“I’ve been thinking about it for a while. With so many missing Spirits, if they gathered together, it would definitely cause a small-scale Yin Energy Contamination.”
Yin Energy Contamination is similar to how, when the weather is too damp, even reinforced concrete can’t withstand the corrosion of moisture.
Likewise, when too many Spirits gather and their Yin energy is left unchecked, it erodes the surrounding environment, turning it into a cold land similar to the Underworld.
Bai Shuanglian looked at the computer in the distance and voiced her thoughts.
“But if there really was a small-scale Yin Energy Contamination, not to mention other Exorcists or the Regulatory Division, even those of us here would have noticed.”
“But we didn’t feel anything.”
Listening to Bai Shuanglian’s words, Ling Xiaoyou pinched her smooth little chin and spoke thoughtfully.
“So, the Spirits didn’t gather together, but were dispersed?”
“I think that’s probably it.”
Bai Shuanglian nodded.
“Moreover, if you divide the Spirits into multiple batches and store them in different places, you’d need a lot of manpower just to watch over the Spirits, not to mention places that could withstand Yin Energy Contamination.”
“That’s why I believe those missing Spirits were already transported away by them.”
She pointed to two files on the computer screen.
“For example, on the 12th—just the day before yesterday—records show a cargo ship left the dock.”
“But on the crew list, don’t you think there were too many crew members who left on the 12th?”
Following Bai Shuanglian’s finger, Ling Xiaoyou also saw the densely packed numbers on the computer screen. It made her a little dizzy.
She couldn’t help but admire how Bai Shuanglian could accurately spot such traces.
“What you mean is…”
Ling Xiaoyou pondered for a moment, then suddenly understood.
“Actually, there were two cargo ships that left that day, but one was erased from the transit records—or maybe it was never even meant to be recorded!”
“Exactly.”
Bai Shuanglian nodded.
“They used one ship to hide the other. The Devils must have used this method to secretly transport the Spirits.”
“Eh? What are you guys talking about? Why do I feel like I don’t understand?”
On the other end of the channel, Su Lihua let out a confused query, like a ‘silly deer.’
Ling Xiaoyou looked helplessly at Su Lihua, who was peeking out the window as if trying to find them, and sighed.
“It’s okay if you don’t get it. Just know that the Devils have already shipped the missing Spirits out of Nanling City. As for where they are now, we have no idea.”
“Oh, I see.”
Su Lihua nodded, her face clear as if she suddenly understood.
Then she asked,
“Then, can we go intercept them and rescue those Spirits?”
“That depends on whether you can even find the location of those cargo ships…”
Ling Xiaoyou pressed her forehead in exasperation.
Ignoring Su Lihua, who was busy brainstorming ways to find the cargo ships, Ling Xiaoyou turned to Bai Shuanglian with a puzzled look.
“By the way, these Devils are being so careful, even going to such lengths to cover their tracks here. Could it be that they’ve been under investigation all along?”
“Probably.”
Bai Shuanglian nodded, her thoughts matching Ling Xiaoyou’s.
“Maybe it’s the Regulatory Division, or maybe it’s the Exorcists Association. Either way, the Devils must have realized they’re being tracked, so they’re doing all this to make sure even if their operation here gets exposed, the ships carrying the Spirits won’t be caught.”
At those words, Ling Xiaoyou let out a frustrated ‘pfft.’
“Annoying. Can’t these Devils be a little less cautious? Why can’t they just let their plans get exposed so the Regulatory Division can arrest them already?!”
Seeing Ling Xiaoyou bristling as if someone had stepped on her tail, Bai Shuanglian said nothing.
She simply placed her slender, fair hand on Ling Xiaoyou’s head, gently stroking it to calm her down.
Maybe the head-pat worked, because as warmth spread from above, Ling Xiaoyou pouted and finally let out a helpless sigh.
“Sigh, Devils are so annoying. If they want to cause trouble, can’t they do it in Hell? Why do they have to come all the way to Eastern Radiance?”
“Maybe it’s because Hell is about to be attacked.”
Bai Shuanglian listened to Ling Xiaoyou’s complaints and thought for a moment before replying.
“Eh? Attacked?”
Ling Xiaoyou was stunned.
“Um—”
A small voice came through the channel, but Ling Xiaoyou’s attention was fully on Bai Shuanglian’s words about an attack, and she didn’t feel like dealing with the ‘silly deer’ right now.
“Yes. I remember hearing from an elder at home that a Ghost King in the Underworld was planning to lead an army to attack Hell.”
“Maybe that’s why the Devils in Hell started causing trouble here.”
Ling Xiaoyou nodded vigorously, her little head full of agreement.
“Attacking Hell is a great idea! All those damn Devils should just be wiped out!”
“Um—”
Su Lihua’s voice came again through the channel.
“Although I really don’t want to interrupt your conversation, I think someone is coming over here.”
“Huh? Someone’s coming?”
Ling Xiaoyou, who was about to ask Bai Shuanglian for more details, froze. Her attention snapped back to the channel.
“How did someone come to your place?”
“I don’t know.”
Su Lihua was now very flustered—extremely flustered.
Even just hearing her voice, you could feel her panic.
“I was just thinking about how to find the cargo ship when I suddenly heard the elevator doors opening outside.”
“At first I thought it was just someone passing by, so I didn’t pay much attention, but then I remembered that there’s only one office on the top floor, so it couldn’t be a passerby. That’s when I realized someone was coming, so I quickly told you guys.”
Su Lihua rushed through a long string of words without even pausing for breath.
She sounded truly panicked.
After all, she had every reason to panic.
In her current state, unless she dropped her disguise, she couldn’t use her Yin Soul Talent.
“I know you’re anxious, but calm down first.”
Ling Xiaoyou and Bai Shuanglian exchanged glances, then spoke to soothe Su Lihua.
“Don’t forget, you’re a Devil now. What are you afraid of? Hurry up and tidy up the scene, then act like you’re just waiting for someone.”
After hearing Ling Xiaoyou’s instructions, Su Lihua wasted no time.
She quickly cleaned up the ‘crime scene,’ and even cooled down the warm computer case at Ling Xiaoyou’s reminder.
After she cleared the last trace, Su Lihua heard footsteps approach the door, and then—the sound of the door opening.
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