Fu Qingyang is here?
Deacon Pang's brow twitched, and he abruptly rose to his feet.
Xiahou Tianyuan pondered aloud, "What kind of man is this Fu Qingyang?"
The Fu family was a Spirit Realm Family, a dominant force within the White Tiger Corps, and a towering figure in the entire Five Elements Alliance. Overseas, they controlled vast assets, making them notorious capitalists. In terms of family influence and wealth, the Xiahou family paled in comparison to the Fu family.
Deacon Pang considered the matter. "He's exceedingly arrogant and exceptionally talented. I heard that during his Transcendent Phase, he once faced a Saint Stage Evil Class practitioner head-on, fighting to the death without retreating. He actually managed to withstand the Saint's attacks for the duration of an incense stick's burn—a near-miraculous feat.
"Fu Qingyang has been stationed in Songhai for less than a year, and my interactions with him have been limited. However, from our few encounters, I can tell he's arrogant but not reckless."
Xiahou Tianyuan immediately relaxed, chuckling. "Good, as long as he's not reckless. The Fu family and the White Tiger Corps have extensive business dealings with the Xiahou family. He wouldn't risk severing ties over some ordinary person."
Deacon Pang remained silent, already hearing the approaching clamor of footsteps—a sizable group was closing in on the office.
Xiahou Tianyuan's face turned cold as he glared at the open office door.
A group of people came into view, led by a strikingly handsome man in a crisp white suit, his short ponytail adding to his sharp appearance.
To his left was a squinting man with disheveled hair and casual attire, while to his right stood the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, the very person who had thwarted his plans and become his enemy.
At that moment, the Primordial Heavenly Venerable was acting like Fu Qingyang's sycophantic follower.
Your smugness won't last long, Xiahou Tianyuan thought, his face darkening.
"Centurion Fu!" Deacon Pang greeted them with a smile. "What brings you here with such fanfare?"
Fu Qingyang glanced at Xiahou Tianyuan. "To make an arrest!"
Deacon Pang's smile remained unchanged. "Who?"
Unwilling to elaborate, Fu Qingyang let his sycophant, Zhang Yuanqing, speak up. "Xiahou Tianyuan is suspected of kidnapping and endangering public safety. With conclusive evidence, we're here to lawfully detain him."
Deacon Pang's expression turned grim. "Who asked for your opinion?" he snapped.
He turned back to Fu Qingyang, his smile returning. "Centurion Fu, Xiahou Tianyuan injured someone in my jurisdiction and has already been arrested. As for the kidnapping, he's confessed. According to regulations, this case now falls under Fenghua District's jurisdiction."
Fu Qingyang replied calmly, "You want to talk about regulations? Then let me tell you this: the victim's family reported the case to the Kangyang District Spirit Realm Walker Team this morning. My men neutralized the kidnappers and rescued the hostage. If we're going by the book, I have the stronger claim."
Deacon Pang shook his head. "I've already arrested the suspect. I can't hand him over to you. If this goes to the Elders' Council, I'll be in the right."
He knew, of course, that Fu Qingyang had the stronger legal position. That's why he'd devised this tactic: using regulations to block regulations, creating a bureaucratic stalemate.
Working for the Officials meant mastering the art of exploiting rules.
Xiahou Tianyuan chimed in from the side, "Centurion Fu, I've already confessed and am willing to accept punishment. What's the meaning of this relentless pressure?"
When Fu Qingyang remained silent, he chuckled. "Speaking of which, the Fu and Xiahou families have business ties and have been close for generations. I should even call you 'Esteemed Elder Brother.'"
Xiahou Tianyuan's meaning was clear: Are you really going to risk a feud with the Xiahou Family over some commoner?
Fu Qingyang didn't even glance at him. His gaze remained fixed on Deacon Pang as he said coldly, "I'm not here to negotiate."
Deacon Pang frowned. "Then what are you here for?"
Fu Qingyang opened his Inventory and summoned a Black Command Flag. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled it, and it struck the table with a clang, embedding itself right in front of Xiahou Tianyuan.
Xiahou Tianyuan shuddered violently, collapsing into the sofa. His muscles spasmed uncontrollably, his face contorted with fury, yet he remained paralyzed.
"Fu Qingyang!" Deacon Pang roared, his voice shaking with rage. "Are you trying to fight me?"
He pressed his hands against his chest, and waves of emerald light radiated outward, rippling across the office like a luminous tide.
Cracking sounds echoed as the floor and walls split open, and thick vines erupted, sealing the windows and doors. In an instant, the office transformed into a wooden cage.
Deacon Pang snorted coldly. "No one is leaving here today."
Slender vines sprouted from his skin, writhing like tentacles and weaving into a suit of vine armor.
Fu Qingyang drew a bronze sword from his Inventory. The three-foot-two blade, eight-sided and covered in verdigris, gleamed ominously.
Is this going to be a fight? Zhang Yuanqing thought, his heart pounding. If Saint Stage Walkers clash in this confined space, will we be caught in the crossfire?
He immediately glanced at Guan Ya, Ling Jun, White Dragon, and the other veteran Walkers, but their faces remained calm, utterly composed.
Too calm... Have I overestimated the combat power of Saint Stage fighters? As Zhang Yuanqing reeled in confusion, a blinding flash of sword light erupted before his eyes, forcing him to instinctively close his eyes.
A muffled groan followed.
When Zhang Yuanqing opened his eyes, he saw Deacon Pang, still clad in his vine armor, slumped on the floor, a massive pool of blood spreading from his abdomen.
"You can report me to the Elders' Council for assassinating a colleague," Fu Qingyang said, flicking the blood from his sword. "Of course, I'll also report you for protecting criminals and engaging in corruption. You're still lacking."
His voice was cold, his expression devoid of even the slightest disdain, as calm as a proud monarch punishing a lowly subject.
What's happening? Is Deacon Pang truly a Saint? Did I overestimate the Saints, or did I overestimate him? Zhang Yuanqing wondered inwardly, his mind racing.
He had heard Li Dongze and Guan Ya mention that Fu Qingyang possessed exceptional talent and was the most promising candidate among the Five Elements Alliance's current generation to be promoted to Elder.
But mere words had failed to convey the full weight of that potential.
Now, Zhang Yuanqing grasped the reality with stark clarity—Fu Qingyang was indeed a prodigy.
No wonder Ling Jun, Guan Ya, and the others remained so composed.
Xiahou Tianyuan, slumped on the sofa, watched the scene unfold, his face paling.
Fu Qingyang ignored Deacon Pang, walked to the coffee table, retrieved the Black Command Flag, and stored it in his Inventory.
Xiahou Tianyuan immediately sprang to his feet, his voice trembling with false bravado. "Fu Qingyang, I am a direct descendant of the Xiahou Family! Do you truly intend to make an enemy of the Xiahou Family?"
Fu Qingyang raised the hilt of his sword and struck Xiahou Tianyuan's head.
Xiahou Tianyuan leaned back, narrowly avoiding the blow.
Thud!
The heavy impact sent a searing pain through his skull, his consciousness shattering instantly. As he lost consciousness, only one thought echoed in his mind: I clearly dodged it...
Fu Qingyang turned and left.
"Take him away!"
Official Forum
Repost: Shocking! Xiahou Tianyuan Suspected of Kidnapping, Endangering Social Stability, Arrested by Centurion Fu of Kangyang District
By evening, a post reposted from the Taiyi Sect's official forum had sparked heated debate among Walkers of the Five Elements Alliance.
The post detailed the incident: Kangyang District Second Team Walker Primordial Heavenly Venerable received a report from the victim's family, who claimed Xiahou Tianyuan had kidnapped their relatives using despicable and lawless methods.
The righteous Primordial Heavenly Venerable, enraged, took action. After a grueling struggle, he killed the kidnappers and rescued the hostages.
Subsequently, Fu Qingyang led a team to arrest Xiahou Tianyuan.
Notably, the original poster was named Yuan Ting.
"Kidnapping? Tsk, the Xiahou Family is becoming increasingly lawless."
"Hasn't the Xiahou Family always been like this? Which Spirit Realm Family is truly virtuous and humble? Still, daring to cause trouble in Songhai this time means they've finally met their match."
"Centurion Fu won't tolerate this. They should have been punished long ago. The Xiahou Family, relying on their connections with high-ranking officials, has long disregarded the rules."
"Upstairs, watch your words. Your colleagues might come check your water meter tonight."
"This Primordial Heavenly Venerable is interesting. I like him."
"Young people are always full of fighting spirit, but I'm worried about retaliation from the Xiahou Family. Kidnapping ordinary people is enough to get an Unaffiliated Walker in trouble, but I doubt it will touch Xiahou Tianyuan."
"If the Xiahou Family dares to retaliate against the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, it's a declaration of war against us. I just hope they don't resort to dirty tactics. I wonder how this will play out."
"The Xiahou Family is already moving. I heard several Deacons in Songhai have reported Centurion Fu, demanding the Elders' Council convene a trial."
"A trial? On what grounds?"
"I know this. Centurion Fu stabbed Deacon Pang from our district."
"This..."
After dinner, Zhang Yuanqing scrolled through the forum comments and silently closed his screen.
The dining table felt unusually quiet tonight. His aunt and cousin were both working night shifts, leaving only his grandparents and him at home.
Before dinner, his uncle had come over to challenge his heir to a dance-off, but his grandmother chased him away.
The two men weren't embarrassed, but his grandmother found the situation awkward.
"I wonder if Centurion Fu can handle this," Zhang Yuanqing murmured, lying on his bed, quietly awaiting the outcome of the meeting.
The pressure had mounted immediately after Xiahou Tianyuan's arrest. Through Xiahou Xin's influence, officials with ties to the Xiahou Family—deacons from the Five Elements Alliance and captains from the Taiyi Sect—flooded Fu Qingyang with calls, urging him to reconsider or pleading for leniency.
Guan Ya mentioned that even members of the Fu family had called Fu Qingyang, demanding Tianyuan's release, though the Fu Family Council of Elders remained silent.
In truth, the one most affected by this situation wasn't Fu Qingyang, but Zhang Yuanqing himself. Yet the Centurion had shouldered the burden.
Guan Ya explained, "You're his little brother. He'll always have your back!"
Deeply moved, Zhang Yuanqing asked, "Is Centurion Fu really that loyal?"
Guan Ya replied, "No, he's just full of himself."
Upstairs in the luxurious villa, on the second-floor balcony, Fu Qingyang sat with a wine glass in hand, enjoying the gentle breeze.
Across the round table, Ling Jun squatted on a single-person sofa. "Speaking of which, Deacon Pang is a member of the Hundred Flowers Association. You're showing me a bit of disrespect, aren't you?"
Fu Qingyang raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Are you implying you were also involved in protecting Xiahou Tianyuan?"
Ling Jun flew into a rage. "So, I thought you were Yue Fei, but you're actually Qin Hui!"
He picked up a piece of honeydew melon with a toothpick, ate it, and sighed. "Your method of winning people over is quite effective. That kid Primordial will be your little lackey soon."
Fu Qingyang frowned. "I call it winning people over with virtue."
He disliked the utilitarian description "winning people over," but he didn't bother to explain.
Ling Jun squatted on the sofa, pinched his phone between two fingers, and checked the time.
"Five minutes until the meeting starts. Have you figured out how to handle them? The Fu Family Elders' Council didn't hold you accountable, which is good, but they're unlikely to support you now.
"Without the Fu family backing you, those guys won't fear you anymore. After all, you're just a Deacon."
Ling Jun winked. "Want me to help you? Just call me 'Older Brother.'"
Fu Qingyang said coldly, "You have no intention of helping me."
Given his personality, how could he possibly call someone "Older Brother"? Ling Jun knew this, hence his insincere offer.
Ling Jun sighed. "The kidnapping charge won't bring down Xiahou Tianyuan. Xiahou Chi is still in Songhai—he's Tianyuan's grandfather. As long as he stands, Tianyuan will be safe."
Xiahou Chi was the one who fought the Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter.
Fu Qingyang didn't argue. It was the truth.
He glanced at his wristwatch and stood up. "I'm going to the meeting."
In the study, a tall, slender bunny girl had already opened his computer and logged into the conference software.
The Five Elements Alliance had a rule: small meetings were held in person, while large conferences were conducted online.
Large conferences were easily leaked, and if things went wrong, they could become targets for "nuclear strikes" by Evil Class members. Of course, exceptions were made for annual reports from the Taiyi Sect and the Alliance Leader's meetings of the Five Elements Alliance.
As the appointed time arrived, the Deacons began logging in one by one.
The computer screen displayed twenty-two participants, representing two-thirds of the Deacons from the Songhai Branch.
This particular conference had been convened at the joint request of several Songhai Branch Deacons to the Elders' Council. Similar meetings occurred several times a year in Songhai.
Typically, such conferences were initiated by the Elders themselves. However, when matters proved too complex for local resolution, Deacons could submit a request for a large-scale conference.
The agenda for this meeting included the handling of the Xiahou Family's direct descendants, Deacon Pang's accusations against Fu Qingyang for maliciously harming a colleague, and Fu Qingyang's counter-accusations against Deacon Pang for protecting criminals, corruption, and dereliction of duty.
All microphones were muted.
Elder Teddy, presiding over the conference, spoke in a deep voice:
"You have only fifteen minutes. After that, I want a resolution."
The highest authority in the Songhai Branch rested with the Five Elders, followed by the Deacons of each district, and then the Spirit Realm Walker Teams.
As one of the Five Elders, holding immense power and authority, Elder Teddy cared little for the life or death of a direct descendant from a Spirit Realm Family and had no intention of wasting time on this matter.
"Pang Wudi, you speak first," Elder Teddy said, activating Deacon Pang's microphone.
"Elder, Xiahou Tianyuan injured someone in my jurisdiction. I arrested him strictly according to regulations. Fu Qingyang led a team to forcibly break into my office and nearly killed me. According to the Five Elements Alliance's rules, harming a colleague warrants execution."
Several Deacons immediately typed their agreement, demanding severe punishment for Fu Qingyang.
Elder Teddy promptly granted Fu Qingyang speaking privileges. "Fu Qingyang, do you have anything to say?"
"Everything I need to say is in my report," Fu Qingyang replied coolly.
Elder Teddy's voice deepened. "You knew Xiahou Tianyuan had already surrendered, yet you still tried to seize him, disregarding the Five Elements Alliance's rules. That's the truth, isn't it?"
"It is," Fu Qingyang answered coldly.
Elder Teddy muted Fu Qingyang and turned to Deacon Pang. "Pang Wudi, tell me first: Xiahou Tianyuan injured someone in your jurisdiction, so why did he voluntarily confess to the kidnapping case? Is it because your heroic image overwhelmed him with remorse?"
Deacon Pang replied, "Xiahou Tianyuan knew he had committed a crime and surrendered himself."
Fu Qingyang scoffed.
Elder Teddy's tone turned icy.
"Internal meeting. I won't waste your time. The hostages were rescued before Xiahou Tianyuan surrendered. He turned himself in to protect himself—that's my assessment. Fu Qingyang has reported you for embezzlement, bribery, and shielding criminals, Pang Wudi. You'd better have an explanation."
"These accusations are false," Pang Wudi said sternly.
"Can you withstand scrutiny?" Elder Teddy scoffed.
Pang Wudi fell silent.
The frantic typing of the other Deacons slowed considerably.
Elder Teddy continued:
"Since everyone's at fault, let's split the blame evenly. The Black Guard of Impermanence case still needs investigation, and I'll settle accounts with you two later. For now, let's move on. Regarding Xiahou Tianyuan's punishment, I want to hear your opinions."
Immediately, seven or eight Deacons requested to speak.
"Elder, Xiahou Tianyuan's targets were family members of Palace of Ceasing Slaughter members. While his actions were wrong, he intended no harm—he was merely trying to lure out his targets. We should consider leniency."
"Elder, Xiahou Tianyuan is a direct descendant of the Xiahou Family. Given the lack of significant consequences, a lighter punishment is necessary. Let him compensate the victims, secure their forgiveness, and confine him for ten days to two weeks."
"Kidnapping is unacceptable and deserves punishment. Half a month in confinement should suffice."
Elder Teddy pondered. While the Elders held ultimate decision-making authority, the Deacons were the ones who carried out the work. He needed to consider their perspectives.
Furthermore, several members of the Fu family who were peripheral to the core had secretly contacted him, subtly suggesting a low-profile and lenient approach to the matter.
However, half a month was far too short to satisfy public opinion, Elder Teddy said flatly:
"Xiahou Tianyuan violated the Public Security Law by inciting kidnapping. He will be imprisoned for two months."
The deacons, led by Pang Wudi, offered no further protest. While not their ideal outcome, two months was acceptable—a period for reflection and self-cultivation.
"Elder, I have something to say!" Fu Qingyang typed in response.
Elder Teddy granted him the floor. "You have five minutes."
What else does he want? Pang Wudi and the other deacons frowned inwardly.
Fu Qingyang's voice remained calm and measured:
"My investigation has uncovered substantial evidence of Xiahou Tianyuan's crimes. In February of this year, he leveraged his family's influence to coerce multiple businesses in Coastal Province into selling their shares at drastically reduced prices.
"Last November, he colluded with local state-owned enterprise leaders to embezzle public assets. In August of the previous year, he committed three counts of rape. Two cases were settled with hush money, but the third victim refused to compromise. He then dispatched a captive Spirit Realm Walker to silence her permanently."
"Furthermore, multiple reports accuse him of secretly bribing Wild Spirit Realm Walkers to act as his enforcers, carrying out illegal activities on his behalf. He also allegedly kept underage girls captive for the amusement of his cronies."
"I have detailed criminal records, evidence, and sworn testimonies from some of the victims."
The conference room fell silent for a long moment.
Deacons like Pang Wudi felt a chill run down their spines, a mix of shock and fury. How had Fu Qingyang managed to uncover so much information and gather such damning evidence in such a short time?
The answer flashed through their minds: the Xiahou Family!
A traitor within their own ranks. It had to be.
No outsider could have obtained such detailed criminal records on Xiahou Tianyuan.
Had Fu Qingyang been plotting against Xiahou Tianyuan all along? Had he secretly contacted other factions within the Xiahou Family and been gathering evidence for years?
It was over.
"I'll provide you with copies of the materials later," Fu Qingyang added.
As soon as he finished speaking, the deacons who had remained silent throughout the meeting suddenly began clamoring for Xiahou Tianyuan's severe punishment, as if they had rehearsed their responses beforehand.
Elder Teddy pondered for a few seconds before asking, "Does anyone else wish to speak?"
The only remaining option was for Xiahou Chi to step forward himself. Pang Wudi and the others knew the tide had turned against them and chose to remain silent.
"I will verify the evidence. Until then, Xiahou Tianyuan will be placed under Fu Qingyang's custody. Meeting adjourned!"
"The meeting's over?"
In his room, Zhang Yuanqing, having received Fu Qingyang's message, jolted upright in bed and read it carefully.
Fu Qingyang's message stated that Xiahou Tianyuan's criminal records had been submitted. While the sentencing was yet to be determined, he wouldn't be out for at least several years.
However, the Centurion subtly mentioned that Xiahou Tianyuan's grandfather, Xiahou Chi, was currently in Songhai. Though under the Five Elements Alliance's control, he remained a ticking time bomb.
Zhang Yuanqing was advised to prioritize his safety, refrain from reporting to the Kangyang District Public Security Bureau for the time being, and await further instructions.
Besides Xiahou Chi, there's also Xiahou Xin. Now that I've sent his son to prison, he might resort to desperate measures for revenge. If things get too dangerous, I'll contact the Palace of Ceasing Slaughter for a decisive strike against the Xiahou Family.
With this thought, Zhang Yuanqing dialed Wang Qian's number.
The call was answered by the Infatuated Great Sage, who replied, "Wait a little longer."
The Palace Master was still in an Instance and unreachable.
If she's stuck in there, we're in big trouble, Zhang Yuanqing muttered before burying his head in his pillow and going back to sleep.
At four in the morning, he was jolted awake by his phone ringing.
The caller ID showed Wang Qian.
Zhang Yuanqing's spirits lifted instantly, his drowsiness vanishing as he answered the call.
The Infatuated Great Sage's voice was unusually cheerful:
"Our Palace Master has emerged! She wants to see you."