He’s truly furious now… Guan Ya, holding her rifle with one hand, keenly noticed Ling Jun’s expression. As the "Flower Prince" among the Four Princes, he was deeply devoted to women, having read *Dream of the Red Chamber* in his youth and idolized Jia Zhaonan, vowing to become a man like Jia Baoyu. He even practiced the way "female beings are made of water, while men are made of mud," reciting it as his personal mantra. Moreover, during a visit to Fu’s household with his elder uncle, a senior elder of the Hundred Flowers Assembly, he immediately fell in love with Guan Ya during her youth, exclaiming, “My Lin sister has arrived!” Only to have his front tooth knocked out by Guan Ya. Originally a kind, gentle matron, Ling Jun managed to pull back at the last moment, switched sides, and then encountered the young witch, who exclaimed, “So, my precious sister is here!” And then lost another tooth. From that point on, Ling Jun has harbored a lifelong grudge against women from the Fu family. In the eyes of this contemporary Jia Baoyu, Chimei An's various actions have seriously challenged his values and breached his fundamental principles. While Lingjun and the other two were furious at Chimei An's conduct, Ku Beiyue, half-conscious and half-dreaming, could only repeat one phrase in his mind: Are you Yuan Shizhen? He isn't Yuan Ting—he is Yuan Shizhen, the Yuan Shizhen who killed Li Xianzong, the brilliant talent who rose like a comet from the Songhai branch… The official envoy Ku Beiyue had met through his acquaintance, was none other than him. Ku Beiyue was stunned, yet found it reasonable. Xiao Yuan, with her lofty standards and gentle disposition, could bestow goodwill upon ordinary people, but rarely form true friendships. Wait—how had he previously praised Yuan Shizhen so highly? That explained why he emphasized Yuan Shizhen so much. How could Xiao Yuan possibly be friends with someone so presumptuous and self-important? Fragments of thoughts, scattered and disordered, flashed through Ku Beiyue's mind. He could only wander in confusion. The blows Chimei An had delivered had injured his internal The body of a mesmerizing spirit-being does not perish easily, yet it lacks the extraordinary self-healing capabilities of the Night-Wanderer. Faced with one accusation after another, Chih Yue An stood tall with quiet dignity, chuckling, "Master Yuan-Shi, you haven't yet ascended to the position of a full-time official. Do you know what constitutes the crime of falsely accusing an official? Don't think that merely earning an A-level commendation grants you the right to act as you please. Simply because ordinary official envoys hold you in high regard doesn't mean everyone will do the same. To those with deeper roots and greater stature, that commendation means nothing at all." The red, thin gloves emitted a high temperature that distorted the surrounding air, the flames still poised to burst forth. As the two were about to engage, a hurried, chaotic rush of footsteps echoed from outside the hall. Ling Jun halted, turning his head to look. The deep red hue on Chiyu An's body subsided, and the intense heat from the gloves dissipated. Three members of the second team followed the sound, stepping toward the open hall entrance, where a group of uniformed security officers poured in, each carrying blast shields and weapons, wearing anti-theft vests and helmets—fully equipped. Among them, one middle-aged man, not holding a shield, was surrounded by the officers. He was slightly overweight, with a gentle sag in the cheeks, yet his build was robust, suggesting he had once been a tall, strong man. "Everyone, crouch down and protect your heads," he barked. Seeing the security officers armed and ready, Chiyu An was momentarily taken aback. He had expected the arrival of his own team of spiritual realm travelers. Upon receiving the notification, he sent messages to his subordinate captains and then personally arrived on the scene—by now, those others should have arrived as well. To his surprise, it was officers from the Shakou District Public Security Bureau who came first. "Director Lu, how did you come?" asked Chue Moon An calmly. Director Lu? The deputy director who had instructed Kong Liangping to forge evidence and protect Chue Moon An? Zhang Yuanqing raised an eyebrow. Chue Moon An's severely injured comrade, Kou Beiyue, gasped sharply, his breathing growing rapid. "I received a report from the public stating that unidentified individuals forcibly entered private homes and committed violent killings," said Director Lu, wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet, his expression serious. Chue Moon An nodded slightly, pointing to Ling Jun and the others. "Exactly them! These people have no clear background, committed violent acts, and pose a serious threat. Director Lu, you must be cautious." Understanding the subtle implication, Director Lu maintained his dignified posture and declared firmly: "Stay on your feet, all of you—please, crouch down and listen to my warning." Then, without pause, without leaving anyone room to breathe, he commanded: "Warning twice! Warning thrice! Fire!" The security officers, ignoring their superiors' irregular instructions, obeyed without question, instantly raising their guns. With over a dozen officers and guns, they fired simultaneously, unleashing a dense rain of bullets aimed squarely at the four of them. Linjun snapped his fingers. With the sound, cracks appeared in the ground beneath the security officers' feet, and thick, dragon-like vines burst upward, surging and growing wildly. The officers, armed and ready, tumbled over, losing their balance. Thick vines whipped or slashed at them with sharp cracks, and within moments, dozens of officers were knocked to the ground, groaning in pain. Lu, the Director, kept retreating, only to feel a sudden sharp pain behind his back. He gasped, lowering his head to see a vine piercing his abdomen, bleeding. He cried out in agony. The fates of the other officers were no better—many were struck so hard that their bones and ligaments snapped, unable to utter even a cry of pain. Ling Jun’s demeanor was solemn and gloomy, his entire presence heavy with gravity. He walked slowly toward Chi Yue An, his tone cold. “Chi Yue An, I’ve seen many people more cruel and venomous than you—yet few have ever truly stirred my anger.” As he spoke, his body suddenly expanded dramatically. His loose short sleeves tore, revealing dense, coarse fur of alternating black and yellow streaks on his arms and cheeks. His palms broadened and thickened, and sharp, black claws shot out. His slippers shattered, his feet transforming into the hind pads of a tiger. His nose widened, his brown pupils contracting into fierce amber eyes, while black hair on his forehead formed a distinct “King” motif. In just a few strides, he had become a towering, upright tiger, standing two meters tall. The giant tiger moved with deliberate grace, lowering itself and making contact with the ground with its forelimbs, then roaring deeply and authoritatively, charging toward Chi Yue An. “The King of Beasts?” Chi Yue An remained calm. After all, they were both Sages—differences would not be vast. With a steady stream of flame from his red-gloved hands, he shaped a long, bright yellow "Crack!" Chiyu An snapped her arm forward, striking the charging tiger. As the tiger surged forward at high speed, it leapt to the left, missing the whip, which left a deep fissure in the ground. "Crack! Crack! Crack..." Chiyu An vigorously swung her arm, delivering one fierce blow after another. Yet the斑斓 tiger weaved left and right with remarkable agility, evading each strike and closing in, then lunging forward with a powerful pounce. He doesn't lose by trading wounds for wounds. Suddenly, the magnificent tiger before him, its body now drifting like a fish without bones, sways and stretches lengthily. In the next instant, the tiger transforms into a massive black-scaled serpent, as thick as a water barrel. Sizzle... the straight sword meant to pierce the tiger's heart glides along its scales, scorching the surface. At the same time, the serpent's head snaps forward, its sharp fangs clamping onto Chiyu An's neck. Oh no—Chiyu An had never seen a royal beast transform so swiftly. Caught off guard, he immediately feels the urge to explode, forcing the serpent back. Yet suddenly, a wave of intense fatigue surges through him. His hands, capable of tearing through tigers and leopards, now falter. His knees buckle, and he collapses to the ground. He's poisoned. The serpent's fangs carry a potent toxin, which has now entered his bloodstream through the recent bite, paralyzing his body. "Hhmm..." Chiyu An's eyes widen, and a reluctant, low growl escapes his throat. The giant serpent opened its mouth, stood upright, retracted its scales, and grew two legs, returning to human form, its private areas concealed by thick, long fur. "Saints and saints—there's a vast difference," Ling Jun murmured, looking down with a mocking tone, then turning to Li Dongze and saying, "You're going to fetch that troublesome fool and bring him to bear witness." Li Dongze nodded, lifting the unconscious Wu Grandmaster. Ling Jun then turned to Zhang Yuanqing, narrowing his eyes, "I'll champion this case for you. But you'll need to think carefully about how to explain your decision to associate with the evil profession to the elders." How strong is this guy... Zhang Yuanqing was still stunned. Before him, a 4th-level, fully-experienced Saint was clearly weak—far from impressive. And clearly, Ling Jun hadn't even exerted his full strength. At that moment, hurried footsteps once again echoed through the hall, as seven or eight travelers from the Spiritual Realm rushed in, armed with weapons, flooding the room. Seeing the chaotic scene, seeing Chiyu An lying motionless on the ground, these official attendants suddenly halted, staring at each other in surprise. Chiyu An struggled to lift his head, and when no one noticed him, he silently conveyed a message to the subordinates who had arrived: "Save me, or I'll expose everything you've done." My suggestion is: execute him on the spot. If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, return him to me, and I will handle it personally. There are dozens of videos containing accounts of rape, gang rape, and severe abuse. Even without considering other criminal evidence, these alone are sufficient to condemn Chijue An to death. "All that's needed is a death sentence?" the female elder, whose head image resembles a river, scoffed. "I've reviewed Chijue An's comprehensive medical and psychological evaluations. He exhibits a strong aversion to women and a pronounced tendency toward violence. How could you have overlooked such clear indicators? He should have been investigated long ago. As a senior elder, you have a responsibility to do so." "Are you teaching me how to perform my duties?" snapped the elder of the Chihuo Clan. For a fire master, prejudice against women and a violent disposition are entirely normal—as long as his mindset hasn't completely deteriorated, there's no need for special attention. "Perhaps," said the female elder of the Shuiren Palace, her tone grave, "I can teach you how to be a person." The Central Hall elder stepped in to mediate, saying, "The video evidence needs to be submitted to the capital. I'm unsure how the officials from Sha Kou District will handle it." The Chihuo Clan elder sneered, "Those without connections are crushed by Sun Wukong's iron staff; those with connections merely return to their mounts. The affairs of the bureaucracy aren't ours to manage. Let's talk about the Copper Rooster Tower case instead." The Dog Clan elder said, "First, for years, Chiyue An has supported criminal elements, amassing over two billion yuan in revenue—yet we haven't traced where the funds have gone." "Your implication is that there's someone behind Chiyue An?" the elder of the Baihu military contingent pondered. "It's just a guess," the Dog Clan elder chuckled. "He used to be a son-in-law of the Zhu family." "Then kill Wen Ling," the Chihuo Clan elder said directly. "Stupid—executing a steward requires approval from headquarters, and the review and investigation process takes time," the Water Deity's nunnery elder remarked sarcastically. Water and fire never get along—the two elders argue the moment they The Dog Elder said: "The second matter is that several small teams from the Sha Kou District, along with Chi Yue An, accuse the Yuan Shi Tian Zun of colluding with evil professions and harming their colleagues. Ling Jun and the second team from Kangyang District acknowledge that at the time, there was indeed a seductive demon present." "As for a reprimand, it would affect Yuan Shi Tian Zun's promotion. Yuan Shi Tian Zun is one of the White Tiger's military contingent, so he would certainly not agree. Dog Elder spoke up: 'Allow me to clarify—this sister who has been bewitched is one of the victims of the Copper Rooster Pavilion. Two years ago, she was killed by Chi Yue An. Since then, she has become the bewitched demon. She has now been detained and interrogated by Fu Qingyang, and there's no record of her having killed ordinary people.' Upon hearing this, the elder from the Water God's Palace, who had been hesitating, immediately voiced her opinion: 'I also oppose it.' The elders from the Red Fire Clan and the Central Court remained silent and did not yield. The Five Elements Alliance has always been firm in dealing with members who collaborate with outsiders—those like the Night Rose's secret agents are often executed without warning. A reprimand and a six-month detention are already quite lenient. At this point, an elder from the White Tiger's military contingent said: 'Fu Qingyang has reached out to me and would like to connect with us.' The meeting room fell into silence. Dog Elder then said: A few seconds later, Fu Qingyang's avatar appeared in the conference room. Unlike the other elders, whose avatars featured professional-related elements, Fu Qingyang's avatars across all his chat platforms were always himself. "Respected elders, Yuanshishen is under my direct care. Regarding his treatment, I have something to say." Fu Qingyang spoke with composure and clarity, his pronunciation precise and his tone steady. "Would you like me to plead for him?" asked the elder from the center. "I won't plead for anyone. I will only present the facts," Fu Qingyang said calmly. Fu Qingyang, the son of the Fu family, had always maintained a surface-level respect for the elders—after all, in his eyes, female marshals were all just ordinary, and the elders seated here were no different. "First, I would like to present the psychological evaluation of Yuanshishen—specifically, a metaphysical idealist, currently not recommended for particularly significant positions." "Once we understand this person, we can find a logical consistency in his behavior and decision-making." The demon who has bewitched the others is Kou Beiyue. Two years ago, his sister vanished without a trace and was later murdered. Since then, he has become a traveler of the spiritual realm. "This man possesses a decent character—he hasn't indiscriminately killed the innocent, and in fact, he is more orderly than many of the conventional, rule-bound professions. That is why the purely idealistic, the Primordial Sovereign of the Origin, has had any interaction with him. That is precisely why the Primordial Sovereign has stepped in to assist, as demonstrated by tonight's incident at the Copper Rooster Pavilion. "By law, he has erred. But in terms of sentiment and justice, I do not believe he has done anything wrong." The mid-hall elder sighed, "For enforcers, idealism is not always an asset." Fu Qingyang said calmly, "Whether it's good or bad, he is at least a good person. Isn't that what the elders agree upon?" The five elders remained silent, thus implicitly accepting. Fu Qingyang continued with confidence: "The Primordial Sovereign's stance is sound. Now, let me explain how this matter will be handled. Given the current situation, any attempt to "The actions of Chi Yue An have damaged the image of the Five Elements Alliance, both internally and externally. Therefore, we need to downplay the severity of the situation and set an example. Senior Monks, don't you also want to avoid being held accountable by the headquarters?" Water God Palace Elder smiled and said, "Proceed." Fu Qingyang continued: "We can designate Chi Yue An as a member of the Night Rose, operating within the Five Elements Alliance, committing misconduct and imposing heavy demands—everything is the Night Rose's fault, and nothing to do with our Songhai Branch. We ourselves are the victims. The recent comprehensive health check-up has made the internal erosion of the Night Rose well known within the Five Elements Alliance, so they can fully accept this. Yet, merely stating this still won't convince everyone; criticism for oversight is inevitable. Therefore, we need to shape public opinion." Dog Elder paused thoughtfully: "Shaping public opinion is a sound strategy—please share your ideas." "Following the large-scale health check-up, the Songhai branch launched a swift investigation, dispatching Yuan Shi Tian Zun to examine the various executives. Indeed, one member of the 'Night Rose' faction was uncovered—Yuan Shi Tian Zun was personally implicated, gathering evidence through numerous trials and near-death experiences, eventually collaborating with the Kangyang District Spirit Team to dismantle the criminal network and apprehend the traitor." Fu Qingyang delivered the entire account with serious composure. "Now, that's a bad situation turned into a good one—what do the elders think?" As for Yuan Shi Tian Zun's handling—the punishment of a hero would surely be a setback. The meeting room fell into silence immediately. After a moment, Elder Dog shook his head slightly. "Not quite right!" Fu Qingyang raised an eyebrow. "Where exactly?" Elder Dog: "The title is too long." The other elders remained silent. Fu Qingyang nodded in understanding. "I'll have the title revised immediately. By dawn, it will be posted on the forum." ... At 8 a.m.