Zhuge Mingyue could see through Mo Lin's thoughts and slowly spoke.
"Stop staring, there are no members of the Ghost Control Society here."
"Is the Ghost Control Society really that unwelcome?" Mo Lin asked, clearly puzzled.
The situation in Beihai was different from Yun Chuan. In Yun Chuan, the Ghost Control Society still held significant authority within the region. But here, in Beihai, they were practically ostracized.
"The situation varies by place, and so does the influence. Thus, the treatment differs as well," Zhuge Mingyue explained, her tone composed.
"Beihai has the Fire Symbol Taoist Sect, the Copper Coin Taoist Sect, and the Thunder Symbol Taoist Sect—three major ghost-hunting powers. So Beihai lacks no ghost-hunting forces."
"The main responsibility of the Ghost Control Society here in Beihai is to oversee these three powers, ensuring they do not raise ghosts."
The reason why such powers were feared for raising ghosts was easy to understand: the uncontrolled and unknown dangers they posed were far too great. There was a ban from above, prohibiting these factions from keeping spirits.
"The Ghost Control Society has offended someone's interests, which is why they've been marginalized. Am I right?" Mo Lin slowly inquired.
"Yes, you are correct," Zhuge Mingyue answered without hesitation.
Her Thunder Symbol Taoist Sect acted transparently, with nothing to hide, so she had no qualms discussing this topic.
"Eventually, the Ghost Control Society will disappear from Beihai. I advise you to leave the society sooner rather than later," Zhuge Mingyue continued, reiterating her warning.
"I'm not considering leaving the Ghost Control Society just yet," Mo Lin replied calmly.
He still had friends in the society—such as Lin Xi and Feng Mingyu. If he left, those friends would be in trouble.
"I don't care about your personal matters, but let me remind you: since you arrived in Beihai, someone has had their eyes on you," Zhuge Mingyue said, taking a sip of water as she continued.
Since yesterday, she had been giving Mo Lin cryptic hints, only saying half of what she meant. It was rather frustrating.
"Can you at least give me a hint? Who's after me?" Mo Lin asked, his patience wearing thin.
"It's not about you specifically—it's about the Ghost Control Society," Zhuge Mingyue corrected him.
"Who exactly is targeting the Ghost Control Society?" Mo Lin pressed further.
"Give me the Thunder Symbol, and I'll tell you," Zhuge Mingyue responded, her tone unchanged.
Mo Lin rolled his eyes at her. After all that buildup, she still just wanted the Thunder Symbol.
"I don't need your help. I'll investigate it myself," Mo Lin replied coldly.
Zhuge Mingyue shot him a sharp look, then snorted and crossed her arms, falling silent.
One by one, people began to walk into the room.
"That person... He's the one you're looking for," Zhuge Mingyue gestured toward a tall, muscular man wearing a thick gold chain and a black t-shirt.
The man was imposing, with dark skin, a crew cut, and a towering frame.
"Hey... what are you doing?" Zhuge Mingyue looked at Mo Lin as he stood and began walking toward the man.
"I'm not causing trouble; I just want to introduce myself," Mo Lin replied calmly.
Although he didn't know the man, Mo Lin could sense the killing intent emanating from him. The man had tried to kill him using Bing Yu, and there was also the matter of abducting her. No matter the reason, Mo Lin wasn't going to let him go easily.
"This gathering is hosted by the Li family. Don't cause trouble!" Zhuge Mingyue warned.
"The Li family holds great influence in Beihai. You really want to embarrass them?"
The Li family was highly respected in Beihai, and if Mo Lin caused a disturbance, it would be a slap in their face. Mo Lin had only just arrived in Beihai; starting trouble now would be senseless.
"I'm not causing trouble, I just want to meet him... I want to know who he is," Mo Lin said, making his way toward the man.
"Hello... Let's introduce ourselves," Mo Lin greeted the man in a casual manner.
"You are?" The man, Xing Lang, looked at Mo Lin with a puzzled expression.
"Don't recognize me?" Mo Lin asked, raising an eyebrow.
Xing Lang shook his head. "No, I don't."
Mo Lin's face was unfamiliar to him, and he had never seen him before.
"Then why did you try to kill me?" Mo Lin's tone turned cold as he confronted Xing Lang.
The atmosphere in the room immediately grew tense. The chatter that had filled the air ceased as all eyes turned to Mo Lin.
Zhuge Mingyue stared at him in disbelief.
"Wasn't the plan to not cause trouble?" She thought. Mo Lin really was fearless, like a young calf unafraid of a tiger.
Was he really this bold?
This was Beihai, not Yun Chuan. There were at least a few sixth-level Ghost Masters here. If one of them decided to clash with Mo Lin, things might not go in his favor.
Zhuge Mingyue's mood darkened. She had brought Mo Lin here, and if things went awry, she'd be caught in the mess too.
The crowd surrounding them began whispering among themselves.
"Bro, you can mess around with food, but not with words," Xing Lang said, his tone heavy, his expression hardening.
"I'm not talking nonsense! Didn't you try to kill me a few days ago?" Mo Lin repeated.
"I don't even know you. Why would I try to kill you? Are you trying to provoke me?" Xing Lang sneered, his brows furrowed.
"Do you know Bing Yu?" Mo Lin asked again, his voice calm but resolute.
The entire room fell silent, listening closely. Everyone knew about the massacre of the Bing family.
Bing Yu's father had stolen the Thunder Symbol to take revenge, and it caused quite a stir. Everyone had assumed that Bing Yu's father would use the Thunder Symbol to seek retribution, but instead, he mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
Why hadn't anyone talked about this for years?
The answer was simple: the Xing family was too powerful.
With a sixth-level Ghost Master emerging from their ranks, the Xing family solidified their place in Beihai. No one dared to bring up the past.
But now, with Mo Lin's words, the past had resurfaced.
The room was now buzzing with speculation—Mo Lin had come to stir up trouble.
"This guy really doesn't know how to give face."
"Doesn't he know this gathering is hosted by the Li family?"
"Causing trouble at a Li family event?"
"Unbelievable."
Xing Lang's eyes narrowed, a murderous glint flashing in them.
"Who are you?" He gritted his teeth, each word carefully measured.
"You want to kill me, and you don't even know who I am?" Mo Lin's gaze sharpened.
"I'm Mo Lin," he finally revealed his name.
Xing Lang immediately understood. While he hadn't seen Mo Lin before, he had heard his name several times. In fact, a few days ago, he had ordered a ghost to kill Mo Lin. That plan, however, had failed.
"Did I offend you?" Mo Lin asked coldly, his voice unwavering.
"No," Xing Lang replied calmly.
Mo Lin and he had no grievances, and this was their first meeting. But Mo Lin still couldn't fathom why Xing Lang had been targeting him.
4o