Hu Shi Qi's life in the entertainment industry had found its rhythm, starting from bit parts to taking on supporting roles with slightly more screen time.
She continued to study while she worked, using her earnings to buy gifts for the staff at Lin Yan's studio.
Her true identity remained undiscovered by other demons; not because she was adept at hiding, but due to her low-key demeanor, which made her appear like an ordinary person.
Even with the resources of the Lin family behind her, she remained grounded and steady. Moreover, with the Lin family and the Special Events Management Bureau's backing, she was shielded from the notorious industry "unspoken rules."
Hu Shi Qi received her first award at the age of twenty, her documented age. Even after that, she continued to progress with unwavering composure.
After Lin Yan dropped Man Man off at school, she received news that the Ghost King had been rescued.
The messenger was a ghost official whose face seemed vaguely familiar. After a hurried report, he cautioned Lin Yan to be careful, given her existing feud with the Ghost King.
If the Ghost King were to reappear in the mortal realm, he would undoubtedly seek retribution against Lin Yan.
Lin Yan thanked the ghost official for his concern. After watching him depart swiftly, she began summoning her own people for a meeting.
The Ghost King's escape was a significant event. Lin Yan first reported it to the Special Events Management Bureau.
"Master Lin, is the source of this information reliable?" a voice crackled through the phone, laced with thick doubt.
After all, the Ghost King had been taken to the underworld by ghost officials, and he was supposed to be sealed by a formation. How could he have been rescued?
"A ghost official specifically came to inform me. It's likely the work of those who thrive on chaos. Please immediately alert the other Xuanmen families; this matter is far from simple." Lin Yan was not exaggerating.
Based on what had happened with Man Man, there was undoubtedly a hidden force behind the events described in the original narrative.
However, the Ghost King had been crippled by her; his Yin energy was unusable, rendering him no different from a mere specter.
Furthermore, she had added certain elements to the formation that trapped him. If he dared to attempt anything, Lin Yan would make him regret it.
"Understood, we will expedite the notification. Master Lin, you must also be cautious, as the Ghost King holds a grudge against you." The people at the Special Events Bureau treated Lin Yan with great respect.
After all, the talismans they used were provided by the Lin family; they certainly couldn't afford to offend the future successor of the Lin family.
"I will."
Everyone was reminding her of the Ghost King's animosity. It seemed this issue had deeply ingrained itself. She wondered if the Ghost King felt the same.
The Ghost King was currently in his mausoleum. His tomb was vast, having hollowed out almost an entire mountain. He sat upon the dragon throne he had constructed for himself, gazing at the figures standing before him—or rather, the specters.
"Since you have rescued me, what do you require of me?" Chang Sun Chang Lin understood perfectly that these individuals had not rescued him out of pure altruism.
That Lin Yan was truly formidable. He had tried countless times over the past few days, both from within and outside the formation, to break it, only to injure his soul.
Any damage inflicted upon the formation was reflected back onto him.
He couldn't even channel a sliver of Yin energy. He was currently a cripple, devoid of any utility.
Rescuing him would be an unwise investment for these people. Therefore, they must be seeking something from him.
"Does Marquis Fengle not wish for revenge? That woman sealed your powers and handed you over to the underworld. If it weren't for us, Marquis Fengle would likely be languishing in purgatory by now!"
Every word the speaker uttered was framed from Chang Sun Chang Lin's perspective, intended to ignite his hatred.
"I naturally desire revenge, but you saved me, so you must want something in return. Let's be straightforward; what exactly do you desire?" "Marquis Fengle speaks plainly. We desire the ghost army under your command." He finally revealed his objective.
"Oh? And what do you intend to do with the ghost army under my command?"
Chang Sun Chang Lin's right hand, resting on the armrest of his throne, clenched instantly, his fingertips digging into the carved dragon head.
The ghost army was his last resort. Even when trapped by the formation and held in the underworld, he had never considered exposing it.
Now, these individuals demanded his ghost army upon their first encounter. They were truly audacious.
They were merely a few vengeful spirits. If he hadn't been confined by this formation, he wouldn't have even deigned to look at them.
It was only because they had rescued him from the underworld that he treated them with a modicum of courtesy. Now, they dared to act so presumptuously.
Countless thoughts flashed through Chang Sun Chang Lin's mind, yet his outward expression remained one of gentle smiles.
"I'm afraid I must disappoint you. This ghost army resides within my inner world, but I am currently unable to channel Yin energy, and thus, cannot summon them."
The implication was clear: if they wanted it, they had to break the sealing formation. But once the formation was broken, he would be free to roam as he pleased.
In truth, even if he could summon the ghost army, he wouldn't dare to do so now.
He was currently incapable of asserting control over them. If he attempted to command the ghost army, he would likely become their prey before he could even issue an order.
Observing the furrowed brows of the leader, Chang Sun Chang Lin leisurely tapped his fingers on the armrest.
He was no longer in a hurry. Someone else was more anxious than he was. His task now was to find a way to resolve the formation that imprisoned him as quickly as possible.
However, he possessed great patience. He had waited for a thousand years; waiting a few more years was inconsequential.
Moreover, he also wished to familiarize himself with this new world.
Once the entire Xuanmen world learned of the Ghost King's escape, a sense of unease settled upon them.
After all, they had all heard tales of the Ghost King's exploits. How could a Ghost King capable of sacrificing a city with nearly a million inhabitants be anything but malevolent?
It was at this juncture that Lin Yan released the compendium of Xuanmen knowledge obtained from the Ghost King's mausoleum.
She had already arranged for all the bamboo slips and silk texts to be scanned with high-definition cameras and uploaded online.
As long as one logged into the Special Events Management Bureau's app and possessed sufficient points, they could access this knowledge.
To preserve their lives and enhance their abilities, everyone began to study this material. Even the elders in many sects and families were engrossed, peering at their mobile phones.
"Yan Yan, the Ghost King's escape has put you in grave danger, especially since everyone knows about your animosity towards him," Zeng Xuan Ming said with concern for Lin Yan. "I'm already communicating with my subordinates to see if we can develop a function that can indicate nearby Yin energy.
With this function, one could detect the presence of ghosts nearby, which would also be helpful in locating the Ghost King."
"That's a good idea. Have you discussed it with the research and development department?" Lin Yan felt that this would be difficult to implement, as the materials required for such a device would undoubtedly be expensive in the current era, unlike ancient times. Therefore, it would be best to search the territories allocated to each faction first.