Chapter 150: A thorn in the back

****

 Elder Yuan Shi, is he being accused of committing a crime?

This request left the evil professionals in the room baffled, not understanding its purpose.

Finding evidence of Elder Yuan Shi's wrongdoing and then reporting it to the Five Elements Alliance for official sanctions? Why not just find him and eliminate him, a simpler solution?

A woman in the crowd raised her hand and asked, "You're talking about Elder Yuan Shi, the one who killed Li Xianzong, right? Why collect evidence against him? Why not just kill him?"

The Demon Eye King turned to her and smiled, saying, "You don't need to know. Just do as I say."

The woman nodded slightly and asked, "What kind of evidence are you looking for?"

Another evil professional chimed in, "He killed Li Xianzong, he killed Ou Xiangrong, he killed Hei Wuchang. Does that count?"

"No, no, no!" The Demon Eye King shook his head and revealed a cheerful smile. "That's not a crime; it's punishing the wicked and promoting the righteous. I want evidence of crimes like bribery, abuse of power, bullying the weak, harassment, and sexual assault of women. Any unlawful activities, I want them all."

The evil professionals exchanged glances, wondering if the Master of War had lost his mind with his new approach. They were used to killing and causing chaos, not gathering evidence against their enemies. What was the point of it?

Someone in the crowd asked loudly, "What's the reward?"

"One piece of evidence is worth twenty thousand, and for more serious crimes, fifty thousand," the Demon Eye King replied with a grin, his forehead adorned with a sports headband.

It seemed that because of the incident with Li Xianzong, the Master of War was specifically targeting Elder Yuan Shi. He must be feeling threatened. However, whether or not the incident with Li Xianzong had happened, the Master of War would still be hunting Elder Yuan Shi. The woman known as Little Round Aunt contemplated this and raised her hand again, her tone icy.

"What's the reward if we kill Elder Yuan Shi directly?"

The Demon Eye King shook his head, "There's no reward for that. I only want you to collect evidence. Whether or not you kill him is up to me."

After a satisfying meal, Zhang Yuanqing and Xie Lingxi left the restaurant together and reached the elevator. Zhang Yuanqing took the opportunity to say his farewell.

"Lingxi, when are you going back to the Free City?"

"What's the point of going back to the Free City?" Xie Lingxi looked pitiful. "If I go back, I'll miss my big brother. I don't want to leave him."

Xie Lingxi continued, "I plan to stay in Songhai until the fall, and then I'll go back when the crabs are fat. The Xie family hosts a river crab feast every year. Yuanqing, will you accompany me to the Xie family in the fall? My mom and dad want to meet you."

She spoke with a shy expression, as if inviting her sweetheart to meet her parents.

Zhang Yuanqing sighed, "You're really lucky to be 17. Wait until next year when you dare to talk to me like this, and you'll see how terrifying your overprotective big brother can be."

As they were talking, Zhang Yuanqing's phone rang, and the caller ID displayed "Auntie Magic Eye."

Zhang Yuanqing rejected the call and entered the elevator with Xie Lingxi. The elevator descended, and when Xie Lingxi reached her floor, she stepped out, turned back, and waved, saying, "Goodbye!"

Zhang Yuanqing replied with a simple "Hmm" and closed the elevator doors.

After leaving the hotel, he took out his phone and returned Auntie Magic Eye's call.

"Auntie Magic Eye?"

"Master of War has put a bounty on you, offering a reward for evidence of your crimes."

What? Zhang Yuanqing was momentarily taken aback. He wasn't surprised that the Master of War had put a bounty on him; that was inevitable. But a bounty for evidence of his crimes? What was going on?

I'm just a weak college student who feels guilty for farting in public. What kind of criminal evidence could they possibly have on me?

Zhang Yuanqing was puzzled and asked, "What's going on?"

Auntie Magic Eye briefly explained the situation about the "Black Market" reopening and how the Master of War's representative had offered a reward for evidence against Palace Master Zhizhi and Elder Yuan Shi.

The young man with the sports headband? A bounty for evidence against me? Suddenly, Zhang Yuanqing realized something and his smile slowly faded.

The Demon Eye King had recently arrived in Songhai, and he was an extremist, a fervent radical. Zhang Yuanqing swallowed hard and had one thought running through his mind:

What should I do? The master of war has put a bounty on me, and I'm waiting online for a solution, in a hurry! Although he knew that the Demon Eye King would eventually come after him, he didn't expect it to happen so quickly, and he didn't anticipate such a high-reward bounty.

Being targeted by such a prominent figure was extremely mentally taxing.

"Auntie Magic Eye, I think I know who that person is," Zhang Yuanqing said.

"Who?" Small Round Aunt could sense something was amiss from his tone and furrowed her brow.

"It's the Master of War, the Demon Eye King," Zhang Yuanqing replied.

"Him?!" Small Round Aunt's voice became sharper.

Zhang Yuanqing let out a resigned "Hmm." "I killed Li Xianzong, and he wants to retaliate against me."

Small Round Aunt fell silent for a while, her tone complex. "You truly are a genius. Your two months of experience are richer and more eventful than two years for most others."

Just when he had narrowly escaped Li Xianzong's pursuit, he found himself facing an even more formidable opponent.

"Auntie Magic Eye, spare me the teasing," Zhang Yuanqing said with a wry smile.

Small Round Aunt couldn't help but raise a hint of a smile at the corner of her mouth, which quickly disappeared as she said, "This is just the beginning. The more famous you become, the more evil professionals will want to target you. It's the fate of every genius, unless you can be like Master Fu Qingyang."

"What do you mean?"

"Killing to the point where no one dares to mess with you. Master-level practitioners are rare, and they usually don't go after lower-level practitioners. If you can become invincible in the Saint Realm and avoid provoking the Masters, you'll be relatively safe."

But that was easier said than done. There were so many practitioners in the Spirit Realm, and only a few like Fu Qingyang.

"Auntie Magic Eye, can Master Wuhen take on the Demon Eye King?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know?"

Small Round Aunt replied irritably, "I've never seen Master Wuhen in action, and besides, he shouldn't act hastily. You've met him a few times; you should know his condition isn't quite right."

Bringing up the matter, Zhang Yuanqing became interested. "What do you mean by Master Wuhen's condition being not quite right?"

"You don't need to know, and you're not qualified to know," Small Round Aunt replied, her tone regaining its cold, high-handed nature.

Zhang Yuanqing stopped asking and said, "Auntie Magic Eye, I'm thinking of reporting the Black Market's location to the upper echelons of the sect, so the elders can handle it. What do you think?"

"Bad idea!" Small Round Aunt snorted. "First, if the Demon Eye King is openly showing himself there, he won't appear in person in the short term. Most likely, he's controlling things from behind the scenes, so don't underestimate the wisdom and caution of a Master. Second, the evil professionals invited this time have information from the Black Market. Once the Demon Eye King discovers that the Black Market has been exposed, he will undoubtedly suspect the people present today, which would be very dangerous for me. Finally, how do you know the Demon Eye King isn't fishing for information?"

Zhang Yuanqing furrowed his brow, deep in thought.

Small Round Aunt then changed her approach, "Ambushing him isn't impossible, but we have to wait for the right opportunity."

At the current stage, it didn't suit Zhang Yuanqing. "I understand, Auntie Magic Eye. How are things going with the faction?"

Small Round Aunt hesitated for a moment. "Let me think about it. To be honest, I'm not very willing, and Master Wuhen doesn't want me to have too close of a relationship with you."

Master Wuhen doesn't agree? Well, dealing with such high-level figures isn't easy, but if you can manage it, it will secure your future.

After thanking Small Round Aunt, Zhang Yuanqing hung up the phone.

Invisible Trace Hotel.

Small Round Aunt parked the car in the hotel's parking lot, took out the key, and unlocked the U-shaped lock.

She entered the changing room behind the counter, undressed, and removed her pants. There was a full-length mirror in the dressing room that reflected her voluptuous figure in black lace lingerie.

Slim waist, curvy hips, shapely and long legs, a bra lifting deep cleavage, all complemented by her icy facial features.

Any man with an interest in the opposite sex would surely be enticed by this sight, but Small Round Aunt paid no mind. She didn't even spare a glance in the mirror. She quickly changed into the hotel staff uniform and then checked her collar in the mirror before leaving the changing room.

She left the front desk, picked up her staff card, and took the elevator upstairs.

The elevator stopped on the third floor, and she stepped out. She swiped her card to enter Room 306, and as she reached for the doorknob, her expression changed slightly. She paused for a few seconds, her ears straining to listen, and then quickly burst into the room.

The guest room was empty, with neatly arranged white bedding, like an unoccupied room.

Small Round Aunt glanced around and noticed a bottle of mineral water on the table by the window, with a note underneath.

She walked over to the table with a stern face, picked up the note, and read the neatly written message:

"Small Round, I've gone to seek revenge in Songhai. Don't look for me, don't try to stop me. This time, I will prepare carefully; I'm not going to throw my life away."

"An ignorant fool."

Small Round Aunt's chest heaved dramatically, and she took several deep breaths to suppress her anger and concern.

During dinner, Zhang Yuanqing glanced at his cousin, who seemed burdened, and said, "Cousin, if you keep furrowing your brow like that, I'll have to call you grandpa."

His remark was met with a smirking reprimand from his grandmother.

"Is it because of a case?" His aunt, who was noisily eating, chimed in.

Chen Yuanjun furrowed his brow, sighed, and said, "I've recently received a case. Someone has reported our bureau chief for corruption and bribery, providing protection to some financial companies, and specifically targeting students and those in need of funds. Yes, it's about loan sharking."

"Over the past few years, he has already driven six people to their deaths, and they're still forcing female students who can't repay their debts into prostitution," said the man.

Zhang Yuanqing frowned, saying, "You should report this to higher authorities. What's the use of keeping it to yourself?"

Chen Yuanjun gave him a sidelong glance but didn't say anything.

"We've reported it, but it didn't work, right?" the taciturn grandfather sneered.

Chen Yuanjun nodded, "Yuanzi, our grandfather did something similar in the past, but the reports didn't succeed, and he even got on the wrong side of his superiors."

Recalling the incident, Zhang Yuanqing vaguely remembered it. He was quite young at the time and didn't fully understand the details, but he remembered his grandfather had a few heated arguments at home, even smashing dishes a few times.

The grandfather said calmly, "What Yuanjun mentioned is probably the tip of the iceberg. There are likely more serious cases behind it. Reporting doesn't work because there are many interests involved. You'll get used to it."

While the grandfather's tone was casual, Zhang Yuanqing sensed a sense of resignation in the last four words.

Having spent most of his life in the Security Bureau, the grandfather knew the ins and outs of it.

"Brother, what's the name of the head of our Security Bureau?" Zhang Yuanqing asked casually.

"Zhou Yan."

"Oh!"

He lowered his head to eat in silence but remembered the name.

Although the Wuxing Alliance and the Security Bureau belonged to different branches of government, and official channels were nearly impossible to investigate Director Zhou, he could use the abilities of a Spirit Walker to secretly gather evidence.

Unfortunately, he had to stay home lately and couldn't go to work.

After dinner, Zhang Yuanqing's uncle came to knock on the door. The nightclub owner was still dressed provocatively.

"Yuanzi, come over here."

His uncle gestured for his nephew to sit at the table, pulled out his wallet, and handed him a stack of a thousand-yuan bills.

"This is from your aunt. I don't know what got into her; she suddenly wanted to be nice to you and said it was my idea. Strange, I'm sure I never said that."

"Thank you, Uncle!" Zhang Yuanqing accepted the money, pretending not to hear the second part of his uncle's statement.

His uncle happily said, "Let's go dancing at my place. By the way, I'm not sure if I'm mistaken, but I've been feeling like there's less money in my wallet lately. It's not quite enough."

His uncle was so clueless. He still hadn't noticed that his wallet was being pilfered every day. While feeling guilty, Zhang Yuanqing silently mocked his uncle.

"So, your aunt gave you the money. Let me borrow five hundred," his uncle said, patting his nephew on the shoulder. "After all, I've invested a lot in raising you."

"No," Zhang Yuanqing refused coldly and protected his money.

His uncle looked at him and said, "You've already borrowed it."

Already borrowed? Zhang Yuanqing was taken aback and suddenly realized. His aunt had given him one thousand five hundred? His uncle had swindled five hundred from me!

His uncle patted his nephew on the shoulder with satisfaction. "Don't make that face. I'll pay you back next month. I'm going back now. Come over sometime to compare dance moves."

No need to pay it back; my son will take revenge for me. Zhang Yuanqing thought through gritted teeth.

Watching his uncle leave, Zhang Yuanqing went to the bedroom door of his younger aunt and knocked lightly.

"Aunt, do you want to come over to my place to play games tonight?"

"Sure, sure!" His younger aunt replied cheerfully.

His grandmother, who was washing dishes in the kitchen, stuck her head out and glared at her grandson. Then she called out to her daughter's room, "Yu'er, bring your mom to join you."

"What? Mom, you don't even know how to play games," his younger aunt said in surprise.

His grandmother sneered, "You guys play games, and I'll play with you."

Suddenly, the room fell silent. Zhang Yuanqing silently turned and left.

Back in his own room, Zhang Yuanqing lay on the bed, contemplating how to deal with the Eye of the Demon King.

"Leaving the Eye of the Demon King in Songhai without any restraint doesn't seem safe. I can't help but feel uneasy. At any moment, they might come knocking on my door."

Zhang Yuanqing felt a bit overwhelmed by the situation. Being targeted by a powerful dominator, he had lost his sense of security. Even though Songhai had a large population, what if something were to happen?

"The opportunity to strike preemptively is only when they show up in the black market, and the five elders can attack together to kill the Eye of the Demon King. If Stop Killing Palace's master joins in this madness, six dominators against one Eye of the Demon King should be no problem."

"Otherwise, I can borrow the Dream Jade Talisman from Xiaolücha and invite Master Wuheng. This way, the Eye of the Demon King will have no chance to survive. I need to contact the five elders in advance, formulate a detailed plan, and then wait for him to come. This is something that Fu Qingyang can handle."

"Ah, what a predicament. It's already difficult enough inside the dungeon with dangers lurking at every corner, but even in the real world, I'm walking on thin ice. Being too famous is not necessarily a good thing; it makes it easier for malevolent individuals to target you."

In Puning District,

The night was deep, and a gentle evening breeze wafted through the air.

In a dilapidated residential building, a young man with a sports headband climbed the steps and reached the fifth floor. He knocked on the old security door.

"Who are you?"

A middle-aged man with graying hair was inside, looking gloomy.

The Eye of the Demon King smiled and said, "I believe you reported Ms. Zhou Yan for corruption, acting as a protective umbrella for loan sharks, controlling and exploiting dozens of students and members of the public. Am I right?"

The middle-aged man's face changed, and he closed the door, but it was blocked halfway by a foot.

"What do you want? Let me tell you, all the neighbors are here. Don't make trouble. My leg was broken by you people, what else do you want?"

He showed the last trace of determination that a small person could muster.

The Eye of the Demon King remained unfazed, "I'm gathering evidence of Zhou Yan's crimes. If you don't mind, shall we discuss it inside?"

(End of this chapter)

PS.I will be posting two chapters on NovelUpdates every day, but they may not be in order. If you want to read the skipped chapters, please visit my 'Patreon' page. The updated chapters there are complete and not missing. Below are my Patreon details :)

Patreon Page: Light Express /Chaasenpaii

Link: https://www.patreon.com/chaasenpaii/collections