"Could you perhaps offer me a reasonable explanation?" Mo Lin's lips curled into a chilling smile, sending a shiver down the spine of anyone who saw it.
"The reason is simple," Xing Lang said with a cold smirk. "Strike first, and you strike with strength. I feared you might seek revenge for Bing Yu, so I planned to eliminate you before you could do so."
"I didn't expect you to be lucky enough to survive," Xing Lang admitted plainly.
His intentions were clear; he had wanted to kill Mo Lin all along. But that wasn't his only motive. He also had a second, more selfish reason—he wished to steal Bing Yu from Mo Lin. Bing Yu, after all, was a fatal-class spirit, a powerful asset in its own right. If Xing Lang could claim Bing Yu, it would only benefit him.
"Boy, are you really prepared to cross me? I'm not afraid of you," Xing Lang retorted, his confidence unwavering. As a Level 6 Spirit Master with a deadly ghost at his side, he had no fear of Mo Lin.
Mo Lin had recently exhausted much of his power during his confrontation in the Ghost Realm. He was currently lacking the strength of the Yin Court, which made confronting Xing Lang particularly challenging. While Mo Lin possessed Bing Yu, the fatal-class ghost, he was hesitant to unleash it, fearing that Xing Lang might exploit some trick to control it.
"This is Beihai, not Yun Chuan," Xing Lang scoffed. "You think you can control the winds here? You're not that capable."
"I may not be able to do anything to you directly," Mo Lin replied coolly, "but I'm certain someone will be able to take you down."
Xing Lang let out a mocking laugh, clearly amused. "Ha! Many have wanted me dead before, but who dares to challenge me?"
Xing Lang had committed many wrongdoings in Beihai, and had made countless enemies. But no one dared openly confront him—not because they lacked the desire, but because they feared the consequences and knew that any attempt on his life would not be worth the cost.
"Perhaps no one dared before," Mo Lin stood up and spoke slowly, his voice steady and determined. "But things are different now. I, Mo Lin, Vice Minister of the Ghost-Summoning Society, hereby announce that the life of any member of the Xing family can be exchanged for a superior ghost artifact or thirty thousand Yin coins."
A wave of astonished gazes turned towards Mo Lin.
"This kid... he's ruthless," muttered someone under their breath.
"Did he just issue a bounty right in front of Xing Lang?"
"Is he really putting such a price on a life?"
The bounty was audacious—one superior ghost artifact, worth thirty thousand Yin coins. To put that into perspective, even a Level 5 Spirit Master earned barely three Yin coins per year.
"Ha," Mo Lin cleared his throat and spoke again, "For important members of the Xing family, or those of the same rank as Xing Lang, one life can be exchanged for one hundred and fifty thousand Yin coins or five superior ghost artifacts."
Xing Lang's face darkened immediately. One hundred and fifty thousand Yin coins? That was more than the entire annual income of the Xing family. Mo Lin was indeed throwing down a massive wager.
Mo Lin pointed directly at Xing Lang's face and added, "As for this man, his life is worth two hundred and fifty thousand Yin coins or nine superior ghost artifacts."
Xing Lang's complexion turned ashen. Two hundred and fifty thousand Yin coins? Who wouldn't be tempted by such a sum? Even he himself felt the lure of that price.
He had never thought that Mo Lin could pose any real threat, but now, seeing the viciousness in Mo Lin's strategy, he began to reconsider. The fact that Mo Lin was willing to manipulate others to do his bidding made it clear just how serious the situation was.
"Even if a dog of the Xin family dies, it can still be exchanged for a superior ghost artifact," Mo Lin added.
"Kid, are you serious?" A man stood up and questioned Mo Lin, his voice filled with interest.
"Of course I'm serious," Mo Lin replied without haste.
"Three thousand Yin coins to kill a man? Do you really have that kind of money?" The man asked the question that was on everyone's mind. They didn't care about the bounty itself; they were more interested in whether Mo Lin could actually back up his claim with the necessary funds.
"I may not have enough Yin coins," Mo Lin responded smoothly, "But I have as many superior ghost artifacts as you could ever need."
"You think superior ghost artifacts grow on trees?" someone scoffed. "I don't believe you."
"Neither do I," muttered the crowd, casting skeptical glances in Mo Lin's direction.
At that moment, a man in a brown suit slowly stood and spoke.
"I can vouch for Mo Lin. He has more Yin coins than my entire Wan Hai Trading Association combined, and every superior ghost artifact in our inventory came from his hands."
The room fell silent as the voice of Fu Wansan, a well-known merchant, cut through the murmurs. His words carried significant weight, especially since he was well-respected in Beihai and dealt extensively in superior ghost artifacts.
With a wink towards Mo Lin, Fu Wansan seemed to say, "How's that for a little backup, my friend?"
Those who had been doubting Mo Lin immediately fell silent. Xing Lang's hair stood on end, his body suddenly aware of the murderous intent around him.
For the first time, he realized that there were indeed people present who would not hesitate to see him dead.
Previously, many had hated him but feared retaliation, as the cost outweighed the benefit. But now, under these circumstances, who could resist such a tempting offer?
"Mo Lin, you really know how to play the game!" Xing Lang gritted his teeth, his voice dripping with venom. His eyes burned with malice as he glared at Mo Lin, wishing he could devour him whole.
"I'm merely returning the favor in kind," Mo Lin smiled back. "It's a fair game."
"Brother, how can I find you?" A man stepped forward, his curiosity piqued.
Mo Lin looked up, his voice calm as he responded, "Come to the Ghost-Summoning Society. I am Mo Lin, currently the Vice Minister."
The mention of the Ghost-Summoning Society immediately changed the atmosphere. The crowd quieted for a moment before it quickly returned to its previous hum.
The fact that someone asked for Mo Lin's location confirmed that someone there truly harbored murderous intent.
"Boy, you really are something else!" Xing Lang ground his teeth, seething with anger.
"Instead of wasting your time bickering with me, you should be thinking about how to protect yourself," Mo Lin said with a smirk.
Xing Lang could do nothing but seethe silently. He was seething with rage, but he dared not lash out. This was a gathering hosted by the Li family. Who would be bold enough to cause trouble here?
Mo Lin returned to his seat, but as he did, a woman dressed in a white gown caught everyone's attention. She stepped forward with grace, her red high heels accentuating her long, slender legs.
The room fell into a hush as all eyes turned to her. This woman was Li Yue Mei, the third daughter of the Li family.
"You really are a troublemaker," she said, settling down in front of Mo Lin with a smile. "Causing trouble the moment you arrive in Beihai."
"It was him who provoked me," Mo Lin retorted with a playful grin. "I was merely defending myself."
Her words sounded like a light-hearted reprimand between familiar acquaintances, despite the situation. Li Yue Mei smiled but said nothing more.
4o