Free Web NovelChapter 368: Chapter 368: Bai Zhicheng
The young man casually took the main seat. In Flawless Palace, the status of a Core Disciple was even higher than that of a Main Seat Elder; after all, their masters were all Supreme Elders.
Looking at Lin Yun, the young man smiled faintly. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Bai Zhicheng. It is my greatest honor to befriend you, Lin Yun."
"I’m certainly willing to make friends, but if you’re trying to use me, then I’ll have to keep my distance," Lin Yun replied calmly.
Hearing Lin Yun’s words, Bai Zhicheng didn’t get angry in the slightest. Instead, he laughed. "Haha, Brother Lin Yun, you worry too much. I have no intention of using you. I’ve simply heard a little about your current predicament and thought I’d offer my friendship. It’s always good to have someone to watch your back in Flawless Palace."
As Bai Zhicheng spoke, a constant smile played on his lips, making him seem exceptionally refined and easygoing.
Not only was this Bai Zhicheng one of the Ten Core Disciples of Flawless Palace, but he was also a Direct Disciple of Wind City’s most powerful clan, the Bai Family. Moreover, he was the nephew of the Bai Family’s Patriarch, Bai Ling.
Looking at Bai Zhicheng, Lin Yun thought to himself, ’This man is no simple character. It’s not just his strength—his cunning is also extraordinary. I can tell from his manner of speech and subtle gestures that he is an extremely cautious and prudent person.’
"Brother Lin Yun, it is no longer possible for you to peacefully coexist with Gong Lingqi and Senior Brother Chang Jing. Not unless you leave Flawless Palace..." Bai Zhicheng said lightly.
Lin Yun listened to Bai Zhicheng without a word. He already understood his plan. ’It looks like he wants to borrow my hand to fight Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing to the death.’
In the end, it wouldn’t matter to Bai Zhicheng who won or lost; he wouldn’t suffer any loss either way.
Bai Zhicheng looked at Lin Yun, completely unhurried. The smile never left his face as he continued, "Brother Lin Yun, you must be thinking I came here to borrow your hand to fight Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing to the death, am I right?"
Hearing this, Lin Yun looked up at him. "I did think that at first, but I quickly realized I was wrong."
"You didn’t come here to have me fight Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing to the death, Senior Brother Bai. You came because you want to use my hand to eliminate them completely, am I right?" Lin Yun said calmly.
At these words, Bai Zhicheng was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected Lin Yun to guess his true goal so quickly. Lin Yun’s intelligence was even greater than he’d anticipated.
Seeing Bai Zhicheng remain silent, Lin Yun continued, "If you merely wanted me to fight Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing to the death, Senior Brother Bai, you wouldn’t have needed to come find me. A battle between me and those two is inevitable sooner or later. There’s no need for you to waste your time on me for that."
"So, for you to go so far as to personally visit a new disciple like me, Senior Brother Bai, you must have your own ambitions. Which is to say, you want to ally with me to eliminate Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing in one fell swoop."
After Lin Yun finished speaking, Bai Zhicheng clapped lightly, his eyes brimming with amusement as he looked at him. "Brilliant, brilliant. Brother Lin Yun, you truly have made me look at you in a new light."
"I just don’t understand where your confidence comes from, Senior Brother Bai. Do you really think the two of us can eliminate Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing?" Lin Yun asked.
"You don’t need to worry about that, Brother Lin Yun. I have my methods. As long as you assist me, I have a way to make it happen," Bai Zhicheng replied with confidence.
Meeting one of Flawless Palace’s Ten Core Disciples for the first time, Lin Yun had a strong gut feeling. ’Even if none of these ten have reached the level of a Demon Fiend, I’m afraid not a single one of them is to be underestimated.’
’It makes sense, though. Among the hundreds of thousands of disciples in Flawless Palace, only ten are Core Disciples. It’s clear every last one of them must be a prodigy of breathtaking talent.’
Lin Yun stared at Bai Zhicheng for a moment, then let a smile touch his own lips. ’This man is dangerous. At least, in my view, he’s the type who excels at scheming and plotting. You have to be on guard around people like him at all times, because you never know when they’ll turn around and bite you.’
’In the heart of a man like this, there are no friends, only benefits. For the sake of those benefits, someone like Bai Zhicheng will do anything.’
"Since you’re so confident, Senior Brother Bai, then I will naturally lend you a hand. However, I have a few requests I’d like your help with." Lin Yun agreed, but he naturally had his own agenda.
"Please, speak freely, Brother Lin Yun. We are brothers. From now on, your business is my business. I, Bai Zhicheng, would walk through fire and climb mountains of blades for you. It is my duty," Bai Zhicheng declared with great bravado.
"Good. With your words, Senior Brother Bai, I can rest easy," Lin Yun said, then continued.
"In a few days, I must go out for a while. During my absence, I hope you can guarantee the safety of Bingning and Lan Xi, Senior Brother Bai. I know Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing will target them once they return. I’m counting on your help in this matter."
Lin Yun’s agreement was, of course, not sincere; he had his own agenda. From the moment he first laid eyes on Bai Zhicheng, Lin Yun knew that while Flawless Palace appeared peaceful on the surface, it was roiling with hidden currents.
Most people only knew that Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing were locked in a constant struggle, both open and secret, for the position of Young Palace Master. What they didn’t know was that the other eight Core Disciples were also watching like tigers, ready to make their move at any moment.
Take Bai Zhicheng, for instance. From his words and expressions, it wasn’t difficult for Lin Yun to deduce that this man had been coveting the position of Young Palace Master for a long time; otherwise, he never would have approached him.
Upon hearing Lin Yun’s request, Bai Zhicheng didn’t hesitate for a second. He thumped his chest and vowed, "Rest assured, Brother Lin Yun. While you’re away, the safety of our young sisters is my responsibility."
He declared this with heroic spirit, but as soon as the words left his mouth, his expression grew worried.
"I can guarantee their safety for a time, but both Gong Lingqi’s and Chang Jing’s methods and strength are superior to mine. Brother Lin Yun, it’s best you make your trip a short one. I worry that delays will only invite trouble."
"Naturally. I will return as quickly as I can," Lin Yun said.
After a few more pleasantries, Lin Yun quickly got up to take his leave. His entire time with Bai Zhicheng had been a battle of wits and veiled intentions.
Naturally, nothing Bai Zhicheng said could be taken at face value, and just as naturally, Lin Yun had not spoken a single word of truth to him either.
Just as Lin Yun thought, people like Bai Zhicheng were the most dangerous kind—masters of concealment, ready to strike when you least expect it.
On the surface, it seemed Bai Zhicheng was being completely sincere, uniting with Lin Yun to deal with Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing. But who could know if that was what he was truly thinking?
Besides, even if Lin Yun did help him eliminate Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing, the first person Bai Zhicheng would likely target afterward would be Lin Yun himself. After all, Lin Yun was also his competitor.
Although Bai Zhicheng hadn’t said it aloud, Lin Yun could easily see that he was dead set on obtaining the title of Young Palace Master. For that position, Bai Zhicheng would do anything.
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