novelBurning Bridges and Bravado
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Because of this, Yan Shenjun was unnerved.
This was consistent with his previous suspicion that Lin Jin had an unfettered immortal backing him up. The man was able to pass through that mysterious door and interfere with their fight here.
Yan Shenjun didn't understand how it all worked but the odds were clearly stacked against him. If not for unusual circumstances, he wouldn't want to provoke Lin Jin at all.
However, he couldn't help it as he required Lin Jin's help to save the oriole. As a monster who cultivated the Dharma voice, the oriole was an irreplaceable key to his plan. While she remained unconscious, it seemed like Lin Jin was the only person who could treat her. This was what ultimately forced Yan Shenjun to deploy his trump card. By mobilizing his entire force, he cut off all means of retreat for Lin Jin's party.
Even if Lin Jin had the support of an unfettered immortal, that wouldn't stop Yan Shenjun because his plan was much too important. The reward was worth the risk.
Moreover, Yan Shenjun was no fool.
Although he didn't understand what Lin Jin was trying to pull, or how the mysterious door is opened and the price incurred to open it, there must be an opposite to everything. Balance was inevitable. For that unfettered immortal to open the door, he must have to sacrifice a lot too. Yan Shenjun suspected that Curator had problems with showing himself, or the world would have belonged to him by now.
From the information Black Water Taoist gathered from the mainlands, Curator must have used an avatar for his adventures instead, Yan Shenjun thought.
Something was holding him back while Yan Shenjun was more than prepared. When push came to shove, he just had to fight them to death. If that wouldn't work, Yan Shenjun believed even an unfettered immortal couldn't stop him from escaping if he tried.
The seven immortals Yan Shenjun brought with him were the strongest immortals in the extraterritorial land. Each one of them possessed unique skills and powerful magic treasures. This combination of individuals was so potent that they could easily dominate the extraterritorial land if they wanted to. Aside from the handful of well-established immortal sects, they were peerless.
Yan Shenjun composed himself. When it came to acting and bluffing, he was on the level of a movie star. Wearing a fearless facade, he behaved rather casually.
"Mr. Lin left in such a hurry that I have many things yet to discuss with you." Then, he turned to Inferno Monk again and laughed heartily."Venerable Inferno, it seems to me that a terrible misunderstanding has occurred between us. Although unhappy incidents had transpired, our misunderstanding has been resolved. If I've offended you in any way, please forgive me."
Yan Shenjun's words didn't make sense, so when Inferno Monk with his fiery temper heard this, he was on the verge of lashing out.
Sensing the intentional provocation, Lin Jin signaled for Inferno Monk to calm down with his eyes.
The latter regained his senses and remembered what Lin Jin told him earlier. This helped him to forcibly suppress his anger and respond icily, "Yan Shenjun, whether or not it's a misunderstanding, you and I know best. I consider myself lucky to have met an amazing senior who can help me remove the spirit devouring ghost worms. When we get the chance, let's talk about what happened the other day at length."
Inferno Monk made sure to emphasize his last sentence.
Revenge was still on the agenda.
Yan Shenjun could tell, but what concerned him more was the 'amazing senior' Inferno Monk mentioned.
Inferno Monk showed no intention of going into detail on that, and this led Yan Shenjun to double down on his theory.
Although he didn't show it, Yan Shenjun was quite nervous on the inside.
He feared that he was walking right into a trap.
Suddenly, Lin Jin spoke up, "Yan Shenjun, I remember telling you that even if you don't come looking for me, I will seek you out either way. Instead of trouble, I was hoping for what you just offered, cooperation. I've heard quite a bit from Inferno Monk and I am very curious about the Mantra of Heaven."
He was making the first move.
Lin Jin had no choice but to bluff his way out because the enemy was too powerful. Lin Jin and Inferno Monk did not stand a chance against two prominent profound immortals and six formidable half immortals who were all adept in battle.
Bravado was the only way out.
However, this wasn't Lin Jin's last resort as he still had another backup plan.
Upon hearing Lin Jin's intention to cooperate, Yan Shenjun thought, 'I knew it!' He had assumed that Lin Jin was only hiding here, waiting for him to show up because he wanted a piece of the treasure hidden under the Mantra of Heaven.
Yan Shenjun never considered the possibility of sharing that treasure with anyone, not even with his immortal comrades. To him, they were merely tools, to be disposed after use.
Of course, Yan Shenjun would never say that out loud.
To him, a collaboration with Lin Jin was the only choice, since he knew the mortal was backed by an unfettered immortal. Perhaps it was the unfettered immortal who was interested in the Mantra of Heaven's treasure.
A fight would probably break out once they activated the Mantra of Heaven.
Since the enemy had stronger cultivation, Yan Shenjun would be fighting a losing battle. If he had other options, Yan Shenjun would never have allowed such an unfavorable situation to even take hold.
In the past, no matter the mission, he would ensure that he dominated the battlefield to ensure the best outcome.
This time, things were different.
If he could, he wouldn't have provoked Lin Jin. However, he had no choice since only Lin Jin could save the key that was the oriole. If the oriole dies, his only option left was to seek out Miao Yan Zhenren.
The chances of him persuading Miao Yan Zhenren to help him was even lower.
Impossible, even.
Yan Shenjun assessed the probabilities before. Compared to Miao Yan Zhenren, Yan Shenjun stood a better chance at getting what he wanted through Lin Jin's help.
At least while they cooperated, they could activate the Mantra of Heaven. What happens afterward would be a problem for him to figure out later on. If Yan Shenjun sought out Miao Yan Zhenren instead, he couldn't even achieve the first step.
"Looks like great minds think alike, Mr. Lin. This is what I've been hoping for. We should have been collaborating from the start. Only then can we share the benefits, " replied Yan Shenjun with a chuckle.
Lin Jin laughed too."Yes, yes, working together and achieving a win-win outcome is the way."
Working together and achieving a win-win outcome?
'Never heard of that before but that sounds about right, ' thought Yan Shenjun. He had been observing Lin Jin carefully, and from the latter's tone or expression, he failed to detect anything out of the ordinary.
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