Great Demon 06

Hu Lai's beard bristled with anger: "Young man, mind your manners. At my age, shouldn’t you show some respect for your elders—"

But as the figure drew closer, Hu Lai fell silent.

"Damn snake, what brings you here?" Fang Zhiyi shot him a glare. "Stinky fox, since when is there a law against me visiting?"

Hu Lai studied Fang Zhiyi, a pang of melancholy rising in his chest. How long had it been?

"You... must be here for something?"

Fang Zhiyi grinned and slung an arm over his shoulder. "Big things. I’ve got a major business deal I need your help with."

Hu Lai eyed him skeptically.

The little hedgehog trailed behind, watching the two yokai’s backs as the snake yokai rattled on about "human resources" and "rights protection." He didn’t understand a word, but it probably had nothing to do with him.

Still, judging by the shifting expression on Old Hu’s face, the snake’s words seemed convincing.

Meanwhile, Mo Ran was locked alone in a cramped cell, his face dark as a storm cloud.

Though his superiors claimed they still trusted him, they insisted on a thorough investigation, advising him to "rest easy" for a few days. To him, this was nothing short of humiliation!

Even his team members were now isolated for questioning.

In his mind, he cursed that snake yokai a hundred times over, vowing to tear him limb from limb once he got out.

And the other yokai too—he thought of his childhood sweetheart. Every last one of them deserved to die!

A sense of powerlessness gnawed at Mo Ran as his mindset quietly shifted.

Then, a sudden deposit into his account made things even harder to explain.

"Framed? Since when do yokai frame people by transferring money?" Deputy Alliance Leader Zhang, thrilled to finally have dirt on Mo Ran, was eager to bury him. Who asked the brat to always look down on him?

Faced with such accusations, even Mo Ran’s supporters had little to say, leaving the investigation to drag on—with no leads. The culprit had been meticulous, leaving no traces behind.

Meanwhile, a peculiar rumor spread through the yokai circles of Huancheng: a powerful yokai had founded a "Yokai Resources Company," specializing in providing jobs for yokai.

The dangerous yokai that once lurked at transportation hubs and docks had vanished.

In their place stood yokai who looked even more intimidating.

The moment a newly arrived yokai stepped into the city, they’d swarm over, professionally pitching their services.

It wasn’t just the newcomers—even local yokai already working in the city soon found flyers in their hands.

The company’s target clients were yokai without legal identities. After processing, they could be dispatched to human-run businesses or factories.

Fang Zhiyi hadn’t expected Hu Lai’s operations to open the market so quickly.

The little yokai, simple-minded and hardworking, earned rave reviews from employers. Demand soon outstripped supply.

Positive feedback bred even better results.

More hesitant yokai began signing up. After registering with the company, they were swiftly placed into jobs.

After a quick meal with Hu Lai, Fang Zhiyi left, taking Xiao Hu back to the protagonist’s city.

Mo Ran received good news from the meal deliverer: several higher-ups were vouching for him, and Deputy Alliance Leader Zhang had failed to uncover solid evidence. He’d likely be released in a day or two.

Excitement burned in Mo Ran’s eyes. Finally, he could get out.

He’d fantasized countless times about breaking free—this door couldn’t hold him. But a familiar leader had warned him: "Step out now, and even the truth won’t save you."

That sobered him up. He even began quietly honing his skills.

With freedom in sight, he plotted his next moves: first, head to Huancheng, eliminate that fox yokai, seize its core, then move south... That snake wouldn’t hide forever.

That night, Mo Ran drifted off with a smile.

But deep into the night, a deafening crash jolted him awake.

Shouts and chaos erupted outside. He sprang up, pressing his ear to the door.

The noise grew louder, clearer.

"Charge, boys! Rescue Mo Ran!"

Shock, then fury, surged through him.

He wasn’t stupid—this was another of the snake’s schemes! Yokai staging a jailbreak? That would cement his reputation as a traitor!

Already, clashes erupted outside. The unprepared exorcists were swiftly overpowered and tossed aside.

"Brother Mo Ran! We got your message! We’re here to save you!"

Rage exploded in Mo Ran’s chest. He slammed the door open—his "cell" was just a private room, not an actual prison. A few steps brought him to the railing overlooking the lower floor.

Below, seven or eight masked figures loitered, some standing, some crouching, beside a blaring speaker.

He pointed. "You—"

The yokai below looked up. "Mo Ran’s escaped! Push harder, brothers!" The speaker crackled, but none of the yokai moved.

Yet the words echoed unmistakably. Injured exorcists turned, gaping at Mo Ran in disbelief.

"So it’s true—you’re a traitor!"

Panic flickered, but pride kept Mo Ran from explaining. His face darkened with stifled fury.

"Fall back! Reinforcements are coming! Brother Mo Ran, run!" As cars screeched into view, the yokai bolted, the lead one clutching the speaker. "Big bro, get out now!"

Speechless with rage, Mo Ran could only glare as the figures vanished into the night.

Moments later, his own people surrounded him.

Deputy Alliance Leader Zhang, smug. The old man, heartbroken. His colleagues, suspicious. And Mo Ran—seething with resentment.

Predictably, he was locked up again, this time in a specially reinforced room.

Mo Ran drove his fist into the wall.

Why? Why had everything gone wrong? It had always been so easy before.

"Boss, where to now?" Xiao Hu ripped off his mask, buzzing with excitement. This was what it meant to be a great yokai—playing for keeps, daring to strike the Exorcist Alliance itself!

"South," Fang Zhiyi replied coolly.

"Let’s go!"

If this were a game of Ludo, Mo Ran would still be waiting to roll a six, while Fang Zhiyi’s third plane was already soaring.