Distinguished Guests from Heaven's Punishment

"You remember that 'Promoting Ancient Arts' project led by the Five Elements Alliance over a decade ago, right?" "Vaguely." Fu Xue furrowed her brows. "Did our family take part in that too?" "The family didn't participate directly, but we invested money. Back then, the Five Elements Alliance had only been formed for a few years, and the five major factions were still finding their footing. They were relatively weak and frequently bullied by Heaven's Punishment, so they were desperate to bolster their strength. But leveling up as a Spirit Realm walker can't be forced; the only option was to start with equipment. Items were rare and precious—even Scholar clans couldn't mass-produce them. After endless research, the Five Elements Alliance turned their eyes toward mechanical crafts." Fu Long recalled, "The mainland wasn't as wealthy as it is now, and the Five Elements Alliance headquarters had limited funds, so they approached the Fu family hoping for sponsorship. You had just gone through your divorce and were utterly depressed—either drinking or beating your daughter, surrounded by a flock of pretty boys." "That's ancient history! Why bring it up now?" Fu Xue said, somewhat embarrassed. Hurrying to change the subject, she urged, "Keep going." Fu Long's expression was stern as he nodded. "Recently, Fu Qingyang managed to obtain an ancient manual of mechanical crafts from somewhere. He plans to start mass production and become the mechanical weapons supplier for the Five Elements Alliance." Fu Xue's heart skipped a beat at his words. "The Spirit Realm clans on the mainland managed to grow and prosper precisely because they supply Life Essence and items to the officials. But the output of both is limited, whereas mechanical weapons can be mass-produced. If the family could become their mechanical weapons supplier, we could firmly establish our foothold on the mainland." She exhaled a graceful wisp of white smoke, longing written all over her face. "No wonder the clan elders want a piece of the pie. Who wouldn't? I'd love a share myself. Too bad that nephew of mine was born cold-blooded; he wouldn't look twice at an aging aunt like me." "Your Chinese phrasing is terrible. 'Cold-blooded' and 'aging aunt' shouldn't be strung together like that. You always did poorly in literature classes when you were little," Fu Long said in a deep voice. Fu Xue curled her lip. "Oh, so what if you were a straight-A student? You think you're special?" Fu Long didn't take the bait. With a solemn look, he continued, "However, Fu Qingyang gave a condition that the clan elders cannot accept. At least at this stage, they will not agree to let him inherit the position of clan head." In the Fu family, a transition of the clan head occurred under only two circumstances. First, if the previous clan head died in the Spirit Realm, the successor would naturally take over. Second, if the clan head grew tired of the role, stepped down voluntarily, and joined the Council of Elders. Large clans like the Fu family were fractured into numerous factions, but broadly speaking, there were only two main camps: the Council of Elders and the Clan Head faction. In other words, the Clan Head faction possessed enough strength to rival the Council of Elders. Fu Qingyang putting forward such a condition was tantamount to having the Council of Elders stage a coup to force the current clan head to abdicate. The current clan head would certainly refuse, which would only plunge the Fu family into internal strife over power. Fu Xue scoffed. "This is the backlash of the family rules. If not for the Fu family's rules, how could he have ended up on such bad terms with his own father?" "What do you mean?" Fu Long frowned. "You and I both know what happened during Fu Qingyang's childhood. In the beginning, whenever he was bullied outside, he would run crying to my brother for help. But the Fu family believes in the law of the jungle. If a child gets bullied within their own family, they'll become even more worthless out in the world, which is why the clan children are raised under military-style discipline." "What's wrong with that?" "Naturally, nothing wrong with it. Back then, my brother told him the exact same thing. He said the world belongs to the strong; if you are strong, you take back justice yourself; if you are weak, I won't shed a tear even if you die." Fu Xue clicked her tongue. "Fu Qingyang demanding the position of clan head is his way of showing the current head that very same principle. He is taking revenge, just like he did against all the children who bullied him back then. If I recall, your son was one of them." "Yes, both of his legs were broken." Fu Long nodded slowly. "I see. It seems the Council of Elders won't be able to sway him." Fu Xue's smile vanished. "Since Fu Qingyang refuses to let the family buy in, then the proceeds from selling my companies..." "Will be invested in the mainland. It no longer has anything to do with you," Fu Long stated flatly. Fu Xue bit her lower lip. "Brother Long, you know my business has been struggling these past few years. The economy is in a slump, competition is fierce, and all the companies the family assigned me were sunset industries with poor prospects. Even so, the Council of Elders still wants to harvest me like leeks. Isn't that taking bullying too far?" Fu Long glanced toward the doorway, his tone cool and indifferent. "You are welcome to take that up with the clan elders." Fu Xue pressed anxiously, "You are the liaison between the Council of Elders and the family. If you could just—" "Why should I help you?" Fu Long retorted coldly. "Have you forgotten the family rules? Those without ability should be phased out." Fu Xue choked on her words, the corners of her eyes turning slightly red. Fu Long's expression softened slightly. "Arranging the marriage between Guan Ya and the Miller family was your only chance, and you've been working hard toward it. But I hear you recently changed your mind?" Hearing this, Fu Xue finally realized why it was the companies under her name that had been sold. The faction within the Council of Elders supporting the political marriage was making its move—and Fu Long was also a supporter of aligning Guan Ya with the Miller family. "Guan Ya has a boyfriend now: Yuanshi Tianzun. I am very satisfied with the young lad, and marrying into the Miller family might not necessarily be a good choice." Fu Xue dropped her pitiful facade and shifted into the posture of an iron lady, as though the man before her were no longer her cousin, but a competitor in business. "Yuanshi Tianzun has offended headquarters. You should know that." "Didn't Xuanxuan offend headquarters back in the day too? Geniuses are always proud and rebellious." "It seems you truly are pleased with him. What are you waiting for, then? Go to the mainland and throw your lot in with him," Fu Long said nonchalantly. Fu Xue gave a cold snort and turned to leave. Just then, her phone rang from inside her handbag. Pulling it out, she saw the caller ID: Fu Qingyang. "Answer it here, on speaker," Fu Long urged immediately. Fu Xue shot him a glance, but did not refuse, accepting the call. "Mother-in-law, hope you've been well!" The voice coming through the receiver did not belong to Fu Qingyang, but to a lively young man whose playful demeanor was unmistakable from his tone alone. Fu Xue was taken aback. "Yuanshi Tianzun?" Fu Long's gaze instantly sharpened, fixing intently on the phone screen. "That's me! Calling to talk some serious business. You don't have any pretty boys around you right now, do you?" Yuanshi Tianzun chuckled. A smile tugged at the corner of Fu Xue's mouth, and she spat playfully, "No pretty boys, just a piece of old jerky." "Huh? But Guan Ya told me you love handsome young men." "That wretched girl..." Fu Xue gritted her teeth before turning serious. "Calling me from Fu Qingyang's phone—is something the matter?" "I have a business deal I'd like to discuss with you." "Business?" Fu Xue asked skeptically. "What kind of business could you possibly have? You're just a brat who hasn't even finished college." "Fu Qingyang has set up a mechanical crafts research and development company, and I hold a ten percent stake in it. The company is currently short on funds, so I plan to transfer a five percent stake to you. If you're interested, Mother-in-law, you can get the money ready and fly to the mainland to sign the contract." A bolt from the blue! A thunderclap on a clear day! Fu Xue froze on the spot. Fu Long's stern face was equally filled with shock. After a few seconds, Fu Xue snapped back to her senses, her hand trembling slightly. She tried her best to suppress her excitement, but her voice still quavered, "Y-You... don't you dare mess with me. How could a golden opportunity like this fall into my lap?" "Well, you're my mother-in-law! A son-in-law is half a son; round it up, and you're my mom," Zhang Yuanqing laughed. Fu Xue was practically dizzied by his sweet-talking barrage. Walking briskly out of the office and stepping outside the old castle, the fresh air and warm sunshine helped settle her turbulent emotions. "For that five percent stake, how much do you want for the equity transfer fee?" Fu Xue asked under her breath. "Yuanshi..." Zhang Yuanqing cut in with a chuckle, "Call me 'Son.'" Fu Xue tsked. "Let me tell you, Auntie's savings are limited. If you ask for too much, I won't be able to afford it." "For five percent equity: 1.5 billion federal dollars." "1.5 billion?!" Fu Xue's face paled. "Do you want me to sell everything I own, or sell my own body?" "Mom, stop acting. If Fu Qingyang says you can come up with it, you definitely can. Of course, I do have an alternative plan," Zhang Yuanqing offered. "I can ask for only one billion federal dollars for the equity transfer fee. In return, you must provide the company with an interest-free loan of one billion federal dollars. Once the company turns a profit, it will repay that debt at the earliest opportunity." *Lend the company one billion federal dollars...* Fu Xue calculated furiously in her mind. Buying a five percent stake for one billion federal dollars was an undeniable steal—an absolute windfall. However, scraping together another one billion federal dollars to lend the company would require taking out loans. If she really liquidated all her assets, pooling 1.5 billion wouldn't be difficult, which meant she only needed to borrow an additional five hundred million. Going through banks was out of the question; once she sold off her assets, she would have nothing left to put up as collateral. Her only options were turning to the family or borrowing from acquaintances by putting up items as collateral. The first person Fu Xue thought of was Chen Shu. Her close friend was rich—fabulously rich—and they had a great relationship. On top of that, Chen Shu had recently asked her for a favor, so borrowing five hundred million from her shouldn't be difficult. With that in mind, Fu Xue replied, "Fine. I'll book a flight to the mainland right now. See you tonight." With that, she hung up and opened her car door. At that moment, Fu Long sprinted out of the castle, catching the car door and saying gravely, "The clan elders want to see you, Fu Xue. Your chance has come. As long as you transfer that five percent stake to the family, they won't treat you poorly. You'll receive three publicly traded companies in excellent financial standing, and the Council of Elders has agreed to increase your profit share." Fu Xue glanced back at the ancient castle, then turned to Fu Long. Reaching out, she patted her cousin's chest with a sweet smile. "I'm off to the mainland to join my son-in-law. Let's save meeting the elders for another day." Then she shoved him away. "Now get lost!" Slipping into the red sports car, she stepped on the gas and sped away from the castle. The sun shone brightly over yellowish-green fields stretching to the horizon, the warm breeze carrying a lazy, intoxicating warmth against her face. Steering with one hand, Fu Xue dialed Chen Shu's number. "Chen Shu, I've been wronged terribly by those old bastards in the Fu family..." The moment the call connected, Fu Xue eagerly began playing the victim, pouring out her recent woes to her best friend and partner. Chen Shu listened quietly before remarking in a calm tone, "With your stubborn pride, if you were genuinely wronged, you'd grit your teeth and endure it just to save face. Why would you come crying to me? Just skip to the twist." "Fu Qingyang founded a mechanical crafts research and development company on the mainland, and I have the right to purchase a five percent stake!" Fu Xue laughed, beaming with delight. "But I'm short on funds. Could you lend me five hundred million federal dollars? Ideally with interest lower than the bank. Chen Shu, remember, I've been helping you acquire Life Essence lately..." "As long as you can secure the Life Essence, I can offer you a low-interest loan. However, I must remind you—how could such a good thing fall into your lap?" Chen Shu remained cool and analytical. As if waiting for that very question, Fu Xue hurried to reply, "Oh, it's all thanks to my wonderful son-in-law!" "What?!" Chen Shu's tone shifted instantly. With the wind whistling in her ears, Fu Xue didn't catch the strange edge in her friend's voice and kept laughing. "Yuanshi Tianzun holds shares in that mechanical R&D company, so he wanted to show some filial piety to his mother-in-law! Just now, he kept calling me 'Mom' over and over—you wouldn't believe how affectionate he sounded! Ah, that girl Guan Ya certainly has a better eye for men than I ever did. I have to hand it to her." "He called you 'Mom'? And he was very affectionate?" Chen Shu's voice turned icy. Most of the time, Yuanzi didn't even call her 'Mom.' And whenever he did, it was always cold and detached. Hearing Fu Xue's words was more than she could stomach. "Far more affectionate than Guan Ya! That wretched girl sounds like she's addressing a mortal enemy whenever she calls me Mom... Anyway, enough about him. Chen Shu, I'll need that money soon. How quickly can you transfer it to me?" "I'm not lending it!" Chen Shu refused coldly, hanging up the phone. "???" *** Night fell over Tokyo. Ginza—which once boasted that its land alone could buy the entire Free Federation—lit up with dazzling, dreamlike neon lights. Night had arrived, but for Ginza, the marvelous nightlife had only just begun. Radiant illuminations lit up the district, bathing this prosperous haven in an ocean of colorful lights. Bars and nightclubs displayed their distinctive charms as plump, successful businessmen entered and exited in groups, filled with laughter and cheerful chatter. Asano Ryo stood before a massive floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down at the surreal nightscape. Ginza's bubble had burst long ago, and the grand ambitions of her people had vanished like foam, once again bending the knee beneath the heel of a powerful enemy. Just as the Thousand Cranes Group knelt beneath Heaven's Punishment. Tonight, distinguished guests from Heaven's Punishment were set to arrive. As an executive of the Thousand Cranes Group and its sole young beauty, she was expected to accompany the other leaders in receiving them. The group leader had even specifically instructed her to apply meticulous makeup and wear an exquisite cherry blossom kimono. This was Asano Ryo's first time receiving emissaries from Heaven's Punishment. Previously, she hadn't qualified; the leaders and elites of Heaven's Punishment had always been far out of her reach. Rumor had it that among the members visiting tonight were prominent figures of the Saint stage—top-tier elites on the world stage. *I wonder how they compare to Yuanshi-kun?* The thought crossed her mind unbidden. Light footsteps interrupted her musings. A female clerk from the Thousand Cranes Group wearing a business suit entered the office and said softly, "Director Asano, the group leader requests your presence. The guests have arrived at Oyama House." Asano Ryo nodded. Clicking her geta against the floor, she took brisk, dainty steps toward Oyama House. Taking the elevator to the floor where Oyama House was located, she was led by an attendant toward the private dining room. From a distance, she could already hear the group leader speaking in broken English: "Lord Demon Hunter, your arrival is an honor for our nation, and an honor for the Thousand Cranes Group." However, the other party barely bothered to respond. *Demon Hunter...* Asano Ryo racked her brains, but unfortunately, she had never heard of this name. Given the large number of First-Class Enforcers within Heaven's Punishment, it was only natural that she wouldn't know all of them. With these thoughts in mind, Asano Ryo reached the entrance of the room. She tapped lightly on the door and announced, "Leader!" "Come in," Kobe Ichiro answered. Asano Ryo slid open the door. Her gaze swept across the room: low dining tables were laid out across the tatami mats, where the guests sat cross-legged in relaxed postures. Seated in the head position was a middle-aged man with short blond hair, a high nose, and blue eyes. His temples were streaked with frosty gray, and he sported a neatly trimmed full beard. His facial features and bearing bore some resemblance to the protagonist of *Doctor Mystic*, a movie Asano Ryo loved. Presumably, this was the "Demon Hunter" Enforcer the leader had mentioned. Aside from this Dominator, three foreign youths sat in the room: one languid, one stern, and one frivolous and haughty. The last of them looked her up and down with blatantly aggressive eyes. "Come, come over here. Sit beside Enforcer Demon Hunter," Kobe Ichiro smiled. The normally imposing group leader now wore a humble smile, his posture completely deferential. Asano Ryo took small, measured steps to her seat, keeping her back straight as she poured wine for the Enforcer. "Do you speak foreign languages?" Demon Hunter glanced at the young beauty beside him, asking in Japanese. "I do!" Asano Ryo nodded. Demon Hunter then asked, "Heaven's Punishment's intelligence department discovered that you share a close relationship with Yuanshi Tianzun, and are even a member of his faction." Asano Ryo froze, hurriedly looking toward her group leader. Kobe Ichiro said in a solemn voice, "Lord Enforcer is asking you a question. Tell him everything you know." Heaven's Punishment had planted numerous informants within the Thousand Cranes Group. Asano Ryo's connection with Yuanshi Tianzun was hardly a state secret, and the Thousand Cranes Group hadn't intentionally concealed it, making it easy for Heaven's Punishment to uncover. Asano Ryo gave a firm nod. "Yes, Lord Enforcer." Demon Hunter said, "We received a report alleging that Yuanshi Tianzun is the Demon Lord's successor, accompanied by conclusive evidence. We now have several questions for you, and we expect you to answer truthfully."