The room was silent.
Lying on the bed, Lin Yun never would have thought that he would, by sheer chance, overhear so many inside secrets. Although they had spoken carefully and their conversation wasn't overly specific, he had still managed to grasp several key clues.
This affair was indeed spearheaded by the Crimson Ghost Sect, but the shadow behind them had nothing to do with Prince Zuo Cheng. The strange part was the other group they mentioned. Lin Yun thought it over. Within the Daye Dynasty, there was only one faction that could be helping them.
The Shangqing Temple.
After the great battle at the Flowing Cloud Sect, the strength of the various sects had changed. That once-great sect that had commanded the cultivation world had fallen from its zenith. What's more, many of the Flowing Cloud Sect's experts had chosen to leave during that period. To them, that battle had exposed far too many of the sect's problems.
Interesting. So the Shangqing Temple is colluding with the Crimson Ghost Sect, while also stringing Prince Zuo Cheng along. Lin Yun muttered to himself. This made the next steps much simpler.
But judging by Fang Wenhe's demeanor, it seemed his relationship with Fang Yu'er was not as good as it appeared on the surface. Fang Yu'er's tone had made it clear she wanted nothing to do with Prince Zuo Cheng.
As he was thinking, he heard footsteps outside. Lin Yun immediately closed his eyes and played dead.
After the door to her own room closed, Fang Yu'er confirmed that Fang Wenhe had left. Only then did she sit back down at the table, seething.
"That damned old man!"
If it were before, it might have been fine. But in the current situation, Fang Yu'er knew that she would gain no benefit from dealing with Prince Zuo Cheng.
"Damn it! Sending me to Prince Zuo Cheng… isn't that just pushing me into a fiery pit?" Fang Yu'er was so angry she wanted to slam the table. Did she not know what little schemes Fang Wenhe was plotting? She was just too lazy to call him out on it. But now, she truly had no way to refuse.
Meanwhile, Lin Yun was squinting, looking at Fang Yu'er. Sure enough, her panel had changed.
[Name]: Fang Yu'er [Realm]: Sky-Soaring Realm - Stage 4 [Destiny Template]: Natural Seductress (Purple) [Attributes]: Alluring Scent (Blue), Bewitching Words (Blue) [Fate]: Is noticed by Prince Zuo Cheng during their first meeting and is thereafter forcefully imprisoned in his manor. Is later trapped and dies in a secret chamber. [Recent Turning Point]: Is set up by Fang Wenhe, who deliberately sends her to Prince Zuo Cheng's manor in order to control the Prince and achieve his own ulterior motives.
So these people aren't even a united front?
Lin Yun smiled. If the two of them had a good relationship, it would have been difficult for him to make a move. But now… haha, the situation was completely different.
While Lin Yun was feigning sleep, Fang Yu'er walked over to his bedside.
"It's all your fault, you damned bastard. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have to go through any of this. I'll kill you right now."
As she spoke, she actually threw a punch downwards.
Although Lin Yun knew this woman wouldn't dare to actually kill him, he couldn't just lie there and take it. In the next instant, he shot up from the bed. The moment he executed his Ghostly Void Steps, he was already behind her. Two fingers pinched the nape of her delicate, jade-like neck. For him, it would only take the slightest pressure to kill her.
"Miss Fang, are you really so determined to kill me?" A man's low voice sounded by her ear, cold and devoid of any emotion. A thick, masculine scent washed over her. But what Fang Yu'er felt most at that moment was panic.
Impossible! How did he do that? I clearly used my arts to knock him out. Why is he awake now?
As she thought this, she subconsciously began to use her seduction arts. Lin Yun didn't stop her, just watching her quietly. After a moment, Fang Yu'er gave up. This time was even more absurd than the last. Lin Yun felt like a piece of thousand-times tempered steel; no matter how much force you used, you couldn't bend him. Fang Yu'er had already tried many methods, and all of them had failed.
"What do you really want?" she snapped, a hint of coquettish anger in her voice. "Since you were already awake, why didn't you run away?"
Lin Yun smiled. "Don't you understand yet? This entire village of yours… if I wanted to, how long do you think they could live?"
It was said like a joke, but after hearing it, a cold chill shot straight down Fang Yu'er's spine. When she recalled Lin Yun's unbending will, she instantly realized that this man was not joking. He truly had that ability.
"So? Since you're so formidable, then why…"
As Fang Yu'er was speaking, Lin Yun released her.
"It's simple. To you, I am not an enemy. I am an opportunity. I imagine Miss Fang also knows that not everyone in the Crimson Ghost Sect is on your side. From what I can see, Fang Wenhe doesn't seem to be very friendly towards you."
Fang Yu'er bit her red lip. "You think such a divisive ploy will work on me?"
Lin Yun shook his head, a trace of killing intent suddenly appearing in his eyes. "Miss Fang, you must understand one thing. I do not need to use divisive ploys, and I disdain to do so. The reason I have not killed you all is because you still have some use value. And you, to me, have a higher value."
Lin Yun made no effort to conceal the killing intent in his eyes. His demeanor sent a chill through Fang Yu'er's entire body. This man was terrifying. His gaze, his every move, exuded an immense pressure.
After a moment of silence, Fang Yu'er asked, "What do you want me to do for you?"
She had submitted. Since Fang Wenhe wanted to use Prince Zuo Cheng to kill her, why couldn't she use this situation to turn the tables on him?
Lin Yun was very satisfied with this answer. "You are a smart woman. You will keep what happened here today a secret. Afterwards, you will take me with you to see Prince Zuo Cheng."
Fang Yu'er took several steps back. "Are you insane? Since I'm cooperating with you, why do you still want me to take you to see Prince Zuo Cheng? What's the difference between you and Fang Wenhe then?"
Lin Yun said, "The difference is that Fang Wenhe wants you to die. I can guarantee that you will live. And even… that you will keep your innocence."
Fang Yu'er's eyes widened, and she took several more steps back. This man… he even knew about that?
"I understand the law of the cultivation world: the weak are meat for the strong. Perhaps you are acting out of helplessness, but as long as you do as I ask, I can give you a chance to live, or to leave this damned place."
It had to be said, Lin Yun seemed incredibly dangerous. But his proposal truly tempted Fang Yu'er. Perhaps cooperating with this man was her only choice. After all, with Lin Yun's strength, what couldn't he do? Even Prince Zuo Cheng was, in the end, just another man.