Chapter 1 The Start

"I heard his Lingjing ID is called Sanqing Daozu, occupation unknown." The qipao-clad woman spread out the A4 paper in her hand. "This is a sketch drawn by the Public Security Department."

It was standard practice for the Psychic Association to have informants planted within the Public Security Department. The various branches of the Five Elements Alliance liked to set up their offices in the Public Security Department, so as long as ordinary officers or clerks in the Public Security Department were developed into informants, the actions of official Xingzhe could be controlled more clearly.

This tactic was an open scheme. The Five Elements Alliance could conduct comprehensive physical examinations for official Xingzhe, but they were not qualified to do so for officials within the Public Security Department and the imperial court.

The number of official Xingzhe was limited, while the number of public officials was unlimited, and they were easily corrupted and degenerate. There was no way to guard against Lingjing Xingzhe.

The Five Elements Alliance was also aware of this, so confidential information and actions were rarely revealed to the public security officers.

Even when taking public security officers along on missions, they would not reveal everything.

Dou Ye took a quick look at the portrait and then shifted his gaze. "There is no such person among the level six saints of the Five Elements Alliance."

He pondered for a few seconds and said, "Tell the members in the casinos to refrain from going out for the time being and observe the situation. Anyway, the stronghold in Nanming City hasn't been found. That senior deacon wouldn't dare to come over. If he continues to cause trouble, he will transfer his base of operations, and someone will naturally take care of him."

There were only six strongholds in the entire Nanming City, involving only a few hundred million in cash, assets, and items. It was not worth it for him to start a large-scale hunt for a senior deacon, as it would attract experts from the Qinghe Clan.

The Lingjing Xingzhe of the Qinghe Clan were hands-off managers who didn't care about anything. The Psychic Association appreciated their tact. Over the years, everyone had been living in peace and quite comfortably.

No one wanted to break this tacit understanding.

Three days passed in a flash. Zhang Yuanqing took three female teammates and toured Nanming City. Although it was a small border city, the scenery of Nanming was extremely good.

Zhang Yuanqing used the guise of sightseeing to tour all the mountains and rivers in the Nanming City area.

Bi Luo Village, with low mountains connecting to low mountains, and green water flowing from the mountains, flowing into the continuous farmland, the rice ears in the fields rising and falling like waves. Villagers wearing straw hats bent over to harvest the rice.

Annie, wearing a large lady's sun hat, climbed to the top of the mountain and took out a wet wipe to wipe away sweat. Her beautiful and fair face was covered with a flush. Without her delicate makeup and workplace attire, she looked even more fresh and lively.

"I'm so tired. We've been walking all day, Yuan Shi-gege, let's take a break," Xie Lingxi said, panting.

Sweat slid down the girl's slender neck, and her black hair stuck to her porcelain-white neck, wet.

The Eros and the Musician were not professions known for their physical strength, and they were quite tired after running all over the mountains for a day.

In contrast, the Queen's face was not red and she was not panting, and she was not even sweating.

"I'll get you some clear water!" She walked to the mountain stream and stretched out her hand.

Two face-basin-sized balls of water separated from the stream and hung in the air under the Queen's control. She put her hand into the water ball, and after a few seconds, said, "Purified, do you two want to drink it?"

She pushed the water balls in front of Annie and Xie Lingxi.

Annie leaned forward, her red lips gently touching the surface of the water ball, took a sip, and shook her head in disappointment. "It's not sweet, you've purified all the minerals."

She scooped up a handful of water to wash her face. After wiping her face clean, she looked at Zhang Yuanqing. "Mr. Yuan Shi, this mountain is close to farmland. I just saw villagers enter the mountain. Hades shouldn't choose a sleeping place here."

Zhang Yuanqing nodded in agreement. "If a villager goes missing after only three days of sleep, the Public Security Department will come over. This mountain range is not thick, so it can be ruled out. We'll continue in the afternoon. There are still two and a half days until Hades sleeps."

In three days, they had almost walked through the mountainous areas near Nanming City, locking down six places that Hades might choose.

According to the information from the Meishen Association headquarters, Hades' character flaw was jealousy.

He was jealous of those who were stronger, more handsome, and richer than himself. Hades would be jealous of anyone who had advantages he did not have, and thus destroy them.

From the current point of view, this character flaw was of no use.

As a Lingjing Xingzhe, Hades' level of life was not comparable to that of ordinary people. There were not many people who could make him jealous.

It could also be avoided by staying in places with few people.

Therefore, the most stable method was still Zhang Yuanqing's previous plan: first scout the location, then wait for the target to fall asleep, use Star Observation to make a preliminary location, and finally gather manpower to find him.

"Speaking of which, the war merits have already been reported, why hasn't there been an announcement yet?" Zhang Yuanqing led the three down the mountain. "I'm still waiting for the moral value rewards."

"It's normal for official procedures to be slower. There are procedures upon procedures, and people who handle affairs like to slack off. As long as it's not about saving people or putting out fires, they'll drag it out as long as possible." The Queen curled her lips. "I used to want to be a clerk, it's so comfortable to goof off, anyway, it's a secure job." As she was speaking, the phone in Zhang Yuanqing's pocket rang.

The caller was Chasing Poison.

While going down the mountain, he answered the phone. "What's the matter?" Chasing Poison's tone was serious. "Where are you? You'd better come back immediately."

Zhang Yuanqing frowned slightly. "What happened?"

"The reviewers from the Qinghe Branch have come with people from the Investigation Department. They want to see you!" Chasing Poison said in a deep voice. "It's about the loot."

It was a serious crime for official Xingzhe to embezzle loot, especially when the amount was close to one hundred million. If it were a public official, it would be twenty years in prison at best, and the death penalty at worst.

Zhang Yuanqing gave a dismissive "Ha" sound. "Just say I left and I'm not in the Nanming Branch. Don't mention the fact that I distributed money to the branch employees."

For most Lingjing Xingzhe, this was indeed a serious crime.

But Zhang Yuanqing didn't care at all. Embezzling loot was nothing more than imprisonment and punishment, which would affect promotion. But with his current relationship with the headquarters, he could forget about promotion.

He was already the lowest-level employee.

The only thing left was imprisonment, but the headquarters would not imprison him for this matter, because Yuan Shi Tianzun at this time was already barefoot, and any more pressure would only lead to rebellion. Before there were any issues of principle, the headquarters would not punish him for this kind of thing. Was this amount of money an issue of principle in the eyes of the headquarters? Obviously not.

Chasing Poison said in a deep voice, "It's not that simple. The Investigation Department is made up of people from the Qinghe Clan. Also, the Investigation Department already knows about you distributing money to the branch members. They have now confiscated the loot and want to recover the part you embezzled."

"I don't like the word 'embezzled'. It will damage my relationship with the Demon Eye Heavenly King." Zhang Yuanqing corrected him, and then said, "Don't you have your own system? How did you get involved with people from the Qinghe Clan?"

The official administration of Bagui Province was centered on the Qinghe Clan, but this was only in name. The Qinghe Clan didn't care about anything. The real administrative center was the Xini Branch. Similar to the Hangzhou Branch in Jiangnan Province, there were two elders sitting there.

"The Qinghe Branch is, after all, the highest-level administrative department. They don't care because they're lazy. Once they want to care, all the branches in Bagui Province have to listen. This is respect for an organization that can be compared to a demigod." Chasing Poison explained.

"Then why do they want to care now?" Zhang Yuanqing asked.

"The Qinghe Branch manages the financial power. The loot that is seized must be handed over to the Qinghe Clan according to the procedure." Chasing Poison said pointedly, "You embezzled the loot, which is equivalent to robbing them of their money, robbing them of one hundred million. If you don't hand over the loot, they won't recognize this operation, and the brothers won't get any merit."

I worked so hard to find the stronghold, I single-handedly killed the enemy, and when did my hard-earned money become theirs? Zhang Yuanqing sneered, "Let them wash their necks and wait."

After hanging up the phone, Xie Lingxi immediately asked, "Gege, what's wrong?"

"Return to the Nanming Branch and clean up a few tactless small fries," Zhang Yuanqing said expressionlessly.

Nanming City Branch, office area.

The frosted glass door was tightly closed. All the members of the branch sat quietly in their seats, with their heads lowered and their expressions depressed. The atmosphere was heavy.

An hour ago, their salary cards and all bank cards under their names were frozen. The leaders of the Qinghe Branch demanded that they hand over the loot within three days and decided to give the Nanming City Branch a circular of criticism, deducting this year's performance bonus.

The 160,000 yuan that they had just received was snatched away, and the year-end bonus was gone.

It all depended on whether Deacon Sanqing Daozu was willing to cooperate. If his attitude was better and he handed over the loot, the Qinghe Branch might make an exception.

"I thought I could make a fortune. I even went to see a house today..." Wang Xiaoer sighed.

"I just ordered a new car at the 4S store and paid the deposit. My old car has been driven for several years and I've always wanted to replace it!" A female employee frowned, her face bitter. The others either smiled wryly or sighed, their faces full of sorrow.

"Deacon Daozu is not from our Qinghe Branch, so don't start a conflict." A female employee said in a low voice.

"There won't be a conflict, unless it's an Elder. Otherwise, they're all the same. The Qinghe Branch only needs to send an email to Songhai. If it escalates to the headquarters, a leader of his level won't receive too much punishment, but an internal warning from the organization will be enough to make him suffer." Liang Shan Shui Shi said.

At this moment, the frosted glass door was pushed open, and the ordinary-looking Sanqing Daozu returned with three female teammates with outstanding appearances.

The employees in the office area stood up at once, their worries mixed with joy.

"Where are the people from the Qinghe Clan?" Zhang Yuanqing asked.

Wang Xiaoer immediately got up to greet him and whispered, "They're in the office next door. The leader is reprimanding Deacon Chasing Poison. Please remember to be careful!"

The others also looked over with pleading eyes. They no longer expected a bonus. As long as the Qinghe Branch could dismiss the idea of punishment and keep the bonus, it would be a smooth landing.

Wang Xiaoer knew what everyone was thinking, thinking that Deacon Sanqing Daozu was a Fire Master, he cautiously reminded him, "The leader of the Investigation Department is said to be in charge of the Qinghe Clan's clan laws. He's very strict. Don't escalate the conflict." After speaking, he waited for Sanqing Daozu's big reaction. Unexpectedly, this Fire Master from Songhai nodded and asked, "Elder Chang?"

Wang Xiaoer shook his head repeatedly. "How could Elder Chang manage these small matters?"

If it's not Elder Chang, then I'm not afraid of anything. Below Elder Chang, I'm invincible, above Elder Chang... Zhang Yuanqing muttered a few words in his heart, brushed past Wang Xiaoer, and walked towards the conference room. Halfway there, he suddenly turned back and slapped the back of Wang Xiaoer's head.

"Don't escalate the conflict? Are you teaching me how to do things!" Wang Xiaoer covered his head: "???"

Zhang Yuanqing ignored him, walked through the office area, and pushed open the wide conference room door.

Four people were sitting in the spacious office. The first one was a thin middle-aged man with the Qinghe Clan's unique dark skin. He was not tall, a little over 1.7 meters.

In terms of clothing, it was not the national costume with a blue background and exquisite embroidery that Zhang Yuanqing had imagined, but a serious casual suit, with a strict and old-fashioned temperament, revealing a cold arrogance.

The other two were middle-aged and young, wearing white shirts and trousers.

"You are also an experienced deacon, how could you do such a thing? Do you really think the branch is stupid? We suspect that the entire Nanming City branch is very problematic." The Qinghe Clan leader was reprimanding Chasing Poison. When the conference room door was pushed open, he deliberately amplified his tone, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

"As a deacon, you have no rules and no discipline. Don't you even have the Five Elements Alliance in your eyes?"

The employees outside heard everything and cast worried glances.

"Yo!" The middle-aged man in the white shirt stood up, looked at Zhang Yuanqing, and then at Chasing Poison, whose face was cold. "This must be Deacon Sanqing Daozu, right? Come, come, sit!"

He pointed to the empty seat next to Chasing Poison.

Zhang Yuanqing glanced at the leader of the Qinghe Clan and sat down next to Chasing Poison.

"Let me introduce myself," the middle-aged man in the white shirt seemed to be good at enlivening the atmosphere. "The leader of the sixth group of the Investigation Department of the Xini Branch, my Lingjing ID is Juto Youshenming. This is the deputy minister of the Investigation Department of the Qinghe Branch, her Lingjing ID is Poppy."

The Qinghe Clan's Minister Poppy did not look sideways and did not even look at Zhang Yuanqing.

He finally introduced the young man. "Like me, the leader of the third group of the Investigation Department of the Xini Branch."

The young man in the white shirt reported his name, "My Lingjing ID is River Snail Rice Noodle."

Good name, you're making me hungry, Zhang Yuanqing muttered in his heart.

Juto Youshenming sat down and said, "That's right, you must know the purpose of our visit this time. This loot should be handed over. After all, it's the rules."

"It will be handed over." Zhang Yuanqing nodded. "Handed over to the Songhai Branch."

Juto Youshenming was speechless. He really couldn't find anything wrong with these words.

"Handed over to the Songhai Branch?" The Qinghe Clan's Minister Poppy said coldly, "When did the people from the Songhai Branch have law enforcement power here? The Psychic Association's stronghold was cleared by the Nanming Branch, and the war merits and loot should be received by us."

"The loot I seized has nothing to do with you." Zhang Yuanqing shook his head and refused.

"Deacon Sanqing Daozu, let's call you Sanqing Daozu. We've investigated you. The Five Elements Alliance doesn't have this Lingjing ID at all." Minister Poppy's tone was cold and forceful. "You embezzled the loot seized by the Nanming Branch, which is a serious violation of the Five Elements Alliance's discipline. If you don't hand it over to the Qinghe Branch, we are qualified to detain you temporarily and then report it to the headquarters."

This deputy minister did not show any timidity because of the other party's level. He still maintained his stubborn arrogance. The people of the Qinghe Clan should be stubborn and arrogant.

"I'll say it again, my money has nothing to do with you." Zhang Yuanqing's attitude did not change. "No one can snatch money from me. Even Fu Qingyang has to obediently offer me money when he sees me."

Minister Poppy pointed to the camera behind him and said coldly, "You will be responsible for what you say."

Zhang Yuanqing glanced at him, stretched out his hands, "Come, handcuff me!"

The atmosphere in the office suddenly became stiff.