Death Game: Starting as a Trickster, Pretending to Be a God

Chapter 699: Tangled Threads

No matter whether Yunzhen would feel guilty later, at this moment Lin Yu saw that the kidnapping attempt—one that gambled with a million lives—had failed, so he immediately shifted his thinking."That said, it might not be a good idea for us to confront the demon directly right now," Lin Yu said, "Those million people in Willow Town may have been ensnared by her tricks. She may already have noticed our arrival and be on guard."

Whether Zhu Qiansi had been on alert back then or not, she certainly would be this time.

"If we move suddenly... even though you are the Acting Sect Leader of Taiqing Sect and a rare opponent for demons in this era, what if she uses some trick to escape? The consequences could be catastrophic."

Lin Yu appealed to reason and emotion; rephrasing it that way finally persuaded Yunzhen.

Yunzhen nodded. This time he was convinced by Lin Yu.

"Indeed, if we accidentally let her get away... that would be troublesome."

"But conversely, she might already be aware of us now. After all, we are all right at her doorstep. Even if we do nothing, isn't that likely to make her slip away in the night?"

Yunzhen stroked his chin and pondered aloud, "In my opinion, we'd better guard this place... then bring reinforcements."

"Reinforcements? Do you mean Taiqing Sect's—if we were to return to Taiqing Sect for help and wait for them to arrive, wouldn't that be..." Lin Yu interrupted to dissuade him.

After all...

This reconstructed place was only Willow Town; how could Yunzhen summon aid from his sect and actually get them here?

What if the Wan identity glitched?

But upon hearing this, Yunzhen slightly shook his head.

"Of course not... Although I currently serve as Acting Sect Leader of Taiqing Sect, this demon has rampaged in my Prison Mountain Realm for a long time, its movements are inscrutable, and many martial artists and Daoist experts have already fallen to it. I am not so arrogant as to come alone."

Lin Yu heard that and was not surprised.

"So the other party is also here in Willow Town?"

He quickly recalled the images from the Fear Lens, where he had seen three figures: two Daoists in cyan robes and a white-clad warrior.

So...

Could it be that when Taiqing Sect Founder subdued Zhu Qiansi back then, he had disciples or seniors with him?

And from the Fear Lens footage, the white-clad warrior did not seem to be allied with the two cyan-robed Daoists.

Those two Daoists stood closer together and wore nearly identical Daoist robes...

So perhaps the Taiqing Sect Founder had not come alone after all.

Judging by Yunzhen's actions, he himself had likely barged in at first and faced Zhu Qiansi alone...

Therefore, since Zhu Qiansi might be preparing some "variable," calling those "assistants" in advance could be a viable option.

Lin Yu calmly spoke up, "If you have helpers as well, then all the better — please summon them quickly."

"No problem, I'll call them right away."

Saying this, Yunzhen produced a bluish jade pendant from his robe sleeve; the pendant was shaped like a long sword.

A faint cyan light appeared on Yunzhen's fingertip and a thread of spiritual energy detached from his body.

That thread of cyan-white energy flowed into the sword-shaped pendant, as if activating the patterns engraved on it.

The sword pendant shimmered, and then Yunzhen held it to his mouth and began to speak.

Lin Yu understood: this was a communication tool used among Daoist disciples in the Prison Mountain Realm, called a Voice Transmission Jade.

Its function was essentially like a walkie-talkie.

Three hundred years after the Prison Mountain Realm's restoration, convenient transmission talismans had been developed; just as phones replaced walkie-talkies and cheap pagers, transmission talismans made the more costly, time-limited Voice Transmission Jade obsolete, leaving only a few reclusive Daoist elders still using them.

Although Lin Yu recognized the device, what Yunzhen said next made him struggle not to laugh.

"Quick, the plan's stuck—come fast!"

Although the data on Shen Bingmiao had indicated that because the Voice Transmission Jade consumed spiritual energy to operate, Daoist users tended to adopt a succinct vocabulary—like telegram abbreviations—Lin Yu had not expected...

Yunzhen was using the underworld slang of rivers-and-lakes folk!

But it made sense: an existing shorthand system was ready to use; why not borrow it?

Still, Yunzhen's image instantly shifted from Taiqing Sect leader to the second-in-command of some bandit stronghold.

After putting down the Voice Transmission Jade, Yunzhen looked at Lin Yu and cleared his throat.

"Alright, reinforcements should arrive shortly. Until then... shall we wait here?"

Lin Yu nodded, "We can wait, but we'd better not stand out on the main street. That would draw too much attention... Earlier our group was staking out from the teahouse opposite Xinglin Medical Hall; that's a good spot."

"Teahouse? Fine, I'm a little thirsty anyway."

Though Yunzhen was dogged to the point of obsession about slaying demons, once persuaded he proved reasonable; after all, he hailed from a reputable orthodox Daoist lineage and could be accommodating.

But when he glanced at the grand teahouse, his face suddenly betrayed a hint of awkwardness; after a while he said embarrassedly,

"Um, a cup of tea here costs a few small coins. I have traveled outside too long, my funds may be..."

"Senior, don't worry," Lin Yu said, pointing to Seagull, who was dressed in fine clothes behind them, "This gentleman's identity is Miss Wan of the Wan family in Willow Town. A single cup of tea is easily affordable for her."

Yunzhen breathed a sigh of relief, "That's excellent. Thank you all! Especially Miss Wan — if your household ever needs services like exorcism and home protection, feng shui evaluation, physiognomy and signature analysis, fortune-telling to change fate, naming a newborn, escort and delivery protection, demon removal, or acquiring talismans, you may report my name at Taiqing Sect. If I have the time I will personally come to assist, and I will not charge you."

As Yunzhen spoke, Seagull grinned broadly.

"No need for ceremony. For a cup of tea, if you feel awkward, simply teach me a few talisman-drawing methods later. I've long admired Taiqing Sect... of course, don't teach me any of your inner transmitted talismans, just common, widely used Daoist talismans will do."

Seagull's words hit the mark, and Yunzhen nodded.

"Naturally possible."

Hearing this, Lin Yu couldn't help but admire Seagull.

Sure enough, someone who'd made a name for himself among Players wasn't simple — turning the "Student" class into what he had made of it showed this fellow's remarkable ability.

Just as Lin Yu was about to lead Yunzhen up to the teahouse, a sudden commotion came from the medical hall entrance.

An elderly man dressed as a physician emerged from the hall and cupped his hands toward the people outside.

"Apologies, everyone. My young daughter Qiansi is unwell today and cannot do fortune-telling."

"Please, everyone, return for now!"

The townspeople gathered at the door showed disappointed expressions but gradually dispersed.

It was clear they did not want to offend Zhu Qiansi.

Lin Yu watched this development and frowned in thought.

Before he could ponder further, the old man looked up, his gaze falling on their group, and he uttered an "Oh?"

"Wan Luan? Why have you returned?"

The other Players were stunned and looked toward Seagull.

After all, Seagull himself knew he was "Miss Wan" but didn't know his own personal name, so being addressed that way sounded as if it were directed at him.

But Lin Yu and Li Nian quickly grew another idea.

The old man hastened down from the medical hall steps and reached Lin Yu in a few strides, leaning in to whisper.

"You returned at just the right time. Your sister is coughing blood again!"

Hearing that, Lin Yu couldn't help but exclaim.

"Qian Si, Wan Luan..."

"So it turns out I've become Zhu Qiansi's sister!"