Chapter 83: Resolution

Shen Ning had no intention of abandoning Gao Wu. The attack on Gao Wu by Wan Cang Song was a matter of extreme severity; regardless of Gao Wu’s status, as president, she was obligated to stand up for him.

There were many ways to resolve this issue, the lowest being simply to ensure Gao Wu’s safety.

Song Mingyue noticed Shen Ning’s hesitation and understood the intricacies involved. Whether Second Aunt chose to intervene forcefully or not made a world of difference.

She walked over to Gao Wu’s side and spoke softly, “Second Aunt, Gao Wu is my best friend. Please help him.”

Looking at the graceful Song Mingyue, Shen Ning seemed to see her late sister. Mother and daughter looked so alike, though their personalities were completely different.

Thinking of her departed sister, Shen Ning’s heart softened. Mingyue rarely contacted the family. The last time she sought their help was also for Gao Wu; now, once again, it was for his sake.

Shen Ning sighed inwardly. No matter what the future held, she would help while she could…

She turned to Shang Zhenglin and asked, “Who led the Qing’an team?”

“Cheng Gang,” Shang Zhenglin replied respectfully.

“Cheng Gang is upright and honest—a good man. Call him, and have him fetch the bodies with Gao Wu…”

Three deaths were no small matter, and with the joint assessment of three cities, both sentiment and protocol required Qing’an to be notified.

They had the law on their side; there was no fear of the matter spreading. The more people who knew, the better.

As Gao Wu and the others headed out, Song Mingyue quietly said to Shen Ning, “Second Aunt, I’d like to go along as well.”

“You, huh—go if you want.” Shen Ning was helpless, unable to stop her.

Song Mingyue had always been headstrong, even at ten, never listening to anyone. Now eighteen, she was even less easy to restrain.

Gao Wu had barely climbed into the snow vehicle when Song Mingyue followed. He laughed, “You’re providing close protection now!”

He knew Song Mingyue disliked crowds; her presence meant concern for his safety.

“The Wan family is powerful. It’s right to be cautious,” Song Mingyue said coolly.

Shang Zhenglin, at the wheel, was speechless. He was a warrior, with Cheng Gang behind them, yet Song Mingyue still felt uneasy.

But what use was her presence? Was she stronger than two warriors?

Shang Zhenglin, a man in his forties, wouldn’t argue with a young girl, regardless of Shen Ning’s status.

Gao Wu couldn’t contain his curiosity. He whispered to Song Mingyue, “Can you beat a senior warrior now?”

“Never fought one,” Song Mingyue shook her head. She was confident, but never boasted without actual combat.

Besides, senior warriors varied wildly in strength; the difference could be tenfold.

People differed too much to generalize.

Gao Wu was mostly teasing her, his own way of showing affection. Song Mingyue’s earnestness moved him, and he felt awkward about saying thank you…

Arriving at the scene, Cheng Gang, the senior warrior, was startled by the carnage.

The bodies had been mauled by beasts, making them terrifying to look at. Luckily, the equipment they’d brought was all intact.

As a party involved, Gao Wu took the initiative to handle the grim task of collecting the corpses.

Rugged-looking Cheng Gang examined the equipment, then suddenly said to Gao Wu, “Well done!”

Gao Wu was puzzled; he didn’t know Cheng Gang and wondered at the unexpected praise.

“This is a low-temperature transport box. It contains nutrient solution to keep organs alive.”

Cheng Gang’s face was full of anger. “They were after your organs. Utterly vicious!”

“Thank you.” Gao Wu was touched. There were good people in the world.

Seeing injustice, feeling indignation—such simple justice was in everyone’s heart.

Cheng Gang said gravely, “These people are a disgrace to the Hunter’s Association—and to all warriors.”

He turned to Gao Wu, “Rest assured, I represent Qing’an and support you!”

“Thank you, thank you.” Gao Wu was even more moved. This rugged man wasn’t just talk; he was truly offering help, which was rare.

Shang Zhenglin hurriedly expressed his gratitude as well. With Cheng Gang’s righteous support, things would be easier.

Cheng Gang waved it off. “It’s our duty!”

Back at camp, Shen Ning examined the equipment for transporting human organs, her anger clear.

With the invasion of exotic beasts, extracting their genes and analyzing their power became a leading field. For a century, human biochemical genetics had advanced rapidly.

With that, new problems arose: the genes of specially gifted humans became valuable. Plundering genetic material and organs had become a massive black-market industry.

The Alliance legislated harshly against such crimes, but the trade could not be fully eradicated.

Profits hundreds and thousands of times over drove people mad. And then there were demon cultists stirring things up.

No matter what, the plundering of human genes and organs was a grave crime.

Seeing the equipment, Shen Ning felt more confident. These pieces of evidence were enough to protect Gao Wu.

Around noon, Wan Canglong arrived at the virtual realm with a group, storming into the camp to find three body bags in the courtyard, along with some equipment brought by Wan Cangsong’s party.

Wan Canglong was both furious and shocked—furious at Wan Cangsong’s death, shocked that the equipment had fallen into the opposition’s hands, making explanations difficult.

Seeing the newcomers, Shen Ning, with Shang Zhenglin, Cheng Gang, Gao Wu, and Song Mingyue, went to greet them.

At the back, Gao Wu curiously observed Wan Canglong, the president of the Yunling Hunter’s Association—a dark, burly man with a thick beard, nearly two meters tall.

His appearance was that of a classic hero. He wore snow camouflage combat gear, a belt with two pistols.

Even a master warrior carried guns. Gao Wu guessed that even masters used firearms for ranged attacks.

Guns were convenient, powerful, and easy to carry. No reason for a master to refuse such a weapon.

Shen Ning likely carried a pistol as well, hidden under her loose coat. The only one without a gun was probably Song Mingyue.

This made Gao Wu wonder—someone as clever as Xiao Song wouldn’t make such a rookie mistake. Did her psychic power allow her to attack from afar? How strong was it?

Song Mingyue noticed Gao Wu’s gaze. Her bright eyes showed a questioning look.

“You’re truly beautiful!” Gao Wu grinned, fawning.

Song Mingyue was used to his style. She glanced at Shen Ning ahead, hinting that Gao Wu should behave near her.

As Song Mingyue’s best friend, Gao Wu understood. He whispered, “Will there be a fight?”

Wan Canglong’s group was numerous and imposing; their leader looked ruthless, and several followers seemed calm and resolute—likely warriors.

In numbers and presence, Wan Canglong’s party outmatched them. Gao Wu worried they might suddenly turn violent.

Song Mingyue shook her head slightly, indicating it wouldn’t happen.

“Shen Ning, what’s your meaning?” Wan Canglong paid no attention to the youth’s whispers. He strode forward, loudly questioning Shen Ning.

He was nearly a head taller than her, and more imposing, his beard and hair bristling with rage, as if he might tear Shen Ning apart.

His powerful psychic force exploded with his anger, enveloping Shen Ning and those behind her.

Standing behind Shen Ning, Gao Wu immediately felt immense pressure; it was as if all the air—and even the oxygen in his body—was sucked away, leaving him gasping for air.

The space seemed to shake violently, though nothing changed before his eyes. The sensory confusion made Gao Wu uncomfortable, unsure where he was.

In a daze, Gao Wu seemed to see a towering tiger, over ten meters high, covered in flaming red fur, roaring at him. He felt he would be shredded in the next moment.

A tidal wave of terror flooded him.

Gao Wu’s consciousness was struck hard, but the shadow god deep within his spiritual world was triggered.

The shadow god shone with crimson light, like a star in the night, a beacon in the dark sea. Gao Wu’s fading consciousness immediately found its anchor.

The invading psychic force remained wild but could no longer shake his awareness.

To suppress the intrusion, Gao Wu invoked two Azure Dragon Divine Qi spells.

Green light flashed, forming dragons, and the terror vanished instantly; the physical pressure dissipated.

Regaining clarity, Gao Wu’s first reaction wasn’t to focus on Wan Canglong but on the shadow god in his mind. It seemed able to resist a master’s psychic field.

He hesitated, but didn’t dare release the shadow god—not with two masters present and the blazing sun overhead.

Gao Wu looked again; the terrifying white tiger was gone.

Only Wan Canglong remained, beard and hair flying, surrounded by invisible, powerful energy. Gao Wu marveled—masters were truly formidable, on a completely different level from ordinary warriors.

“That’s enough.”

Shen Ning’s voice rang out, sharp as tearing silk, as if something invisible and tough was ripped apart.

Shang Zhenglin and Cheng Gang, both warriors, exhaled deeply. Wan Canglong’s psychic field had completely suppressed them.

Without Shen Ning, their psychic force would be crushed; they’d be at Wan Canglong’s mercy, unable even to fight back.

It was their first time being so overpowered; their faces were grim.

Gao Wu couldn’t see their expressions, but their postures showed their distress.

He glanced at Song Mingyue, who was looking at him.

Their eyes met—Song Mingyue’s gaze was clear as water, unaffected by Wan Canglong’s pressure.

She also saw a hint of unusual light in Gao Wu’s eyes, knowing he used a special talent.

She wasn’t surprised Gao Wu could withstand Wan Canglong’s psychic pressure. Such a field was forceful, but not targeted; not as potent as an alien spirit.

Shen Ning broke Wan Canglong’s psychic field, then spoke calmly, “Wan Cangsong, as a Hunter’s Association supervisor, abused his authority to target an apprentice hunter, attempting to steal organs and genes—a crime worthy of death.

“So, was Wan Cangsong acting on your orders?”

Wan Canglong’s face darkened as he stared at Shen Ning. “Watch your words!”

He was a master, and Yunling was larger than Dongjiang; in terms of association status, he was at least Shen Ning’s equal.

Three members of the Wan family were dead, including a powerful warrior. Shen Ning thought she could scare him off with a few words—wishful thinking!

He hadn’t intended to act just now, only to show his psychic strength, warning Shen Ning not to go too far.

“President Wan, if you’re dissatisfied, let’s go to headquarters and settle it.”

Shen Ning wouldn’t argue or fight; there was no need. She had ironclad evidence, and any court would rule in her favor.

But winning a lawsuit wouldn’t solve Wan Canglong. At least, her evidence couldn’t link him to the crime.

If things escalated, it would hinder resolution.

Wan Canglong hesitated. Shen Ning’s firmness suggested she had real evidence. He certainly hadn’t ordered Wan Cangsong; he had too many affairs to manage to bother with such trivialities.

Human gene trafficking was an important business. That kid Gao Wu was special, so targeting him was natural.

But things went awry—Wan Cangsong was killed, which complicated matters.

“Wan Cangsong was an association supervisor. He was killed on assignment; I will investigate this thoroughly!” Wan Canglong, experienced, knew that when at a disadvantage, one must act tough.

Showing weakness only invited fierce attacks. Yet he left room for negotiation.

Shen Ning understood—before so many people, a master like Wan Canglong needed to save face.

She used psychic force to address him, “President Wan, the evidence is unassailable. We’re not afraid of any court.”

Masters could transmit their voice as psychic energy, a hidden method of communication.

Though many were present, only Wan Canglong heard Shen Ning’s words.

He wasn’t angered by this. He pondered, using psychic force to reply, “Show me the evidence.”

He didn’t know what Shen Ning had, and wouldn’t yield so easily. Money was no object; he wanted to see the evidence first.

“Video evidence. Multiple backups.”

Shen Ning said, “Let’s end this here. I’ll give you a copy.”

Wan Canglong was deeply frustrated but dared not break with her.

He said, “Give me the evidence. If Wan Cangsong is at fault, the matter ends here.”

“Agreed.”

Shen Ning considered and consented; she didn’t raise other conditions, like forbidding retaliation against Gao Wu, since it wouldn’t help.

The video alone couldn’t truly harm Wan Canglong.

Shen Ning sent him a video. It only showed Wan Cangsong’s actions, omitting the scene of him being killed.

A warrior killing a senior warrior would attract too much attention—not good for Gao Wu. With few aware, the news could be contained.

Wan Canglong watched the video, even more furious. He cursed, “Useless!” He knew the video was incomplete, but it was enough to clarify the matter.

Crucially, Wan Cangsong’s party carried a low-temperature transport box, which was impossible to explain.

If he pushed further, things could spiral out of control… With Shen Ning present, he couldn’t guarantee victory.

The big picture mattered. Once it was achieved, Shen Ning and the others could be dealt with easily.

After much deliberation, Wan Canglong suppressed his anger.

Gao Wu watched Wan Canglong and his group leave in haste, finally relaxing.

From start to finish, Wan Canglong never looked directly at him—but Gao Wu knew he was remembered.

The matter of Wan Cangsong’s death was resolved, but not entirely.

Song Mingyue knew it wasn’t truly over. She said quietly to Gao Wu, “You’ll need to be careful when you go out.”

Gao Wu glanced at her teasingly, “If Wan Canglong comes seeking revenge, you’ll have to protect me!”

“Mm.” Song Mingyue responded softly, her eyes full of seriousness…

Gao Wu was startled, looking at her in confusion. Was Xiao Song truly unafraid of Wan Canglong? Was her psychic power so formidable?!

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