Era of Magic and Martial Arts

Chapter 401 - 385: You Are Dough, You Are Ants

This discovery immediately caused a tremendous uproar online, sparking various speculations.

However, as things developed to this moment, the public’s mindset had already changed drastically from the beginning.

The initial righteous indignation, boiling hot blood, and explosive anger were long worn down to almost nothing by wave after wave of reversals.

Each revelation of the "Truth" was like a precise blunt force hit, slowly shattering and scattering people’s emotions

Like a sheet of metal repeatedly rubbed, its original edges and firmness long gone, kneaded into a shapeless, soft dough.

Now the netizens were more like a crowd of onlookers in front of a TV, chasing a hit suspense drama, eagerly waiting for the next "shocking twist".

Their emotions had shifted from initial anger and denunciation to pure curiosity and intrigue.

The dissolution of emotions brought a strange calm, as if all the anger and sympathy had been drained, leaving only harmless talking points and discussions.

The sound of typing continued uninterrupted, but it was no longer sharp or intense — more teasing, guessing, or even a mysterious entertainment.

"This plot is too thrilling! Two farewell letters? Even the screenwriters wouldn’t dare write like this!"

"I don’t care who’s good or bad anymore; I just want to know how it will twist next!"

"This gossip gives me a headache, but I can’t stop!"

Online, the factions criticizing Qian Huan and those speaking for Qian Huan continued to argue, but their voices held less than ten percent anger, filled more with the excitement and curiosity of watching a drama.

Originally firm stances began to waver, and the previously clear "Truth" became blurred.

Everyone felt close to the truth, yet it seemed as if there was a thick fog that they couldn’t grasp through.

Like a group of drama chasers wracking their brains, guessing who the real hidden villain in the show was.

Thus, the media’s incendiary voice of combat also gradually faded, as if reaching a strange tacit agreement.

Meanwhile, online public opinion discussions quietly completed a "mass migration" — from news and current affairs sections to forums and bars crowded with those seeking amusement.

Serious criticism and anger gradually receded, replaced by mockery, brainstorming, and all sorts of whimsical speculations, like a stream flowing into those naturally entertaining corners.

For example, this:

A popular sticky post in a mystery novel section — Title: "Two Farewell Letters? This rumor is getting more absurd, brothers, let’s analyze it!"

Original Poster: Melon Eater Who Doesn’t Spit Seeds

Brothers, have you all heard about the two farewell letters? This plot is too magical; who writes two farewell letters normally? It is obvious that they are forged by someone, right?

1st comment:

Keyboard Warrior 007:

The host is right! This clearly shows someone is scheming against Qian Huan! Qian Huan is just a scapegoat; the real mastermind is still behind the scenes!

2nd comment:

Fohrle’s Second Uncle:

I’m convinced, these two farewell letters make my head buzz, how does a normal person write two farewell letters? This is just absurd to the end of the universe! I suspect someone forged them, and Qian Huan might really be wronged!

.....

313th comment:

I’m Not a Nitpicker:

But both farewell letters mention the crimes of Second Prison and criticize Qian Huan. Doesn’t this exactly show that Qian Huan can’t wash away the accusation? If he had no problem, why would so many people target him?

314th comment:

Logic Master:

Are you too naive upstairs? The two farewell letters have identical content; what does that mean? It suggests that the person who killed Gong Lao and Gong Lao are on the "same front", okay!

They both stand against Qian Huan, clearly a gang crime!

.....

404th comment:

King of Anti-Plot:

I think you all missed a key point!

The farewell letters forged by the murderer must have ulterior motives, so if Gong Lao’s farewell letter is consistent with the murderer’s, doesn’t that mean Gong Lao’s farewell letter also has issues? In my opinion, we have to look at these two farewell letters in reverse!

405th comment:

Melon Eater Who Doesn’t Spit Seeds (Original Poster):

Hahaha, upstairs has a good imagination, a like from me.

But I think what’s more absurd is that these two farewell letters are too "coincidentally" identical, suggesting at least one of them has issues, or maybe...both have issues!

Don’t ask why, I just feel that the ones who managed to orchestrate this scenario are no simple characters!

406th comment:

Corpse of a Genius:

Exactly, the upstairs is right.

Since Gong Lao’s farewell letter is consistent with the murderer’s, Gong Lao’s farewell letter might also be fake! Which means, Qian Huan may not have done those things at all, and was framed!

407th comment:

Sherlock Holmes’s Second Uncle

Whoa, that’s a valid point! Doesn’t that make Gong Lao’s death even more suspicious?

408th comment:

Keyboard Warrior 007:

Wait, if Gong Lao’s farewell letter is fake, then how did Gong Lao really die? It can’t be that he wrote two fake farewell letters and then committed suicide?

409th comment: Detective Shang:

The truth is actually simple, the farewell letter left by Gong Lao when he committed suicide was agreed upon with the murderer, but the murderer feared Gong Lao wouldn’t commit suicide, so they added an extra touch to goad him into it, and then left an identical farewell letter for him, smirking.jpg

.....

666th comment:

Melon Eating Equality Association:

This gossip is giving me a headache!!!

667th comment:

Don’t Ask Me Why I Know Brothers Don’t Worry:

I feel like this isn’t over yet; there must be another twist. By the way, why hasn’t Qian Huan come out to clarify and speak all along, isn’t he possibly being held against his will?

668th comment:

Melon Field Watcher:

Headache, anyway, waiting for the next episode! I’m definitely following this gossip!

....

Qian Huan stopped his hand on the scrolling mouse, no longer looking at the chaotic news on the computer screen.

He let out a long breath, slowly leaning back against the chair, yet his fist involuntarily clenched, knuckles turning slightly white with exertion. He exhaled a mouthful of turbid air, as if expelling the congestion accumulating in his chest.

"To turn clouds with one hand and create rain with the other, this is the Strength held by powerful figures, killing without using a knife, yet more sinister and venomous than knives, not physically killing a person, but in fact, castrating everyone from a more terrifying level!"

He muttered in a low voice, a hint of fear in his tone, yet also a hint of longing.

Even knowing that this manipulation of public opinion by the media — or rather brainwashing — was voicing for him, vindicating him from injustice, Qian Huan still felt a bone-chilling fear, seeping up his spine from the soles of his feet, making his hair stand on end.

He knew clearly that this force could save him, but it could also kill him.

Today, they could use public opinion to pull him out of the mire; tomorrow, they could use the same method to push him into a deep abyss.

"Able to save me, but also able to kill me, haha—"

The deeper the fear hidden in Qian Huan’s heart, the deeper the ambition flickering in his eyes.

Beneath the sofa cushion, four playing cards seemed to pulsate with breath...