The defeated Hoover and Osmond wore contorted expressions. The former's jaw muscles bulged fiercely, while the latter glared at Zhang Yuanqing as if ready to eat him alive.
Their prominent family backgrounds, high status, and levels had fostered immense pride; they could not stomach Yuanshi Tianzun's provocation of tearing open their fresh wounds.
Chazo likewise felt as if he had received a stinging slap across the face.
Demon Hunter gazed deeply and intently at Zhang Yuanqing.
A heavy solemnity descended over the conference table.
Seeing that the guests from Heaven's Punishment were on the verge of losing their composure over Yuanshi Tianzun's single remark, Secretary Li cleared his throat, turned to Elder Miao—whose head was covered in fine, writhing serpents—at the head of the table, and said, "Everyone is present. Elder Miao, shall we begin?"
Elder Miao nodded slightly and looked around at everyone seated at the table. "Two matters. First, following deliberations at headquarters, it has been decided that everything pertaining to Pluto will be shared with Heaven's Punishment. For his meritorious service in capturing Pluto, Yuanshi Tianzun is awarded one A-class merit, a five-million-dollar bonus, one Saint-grade item, and a promotion to captain of Patrol Team Three in the Songhai Branch.
"Second, the conflict between Yuanshi Tianzun and our guests from Heaven's Punishment in the Shiwan Dashan was a misunderstanding. The illegally acquired items are to be returned immediately."
Elder Miao fixed his gaze pointedly on the members of Heaven's Punishment and Yuanshi Tianzun, adopting an attitude of inviting discussions. "Do either of the parties have objections?"
Demon Hunter nodded. "We have no objections."
Zhang Yuanqing raised his hand. "I have an objection."
Everyone had anticipated his opposition, yet Secretary Li and Secretary Zhou still frowned involuntarily.
This was precisely what they detested about Yuanshi Tianzun. Who could possibly like a subordinate who opposed them at every turn?
Elder Miao remained impassive, his voice gentle. "Please state your views."
Zhang Yuanqing said, "First, I don't want merits, I don't want a captain position, and I certainly don't want cash."
Merits and titles were hollow illusions—headquarters could strip them away on a whim. To put it bluntly, they simply wanted to rip him off in exchange for a paltry five million and a single Saint item.
Secretary Zhou tapped his finger against the tabletop and reprimanded sternly, "This is a decision made by headquarters! Yuanshi Tianzun, you disobey headquarters time and time again. Do you still have any regard for the organization or discipline? How can headquarters entrust important responsibilities to a comrade who lacks awareness and obedience like you in the future?"
Secretary Li chimed in, "You don't want merits, and you don't want titles—what do you want, then? Are you trying to defect from the organization?"
Right from the start, the two secretaries launched a pincer attack, every word calculated to condemn his character, dripping with hostile cross-examination.
"Save the labels," Zhang Yuanqing replied forcefully. "You demote positions whenever you feel like it and revoke merits on a whim, treating the authority of headquarters like child's play. You blow trivial matters out of proportion while turning a blind eye to major issues. Let me ask you: what are you trying to do? Are you trying to destroy the foundation of the Five Elements Alliance, or have you started treating the territory carved out by the five Alliance Masters as your personal property? Have you already forgotten Clan Leader Jiang's words at the tribunal?"
The executives from Heaven's Punishment exchanged glances.
They knew that Yuanshi Tianzun had a strained relationship with headquarters, but reading it in written reports felt entirely different from witnessing it firsthand.
Secretaries were the confidants and representatives of the elders; berating a secretary was tantamount to berating an elder. Yuanshi Tianzun's arrogance had actually reached such heights.
After all, the Five Elements Alliance was unlike Heaven's Punishment. Heaven's Punishment contained countless factions of capital and families that kept each other in check; aside from the demigods high above whom no one dared offend, even peak Dominators were sometimes openly challenged.
The Five Elements Alliance, however, possessed centralized control. The Alliance Masters delegated authority, leaving immense power in the hands of the Ten Elders. It was difficult to fathom how they could tolerate the existence of such a rogue individual.
Furthermore, the more defiant Yuanshi Tianzun was toward headquarters, the lower the chances of success for Heaven's Punishment's strategy of using headquarters to intimidate him into returning their items.
Elder Miao spoke up, cutting off the argument between the three. "Yuanshi Tianzun, what do you want?"
Zhang Yuanqing replied immediately, "Fifty Saint-grade materials, open to any class. Six Dominator-grade materials, open to any class. And one top-tier item tailored to the Swordsman class."
"Yuanshi Tianzun, do not push it too far!" Secretary Li was the first to flare up.
"If headquarters doesn't want it, I can sell Pluto to the Association of God of Beauty."
"The Association of God of Beauty has already withdrawn."
Zhang Yuanqing turned his head toward Demon Hunter. "You can bypass the Five Elements Alliance entirely and trade directly with me."
"Forty Saint-grade materials, four Dominator-grade materials, and one top-tier Swordsman item," Elder Miao stated definitively, settling the matter. "That is the absolute limit of what headquarters can accept."
Zhang Yuanqing instantly grinned. "Deal!"
He had asked for so many materials to prepare for upgrading the Purple Gold Hammer, which had the potential to be elevated to the Dominator grade.
In truth, sacrificing Dominator-grade items would yield a higher success rate, but Dominator items were far too scarce; materials of the same level were much easier to acquire by comparison.
As for the top-tier Swordsman item, that was intended for Guan Ya.
Guan Ya possessed remarkable talent, and her combat prowess far exceeded ordinary Swordsmen of the same level. Yet compared to the very best geniuses, the veteran driver still lagged slightly behind.
She was not even on par with the Underground Palace squad members like Zhao Chenghuang, Sun Miaomiao, and Tianxia Guihuo. After reaping the rewards of the Mohist Mechanism City, the Underground Palace squad's foundations had grown considerably deeper.
Although Zhang Yuanqing had lent Ame no Murakumo to Guan Ya as a life-preserving item, it could only be used in the real world. Bringing a Dominator-grade weapon into a dungeon instance was definitely not a good idea.
Besides, Ame no Murakumo would ultimately have to be returned. It was far better to find a way to secure a top-tier Saint-grade item for her.
Seeing that the deal was struck, Fu Qingyang said, "Executive, let us now discuss the items belonging to your three subordinates. Name your price."
Everyone looked toward Demon Hunter.
Resembling Doctor Strange in appearance, the handsome and elegant middle-aged executive spoke in a calm yet assertive tone:
"I must correct Elder Fu's mistaken premise. First, on behalf of Heaven's Punishment, I state our position: we will not pay a single cent. Second, the Five Elements Alliance and Heaven's Punishment are allies bound by an offensive and defensive covenant. Yuanshi Tianzun attacked allies and plundered allied items, severely violating the pact. On behalf of Heaven's Punishment, I demand that the Five Elements Alliance discipline Yuanshi Tianzun. Otherwise, Heaven's Punishment will personally dispatch a First-Class Gold Executive to retrieve the items."
These words instantly cast a heavy pall over the conference table.
A First-Class Gold Executive was equivalent to a peak Dominator. Demon Hunter's implication was clear: Heaven's Punishment would reclaim the items through force, and they had justified cause.
It was Yuanshi Tianzun who had torn up the treaty; any action taken by Heaven's Punishment would merely be defending its legitimate rights.
If the Five Elements Alliance did not punish Yuanshi Tianzun, the matter would escalate into an international diplomatic crisis.
Osmond and Hoover glared coldly at Yuanshi Tianzun. Heaven's Punishment would not coddle him the way the Five Elements Alliance did.
Zhang Yuanqing sneered. "What are you staring at? Three pathetic underlings, my defeated dogs!"
Osmond and Hoover's faces turned livid in an instant!
*Knock, knock!* Elder Miao lightly rapped on the tabletop, his gaze carrying a veiled warning toward Yuanshi Tianzun as he said, "Maintain order in the conference. Personal attacks are forbidden."
Before Zhang Yuanqing could reply, Elder Cai's Secretary Zhou exerted pressure first, stating, "While headquarters values you, it will not protect you blindly. Return the items and accept a recorded demerit, and the matter ends here. If you remain obstinate, the only recourse is to send you before the tribunal."
Secretary Li nodded slowly. "The Alliance Masters are fair."
*This time, they won't back you.*
Hoover leaned back, relaxing into his chair, and chuckled softly. "Let's see each other at the tribunal, then. Everyone knows Yuanshi Tianzun was born a barbarian with rebellious bones. Well, those were his own words."
Osmond sneered, "He wouldn't dare face the tribunal. Without an Alliance Master to back him this time, going before the tribunal would mean utter ruin."
The two seized the opportunity to mock him mercilessly, retaliating against Yuanshi Tianzun's repeated provocations.
Heaven's Punishment's team had come prepared. Prior to the conference, they had paid a 'consulting fee' to the two secretaries from headquarters, seeking advice on how to recover the seized items.
The guidance offered by the two secretaries was: first, report the situation to Heaven's Punishment's headquarters and obtain approval to request coercive measures—mobilizing a First-Class Gold Executive.
Second, characterize the incident during the conference: Yuanshi Tianzun tore up the covenant and robbed an ally of their items.
The purpose of framing the narrative this way was to prevent the headquarters' Ten Elders and demigods from intervening when the First-Class Gold Executive took enforcement measures.
After all, if a peak Dominator from Heaven's Punishment crossed borders to target a young genius of the Five Elements Alliance, neither the Alliance Masters nor the Ten Elders could ever permit it; it directly impacted the Five Elements Alliance's reputation and prestige.
Thus, a justified pretext was required.
And the Five Elements Alliance was no weak official organization; an excuse like 'washing powder' would never fly.
Tearing up an alliance treaty, however, was both legitimate and weighty enough.
*Just as expected, exactly as Boss predicted...* Zhang Yuanqing mused. *At times like this, we need our little master of political infighting to step onto the stage.*
He shifted his gaze toward Fu Qingyang.
"I must also correct an error made by Executive Demon Hunter," Fu Qingyang's cool voice sounded. "Allow me to briefly lay out the facts of this case. Not long ago, the Songhai Branch received notice from the Association of God of Beauty that the A-class wanted criminal, Pluto, had infiltrated our country.
"Eliminating evil classes is the official duty of our organization. Consequently, I assigned Yuanshi Tianzun to cross regional lines into Bagui Province to pursue Pluto. During the pursuit, members of Heaven's Punishment obstructed law enforcement, posing a severe threat to the life and property of our officer, Yuanshi Tianzun.
"Yuanshi Tianzun subsequently confiscated the weapons used by the members of Heaven's Punishment. He originally intended to arrest the three individuals obstructing enforcement—Osmond Harry, Hoover York, and Chazo Charles. However, Executive Demon Hunter violently resisted law enforcement and attempted to murder our officer. Yuanshi Tianzun had no choice but to temporarily withdraw. Now, I officially submit an application to headquarters for the arrest of the Heaven's Punishment members led by Demon Hunter."
"You are turning black into white!" Even the upright knight Chazo could not suppress his fury.
The others narrowed their eyes.
Secretary Li remarked coldly, "Heaven's Punishment's executive pursued Pluto within our borders under authorization from headquarters. Elder Fu, distorting facts carries consequences."
Secretary Zhou added, "Furthermore, Yuanshi Tianzun is merely a patrol officer of the Songhai Branch; he has no jurisdiction in Bagui Province. To pursue an evil class across provincial lines requires approval from headquarters. Where is headquarters' official authorization?"
Without batting an eye, Money Prince retrieved a document and displayed it to everyone. "An authorization letter signed and issued by Elder Jiange of the Patrol Headquarters!"
The White Tiger Guards' grand elder, "Jiange," was the minister of the Patrol Headquarters and the supreme leader of all patrol departments across the branch offices.
The expressions of the two secretaries shifted; this authorization document caught them completely off guard.
Demon Hunter's face darkened. He immediately recognized the stance of Elder Jiange.
Secretary Zhou hesitated momentarily, then said, "Very well, then that clarifies this matter. Headquarters will send a letter of reprimand to Heaven's Punishment. Now, please return the items belonging to Heaven's Punishment's members. Elder Fu, surely you cannot reprimand Heaven's Punishment on behalf of headquarters. Besides, this does not serve as justification for you plundering an ally's items."
"How you reprimand Heaven's Punishment is your affair," Fu Qingyang said coldly. "My duty is simply to sort out the logic for everyone—after all, I am a Scout."
Pausing briefly, he continued:
"Now, on behalf of Yuanshi Tianzun and the Qinghe Branch, I demand compensation from Heaven's Punishment. Because Heaven's Punishment obstructed law enforcement, destroying one of Yuanshi Tianzun's yin corpses and damaging the vegetation in the Shiwan Dashan, I have tallied it up: Heaven's Punishment must pay ten million federal dollars in property damages. In addition to Yuanshi Tianzun's compensation for emotional distress."
Fu Qingyang leaned back. "The two of you may negotiate. Once the compensation is settled, we will naturally return the impounded items."
He placed heavy emphasis on the word "impounded."
Zhang Yuanqing chimed in at once, "Twenty billion federal dollars for mental anguish. Not a single cent less, or there will be no forgiveness."
Demanding ransom from Heaven's Punishment under a reasonable pretext was technical work. Due to their alliance, demanding money under the label of "ransom" was unviable, and most other pretexts were equally inappropriate.
There had to be a legitimate, lawful reason that gave the other side no room to wrangle.
And that was extraordinarily difficult.
Compensation for emotional distress was Fu Qingyang's masterstroke. Property damage had an objective price, but emotional distress was priceless—it was entirely up to the two parties to negotiate.
If Heaven's Punishment agreed, even two hundred billion federal dollars wouldn't be out of the question.
"Extortion! This is blatant extortion!" Demon Hunter fumed. "We refuse! No one extorts Heaven's Punishment!"
Fu Qingyang replied coldly, "That is your prerogative. But allow me to inform you, Executive: no one breaks the law on the territory of the Five Elements Alliance."
"A misunderstanding, entirely a misunderstanding," Zhang Yuanqing said with earnest sincerity. "I have no intention of coercing you, Executive. I am merely stating my demands. The ball is in your court."
Demon Hunter turned to look at the two secretaries.
Secretary Li and Secretary Zhou fell silent. The authorization signed by Elder Jiange was a lethal countermove; it cloaked Yuanshi Tianzun's actions in legitimacy.
With that, there was no breach of the alliance pact. Moreover, Fu Qingyang was demanding compensatory damages rather than a ransom for spoils of war, which completely undercut the accusation that they had plundered an ally's items.
Such creative labeling was commonplace within the Orderly organizations across various nations. For instance, Heaven's Punishment's overseas branches had once employed similar tactics:
Using pretexts such as "relieving the mental stress of overseas personnel" or "depression compensation for stationed members" to expense visits to prostitutes for overseas agents—and they had actually pulled it off.
Official organizations always bought into such formalities.
Demon Hunter then looked toward Elder Miao.
Elder Miao remained gentle and serene, offering placating words: "Headquarters will oversee the coordination of this matter."
Then he turned to Zhang Yuanqing. "Yuanshi Tianzun, while one's spirit is indeed priceless, you might consider slightly lowering your noble spirit and offering a price that Heaven's Punishment can accommodate."
This single remark exposed Elder Miao's true stance. In reality, he didn't want Heaven's Punishment to reclaim their items free of charge either; they had to bleed a little.
Zhang Yuanqing replied almost without hesitation, "One Saint-stage rule-based item, three Dominator-grade materials, the Charming Perfume, and the Seal of the Thunder God."
Osmond barked, "You want my items? Yuanshi Tianzun, did God give you the guts, or is Lucifer backing you up?"
"It's the perk provided by my defeated dog," Zhang Yuanqing said, unable to go three sentences without rubbing it in.
Osmond turned purple with rage.
Demon Hunter said in a deep voice, "This does not align with the intentions of Heaven's Punishment. I will report this matter to headquarters."
With that, he severed the call immediately, vanishing from the beam of fluorescent blue light.
Osmond, Hoover, and Chazo departed one after another.
Zhang Yuanqing stood up cheerfully and bowed slightly toward Elder Miao. "Once Heaven's Punishment's compensation arrives, we will escort Pluto to headquarters."
What followed would be a round of bargaining, but the narrative of the incident had been successfully established.
***
At the Maple Late Hotel.
Inside the luxury grand suite, the four members of Heaven's Punishment sat in the living room with grim expressions.
Demon Hunter sighed softly.
"The higher-ups are determined to secure Pluto. I'm afraid they will agree to Yuanshi Tianzun's demands."
A Saint-stage rule-based item was indeed precious, but Heaven's Punishment had deep pockets and a foundation even more profound than the Five Elements Alliance's; they could definitely produce one.
Hoover narrowed his eyes. "We must make Yuanshi Tianzun pay a price. We can't just hand over a rule-based item so easily."
Osmond glanced at him and said in a low voice, "Don't waste breath on pointless venting. We can take revenge on him whenever we want. First, we get our items back."
Beside them, Chazo nodded in agreement.
Among the three, Hoover suffered the lightest loss—only a single bottle of Charming Perfume, which was merely an auxiliary item.
Osmond had lost a rule-based item belonging to his own class, which was to be his reliance going forward. Chazo had likewise lost a crucial item for his class, severely diminishing his combat effectiveness.
The two of them were desperate to reclaim their items.
Demon Hunter pondered for a moment, then said, "I remember a certain rule-based item that would be perfect to trade. I'll send an email to headquarters right now."
Chapter 593