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Chapter 1112: Denial

Zhuang Yingjie spoke with absolute certainty, but after listening, Big Sister gently waved a finger, smiling, apparently disagreeing with his words.

"I do indeed want to eliminate Yang Haoran, that Underworld Official; there's no denying that. However, I wouldn't go so far as to offend all the factions in Gu Mo City just to get rid of him. The truth cannot be concealed; once this matter is exposed, we Spirit Mediums will suffer a devastating blow. The major powers of Gu Mo City will surely use every means to retaliate against us Spirit Mediums. At that point, it would be impossible for us to continue surviving in Gu Mo City. Do you think that's a worthwhile trade? If it were you, President Zhuang, would you engage in such a high-risk, losing business?"

Big Sister asked Zhuang Yingjie with a smile. Zhuang Yingjie's brow furrowed, his face thoughtful, as if he were pondering the veracity of Big Sister's words.

Big Sister wasn't prepared to give Zhuang Yingjie time to consider. She took a drag from her cigarette, then continued speaking.

"Furthermore, what do you mean by 'dragging Yang Haoran into it'? In my opinion, Yang Haoran was already involved in this matter himself. He's already in the water, so there's no such thing as 'dragging him in. ' There's no smoke without fire. If Yang Haoran wasn't responsible for this, how could it be circulating so widely in Gu Mo City, and with such vivid and believable details? Don't you agree, President Zhuang?"

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Yingjie let out a cold snort.

"Hmph, who says there's no smoke without fire? What if there's a pig wallowing in the mud in this pond?"

Zhuang Yingjie's words made Big Sister's motion of flicking ash pause slightly, and Shang Yuanqi, standing nearby, also frowned imperceptibly. Their reactions were subtle, but Zhuang Mingzhe's response, after hearing Zhuang Yingjie's heavily sarcastic remark, was far more intense than theirs.

Zhuang Mingzhe abruptly rose from his seat, pointed at Zhuang Yingjie, and roared furiously, his emotions extremely agitated.

Zhuang Mingzhe's expression today was already grim; while not as dark as Zhuang Yingjie's, it wasn't much better. Now, upon hearing Zhuang Yingjie's highly sarcastic remark, he could no longer hold back and erupted with the fury festering in his heart.

"Zhuang Yingjie, what right do you have to yell at me? " Zhuang Yingjie glared at Zhuang Mingzhe and asked coldly.

"Why do I not have the right? Forget yelling a few words; I'd even dare to kill you! " Zhuang Mingzhe retorted furiously.

"Heh, you think you can kill me? Your meager skills are only fit for dealing with petty minions. To challenge me—you think too highly of yourself."

Zhuang Yingjie's words were filled with disdain for Zhuang Mingzhe's strength. However, if the two were truly compared, Zhuang Mingzhe's power was indeed inferior to Zhuang Yingjie's, and the gap was not small.

Not only was his strength inferior to Zhuang Yingjie's, but his status was also far beneath him. Zhuang Mingzhe was merely a Spirit Master. Although his position within the Gu Mo City Spirit Medium circle was respectable, he was not, after all, the top figure among the Gu Mo City Spirit Mediums.

In contrast, Zhuang Yingjie was the head of the Gu Mo City Demon Hunter Association branch. His status was very high, far from what Zhuang Mingzhe could compare to.

Zhuang Mingzhe was actually aware that both his strength and status were inferior to Zhuang Yingjie's, yet he did not shrink back because of it. When facing Zhuang Yingjie, he not only showed no fear but was filled with killing intent, looking as if he might strike Zhuang Yingjie down at any moment.

"Zhuang Yingjie, I admit my strength isn't as good as yours, but I've never been afraid of you. If you want a fight, I'm ready anytime. And don't bother trying to scare me with your damn president's title. I, Zhuang Mingzhe, am a Spirit Medium, not a Demon Hunter from your Demon Hunter Association. You can't control me! " Zhuang Mingzhe roared.

The anger in his heart twisted Zhuang Yingjie's expression. He glared at Zhuang Mingzhe, cold, sharp light erupting in his eyes.

"I see your hide is getting thick again. It seems it's time to find an opportunity to loosen it for you, or else you might just forget who you are! " Zhuang Yingjie, forcefully suppressing his inner fury, said coldly to Zhuang Mingzhe.

"You think I'm scared of you? Stop putting on an act in front of me. If you want to fight, I'll accompany you anytime. Do you still think I'm the same Zhuang Mingzhe you used to bully? " Zhuang Mingzhe demanded furiously.

Zhuang Yingjie's fists clenched abruptly. At this moment, an intense urge to strike surged within him. He stared at Zhuang Mingzhe with icy eyes, seemingly contemplating whether to make a move.

Big Sister's expression was natural, as she leisurely smoked her cigarette. Shang Yuanqi's face was solemn, his gaze fixed on Zhuang Yingjie. Neither of them spoke, nor did they show any intention of interrupting Zhuang Mingzhe and Zhuang Yingjie.

After a few seconds, Zhuang Yingjie took a deep breath, and his tightly clenched fists slowly relaxed. In the end, he did not strike Zhuang Mingzhe.

"I'm not here to argue with you today. You have no right to speak here. You'd best clench your ass tight! " Zhuang Yingjie said in a low voice.

"To hell with you! What kind of damn thing do you think you are! " Zhuang Mingzhe cursed.

Zhuang Yingjie forcefully suppressed his inner fury and ignored Zhuang Mingzhe. As if he hadn't heard Zhuang Mingzhe's voice, he redirected his gaze back to Big Sister.

Zhuang Mingzhe cursed a few more times, but Zhuang Yingjie still paid him no mind. Only then did Zhuang Mingzhe close his mouth. Although his mouth was shut, the killing intent in Zhuang Mingzhe's eyes did not diminish in the slightest.

"Heh heh, why have you two stopped arguing?"

Big Sister asked, smiling, as she stubbed out the cigarette in her hand into an ashtray.

Zhuang Mingzhe said nothing, returning to his seat with a murderous expression. Although he wasn't afraid of Zhuang Yingjie, he was still very wary of Big Sister beside him.

"I know you intentionally called Zhuang Mingzhe here, but you'd better get one thing straight: I won't drop the matter of these disappearances because of this good-for-nothing. Our Demon Hunters' lives are far more precious than this waste's life!"

Zhuang Yingjie's words naturally provoked Zhuang Mingzhe, who had just resumed his seat. He glanced at Big Sister beside him, hesitated, and ultimately refrained from retorting to Zhuang Yingjie.

"President Zhuang, I've already made it very clear to you: these disappearances in Gu Mo City have nothing to do with us Spirit Mediums. The missing Demon Hunters from your Demon Hunter Association were not taken by us Spirit Mediums either. If you want to find someone, you should look for Yang Haoran, not me. " Big Sister stated.

"Since this matter has nothing to do with you Spirit Mediums, why did a certain mad dog react so strongly just now? " Zhuang Yingjie asked in a low voice.

"Zhuang Yingjie! I'm not speaking because I'm afraid of you! Don't push your luck! " Zhuang Mingzhe roared furiously.

"Hmph, I could tolerate it when you cursed at me just now. Now I curse you once, and you can't stand it? " Zhuang Yingjie asked coldly.

"You! ! !"

Big Sister gently waved her hand, stopping Zhuang Mingzhe. Although Zhuang Mingzhe was furious, he dared not defy Big Sister's wishes and could only suppress his anger, closing his mouth once more.

"President Zhuang, your words just now clearly implied that we Spirit Mediums are pigs. Anyone could tell you were targeting us Spirit Mediums. It's perfectly normal for Zhuang Mingzhe to react so emotionally, as I'm sure you're well aware of his temperament. As for me and the old man, we're actually just as uncomfortable, we just didn't show it as strongly. If you're going to conclude that this matter was done by us Spirit Mediums simply because of Zhuang Mingzhe's emotional reaction, isn't that a bit too hasty?"

Big Sister spoke with a smile. As her voice trailed off, she lit another cigarette for herself, then continued.

"As I said before, we Spirit Mediums are currently in dire need of allies. Apart from the Underworld Office, we don't want to offend any other faction. Not only do we not wish to offend them, but we will also try every means to befriend other forces. Therefore, these disappearances in Gu Mo City absolutely could not have been caused by us Spirit Mediums."

Zhuang Yingjie let out a cold snort. Judging by his expression, he apparently did not believe Big Sister's words.

Big Sister knew Zhuang Yingjie didn't believe her, but she wasn't angered. She took a drag from her cigarette and continued.

"President Zhuang, don't be so disbelieving. I won't mention anyone else, but let's talk about the missing vice-president from your own branch. You know his strength, I'm sure. For him to disappear without a trace, without anyone knowing—how powerful would someone need to be to achieve that? Who among us Gu Mo City Spirit Mediums do you think possesses such an ability?"