkers in the organization, plenty still stand on the side of justice and moral principle.
"Elder Cai ruined headquarters' impression of you to the extreme, but you ruined everyone's impression of him to the extreme. Under the pressure of absolute power, these grievances and doubts can only be buried deep inside or turned into private grumbling.
"Yet if a new peak Dominator stands up to confront Elder Cai one day, you'll find that he has lost all support and trust from the rank and file."
Zhang Yuanqing poured two glasses of wine and smiled. "If that day ever comes, I hope the person who replaces Elder Cai will be you, Boss."
*Clink!*
The two touched their glasses in silent understanding.
Setting down his wine glass, Fu Qingyang cautioned, "Don't sell any more Qin-era antiques for the time being. Elder Miao suspects you were the one who entered the hidden dungeon at Qinfeng Academy. This time, he intervened to save you on the condition that you hand over the spoils from that dungeon."
"Did he find out something?" Zhang Yuanqing's heart sank.
Fu Qingyang gave a slight shake of his head. "There's no need for an investigation, nor does he need proof. To those in power, proof is merely a perfunctory explanation for the masses. He believes that among all the students at Qinfeng Academy, you were the most likely to have entered the hidden dungeon. That alone is enough.
"When I refused his demand, he switched conditions and asked me to marry Teng'er."
"He wants to win you over through marriage." Zhang Yuanqing instantly saw through Elder Miao's clever calculation.
Compared to demanding the treasures from the hidden quest, forming a marriage alliance with Fu Qingyang was far more advantageous. Tying a young Dominator with boundless prospects to the same chariot would reclaim the items in a roundabout way while securing the backing of the Fu family.
*Sigh, the big shots care about nothing but interests and schemes...* Zhang Yuanqing muttered inwardly, asking with concern, "Then will he pressure me into handing over the items? Boss, I offered up the most important treasure to you."
"So he shouldn't even dream of it," Fu Qingyang stated coldly, before adding, "Gang Leader Jiang just reprimanded the Ten Elders. At this sensitive juncture, suppressing you or targeting you again would be openly challenging the Alliance Leader. Heh, no one dares pick a fight with a demigod-level Fire Master.
"Besides, Elder Miao leans more toward a marriage alliance. He won't force you to surrender the treasures. What's far more likely is that he will try to recruit you as a matrilocal son-in-law."
At this, the Money Prince looked at his subordinate with a look that said *I understand you completely*, adding, "I know you wouldn't agree to a marriage alliance. When the time comes, I'll deflect it on your behalf."
In Zhang Yuanqing's mind flashed Miao Teng'er's peerless, exquisite face, her captivating blend of innocence and sensuality, and those dewy eyes like a fawn in the woods.
*Boss, you're great in every way, but you're just too arbitrary...* Seeing Fu Qingyang sizing him up out of the blue, Zhang Yuanqing hurriedly declared in a loud voice, "I definitely won't agree to a marriage alliance! In this life, I love only Sister Guan Ya."
"Why did you lower your head when you said that?"
"Because Boss's peerless beauty makes me feel ashamed of my own shortcomings."
Right then, Fu Qingyang's phone rang.
The assistant in the front seat turned around and handed the phone over. "Young Master, it's your aunt."
*A call from my mother-in-law?* Zhang Yuanqing craned his neck to look, and the caller ID indeed read "Fu Xue."
***
Hang City branch.
In an office with floor-to-ceiling windows, Elder Hongying, whose features were gentle and benevolent, held a paper-thin porcelain cup between her fingertips. A smile rested on her face as she listened attentively to Elder Gaofeng recounting the courtroom proceedings.
When he finished, Elder Hongying, whose elegance had not waned despite being past fifty, said with a smile, "'I can be killed, but I will never bow.'
"How enviable. We were just as arrogant and confident when we were young, believing the entire world belonged to us."
She sipped the fragrant tea and sighed. "Unfortunately, by the time we advanced to Dominator and truly held great power, we were no longer young. The confidence and sharp edges of our youth had long been ground away."
Yet Yuanshi Tianzun's terrifying advancement speed had allowed him to step into the ranks of high-level Spiritual Realm Walkers while still retaining the fierce pride and unyielding spirit of youth.
Setting down her teacup, her mind drifted for a moment. "It reminds me of Ling Tuo, the Sect Master's most outstanding son. He became a peak Dominator at a young age, carrying an enviable youthful vigor about him. His dream was to save the world and become a hero who benefited humanity.
"Laughable, yet enviable all the same."
"Ling Tuo?" Elder Gaofeng said with regret. "When did a figure like that return to the spiritual realm?"
Elder Gaofeng had been a Spiritual Realm Walker for less than fifteen years and did not know of Ling Tuo, who had returned to the spiritual realm twenty years ago.
However, the Taiyi Sect had only a handful of peak Dominators, and none of them were the Sect Master's offspring.
The only possibility was that he had returned to the spiritual realm.
Elder Hongying lifted her cup to drink her tea, offering no direct answer to Elder Gaofeng's question.
Elder Gaofeng had merely asked in passing and did not press further. Looking down at the tea tray, he said, "Gang Leader Jiang said we are domesticated dogs... He was warning headquarters' Ten Elders, but he was also warning us.
"I remember back in the day, the branch elders often obeyed general directives without answering routine summons. They weren't meek yes-men; they had their own ideas and opinions. Now, no one dares take initiative for fear of making mistakes and facing headquarters' reprimands.
"Gradually, the entire Five Elements Alliance lost its vitality. I thought about it carefully for a long time, only to suddenly realize that over the years, I've spent more and more time trying to divine the minds of the higher-ups, and less and less time hunting evil classes.
"The words Yuanshi Tianzun spoke in the tribunal made me deeply ashamed. I imagine they made many elders feel the same.
"Perhaps he can bring some real change to the Five Elements Alliance. I am looking forward to it."
Elder Hongying let out a wry smile. "If only Old Sun hadn't been so muddleheaded, such a talent would belong to our Taiyi Sect."
***
"Elder Sun was indeed muddleheaded!"
Yuan Ting dropped his habitual reprimand into the group chat, an opener he frequently used lately whenever expressing an opinion:
"Did you guys see the posts on the Five Elements Alliance forum? Most were deleted, but I managed to save them in time. DM me if you want them. Yuanshi Tianzun became famous in a single battle! His reputation has already surpassed several Dominators, and even the official Four Young Masters can't hold a candle to him."
The Night Roamers in the chat popped up one after another:
"Send me a copy."
"I want one too. Tsk tsk, every time Yuanshi Tianzun stirs up trouble, Elder Sun gets dragged out to be whipped again. Elder Sun is truly pitiful, but he really was muddleheaded."
"That guy Yuanshi Tianzun pulls off bigger feats every time. He actually called out headquarters publicly in the tribunal! Tsk tsk, that's something so many people wanted to do but never dared. No wonder the rank and file in the Five Elements Alliance worship him as an idol."
"I'm never badmouthing him again. I'm practically praying he was one of us in the Taiyi Sect."
Amidst the heated discussion, Yuan Ting posted again:
"If anyone wants to know the full details of what went down in the Five Elements Turmoil, shoot me a DM. I personally asked Yuanshi Tianzun. It was bloody brilliant! Once you read it, you'll know just how despicable Cai Longshen is."
"Me, me!"
"@Yuan Ting, Mr. Know-It-All, why not just post it in the group?"
***
Capital City.
Inside the conference room, Cai Shuishi swept a grave gaze across his brothers and sisters seated around the table, thirteen people in total.
Elder Cai had more than twenty children, split roughly down the middle between Spiritual Realm Walkers and ordinary mortals.
The ordinary children managed the Five Elements Alliance's commercial enterprises, while the Spiritual Realm Walkers held real authority within the official ranks.
Those in high positions needed large families; only with a thriving lineage could a clan prosper—this was the logic behind it.
"The forum is flooded with slander against Father. I've already instructed the moderators to delete the posts and issue bans, but private chat groups are buzzing with activity as well. Who among you will go contact the cybersecurity department?" Cai Shuishi said in a heavy voice. "Shut down every single group that discusses or slanders Father."
The development of the situation had left the Cai family thoroughly exasperated. Even though Yuanshi Tianzun had ultimately fallen out with headquarters, Father's reputation and prestige had suffered a heavy blow.
Most importantly, they hadn't secured the Heaven Worship Set.
That was a set wielding the power of the five elements, and Yuanshi Tianzun had already gathered three pieces. Its value definitely surpassed rule-based items of comparable grade.
Even Elder Cai had been tempted.
He had intended to use this strike to strip the Heaven Worship Set from Yuanshi Tianzun's hands. Who could have foreseen that, far from stealing the chicken, he would lose the bait as well?
"Understood, Eldest Brother," a middle-aged man replied, before asking, "Did Father leave any instructions on how to deal with Yuanshi Tianzun next?"
Cai Shuishi shook his head. "Father gave no instructions. We'll wait until the dust settles."
A young woman chimed in, "What about Fu Qingyang? Should we target him first?"
None of them were fools; by now, they had pieced things together. Alliance Leader Jiang's sudden descent on the courtroom to intervene had undoubtedly been orchestrated by Fu Qingyang behind the scenes.
Cai Shuishi pondered for a moment. "Fu Qingyang has already established his power, and the Fu family wields immense influence. Going on the offensive won't do us any good. Against an enemy like that, we can only bide our time. Suppress public opinion first."
***
"I saw the posts on the forum," Fu Xue's mature, sultry voice came through the other end of the line. "Yuanshi Tianzun's impassioned speech denouncing headquarters, the Alliance Leader personally stepping in to turn the tide... Fu Qingyang, did you and that brat rehearse a script?"
Her tone was light and teasing, suggesting she was in high spirits.
Fu Qingyang gave a perfunctory "Mm."
Fu Xue burst into a giggle. "I truly underestimated the two of you. Not only did you turn danger into safety, but you also turned the tables on Cai Qinhe. Given Yuanshi's current prestige, even if he's on bad terms with headquarters, his prospects won't suffer much."
The mother-in-law sighed softly with emotion. "That wretched girl Guan Ya has far better taste than I ever did. The more I look at Yuanshi Tianzun, the more satisfied I am."
Zhang Yuanqing bared his teeth, wondering whether speaking up right now would make Fu Xue feel awkward.
On second thought, the answer was no.
Fu Xue was a yandere.
Fu Qingyang knitted his brows. "Aunt, you've been calling me rather frequently lately. I hope you will reduce the frequency."
He subtly voiced his displeasure.
"Tsk, what a heartless boy. Your aunt doted on you so much when you were little." Fu Xue wasn't angry in the slightest, giggling instead. "In that case, give me Yuanshi Tianzun's phone number."
Fu Qingyang glanced sideways at Yuanshi Tianzun beside him.
Zhang Yuanqing frantically shook his head.
"First, you did not dote on me when I was little. Second, why don't you ask Guan Ya for it?" Fu Qingyang replied coldly.
Fu Xue sneered at once. "Because that wretched girl has a twisted mind. She's deathly afraid I'll steal her man."
*Can you really just say things like that out loud? She truly is a yandere...* Zhang Yuanqing grumbled internally.
Fu Qingyang quietly hung up the phone.
After a long silence, he looked at his trusted subordinate. "A thought suddenly occurred to me. You made quite the splash in the tribunal, which will inevitably cause the number of female colleagues admiring you to skyrocket. It is necessary to remind Guan Ya to sign a contract with you."
"What contract?" Zhang Yuanqing's heart dropped.
"A contract forbidding infidelity. I can provide the item."
"Boss, it seems you still care more about your cousin after all."
"What gave you the illusion that I would take your side in a matter like this?"
"..."
***
Protagonist Squad Struggle Group.
[Xiahou Aotian: Did Yuanshi Tianzun pick up the wrong script? Did he steal my script?]
Xiahou Aotian posted his mournful question in the group.
[Sun Miaomiao: Hmph. You're just a weakling of an alchemist with a combat power of five. Whether Yuanshi Tianzun picked up the wrong script or not, the protagonist was never going to be you. Give it up.]
[Xiahou Aotian: Truly, nothing is more venomous than a woman's heart. (angry)]
[World Returns to Fire: What a pity. My level wasn't high enough to attend the tribunal.]
[Zhao Chenghuang: There's nothing to regret. Attending the trial wouldn't necessarily have been a good thing. If you had witnessed Yuanshi Tianzun's display, you would only feel disappointed—deeply disappointed in yourself.]
*Did this kid Zhao Chenghuang shut down socially or something...* Xiahou Aotian thought.
[World Returns to Fire: That is because your obsession runs too deep. Everyone has a different personality and a different style of doing things. I won't feel disappointed in myself just because of what Yuanshi Tianzun did. Zhao Chenghuang, be yourself and push yourself to the limit; everyone is their own protagonist. @Xiahou Aotian, this applies to you as well.]
[Xiahou Aotian: Even though what you said makes a lot of sense, getting lectured by a Fire Master always feels weird.]
[Sun Miaomiao: Just remember that he's the disgrace of Fire Masters, and it won't feel weird anymore.]
#World Returns to Fire has left the group chat#
Chapter 500