Chapter 162 (II): Controlling the Narrative

At dawn, inside a pet shop, a curly haired poodle leapt onto a wooden table. The potted plant beside the laptop extended a tender green tendril and helpfully flipped open the computer, powered it on, typed in the password, and logged into a voice conferencing application.

The curly haired poodle waited patiently for a dozen or so minutes until the meeting time arrived.

Inside the online conference room, four avatars came online one after another.

Elder Teddy cleared his throat with a steady cough and opened the proceedings. "You've all reviewed the video evidence. Old Fire, Chi Yue'an is your subordinate. How he's dealt with is your call."

The Elder whose avatar depicted a fire deity replied in a booming, gravelly voice, "By guild rules, and by Alliance regulations, he's a dead man. My recommendation is immediate execution. If it's inconvenient for you to do it, hand him back to me. I'll handle it personally."

The video evidence comprised dozens of files containing footage of rape, gang rape, abuse, and more. Setting aside the other criminal evidence entirely, these alone were enough to sentence Chi Yue'an to death.

The female elder with a flowing river as her avatar let out a cold snort. "Is a death sentence really enough? I've reviewed Chi Yue'an's file from the full inspection. He exhibits extreme misogynistic tendencies and violent inclinations. How did you manage to turn a blind eye to someone with a psychological profile like that? He should have been investigated long ago. As the elder overseeing him, you bear responsibility."

"Are you telling me how to do my job?" the Crimson Fire Gang Elder snapped.

For Fire Sages, misogyny and violent tendencies were practically standard traits. As long as their minds had not been completely twisted, there was no need for special scrutiny.

"Perhaps I should teach you how to be a decent human being," the Water God Palace Elder replied, her tone glacial.

The Central Court Elder stepped in to smooth things over. "The video evidence needs to be submitted to the capital. I wonder how the implicated officials in Shakou District will be handled."

The Crimson Fire Gang Elder scoffed. "The ones without connections will get the iron staff and be struck down without a second thought. The ones with connections, well, their patrons will simply recall their mounts. Politics is none of our concern. Let's get back to the Bronze Sparrow Tower case."

Elder Teddy spoke up. "Our first order of business: Chi Yue'an cultivated criminal enterprises and amassed over two billion in illicit funds over the years. However, we have been unable to trace where the money went."

"Are you suggesting someone is behind Chi Yue'an?" the White Tiger Legion Elder asked carefully.

Elder Teddy gave a dry chuckle. "It's merely speculation. He was formerly a live-in son-in-law of the Zhu family."

"Kill him and perform a spirit communion," the Crimson Fire Gang Elder said bluntly.

"How foolish. Executing a steward requires approval from headquarters, and their review and investigation takes time," the Water God Palace Elder retorted.

Water and fire never mixed. These two Elders bickered every meeting and came to blows whenever they met in person.

"As for our second order of business," Elder Teddy continued, "several Walker squads in Shakou District, along with Chi Yue'an, have accused Yuanshi Tianzun of colluding with an Evil-class Walker and harming fellow Walkers. Ling Jun and Kangyang District's Squad Two have confirmed that an Enchanting Demon was present at the scene."

The Crimson Fire Gang Elder's voice dropped low. "I reviewed the surveillance footage from the Bronze Sparrow Tower scene. The accusation checks out. What explanation does he offer?"

"Yuanshi Tianzun's explanation was, and I quote, 'punishing evil and championing good,'" Elder Teddy replied.

"Punishing evil and championing good..." the Water God Palace Elder repeated softly.

The Crimson Fire Gang Elder snorted. "How flippant. Regardless of intent, working alongside a bloodthirsty Enchanting Demon is a stain he'll never wash clean. Per Alliance regulations, unauthorized private dealings with Evil-class Walkers carries penalties ranging from expulsion to imprisonment or execution.

"In consideration of his role in exposing Chi Yue'an's crimes and his existing A-rank Merit, my recommendation is a major demerit on his record and six months' imprisonment."

The White Tiger Legion Elder responded immediately. "I object!"

A major demerit would hamper Yuanshi Tianzun's future promotions. As a member of the White Tiger Legion, the Elder couldn't possibly agree to that.

Elder Teddy spoke up. "Allow me to provide some context. The Enchanting Demon's sister was one of Bronze Sparrow Tower's victims, murdered by Chi Yue'an two years ago. Her death was what drove him to become an Enchanting Demon. Fu Qingyang has already taken him into custody and conducted an interrogation. He has never killed an ordinary person."

Upon hearing this, the Water God Palace Elder, who had been hesitant, immediately weighed in. "I also object."

The Crimson Fire Gang Elder and the Atrium Elder offered no opinion, but neither did they relent. The Five Elements Alliance had never shown mercy to members who colluded with outsiders. Dark Rose plants were killed on sight, no questions asked. A major demerit and six months' imprisonment was already lenient.

At this point, the White Tiger Legion Elder spoke up. "Fu Qingyang has contacted me. He's requesting to join our call."

A moment of silence fell over the conference room, then Elder Teddy spoke. "Let him in."

The other three Elders raised no objections.

A dozen seconds later, Fu Qingyang's avatar appeared in the meeting room. Unlike the other Elders, who all used profession-related imagery for their avatars, Fu Qingyang's avatar across every chat platform was a photo of himself.

"Elders, Yuanshi Tianzun is my man. Regarding his disposition, I have something to say."

Fu Qingyang's voice was neither servile nor arrogant, his enunciation crisp and precise.

"Are you here to plead for him?" the Atrium Elder asked.

Fu Qingyang's tone remained perfectly even. "I never plead for anyone. I only present facts."

The Fu family's golden boy had never shown the Elders more than surface-level respect. After all, in his estimation, even the legendary Female Marshal was beneath him. Everyone present was, presumably, no different.

"First, let me share my psychological assessment of Yuanshi Tianzun. He is an idealist. At this stage, I would not recommend placing him in a position of significant authority. Once you understand the man, though, you can find a logical thread running through his actions.

"The Enchanting Demon's name is Kou Beiyue. Two years ago, his sister disappeared without explanation and was later found murdered. That's what led him to become a Spirit Realm Walker. His character is actually quite sound. He's never killed indiscriminately. He's more disciplined than many Lawful-class Walkers, in fact. That's why someone like Yuanshi Tianzun, an idealist, crossed paths with him. That's why he chose to help, which led to tonight's events at Bronze Sparrow Tower.

"By the letter of the law, he was wrong. By reason and by conscience, though, I don't believe he was."

The Atrium Elder sighed. "For those who enforce the law, idealism is hardly a virtue."

"Whether it's a virtue or a flaw, we can debate another time. At the very least, he's a good person. I trust the Council of Elders won't dispute that," Fu Qingyang replied coolly.

None of the five elders spoke. Their silence served as agreement.

Fu Qingyang continued, speaking with easy confidence. "There's no question about Yuanshi Tianzun's character. Now let's discuss how to handle this situation. Things have escalated too far for any cover up. We'll need to issue a public statement and explain ourselves to every branch office and to headquarters.

"Chi Yue'an's actions have damaged the reputation of the Five Elements Alliance, both internally and externally. We need to downplay the worst elements and establish a positive narrative. Surely none of you want headquarters breathing down your necks over this."

The Water God Palace Elder gave an amused laugh. "Go on."

Fu Qingyang obliged. "We'll classify Chi Yue'an as a Dark Rose operative who infiltrated the Five Elements Alliance. All his crimes, the corruption, the extortion, the brutality, it was all Dark Rose's doing. What does any of it have to do with the Songhai Branch? We're victims too.

"The Full Inspection has just concluded. Everyone within the Alliance is well aware of Dark Rose's infiltration tactics. They'll accept it without question. But that alone won't be enough to convince everyone. We'd still face accusations of negligence. That's why we need to control the narrative."

Elder Teddy considered for a moment. "Controlling the narrative. I like the idea. Let's hear your proposal."

"In the wake of the Full Inspection, Songhai Branch launched a swift follow-up operation, dispatching Yuanshi Tianzun to investigate stewards across every district. During this investigation, he uncovered a Dark Rose operative. Braving mortal danger on his own, he gathered evidence and, after multiple brushes with death, coordinated with Kangyang District's Walker squads to destroy the traitor's hideout and apprehend the mole." Fu Qingyang rattled it all off in one breath, then added with perfect composure, "Bad news becomes good news. That is my proposal. What do you all think?"

As for punishing Yuanshi Tianzun, well, punishing a hero would just be slapping their own faces.

Silence descended over the conference room.

After a long pause, Elder Teddy slowly shook his head. "It won't do."

Fu Qingyang raised an eyebrow. "What's the problem?"

"The headline is too long."

The other Elders remained silent.

Fu Qingyang understood immediately. "I'll have someone draft a new one right away. The moment the sun comes up, it goes on the forum."

***

At eight o'clock the next morning, a new thread appeared on the official forum, posted by the Songhai Branch.

【#Dark Rose Goes Too Far, Yuanshi Tianzun Single Handedly Destroys Traitor's Hideout#】