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

"Three months ago, two illegitimate children in the family died unexpectedly. At the time, everyone thought they had gone astray in their cultivation and died from qi deviation. But later, someone discovered that their deaths were suspicious and it seemed that they had been poisoned."

"After investigation, all the clues point to Lin Jiu."

Yu Yan was silent for a moment, then slowly asked, "How does Young Master Lin know all this?"

Lin Shi looked at him, a hint of a smile flashing in his narrowed eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Yu, are you implying that I'm lying?"

"Yes, I suspect that those two illegitimate disciples died at your hands, and then you framed your own brother for it."

Although he thought this way, Yu Yan did not say it aloud.

Lin Shi wasn't angry. He took out a jade slip from his pocket and placed it on the table.

"These are the findings of the family elders' council. Fellow Daoist Yu can take a look for himself."

Yu Yan took the jade slip and probed it with his divine sense.

The jade slip contained detailed information—the time, place, and cause of death of the two Lin family members, as well as various clues discovered during the investigation. All the clues ultimately pointed to one person:

Lin Jiu.

Moreover, the investigation revealed that the person Lin Jiu sent to carry out the mission was one of his trusted confidants. That confidant fled after the plot was exposed and his whereabouts remain unknown.

After reading the jade slip, Yu Yan remained silent for a long time.

If the contents of this jade slip are true, then Lin Jiu...

He looked up at Lin Shi.

"What does Young Master Lin mean by telling me all this?"

Lin Shi picked up his wine glass and took a small sip.

"Fellow Daoist Yu is a smart man; he should have already guessed it."

He put down his wine glass and looked directly at Yu Yan.

"Lin Jiu is currently imprisoned in the family ancestral hall, guarded by people sent by the elders. Once the investigation results are confirmed, his eligibility as a candidate for the young clan leader will be completely revoked."

"By then, the position of young clan leader will be vacant."

Yu Yan looked at him and said, word by word, "Young Master Lin Shi wants that position?"

Lin Shi smiled.

He didn't deny it, he just nodded.

"good."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the bamboo forest outside.

"Fellow Daoist Yu, you may not be familiar with the situation of our Lin family. My father had five sons and three daughters, but only the three born of the principal wife were truly capable of inheriting the position of young clan leader. My eldest brother was addicted to wine and women and was of no use. My second brother was violent and unpopular. Therefore, my father turned his attention to us, his illegitimate children."

"Lin Jiu is the third son, and I am the fourth. In terms of talent and character, I believe I am no less than him. However, he is older than me and started his business earlier, so he has a wider network of connections and more supporters in the family than I do."

He turned around and looked at Yu Yan.

"But this time, he ruined his own life."

"Murdering a member of one's own clan is a grave taboo in the Lin family. Even if he is the most outstanding among the illegitimate children, he cannot be protected."

Yu Yan remained silent and did not speak.

Lin Shi walked back to the table and sat down opposite Yu Yan.

"Fellow Daoist Yu, I need your help."

Yu Yan looked at him and slowly asked, "What kind of help are you in?"

Lin Shi took out a jade slip from his pocket and placed it on the table.

This jade slip is different from the previous one; it glows with a faint red light and is clearly not an ordinary item.

"This is evidence that Lin Jiu previously ordered the murder of his clansmen." Lin Shi's voice was calm. "It contains his handwritten orders, records of his troop deployments, and correspondence between him and his confidant. It's enough to ensure he can never recover."

Yu Yan looked at the jade slip but did not reach out to take it.

"Since Young Master Lin already has evidence, what more do you need me to do?"

Lin Shi shook his head: "This evidence is not enough."

"not enough?"

"Yes." Lin Shi sighed.

"Although the evidence is conclusive, those who died were ultimately just insignificant people. The only one who can completely prevent him from turning his life around is Lin Xiao."

He paused, then looked at Yu Yan.

"Therefore, I need you to prove it."

Yu Yan felt a chill run down his spine.

really.

"Young Master Lin is ruthless in dealing with his own brother, but since we've acted as witnesses for you, we can't guarantee our own safety."

Lin Shi smiled.

"Fellow Daoist Yu, you underestimate the Lin family. I knew you had just entered the third floor. I also knew you were stopped by the page at the entrance. And I knew perfectly well that you came to find Lin Jiu."

"Fellow Daoist Yu, believe me, from the very beginning, you were doomed."

Yu Yan remained silent and did not speak.

Lin Shi waited for a moment, and seeing that he didn't speak, he sighed.

"Fellow Daoist Yu, I know what you're worried about. Are you afraid that after I get the item, I'll use it against you?"

He shook his head and smiled:

"Don't worry, I, Lin Shi, am not that kind of person. I only want that position; I have no interest in you rogue cultivators. Since you helped me, you are my friends. If you need anything on this fourth floor in the future, feel free to come to me."

He paused, then added, "Besides, even if you don't give it to me, do you think you can get out of this little courtyard in the woods?"

That's already quite straightforward.

If you don't testify, you can't get out.

They can testify and still be friends.

Yu Yan looked at Lin Shi, his mind churning with thoughts.

Does he believe Lin Shi's words?

Of course I don't believe it.

How could someone who could send assassins to kill his own brother three times, someone who could frame his own brother for murdering his clansmen, possibly keep his promise?

He might turn on Lin Jiu immediately once Lin Jiu is completely brought down.

This is Lin family territory, and Lin Shi is the fourth young master of the Lin family. Killing two rogue cultivators would be a piece of cake for him.

Yu Yan took a deep breath and slowly spoke:

"Young Master Lin, I have a question."

Lin Shi nodded: "Fellow Daoist Yu, please speak."

"Young Master Lin, I have another question."

Lin Shi nodded: "Please speak."

"If we really testify, won't the other members of the Lin family who support Lin Jiu come after us for revenge?"

Lin Shi looked at him, and the smile on her face gradually faded.

He paused for a moment, then slowly began to speak:

"Fellow Daoist Yu, I don't need to answer this question; you already know the answer."

"Lin Jiu is ultimately just a son born out of wedlock. The people surrounding him are only there because he has the qualifications to become the young clan leader. Once he falls from grace, those who fawn over him will naturally scatter like birds and beasts. They will be unable to protect themselves, so who will care about the two of you?"

"Furthermore, if either of you confesses, I can guarantee you will receive the full reward you are owed, and I will also protect you from being hunted down by your families."

"Once Lin Jiu's matter is settled, you will naturally be allowed to leave."

He paused, then looked directly at Yu Yan.

"Is this answer satisfactory, Fellow Daoist Yu?"

Yu Yan looked at him and slowly nodded.

satisfied?

Not satisfied.

No one knows how many truths this person has.

The Lin family members are utterly ruthless and have no moral bottom line; they'll stop at nothing to achieve their goals.

Moreover, it feels too passive to hand over your fate to someone else.

Even the slightest deviation could cost you your life.

But now it seems there are no other solutions.

Since that's the case—

Yu Yan took a deep breath and slowly spoke:

"Young Master Lin, it's a pleasure doing business with you."