Guan Ya froze, her first reaction was disbelief. She clicked on the post and scanned the contents: "Primordial Heavenly Venerable was unexpectedly attacked last night and died at home. The cause of death is unknown."
The details of the incident were vague.
But experienced Official Walkers immediately understood:
Assassination!
An unknown cause of death and bizarre circumstances could only mean one thing: assassination.
Official Walkers from the Songhai Branch and other branches across the country were enraged after reading the post. They felt a strong sense of empathy for their assassinated colleague.
"Who did this? The Spiritual Energy Association or the Xiahou Family? Are they challenging the Five Elements Alliance?"
"It can't be the Xiahou Family, right? Primordial Heavenly Venerable had B-Rank Merit Points. Would the Xiahou Family go insane enough to assassinate him? If they did, the Elders' Council and Alliance Leaders would definitely sanction them."
"Are the Songhai Branch all useless? They couldn't even protect a genius like him? I just checked the Taiyi Sect forum—they're all mocking us, saying the Five Elements Alliance can't even protect its own people."
"What does this have to do with Songhai? It's the Kangyang District people who are incompetent."
"He died just like that? What a waste..."
Guan Ya's expression darkened as she scrolled through a few comments before closing the forum. She still refused to believe the post's claims.
On a whim, she opened her contacts and dialed Primordial's number.
If he answered, she'd tease him with a laugh, "Aren't you supposed to be dead? How are you still alive?"
But if the call went unanswered... if the call went unanswered...
"We're sorry, the number you've dialed is currently switched off. Please try again later."
Guan Ya's composure crumbled bit by bit, her face draining of color. She stood frozen for a few seconds before snatching her handbag and rushing toward the stairwell, her retreating figure stumbling and frantic.
She had to go to Primordial's home to confirm it herself.
Bursting out of the Glass Building, Guan Ya was about to get into her car when she froze again. She remembered: Primordial's cousin, Chen Yuanjun, was the Captain of the Security Team at the Kangyang District Public Security Bureau.
Immediately changing direction, she sprinted toward the Public Security Bureau Building in her high heels.
She stormed into the administrative building and demanded of the clerical staff at the reception desk:
"Is Captain Chen Yuanjun here today?"
The staff member clearly recognized Guan Ya and, surprised by her sudden inquiry about Captain Chen, smiled politely.
"Captain Chen is upstairs. Would you like me to call him down for you?"
Upstairs. Guan Ya scrutinized the clerical staff member, then shook her head. "No, never mind!"
Chen Yuanjun was working normally, but the staff member's eyes held curiosity and gossip. As a Scout, Guan Ya immediately sensed something was amiss.
Either Chen Yuanjun hadn't heard about his cousin's sacrifice, or Primordial wasn't dead.
She turned and left the Public Security Bureau Building, bathed in the warm sunlight. Finding a secluded spot, she took a deep breath and dialed Fu Qingyang's number.
"What is it?" Fu Qingyang's cold voice answered.
"Where's Primordial? Is he dead or alive?" Guan Ya asked in a low voice, holding her breath as she waited for his reply.
"We staged his death as part of a plan. He'll be 'dead' for a few days," Fu Qingyang said, his tone as calm as ever. "I've already informed Li Dongze. Since you know now, cooperate."
Guan Ya exhaled sharply, completely relaxing. "Can I ask why?"
"Your clearance level is too low. You're not authorized to know," Fu Qingyang replied flatly.
Guan Ya gritted her teeth. "I should have beaten you harder when we were kids."
"I have work to do. Don't bother me unless it's important," Fu Qingyang said before hanging up.
The bright sunlight matched Guan Ya's mood as she tucked away her phone. Carrying her bag, she walked toward the Glass Building.
Suddenly, she stopped, her delicate eyebrows furrowing.
Within the entire Official Organization, only she, Li Dongze, and Wang Tai knew Primordial's true identity. Fu Qingyang had informed Li Dongze and instructed him to cooperate, but he hadn't told his cousin, Guan Ya.
Fu Qingyang set down his phone, propped his elbows on the table, and interlaced his fingers beneath his chin.
His cousin clearly harbors more than just professional interest in the Primordial Heavenly Venerable.
Over the past few weeks, Guan Ya had frequently praised Primordial Heavenly Venerable to him, describing the young man as talented, capable, and intelligent. Initially, Fu Qingyang had dismissed it as normal admiration.
And indeed, it had been.
But he had quietly kept an eye on Guan Ya's attitude toward Primordial.
His recent test revealed that his cousin's fondness for the young man had deepened.
This was no good. The Fu family would never allow Guan Ya to marry someone of such low status. The husband his aunt had chosen came from a family that could rival the Fu clan in power and influence.
On the other hand, if this situation motivated Guan Ya to strive for greater achievements, it might not be entirely negative.
Hmm, Primordial probably doesn't even like her. A thought flashed through Fu Qingyang's mind: Unlike me, who only likes long legs in black stockings—my tastes are so simple.
The corner of his mouth twitched.
Guan Ya returned to her office and found Jiang Jingwei and Chief Teng Yuan deep in conversation, their expressions grave.
Seeing her enter, Teng Yuan adjusted his glasses and said in a low voice, "I've heard about Primordial Heavenly Venerable. He died for the Organization, a death in the line of duty. I believe his family deserves compensation."
Jiang Jingwei looked equally somber. "I failed to protect him properly."
Guan Ya paused thoughtfully. "Chief, how much do you think is appropriate?"
Teng Yuan replied solemnly, "A small goal. What do you think?"
Are you out of your mind? No one will take you seriously, Guan Ya thought, her lips twitching. "Whatever makes you happy. You can try submitting an application."
Having a rare day off and no morning classes, Zhang Yuanqing slept soundly. When he woke up, he found Little Goofball crawling around the room, Uncle's wallet perched on his head, entertaining himself.
This little rascal, Zhang Yuanqing sighed.
Why can't you find something else to play with? It's always Aunt's underwear or Uncle's wallet.
If this continued, the TV news might come to interview them with a headline like:
Aunt's Underwear Repeatedly Stolen, Uncle's Wallet Vanishes Again and Again: Is This Human Nature's Distortion or Moral Decay? Tune in tonight at 8 PM as we delve into the bizarre world of Zhang Yuanqing, the Ghostly Nephew!
When Zhang Yuanqing entered the living room, his aunt had already finished breakfast and was dressed immaculately, ready for work.
Zhang Yuanqing paused, surprised. "Aren't you going to be late?"
His aunt peeked into the kitchen, then whispered, "Shh! My grumpy grandmother just scolded me. Don't bring it up again—if she hears, she'll start nagging endlessly. It's so annoying."
She had overslept that morning, waking up at 8:30 AM, still curled under the covers, only to be jolted awake by her mother's angry slap on the rear.
Zhang Yuanqing scrutinized his aunt's flower-like face. Beneath her gentle eyes, dark circles were prominent, yet they only enhanced her delicate charm.
"What were you up to last night?" Zhang Yuanqing teased. "Practicing the Great Art of Harvesting Yang and Nourishing Yin on the sly?"
His aunt spat dismissively and struck a flamboyant pose. "I cultivate the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra!"
"Then I'll use my twenty years of honed Dog Beating Staff Technique to shatter your Jade Maiden Heart Sutra!" Zhang Yuanqing retorted.
The two exchanged a few clumsy punches in the living room before their grandmother stormed out of the kitchen, roaring, "Get to work already!"
Jiang Yu'er sashayed out the door, her hips swaying.
After a quick breakfast, Zhang Yuanqing returned to his room, retrieved his wallet from Little Goofball's head, and withdrew three crisp red bills. He instructed:
"Give it back."
Speaking of which, my idiot uncle still hasn't noticed the money is missing. No, he probably doesn't even realize his wallet is gone.
After watching the Little Goofball scamper out of the room, I shifted my attention back to the real matter at hand.
"If our operation in three days succeeds, we'll indeed be one step closer to the Black Guard of Impermanence. But 'Heaven's Injustice' likely doesn't know the Black Guard's hiding place. It all depends on what information we can extract through Inquire the Soul.
"Fu Qingyang must know this too. I just wonder what his next move will be."
Just then, my phone pinged with a new message.
Zhang Yuanqing, who wasn't expecting any messages for Primordial Heavenly Venerable, picked up his phone to check. He'd already removed the "Primordial Heavenly Venerable" SIM card last night.
Sender: Xiao Yuan
The phone number linked to this account was a burner SIM card my cousin had helped me obtain.
Naturally, I wouldn't be foolish enough to contact Auntie Xiao Yuan using the Primordial Heavenly Venerable alias.
What intelligence has she uncovered? Zhang Yuanqing's spirits lifted as he focused intently on reading the message:
"Another Vice President of the Spiritual Energy Association, a subordinate of the Gu King, has recently placed a bounty on the Black Guard of Impermanence and his followers in the black market. The Gu King might possess information about the Black Guard, but I haven't been able to confirm it.
"I've obtained the contact information for one of Gu King's subordinates. His Spirit Realm ID is 'Human Blood Steamed Bun', and his contact details are..."
"Secondly, the Evil Class's bounty list was updated yesterday. On the Saint Ranking, Fu Qingyang and Fire God are now tied for first place. On the Transcendent Ranking, Primordial Heavenly Venerable, an Official Walker from the Songhai Branch, has made the list, ranking at the very bottom. However, I've heard he's already dead—likely beheaded after the list was updated to claim the bounty. This information should be useful; you can report it to your superiors."
"Thirdly, Li Xianzong, a Level 3 Seductive Demon from the Military Doctrine Sect, recently assassinated a Level 4 Saint from the Spiritual Energy Association's Southern District Branch single-handedly. This feat alone should propel him into the top five of the Evil Class's Transcendent Phase rankings."
Fifty thousand yuan for this? What a rip-off! Auntie, maybe you should consider paying in kind? Zhang Yuanqing grumbled inwardly.
But after careful consideration, he realized the investment was well worth it.
The news of "Primordial Heavenly Venerable's death" had already spread through the black market frequented by the Evil Class. This meant the information had been successfully disseminated, significantly increasing the chances of success for tomorrow night's operation.
He also learned about the bounty lists. It turned out that not only the Official Organization offered bounties, but evil organizations also issued their own lists, targeting Elite Members of the Five Elements Alliance for assassination.
Despite having cleared two S-Rank Nightwalker trials consecutively, he had only made a fleeting appearance at the bottom of the list.
Who do they think they're underestimating? I'll be at the top, he muttered to himself, half-jokingly.
"I can definitely exploit this first piece of information. Even though the 'Human Blood Steamed Bun' is an Evil Class, the enemy of my enemy can still be my friend. When it comes to obtaining the Roster, I'm both friend and foe to the Officials."
Zhang Yuanqing had been fretting over how to steal the Roster, lacking a clear plan. His initial idea was to enlist the Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter's help.
But with the Black guard of Impermanence missing and no detailed plan possible, he felt deeply insecure.
Now, a bold idea suddenly struck him: perhaps he could not only rely on the Palace Master as an external ally but also collude with the enemy.
Stir up the chaos.
The Officials, Night Rose, Black guard of Impermanence, and Gu King were undoubtedly focused on the Holy Grail. At this moment, if the Sovereign-level Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter moved to seize the Roster, resistance would be minimal.
"Try contacting the Gu King's people."