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

Just as Zhou Yan was still marveling at Lin Jiu's acting skills, the talisman lying in Yu Yan's palm suddenly trembled slightly.

Both of them were startled at the same time.

Yu Yan glanced out the window subconsciously.

The bamboo forest remained quiet, the pond remained calm, and the guards still stood not far away, showing no signs of anything amiss.

He turned his gaze back to the talisman in his hand.

The talisman rose up without wind, slowly floating from the palm of the hand and hovering in mid-air. The dense runes began to flow, as if coming to life, moving and rearranging on the surface of the paper.

A moment later, a voice came from the talisman.

The voice was calm and steady, carrying a reassuring power.

"Zhou Yan, you really came."

Zhou Yan was stunned when he heard the voice.

Lin Jiu.

It was Lin Jiu's voice.

But unlike what he had heard in the dungeon before, this voice was calm, steady, and didn't sound like the voice of a madman at all.

It's like two people.

Yu Yan silently took a step back and glanced out the window again.

Only after confirming that no one had noticed what was happening here did he turn his attention back to the house.

The talisman remained suspended in mid-air, emitting a faint glow.

The glow was very weak, suppressed by the hidden runes on the paper, and not a single trace leaked out.

Lin Jiu's voice continued to come through.

"It seems that the task I assigned to you has been completed."

You must have many questions in your mind.

"But time is limited, so I'll keep it brief."

The voice paused, then became even more solemn.

"You already know that Lin Shi wants to kill me. But he wants to kill me not just for the position of young clan leader."

"He has someone backing him. That person isn't from the Lin family. I don't know who it is, but I know that person is plotting something bigger. If Lin Shi succeeds in taking power, the entire Lin family will be in danger."

"I pretended to be insane to save my life and to lull him into a false sense of security. Only when he thought I was completely insane would he temporarily let me go and give me time to make arrangements."

"But now, I need your help."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan couldn't help but ask, "Help with what?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the talisman, followed by a soft laugh.

"Zhou Yan, you're still the same as when we first met, so impatient."

Zhou Yan was taken aback.

First time meeting?

At that time, he was separated from Lin Jiu by a screen, and the two didn't even see each other. How did Lin Jiu know he was losing his composure?

Lin Jiu seemed to have guessed his doubts and said calmly, "You think I can't see you just because there's a screen? That screen is one-way. I see everything you do."

Zhou Yan's face immediately turned red.

Yu Yan listened from the side, nodding inwardly.

This Lin Jiu is indeed extraordinary.

From the very beginning, he had been observing Zhou Yan. He had seen Zhou Yan's personality, his reactions, and his weaknesses. So now, he knew how to talk to Zhou Yan.

Such a person is either genuinely interested in cooperation, or a ruthless character even more difficult to deal with than Lin Shi.

Lin Jiu's voice continued to come through.

"Zhou Yan, I know what you're thinking. You're wondering, Lin Shi said he'd protect you, Lin Jiu said he'd protect you, so who should you believe?"

I won't answer that question; you figure it out yourself.

"But I have something to remind you of."

The voice paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Who is Lin Shi? He sent assassins to kill me three times and framed me for killing two of his clansmen. Do you think someone like that would let you, who know all his secrets, go unpunished?"

Zhou Yan's expression changed.

Lin Jiu continued, "You know too much. My affairs, Lin Shi's affairs, the Lin family's affairs. What will Lin Shi do after he's used you? Let you continue living and take the secrets out?"

"He won't."

"He will kill you. Just like he killed those two of your people, he will kill you silently."

A thin layer of sweat appeared on Zhou Yan's forehead.

He looked at Yu Yan.

Yu Yan remained expressionless, but his eyes flickered slightly.

What Lin Jiu said was the same as what he thought.

How could someone like Lin Shi possibly keep his promise?

Lin Jiu's voice became calm.

"So, Zhou Yan, take my advice. If you want to live, you'd better cooperate with me."

"Only by letting me out can we fight against Lin Shi's power and protect you all."

Zhou Yan took a deep breath and looked at Yu Yan.

Yu Yan remained silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.

Zhou Yan then turned to the talisman and asked in a deep voice, "Young Master Lin Jiu, what should we do?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the talisman, as if it were thinking.

Then, Lin Jiu's voice came again.

"It's simple. I need you to check a few places."

"Where?"

"The home of those dead clansmen."

Zhou Yan was taken aback.

Those clansmen, weren't they the two Lin Shi killed? They're already dead, what can you find out by going to their house?

Lin Jiu seemed to have guessed his doubts and explained:

"Those two clansmen are named Lin Rong and Lin Sheng. Although they are born out of wedlock, they hold some status in the family and are usually quite close to Lin Shi."

"I suspect that Lin Shi killed them not just to frame me. They may have known something they shouldn't have known, or seen someone they shouldn't have seen. That's why Lin Shi wanted to silence them."

"They may have left some clues before they died. Even if they didn't, their residences, their belongings, and the people around them might hold some clues."

After a pause, Lin Jiu added, "I'm already locked up here and can't do anything. But you are free. Under the protection of our people, you can investigate if you want."

Zhou Yan looked at Yu Yan.

Yu Yan pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke: "Young Master Lin Jiu, we have a question."

"You're Zhou Yan's companion, I think your name is Yu Yan, please speak."

"You have plenty of men under you, why do you insist on having us help?"

Lin Jiu was silent for a moment before answering:

"I don't have as many men as you think, and most of them are being watched. If they leave their posts for too long, they're easily discovered."

"You are different. You have just arrived, and many people are not familiar with you. They do not know which faction you belong to, which is more conducive to your actions."

Yu Yan nodded.

"Even if we find something, how can we hand it over to you? You're locked in the dungeon right now; we can't get in."

Lin Jiu chuckled softly.

"I've already thought about this issue."

"Transmit the clues you find to me using this talisman. This talisman is specially made and can penetrate the dungeon's restrictions. As long as you are within the fourth level, I will receive it."

He paused, then continued:

"Also, Elder Lin, whom you met today, is one of my men. If you need help, you can contact him. But remember, don't reveal his identity unless absolutely necessary. He is my biggest trump card for turning the tables."

So that's why Elder Lin treated Lin Shi badly.

No wonder Lin Jiu was treated that way in the dungeon.

Yu Yan and Zhou Yan exchanged a glance and nodded.

"understood."

Lin Jiu's voice continued to come through.

Finally, I want to remind you of something.