Chapter 78: Two Ideas! (4000 characters)

Fang Shiming, is Gao Zhiqiang's matter your indication?

In the headquarters office, Shen Liang, with a solemn expression, called Fang Shiming.

As the deputy minister of the headquarters, Shen Liang was also a figure of real power in the Friends Circle, not comparable to someone like Chen Ruhai from the lower ranks, so he also dared to directly call out Fang Shiming's name.

"What matter concerning Gao Zhiqiang?"

From the phone came a somewhat gloomy voice.

"Attacking headquarters personnel, sheltering criminals of the King Organization, Fang Shiming! Do you really think you can cover the sky with one hand?"

Shen Liang lowered his voice and shouted angrily.

Shen Liang is actually a hidden defeatist; he long ago believed that the outbreak of paranormal events could not be stopped, and facing various immortal terrifying paranormal phenomena, humanity's fate must be extinction!

At that time, it so happened that the Friends Circle were promoting the elite survival theory; their idea was to abandon ordinary people and most of the land, using global resources to build the safest 'holy land', allowing elite rich to perpetuate forever.

Although he knew this was a betrayal, Shen Liang felt this was the best way out!

"... I'm not really clear on this matter; you first suppress it, as the headquarters conference is also about to be convened—take the opportunity to suppress this matter."

Fang Shiming fell silent for a moment, then said.

"Hah! Suppress it? You say it so lightly—do you really think the headquarters is my personal hall? Gao Zhiqiang's earlier actions already dissatisfied the headquarters; how am I supposed to suppress this now?"

Shen Lin snorted coldly and said.

"The fraudulent ghost is still very useful for the Friends Circle's development… This way you stall the headquarters until after the headquarters conference ends to discuss this matter, and the Friends Circle will handle Gao Zhiqiang's affair."

Fang Shiming said coldly, the Friends Circle and the King Organization indeed have some dealings in private, and many of the King Organization's hiding places are provided by the Friends Circle.

But Gao Zhiqiang's actions were not his indication; the King Organization is a double-edged sword, and Fang Shiming understands this better than anyone.

"Fang Shiming, keep your paws in check—this kind of thing I don't want to happen a second time! If it happens again, you handle it yourself!"

Shen Liang hung up Fang Shiming's phone with an icy tone.

Meanwhile, inside the Ping'an Building.

In the top-floor office of the building, Fang Shiming put down his phone and looked toward Jiang Shangbai not far away.

"Did you hear all of that?"

Jiang Shangbai lay sprawled on the sofa, speaking arrogantly: "Brother, should we also take care of Shen Liang while we're at it? Let him do things, dragging his feet—if it weren't for us, his deputy minister position wouldn't have lasted!"

Fang Shiming looked at Jiang Shangbai, somewhat speechless—'Take out the headquarters' deputy minister? Then the Friends Circle wouldn't even think of getting by.'

"Shangbai, the headquarters' strength is still strong; don't be too careless."

As the biggest shareholder of the Friends Circle, both a Ghost Master and its founder, Fang Shiming naturally knows why the headquarters hasn't wiped them out—aside from fearing the Friends Circle's strength, the main reason is that the Friends Circle's shareholders are tycoons from all industries.

This is the fundamental reason why the headquarters suppresses but does not exterminate the Friends Circle, which easily leads to chaos.

"What about Gao Zhiqiang? If we don't give him a lesson this time, he might not even know whose dog he is."

Jiang Shangbai's face showed a ruthless hue as he said.

"A lesson? No need. Once we find some people suitable to control the fraudulent ghost, as for Gao Zhiqiang, just let him disappear."

Fang Shiming said expressionlessly in a low voice.

Jiang Shangbai was a bit dazed—'Wasn't we supposed to protect Gao Zhiqiang before? Why do we now have to kill him?'

"The Friends Circle values the fraudulent ghost, not Gao Zhiqiang. Despite the headquarters' suppression, the Friends Circle has developed this fast thanks to the fraudulent ghost—you don't think all the shareholders joined us voluntarily, do you?"

Jiang Shangbai nodded, half-understanding.

"But can others really succeed in controlling the fraudulent ghost?"

After all, every Ghost Master is irreplicable, one‑of‑a‑kind, so Jiang Shangbai raises that question.

"As long as enough people are prepared, the base is large, plus some of our preparations, the success rate, though low, still exists—after all, the fraudulent ghost isn't that terrifying."

Fang Shiming obviously also has some confidence; the Friends Circle's years of research into paranormal events have consumed huge sums, although they haven't produced paranormal items like Ghost Candles or substitute dolls, they still have some ideas.

"Right, get ready—this headquarters conference is where the headquarters will announce to the world the establishment of the Captain Plan, and at that time you will be nominated by Shen Liang as a candidate for captain."

"It's a pity—I don't know if Ye Feng is dead or not; if not, letting you control his Ghost Shroud would give you three ghosts at once, and then you'd have Ghost Realm, suppression, and life‑saving—all covered."

Fang Shiming said with some regret, with Shen Liang's help he obtained much Ghost Master information, including Ye Feng.

But after the Dachangshi incident ended, Ye Feng was secretly arranged by Cao Yanhua to serve as Chen Shoushan's bodyguard, so Fang Shiming lost Ye Feng's information—after all, the Friends Circle isn't a spy organization; how could it have eyes everywhere nationwide?

"Hah, even without that Ghost Shroud, I can still resolve any paranormal incident below S‑level!"

Jiang Shangbai laughed confidently, saying he now controls two ghosts and even possesses a rare Ghost Realm!

There's no way—Jiang Shangbai has been overly protected by the Friends Circle, hasn't experienced too terrifying paranormal events, and currently it's indeed a lull; the later strong ones haven't appeared yet, which gave Jiang Shangbai his arrogant ideas.

Meanwhile, Zhao Jianguo stood solemnly before Cao Yanhua and reported.

"Based on the recording, these people are the King Organization's planted nails, and this matter also involves the person in charge of Gao Zhiqiang."

Cao Yanhua sat in his seat, unable to resist rubbing his temples.

The building is about to collapse, the building is about to collapse… Dachangshi, ZS City, King Organization, Friends Circle, person in charge—various matters come one after another, pressing down on Cao Yanhua like a flood, leaving him no chance to breathe.

"Dignity must not be violated—no forces allowed! Immediately suspend the position of the person in charge of Gao Zhiqiang and have him cooperate with the investigation!"

Cao Yanhua said sternly, knowing that the tenser the situation, the harder the headquarters' stance must be to deter all domestic and foreign ambitious elements.

"Then who will be the person in charge for this investigation?"

Zhao Jian Guo asked again, for an investigation of a Ghost Master it must certainly be led by another Ghost Master, otherwise ordinary people are still too weak against Ghost Masters.

"Old Cao, for such a big matter shouldn't you consult me, the deputy minister?"

Just as Cao Yanhua hesitated, Shen Liang pushed the door open and walked in, holding a bottle of Maotai and laughing as he spoke.

"Deputy Minister Shen."

"A higher rank crushes a lower one—Shen Liang is after all the deputy minister, so Zhao Jianguo still has to give proper greetings."

"Old Zhao, go out first; I have a few things to discuss with Old Cao."

Hearing Shen Liang's words, Zhao Jianguo embarrassedly glanced at Cao Yanhua—who in the headquarters doesn't know that Shen Liang and Cao Yanhua are at odds?

Cao Yan Hua gave Shen Liang a deep look, then nodded at Zhao Jian Guo and said, "Old Zhao, go ahead and get busy; Zhang Gao is just about to arrive at headquarters, so you can handle his report."

"All right, I'll come find you again."

Zhao Jian Guo nodded, and as he left he also closed the office door.

After Zhao Jian Guo left, Shen Liang lifted the Maotai he was holding and said with a smile, "Old Cao, we haven't drunk together in a long time."

"'Boss Shen, I won't drink such expensive liquor—I'm not used to it. If you have something to say, just say it straight; don't waste your time making money.'"

Cao Yan Hua's sarcasm was practically plastered on Shen Liang's face—calling him 'Boss Shen' and telling him not to waste time making money, just short of pointing at his nose and cursing him.

Actually, when the headquarters was first established, Cao Yan Hua and Shen Liang's relationship was still good; during the headquarters' early days of rebuilding from ruin, it could be said that it was these ordinary people who steadied the situation.

And Shen Liang's sudden betrayal undoubtedly made Cao Yan Hua furious, but at the time the newly founded headquarters could not show outward contradictions, and Shen Liang also had backing from the Friend Circle; for these reasons he remained a vice department head.

Shen Liang seemed not to have heard Cao Yan Hua's mockery; he sat down by himself and said with a smile, "You've been staring at me for so long—do you not know whether I've taken any money from them?"

Cao Yan Hua was momentarily at a loss for words; Shen Liang really hasn't taken any money all these years.

"'Old Cao, it's impossible for headquarters to save everyone… you know I've never acted just for myself, but to keep the spark of hope alive!'"

Shen Liang clearly holds his own view: he believes that in the face of irresistible supernatural power, preserving the 'spark' is hope, and perhaps someday people will be able to completely resolve supernatural incidents.

"'Huh! A 'spark'? Damn, that's just a high‑sounding excuse! Shen Liang, I tell you, headquarters was never founded to serve the convenience of certain power‑brokers; as long as anyone in headquarters is still alive, it will forever be the last line of defense standing before the citizens!'"

Shen Liang has his ideals, and Cao Yan Hua is no different—even if they abandoned most people, things would really be much easier…

"'You may think that way now, but others might not be so noble; once the Friend Circle's 'Noah's Ark' is formed, can you be sure they'll still stand with you?'"

Shen Liang fell silent for a moment before saying, 'It's only human nature; Cao Yan Hua, you're being overly idealistic.'

"'If there's nothing else, you may leave now; please don't disturb my work.'"

Cao Yan Hua really couldn't be bothered to argue with Shen Liang; there's no point in continuing when people hold different ideals.

Seeing Cao Yan Hua issue the eviction order, Shen Liang didn't get up but said directly, 'Regarding Gao Zhi Qiang, I think we can put that on hold for now…'

Before Shen Liang finished speaking, Cao Yan Hua slammed the table and rose angrily, shouting, 'No matter how many favors you've taken, attacking headquarters staff is a capital offense, whoever it is! Don't say you can't protect him—even if Fang Shi Ming came himself, he couldn't be saved!'

After Cao Yan Hua finished his tirade, Shen Liang continued, 'I never said I would protect Gao Zhi Qiang; in fact, the Friend Circle is also dissatisfied with him and will soon take care of him—then we can let them fight among themselves. Why should we waste our forces on the Friend Circle's people?'

Shen Liang's meaning is also clear: let the Friend Circle handle this thankless task themselves; headquarters need not help the Friend Circle deal with a disobedient dog.

In Shen Liang's view, this is a very cost‑effective move: if the Friend Circle takes out Gao Zhi Qiang, it weakens their own strength; if they don't, it's still fine—later headquarters can step in and eliminate Gao Zhi Qiang, and Fang Shi Ming's prestige within the Friend Circle will surely plummet.

Shen Liang originally thought his proposal would be accepted by Cao Yan Hua, after all it posed no harm to headquarters and would greatly affect the Friend Circle, and even if Cao Yan Hua disliked him, he would still listen to the suggestion.

"'Gao Zhi Qiang is headquarters' person in charge; I don't care what hidden identity he has, but outwardly he is headquarters' person in charge. Do you mean I should let a civilian organization assassinate a person in charge? Should headquarters lose face? Only headquarters can punish its person in charge; no outside force may interfere, or it would be a provocation against headquarters.'"

Cao Yan Hua clearly thinks differently: Gao Zhi Qiang is outwardly headquarters' person in charge; even if he is guilty, it should be headquarters that carries out the punishment, not a civilian organization—otherwise how would we explain it to other persons in charge, and wouldn't all persons in charge be in jeopardy?

Both department heads actually intend the best for headquarters, but one looks at practical benefits while the other looks at the big picture; each has his own viewpoint, and neither can convince the other.

Finally, Shen Liang and Cao Yan Hua both lost their temper and started shouting at each other.

One accused the other of being short‑sighted, the other accused the other of swelling his face to look fat.

"'I am the vice department head—I disagree!'"

"'Bullshit, I'm still the department head—I say it's allowed, so it is!'"

"'Under non‑emergency conditions, you haven't consulted the headquarters meeting, so you have no authority to casually mobilize any person in charge!'"

Shen Liang sneered, 'Even if Cao Yan Hua is a department head, under non‑sudden supernatural‑event conditions he cannot arbitrarily reassign persons in charge; otherwise headquarters would become his personal fiefdom.'

"'What difference does holding a meeting make? Do you think Professor Wang and the others would agree with your idea? How ridiculous!'"

Cao Yan Hua also snorted.

"'Heh, just don't send Cao Yang again later.'"

No sooner had he said that than Shen Liang regretted it—after all, he knew Cao Yang was Cao Yan Hua's nephew—but saving face, he stormed out.

Only Cao Yan Hua remained, sitting alone in his seat.

(End of chapter)