Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8595: Cooperation (1)

Lin Dong gazed at the cultivator standing next to Gu Ming. The man seemed around fifty years old, with hair turned completely white. He appeared not much younger than Gu Ming, catching Lin Dong off guard slightly. Lin Dong had never laid eyes on Yu Qing before and had no idea he looked like this. He had pictured Yu Qing as a vigorous young man, never imagining him to be such an elderly figure.

Yu Qing felt somewhat restless under Lin Dong's close examination, yet he remained still, hands hanging at his sides, silently awaiting Lin Dong's words. Gu Ming simply stood aside in silence. He had no clue why Lin Dong wished to meet Yu Qing, but it didn't concern him. Even if Yu Qing perished, Gu Ming wouldn't bat an eye, provided it didn't threaten his own standing. Should Yu Qing endanger that, he'd eliminate him personally without hesitation.

Lin Dong cast a glance at Yu Qing before turning to Gu Ming and declaring, “Gu Ming, you may go now. I'll speak with Yu Qing privately.” Gu Ming acknowledged it, then faced Yu Qing and instructed, “Yu Qing, respond to the elder's inquiries respectfully. Don't act impolite. Answer every question the elder poses.” He shot Yu Qing a stern warning glance prior to departing.

Yu Qing acknowledged the order, yet he stayed put without uttering a sound. Lin Dong regarded Yu Qing and pressed on, “Yu Qing, have your wounds fully recovered?” Naturally, Lin Dong wasn't truly worried about Yu Qing's injuries; as a superior, he merely needed to display appropriate care for his subordinate.

“Thank you for your concern, elder. My injuries have largely mended. No serious problems remain,” Yu Qing quickly answered. He realized this wasn't the conversation's core, so he replied offhandedly. He anticipated Lin Dong's next words would reveal the true intent.

Lin Dong nodded, then fixed his eyes on Yu Qing and stated, “Yu Qing, your power is impressive. Last time, when Yin Yang Sect's Five Island Lord level experts assaulted you, you only got wounded, not slain. That exceeded my expectations. Now, tell me precisely how strong you are.”

Yu Qing's heart stirred upon hearing Lin Dong's query. Before meeting Lin Dong, he had conferred with Zhao Hai and the rest, preparing their cover story. Zhao Hai intended for Yu Qing to disclose this, enabling Zhao Hai and others to reach out to Lin Dong.

Thus, Yu Qing knew exactly how to proceed. He looked at Lin Dong and spoke gravely, “Elder, my strength is decent indeed. Yet, the reason I fended off the Yin Yang Sect's assault last time was that a friend of mine was visiting the island then. His aid allowed me to repel them. Actually, the Yin Yang Sect dispatched fifteen Island Lord level experts that time. Without my friend, I would've perished long ago.”

“Your friend? Why haven't I heard you mention him before?” Lin Dong was taken aback by Yu Qing's revelation. He suspected the clash with Yin Yang Sect wasn't as straightforward as Yu Qing had portrayed. But Yu Qing admitting friends' involvement surprised him further. He expected Yu Qing to claim solo victory, not reveal this previously unmentioned detail, sparking his curiosity.

Yu Qing eyed Lin Dong and replied deeply, “Because my friend's identity couldn't be exposed then. I couldn't reveal it at the time.” This was the pretext Zhao Hai and Yu Qing devised, aimed at alerting Lin Dong to Zhao Hai and the others' presence. They sought cooperation with the Dark Ghost Sect to better grasp its dynamics and ultimately overthrow it.

Lin Dong grew more intrigued upon hearing this. He stared at Yu Qing and probed, “You couldn't disclose it before, implying you can now? I'm eager to learn your friend's identity. Care to share?” Though phrased casually, an insistent edge laced his tone.

Yu Qing grasped Lin Dong's implication. He looked at Lin Dong and intoned deeply, “Nothing prevents me from saying it now. Previously, it wasn't feasible because our sect and Yin Yang Sect maintained decent ties. But now, stating it leaves me exposed anyway. Elder, you've likely heard of the Ghost Shadow Group. When Yin Yang Sect's Tang Clan was wiped out, they suspected the Ghost Shadow Group, lacking proof. The group remains enigmatic, so it faded from talk. It was indeed their doing, hired by me with a Yu family heirloom to eradicate the entire Tang family!”

Lin Dong stared in astonishment at Yu Qing's confession, shocked he revealed it now and owned it fully. Yu Qing had denied it previously. Reflecting, it made sense: Yin Ghost Sect and Yin Yang Sect feigned amity before, so silence was prudent. With open hostility now, it no longer mattered.

Lin Dong eyed Yu Qing intently and demanded deeply, “So you're claiming the Ghost Shadow Group was on your island then, coinciding with Yin Yang Sect's attack, prompting their intervention?” I'm deeply curious. Even with prior dealings with the Ghost Shadow Group, it was a single transaction. Why seek you out as a friend?”

Yu Qing murmured lowly, “They approached me purposefully. Calling us friends overstates it. I'm not truly their friend. We transacted once with no further contact. This time, they seek my aid to reach my master or you, elder. They desire cooperation with us.”

Lin Dong paused, his gaze sharpening as he fixed on Yu Qing and queried, “What sort of cooperation do they propose?” Lin Dong had a hunch, yet wanted confirmation from Yu Qing to verify if it matched his suspicions.

Yu Qing stated gravely, “The Ghost Shadow Group wishes to ally with us against Yin Yang Sect. That sect backed Elder Jing and others, effectively warring with us. Strictly speaking, they harbor grudges against Yin Yang Sect too. They razed the Tang family, leading to relentless pursuit that inflicted heavy losses and forced passivity. Hence, they propose partnering to strike Yin Yang Sect.”

“Did they specify our required compensation?” Lin Dong inquired deeply. He doubted they offered aid gratis against Yin Yang Sect. The Ghost Shadow Group's secrecy shielded them; even if Yin Yang Sect knew of the Tang annihilation, retaliation was futile, potentially backfiring. Cooperating against them seemed illogical without gain.

“They seek alliance but won't commit large forces,” Yu Qing explained gravely. “They'll target Yin Yang Sect higher-ups or figures like Elder Jing. For each kill, Yin Ghost Sect provides fitting remuneration, though they'll accept a reduced rate.”

A chill gleamed in Lin Dong's eyes as he growled deeply, “What do they demand? Yin Yang Sect is their foe too; combating them is their affair. Why extract payment from us for their strikes? It doesn't add up. What did you offer last time to spur their action against Yin Yang Sect members?”

Yu Qing glanced at Lin Dong and bowed his head. “Elder, they sought no payment then. They aided as thanks, hoping I'd inform master or you of their overture. That's why they acted.” Despite his lowered gaze, Yu Qing delivered the lines as planned.

Lin Dong scrutinized Yu Qing and pursued, “From your account, they seem formidable, right? Yu Qing, how powerful do you rate the Ghost Shadow Group members? How do they stack against me?” Lin Dong probed to gauge Yu Qing's thoughts.

“His power is formidable, roughly matching the elder's. He always dons black robes with a face-obscuring cloth, so his features remain unknown. Yet, his rank in the Ghost Shadow Group must be high,” Yu Qing affirmed deeply. Naturally, Yu Qing withheld the full truth. As a Ghost Shadow Group member now, he relayed Zhao Hai's scripted words, including on strength. Zhao Hai's current level paralleled Lin Dong's; with Bloody Slaughter Blade or God-killing Blade, he'd surpass him.

Lin Dong's face shifted subtly at Yu Qing's words, scrutinizing him closely before demanding deeply, “Why such trust from the Ghost Shadow Group? Have you joined them? Did they impose restrictions?” As a sect elder, Lin Dong knew restriction techniques well.

Yu Qing's pulse quickened briefly, but this reaction aligned with expectations, so he stayed composed and replied, “No, Ghost Shadow Group members evade detection unless they choose otherwise. They don't fully trust me nor impose restrictions. However, he claimed he could slay me anytime.”

Lin Dong snorted coldly, flicked his hand, enveloping Yu Qing in energy to draw him near. Probing with spiritual power, he found no restrictions, and his expression eased.