"The Hungry Ghost incident is likely to happen again?"
Headquarters.
Upon receiving this ssage, Cao Yanhua's expression changed dramatically, because the source of this information was not a city official, but Yang Jian, the enforcent captain of Dachang City.
Given Yang Jian's past experience of personally confining the Hungry Ghost, and his current status, his words carry significant weight. Liu Xiaoyu wouldn't have proactively relayed such information without a valid reason.
"Imdiately go and confirm the status of Leuk San and Wang Chaling, and also add Zhou Deng to the list," Cao Yanhua ordered through gritted teeth.
Back when the Hungry Ghost was stolen from headquarters, they didn't sit idle; there had been a covert investigation for quite so ti.
Although they couldn't pinpoint the true culprit, the think tank at headquarters unanimously believed that the thief was definitely a city official, and very likely one of the twelve captains. After various screenings, the suspect list was narrowed down to two main individuals.
Leuk San and Wang Chaling.
As for Zhou Deng, though lesser suspected, his notorious behavior invites suspicion.
Initially, the pri suspect wasn't these individuals, but Yang Jian. In fact, after the incident, through various analyses, Cao Yanhua was almost ninety percent sure that Yang Jian had stolen the Hungry Ghost, given Yang Jian had both the motive and ability, and most importantly, he ended up with the Coffin Nail.
However, as various events unfolded and investigations continued at headquarters, Yang Jian's major suspicions were finally cleared.
In the end, headquarters could only shift focus to others.
After thorough examination, only Leuk San and Wang Chaling remained suspicious, but due to the circumstances and lack of hard evidence, the investigations were put on hold.
Because no one dared to confront a captain based on re speculation.
Sitting in the office, Cao Yanhua's gaze flickered as mories of the initial investigation report replayed in his mind.
As ti ticked by, minute by minute.
About ten minutes later, a headquarters staff mber hurriedly arrived with a report: "Minister, a cyan-black haze has appeared in Dadong City, suspected to be the Ghost Domain of the Hungry Ghost."
"Dadong City, huh? That's the city under Wang Chaling's charge. So, it really was him who stole the Hungry Ghost? After such a long concealnt, he has finally been exposed,"
Cao Yanhua didn't display surprise, but his face turned grim, filled with a peculiar anger.
If a captain had indeed stolen the Hungry Ghost, he wouldn't be too angry, given there were many who desired that Coffin Nail. After the Hungry Ghost's confinent, many officials requested to requisition the Coffin Nail, only to be denied.
Cao Yanhua's true anger stemd from Wang Chaling stealing the Hungry Ghost and then failing to keep it secured, allowing it to escape yet again.
The last Hungry Ghost incident nearly obliterated Dachang City; if not handled well this ti, Dadong City might face destruction.
And once Wang Chaling's deeds co to light, it might provoke Yang Jian to take action.
At that point, confrontation between captains and internal discord might cause headquarters to lose another captain.
"Fool, that damned fool Wang Chaling, if you steal sothing, then keep it hidden properly. Why reveal your tracks? Do you think your troubles aren't big enough? He's courting disaster, I've seen amateur ghost handlers, but never soone as dumb as this," Cao Yanhua grew increasingly furious, slamming the table and standing up.
He paced back and forth in the office, brainstorming ideas, and urgently asked, "How far has the Hungry Ghost's Ghost Domain spread? What's the range?"
"Here are the latest satellite surveillance images." The staff hurriedly handed over the prepared materials.
After taking a glance, Cao Yanhua said, "Fortunately, it's not particularly severe. The Hungry Ghost's Ghost Domain covers less than a five-kiloter radius. This suggests Wang Chaling is still trying to clean up the ss. If everything goes smoothly, he might suppress the outbreak before it happens, allowing headquarters to intervene and have Wang Chaling return the Hungry Ghost and Coffin Nail. This could smoothly prevent conflict between captains..."
At the mont, his priority was the bigger picture, figuring out how to minimize losses.
If things go as he hopes, there's still room for maneuver, as currently Yang Jian rely suspects the occurrence of the Hungry Ghost incident but is unaware of its exact location or the thief's identity.
"Minister, the latest report."
Suddenly, yet another staff mber rushed over, holding a report with satellite imagery.
"Hand it over." Cao Yanhua grabbed it instantly, took a look, and compared it with the images in hand.
Upon comparison, he furiously clenched his fist and slamd the table.
"The Hungry Ghost's Ghost Domain is expanding. Wang Chaling might not be able to handle the Hungry Ghost; the ss he created can't be managed by himself. There's no ti left; a captain must be deployed for support."
"Wei Jing, where's Wei Jing?"
At that instant, Cao Yanhua thought of Wei Jing, as he was the only one who could reach swiftly for rescue.
But after shouting twice, Cao Yanhua suddenly rembered sothing, causing his voice to abruptly stop.
He recalled that, due to issues arising during the Ghost Painting and Zhang Xiangguang incidents, Wei Jing was buried in Grave Soil and now remains within the Ghost Post Office, his fate unknown.
Then Cao Yanhua thought of Li Jun.
However, Li Jun's situation is not optimal; after the Ghost Painting incident, only a human skin was brought back. Though resurrected successfully, he needs ti to adapt to new supernatural powers and can't handle supernatural incidents in the short term.
"Minister, Yang Jian is the enforcent captain; he should be dispatched to Dadong City, he has experience with handling Hungry Ghost incidents," a staff mber reminded him.
"You think I don't know Yang Jian? If he goes, Wang Chaling is dood. Losing a captain now is detrintal to the overall situation, especially a stable captain like Wang Chaling; where can you find that in the supernatural circle? We must unite all forces to survive the turbulent tis," Cao Yanhua replied furiously.
"Although stealing the Hungry Ghost is serious, in my view, it doesn't compare to the severity of losing a captain. When I suspected Yang Jian of stealing the Hungry Ghost, why didn't I act? It's because Yang Jian is willing to address supernatural incidents and has a significant role to play."
Having said so much, Cao Yanhua felt sothing was amiss and forcefully withheld further comnts.
"Let's just consider who else can support Wang Chaling at this mont."
He then began to think anxiously again.
"Cao Yang, can he? No, impossible, he's been preoccupied with personal matters and has been missing for several days; he likely won't show up for imdiate support. What about Zhou Deng? This guy seems involved in handling supernatural incidents too, making it tough for him to rush to Dadong City."
After considering for a while, Cao Yanhua finally thought of soone, imdiately stating, "Connect with Lin Bei, have him rush to Dadong City as quickly as possible to assist Wang Chaling in dealing with the impending Hungry Ghost incident."
"Yes, Minister."
The staff promptly jogged off to deliver the order at the fastest speed.
"It's a pity that Professor Wang is not here, otherwise, he would surely have better solutions," Cao Yanhua felt sowhat helpless.
In the past, headquarters were filled with talents, but after consecutive setbacks, he suddenly realized that headquarters now had no one available. As deputy minister, he had nobody left to rely on, having to personally manage many affairs.
"Lin Bei would likely not refuse this mission; if he acts swiftly, he could minimize the impact and damage caused by the Hungry Ghost incident. Preserving Wang Chaling would still be worthwhile."
Cao Yanhua thought to himself, not worried that Wang Chaling would perish in the Hungry Ghost incident, but concerned he might die by Yang Jian's hand.
A mont later.
Cao Yanhua received a new report.
It was good news; Lin Bei had departed for Dadong City.
"If Lin Bei can't cooperate with Wang Chaling to resolve the supernatural incident within one hour, then Yang Jian must be notified to handle the situation, even if it costs Wang Chaling's life," Cao Yanhua had also made up his mind.
Though wanting to save a captain, he wouldn't show favoritism without limits,
because if the issue isn't resolved in one hour, the Hungry Ghost's Ghost Domain will inevitably seal Dadong City, turning it into a Dead City in no ti.
"Let's hope everything goes smoothly," prayed Cao Yanhua.
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