Realm Walker

Chapter 86: Each Playing Their Hand (II)

Zhang Yuanqing glanced sideways at the young woman beside him. She sat ramrod straight, both hands gripping the steering wheel.

"Everything you heard today, don't breathe a word of it to anyone. Otherwise your brother is a dead man." Zhang Yuanqing's tone was deliberately menacing.

Wang Qian's sister opened her mouth as if to speak, then thought better of it and simply nodded.

Good, very obedient. Should he let Little Goofball out to meet her birth mother? On second thought, an ordinary person seeing a spirit entity would probably faint on the spot. It was better to let her focus on driving. Oh right, now that he had control of the Spirit Talisman, once the Xiahou family situation was resolved, he needed to start gathering materials to nurture Little Goofball.

With the important business handled, and the Bureau still a ways off, he couldn't resist opening his Inventory to examine the spoils of battle.

Angling himself where Wang Qian's sister wouldn't notice, he pulled out a pair of fiery red gloves and squeezed them in his palm.

[Name: Thug's Gauntlets]

[Type: Weapon]

[Functions: Scorch, Swiftness, Explosion]

[Description: These were once the beloved gauntlets of a powerful Fire Sage. Through years of constant wear, they gradually absorbed their master's power, along with their master's recklessness. They can continue to accumulate force, releasing it through impact.]

[Note: Explosions are art, explosions are life. There is nothing an explosion cannot solve. If it doesn’t solve the problem the first time, just blow it up again.]

Zhang Yuanqing was overjoyed.

What a treasure. He finally had an AOE ability, covering the assassin class's biggest weakness. And with a Nocturnal Specter's vitality, he could absolutely withstand the strain of multiple explosions.

The drawback was a bit of a headache, though. Based on the description and the note, the gauntlets' cost was obvious: recklessness and self harm.

The self harm was negligible. He could fully absorb the explosion damage. But the recklessness was troubling. Fighting without thinking made you easy prey for ambushes.

"But as long as I treat them like the Orb of the Steadfast and only use them at critical moments, the drawback stays minimal."

Murder and looting really was the path to prosperity. Without the Morality system keeping everyone in check, Spirit Realm Walkers would have long since slaughtered each other into extinction.

Next, he pulled up his Status panel and checked his Reputation. He let out a derisive snort.

No change whatsoever.

Killing between Spirit Realm Walkers didn't deduct Morality, but when same faction Walkers fought, if the one killed had Reputation, the killer's own Reputation would decrease. Once Reputation hit zero, Morality would start dropping.

The fact that his Reputation hadn't budged at all meant those four pieces of trash had never killed a single evil class Walker. Their Reputation was zero.

Pure social parasites. Their deaths were no loss to anyone.

A dozen minutes later, the car pulled into the Public Security Bureau compound.

Zhang Yuanqing had Wang Qian's sister park in front of the glass building, then stepped out and headed inside.

On the second floor, he found seven or eight Spirit Realm Walkers who didn't belong to Squad Two. Among them were the cheongsam clad beauty Green Vine and the big sister figure White Dragon.

On the drive over, Guan Ya had already informed him that Fu Qingyang was waiting at the Kangyang District Bureau with a team.

"The kidnappers' bodies are in the car downstairs. If you could bring them up, I'd appreciate it."

Zhang Yuanqing gave Green Vine a slight nod, then glanced at Wang Tai's thoroughly miserable expression before heading straight for Li Dongze's office.

Knock, knock.

He rapped on the glass door.

"Come in." Fu Qingyang's crisp, cold voice answered from within.

He pushed the door open. Inside the lavish office, Fu Qingyang occupied Li Dongze's chair behind the desk. On the lounge sofa sat the long legged Guan Ya, the casually dressed Ling Jun, and one old acquaintance he hadn't seen in quite some time.

Yuan Ting.

So he was still alive. Apparently Elder Sun hadn't made it out of the dungeon instance yet. Zhang Yuanqing made the snide observation internally, then turned to Fu Qingyang.

"I've brought back Wang Qian's sister and the kidnappers' bodies."

Fu Qingyang gave a composed nod. "I've already sent someone to summon Xiahou Tianyun. Once we have the evidence secured, we can detain him."

As he spoke, he glanced toward Yuan Ting. The latter stood up with a sigh. "Spirit communion again? Centurion Fu, you'd better put me in for a stipend."

Fu Qingyang replied evenly, "No problem. I just hope that by the time the stipend comes through, it won't have turned into inheritance money."

Yuan Ting's expression froze. He couldn't help but look at Zhang Yuanqing, his face a mask of anguished reproach.

"This is all because of you. You owe me a stipend too."

Sure, I'll burn some paper money for you. Zhang Yuanqing replied silently, then turned to Fu Qingyang.

"Centurion, there were strong fighters among the kidnappers. Are you sure you don't need me to perform the spirit communion?"

The unspoken implication was clear: killing those powerful enemies hadn't been easy, and he'd revealed some of his cards in the process. He knew that Fu Qingyang was aware he possessed a Rule-type item.

Fu Qingyang answered coolly. "Squad Leader Yuan is diligent and upright. He can handle the communion."

Was he vouching for Yuan Ting? Zhang Yuanqing said nothing more.

A few minutes later, Yuan Ting returned with a pallid face and reported in a grave voice. "The kidnappers were Walkers kept by the Xiahou family. The kidnapping of Wang Qian's sister was orchestrated by Xiahou Tianyuan."

As a Taiyi Sect squad leader, Yuan Ting's accusation carried weight. To a certain extent, it could represent the Taiyi Sect's position.

Then Yuan Ting looked at Zhang Yuanqing with a complicated expression. "You actually killed a Level 3 Fire Sage. To be this powerful at the rookie stage... you're a freak. An absolute freak."

He truly hadn't mentioned the Red Dancing Shoes.

Ling Jun smiled with his eyes narrowed to slits. "What can I say, that's what makes him a genius. I heard about this kidnapping case... Yuanshi, you did well. I like young people with a sense of justice. But do you know what geniuses fear most?"

Certainly its not being single. Zhang Yuanqing smiled. "What?"

"Dying young!" Ling Jun took a sip of tea and continued. "And do you know how to avoid dying young?"

Here comes another recruitment pitch. With his direct superior watching from the side, Zhang Yuanqing thought for a moment, then deflected. "By dying during one’s childhood?"

Ling Jun choked on his tea and broke into a coughing fit. "No! By finding a backer. Join the Taiyi Sect. I'll protect you, and the Xiahou family won't dare retaliate."

Fu Qingyang's gaze on Zhang Yuanqing gained a hint of approval. Then he shot Ling Jun an icy sidelong glance.

Knock, knock.

The office's glass door sounded again.

Fu Qingyang looked over. "Come in."

A stern faced young man in a black T-shirt entered the office and stopped before the desk, his voice low.

"Xiahou Tianyuan has already been arrested."

Fu Qingyang's eyes narrowed. "By whom?"

The young man answered. "Steward Pang of Fenghua District. Just moments ago, Xiahou Tianyuan assaulted someone in Fenghua District and was arrested by Steward Pang. After an investigation, Xiahou Tianyuan confessed to additional crimes, including... this kidnapping case."

Listening to their exchange, Zhang Yuanqing's heart sank. He immediately sensed how thorny this had become.

According to the Five Elements Alliance's internal regulations, jurisdiction was strictly territorial to prevent credit stealing. Whoever's district an incident occurred in took responsibility, and whoever uncovered the case owned it.

Steward Pang of Fenghua District had "uncovered" this case, which theoretically made it his jurisdiction. However, since Zhang Yuanqing had already been involved beforehand and the victim had filed a report, the ownership of this case was now disputed.

But that wasn't the critical issue. The key was that Xiahou Tianyuan had assaulted someone in Fenghua District and was being held there. That incident's jurisdiction was indisputable: Fenghua District owned it.

This meant Fenghua District could stall the proceedings indefinitely under the guise of investigation, effectively shielding Xiahou Tianyuan. They could then contest Kangyang District for control of the kidnapping case.

The bottom line was that Xiahou Tianyuan must not fall into Kangyang District's hands. As long as they secured that strategic buffer, the Xiahou family would have time to maneuver.

This entire sequence of moves showed a masterful command of the rules.

If the Xiahou father and son weren't eliminated, the trouble would never end. If the Five Elements Alliance couldn't handle this, then cooperating with Slaughter Cessation Palace was the only option. Zhang Yuanqing's mood grew heavy. "Centurion Fu, what do we do now?"

Fu Qingyang glanced at him. "The victim filed the report with you, correct?"

"Yes!"

"And it predates Xiahou Tianyuan's assault?"

"Yes!"

Fu Qingyang spoke with measured calm. "Then we go arrest him."

"But..." Zhang Yuanqing wanted to say, but the man is already in Fenghua District. How do we arrest him? By force?

Fu Qingyang rose from behind the desk and walked toward him with unhurried steps, fixing the younger man with those eyes, deep and unfathomable as still water.

"When rules conflict with each other, when both sides have legitimate claims, the one with the bigger fist decides. Remember that." He paused, and that handsome, sculpted face hardened with solemn intensity as he delivered his warning.

"Once you've drawn the bow, there's no turning back. The moment you make an enemy, you must destroy them at all costs. Even if an Elder steps in to stop you, you smash that Elder's head in."

Fu Qingyang turned and strode toward the door. His pace was slow but resolute, leaving everyone in the room with nothing but the sight of his tall, straight back.

"Follow me. We're going to make an arrest."

· · ·

Fenghua District Public Security Bureau.

In the west wing of the Bureau building, sunlight flooded a pristine office. On the guest sofa, Xiahou Tianyuan rolled a pair of walnuts in his left hand while his right held a porcelain cup. He took a noisy sip.

"Nice feel on these little things. You've been playing with them for a while, haven't you?"

"If Young Master Tianyuan likes them, they're yours."

Steward Pang smiled. He wore a leather overcoat over a white judo gi. The man was powerfully built with a square jaw, and when the smile left his face, his presence became overwhelmingly stern and imposing.

"No, no. A gentleman doesn't take what others cherish." Xiahou Tianyuan set down the walnuts and the tea cup, adjusting his suit collar. "I need two favors. We've gathered intelligence from the Xie family. After that clan was destroyed years ago, the surviving members scattered across the country, and the Palace Master of Slaughter Cessation Palace was sent to Songhai around that time.

"She was just a child then, not yet a Spirit Realm Walker. Whether she'd ever become one was still unknown, so when her household registration was processed, they wouldn't have been particularly careful about concealing her identity. I'd like you to search the Songhai household registration database.

"All we can confirm is that she's between twenty four and twenty seven years old. I've also consulted the elders in my family and had someone sketch the likenesses of that clan's core members from back then. You could try running facial recognition."

"That's going to be difficult." Steward Pang shook his head, skeptical. Songhai had a permanent population of over twenty million, with more than ten million registered locals.

"Of course it's difficult. That's why there's no rush." Xiahou Tianyuan smiled. "Regardless of whether this pans out, you're welcome to visit the Xiahou family treasury and pick out one Saint stage item."

Steward Pang's face brightened. "Deal."

Xiahou Tianyuan continued.

"Second thing. Look into the file on Kangyang District's Yuanshi Tianzun. I want to find his real world identity."

Steward Pang frowned. "You want revenge?"

Xiahou Tianyuan raised the porcelain cup and took a slow sip, his expression turning dark and cold. "Since he's chosen to stand against me, that makes him an enemy. And against enemies, any means necessary."

There was also a truth he refused to acknowledge. That kid was strong. Strong enough to make him jealous. Strong enough to make him wary.

Steward Pang considered this for a few seconds, then spoke in a low voice.

"Then you'd better do it cleanly. If it gets traced back, I won't be able to protect you. I can't access Yuanshi Tianzun's identity files. You'd need Elder level clearance for that.

"I have two suggestions. First, go pressure his superior. Li Dongze definitely knows Yuanshi Tianzun's real identity. But that means you'd have to kill Li Dongze."

"That's basically announcing to the world that I'm going after the kid." Xiahou Tianyuan dismissed the suggestion immediately. "What's the second option?"

Steward Pang said, "A little over two weeks ago, Yuanshi Tianzun killed an Enchanting Demon at Songhai University. That particular demon had just escaped pursuit and nobody could find him. Yuanshi Tianzun most likely ran into him by chance in Songhai."

Xiahou Tianyuan's eyes lit up. "He's young. You're saying he's a student at Songhai University?"

Steward Pang sipped from his cup as he spoke. "That's for you to verify."

The two men exchanged knowing smiles.

Then Steward Pang frowned, his gaze shifting toward the office door.

Seconds later, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway. An official Walker burst through the door, his complexion poor, his words rushed.

"Steward Pang, Steward Fu from Kangyang District just forced his way in with a team."