"Dragon Master, something terrible has happened!"

Mu Hongchen rushed into the Secluded Valley with an anxious expression, shouting loudly.

In the Secluded Valley, Mu Jinyu was lying on a bamboo rocking chair, basking in the sun.

It had been more than ten days since the snow disaster, and as the effects gradually faded and society resumed order, he was no longer as busy, allowing him a rare moment of rest.

Due to the snow disaster, Mu Jinyu also enjoyed getting out to soak up the sun more often.

Upon hearing Mu Hongchen's shout, Mu Jinyu, who was dozing off on the rocking chair, fluttered his eyelids open lazily and asked, "What's going on? What happened this time?"

Mu Hongchen approached, speaking anxiously, "There are rumors abroad spreading about the cause of the dark turmoil and this snow disaster being instigated by you and Xiang Mantang, saying you are the mastermind, the sinner of humanity. Look..."

With that, Mu Hongchen handed a phone to Mu Jinyu.

Mu Jinyu took the phone and glanced at it, his previously lazy and calm expression slightly darkening.

"Eastern Expedition! The Eastern Dragon King must pay the price!"

"The Vatican's Archbishop Francis has spoken, Eastern Expedition! Determined to demand an explanation from the Dragon King!"

"Shocking! Two-thirds of the world's population has died, why is Huaxia an exception, the real answer is this..."

Mu Jinyu looked at a few of these headlines and then clicked on the first post, but it was full of curses against him, not providing any useful information.

He angrily closed that post, then opened the second one, concerning the topic of the Vatican's archbishop wanting to conduct an Eastern Expedition to demand answers from him.

Mu Jinyu remembered that Brilliant Divine Authority, unlike Fallen Splendor, Omniscient, Paradise Lost, and Withered Tree Quest for Spring, didn't have hidden headquarters. The headquarters of Brilliant Divine Authority was in the well-known Holy City, Vatican...

Given that they mentioned the Vatican's archbishop, it likely referred to the new leader of Brilliant Divine Authority?

Mu Jinyu also remembered the time when a group of them had been trapped in the Mirror World, nearly unable to return. It was Reinhardt and his group who sacrificed themselves to bring them back to the real world.

Because of this, Mu Jinyu's previous negative impression of Brilliant Divine Authority changed, and he didn't wish to be enemies with them anymore.

But why now does the new leader of Brilliant Divine Authority want to conduct an Eastern Expedition and demand answers from him?

Is he unaware of what the dark turmoil was about?

Mu Jinyu's mood grew gloomier as he opened the post, which clearly outlined the accusations against Xiang Mantang and himself. It stated that Brilliant Divine Authority's Francis couldn't stand it anymore and was preparing an Eastern Expedition to demand answers from the Dragon King!

The post also mentioned that the reason why so many former archbishops and cardinals of Brilliant Divine Authority disappeared a year ago was due to sacrifices made during the dark turmoil. So, it was understandable why Francis was enraged!

"This is..."

After reading the post, Mu Jinyu's expression darkened further as he searched for the earliest circulated photos and accusations against Xiang Mantang. When he saw the initial photos of Xiang Mantang harnessing demons and turning an entire town into a Ghastly Presence, his expression became even more grim!

"Paradise Lost, or perhaps Omniscient... You are truly audacious to provoke me like this!"

Mu Jinyu was no fool. He understood that the few photos of Xiang Mantang in their possession, and the unveiling of the connection between the dark turmoil and the Spiritual Energy Revival, could only come from Paradise Lost or Omniscient.

After all, it was them who deceived Xiang Mantang into going to the Mesopotamian ruins, thus initiating the dark turmoil.

So, if it weren't for these photos of Xiang Mantang, possibly Fallen Splendor, Buddha's Light Shines Everywhere, or Way of Nature could be the masterminds behind these posts.

But with these photos as evidence, other organizations were unlikely to be involved; only these two organizations could have provided such photos and evidence, accusing Mu Jinyu of deliberately causing the snow disaster to annihilate every nation. It's likely that only Omniscient could provide these photos!

What frustrated and angered Mu Jinyu was that, whether it was Way of Nature, Buddha's Light Shines Everywhere, Brilliant Divine Authority, or Fallen Splendor, if he truly decided to uproot these organizations, he might be able to do it.

But Omniscient was too mysterious, and although they previously interacted with Dragon King Hall, offering them various secret information and data, ever since he took charge of Dragon King Hall, they had lost all contact with Omniscient.

Finding and uprooting Omniscient wouldn't be simple!

As Mu Jinyu pondered, face clouded with indecision, on how to annihilate Paradise Lost and Omniscient, Mu Hongchen anxiously said, "Dragon Master, what should we do? These things have already spread to our side, and various forums here have started accusing you of being the mastermind..."

"Claiming you have even larger plans to annihilate all humanity!"

Hearing Mu Hongchen's last remark, Mu Jinyu rolled his eyes and said, "Idiots are beyond saving, just ignore them."

Mu Hongchen hesitated, "But... they're also badmouthing Xiang Mantang, questioning whether Xiang Mantang..."

"Questioning what?" Mu Jinyu asked, unable to hear Mu Hongchen's last words clearly.

Mu Hongchen lowered her voice, "See for yourself, I'm afraid if I say it, you'll end up hitting me..."

Mu Jinyu: "..."

Seeing Mu Hongchen unwilling to speak, Mu Jinyu opened several forums to see for himself.

Among the posts, there were fewer insulting him directly, and there were quite a few supporting him.

For every person cursing him, there were others defending him, saying no matter how foreigners criticized the Dragon King, at least he hadn't wronged Huaxia, he hadn't wronged them...

If it weren't for the Dragon King, how could so many of us still be living today?

Claims of the Dragon King's conspiracy to annihilate all humanity so he alone could evolve were considered absurd. If he truly had such a conspiracy, why would he tirelessly save us during the snow disaster?

Many of these types of comments suggested that Mu Jinyu gained quite a few supporters after the snow disaster.

However, those supporting Mu Jinyu mainly rebutted conspiracy theories in posts about the Spiritual Energy Revival and the snow disaster.

Yet, when it came to speculations about the dark turmoil, these supporters of Mu Jinyu were not as vocal and assertive, with weakening voices. Some even questioned the true essence of the dark turmoil.

Mu Jinyu understood these people.

After all, with the Spiritual Energy Revival and the snow disaster, his initial moves for nationwide martial cultivation and later making Essence Qi Pills while guiding people to seek refuge in Famous Mountains were all about helping and saving people.

But regarding the dark turmoil, the widely circulated Western narrative stated Xiang Mantang aimed to annihilate humanity with malice by releasing demons, causing the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, which threw the world into chaos. But after solving the dark turmoil, where did Xiang Mantang go? How was he handled, if at all? The Western articles accused Mu Jinyu of shielding Xiang Mantang, the supposed ringleader.

So, while Huaxia's citizens could rally behind him during the Spiritual Energy Revival and snow disaster without question, their curiosity about the counter-narrative concerning the dark turmoil was equally as strong. What truly happened?

Was Xiang Mantang, the alleged ringleader, truly a close brother to him? After the dark turmoil, what was the fate of Xiang Mantang? Was he really released without charge?

Numerous lost loved ones to the dark turmoil, so they couldn't blindly support Mu Jinyu without demanding answers.

Mu Jinyu put away his phone, his expression deeming unfavorable.

If it were merely people insulting him and falsely accusing him, he would be more inclined to ignore these nonsensical people, but slandering Xiang Mantang as an executioner and accusing himself of harboring this mastermind, Mu Jinyu found it intolerable.

The dark turmoil was not something Xiang Mantang sincerely wished to create, after all, if it weren't for his final intervention, would the dark turmoil have ended so easily with him imprisoning himself?

Yet, these people, standing high on their moral ground, aspired to nail Xiang Mantang as an eternal disgrace to humanity? It was difficult for Mu Jinyu to contain his anger and frustration.

Mu Jinyu pondered deeply, unsure how to uproot "Paradise Lost" and "Omniscient".

Mu Hongchen anxiously asked again, "Dragon Master, what do we do now? All this news has reached here, and various forums here are also starting to accuse you of being the mastermind..."

"Saying you still have big plans ahead to wipe out all of humanity!"

Mu Jinyu rolled his eyes at Mu Hongchen's last words, "Idiots, just ignore them."

Mu Hongchen hesitated, "But... but they are also saying bad things about Xiang Mantang, saying they don't know about Xiang Mantang..."

"Saying what?" Mu Jinyu questioned, having missed Mu Hongchen's last words.

Mu Hongchen whispered, "You better see for yourself, I'm afraid to say it and then get beaten by you..."

Mu Jinyu: "..."

Seeing Mu Hongchen's reluctance to speak, Mu Jinyu checked several forums on his own.

Among the posts, there were fewer derogatory remarks against him, and surprisingly, many people supported him.

While some criticized him, there was a large segment defending him. If the Dragon King hadn't stood by Huaxia during the crises despite foreign criticism, how could so many people have survived?

Accusations that the Dragon King wanted to eradicate humanity were rebutted, and it was pointed out that without the Dragon King's efforts, the survival of such a large number of people wouldn't have been possible.

This kind of comment was plentiful, demonstrating that many had faith in Mu Jinyu, especially after the snow disaster.

However, when discussing the dark turmoil, followers hesitated. Questions arose about whether the allegations concerning Xiang Mantang and the shelter of demons that turned a town into a ghastly presence held any truth. The western narrative implies there might have been protective actions for Xiang Mantang, the supposed mastermind.

Understanding their doubts, Mu Jinyu realized that while uninhibited support was evident during the Spiritual Energy Revival and snow disaster, skeptical inquiries emerged surrounding the dark turmoil. Why didn't Xiang Mantang face any repercussions?

Or was he simply allowed to go free without consequences?

Many, who lost friends and family during the dark turmoil, understandably sought definitive answers.

Settling his phone down, Mu Jinyu looked troubled.

He could ignore baseless accusations against himself, but fabrications branding Xiang Mantang as the villain were intolerable.

Knowing that the dark turmoil was not Xiang Mantang's genuine intention and that his ultimate sacrifice ended the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons more swiftly, Mu Jinyu was infuriated by the accusations.

Amidst these turbulent thoughts, Mu Hongchen asked urgently again, "Dragon Master, what shall we do? These rumors have spread here, and forums are accusing you of being a conspirator..."

"Insinuating you're planning a major event to wipe out humanity!"

Mu Jinyu rolled his eyes at Mu Hongchen's last statement and snapped, "Idiots without hope, don't worry about them."

Mu Hongchen hesitated for a moment, then said, "But... they're also speaking ill of Xiang Mantang, saying that they aren't sure about Xiang Mantang..."

"Saying what?" Mu Jinyu asked, not having caught Mu Hongchen's last words.

Mu Hongchen spoke softly, "You should see for yourself. I'm afraid if I say it, you'll hit me..."

Mu Jinyu: "..."

Seeing Mu Hongchen's reluctance to speak, he decided to browse through a few forums on his own.

There were less posts insulting him, in fact, there were many who supported him.

For every insult against the Dragon King, there were a lot of people speaking up for him. They argued that regardless of what foreigners say about the Eastern Dragon King's wrongdoings, at least Huaxia wasn't wronged.

If it hadn't been for the Dragon King, how would it have been possible for so many people to survive?

They argued that claims about the Dragon King's conspiracy to annihilate humanity were baseless countered by many posts on the Spiritual Energy Revival and the snow disaster, demonstrating deep faith in Mu Jinyu.

But when it came to dark turmoil speculations, skepticism remained. They wanted to know what had happened to Xiang Mantang after the dark turmoil had ended. His whereabouts were questioned.

Did he get off without any penalty?

Mu Jinyu could understand their concerns, as many people lost loved ones to the dark turmoil.

Setting his phone down, looking distressed, Mu Jinyu felt unable to remain silent about the accusations surrounding Xiang Mantang.

The dark turmoil wasn't something Xiang Mantang intentionally incited. If it weren't for Xiang Mantang sacrificing himself, the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons wouldn't have ended so easily.

Seeing friends and family die in the dark turmoil, people were bound to be upset and hold Xiang Mantang accountable, branding him Huaxia's eternal enemy?

Lost in thought, it became difficult for Mu Jinyu to grasp a solution on how to eradicate Paradise Lost and Omniscient.

In such troubled contemplation, Mu Hongchen spoke urgently again, "Dragon Master, what should we do? These stories have reached us, and people on forums here have begun to claim you're the mastermind..."

"""

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