Lin Jin gave a brief explanation on the concept of a suicidal charge to Xiang Yun, and with her above-average comprehension ability, she was able to understand what he meant immediately.
No doubt, this analogy suited their current predicament.
“What’s more, just as Venerable Inferno said, Yan Shenjun never does anything he isn’t confident in. Since he found his way here and even extended an invitation, this means he’s prepared for the worst. The reason he did not immediately resort to violence is probably…”
Lin Jin paused.
He had an inkling as to why Yan Shenjun was seeking peace.
It was probably due to the intimidation Yan Shenjun experienced when Lin Jin put on Curator’s mask and opened the Visitation Hall’s door.
The was the only reasonable explanation he could think of. Otherwise, Lin Jin was sure that the instant Yan Shenjun found this place, he would have crushed it without hesitation.
For him to be seeking peace left only one possibility — Yan Shenjun was afraid. His fear likely stemmed from his brief, but terrifying experience with Curator.
Lin Jin believed Yan Shenjun had come prepared but was trying to prioritize courtesy over violence.
“Both of you stay in here. I’ll go and meet Yan Shenjun,” said Inferno Monk aggressively.
When Lin Jin noticed his demeanor, he immediately held him back.
“Venerable One, Yan Shenjun made it clear just now that he wanted to discuss with both of us, so it’ll surely be inappropriate for you to leave me behind. I can assure you that if you were to go alone, you won’t come back alive.”
If Yan Shenjun did come prepared, he was likely just testing them. If Lin Jin were to act as if he had someone strong supporting him, it might deter Yan Shenjun from attacking them.
On the other hand, if Lin Jin were to act fearfully, Yan Shenjun would surely notice something off, given his shrewdness and keen observation skills.
In that event, Lin Jin would be exposing their weakness.
After all, when the door opened last time, Curator didn’t exactly meet with Yan Shenjun.
Lin Jin wanted to meet Yan Shenjun as Curator, but the chances of him exposing himself were even higher. He wasn’t going against a normal person this time. Yan Shenjun wasn’t a normal immortal, but a profound immortal who has lived for several thousand years. His perception, courage, and cultivation were all world-class and he was also the strongest enemy Lin Jin had come across thus far.
If Lin Jin were to expose himself whilst being disguised as Curator, or if Yan Shenjun were to notice that Curator’s strength was superficial, Lin Jin would lose his final trump card.
In other words, this final trump card of his could only be used to intimidate; it couldn’t be played.
Simple as that.
Hence, Lin Jin couldn’t behave like a coward. He had to meet Yan Shenjun, but certain preparations had to be made.
He tugged on Inferno Monk’s robes and said, “Venerable One, when we meet him later, remember to do this… Always remember, you mustn’t say anything wrong, or else you, me, Xiang Yun, and this cave will be gone forever.”
Inferno Monk considered Lin Jin’s plan before nodding. He didn’t ask anything else, since they didn’t have time for that.
After preparing themselves mentally, the two men got ready to head outside. Xiang Yun didn’t have to follow them as she was worth nothing in Yan Shenjun’s eyes.
After all, she never displayed her pelletization skills in front of Yan Shenjun.
Lin Jin’s instructed her to hide inside the cave, and no matter what happened, she was prohibited from venturing outside. In case of any mishaps, she was to escape immediately to seek the Mystery Dao Sect.
If she made it to the Mystery Dao Sect, Miao Yan Zhenren could protect her.
With little time left and the preparations done, Lin Jin and Inferno Monk walked out of the cave.
It was still snowing outside.
Atop the snowy mountain, they saw the silhouettes of multiple individuals standing in the air.
Yan Shenjun was among them, and behind him stood seven other immortals. All seven immortals exuded a domineering aura, like grim reapers ready to swoop down and claim their lives.
Inferno Monk’s expression faltered at the sight of these seven immortals.
“Good God, Yan Shenjun is being serious this time.”
Inferno Monk then whispered to Lin Jin, “One of those seven immortals is a profound immortal. The other six may be half immortals, but they’re stronger than most half immortals. These people are notorious in our community. Even Miao Yan Zhenren wouldn’t be able to stop them if he were here.”
This indicated to Lin Jin how dire their situation was.
This was Yan Shenjun’s real trump card. He brought so many experts with him that even if Miao Yan Zhenren were to come to their aid, they would be evenly matched.
No, they might even be at a disadvantage.
It was no wonder Yan Shenjun came to them directly. Though, this also served to confirm Lin Jin’s suspicion.
Yan Shenjun was fearful. Not toward Lin Jin, but his master, Curator.
If he wasn’t fearful of that man, with such a powerful force on his side, Yan Shenjun wouldn’t have to hesitate before charging into the cave and slaughtering Lin Jin’s party.
With this, Lin Jin formed a plan in his mind.
He behaved nonchalantly, looking up at Yan Shenjun with a smile before saying, “What a coincidence, Yan Shenjun! I was just about to go and look for you, so I’m quite surprised you came to us instead. This is good!”
Lin Jin was acting with his life on the line. Admittedly, his indifferent, easy-going attitude helped make his performance a flawless one.
Even Inferno Monk was dumbstruck by how perfect it was.
He couldn’t resist giving Lin Jin a mental thumbs-up. If Lin Jin hadn’t given him the heads-up, even Inferno Monk would think he had a fail-safe, either in the form of a strong backer, or an ultimate move.
Yan Shenjun smiled, but he was solemn on the inside.
He peered at Inferno Monk and was shocked by what he saw.
According to his calculation, Inferno Monk should have been dead by now. Even if he was still breathing, he should have been at death’s door.
After all, the man had been struck by his unique attack, the spirit devouring ghost worm.
Yan Shenjun knew better than anyone how terrifying the spirit devouring ghost worm was. Back then, the ghost worms had already invaded Inferno Monk’s body so no one should be able to remove them.
Besides Yan Shenjun himself, he figured no one could save Inferno Monk.
Apart from his severed arm, Inferno Monk’s immortal foundation remained intact and stable. Which part of him looked like a dying man? From the looks of it, the ghost worms had been removed, but Yan Shenjun wasn’t the one who did it.
No one besides him in the entire world should have been capable of that feat.
This made his eyebrows twitch as a thought came to mind.
No, there were other people capable of doing what he could, and they would be unfettered immortals.
