Cultivating Immortality Through a Hundred Lifetimes: I Possess the Heavenly Book of Merit

Three knocks.

There was no response from inside the door for a long time.

Zhou Yan waited for a while, then raised his hand and knocked three more times.

There has still been no response.

He glanced back at Yu Yan, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Strange," he muttered to himself, "Young Master Lin Jiu clearly said that someone should be there to meet him at this time today."

Just as Zhou Yan was about to knock for the third time, there was finally movement inside the door.

squeak-

The door opened slightly, just a crack, only about two fingers' width wide.

An eye peeked out from under the door and coldly swept over the two of them.

His gaze swept across Yu Yan's face, then lingered on Zhou Yan for a moment.

"What is it?"

The voice came from behind the door; it sounded somewhat childish, like that of a teenager.

Zhou Yan quickly cupped his hands in a very polite manner: "Please inform Young Master Lin Jiu that Zhou Yan requests an audience."

After he finished speaking, he smiled and waited for the other party to open the door and invite him in.

According to the previous agreement, Young Master Lin Jiu should have already instructed the gatekeeper to let Zhou Yan pass as soon as he arrived.

however--

The person behind the door paused slightly upon hearing the name "Zhou Yan".

The boy couldn't hide his feelings; Yu Yan could clearly see the change in his eyes in that instant.

That was clearly a reaction to knowing the name.

However, the other party's reaction was unexpected for Yu Yan and his companion.

"What Zhou Yan?"

The voice behind the door suddenly became somewhat panicked, and when the young gatekeeper spoke again, his attitude had changed to one of shooing people away.

"I've never heard of you before! What kind of beggar are you, daring to scam people in this woodland courtyard? Get out of my way!"

Before he could finish speaking, the door slammed shut with a loud bang.

The wind stirred up by the door made Zhou Yan's robes flutter slightly.

The wind was whistling, and Zhou Yan felt embarrassed as he noticed the stares from passersby.

He froze for a moment, his smile completely gone, staring blankly at the closed wooden door. His lips moved, but he couldn't utter a word for a long time.

This...this is not what we agreed on!

Yu Yan stood aside and watched the whole process.

Unlike Zhou Yan, he didn't freeze in shock; instead, he quickly turned his gaze to the door.

Although the door was closed, he could vaguely see through the gap in the door panel that the figure behind the door had not left.

The man stood behind the door, pacing back and forth, looking quite anxious.

Yu Yan frowned slightly.

Not right.

Something's nine out of ten wrong.

The guard's eyes just now clearly showed that he knew the name "Zhou Yan". That momentary pause, that subconscious reaction, couldn't lie.

But why did he suddenly turn on me?

And the insults they used were so awful.

Their clothes aren't shabby at all, so why are there beggars out here?

Thinking of this, a thought suddenly popped into Yu Yan's mind.

Perhaps the security guard was deliberately driving them away?

But why?

If Young Master Lin Jiu really gave instructions, the gatekeeper shouldn't have acted that way. If Young Master Lin Jiu didn't give any instructions, then how do you explain the gatekeeper's change of expression just now?

Various thoughts flashed through Yu Yan's mind.

But now is not the time to think.

Since something is wrong, it's best to leave as soon as possible.

He saw Zhou Yan finally come to his senses, a hint of anger appearing on his face, and he was about to step forward to argue.

"Brother Zhou."

Yu Yan grabbed Zhou Yan's arm and shook his head at him.

Zhou Yan paused for a moment and looked at Yu Yan.

Yu Yan didn't speak, but simply gestured slightly with his chin toward the door before turning around and making a gesture as if to leave.

Although Zhou Yan didn't understand why Yu Yan did this, he knew Yu Yan wouldn't stop him without a reason. He took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and turned around with Yu Yan.

The two had only taken two steps when they heard a creak behind them.

The door opened again, and then a gentle voice came from inside:

"Master Deli, since we have guests, why don't you quickly invite them in?"

The voice was gentle and refined, with a warmth that made one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze.

Yu Yan turned his head and glanced behind him out of the corner of his eye.

Before the stone gate, a handsome man stood.

He wore a light blue robe with a jade belt around his waist. He had a fair complexion and gentle features.

Her eyes narrowed into two crescent moons, and her face wore a perfectly timed smile, leaving no room for criticism.

The young man approached the doorman, his tone slightly reproachful: "Deli, I heard everything inside. How could you be so rude to a guest?"

The young gatekeeper seemed very afraid of this person, taking a few steps back with a look of fear on his face, and bowing repeatedly.

"Young Master Lin, please forgive me! Young Master Lin, please forgive me! I was blind and offended the guest..."

As he spoke, he backed away, but he backed away too quickly and tripped, accidentally knocking open the stone door behind him.

With a bang, the stone door swung open.

Yu Yan and Zhou Yan stood outside the door, taking in the entire scene inside.

The entrance is a small courtyard paved with bluestone slabs, with several clumps of bamboo planted on both sides. At the end of the courtyard is a screen wall, carved with landscape patterns, from which the courtyard behind can be faintly seen.

The young page stood in front of the screen wall, head bowed, not daring to look at anyone.

Young Master Lin glanced at him, shook his head, and did not continue to blame him. Instead, he turned around and walked quickly towards Yu Yan and Zhou Yan.

He walked up to the two men and bowed deeply.

"Fellow Daoists, I am truly sorry. My servant has been spoiled by my elder brother and does not know the proper etiquette, thus offending our distinguished guests. Lin Shi apologizes on his behalf."

His attitude was sincere, his tone was gentle, and there was nothing wrong with him.

But Yu Yan had an innate sense of unease about squinty eyes.

If I had to pinpoint the reason, it might be that in my past memories, people with squinty eyes always seemed to be monsters.

This person doesn't seem to be Zhou Yan's trading partner.

Moreover, Yu Yan couldn't see through his cultivation level, so he was probably hovering on the edge of Foundation Establishment.

This is a dangerous moment.

Zhou Yan also came to his senses at this moment.

Although he was still puzzled, he couldn't remain stern because the other party was so polite. So he cupped his hands in greeting and said politely, "Young Master Lin, you're too kind. It's all a misunderstanding."

Young Master Lin smiled and nodded, then looked at the two men and asked, "May I ask what brings you two to my courtyard in the woods? Are you looking for someone?"

Zhou Yan hesitated for a moment, about to speak, but Young Master Lin Shi beat him to it, gesturing for him to enter.

"Since you two are here, why don't you come in and have a cup of tea, and then we can talk at your leisure? It's the middle of the day, and standing outside isn't very convenient."

Zhou Yan looked at Yu Yan.

Yu Yan frowned slightly.

He instinctively wanted to refuse.

Young Master Lin's appearance was too opportune, and his attitude too courteous, which made people uneasy. Moreover, the page's actions just now were far too suspicious. Entering the Lin family's residence rashly might be inappropriate.

But before he could speak, Young Master Lin stepped forward and warmly took his arm.

"Fellow Daoist, please don't stand on ceremony. Although our Lin family's courtyard isn't a large place, we still have tea to serve our guests. Come, come, please come in."

As he spoke, he pulled Yu Yan inside.

Yu Yan tried to break free, but when he saw the other person slightly open his eyes, the cold glint in them made him freeze.

That's it, I'm afraid I can't leave now.