Ghost Handler Headquarters.
The senior leadership was in a meeting. The sounds of arguments came and went, making it clear that they were not of one mind—in fact, they had serious differences.
A deep furrow formed between Fu Youhua's brows.
"Minister, based on the intelligence, Yue Renchun has most likely already taken control of the Chang Ghost. I recommend that we arrest him in secret."
The speaker was a middle-aged man wearing glasses. The Chang Ghost's importance went without saying. Zou Cong had betrayed them and disappeared, and many people had originally focused their attention on Hu Jiu. But ever since Yue Renchun appeared, he had become their primary focus.
There were far more suspicious things about Yue Renchun than Hu Jiu.
Another person spoke up. "Based on the Chang Ghost's characteristics, I suspect Yue Renchun orchestrated the [Ghost Marsh] incident in Yuzhou City single-handedly."
Headquarters had first noticed something unusual in Yuzhou City because of Wang Xianhui. As a tester, she had arrived in Yuzhou City to test Su Jinghang, but afterward she kept finding excuses not to return. That had drawn Headquarters' attention.
At the time, Yue Renchun had been in an unstable state. Outsiders who went to Yuzhou City had all been contaminated by supernatural forces and had "chosen" to stay in the city. Nothing seemed amiss at first, but that could not last.
Headquarters had dispatched Hu Jiu, a nearby Ghost Tamer, to investigate. He had submitted a report stating that "Su Jinghang, the person in charge of Yuzhou City, is suspected of colluding with civilian organizations and plotting something." Afterward, Wang Xianhui had returned and mentioned the same matter. Immediately afterward, the supernatural incident codenamed [Ghost Marsh] had erupted in Yuzhou City, and Su Jinghang had openly declared that he was working with two civilian organizations to take over the city and rule it autonomously. Then Yue Renchun had stepped forward and turned the tide.
However, the plot Hu Jiu and Yue Renchun had worked out was too crude. Although Headquarters lacked much of the key information, there were too many clever people there for them not to notice something amiss.
Someone objected, however. "I've read Yue Renchun's file. His mental state is relatively normal. No matter how brazen he is, he wouldn't play games with the lives of everyone in an entire city, would he?"
As a high-ranking official, he was reluctant to believe that an ordinary civilian who had gained power would dare do something so outrageous. He would not admit that someone from that class could have such audacity.
For a few meager gains, they would put on a fierce front, only to submit to whatever resources Headquarters casually tossed their way. Then they would hold their heads high, arrogantly believing they had Headquarters in their grasp, when in reality Headquarters had them firmly in hand like clowns. That was how the senior leadership generally viewed civilian Ghost Tamers.
They dared to make threats and dared to kill, but whether they dared massacre a city was another matter.
"Don't underestimate Ghost Tamers. They're all lunatics, capable of anything, no matter how deranged!" another voice rang out.
"The Ghost Marsh incident exceeded Class A. It was only classified as a Class A supernatural incident to reduce the negative impact. Unless there are special circumstances, an S-class supernatural incident must never be allowed to appear lightly! And we can't let Yue Renchun shoulder such enormous credit and fame. The first newcomer to resolve an S-class supernatural incident must come from the inner ranks of Headquarters or the military!"
"Well said!" Fu Youhua suddenly spoke up. "But don't forget, even if the Ghost Marsh incident is only classified as Class A, Yue Renchun has still rendered a great service. Since he's just accomplished so much, no accident can be allowed to befall him in the short term. We must at least wait until the attention on this matter dies down before making a move against him."
The commotion in Yuzhou City had been too great, and Yue Renchun had also been cunning enough to use Ye Songlan's identity to promote himself heavily on the Ghost Tamer forum. If anything happened to him now, Headquarters would have to provide a clear explanation, and its reputation and internal unity could also be called into question.
Civilian Ghost Tamers were like a barrel of explosives. Fu Youhua had to consider maintaining the existing system, ensuring a balance among all parties, and safeguarding the interests of the whole, so his stance was relatively conservative. This displeased some people, who insisted on taking action against Yue Renchun in secret.
The bespectacled middle-aged man snorted. "We could use [Wish Fulfillment]..."
"No!" Fu Youhua interrupted him gravely. "The side effects of [Wish Fulfillment] are too terrifying. Do you want to create a monster we can't destroy?"
[Wish Fulfillment]—a supernatural item contained by Headquarters, or perhaps a vicious ghost. Its ability was just as its name suggested.
Fu Youhua rubbed his temples. This matter was growing increasingly complicated. There were some discrepancies between Hu Jiu's and Yue Renchun's reports on their last trip to Longevity Village, but he now suspected Yue Renchun more. After all, there was little to fault Hu Jiu for on the surface, while Yue Renchun had a whole list of things that could be held against him.
Beifeng Commune and Rose Security Company flatly denied releasing vicious ghosts in Yuzhou City. Fu Youhua knew they were probably innocent, but both organizations had plenty of ugly history themselves. If not for the special circumstances, they should have been dealt with long ago.
Rose Security Company had been relatively smart. It had silently swallowed the heavy loss and ceded considerable benefits to Headquarters, getting through the immediate crisis while waiting for another day. Beifeng Commune, however, was more stubborn. It had recklessly lashed out at Headquarters in extremely abusive terms, nearly severing all ties.
With things having reached that point, Headquarters could only deal with Beifeng Commune as a negative example.
The sun rose as usual. After breakfast, Hu Jiu's Satellite Phone rang.
It was Xiao Mei, his operator. She asked whether Hu Jiu wanted to take part in the operation to wipe out Beifeng Commune.
Beifeng Commune had acted arrogantly and offended quite a few people. Headquarters had called up Ghost Tamers who bore grudges against it this time, saving money while also making full use of their initiative. Some might even forgo payment and do whatever they could to get a kick in.
Hu Jiu nodded and agreed. Although most of the time he was the one smearing Beifeng Commune, on the surface he was a victim, so it made sense for him to actively seek revenge.
Besides, he was already keenly interested in Beifeng Commune. The appearance of the Mirage Ghost was inextricably linked to the organization.
A little while later, the phone rang again.
Hu Jiu answered. "What is it?"
Qian Ying's voice came through. "Mr. Hu, Mr. Yue, the person in charge of Yuzhou City, has been waiting for you. Do you have time to come and see him?"
"I'll be there shortly."
Hu Jiu hung up, straightened his clothes in the mirror, and went out the door. Taking his time, he reached the Linjiang City public security department in about ten minutes.
Yue Renchun was chatting with someone at the entrance. It had to be said that his very presence there was improper. The eyes of everyone nearby kept drifting toward him involuntarily, as if they could hardly wait for a romantic entanglement to break out on the spot.
Seeing Hu Jiu, Yue Renchun gave him a friendly, insincere smile. "Old Hu, you're here."