Looking at the deathly pale Yuanshi Tianzun, Secretary Zhou wore an utterly relaxed expression. He nodded and said, "It seems you have realized your mistake. In that case, see you at the trial tomorrow." He turned to leave, took two steps, and stopped again. "I almost forgot one thing."
A smirk tugged at the corner of Secretary Zhou's mouth. "After we killed 'Renjian Liulangke,' we discovered he had been colluding in secret with Poison Hunter of the Nanming City Branch. When the truth came to light, Poison Hunter put up a stubborn resistance and was shot dead on the spot! The Investigation Department suspects our colleagues in Nanming City are guilty of severe disciplinary violations. All personnel have been arrested and placed under investigation. Before the findings are released, their assets have been seized and their bank accounts frozen."
He still harbored resentment over Yuanshi Tianzun's brazen arrogance during the negotiations over Pluto's custody, and he was well aware of how deeply the official walkers in the Nanming Branch revered Yuanshi Tianzun.
This was the final blade he drove into the wound.
His visit to the prison today—standing high above his opponent to humiliate him from the posture of a victor—was only a minor objective. His greater purpose was to provoke Yuanshi Tianzun.
Public opinion on the forum had gradually been stirred up. Everyone now knew Yuanshi Tianzun had colluded with evil classes and murdered an official elder, turning countless official walker admirers into vehement detractors.
From here, as long as Yuanshi Tianzun remained rebellious and unyielding during the trial, the entire official organization would be swept up in a unified demand for his execution.
That was why he needed to provoke Yuanshi Tianzun.
How did one thoroughly kill an enemy?
First destroy their spirit, then take their life; only then could one rest easy.
Secretary Zhou departed in high spirits, his purpose accomplished.
Zhang Yuanqing leaned against the wall, staring blankly at the ceiling. The smiling faces and familiar voices of the Wuhen Hotel group flashed across his mind.
Poison Hunter must have been filled with utter despair at the end. Renjian Liulangke was his only surviving kin in the world. He had spent his entire life fighting drug traffickers and underworld gangs; he had guarded the levee his whole life, never drowning in the flood, only to die at the hands of his own people.
Renjian Liulangke was finally done wandering.
Uncle Yang could finally stop appealing his case, freed of his burden at last.
Lin Zichong had killed so many people that he was almost certainly bound for hell, never to be reunited with his honest, hardworking parents in heaven.
He hoped Tongtong would have a happy childhood in her next life.
He hoped Aunt Fang would have better judgment next time and not marry a scumbag.
Sister Red Demon had been far too beautiful for someone born into an ordinary family; he hoped she would be reincarnated into a good household in her next life.
Liangchen had followed the wrong bosses for most of his life, but at least Beiyue hadn't let him down. He hoped he wouldn't be so cowardly in his next life—if he was still willing to return to the mortal realm, that was.
*Thud, thud, thud...* Zhang Yuanqing struck the back of his head against the wall again and again, a wild fire raging inside his chest.
His thoughts turned to Master Wuhen once more. He had already come to understand the root cause of this tragedy. Targeting him was merely collateral; whether it was the Southern Sect, Dark Night Rose, or Elder Cai, what they truly wanted was that demigod-grade item.
Slaughtering the members of the group was likely meant to provoke Master Wuhen. The master had already been walking a tightrope, barely maintaining a delicate balance, and during his attempt to break through to demigod, that balance had been even more precarious.
Seeing his closest companions butchered one by one because of him, the master was bound to lose control.
Yet, with the master's wisdom, could he truly have failed to foresee that he would become the target of all eyes? Could he have failed to foresee the danger threatening his companions?
At that thought, Zhang Yuanqing froze.
The master had foreseen it. Yes, he had.
That day, the master had already entrusted the team to him. The master had wanted him to take over as leader and protect everyone's safety.
Yet his own mind had been entirely consumed by his own fatal calamity. While he had agreed, all he had done was tell Xiao Yuan to post an announcement in the group chat telling everyone to go into hiding.
It was his own dereliction of duty that had gotten everyone killed, that had gotten Master Wuhen killed.
The master had trusted him so deeply...
A flurry of footsteps echoed through the underground prison beneath Linggan Temple.
The curly-haired teddy proceeded silently. Behind him came Lingjun and Miao Teng'er, followed by Guan Ya, Sun Miaomiao, Zhao Chenghuang, Xiahou Aotian, Brother Red Chicken, Tianxia Guihuo, Little Green Tea, Queen, and Li Chunfeng.
The corridor stretched long and quiet. No one spoke a word.
A dark gloom hung over every face—some fighting back tears, some numbed and hollow, others withdrawn in grim silence.
Finally, led by Elder Dog, the group arrived at the cell at the very end.
The moment they saw Yuanshi Tianzun, everyone was taken aback.
The young man before them seemed like an entirely different person. His former spirited brilliance had withered away overnight, leaving behind only despair, numbness, and void.
It was as if an unyielding warrior had had his spine ripped out, as if a pristine scholar had had his honor dragged through the mud, as if a proud genius had been stripped of all dignity.
Little Green Tea let out a muffled whimper and covered her mouth, bursting into tears.
Queen, her eyes red, pulled her into an embrace.
Lingjun stepped forward, his expression clouded with sorrow. "Yuanshi," he murmured, "I brought them to see you."
This was a high-security facility reserved for dangerous offenders. Even Elder Dog lacked the authority to grant visitation. It had taken Lingjun and Miao Teng'er bitter pleading with their grandfather to secure half an hour of visiting time.
Elder Dog sighed. "Headquarters plans to convene the trial tomorrow in Courtroom No. 1. That venue is reserved for judging elders. Yuanshi, you don't have much time left. Is there anything you'd like to say to everyone?"
The proceedings for trying Yuanshi Tianzun had reached the highest possible specification.
This was an unmistakable display of the Ten Elders' stance.
Zhang Yuanqing's numb expression shifted ever so slightly, and he finally turned his head.
His gaze swept across the crowd, a spark of color finally returning to his hollow eyes.
"Didn't bring food?" He smiled faintly. "Can't a guy even get a last meal before execution?"
The joke wasn't funny, and no one could bring themselves to laugh.
Zhang Yuanqing looked at Lingjun and said, "Lingjun, you've been a great teacher. I'm very glad to have met you, though the time was far too short."
Lingjun's eyes reddened, and he forced a faint, painful smile.
Zhang Yuanqing then looked at Miao Teng'er. "Teng'er, I'm sorry."
He was referring to the time he had 'disguised' himself as the Demon Lord's successor and abducted her.
Miao Teng'er didn't understand the reference. With teary eyes, she nodded and murmured that it was all right.
Zhang Yuanqing then turned to the silent Disgrace of Fire Masters. "Tianxia Guihuo, from now on, you're the guild leader. I have full confidence in your leadership skills. Don't let our little team fall apart. You come from humble beginnings; this will be good for you."
Tianxia Guihuo's face twitched violently. He silently clenched his fists and whispered, "I will wait for Elder Fu to return."
What he meant was: *I will avenge you.*
Zhang Yuanqing smiled and looked toward the grief-stricken Brother Red Chicken.
"Brother Red Chicken, don't do anything foolish."
Brother Red Chicken glared fiercely at the others and demanded loudly, "Why aren't we breaking him out?! We're right here in front of him! We can take him with us right now!"
"We can't get out," Zhang Yuanqing said, shaking his head. "This dungeon is completely sealed. Teleportation doesn't work, and you can't even enter a guild dungeon."
He had already tried. Dense tree roots enveloped this entire space; neither conventional nor unconventional methods could breach it.
Brother Red Chicken opened his mouth to argue, his face filled with bitter frustration.
Zhang Yuanqing then looked at Zhao Chenghuang. "Young Zhao, don't put so much pressure on yourself. In this world, there is always a mountain higher than the last. Living like that is too exhausting."
He opened his inventory, took out Little Red Riding Hood, and handed it to Zhao Chenghuang.
"Give the materials inside to Guan Ya later. Give Commandery Princess Yinyao to Guan Ya as well. As for the yin corpses inside, they're yours."
Zhao Chenghuang didn't take it right away. He jerked his head up, refusing to let the hot moisture spill from his eyes.
After a long silence, he finally accepted Little Red Riding Hood.
"Protagonist, Tianxia Guihuo is the leader, but you're actually the core of the guild. Keep turning those screws and work hard to make money for everyone. I don't have much to give you, so take these boots—they can save your life."
Xiahou Aotian did not retort, his expression unusually dejected.
"Miaomiao!" Zhang Yuanqing's throat bobbed, and he spat out a mass of lunar power. Within the yin mist, three miniature figures lay sleeping.
He said, "I'm entrusting Little Doubi to you. I have only one request: don't let him take part in battles. I promised his uncle I'd look after him forever. Remember to take him to the arcade to play games once a week. As for the other two spirit servants, do as you see fit."
Sun Miaomiao broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.
Next, Zhang Yuanqing gave the Mountain God Scepter to Queen, the Lucky Necklace to Li Chunfeng, the Daluo Astrolabe to Xie Lingxi, the Charm Perfume to Tianxia Guihuo, and the Thunder God's Seal to Brother Red Chicken.
Lingjun and Miao Teng'er didn't need any of his items; neither lacked treasures.
He patted Little Green Tea on the head and looked at everyone. "You all go on out first. I'd like to speak with Guan Ya alone."
Though they had received Yuanshi Tianzun's legacy, no one felt the slightest shred of joy. They turned and left in silence.
"Elder Dog..." Zhang Yuanqing called out, bowing deeply. "Thank you for taking care of me."
Elder Dog felt an acute pang of heartache.
Once the others had departed, Zhang Yuanqing looked through the iron bars at Guan Ya and smiled.
"There's something I need to confess to you. I cheated on you."
"I know," Guan Ya said.
Zhang Yuanqing nodded and opened his inventory. "All my good items are here. Keep the Heaven-Worship Set for yourself. Pass the Companion Spirit Moon and the Perfect Human Skin to the Palace Master of Halting Slaughter for me."
He laid out the items one by one.
As for the Demon Lord's items, he didn't intend to bring them out; they would return with him to the Spirit Realm.
Guan Ya let out a cold laugh. "Is she your third concubine? What about your second concubine, Xiao Yuan? Doesn't she get a share?"
Zhang Yuanqing smiled bitterly.
"I'm about to die. Can't you dial down the sarcasm? There's nothing going on between the Palace Master and me. As for Xiao Yuan, I did you wrong. But you're the only woman I've ever had in my life, so the one I owe the biggest apology to is you.
"I wasn't thinking of you when I made a mess of things, and now I've dragged you into shouldering the consequences with me. You have every right to be mad at me."
Guan Ya's composure broke completely. Staring at the iron bars separating them, she choked out:
"Yuanshi, I can't even hold you one last time. I didn't even get to have a child with you. I envisioned our future countless times; it felt so close, within arm's reach. But now, it's become an impossible luxury. You will be my regret for the rest of my life."
Guan Ya stumbled away.
***
The next morning, at nine o'clock.
Secretary Zhou logged onto the forum and browsed through the posts.
*#From Acclaimed Rising Star to Heinous Outlaw: What Prompted Yuanshi Tianzun's Fall?#*
*#Colluding with Evil Classes, Murdering an Official Elder: Is This Really Our Idol?#*
*#Cultivating Power Without Cultivating the Heart Will Ultimately Lead to Ruin#*
*#We Were All Far Too Indulgent with Yuanshi Tianzun#*
*#If Even This Can Be Forgiven, How Can We Face the Predecessors Who Died on the Frontlines?#*
*#Friends and Family of Relentless Raging Waves Declare They Will Never Forgive: We Demand the Death Penalty for Yuanshi Tianzun#*
After two days of brewing and careful orchestration, the outrage among mid- and low-tier walkers had been fully ignited. Everyone was beginning to reflect on whether their excessive indulgence had made Yuanshi Tianzun feel above the law, causing him to ultimately lose his way.
Starting yesterday, more and more records and photographs of fallen predecessors who died on the front lines had surfaced on the forum.
This had stoked the official walkers' hatred toward evil classes and deepened their sense of belonging to the orthodox faction. Stirred to passionate fervor, they found Yuanshi Tianzun's actions even more intolerable.
If even this could be forgiven, where did that leave the sacrifices of their predecessors?
Posts and discussions of this kind proliferated across the forum.
The calls demanding severe punishment for Yuanshi Tianzun grew louder and louder.
Under this overwhelming momentum, some of Yuanshi Tianzun's former admirers fell silent, while others experienced an epiphany and joined the ranks of his denouncers.
People were always quickest to elevate a hero onto an altar, only to kick him down with equal ferocity.
However dazzling Yuanshi Tianzun had been in the past, the backlash was now just as fierce.
"The tide of the times!" Secretary Zhou muttered with great satisfaction.
Yuanshi Tianzun had become a thorn in his side, making him uneasy day and night.
Today, that thorn could finally be pulled.
*Knock, knock!*
A knock sounded on the office door. An assistant pushed it open and bowed. "Director, the livestreaming equipment has been set up. The broadcast will start promptly at ten. Please prepare yourself; it's time to head to Courtroom No. 1."
Courtroom No. 1 was reserved for trials of the highest specification. The Ten Elders would attend in person, and every branch was required to send two representatives: large branches sent elders, while smaller branches sent senior deacons.
The attendance would reach as many as five hundred people.
Furthermore, through Secretary Zhou's lobbying, headquarters had established a livestream portal on the forum.
All members of the official organization and the Spirit Realm clans could witness the trial online.
*—We must set an example for everyone!*
That was what Secretary Zhou had written in his application report.
Yuanshi Tianzun's trial would serve as a resounding alarm, showing all local Orderly classes the consequences of colluding with evil classes and murdering superiors.
At 9:40 AM, Secretary Zhou arrived at the trial venue in a designated car.
Courtroom No. 1 was an auditorium grand enough to accommodate a thousand people, solemn and austere, majestic and towering.
On the judges' bench, five armchairs symbolizing the demigods sat at the very top. The seats for the Ten Elders were arranged below them, flanked on either side by the jury boxes.
A distance of forty meters separated the audience gallery from the judges' bench. In the center of the vast space stood only a single seat: the dock for the defendant.
By this time, the audience gallery was packed with people. Representatives from the various branches alone numbered around five hundred. In addition, there were invited elders from Spirit Realm clans, as well as descendants with influential backgrounds who did not hold high official ranks.
The thousand seats were nearly full.
As the clock struck ten, flashes of yellow light flared, vines sprouted, and white mist drifted onto the Ten Elders' seats. The ten peak Dominators appeared on time.
Presiding over this trial was the head of the Investigation Department, which oversaw discipline—Elder Cai.
Seated high above, he first stated the rule that the Five Elements Alliance's demigods did not interfere in administrative affairs, declaring the legality and legitimacy of the trial conducted by the Ten Elders. He then announced that he had been commissioned by headquarters to preside over the case.
Throughout his address, absolute silence reigned below.
Once his remarks concluded, Elder Cai said coldly:
"Bring in Yuanshi Tianzun."
Chapter 635