On the outskirts of the city, at the Good Music Hotel.
Wang Qian and his three companions from the Palace of Halting Slaughter had relocated their hideout here.
The Good Music Hotel was an important stronghold for the Palace of Halting Slaughter in Songhai City, and its manager was a member of the organization.
Many non-governmental walker organizations liked opening hotels and restaurants everywhere. Compared to residential homes, the former two were ideal for accommodating large groups and holding meetings. Because it was their own turf, they didn't have to worry about surveillance devices either.
Of course, that only applied in peaceful times.
When facing a large-scale official manhunt, hotels and restaurants became even easier to expose, as public security officers would inevitably search them one by one.
To scour every major hotel and inn across Songhai, the Five Elements Alliance lacked the manpower on its own; only the Public Security Bureau could handle such a massive undertaking.
However, Wang Qian, Mad Love Great Sage, and the others believed that although the Xiahou family possessed deep roots and close ties to the authorities, they were not powerful enough to command the Public Security Bureau.
The Public Security Bureau and the Five Elements Alliance were equal partners in cooperation. The former maintained social order, while the latter governed the order among Spirit Realm walkers.
Even the Five Elements Alliance lacked the authority to issue orders to the public security system, let alone a mere Spirit Realm clan.
Inside the suite, Mad Love Great Sage was sprawled across the sofa, snoring loudly. The hot girl in jeans and a black tube top sat cross-legged in front of the television, engrossed in a video game.
The pale-faced Tiandiburen wore headphones, his eyes closed as he enjoyed music.
Wang Qian stood by the window, watching the movements outside, occasionally pulling out his phone to check it.
He repeatedly told himself in his head that it couldn't be that fast, that it was impossible to happen so soon. Even if Yuanshi Tianzun were willing to help, it would take time.
Yet he still couldn't resist checking his phone over and over again.
"Relax. If anything happens to your sister, we'll go hunt down the Xiahou family's people." Tiandiburen opened his eyes, glanced at Wang Qian by the window, and began preaching his orphan strategy again.
Short-tempered and extreme... Wang Qian shook his head. Tiandiburen's personality was exceedingly radical. He was the type to repay a drop of kindness with a surging spring, but if anyone insulted him, he would not hesitate to drag them down in mutual destruction. He easily went to extremes.
Such a radical temperament was rare even within the Palace of Halting Slaughter.
Wang Qian lowered his phone once more, gazing silently out the window. Suddenly, a chime rang in his ears. His spirit jolted, and he hurriedly raised his phone to look.
*Your sister is safe.*
Seeing the message, Wang Qian's expression flushed with wild excitement. Unable to believe his eyes, he shouted, "Boss, Boss, Yuanshi Tianzun messaged me back!"
Mad Love Great Sage twitched, startled awake by the shout.
The three companions quickly gathered around. Staring at the phone screen, Mad Love Great Sage took on a grave look.
"It's a trap. There must be a catch. Even if he agreed to help, he couldn't possibly have rescued your sister in such a short time."
The hot girl, Wo Xing Wo Su, frowned. "Exactly. In such a short window, even locating your sister would be difficult—unless he already knew where she was. If that's the case, I'm afraid this person is Xiahou Tianyuan's accomplice."
A trace of disappointment showed in her face.
Wang Qian thought for a moment and typed a reply: *Really?*
A few seconds later, with another chime, Yuanshi Tianzun sent a voice message.
Wang Qian quickly tapped it.
"Wang Qian, I've been rescued by an officer. We're on our way to the Kangyang District Public Security Bureau right now."
It was his sister's voice.
Wang Qian's eyes turned red at once. Thrilled and ecstatic, the boulder that had weighed on his heart after a whole day of dread and suspense was finally lifted.
*She really was rescued? That efficiency is insane!* Mad Love Great Sage was stunned. When he suggested that Wang Qian ask Yuanshi Tianzun for help, he had valued the boy's official background.
Even if he couldn't rescue the hostage, he could gather some useful intelligence and keep the Xiahou family in check along the way.
Then the Palace of Halting Slaughter could devise a corresponding plan based on the information Yuanshi Tianzun provided.
Never in their wildest dreams did they expect him to settle the entire matter directly.
*Is this really just a genius rookie? Could he secretly be the scion of some big shot in the Five Elements Alliance?*
Wo Xing Wo Su breathed a sigh of relief and patted Wang Qian's shoulder.
"Now you don't have to worry. This Yuanshi Tianzun is quite reliable after all. Later, find an opportunity to call home and confirm whether your sister is truly safe."
As she spoke, the phone rang. The caller was Yuanshi Tianzun.
Wang Qian immediately looked at Mad Love Great Sage, seeking his leader's approval.
The latter pondered for a few seconds and gave a slight nod.
Wang Qian answered the call, asking tentatively, "Yuanshi Tianzun?"
What came from the speaker, however, was his sister's voice. "Wang Qian, I'm fine now. Where are you? Why did you suddenly stop going to work? The people who kidnapped me seemed to be looking for you. Did you borrow money from loan sharks?"
Her voice was laced with urgency and distress, pressing him with question after question.
"Sis, don't worry. I'll come home after a while." After comforting her with a few words, Wang Qian heard a young man's voice on the other end: "Give me the phone..."
Then came Yuanshi Tianzun's voice:
"Now isn't the time to catch up on family gossip. Wang Qian, I want to see your superior."
Because Wang Qian's sister was present, he did not mention the words "Palace of Halting Slaughter."
Wang Qian glanced at Mad Love Great Sage. "Why?"
"While rescuing your sister, my identity was exposed. The Xiahou family will definitely hold a grudge against me. You folks have to take responsibility for this," Zhang Yuanqing said nonchalantly.
"Besides, I could save your sister once, but I can't save her a second time. What if the Xiahou family targets your family again? Or targets the families of other members? What will you do then?
"Right now, we're grasshoppers tied to the same rope. It's time to strike back. Of course, if you're so weak that you only want to pull your heads into your shells like turtles, consider I never mentioned it."
Wang Qian covered the microphone and looked at his companions. Mad Love Great Sage hesitated, while Wo Xing Wo Su whispered, "I think we can talk with him. Let me do it."
At a time like this, the advantage of a favorable impression became apparent.
"No, I'll do it," Mad Love Great Sage said. "Trust my grasp of human nature. Let me talk to him."
Taking the phone, he deliberately lowered his pitch, making his voice sound deep and gravelly.
"Yuanshi Tianzun, there is no need to resort to reverse psychology."
"And you are?" Zhang Yuanqing perked up.
"Mad Love Great Sage, Shengshou's superior."
"Oh, my god, what a domineering handle. I love it," Zhang Yuanqing praised.
Mad Love Great Sage paused, then said with delight, "I think it's a great name too. I racked my brains for ages when coming up with it... Ahem, down to business. I understand your point, but before the Palace Master issues an order, we will not take action."
"Fine. Then I'll deal with the Xiahou family myself. An eye for an eye, fighting war with war, halting slaughter with slaughter—that is my motto. You folks fall quite short of it. You might as well change your name later," Zhang Yuanqing declared loudly.
"Bullshit!" Tiandiburen exploded in rage. "Our organization naturally has methods to deal with them, but they are in the Palace Master's hands! Ever since she fought with the Xiahou family's chief of law enforcement, she hasn't shown herself!"
Mad Love Great Sage glared at him in annoyance.
*The people of the Palace of Halting Slaughter really are extreme. And he claimed reverse psychology wouldn't work...* Zhang Yuanqing smiled and immediately asked, "What are your methods?"
Guan Ya had analyzed before that the Xiahou family's relentless pursuit of the Palace of Halting Slaughter was suspicious. Looking at it now, there indeed was more to the story.
Mad Love Great Sage took a deep breath.
"We suspect the Palace Master went into an instance, which is why she told us to lay low.
"As for what methods, I don't know, and even if I did, I couldn't tell you. How about this: I'll try to contact the Palace Master soon to report this to her. Whether it's compensation or cooperation, we'll see if she's willing to reach out to you. We truly cannot act on our own."
*Huh? Don't contact me! Contact Fu Qingyang instead! I don't want to deal with a psycho...* Zhang Yuanqing cringed inwardly, though he remained composed on the surface.
"I look forward to it!"
Hanging up the call, he felt slightly relieved.
Over this matter, he had thoroughly offended the Xiahou father and son and would certainly face retaliation in the future.
Although he possessed meritorious service, meaning the Xiahou family wouldn't act against him in broad daylight, if they couldn't strike openly, they could strike from the shadows. There were countless underhanded tricks they could employ.
Therefore, he had to take down both father and son this time, or at least ensure they could never make a comeback.
However, relying solely on the Five Elements Alliance was not entirely reliable; both sides had intertwined interests and deep entanglements. At such a time, he needed to make dual preparations and seek external support.
That was why he demanded to contact Wang Qian's superior and speak with mid-to-high-level figures of the Palace of Halting Slaughter.
"He hung up." Mad Love Great Sage returned the phone to Wang Qian.
The hot girl glanced at him, then at Wang Qian and Tiandiburen, her face completely stripped of trust.
"What's wrong?" Mad Love Great Sage frowned.
"So who exactly played whom?" she asked deadpan.
*?* Mad Love Great Sage, Wang Qian, and Tiandiburen looked at each other in silence.
Zhang Yuanqing glanced sideways at the young woman beside him. She sat upright, both hands firmly gripping the steering wheel.
"Don't spread word of what you heard today, or your brother is done for," Zhang Yuanqing threatened.
Wang Qian opened her mouth to speak, but hesitated and finally nodded.
*Nice, very obedient... Should I let Little Doubi out to see his birth mother? Never mind. A regular person would probably faint from fright seeing a spirit body. Better to let her drive carefully... Right, now that I've mastered Spirit Talismans, once I resolve the Xiahou family's mess, I should start gathering materials to nurture Little Doubi.*
With business settled, and before they reached the Public Security Bureau, he eagerly opened his inventory to examine his spoils.
From an angle where Wang Qian wouldn't notice, he took out the fiery red gloves and squeezed them in his palm.
[Name: Ruffian Boxing Gloves]
[Type: Weapon]
[Functions: Scorch, Celerity, Explosion]
[Description: Once the beloved boxing gloves of a formidable Fire Master. Through long-term wear, they gradually became imbued with their master's power, as well as their master's recklessness. They can continually store energy and release it upon impact.]
[Remarks: Explosion is an art. There is nothing an explosion cannot solve; if there is, blow it up again.]
Zhang Yuanqing rejoiced inwardly.
*What great gear! I finally have an AOE skill, making up for the assassin's shortcoming. And with a Night Wanderer's vitality, I can fully withstand the toll from multiple blasts.*
It was just that the drawback was a bit of a headache. Based on the description and remarks, it wasn't hard to deduce the gloves' price: recklessness and self-harm.
The latter didn't matter, as he could easily endure the blast damage. The former was the real headache—fighting without using one's brain made it easy to fall into an ambush.
*"Still, as long as I use them only at critical moments like the 'Steady One' orb, I can minimize the penalty..."*
Sure enough, killing and looting was the true path to wealth. If not for the constraints of Morality Points, Spirit Realm walkers would probably go on an all-out killing spree.
Next, he brought up his attribute panel to check his Reputation, and promptly scoffed.
His Reputation had neither increased nor decreased.
Hunting between Spirit Realm walkers didn't deduct Morality Points, but if walkers of the same faction fought and one killed a walker with Reputation points, their own Reputation would drop; once Reputation hit zero, Morality Points would be deducted.
His Reputation remained unchanged, which showed that those four pieces of trash had never killed a single evil profession walker and had zero Reputation.
They were pure parasites on society, well-deserving of death.
Ten-odd minutes later, the car drove into the Public Security Bureau.
Zhang Yuanqing had Wang Qian park the car in front of the glass building, then stepped out and entered the facility.
On the second floor, he saw seven or eight Spirit Realm walkers who didn't belong to Team Two, including the cheongsam-clad beauty Qingteng and the big-sister figure Bailong.
On the way here, Guan Ya had already informed him that Fu Qingyang was waiting at the Kangyang District Public Security Bureau with his people.
"The kidnappers' corpses are in the car downstairs. Trouble you to bring them up."
Zhang Yuanqing nodded slightly toward Qingteng, glanced at Wang Tai, whose face was fraught with discomfort, and headed straight for Li Dongze's office.
*Knock, knock!*
He knocked on the glass door.
"Enter," Fu Qingyang's cool, aloof voice answered.
Pushing open the glass door, he found Fu Qingyang seated in Li Dongze's chair inside the luxurious office. On the lounge sofa sat the long-legged Guan Ya, the casually dressed Ling Jun, and an old acquaintance he hadn't seen in a while.
Yuan Ting!
*He's still alive? Looks like Elder Sun hasn't come out of the instance yet...* Zhang Yuanqing lampooned inwardly, then turned to Fu Qingyang.
"I've brought back both Wang Qian and the kidnappers' corpses."
Fu Qingyang gave a steady nod. "I have already sent people to summon Xiahou Tianyuan. Once we secure the evidence, we can detain him."
With that, he looked at Yuan Ting. The latter stood up and sighed with emotion. "Spirit questioning again. Centurion Fu, you'd better provide a stipend."
Fu Qingyang said calmly, "No problem. I just hope that by the time the stipend is issued, it hasn't turned into an inheritance."
Yuan Ting's face stiffened. He couldn't help looking at Zhang Yuanqing, saying painedly, "Everything started because of you. You should give me a stipend too."
*Sure, I'll burn paper money for you...* Zhang Yuanqing silently replied in his heart. Looking at Fu Qingyang, he said, "Centurion, there was a powerful fighter among the kidnappers. Are you sure you don't need me to perform the spirit questioning?"
The implicit meaning was that killing such a strong opponent had not been easy and had exposed part of his hidden cards. He knew that Fu Qingyang was aware he possessed a rule-based item.
Fu Qingyang said calmly, "Captain Yuan is conscientious and upright. Letting him perform the spirit questioning will suffice."
*Is he endorsing Yuan Ting?* Zhang Yuanqing podcasted no more doubts.
A few minutes later, Yuan Ting returned, pale-faced, and reported gravely:
"The kidnappers were walkers retained by the Xiahou family. Their kidnapping of Wang Qian's sister was also directed by Xiahou Tianyuan."
Yuan Ting was a Taiyi Sect captain; to a certain degree, his accusation represented the Taiyi Sect.
Then, Yuan Ting looked at Zhang Yuanqing with a conflicted expression. "You actually killed a level 3 Fire Master. To be this formidable during your rookie stage... A freak. You're a total freak."
He truly hadn't mentioned the red dancing shoes.
Ling Jun narrowed his eyes and smiled. "That's why he's called a genius. I heard about this kidnapping case. Yuanshi, you did very well. I like young men with a sense of justice. But do you know what a genius fears most?"
*It's definitely not lacking a girlfriend anyway...* Zhang Yuanqing responded with a smile, "What?"
"Dying young!" Ling Jun took a sip of tea and continued, "Then do you know how to avoid dying young?"
*Trying to recruit me again...* With his direct superior watching from the side, Zhang Yuanqing thought for a moment and politely deflected, "Dying in infancy?"
Ling Jun choked and coughed repeatedly. "No, by finding a backer! Join the Taiyi Sect. I'll cover you, and the Xiahou family won't dare retaliate."
A trace of added satisfaction appeared in Fu Qingyang's gaze toward Zhang Yuanqing, followed by an icy glare at Ling Jun.
*Knock, knock!*
At that moment, the office's glass door was knocked on again.
Fu Qingyang looked over. "Enter."
A grim young man wearing a black T-shirt entered the office, stopped before the desk, and said in a low voice, "Xiahou Tianyuan has already been arrested."
Fu Qingyang narrowed his eyes. "Arrested by whom?"
The grim young man answered, "Deacon Pang of Fenghua District. Just moments ago, Xiahou Tianyuan assaulted someone in Fenghua District and was arrested by Deacon Pang. After some interrogation, Xiahou Tianyuan confessed to further crimes... such as this kidnapping case."
Listening to their exchange, Zhang Yuanqing's heart sank, immediately realizing how thorny the situation had become.
According to the internal regulations of the Five Elements Alliance, to prevent credit-stealing, whichever jurisdiction an incident occurred in was responsible for it, and whoever investigated and uncovered a case was responsible for handling it.
Deacon Pang of Fenghua District had "uncovered" this case, so theoretically it fell under his jurisdiction. However, because Zhang Yuanqing had intervened beforehand and had a victim filing a report, the case's jurisdiction was disputed.
Yet that was not the most critical issue. The critical issue was that Xiahou Tianyuan had injured someone in Fenghua District and was currently detained there. The jurisdiction over that incident was indisputable: it belonged to Fenghua District.
As a result, Fenghua District could entirely stall the handling of the matter under the pretext of an investigation to shield Xiahou Tianyuan.
Afterward, they could contest Kangyang District for leadership over the kidnapping case.
In short, he must not fall into Kangyang District's hands. As long as they bought this "strategic depth," the Xiahou family would have time to pull strings.
This sequence of moves had exploited the rules with absolute clarity.
*If the Xiahou father and son aren't eliminated, the repercussions will be endless. If the Five Elements Alliance can't resolve it, cooperating with the Palace of Halting Slaughter is the only option left...* Feeling somewhat weighed down, Zhang Yuanqing asked, "Centurion Fu, what should we do now?"
Fu Qingyang glanced at him. "Did the victim file the report with you?"
"Yes!"
"Was that earlier than Xiahou Tianyuan injuring someone?"
"Yes!"
Fu Qingyang said calmly, "Then we simply go and arrest him."
"But..." Zhang Yuanqing thought to himself, *the man is already in Fenghua District. How are we supposed to arrest him? By force?*
Fu Qingyang rose from the desk, walked over with measured steps, and fixed his pool-deep gaze on his younger subordinate, saying impassively:
"When rules conflict and both sides have reason on their side, whoever has the bigger fist has the final say. Remember that. Furthermore..."
A grave expression set onto his chiseled, handsome face as he admonished:
"Once an arrow leaves the bow, there is no turning back. Once you make an enemy, you must destroy him at all costs. Even if an Elder steps forward to stop you, you still blow his dog head off."
Fu Qingyang turned and walked outside, his pace slow yet resolute, leaving a tall, straight silhouette for everyone in the room.
"Come with me to seize him."
***
Fenghua District Public Security Bureau.
In the West Building of the bureau, inside a bright and clean office, Xiahou Tianyuan sat on the guest sofa, rolling a pair of walnuts in his left hand while lifting a porcelain teacup with his right, taking a loud sip.
"These little trinkets feel quite nice in hand. You must have played with them for a long time."
"If Young Master Tianyuan likes them, consider them yours," Deacon Pang said with a smile. He wore a leather overcoat over a white judo uniform.
The man had a burly build and a square jaw. When not smiling, he gave off an extraordinarily stern, sharp impression.
"Never mind. A gentleman does not take what another cherishes!" Xiahou Tianyuan set down the walnuts and teacup, straightened his suit collar, and said, "There are two matters I'd like to ask of you. We learned from the Xie family that after that clan fell back then, its surviving members scattered across various regions, and the Palace Master of Halting Slaughter was sent to Songhai at that time.
"Back then, she was just a child, not a Spirit Realm walker. Whether she could become one was still unknown, so when registering her household, she wouldn't have been particularly careful about keeping her identity confidential. I want you to help me check Songhai's household registration database.
"At present, we can only confirm that her age is between twenty-four and twenty-seven. Also, I asked the elders of our clan and had them sketch the likenesses of that clan's core members from back then. You can try matching them through facial recognition."
"That will be difficult." Deacon Pang shook his head, feeling the idea was impractical. Songhai had a permanent population of over twenty million, with more than ten million holding local household registrations.
"Of course it's difficult, which is why there's plenty of time." Xiahou Tianyuan smiled. "Regardless of whether this succeeds or not, you may enter the Xiahou family's treasury and select a Saint-stage item."
Deacon Pang smiled. "Fair enough."
Xiahou Tianyuan continued:
"The second matter: look up the files on Kangyang District's Yuanshi Tianzun for me. I want to uncover his identity in reality."
Deacon Pang frowned. "You want to retaliate against him?"
Xiahou Tianyuan took another sip from his teacup, his expression turning chillingly sinister. "Since he chose to oppose me, he is an enemy. Against an enemy, any means may be used."
There was another truth he was unwilling to admit: that kid was powerful—so powerful that it sparked his jealousy and his dread.
Deacon Pang pondered for a few seconds before saying gravely:
"Then you'd better do it cleanly. If it's traced back, I won't be able to protect you. I can't look up Yuanshi Tianzun's identity files; that requires Elder-level clearance.
"I have two suggestions for you. First, force the information out of his superior. Li Dongze definitely knows Yuanshi Tianzun's real identity. But if you do that, you'll have to kill Li Dongze."
"Wouldn't that be tantamount to telling everyone that I'm out to kill the kid?" Xiahou Tianyuan skipped that suggestion immediately and asked, "What about the second one?"
Deacon Pang said, "A little over two weeks ago, Yuanshi Tianzun killed a Bewitching Demon at Songhai University. That Bewitching Demon had just escaped pursuit, and no one could find him.
"Most likely, Yuanshi Tianzun ran into him by chance in Songhai."
Xiahou Tianyuan's eyes lit up. "He isn't very old. Are you saying he's a student at Songhai University?"
Deacon Pang held his teacup, sipping as he spoke, "That is for you to verify yourself."
The two exchanged a smile.
Just then, Deacon Pang frowned and looked toward the office door.
A few seconds later, hurried footsteps approached, and an official walker pushed the door open, looking pale as he said urgently:
"Deacon Pang, Deacon Fu from Kangyang District has barged in with his squad!"
Chapter 86