Chapter 443: Chapter 28: So-Called Public Opinion Has Never Been About the Truth

April 23, 2018, in the afternoon

Before most people in Golden Jade City began to enjoy their dinner, a staff member from the Golden Jade City Lord’s Mansion, holding a stack of thick documents, solemnly found Wang Jiu to convey the important meeting spirit of the morning to him.

"In short, Mr. Xinyu, this is the main content of this morning’s emergency meeting. Please take a look at the meeting minutes and sign here. Then I’ll discuss the next steps with you."

As he spoke, the staff member carefully observed Wang Jiu’s expression upon receiving the meeting minutes and unsurprisingly saw him raise his eyebrows with a look of surprise.

The staff member asked with apparent concern, "Is there any problem, Mr. Xinyu?"

Wang Jiu asked, "These meeting minutes indicate that the provisional government wants me to reveal my identity as the ex-husband to attack Zhao Chenlu’s reputation?"

The staff member enthusiastically explained, "Yes, I can understand your concerns. Revealing such an identity will certainly have some negative impact on your personal dignity and safety. But since we’re all here for a common goal, I believe a little sacrifice wouldn’t be too much to ask."

Wang Jiu said, "No, I meant..."

The staff member insisted, "Mr. Xinyu, time is pressing. This summary is already finalized and cannot be changed. I hope you can understand."

Wang Jiu asked, "Since it’s unalterable and I’m the main force for the action, why wasn’t I called to attend the meeting?"

The staff member replied, "The meeting was convened at short notice, and perhaps there just wasn’t time to inform you. It was an oversight on our part. We apologize."

As he spoke, the staff couldn’t help but let a slight smile creep up the corner of his mouth.

For the feeling of revenge simmering in his heart could no longer be contained.

So you’re Zhao Chenlu’s ex-husband!? Rumor has it that over these more than ten years, you’ve had frequent and intimate physical exchanges with Zhao Chenlu?! It’s said that due to your outstanding technical skills, you often received Zhao Chenlu’s rewards?!

At last night’s meeting, Wang Jiu’s repeated "bragging" made many of the attending men gnash their teeth in anger, wishing they could immediately rush up and tear him to pieces. If Zhao Lingbo’s hatred for him was 100 at that time, then the hatred from the many men below was at least 10,000.

So as long as Wang Jiu suffers misfortune, everyone, despite numerous differences in positions and interests, can unite with one heart and cooperate sincerely.

"In short, the United Hearts Array proposal is yours, Mr. Xinyu. Since you carry such a deep-seated hatred, I suppose you’d be willing to make some sacrifices for its implementation, wouldn’t you?"

As he spoke, the staff member stepped half a step forward, adopting an aggressive posture.

On the other side, Wang Jiu looked at the contents of the meeting minutes, pondering in silence.

The plan put forth by Zhao Hongwu and others was basically to parade him like a rare specimen throughout the city. In the next few days, Zhao Hongwu plans to hold several exhibitions to showcase his private relationship with Zhao Chenlu and do his utmost to create an impression of Zhao Chenlu’s licentious private life to tarnish her longstanding reputation.

In the eyes of most people in Golden Jade City, Zhao Chenlu is akin to a celestial star, even a brilliant sun. To learn that she possesses ordinary human emotions and desires would indeed deliver a blow akin to the shattering of an idol.

After pondering for a while, Wang Jiu said, "Alright, how exactly should I cooperate?"

The staff was a bit surprised, "Really? No objections?"

"Although this is obviously not the optimal solution, considering the average intelligence level of the provisional government’s leaders, coming up with such a plan without my guidance is not easy. I can accommodate you guys this time."

"Your wording... it’s exactly in the same tone as Zhao Chenlu."

Wang Jiu said, "After all, I am her ex-husband."

"You..." The staff member grit his teeth, the jubilation he had managed to summon surging back inside him like a reversed river flow, inflating painfully as if Qingyu True Essence Divine Thunder had detonated inside.

However, according to the determined work plan of the meeting, this attitude of being Zhao Chenlu’s ex-husband matter-of-factly is extremely necessary, so even though the staff’s heart was boiling with anger, he still forced a smile on his face.

"It’s great that you’re willing to cooperate. This is our current plan. Given your identity is too special, if we were to announce it directly, it would be hard to convince people and might be seen as us deliberately trying to sully Zhao Chenlu’s name, causing a counterproductive effect. Therefore, we hope to stage a double act, where you first step forward and publicly announce your identity, demanding a share of Zhao Chenlu’s personal assets. At that point, you’ll undoubtedly be condemned by everyone in the city. Then our provisional government will promptly stand with the public, angrily refuting your claims, stating that the ex-husband notion is utterly absurd. Although we do not recognize Zhao Chenlu’s rule, we will at least respect her personal dignity and strictly punish such malicious rumormongering. During this period, we might also need to arrange for some knights from the people to intervene, so please, Mr. Xinyu, pay extra attention..."

Wang Jiu asked, "Regarding this point..."

The staff member said apologetically, "Regrettably, the provisional government finds it difficult to provide you effective assistance on this matter. We are currently short-handed, with a severe lack of skilled fighters. The few we have are well-known experts, and if we sent them out to assist you, our collaboration in private would be exposed... Fortunately, Mr. Xinyu, since you are Zhao Chenlu’s ex-husband and could obtain such a powerful array as the United Hearts Array, surely you have protective magical treasures and primordial immortal techniques, so you don’t need the protection of those of us with low intelligence."

As he spoke, the staff member again intently watched Wang Jiu’s expression, hoping to see anger, fear, depression, or helplessness.

However, Wang Jiu merely nodded, "Oh, since you and the knights aren’t entirely aligned, there’s no problem. I was worried whether during self-defense, if I acted too severely, would it affect your plan, but since you aren’t on the same team, it doesn’t matter even if I tear those knights to pieces."

"Uh..." The staff member instantly felt another reversal of rivers in his body.

Why can’t this bastard just play by common sense once!? Can’t he just cry out for us to provide bodyguards, begging for help!?

With strong resentment, the staff said, "Mr. Xinyu, although Golden Jade City is not as barbaric and belligerent as Shen City, the cultivators in the city are on average quite skilled. The outstanding ones are considered exceptional even in remote places like Shen City, so you shouldn’t be reckless."

Wang Jiu said, "Oh, if it’s merely at the level of Shen City’s exceptional ones, you can arrange for several at a time to save on the implementation time for this segment."

"... Among them, the highest cultivation is at the peak of the Rain Cover Realm, with the potential to break through to the Mountain-Overturning Realm. You are sure there’s no problem?"

"Only Mountain-Overturning Realm? Won’t it seem not realistic enough, don’t you have stronger knights on hand?"

"... Of course, we do! Golden Jade City is rich and overflowing with talents; how could we not? But are you sure there’s no problem!?"

No matter how the staff looked, this plain-looking middle-aged sword cultivator before him, whose true essence fluctuation definitely did not reach the level of the Rain Cover Realm, how could this kind think so little of cultivators at the peak Rain Cover Realm?

"Fine, since you say so, don’t regret it later!" the staff member grit his teeth and added, "Overall, after this segment, Mr. Xinyu, you’ll be standing against the entire Golden Jade City, notorious and seen as an evil adversary both officially and among the people. At this point, you’ll need to continuously unleash evidence to prove your identity. Of course, we’ll assist you with this part, and then openly, our provisional government will thoroughly verify each piece of evidence, and ultimately have no choice but to admit your evidence is valid, that you truly are Zhao Chenlu’s ex-husband, causing a huge stir. By then, with repeated public opinion frenzy, no one will doubt this conclusion. By that time, public sentiment will fall off a cliff into the abyss, and Zhao Chenlu’s reputation, built over many years, will shatter with the scandal. At the public trial conference, we’ll announce the charges we’ve prepared over these days one by one, imposing a life sentence on her. Public opinion in Golden Jade City will reach a boiling point. At this moment, the launch of the United Hearts Array will refine the purest and most powerful wish power, crushing Zhao Chenlu forever."

Wang Jiu pondered for a moment and nodded, "No problem, let’s do it this way."