Yuan Hui was here, playing the victim.
Hong Yanxun remained unmoved.
To her, Yuan Hui's display was nothing short of absurd. Ridiculously so.
Soon, Yuan Hui had unlocked the seal on Hong Yanxun.
What exactly he had done, Mo Lin couldn't understand, but the seal was broken.
Hong Yanxun could now summon her contracted ghost.
"Um... can I leave now?" Yuan Hui asked cautiously.
"Leave?"
A glint of murderous intent flashed in Hong Yanxun's eyes.
"What do you think?"
After all Yuan Hui had put her through, how could she let him go so easily? What did he think she was—a saint full of mercy?
Had he not sealed her contracted ghost, she would not have been so easily bullied.
Without further ado, Hong Yanxun summoned her ghost.
The moment it appeared, the ghost tightened its grip around Yuan Hui's neck.
Yuan Hui struggled, but to no avail, and soon, his life came to an abrupt end.
This was a result of his own actions.
He had to pay the price for what he had done.
"Mo Lin, thank you." Hong Yanxun expressed her gratitude once more.
Had it not been for Mo Lin's intervention, who knew what would have become of her by now.
"We're friends. No need for formalities," Mo Lin replied.
He then reminded her, "You should go to the hospital."
Her injuries were severe and required immediate attention.
Hong Yanxun nodded and hailed a taxi to the hospital.
With the matter settled,
"Mo Lin, did I earn any credit today?" Lin Xi asked, turning to him.
"Yes... thank you." Mo Lin replied. Without Lin Xi, he might not have found Yuan Hui so quickly.
"Rather than words of thanks, I prefer something more tangible." Lin Xi teased, giving him a knowing smile.
"Say it, what do you want?"
"We're going to North Sea on a business trip the day after tomorrow. Would you like to come along?" Lin Xi asked.
The reason she invited Mo Lin was simple—she was familiar with him, and this trip involved people from the Zilong Society.
She feared something unexpected might happen, so she wanted Mo Lin with her.
Mo Lin had power and the Thunder Talisman. No one would dare to harm her, right?
That was Lin Xi's little scheme.
"Sure."
Wasn't this a perfect coincidence?
Mo Lin was planning to go to North Sea as well, intending to visit the Copper Coin Taoist Master's Mansion.
It seemed the trip was fated.
"Alright, it's settled then. I'll call you when it's time," Lin Xi said to Mo Lin.
Suddenly, Mo Lin's phone rang. It was a call from Li Bingyan.
He answered, and immediately heard her voice.
"Mo Lin, come to the Ghost-Controlling Society headquarters."
It was brief and to the point. Mo Lin couldn't guess what was going on, but he bid farewell to Lin Xi and headed to the headquarters.
The road was familiar—he had been there before.
In just a few minutes, he arrived at the Ghost-Controlling Society's headquarters.
Though it was late at night, the headquarters was bustling with activity, showing no signs of closing.
Mo Lin quickly arrived at Li Bingyan's office.
She was dressed in a formal gray-black suit, looking very professional.
A middle-aged man was seated there.
He had a stubble and, like Li Bingyan, wore a suit.
Li Bingyan pointed at Mo Lin and introduced him to the man.
"Brother Zhong, this is Mo Lin."
The moment the man saw Mo Lin, he smiled with approval, stood up, and walked toward him.
"Mo, I've heard of you for a long time."
"You're as impressive as your reputation suggests!" He warmly grasped Mo Lin's hand and led him to a seat.
"Who are you?" Mo Lin asked, puzzled.
"My name is Zhong Hai. I'm the Minister of the North Sea branch of the Ghost-Controlling Society," the man explained slowly.
He exchanged a look with Li Bingyan, signaling her to step outside.
Li Bingyan passed by Mo Lin and lightly patted his shoulder.
"This is your opportunity."
Then she left.
Mo Lin was still trying to make sense of her words when Zhong Hai interrupted his thoughts.
"Mo, would you be interested in developing in North Sea?"
"What do you mean?" Mo Lin asked, confused.
"I've heard about you from Li Bingyan. You have strength, temper, and character. I really like you. I'd like to promote you to vice minister of the North Sea Ghost-Controlling Society," Zhong Hai said slowly.
So, this was about promoting him.
No wonder Li Bingyan had urged him to seize the opportunity.
"North Sea has encountered some trouble. The former vice minister is dead, along with many of his subordinates."
"Right now, North Sea is in urgent need of people." Zhong Hai continued.
So that was why Lin Xi had mentioned taking Mo Lin on a business trip to North Sea.
It all suddenly made sense.
"Why me?" Mo Lin asked, still puzzled.
There were so many people in Yun Chuan—why choose him? After all, he hadn't been with the Ghost-Controlling Society for long.
"This decision was made after careful consideration. Two reasons."
"First, you're strong and possess a Thunder Talisman."
"Second, you're at odds with the Copper Coin Taoist Master's Mansion."
"Given these two factors, you're the perfect choice."
Mo Lin had not been particularly interested in the conversation, but when he heard the mention of the Copper Coin Taoist Master's Mansion, his interest piqued.
"The Copper Coin Taoist Master's Mansion might be secretly collaborating with ghosts... I suspect they've teamed up to destroy the Ghost-Controlling Society."
"Of the 396 Ghost-Controlling Masters sent to investigate the Copper Coin Taoist Master's Mansion, all have perished. This case is highly suspicious," Zhong Hai explained.
He had solid evidence, and word was that people from the Copper Coin Taoist Master's Mansion had arrived in Yun Chuan and allied with the ghosts.
This confirmed Zhong Hai's suspicions.
"The Copper Coin Taoist Master's Mansion is incompatible with you. If they grow too powerful, they may seek revenge," Zhong Hai analyzed the situation.
Even without his input, Mo Lin already understood.
But Zhong Hai put it in more diplomatic terms.
It wasn't a matter of 'possibly' seeking revenge—he knew it would happen.
"Is there anything in it for me?" Mo Lin asked slowly.
"All the Ghost-Controlling Society's forces in North Sea will be at your disposal. Whatever you do, I will support you unconditionally. That's the benefit I offer you," Zhong Hai replied with clear intent.
He had clearly done his homework on Mo Lin.
This was a veiled suggestion: if Mo Lin wanted to destroy the Copper Coin Taoist Master's Mansion, Zhong Hai would do everything in his power to assist.
"Alright." Mo Lin agreed without hesitation.
This was a partnership.
Mo Lin needed the Ghost-Controlling Society, and the Society needed him.
A mutually beneficial arrangement.
"Vice Minister Mo, I look forward to working with you," Zhong Hai said, shaking Mo Lin's hand.
He then handed him a prepared ID card.
"Your ID is ready. Tomorrow, I will inform everyone at the North Sea branch that you are now the Vice Minister."
Zhong Hai was efficient, already having prepared everything in advance.
"I'll head to North Sea the day after tomorrow?" Mo Lin asked, wanting to travel with Lin Xi and the others.
"Of course," Zhong Hai nodded in agreement.