Chapter 87: Contact from Zhisha Palace

Chapter 87: The Cease-Killing Palace's Contact

Fu Qingyang has come?

Steward Pang's brow twitched, and he rose abruptly.

Xiahou Tianyuan mused, "What manner of man is this Fu Qingyang?"

The Fu clan was a Spirit Realm aristocratic family, one of the leading powers of the White Tiger Legion, a Mount Tai and North Star existence within the entire Five Elements Alliance.

The Fu clan also controlled vast assets overseas; they were wicked big capitalists.

Speaking purely of clan influence and financial power, the Xiahou family fell considerably short of the Fu clan.

Steward Pang pondered:

"This man is exceedingly proud, possessed of extraordinary talent. I've heard that during his Transcendent stage, he once faced a Saint-realm Evil Professional head-on, refusing to retreat, and actually endured for the span of an incense stick beneath a Saint's hands—a feat that can only be called a miracle.

"Fu Qingyang has been assigned to Songhai for less than a year, and my dealings with him are not deep. But from our limited interactions, though he is proud, he is no hotheaded fool."

Xiahou Tianyuan immediately set his mind at ease, laughing. "As long as he's no hotheaded fool. The Fu clan and the White Tiger Legion have no small amount of business dealings with the Xiahou clan; for the sake of a mere ordinary man, I doubt he would turn hostile against me."

Steward Pang said nothing. He had already heard chaotic footsteps approaching the office, and their number was not few.

Xiahou Tianyuan's face turned cold as he looked toward the wide-open office door.

A group of people appeared in his vision. The leader wore a crisp white suit, devastatingly handsome, sporting a dashing short ponytail.

To his left stood a man with disheveled hair, dressed casually, eyes narrowed to slits; to his right was precisely the one who had ruined his plans, his enemy—Yuan Shi Tianzun.

At this moment, Yuan Shi Tianzun clung to Fu Qingyang like a lackey.

You won't be smug for long... Xiahou Tianyuan's face remained impassive.

"Centurion Fu!" Steward Pang went forward to greet him, smiling. "Coming to my place with such fanfare—what noble business brings you?"

Fu Qingyang glanced at Xiahou Tianyuan. "To arrest someone!"

Steward Pang's smile did not waver. "Who?"

Fu Qingyang was disinclined to speak further. His lackey, Zhang Yuanqing, spoke up at the perfect moment: "Xiahou Tianyuan is suspected of kidnapping, endangering social stability. The evidence is conclusive. We are here to lawfully detain him."

Steward Pang's expression darkened. He snorted coldly. "Is this a place for you to speak?"

He turned to look at Fu Qingyang, smiling again:

"Centurion Fu, Xiahou Tianyuan injured someone within my jurisdiction and has already been arrested. As for the kidnapping case, he has confessed without reservation. By the rules, this matter is now a case for my Fenghua District."

Fu Qingyang said indifferently, "You want to talk rules with me? Then let me tell you—the victim's family reported the case to the Kangyang District Spirit Realm Walker Squad this very morning. My men shot dead the kidnappers and rescued the hostage. If we're going by rules, my justification outweighs yours."

Steward Pang shook his head. "The man is already in my custody. I cannot hand him over. If this goes to the Council of Elders, I still hold the right."

He naturally knew Fu Qingyang held the greater right, which was precisely why he had devised this method—using rules to block rules, so he could drag things out.

In official business, one must know how to exploit regulations.

Beside him, Xiahou Tianyuan chimed in:

"Centurion Fu, I have already surrendered myself and am willing to accept punishment. What is the meaning of this aggressive pressure?"

Seeing Fu Qingyang remain silent, he smiled and said, "Speaking of which, the Fu and Xiahou families have business dealings; the two clans are old friends, so I really ought to address you as 'Clan Brother'."

The meaning in Xiahou Tianyuan's words was plain: You really intend to turn against my Xiahou clan for the sake of a mere ordinary person?

Fu Qingyang didn't even spare him a glance, staring fixedly at Steward Pang, and said coolly:

"I'm not here to negotiate."

Steward Pang frowned: "Then what are you here for?"

Fu Qingyang opened his inventory, summoned a black command flag, flicked his wrist and threw it; with a *ding*, it nailed itself into the tabletop, right before Xiahou Tianyuan.

Xiahou Tianyuan shuddered violently, collapsing onto the sofa, his muscles twitching and spasming; his face was contorted with shock and rage, yet he could scarcely move.

"Fu Qingyang!"

Steward Pang flew into a rage, demanding, "You want to fight me?"

He pressed both hands to his chest, and waves of greenish light spread out, sweeping across the office like ripples.

*Crack, crack* went the sounds incessantly; the floor and walls split open, and thick vines burst forth, sealing windows and doors—in the blink of an eye, the office had been turned into a wooden cage.

Steward Pang snorted coldly: "Today, no one is leaving this place..."

Slender vines sprouted over his body, extending and writhing like tentacles, weaving themselves into a suit of vine armor.

From his inventory, Fu Qingyang seized a bronze sword, three feet two inches long, its blade eight-sided, coated in verdigris.

Is this it? A fight? Saints—Walkers of the Saint stage—clashing in such a confined space; would the collateral damage reach us? Zhang Yuanqing felt a chill in his heart.

He immediately looked toward Guan Ya, Ling Jun, Bai Long, and the others, only to find these veteran Walkers wearing calm expressions, utterly composed.

Too composed, surely? Have I overestimated the combat power of the Saint realm? Bewildered, Zhang Yuanqing suddenly saw a flash of keen sword light before his eyes, stabbing him into instinctively shutting them.

Immediately after, a muffled grunt rang out beside his ear.

Zhang Yuanqing opened his eyes to look: Steward Pang, clad in vine armor, had fallen seated on the ground, great gouts of fresh blood surging from his lower abdomen.

"You can report me to the Elder Council for assassinating a colleague; naturally, I will report you for harboring a criminal, for corruption and embezzlement." Fu Qingyang shook the blood from his blade's edge. "You still fall short."

His voice was cold, his expression devoid of even a shred of disdain, calm as a haughty king punishing a lowly subject.

What just happened? Is this Steward Pang really a Saint? I didn't overestimate Saints; I overestimated *him*. Zhang Yuanqing was secretly astonished.

He had long heard Li Dongze and Guan Ya say that Fu Qingyang possessed outstanding talent, the one in this generation of the Five Elements Alliance most likely to ascend to Elder.

But hearsay carries no true weight in the heart.

Now, Zhang Yuanqing had a clear concept in his heart—truly, a heaven-gifted genius.

No wonder Ling Jun, Guan Ya, and the rest were so steady.

Xiahou Tianyuan, slumped on the sofa, watched this scene, his face turning pale.

Fu Qingyang didn't bother looking at Steward Pang; he walked to the tea table, pulled out the black command flag, and returned it to his inventory.

Xiahou Tianyuan instantly leapt up, blustering to mask his fear: "Fu Qingyang, I am a direct descendant of the Xiahou clan; do you really intend to make an enemy of the Xiahou family...?"

Fu Qingyang raised the sword hilt and brought it down toward his skull.

Xiahou Tianyuan leaned his upper body back, dodging the strike.

Bang!

His head was smashed heavily, agonizing pain surged forth, his consciousness instantly dissolving. Before he passed out, only a single thought echoed: I clearly dodged it...

Fu Qingyang turned and left:

"Take him away!"

...

The 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 sparked heated discussion among the Wuxing League Walkers.

The post detailed the sequence of events: Walker Yuanshi Tianzun of Kangyang District's Team Two received a report; the victim's family claimed Xiahou Tianyuan had kidnapped their relative, his methods despicable, utterly lawless.

The righteous Yuanshi Tianzun, enraged, took action. After enduring countless hardships, he slew the kidnapper and rescued the hostage.

Subsequently, Fu Qingyang led a team to arrest Xiahou Tianyuan.

Worth noting, the poster's name was Yuan Ting.

"Kidnapping? Tsk, the Xiahou family is getting more and more lawless."

"Hasn't the Xiahou family always been this way? Which of those Spirit Realm aristocratic families is gentle, courteous, respectful, and frugal? Still, daring to stir up trouble in our Songhai this time, they've hit a hard nail."

"Centurion Fu doesn't coddle him. He should have been dealt with long ago. Relying on their dealings with the higher-ups, the Xiahou family stopped caring about the rules ages ago."

"Upstairs, watch your mouth. Careful your colleagues come check your water meter tonight."

"This Yuanshi Tianzun is interesting. I like him."

"Young people are always full of fighting spirit, ah. But I fear he'll be targeted by the Xiahou family. Kidnapping ordinary citizens is enough to give a wild Walker a headache, but they probably can't touch Xiahou Tianyuan."

"If the Xiahou family dares retaliate against Yuanshi Tianzun, that's declaring war on us. Just afraid they'll play dirty. Wonder how the aftermath will go."

"The Xiahou family is already pulling strings. Heard several Stewards in Songhai have jointly reported Centurion Fu, requesting the Elders convene a tribunal to try him."

"Try him? On what grounds?"

"I know this. Our district's Steward Pang was stabbed by Centurion Fu."

"This..."

Zhang Yuanqing finished dinner, scrolled through the forum comments, and silently turned off the screen.

Tonight's dinner table was exceptionally quiet. His aunt was on the night shift, his cousin was on the night shift; only his maternal grandparents and he were home.

Before dinner, his uncle came over to challenge the Robe-Bearer Successor to a dance-off, but was chased back by his grandmother.

The two dancing weren't awkward, but the grandmother felt awkward.

"Wonder if Centurion Fu can handle this..." Zhang Yuanqing lay in bed, quietly awaiting the meeting's outcome.

After arresting Xiahou Tianyuan, the pressure came. Under Xiahou Xin's maneuvering, those officials with ties to the Xiahou family—Wuxing League Stewards, Taiyi Sect Captains—called Fu Qingyang one after another.

Some persuaded, others pleaded.

According to Guan Ya, the Fu family had also called Fu Qingyang demanding the release, but the Fu clan's council of elders had not taken a stance.

In truth, the one with a vested interest in this matter wasn't Fu Qingyang—it was him.

But the Centurion had shouldered the burden.

Guan Ya's explanation: "You're his little brother; he'll definitely cover for you!"

Zhang Yuanqing was deeply moved. "Centurion Fu is so righteous?"

Guan Ya said: "No, he's just full of himself."

...

Luxury villa, second floor.

Fu Qingyang sat on the balcony, wine glass in hand, enjoying the gentle breeze.

Across the round table, Ling Jun perched on a single sofa. "Speaking of which, Steward Pang is from the Hundred Flowers Society. You're not giving me much face."

Fu Qingyang: "Oh? So you're saying you also took part in shielding Xiahou Tianyuan."

Ling Jun flared up. "Fine. I thought you were Yue Fei; turns out you're Qin Hui."

He speared a piece of honeydew with a toothpick, eating as he remarked, "Your method of winning hearts is impressive. That kid Yuan Shi—he'll be your little lackey someday."

Fu Qingyang frowned. "This is called winning people over with virtue."

He disliked the calculating description of "winning hearts," but couldn't be bothered to explain.

Ling Jun crouched on the sofa, phone pinched between two fingers, checking the time:

"Five minutes till the meeting starts. Have you figured out how to handle them? The Fu elders didn't hold you accountable—that's good—but they're unlikely to back you publicly.

"Without the Fu family, those guys won't fear you anymore. After all, you're just a steward."

Ling Jun winked. "Want my help? Just call me Big Brother."

Fu Qingyang said coldly, "You don't actually want to help me."

Given his personality, how could he ever call someone Big Brother? Ling Jun knew this well, hence the complete lack of sincerity.

Ling Jun sighed. "Kidnapping charges won't kill Xiahou Tianyuan. Xiahou Chi is still in Songhai—he's Xiahou Tianyuan's grandfather. As long as he stands, Xiahou Tianyuan will be fine."

Xiahou Chi was the one who had fought the Palace Master of Slaughter.

Fu Qingyang didn't argue. It was fact.

He glanced at his watch, rose, and headed for the study. "I'm off 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 in person, large meetings online.

Large meetings leak easily; one slip and evil classes might drop a "nuke." Of course, exceptions existed—like the Taiyi Sect's annual performance review or the Five Elements Alliance's leader summit.

As the hour struck, the stewards came online one after another.

The computer screen displayed the attendee count: twenty-two. Two-thirds of the Songhai Branch deacons had arrived.

This meeting had been convened at the joint petition of several Songhai deacons to the Council of Elders; similar gatherings occurred in Songhai several times a year.

Usually, the Elders took the initiative to call them; but when a matter proved too difficult to adjudicate, deacons could also submit a request for a full assembly.

The agenda for this session: the handling of a direct descendant of the Xiahou clan, and the mutual accusations between Deacon Pang and Fu Qingyang—Fu charged with malicious assault on a colleague, Pang with harboring a criminal, corruption, and dereliction of duty.

Everyone’s microphones were muted.

Presiding Elder Teddy intoned, “I give you fifteen minutes. In fifteen minutes, I want a verdict.”

The Songhai Branch’s upper echelon consisted of five Elders; beneath them sat the district deacons, and below them, the various Spirit Realm Walker squads.

As one of the five high-ranking Elders, Teddy cared little for the life or death of a direct descendant from a Spirit Realm aristocratic family; he had no intention of wasting excessive time on this affair.

“Pang Wudi, you speak first.” Elder Teddy unmuted Deacon Pang.

“Elder, Xiahou Tianyuan assaulted someone in my jurisdiction; I arrested him strictly by the book. Fu Qingyang led a team to storm my office and nearly killed me. Under the Five Elements Alliance code, murdering a colleague warrants execution.”

A faction of deacons immediately typed their assent, demanding severe punishment for Fu Qingyang.

Elder Teddy promptly granted Fu Qingyang voice access. “Fu Qingyang. What have you to say?”

“Everything I need to say is in the report.” Fu Qingyang’s tone was flat.

Elder Teddy’s voice deepened. “You knew Xiahou Tianyuan had already surrendered, yet you still tried to seize him, flouting Alliance regulations. That is fact. Am I wrong?”

“No.” Fu Qingyang’s voice was cold.

Elder Teddy cut his mic and turned to Deacon Pang. “Pang Wudi, tell me this: Xiahou Tianyuan injured someone in your district, so why did he voluntarily confess to the kidnapping? Is your image so towering, Pang Wudi, that it struck awe into his heart?”

Deacon Pang replied, “Xiahou Tianyuan knew he was in the wrong; that is why he surrendered.”

Fu Qingyang let out a cold laugh.

Elder Teddy’s tone turned frigid.

“This is an internal meeting, so I’ll dispense with pleasantries. Before Xiahou Tianyuan surrendered, the hostage had already been rescued. He turned himself in for self-preservation—that is my judgment. Fu Qingyang accuses you of embezzlement, bribery, and harboring a criminal. Pang Wudi, you had best give me an explanation.”

“No such thing.” Pang Wudi’s voice was heavy.

“Can you withstand an investigation?” Elder Teddy snorted.

Pang Wudi fell silent.

The typing frequency of the other deacons quieted considerably.

Elder Teddy continued:

“Since both of you are at fault, we’ll split the difference—fifty strokes each. The Hei Wuchang case remains under investigation; I’ll settle accounts with you two later. This matter is closed. As for the disposition of Xiahou Tianyuan, I want to hear your opinions.”

Immediately, seven or eight deacons requested to unmute.

“Elder, the target of Xiahou Tianyuan’s kidnapping was a family member of a Zhisha Palace member. Though he erred, he bore no intent to harm; it was merely bait to lure the target. Lenience is warranted.”

“Elder, Xiahou Tianyuan is, after all, a direct scion of the Xiahou clan. In the absence of major consequences, a light sentence is necessary. Let him compensate the victim, secure their forgiveness, and serve ten days to half a month in detention—that will suffice.”

“Kidnapping is unacceptable. He must be punished. Lock him up for half a month.”

Elder Teddy mused; though Elders held decision-making power, it was the Deacons who actually got things done, and he had to weigh the Deacons' demands.

Besides, those few of the Fu family who orbited outside the core had contacted him privately, tactfully expressing a desire for a low-key resolution, for leniency.

But half a month was too little, insufficient to appease the masses. Elder Teddy said coolly:

“Xiahou Tianyuan violated the Public Security Law, incited kidnapping. Imprison him for two months.”

Two months... The Deacons led by Pang Wudi protested no further. Though it wasn't the outcome they most desired, two months would suffice—let it be a period of cultivation and reflection.

“Elder, I have something to say!”

Fu Qingyang replied by typing.

Elder Teddy unmuted him. “You have five minutes.”

What is he up to now? Pang Wudi and the other Deacons frowned inwardly.

Fu Qingyang's voice was steady, unhurried:

“According to my investigation, I have gathered considerable criminal evidence on Xiahou Tianyuan. In February of this year, relying on his clan's influence, he coerced several local enterprises in the coastal province into selling shares at rock-bottom prices.

“In November last year, he colluded with leaders of local state-owned enterprises to embezzle state assets. In August last year, he committed three counts of rape; two were settled with money, and when the victim of the third refused to settle, he dispatched his kept Spirit Realm Walkers to silence her permanently.

“Furthermore, many have reported that he privately lures wild Spirit Realm Walkers to act as his thugs, doing his dirty work. He keeps underage girls for the debauched pleasure of his fox-and-dog friends...

“I possess detailed criminal dossiers, evidence, and signed accusations from some of the victims.”

The conference room fell silent for a long moment.

A chill ran through Pang Wudi and the other Deacons—shock and rage intertwined. How had Fu Qingyang uncovered so much information and gathered evidence in such a short time?

In the next second, the answer surfaced in their minds: The Xiahou Family!

A traitor within. It had to be a traitor within.

No outsider could possibly possess such detailed criminal records on Xiahou Tianyuan.

He had long wanted to take down Xiahou Tianyuan? Had long since secretly contacted other factions within the Xiahou Family and compiled the evidence?

It's over...

“I will send you the files shortly,” Fu Qingyang added.

As his words fell, those Deacons who had stayed silent from start to finish spoke up one after another, demanding severe punishment for Xiahou Tianyuan, as if they had coordinated it beforehand.

Elder Teddy pondered for a few seconds, then asked at last:

“Does anyone else wish to speak.”

Only Xiahou Chi stepping forward himself would do now... Pang Wudi and the others knew the tide of this meeting had turned irrevocably; they chose silence.

“I will verify the evidence. Until then, Xiahou Tianyuan will be placed in your custody, Fu Qingyang. Meeting dismissed!”

...

“The meeting is over?”

In the room, Zhang Yuanqing, having received a message from Fu Qingyang, bolted upright in bed, reading the contents with rapt attention.

Fu Qingyang stated in the message that Xiahou Tianyuan’s criminal dossier had been submitted; sentencing was pending, but he wouldn't be seeing the light of day for years.

However, the Centurion vaguely alluded to the fact that Xiahou Tianyuan’s grandfather, Xiahou Chi, was currently in Songhai. Though controlled by the Five Elements Alliance, he remained a ticking time bomb.

He warned Zhang Yuanqing to mind his safety of late, to avoid reporting to the Kangyang District Police Bureau for now, and to await further word.

"Besides Xiahou Chi, there's still Xiahou Xin. With his son sent to prison by my hand, should he leap the wall in desperation and retaliate, I’d be in grave danger... I need to contact the Slaughter-Stopping Palace, deal the Xiahou clan a fatal blow."

Mulling this over, Zhang Yuanqing dialed Wang Qian’s number.

The one who answered was the Love-Mad Great Sage, and the reply given was: Wait a little longer.

The Palace Master had entered a dungeon instance and not yet returned; they couldn't reach her.

If she perished inside the instance, that would be one hell of a spectacle... Zhang Yuanqing muttered, then buried his head and went back to sleep.

At four in the morning, he was roused by the shrill ring of his phone.

The caller ID displayed Wang Qian.

Zhang Yuanqing’s spirits lifted instantly, all drowsiness vanishing; he answered immediately.

The Love-Mad Great Sage spoke, her tone remarkably buoyant:

"Our Palace Master is out. She wants to see you."