The so-called Mystic Sect was an organized society of mystics established by mystics in China.
As the number of mystics had been dwindling, some higher-ups thought of consolidating the mystics to facilitate their interaction and the inheritance of their arts. If someone with rare talents in cultivation was found, they would be absorbed into the Mystic Sect for training.
At the same time, to facilitate administration, almost every major city had a branch of the Mystic Sect.
Soon, with a "ding," the elevator reached the ground floor and opened.
Lin Wu walked out briskly and said to the person on the phone, "Find the person in charge of the branch of the Mystic Sect in Song City and check which of the mystics in Song City has dealings with the Lin Family. Also, I'm sending you a picture of something; find out who made it and how."
Having said that, Lin Wu hung up the phone, took out the pendant, and sent a photo to the other party.
The other party was noted as Cheng Man, whose name reflected her nature—slow to speak and to reply to messages.
Lin Wu had reached the hospital parking lot and found her car before she saw Cheng Man's reply.
[This thing looks a bit sinister; it doesn't seem like something an ordinary mystic could make. As for the person you mentioned, the Mystic Sect can look into it, but without specific clues, it's going to take some time. Give me two days. I'll have an answer for you in two days.]
Lin Wu responded with a simple "Okay."
After thinking for a moment, she sent another message, "Let people know at the Stone Association here in Song City that I'm coming over to use their equipment to test something."
From Lin Wu's experience, the pendant resembled a type of stone but wasn't ordinary stone.
The Stone Association had all kinds of minerals, both imaginable and unimaginable; they might have records about this type of material.
But that was secondary to her main concern.
What Lin Wu feared the most was that the mysterious radioactive elements in the old Lin patriarch's body might have come from this pendant.
If that were really the case…
She would definitely not let the Lin Family off the hook!
This time Cheng Man replied quickly: [Okay, I'll have someone notify them in advance. When you get there, just tell them you're a Taoist student.]
Lin Wu glanced at the message, then put away her phone and drove off.
An hour later, Lin Wu parked her car beneath the Lin Group's building.
She put on her hat and mask before opening the door and heading straight for the entrance on the first floor.
After entering, Lin Wu approached the reception desk on the first floor and tapped at the counter to get the attention of the receptionist.
"Call Lin Shenghai and tell him Lin Wu wants to see him."
Cheng Man was still too slow.
Her grandfather's illness couldn't wait. If the pendant was indeed something that harmed her grandfather, she needed to verify it soon and inform Bo Yuting in time, so he could develop a treatment plan.
Therefore, she couldn't rely solely on Cheng Man; she had to personally seek out Lin Shenghai.
Getting results from Lin Shenghai would be best; if she did, she could let Cheng Man handle that master through the channels of the Mystic Sect.
If she couldn't, she would have to take the pendant to be tested and then wait patiently for Cheng Man's results.
The receptionist, looking at Lin Wu who was dressed in black trousers with most of her face covered, was taken aback. As per usual, she asked, "Do you have an appointment?"
"No, just tell him Lin Wu is here to see him," Lin Wu said.
When the receptionist heard Lin Wu did not have an appointment and thought her appearance didn't indicate someone with a background, she immediately became a bit impatient, "Miss, unless you have an appointment, Mr. Lin of our company won't have time to see you."
Lin Wu glanced at her without saying another word and turned to walk towards the elevators on the inner side of the first-floor lobby.
"Hey, what are you doing there? Unauthorized people can't go in!" the receptionist called out. Seeing that Lin Wu kept striding forward, she became anxious and promptly called security.
The employees back and forth stopped in unison and looked over at the commotion.
...
On the eighteenth floor, in the conference room.
Lin Shenghai was holding a meeting with the senior executives, listening to the project manager's report for the quarter.
Initially, the report was going well, and Lin Shenghai was quite satisfied, but as he listened further, his face turned dark.
The project manager, noticing Lin Shenghai's reaction, became increasingly timid in his speech.
"Just a few days ago, Yunke International Group unilaterally halted cooperation with us on several major projects. The reason they gave is that our company's current capabilities are insufficient for further cooperation, and they are seeking more suitable partners in the Asia-Pacific region."
Yunque Group holds a significant international status. When it stomps, the economic lifelines of various countries tremble.
Not long ago, the ability of the Lin Family business to advance into Shenggui was halfway due to the support from Yunque Group.
Looking across the Asia-Pacific region, the Lin Group was the only company that had managed to work with Yunque Group continuously for two or three years.
Having that connection with Yunque Group, countless companies within the industry were eager to collaborate with the Lin Group.
If they could no longer cooperate with Yunque Group in the future, the loss for the Lin Group would be severe and incalculable.
Lin Shenghai slapped the table in anger, "Such an important matter, why are you only reporting it now!"
The project manager shrank his neck, his face distressed, "It was Young Master Lin, he... he said he would resolve it, let us wait first."
The 'Young Master Lin' he referred to was Lin Jiangbai.
Lin Jiangbai was the vice president of the Lin Group, but he didn't like the word "vice," so he requested that people call him without it. To distinguish himself from Lin Shenghai, the people below began to refer to him as Young Master Lin.
Lin Shenghai looked around and did not see Lin Jiangbai. He asked, "Where is he?!"
Someone meekly raised their hand, "It seems he went to a social engagement."
Lin Shenghai almost couldn't catch his breath.
Of course, he couldn't vent his anger on his eldest son, whom he valued; how would his son maintain his authority before other senior executives in the company?
Just as Lin Shenghai was looking for a less conspicuous target to unleash his anger, suddenly, the conference room door was kicked open from the outside.
Everyone immediately looked over to see a bodyguard fall to the ground.
Lin Shenghai's anger rose even higher and he reprimanded, "Can't you see I'm in a meeting? What's the meaning of this!"
However, the bodyguard looked up, revealing a swollen face with a bruised nose, appearing in agony and as if he had been kicked in.
"Mr. Lin, it's bad, someone forced... forced their way in..."
At the same time, there was the sound of scuffling outside, mixed with the painful cries of other bodyguards.
Lin Shenghai was furious and slammed the table as he stood up, "Who has such audacity!"
The other executives behind him also wore faces of disbelief. In broad daylight, someone dared to storm the Lin Group?
Before they could regain their composure, the next moment, someone entered through the door.
"—Me."
Lin Shenghai was taken aback, observing a tall, slim woman. Under the scrutiny of many, she lifted her head and removed her sunglasses.
When Lin Shenghai saw those cool and clear eyes, he recognized her immediately.
"Lin Wu, how dare you?!"