All across Nanwu Country.
Everyone watching the morning news was stunned; they never imagined that even TV stations could be attacked by Monsters.
In a villa, an old man was watching the daily news with his family.
When they saw Gao Qian's arrogant face on-screen, panic involuntarily crept across their faces.
"Monsters always showed up abroad before; our Nanwu Country rarely had any. How did it suddenly turn into this?" Beside the old man, his son, a middle-aged man, felt cold sweat trickle down his back as he watched.
If this continues, where on earth could still be called safe?
Ding-dong!
His phone suddenly buzzed with a push notification. Pulling it out, he saw it came from a major online outlet he followed.
It was a video; the footage was chaotic. He tapped to play.
"Aah, don't kill me! I'll never report on monst—" A terrified scream rang out from the very first frame.
A middle-aged man in glasses was held single-handedly by a Bull-Headed Creature. Hoisted to a broken window, he was hurled out while still in terror.
"Aaaah!" A despairing shriek echoed.
Thud! The sound of a body hitting the ground cut the scream short.
The bull-headed Monster turned to the camera, snarling, "Whoever dares slander our Monster Association or our president—this is what happens. We'll kill every last one of you!"
Before the middle-aged man could react, his phone began bombarding him with one video clip after another.
Each click brought fresh screams.
Panic was spreading through Nanwu Country at breakneck speed.
TV stations, media outlets, websites, video platforms—giants worth hundreds of billions down to small firms worth a few million.
Any that had ever run negative stories about the Monster Association or Jiang Yan were wiped out that very day.
It was journalism's darkest day—literally bloody dark.
While attacking these places, they also spawned hordes of Monsters, causing massive casualties nearby.
Once the Xuanjian Division reacted and struck back, the nationwide assault on the press was finally quelled.
Town City, beneath the News Tower.
Fang Wenyu stood there, calm. He hadn't planned to linger after arriving, but this happened.
All around, Awakened Ones in suits, soldiers, and Inspectors from the Xuanjian Division swarmed.
Battered Monster corpses and human bodies were carried out one after another.
A middle-aged Awakened approached Fang Wenyu respectfully: "Team Leader Fang, all Monsters have been killed on site."
"Have you found whoever orchestrated the attack?" Fang Wenyu was dissatisfied with mere body count.
He knew these slain Monsters were nothing but mindless weapons; only catching the masterminds mattered.
"Three squads have been dispatched, each led by a Mental-type. We'll have results soon," the man replied quickly.
Fang Wenyu waved him off. "Get back to it."
"Yes, sir!" The man left at once.
Fang Wenyu stayed, eyes flickering as he watched the bodies being carried past.
Media hubs nationwide had been hit, the footage even auto-recommended online.
It was a slap in the face of Nanwu Country—and of the Xuanjian Division.
After ten minutes, a black car pulled up in the distance.
Several Xuanjian agents dragged out a youth wrapped in pierced white bone.
Both his hands had been severed; one eye was smashed. Blood dribbled from his chin to the ground.
They shoved him before Fang Wenyu. "Team Leader Fang: four of the five masterminds shot dead, one ringleader captured."
"If I recall, you're Gao Qian, the one who just delivered that news report." Fang Wenyu lit a cigarette, studying him calmly.
Gao Qian lifted his head with difficulty. He hadn't expected the Xuanjian Division to respond so fast; they hadn't even left the city before being hunted down.
"Kill me or cut me up as you like. Don't dream of getting a shred of intel out of me." He curled his lip, arrogance still on his face.
After becoming a Monster he could shut off all sensation; torture meant nothing.
Yet to his surprise, this Level Five big shot showed no anger at his defiance.
Instead, he casually lit another cigarette and stuck it between Gao Qian's lips.
"I'm curious: why abandon humanity and choose to become a Monster? This has nothing to do with the Association's intel—humor me." Fang Wenyu eyed him with interest.
Previously, Monsters in Nanwu Country had been rare, live captures even rarer. The moment they were caught, they'd turn into drooling husks before their memories could be read.
That told everyone the Monsters were hard-wired with restrictions.
Gao Qian took a deep drag, then exhaled a long stream of smoke.
Looking at Fang Wenyu, he grinned. "For the thrill, of course. Human life is the same grind every day. I saw no point in being born just to repeat it. Not being human—that's fun."
Fang Wenyu narrowed his eyes. "Not being human? Look at your situation now. One thought from me and you're dead."
"Hahaha! Kill me, then. I was ready for it the moment I turned. Just regret I won't be able to have fun anymore." Gao Qian spat the cigarette, face twisted in a savage grin.
Fang Wenyu ignored him, turning to the escorts. "Take him down. See if you can dig out anything useful."
"Yes, sir!" The agents nodded and hauled Gao Qian away.
What awaited him next were the methods of seven or eight Mental-type Awakened Ones.
"Troublesome. The Crown Prince's wedding is in two months, and now this happens." A helpless voice sounded behind him.
A gray-haired old man walked up to Fang Wenyu.
Fang Wenyu gave him a sidelong glance.
The Mayor of Town City. As the capital, Town City's Mayor ranked equal to state governors.
Seeing Fang Wenyu ignore him, the old man forced a smile. "Team Leader Fang, you know the situation. Monsters are running wild in Town City. For the wedding's safety, I hope you can attend the ceremony in two months."
An invitation in name, but in truth they wanted one more Level Five Awakened standing guard.
Listening, Fang Wenyu thought of Nanwu Country's current power structure.
In Nanwu Country, the Xuanjian Division held supreme power, commanding both the Awakened Ones and the military.
The royal family were mere figureheads, backed by a handful of Awakened Ones and holding nominal authority over provincial governors.
All of that was power the Xuanjian Division allowed them; governing bored the Division.
They only needed to monopolize force and enjoy life, letting ordinary folk run the country and funnel gold to the Division.
"Do I look idle to you? I'd rather cultivate. Besides, the Director will be there; your security is covered." Fang Wenyu walked off, too lazy to bother.
Crown Prince or not, he couldn't be bothered—even the current Emperor was just a mascot to him.
The old man watched Fang Wenyu's back, helplessness written on his face.