Hidden Moth

Yang Lingxi was genuinely shocked this time, rendering her unresponsive for almost two seconds. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Because these two lines of verse, or rather rhymes, are one of the standard catchphrases used by Magic Sect disciples when "discussing the path". Seven leaves obviously refers to the Seven Lineage Inheritance, while one flower show signifies the idea that sorcerers under heaven are one family, supporting each other and progressing together.

The four oceans and Jianghu are similar, generally referring to various encounters in the world, while a thousand streams refer to numerous Magic Sect disciples, also indicating their activity trajectories in the world.

Qian Guran’s statement was a subtle hint that he is an official disciple of the Magic Sect, asking if the other person is a fellow in the Jianghu?

Qian Guran was formerly a Carefree Wanderer and had seldom experienced such catchphrase exchanges. Actually, his asking "what’s the next line?" was unnecessary, as usually reporting the catchphrase is enough.

If the other person is also a Magic Sect disciple, they could ceremoniously continue with two lines depending on the situation, or if not using verses, they could simply say "pleased to meet you" and introduce themselves.

Just as Old Qian expected, Yang Lingxi did indeed have a Magic Sect background, but she was not truly an official disciple, thus her understanding of the circumstances was quite limited.

She could comprehend the Magic Sect’s catchphrases, yet she never imagined that the company’s President Qian would actually be an official Magic Sect disciple. The person who assigned her to this task never mentioned this!

After two seconds, she finally made a decision, trying to remain calm and said, "President Qian, you are indeed knowledgeable and talented. I have never heard those two lines of verse before."

Someone had repeatedly warned her that for certain matters, as long as she resolutely denied them, no one could influence her. Yet invisibly, that careless aura of hers had completely vanished, leaving only apprehension in her heart.

If Qian Guran were merely President Qian, Yang Lingxi wouldn’t fear him at all. She hadn’t taken him seriously earlier either.

Even though there are incidents of "a commoner’s wrath, blood splattered within five steps" in the world, most people are ordinary, especially someone like Qian Guran who possesses some status and achievements as a workplace employee, lacking the courage to fight to the death.

Even if Qian Guran was temporarily enraged and wanted to get rough, Yang Lingxi wouldn’t care much since she’s somewhat trained.

But Qian Guran coupled with the identity of a sorcerer complicates matters, as he has methods to deal with her beyond her knowledge.

Qian Guran disregarded what she had said, merely observing her reaction, then continued unhurriedly, "Yang Lingxi, the person who named you might know something but doesn’t truly understand.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t name you directly after the Taoist lineage; only sect grandmasters have the honor of such a title!

Your parents likely were Guests of Fate, capable of interacting with Magic Sect disciples, hoping that you could also join the Magic Sect. Hence, you are also from a Guest of Fate background, knowledgeable about the Magic Sect, techniques, and sorcerers, and acquainted with such people.

This is your karma, but not necessarily a kind fate.

Clearly, you’ve undergone specialized training. Ordinary people lack your psychological fortitude and thickness!

You might have practiced a certain Heart Method, but have not entered the sect, at least not yet. However, any technique, regardless of sect entry, is never practiced in vain.

Moreover, someone taught you other things.

Let me introduce myself; I am a sorcerer from the Qi Observation Sect, with a minimum cultivation of Tier Three. Qi Observation Skill is adept at observing people, though I can’t discern every word of yours as true or false, at least I can judge—what is your attitude towards me?

From the moment you entered, your attitude was completely abnormal, at least inconsistent with your apparent identity.

You weren’t panicked or anxious, standing before me, the Vice President, instead seemed somewhat superior, felt like a group leader inspecting work. Those exterior signs of confusion and grievance were all your performance.

You didn’t take me seriously, facing my questioning, you were well-prepared, seemed confident in controlling the rhythm, didn’t feel guilty, but rather amused.

I didn’t follow your rhythm, surprising you, yet it was only a surprise. Then you began to threaten me—that was your true attitude.

Regardless if you were truly going to act so, your gaze akin to a cat watching a mouse... what does this indicate? It can only suggest you have another identity.

I advised you to leave voluntarily, you acted aggrieved, but internally you didn’t truly care. You are indifferent to this job, indifferent to me as a leader; you just resent my interference.

You thought you were here for a simple task, but the person who assigned you didn’t tell you more. They taught you how to dance on the knife’s edge, without explaining the inherent dangers.

Let me ask you, have you heard of Hidden Moth?"

"What Hidden Moth? I’ve never heard of it; I truly don’t know what you’re talking about!" Yang Lingxi replied instinctively, then was lost for words.

Qian Guran: "Not knowing is no problem; you’ve already received an email in your inbox explaining what Hidden Moth is, as well as recent happenings at Qi Yuan, including the latest moves by the Magic Sect’s Hall of Sect Rules.

It’s not your work email, but rather your private contact email, the one listed on your job application. It’s not sent from my email but from a unfamiliar account to you.

Even if you’re not exactly a good person, I still think you deserve to know the truth. Did you receive the latest instructions these past couple of days, telling you to keep risking your life, trying a different trick to deal with He Kao?

Otherwise, your reaction just now wouldn’t have been so quick, threatening me in that way, because someone had already taught you, and you just temporarily switched the target to me.

But the person who taught you didn’t tell you that this is truly courting death; they don’t care whether you live or die, only if they can achieve their goal.

I don’t know who instructed you or what your relationship with them is, but I do know they don’t care about your life at all; you’re just a tool they’ve trained.

The person who genuinely harbors the greatest goodwill towards you is actually He Kao, whom you’ve always wanted to frame. Only he would ask you if you’re being coerced and can’t help yourself. He truly wants to pull you out of the mire!

I’m sure after today’s incident, he has no intention of helping you anymore. After all, the greatest goodwill in the world is not to abet evil!

Yang Lingxi had just opened her phone to read her emails when she found she couldn’t lower her head and couldn’t speak after several attempts.

Because as Qian Guran was speaking, he picked up a golden paperweight from the table with his right hand, gripping it tightly until his knuckles turned a bit white. With his movements, Yang Lingxi’s shirt collar tightened around her neck.

She was choked to the point where she couldn’t speak, but not quite suffocating, just finding it harder and harder to breathe, her face flushing red with rising fear in her heart.

Qian Guran was not just talking rhetoric; he demonstrated through his actions his identity as a Sorcerer, showing Yang Lingxi what kind of powerful person she was provoking, how dangerous her current situation was, and at the very least that ending her life would be easy.

As Yang Lingxi seemed to be on the verge of suffocation, the collar would loosen slightly, only to continue tightening again.

Qian Guran made no other movements, nor did he announce that this was his technique. He continued to stare into Yang Lingxi’s eyes and said, "You can tell the person who instructed you about today’s events; I’m not afraid of my identity being exposed.

If you’re wise, tell them that you’re scared and don’t want to continue. As I suggested, leave here quickly, this is He Kao’s advice to you—don’t dive into these troubled waters anymore.

Or you can make another choice: confess everything to me, who sent you, how they taught you, and help me find those people, uncover their identities and intentions."

Having said this, Qian Guran finally put down the paperweight in his hand.

Yang Lingxi felt her collar loosen and finally could breathe normally, gasping for air like a fish out of water. Her eyes filled with fear as she finally said after a moment, "President Qian, I truly don’t know what you’re talking about, what email was that?"

She still gritted her teeth, refusing to admit anything—perhaps also afraid to admit it—but she clearly had no confidence left in her voice.

Qian Guran waved his hand: "All right, tell me after you’ve read the email, just don’t read it here... Scram!"

He concluded with a soft "scram," and the door to the office silently swung open.

The frightened Yang Lingxi left, and President Qian went to preside over a company meeting. The meeting wrapped up around noon, but instead of going to the company cafeteria, he met Yao Shaolan at a nearby tea house.

The morning meeting with Yang Lingxi was not only recorded on his laptop but also synced to the law firm. The two had agreed to meet at noon.

Yao Shaolan sighed and said, "Is it really a good idea to alert the enemies like this?"

Qian Guran said, "The reason they do such things is because they can’t see the light of day! Sending a girl who knows nothing to use seduction to plot against He Kao, on the surface, there wasn’t a single flaw.

If that girl hadn’t used too much force, even I wouldn’t have any evidence. But since she exposed a flaw, we should follow it to unravel the matter. They absolutely won’t show themselves. Why go to such trouble otherwise?

Once their identity is exposed, their fate is death, even at the lightest punishment, they’d be stripped of their cultivation and expelled from the Magic Sect. When that time comes, would Hidden Moth let them go? Being expelled would be no different from death.

Rest assured, they won’t dare confront me directly, not to mention whether they could get away with it, a slight slip would expose their identity... By the way, any updates from Xiaomiao?"

Yao Shaolan: "I was just about to say, there’s nothing wrong with Xiaomiao herself, but her father had a minor accident yesterday. It was said he rode an electric scooter and fell into a ditch, then was sent to the hospital.

Xiaomiao heard about it and went back home, taking the high-speed train... I suspect it could also be someone testing her identity. If that’s the case, it likely rules her out as the Hidden Moth suspect."

Hearing this, Qian Guran suddenly stood up, even spilling his teacup, blurting out, "This is bad!"

Seeing him so upset, Yao Shaolan asked in surprise, "What’s bad? Don’t be in such a rush; perhaps it was just an accident. Xiaomiao’s father is fine, just a minor scratch, though it was scary at the time.

Xiaomiao is fine too. I have Qian Dali secretly following her..."

Qian Guran interrupted her, "You don’t understand, Huang Xiaopang’s mother, last month, also had an accident that was almost exactly the same!"

**