Chapter 262: Ambition of the Bright Ghost (Part 1)

Chapter 262: The Will of the Bright Ghost (Part 1)

Weihaiwei, the garrison of the Mo Attack Corps.

"Honored elders, the financial records of the Mo Attack Corps over the past five years have been fully disclosed within the Mo Realm. Any person may access them without restriction."

"At the same time, all personnel involved in fund movements shall remain online for twelve hours, prepared to cooperate with the audit team’s remote inquiries and investigations at any moment."

"If there are any further grievances, I, Mo Jue, can immediately depart for headquarters to report. The entire Mo Attack Corps stands upright without fear of slanting shadows—I believe this premeditated slander cannot shake the hearts of our ranks."

"The Mo Attack Corps remains the most loyal and sharp-edged blade in the hands of the Tianzhi Society!"

The vast conference room echoed with the man’s resonant, powerful voice.

After speaking, Mo Jue, seated beneath the emblem of the Mo Attack Corps’ long sword and shield, reached up to remove the neural cord from his nape. His eyes, which had been spreading outward, refocused, and he withdrew from the Huangliang Dream Realm.

"Sir, has the Elder Council sent another inquiry?"

A Mo Jia clad in a black robe, wearing a mask of a stern elder, stood bowing behind Mo Jue.

Mo Jue folded his hands beneath his nose. "Their response has been more intense than I anticipated. It seems several ‘old acquaintances’ are stirring up trouble behind the scenes. Even some elders who once maintained good relations with us have subtly suggested I step aside."

"These double-crossing scoundrels, merely a minor storm, and they wish to abandon ship?! Sir, shall we take this opportunity to leak some evidence of their bribes to intimidate them?"

"No. Doing so might provoke them into desperate measures. If they fully defect, it would be detrimental to us."

The elder spoke with concern: "But if we allow them to continue their investigation, there is no guarantee they might uncover some traces. Young Master Jin has been too conspicuous in the four coastal garrisons these past few years."

At the mention of Mo Jin’s name, Mo Jue’s expression darkened. "Have all those involved in transactions with the Huangliang Group been eliminated? As long as there is no witness, rumors remain mere rumors. Even if our reputation is tarnished, it poses no threat to our lives."

"Understood. I shall arrange for it at once."

"The key now is to resolve that Jin Yi Wei named Li Jun. Without the instigator, the followers will not amount to much."

Mo Jue pondered for a moment, then asked, "Shan Jun, has the Jin Yi Wei of Laizhou Prefecture been contacted?"

"They have."

The Mo Jia named Shan Jun replied in a low voice: "However, they claim Li Jun is a Jin Yi Wei of the barbarian region, and thus beyond their jurisdiction. The silver taels we sent were returned."

Mo Jue sneered coldly. "If they have no authority, then does a minor flag of the barbarian region’s Jin Yi Wei have the right to operate in the four coastal garrisons? Preposterous!"

"We once paid no heed to the Jin Yi Wei, not even sparing them a scrap of flesh. They must have long harbored resentment. Choosing this moment to watch the tiger fight is understandable."

"Since they are so ungrateful, the Jin Yi Wei of Laizhou Prefecture’s household need not exist. Once this matter is settled, we shall drive them onto a ship and ensure they never set foot ashore again!"

Mo Jue’s face radiated killing intent. "Has Li Jun’s group been located?"

"They have made no attempt to hide. That very Bright Ghost who spread rumors in the Huangliang Dream Realm has remained stationed on the Lianggang Street of Lingshanwei."

"This is brazen defiance, as if waiting for us to come to them. This Zhi Ge Wu Fu, though his methods bear some resemblance to the old Wu Xu’s tyranny! Alas, such overt arrogance is tantamount to courting death!"

Mo Jin asked coldly, "Have the Huangliang Group’s people arrived?"

"They will land in Lingshanwei in one hour."

Shan Jun hesitated before adding, "However, they stated they will not act unless they receive the Mo Jia first. Otherwise, they will turn back immediately."

"Has the candidate for providing the Mo Jia been selected?"

"Yes. They are elderly members of the Mo Attack Corps who have exhausted their potential and have no further prospects for promotion. Their loyalty is beyond question. The compensation you offered is substantial—enough for a comfortable retirement. They are eager to comply."

Shan Jun paused, then asked reluctantly, "Sir, though those in the Mo Attack Corps capable of obtaining the Bright Ghost are few, they are not particularly scarce. Providing three would not draw excessive attention. Why must Young Master Jin personally deliver one?"

Mo Jue did not directly answer. Instead, he asked, "Shan Jun, you are my Bright Ghost. Tell me, what does the Bright Ghost mean to Mo Xu?"

Shan Jun’s voice carried a hint of melancholy. "It is a guide and a companion."

"More crucially, it is the key to breaking Mo Xu’s seal. Even describing it as ‘two as one’ would not be an exaggeration."

"Therefore, it is best not to let Young Master Jin..."

Mo Jue’s cold voice cut him off. "Mo Xu and the Bright Ghost are ‘two as one.’ If their connection is forcibly severed, both will suffer severe injuries. The host’s genes will fall into chaos, risking re-sealing. As for the Bright Ghost, it will be locked within its current body, losing any chance to return to the Mo Realm or continue advancing."

"As long as I remain in this position, no matter how gravely Mo Jin is wounded, I can employ celestial and terrestrial treasures to restore him. But if he continues such folly, and one day commits an act beyond my power to remedy, even a genius like Zhao Qingxia will die in another’s hands!"

"A single painful lesson is the only way to awaken him. You should discern which is lighter and which heavier!"

Shan Jun replied solemnly, "I understand."

"Then let him take the other two and proceed to Lingshanwei to deliver the goods."

Mo Jue turned his chair to face the wall, where the emblem of the Mo Attack Corps hung.

After gazing at it for a long while, he suddenly asked, "Have all my assets been transferred?"

"All have been moved to the barbarian region, but..."

Mo Jue’s brows furrowed. "But what?"

"Just two hours ago, Young Master Jin suddenly mobilized five million silver taels."

"What purpose does he have for such a sum at this time?"

Shan Jun hesitated.

"Speak!" Mo Jue barked angrily.

"The young master claimed Zhao Qingxia could not withstand the pressure and sought him out to negotiate. He said that if the young master could provide five million silver taels, he would clarify the rumors in the Huangliang Dream Realm, renounce his entry into the Moju Tang, and leave the imperial homeland forever, never to return."

Mo Jue’s face showed bewilderment. "So he was deceived so easily?"

"The young master acted with the intention of easing your burdens. His motives were pure."

"Easing burdens?! If a mere five million silver taels could resolve the issue, why would the Elder Council continue to question me? Why do the rumors persist in fermenting? This fool!"

*Bang!*

Unable to contain his fury, Mo Jue slammed his fist into the wall. The emblem symbolizing the Mo Attack Corps of the Tianzhi Society shattered into fragments at once!