Chapter 126: Innocent Release, Fighting Poison with Poison (Seeking Subscriptions)

When the Wu Clan's power on Kunlun Mountain fell into a mire.

Mount Buzhou.

The Wu Clan's headquarters.

"I'm innocent!"

At this moment, Fengxi was shouting his innocence.

He said he was innocent.

He absolutely did not keep false accounts!

Every item of income and expenditure, every sum of money, had no problem at all!

Moreover, there was no embezzlement or bribery!

"Then how do you want to explain this?"

Houtu, the ancestral witch, wore a amused expression and kicked the small box beside her; this was the corrupt money mentioned in the anonymous report, which had already been seized.

"Clatter!"

The box tipped over, a sheet of brilliant gold light flashed—this was the unique hue of the Mysterious Yellow merit coin.

Houtu casually lifted one and swayed it before Fengxi, saying, "Your handwriting is still quite big!"

"Cough cough cough..." Fengxi blinked, then blinked again, "Sir, please hear me out—I can still explain this one or two things."

"As the Wu Clan's External Affairs Minister stationed at Kunlun Mountain, I have a little personal hobby... I like gambling on stones and such, dreaming of getting rich overnight."

"I admit, this is a minor shortcoming in my personal integrity... but I haven't delayed official duties, nor misused public funds—it really isn't a major fault!"

Fengxi came up with countless excuses, making them up on the spot.

"Likewise, I got lucky, a windfall fell from the sky, I got rich overnight... that can't be called embezzlement!"

"It really is a 'windfall from heaven'." Houtu smiled teasingly, emphasizing the four characters, "So you also know it's a 'heaven-sent' thing, huh?"

Fengxi shrank his neck, not daring to speak; his kneeling figure on the mat looked weak, pitiful, and helpless.

"Do you remember what I said when I first assigned you to your post?" Houtu leaned forward slightly, extending a finger to repeatedly poke Fengxi's forehead between the eyebrows, now and then, his tone tinged with frustration, "I told you not to embezzle, not to embezzle, and this is what you've done for me?"

Fengxi's body leaned back from the poking, his eyes rolling about as he racked his brains, thinking how to exonerate himself.

"You little youngster, you always seek quick gains in whatever you do." Houtu continued lecturing, "Whatever you do, you want to get more, faster—you usually end up on a dead‑end road... wouldn't it be better to work honestly?"

"When you achieve results, your salary and bonuses—how could I possibly short you?"

"You insist on taking shortcuts!"

"Sigh!"

Houtu, the ancestral witch, sighed with an old‑fashioned air, "Is getting rich overnight by ignoring one's conscience really that fragrant?"

Fengxi fought back the urge to blurt out "so fragrant," putting on a feigned agreeable expression; his perfect acting deeply reflected his inner remorse and unease, the deep self‑reproach after doing wrong.

Houtu glanced at him and snorted, "Don't put on an act here."

"You little slickster, the one who could propose a reincarnation strategy, I don't believe you have much of a guilty conscience."

"You, you've long been marked as a key target here, sly and dark‑hearted... so I really don't expect you to have any sincere thoughts of admitting fault."

Fengxi's expression froze.

This just got awkward.

His gaze toward Houtu held a hint of resentment.

Heaven and earth as my witness, he is a great loyal minister; for the stable development of Houtu's ancestral witch's reincarnation cause, he even paid out of pocket to design firewalls for the loopholes... yet here he receives such a heart‑wrenching answer?

To look at him with biased eyes?

Can that be called being dark‑hearted?

Isn't it just because he wanted to serve the Wu Clan that he painfully abandoned his own bottom line?

Fengxi felt his life was like a tea table, covered with cups and utensils.

"All right, don't look at me like that." Houtu said leisurely, hands crossed in front of her, "Regarding this matter, do you have anything to say?"

"This pile of ironclad evidence—how do you defend yourself?"

"I think that anonymous report makes no sense; this can't be said to be me keeping false accounts, embezzling, or taking bribes..." Fengxi muttered, "Look, I used benefits to win over the Three Pure Ones Heavenly Lords—isn't that fine? Isn't that normal diplomatic work?"

"Judging by the results, you did quite well." Houtu gave a fair evaluation.

"Then in this process, I didn't deliberately file false financial statements, did I? Profit, income, expenditure amounts should be what they are... isn't that right?"

"Right." Houtu nodded.

"Then look... isn't the charge of keeping false accounts groundless?" Fengxi argued for his acquittal.

"Hmm... maybe this one counts as you passing?" Houtu laughed, "What about taking kickbacks and accepting bribes?"

"That point is even less tenable!" Fengxi declared confidently, "Even if this money came from the Three Pure Ones Heavenly Lords, it couldn't be considered a kickback or bribe; it should be a consulting fee, a reward for my personal advice and planning!"

"First, who are the Three Pure Ones Heavenly Lords? Although some say I deliberately offered a high price to buy them off—I really don't know how laughable that is!"

"Those three Heavenly Lords possess the great merit of opening the heavens; their wealth is top‑rank in all of Honghuang—how could my trifling interests possibly buy them?"

"Give someone else the same funds—do you think the Three Pure Ones Heavenly Lords would agree? They'd probably just kick him out outright."

"Likewise, would a Great Luo Heavenly Lord lower his stature and simply give me a kickback just because we settled this bit of business?"

"That's impossible too!"

Fengxi listed them point by point, with reason and evidence.

Houtu remained silent, but also did not nod in agreement; there was a bit of sense to it.

"So, this charge also doesn't hold up!"

"Then what do you think caused this money to end up in your hands?" Houtu smiled, "Since you've said so much, give me another reasonable answer, will you?"

Houtu looked at Fengxi, half‑smiling.

However, this didn't stump Fengxi.

Having bought enough time, Fengxi had already crafted his excuse in his mind.

It's naturally because the Three Pure Ones Heavenly Venerable, due to my contributions to the Daoist sect's propagation business, specially gave this advisor salary!

Fengxi's mouth, a lying ghost.

These three Heavenly Venerables, feeling that during my tenure the Daoist sect's affairs flourished and prospered……especially the Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerable, on the path of education for all, made a great leap forward!

So, giving me this windfall fortune is reasonable and justified!

Why don't they just openly present you with a banner and lay everything out? Houtu raised an eyebrow.

Of course it's because it's not proper to show it! Fengxi said righteously, "After all, in this process, the methods used aren't very glorious; the Three Pure Ones Heavenly Venerable wants to gain benefits but doesn't want to appear deeply involved, having no direct relation to us temporary workers."

So, we can only operate behind the scenes and settle the payment behind the scenes!

Everything, all settled.

It seems that this windfall fortune really is exactly as he said.

It's not collusion with Yuchen, but rather the Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerable's appreciation, repaying the favor for further expanding the Dao lineage!

As he spoke, Fengxi himself became a bit confused.

Perhaps... the truth of the matter might really be like this?

After all, even Yuchen's own personal interests seem unable to sway the will of the Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerable behind him.

When the two come into conflict, what does Yuchen amount to then?

At the critical moment, only the Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerable's idea matters.

It aligns with the Heavenly Venerable's interests!

'Exactly... it must be like this!'

Fengxi pondered, 'It must be the service fee and advisor fee given by the Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerable!'

As for why that advisor fee matches the amount Fengxi alone recorded on the paper during that accidental moment?

Hmm...

This is a coincidence!

This must be a coincidence!

Houtu silently looked at Fengxi.

Fengxi's defense was logically self-consistent and clear-cut, leaving her somewhat amused and exasperated.

'Wonderful.'

'Clearing you of suspicion is spotless.'

Although I know that as long as I use the soul-searching and heart-reflecting divine ability on you, I can drag out the little secret hidden in your heart, and everything will come to light..." Houtu said, making Fengxi's heart pound, "Right and wrong, black and white, will all be revealed."

In the world of Honghuang, wanting to uncover the truth is really too simple.

Just use soul-searching, easy and swift.

Even dark thoughts and deceitful intentions will be exposed completely.

Even if you exchange glances and share a tacit understanding with someone, it would be of no use.

"But after thinking about it, I'll just forget it." Houtu made Fengxi's heart hang in suspense for a while, then smiled and continued, "If you can hide the evidence on the surface, that's your skill."

"Huh?" Fengxi wondered in confusion.

"People's hearts..." Houtu chuckled, "If, for the sake of investigating evidence, I use such means on you, setting a precedent, would we then have to use it on others as well?"

"Because of a single anonymous accusation letter, you're being so harsh... When water is too clear, there are no fish; the hearts of the Wu Clan will also scatter."

"After all, it's hard to say about the low-level little witches, but those big Luo's Trumpets—are they truly devoted to the Wu Clan without any selfish calculations?"

"Should we also perform a soul-searching and heart-reflecting?"

"If we really do that and lay everything out in the open, should we still pursue unity against the Demon Race and the Heavenly Dao front?"

"First, let's stir up enough trouble within the clan; from the top down, the first three rows—we need to get rid of about seventy or eighty percent!"

Houtu explained.

The stronger one is, the more choice one has, not being tied to a single boat.

There's always a retreat, always leeway, reflected in the heart—that is disloyalty.

Powerful beings who straddle two boats, mixing in both the Wu Clan and the Demon Race, are everywhere... If provoked, can they not transfer their assets and fight you to the death?

Even if we want to play with a pure-hearted dictatorship, we must wait until after great unification.

Make them have nowhere to go, then slowly concoct things!

"Now, everything is just following procedure, looking at actual material evidence." Houtu said leisurely, "If the responsible big Luo in charge of tracing time and space fails to obtain your outward ironclad evidence, then you pass this stage."

"If you can't even handle this little trick, putting your intellect in that important position, I wouldn't even trust myself."

Houtu spoke very practically.

So stupid, what's the point of playing with fake accounts and embezzlement?

"Lord Houtu is sage!" Fengxi burst into praise at once, "Broad-minded, virtuous bearing, praised through the ages... You lead by example, you will surely not regret today's decision!"

Not searching souls is great!

He was still worried, wondering how to explain if the loophole in the reincarnation strategy were discovered.

"Don't get too happy too soon." Ancestral Witch Houtu smiled faintly, "Some things, you'd better do less of."

"Who walks by the river often and doesn't get wet shoes?"

"Even if you manage to muddle through this time, next time... might not be so."

"Someone anonymously reported, and even though there is an innate spiritual treasure guarding and blocking heavenly probes, it shows that a big Luo is personally watching you, and it's very likely a big Luo from the Demon Race camp."

Fengxi was startled.

"No way?" He gulped, instantly feeling the future was difficult.

"What do you say?" Houtu countered, "Your movements in Kunlun have caused such a stir, the results are pretty good; you can't avoid attracting attentive people."

So, you'd better be more careful.

I understand! Fengxi's brows furrowed as he fell into deep thought.

Afterwards, he suddenly raised his head, somewhat solemn: "I suspect that something might happen at Kunlun Mountain!"

Throw me down—this isn't the end, it's only the beginning!

Oh? Houtu was somewhat surprised, somewhat approving: "You're not bad; indeed there's a problem there."

It's said the problem isn't small.

Is that so? Fengxi lowered his head, thinking seriously.

Both remained silent.

Until a steady footstep sounded, breaking the heavy silence here.

Fengxi raised his head, seeing Xuanming Ancestral Witch; she entered this hall and nodded to Houtu.

The investigation results of this little guy are out.

Oh? How? Houtu asked.

Taking kickbacks, eating enough cleverly, leaving no trace. Xuanming said lightly: "That box of merit coins belongs to Lingbao Tianzun."

Lingbao told me that he once had a whim, playing in the mortal world, deliberately leaving a treasure chest containing some merit coins, placed in the gambling stone workshop of his disciples and descendants, to see which lucky little guy could find it.

There was no intention to specifically give someone a windfall.

Too fake. Houtu said calmly: "It must be the result of reversing the timeline's drumming!"

Yes, I also think it's fake. Xuanming smiled: "But since this method of faking has been carried out, it's real."

For a Great Luo, reversing cause and effect, true and false—actually often not important.

Unless we forcibly intervene and intercept… but really there's no need.

Indeed. Houtu nodded: "Then let's just drop this matter."

The case of Fengxi's false accounts and bribery is hereby closed, he is acquitted!

For the reputational damage, mental loss, and work interruption caused during the case, reasonable compensation will be given. Houtu settled the matter with a gavel, announcing the baseline; related documents will be issued to the responsible party later.

Holy virtue of the Ancestral Witch! Fengxi loudly praised.

Both Ancestral Witches ignored him, just talking to themselves.

There's a piece of bad news I must tell you. Xuanming Ancestral Witch said: "The turmoil at Kunlun Mountain is intensifying."

Is that so?

Houtu furrowed his brows, turned sideways to look eastward, as if observing, as if listening.

After a moment, she exhaled lightly.

I most dislike those scheming villains full of conspiracies.

In future wars, if we get the chance, we must definitely take out the Demon Race's top strategists!

Houtu clenched his fists: "Not a single one can be let go!"

In his indignant tone, there was a hint of having been embarrassed behind the scenes.

It's quite evident that this Ancestral Witch has suffered many losses in this regard over the years.

This isn't easy. Xuanming shook his head: "Those Demon Race strategists, each is not simple, and each is stronger than the last."

Báizé, Di Jun, Fuxi… they're either Yao Marshals or Yao Emperors; none are easy to kill.

No matter, we can wait slowly; there will always be a chance. Houtu waved his hand: "As for now…"

If the situation becomes this troublesome and we really can't, I will use Great Luo's might to cleanse the thoughts and cognitions of the beings there… Houtu's eyes turned cold: "Overcome scheming with force!"

Even though in the Honghuang cosmos, Great Luos arise together, and administrators appear, it doesn't allow one to stand out alone.

But as long as one is willing to pay some price, many things can be resolved.

Cognition distorted, thoughts altered!

The Demon Race's planned counteroffensive looks grand in momentum, yet secretly surges with tumult; its spreading contagion speed is terrifyingly extreme, making the little witches stationed at Kunlun feel overwhelmed, as if it cannot be eradicated at all.

But as long as a Great Luo enters, distorting thoughts, causing the subconscious of countless beings there to shield that cognition, they suffer sensory aphasia…

Enough.

The problem is solved.

What rumors? They'll be gone in a split second.

But this only treats the symptoms, not the root. Xuanming shook his head: "We have Great Luos, and the Demon Race also has Great Luos."

We can distort, they can restore.

Moreover, this way our side is effectively having our power restrained within it… this is the most troublesome!

Whichever side's Great Luo is forced to act first loses the initiative…

By the opponent's tactics, using the inferior to counter the superior, it cancels out a bit of peak combat power… we're losing big!

When little things add up, all of the Wu Clan's peak power gets tied up by countless trivial matters; in the end, wouldn't the overall situation be completely controlled by the opponent? Originally we already had a slight deficiency in peak power.

Xuanming said this, making Houtu somewhat worried and a bit irritable.

At this moment, the modest Fengxi hesitantly asked: "This… can I know what problem occurred there?"

Perhaps I have a way to ease it a bit?

Right, I almost forgot you. Xuanming's eyes lit up; he condensed the void, a jade slip formed and flew to Fengxi, with slight anticipation: "Take a look, can you think of any solution?"

Fengxi focused on reading, pondered in his heart, after a while he hesitated to speak: "That… I think maybe we can fight poison with poison?"

If you're thinking of making the same thing to spread and diffuse, then forget it. Xuanming waved his hand.

As soon as the four words 'fight poison with poison' were spoken, she had no hope left.

Uh… I'm a very pure witch, I don't 'send cars'. Fengxi looked at Xuanming Ancestral Witch, his face odd, as if wanting to say 'your brain circuits are truly extraordinary'… but considering each other's fists, he swallowed it back.

Oh? Then what poison will you use to fight poison?

Fengxi fell silent briefly.

Only then did he speak.

"Food and lust are nature; they are instinct."

"But there are also acquired aspects that can stand beside it."

"That is……"

(End of chapter)