Chapter 1192: Mysterious Individuals
Hearing Shui Ling say that, Yang Haoran's interest was piqued. From his understanding of Shui Ling, she wasn't one to make a fuss over nothing. For something to be called 'strange' by Shui Ling, it certainly wasn't simple. Moreover, this matter had occurred in the Seventh District of their Jingling Continent, which was Huo Laoban's territory, making him even more interested.
“Heh heh, what strange matter are you speaking of? Tell me, let's see just how strange it is. ” Yang Haoran asked with a chuckle, his face full of interest. Shui Ling didn't play coy, responding immediately.
“Recently, a group of mysterious individuals appeared in the Seventh District. According to rumors, these mysterious individuals all wear eerie Smiling Face Masks. They appear and disappear without a trace, secretly plundering a significant amount of resources from the Seventh District. Whether it's our Underworld Office or other factions, resources within their jurisdiction are all targets for these mysterious individuals, and our Underworld Office has suffered the greatest losses, in particular. ”
The moment Yang Haoran heard Shui Ling's words, he had already guessed the identity of these mysterious individuals with uncanny accuracy. However, he didn't let on in the slightest; instead, the interest on his face deepened even further than before.
“Oh? Such a thing is happening? But why are our Underworld Office's losses the greatest? ” Yang Haoran asked with a faint smile. Hearing this, Shui Ling quickly began to explain.
“It's said that these mysterious individuals seem particularly interested in our Underworld Office, and equally interested in souls. Therefore, not only do they secretly plunder resources within the Underworld Office's jurisdiction, but they even target our Night Watchers and Underworld Officials, seizing the souls they've collected. ”
Shui Ling's words first brought a hint of surprise to Yang Haoran's face. Immediately after, his expression turned somewhat wistful.
“Heh heh, how domineering and magnificent our Underworld Office once was! While we might not have struck fear into every heart, which faction dared to not show us at least some respect? But now, any stray cat or dog dares to piss on our heads. ”
Yang Haoran smiled faintly, a distinct note of mockery in his tone. However, the words he spoke and the expression he displayed were entirely different from what he truly thought. His current lament was thirty percent feigned and seventy percent genuine, his primary objective being to prevent Shui Ling from growing suspicious.
From the start, when Shui Ling mentioned the eerie Smiling Face Masks, Yang Haoran immediately thought of another organization under his command: the Myriad Ghost Grotto. While he couldn't be absolutely certain that the mysterious individuals Shui Ling spoke of were indeed from the Myriad Ghost Grotto, he was ninety percent sure in his heart.
And Shui Ling's recent words further solidified his conviction that the mysterious individuals she spoke of were indeed from the Myriad Ghost Grotto, because the Seventh District, where Huo Laoban resided, was originally a key target for the Myriad Ghost Grotto under his command. It was no surprise that people occasionally discovered members of the Myriad Ghost Grotto in the Seventh District.
However, to prevent Shui Ling from realizing his connection to these mysterious individuals, or from subtly linking them to him, he deliberately uttered those wistful words.
In truth, Yang Haoran's lament wasn't entirely feigned. He truly was mocking the Underworld Office's current status, which had undergone earth-shattering changes and was far from what it once was. It was just that his words at this moment weren't aimed at the Myriad Ghost Grotto, but at other factions.
Shui Ling, of course, had no idea of Yang Haoran's true thoughts. In her view, Yang Haoran's words were directed at the mysterious individuals who had appeared in the Seventh District. She could never have dreamed that these mysterious individuals she spoke of were actually Yang Haoran's subordinates, and moreover, the most powerful secretive force under his command.
“Currently, our Underworld Office is besieged on all sides, and indeed, some minor factions are seizing this opportunity to foolishly provoke us. However, I don't believe these mysterious individuals are necessarily from minor factions; it's highly possible they are Spirit Mediums. ”
Shui Ling's words brought a hint of surprise to Yang Haoran's face.
“Oh? Why do you think so? ” Yang Haoran asked with a faint smile. Shui Ling hesitated slightly, then replied.
“It is said that although these mysterious individuals are powerful, without exception, they are ghosts inhabiting skins. Therefore, some speculate that these mysterious individuals are very likely the Guardian Yin Spirits of Spirit Mediums. That's why they would resort to stealing souls from the Underworld Office; after all, for a Spirit Medium's Guardian Yin Spirit to grow stronger, devouring other ghosts is the fastest way. ”
Shui Ling offered her explanation. Yang Haoran listened, smiling but remaining silent. He didn't immediately agree with Shui Ling's hypothesis, nor did he refute it on the spot. Shui Ling took in all of Yang Haoran's reactions, then quickly added another sentence.
“These pieces of information are all rumors that this subordinate has heard from various channels; they haven't been verified. Therefore, whether the facts truly are as stated, this subordinate cannot be certain. Overall, these rumors can currently only serve as reference, not as facts. ”
Yang Haoran knew very well why Shui Ling offered that explanation. He first nodded with a smile, then spoke.
“There's no smoke without fire; these rumors aren't necessarily false. As everyone knows, throughout the entire New Beginning Realm, only Spirit Mediums raise ghosts, and only Spirit Mediums harbor the most hatred for our Underworld Office. So, it's not impossible that these ghosts inhabiting skins are indeed the Guardian Yin Spirits of Spirit Mediums. ”
Though he said this, Shui Ling felt that Yang Haoran didn't seem to genuinely believe these rumors.
“Your Excellency, shall this subordinate go and investigate this matter? The information this subordinate uncovers will certainly be more accurate than mere rumors. As long as you grant this subordinate some time, this subordinate will surely investigate this matter thoroughly until the truth comes to light. ”
Shui Ling spoke, and solemnly vowed to Yang Haoran, making a guarantee. It was clear she had great confidence in herself, or rather, not only in herself but also in the entire team she led.
Shui Ling's confidence wasn't baseless; currently, not only had her strength advanced by leaps and bounds, but her professional capabilities were also incomparable to what they once were. This was just her personal improvement; as for the team she led, whether in terms of numbers, individual strength, or professional competence, they were no longer the same as when they first arrived at the Guardian District—all had significantly improved.
Not to mention that Shui Ling and her Second Division had reached a level rarely seen in the world concerning assassination and intelligence gathering capabilities. They were absolutely beyond comparison with ordinary intelligence agencies, which was why Shui Ling spoke with such confidence at that moment.
If it were a matter of Shui Ling collecting other intelligence, Yang Haoran wouldn't see a major issue, as he was aware of Shui Ling's and the Second Division's capabilities in that regard. But if he were to ask Shui Ling to gather intelligence on the Myriad Ghost Grotto, while he wouldn't dare assert that she absolutely couldn't uncover the truth, it would certainly be exceedingly difficult for her to investigate the matter thoroughly.
The reason was simple: the Myriad Ghost Grotto, led by Tang Shi, had the same nature of work as Shui Ling's Second Division. Furthermore, the Myriad Ghost Grotto's scope of operations was even broader, and its capabilities in all aspects had always surpassed Shui Ling's Second Division. Therefore, if Shui Ling wanted to thoroughly investigate the Myriad Ghost Grotto, which was stronger than her Second Division, it was undoubtedly an immense challenge—almost impossible to succeed unless something unexpected happened.
Although Yang Haoran understood this, he certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to directly tell Shui Ling that she couldn't investigate the matter. That would be openly admitting to Shui Ling that he knew something.
Of course, he also wasn't so bored as to stir up trouble, having his subordinates investigate his other subordinates. Not only would it waste manpower and resources, but if they uncovered something, it would be trouble, and if they couldn't, it would be embarrassing. He certainly wouldn't do something that caused a hundred harms and brought no benefit.
Thus, he feigned a thoughtful expression, pondered for a moment, then gently shook his head.
“Heh heh, there's no need to investigate. The Guardian of the Seventh District is my sworn enemy. If your people appear on his territory, he'll definitely make a big deal out of it, and who knows, he might even try to pin the blame for these mysterious individuals on me. While I am somewhat interested in this matter, that interest isn't great enough for me to take the fall for someone else. ”
As Yang Haoran spoke these words, he did so without a single blush or flicker of hesitation, as if he were truly expressing his innermost thoughts. If Shui Ling knew at that moment that these mysterious individuals were actually Yang Haoran's subordinates, she would surely be prostrate with admiration for his superb acting skills and thick skin.
With Yang Haoran having said as much, Shui Ling naturally wouldn't insist. As one of Yang Haoran's trusted confidantes, how could she not know that the animosity between Yang Haoran and Huo Laoban ran deep? Both sides wished to see the other dead. If her people went to the Seventh District to investigate the mysterious individuals, and weren't discovered, then of course nothing would happen. But once Huo Laoban's people found them, things would become troublesome.
“Your Excellency's consideration is indeed thorough. If this subordinate were to investigate this matter in depth, I would have to go to the Seventh District. The Seventh District also has its own intelligence agencies, and it's not guaranteed that our people wouldn't be discovered if they entered. Once discovered, it would indeed be a considerable nuisance. ”
Shui Ling responded with a respectful expression. She understood Yang Haoran's concerns and therefore greatly approved of his considerations.
“Heh heh, given the current situation, we should avoid such troubles whenever possible. We already have enough trouble; I don't want to create any more. If these mysterious individuals enjoy causing a stir in the Seventh District, let them stir. As long as they don't cause trouble in my Ninth District, they can do whatever they want. If they truly dare to come to our Ninth District, then it won't be too late for us to thoroughly investigate them. ”
As he spoke, Yang Haoran seemed to suddenly recall something. His voice paused slightly, then he immediately continued speaking.
“However, since these mysterious individuals dare to snatch food from the tiger's maw in the Seventh District, it's certainly possible they might secretly come to our Ninth District to reap benefits. Therefore, we must certainly take precautions where they are due, and not wait until these fellows have secretly infiltrated us for a long time before we discover them. By then, it won't just be a matter of losing face; we'll also suffer massive resource losses, which would not be good for us at all. ”
Hearing this, Shui Ling quickly affirmed, not only without a trace of complaint but even offering Yang Haoran her assurance, telling him to rest easy.
One must know that Yang Haoran's Ninth District was not small; it encompassed thousands of cities, both large and small. To constantly keep track of the dynamics of every single city was no simple task. The fact that Shui Ling had the confidence to give Yang Haoran such a guarantee demonstrated that her current capabilities, as well as those of her Second Division, were indeed considerable, otherwise, how would she dare to make such a promise in front of Yang Haoran?
Shui Ling withdrew to make arrangements and deploy forces according to Yang Haoran's orders, to prevent any mysterious individuals from secretly infiltrating their Ninth District. Furthermore, she ordered a thorough sweep of all cities within the Ninth District, to see if any of these mysterious individuals had already secretly infiltrated their Ninth District.
Not long after Shui Ling left, Yang Haoran immediately took out a Communication Talisman. After speaking a few words, he activated the talisman. Within mere minutes, he received a reply via Communication Talisman from the other party.
After receiving and processing the information from the Communication Talisman, Yang Haoran leaned back in his chair, lit a cigarette, and fell into deep thought, his mind unknown.
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