No, it shouldn’t be Bai Shuanglian.
There was no need to think at all—Ling Xiaoyou immediately gave her answer in her heart.
If she hadn’t interacted with Bai Shuanglian before, she might have thought these things were indeed done by Bai Shuanglian.
After all, an Exorcist is the type to be hostile toward Ghosts, and in novels and comics, the disappearance of Ghosts is always tied to Exorcists.
But she had already come into contact with Bai Shuanglian.
Although she didn’t want to admit it, over this time, Ling Xiaoyou had deepened her understanding of Bai Shuanglian a lot.
She could be certain—Bai Shuanglian was definitely not the kind of Exorcist who would kill Ghosts indiscriminately.
It might even be the opposite.
If Bai Shuanglian knew such things were happening, she definitely wouldn’t stand by and do nothing.
Clearing Bai Shuanglian of suspicion in her mind, Ling Xiaoyou pinched her smooth little chin in thought.
But if these things weren’t done by Bai Shuanglian, then who did them?
Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind as she recalled some things.
Back when she was chatting with Bai Shuanglian at Xiaoyu’s house, Ling Xiaoyou remembered Bai Shuanglian mentioning that what the Demons were doing in that underground cavity was a sacrifice to the Evil God.
The system name ‘Evil God [Zoa Sagg]’ displayed earlier also confirmed this.
So is it possible that the disappearance of those Ghosts was related to Demons—or even the work of Demons?
After all, when Demons were active, so many Ghosts went missing. No matter how you look at it, there’s some connection.
But then Ling Xiaoyou thought again—wait, if it really was connected to Demons, wouldn’t that mean all those missing Ghosts were sacrificed by Demons to the Evil God?
But what would the Evil God want with these Ghosts?
Eat them?
But I remember Sister Ling once said that the Ghosts of Eastern Radiance are full of Yin energy and death energy.
To creatures of the West, it’s like eating a Super Spicy Devil Pepper—just a lick would make them suffer for half a day, let alone eating so many missing Ghosts.
Even if the Evil God is strong, would they really enjoy eating this stuff?
But if they weren’t eaten, then what really happened to those missing Ghosts?
It’s not like they were made into Soul Bombs and used in an internal war to blow up a bunch of Demons, right?
Then Ling Xiaoyou could only say—the world is just too big.
There’s no telling what kind of bizarre ideas can come out of it.
“All right, Xiaoyou, you don’t need to think about it too much. I’ve already reported it to the Regulatory Division. There should be results soon.”
Seeing Ling Xiaoyou’s furrowed brows, Lin Ruhua reached out and rubbed her small head.
“Ah, oh.”
Ling Xiaoyou was lost in wild thoughts, but Lin Ruhua’s reminder snapped her back to reality.
Wait, what does this have to do with me?
I’m not the police, and this matter has nothing to do with me.
But seeing Lin Ruhua’s troubled and exhausted expression, Ling Xiaoyou felt she had to help, no matter what.
Lin-jie always takes care of me. How can I act like it’s none of my business at a time like this?
At the very least, if I go to the Human Realm, I should help Lin-jie look for clues about her friend!
Thinking this, Ling Xiaoyou patted her own modest chest in front of Lin Ruhua, putting on a confident expression.
“Don’t worry, Lin-jie! If I go to the Human Realm later, I’ll definitely help you keep an eye out for clues about your friend!”
Lin Ruhua was taken aback, wondering why Ling Xiaoyou suddenly went from replying to her words to promising to help look for clues.
But she was already used to how Ling Xiaoyou’s topics would shift mid-sentence.
“No need, Xiaoyou. If you run into any danger, that would be bad.”
Lin Ruhua shook her head, trying to dissuade Ling Xiaoyou.
“This matter is too strange. Your safety comes first.”
“It’s fine! I’m really strong, Lin-jie!”
Ling Xiaoyou put her hands on her hips, making a little ‘I’m awesome’ face.
“But no matter how strong you are, you’re still a child. How can I let you carry so much?”
Lin Ruhua wasn’t swayed by Ling Xiaoyou’s words and just shook her head again.
I’m just short and look like a loli! If you count my past life, I’m already an adult!
Ling Xiaoyou wanted to argue back, but seeing Lin Ruhua’s gentle and concerned expression, she couldn’t get the words out.
Fine, whatever!
Ling Xiaoyou said, “Anyway, since you always take care of me, Lin-jie, I have to help you!”
With that, she didn’t let Lin Ruhua speak any further, closing the room door right away.
Seeing the quickly closed door, Lin Ruhua looked helpless and let out a soft sigh.
She understood Ling Xiaoyou’s goodwill, but she didn’t want her involved in something so dangerous—she just couldn’t be at ease.
But since Ling Xiaoyou gave her no chance to refuse, she could only sigh helplessly.
“Maybe I should ask a few friends in the Human Realm to keep an eye on Xiaoyou while they search for Cen Jing.”
Muttering to herself, Lin Ruhua walked toward the elevator.
“Whew, lucky I reacted fast. Otherwise, Lin-jie would have argued with me for ages!”
At the dining table, Ling Xiaoyou wiped imaginary sweat from her forehead, making a ‘I did so much, I’m really tired’ face.
“Time to eat! Nothing’s more important than food!”
Eagerly, Ling Xiaoyou tore open the takeout packaging and took out the Youquan Shaofan inside.
Then she went to the kitchen to grab a pair of chopsticks, tossing the bamboo chopsticks that came with the takeout into the trash.
Though she ate takeout often, Ling Xiaoyou didn’t like using the chopsticks that came with it.
They always felt awkward, so her own chopsticks were better.
“Umu umu, this taste—delicious!”
Ling Xiaoyou’s cheeks puffed up, making her look like an adorable little hamster—utterly lovable.
As she ate, her movements slowed.
She was thinking again about the missing Ghosts Lin Ruhua had mentioned.
So was this matter really connected to Demons?
If it was, the Demons in New Sea City had all been wiped out.
Where did the missing Ghosts go?
Where should she look for clues?
Lost in thought, Ling Xiaoyou kept eating the Youquan Shaofan.
Suddenly, she cried out in pain—‘Ow!’—quickly sticking out her pink tongue as tears welled in her eyes.
She’d bitten her tongue!
She should have known not to think while eating!
Ling Xiaoyou made a bitter face, and only when the pain faded did she start eating again.
Forget it, better not think about it.
Time to eat!