"Before I left the academy, a good friend sent me an item …"
Yang Ming began his story. The assailants were after the Daoist Lord's token counting. There was no doubt about this. After hearing about the token counting, Lin Jin knew what was going on.
It was because of this item again.
Reed City's Qiao family was almost annihilated because of this. If it weren't for Lin Jin's help, the Qiao family would have been finished.
And this time, it was because of the token counting.
Hence, Lin Jin grasped the key point and asked, "Appraiser Yang Ming, may I ask if anyone found out about your token counting?"
By 'someone', he was referring to Appraiser Yan.
Yang Ming nodded with a bitter smile. "That's right. That night, I was trying to figure out the mystery of the token when Appraiser Yan and Appraiser Ouyang suddenly came to visit. I was careless and left the token on the table. That was probably when they found out about it and that's how I got myself killed."
Appraiser Ouyang was present as well. He tried to recall the incident but didn't pay much attention to it.
After all, he wouldn't have paid much attention even if he saw the token counting.
Now that all the clues pointed to Appraiser Yan, Lin Jin asked, "Has the token been taken?"
"No." Appraiser Yang Ming shook his head. "I was being tortured and I knew that if I handed the token over, I would surely die so I didn't give it to them. Also, the token wasn't with me at the time. I left it behind …"
"Oh no!" Lin Jin's heart skipped a beat. At his words, Yang Ming came to a realization.
Somewhere in Tianxuan City.
This family came from Julu Country too. They relied on their cooking skills to open a small noodle shop and run a small business. A few years ago, Yang Ming had a bowl of noodles from his hometown at this shop and found it to be very authentic. Hence, he became acquainted with the owner of the house. As time passed, they became good friends.
Yang Ming would occasionally ask this family to look after his belongings. After all, no one knew about this place so it was safe.
It was the same this time. Before Yang Ming left, he left the token at this family's house, saying that he would retrieve it when he returned.
Currently, the house was quiet. The family of three had died tragically in their house.
Upon receiving this news, Yang Ming's eyes turned red and he wailed.
"Brother Zhiyuan, I, Yang Ming, have harmed your family!"
Setting aside the infuriated Yang Ming, Lin Jin knew that the culprit was most likely Appraiser Yan and the Demonic Appraisal Association's henchmen.
The other party was smart, but his methods were too cruel.
However, this was in line with the Demonic Appraisal Association's style of doing things. From another perspective, the Demonic Appraisal Association had indeed infiltrated deep into Tianxuan Capital. Otherwise, they would not have been able to find such a well-hidden household.
Given the current situation, the Demonic Appraisal Association was lagging behind every step of the way, which put them at a disadvantage. However, if one were to think about it, the Demonic Appraisal Association had suffered greatly this time as well.
They never expected Yang Ming to be rescued by Shang'er out of sheer coincidence. If Appraiser Yan was a pawn of the Demonic Appraisal Association, or even the elusive 'Black Envoy', they would be mad if they were in his shoes if he was discovered after such a long period of time.
That was a good thing.
Given the current situation, Lin Jin knew that he and the Demonic Appraisal Association were now irreconcilable enemies. However, he didn't know why the Demonic Appraisal Association was collecting 'visitor badges'.
Also, what was the value and purpose of those Visitation Hall badges that were scattered outside?
Could it be that one could enter the Visitation Hall after obtaining them?
Lin Jin thought that the possibility was high, but it might also be related to an item from five hundred years ago.
Also, the last time the Visitation Hall was opened, Lin Jin asked Black Crow, Madam Ghost Child, and the other villainous experts about the Gorefiend Twin Ghosts who ambushed him before.
Black Crow and Madam Ghost Child knew about the top five villainous experts. In terms of strength, the Gorefiend Twin Ghosts were much stronger than Black Crow and Madam Ghost Child.
They were well aware of this fact, which was why they were shocked when they learned that the Gorefiend Twin Ghosts had ambushed Curator's disciple.
However, when they heard that Appraiser Lin had killed them, they were even more shocked. Of course, they were overjoyed.
Lin Jin also learned something else from them. The Gorefiend Twin Ghosts' master was the legendary 'ghost cultivator'.
Lin Jin remembered now.
Just like the insect cultivator who attacked him before, the ghost cultivator was also one of Daoist Lord's disciples. Legend had it that Daoist Lord had a disciple named 'Taoist Six Beasts'.
The insect cultivator and the ghost cultivator were two of them.
This served as a reminder to Lin Jin. Not only did he have to be wary of the Black Emissary, but he also had to be wary of the legendary 'ghost cultivator'. Although Black Crow and Madam Ghost Child said that the ghost cultivator was most likely dead, there were always exceptions. The insect cultivator was a good example.
Moreover, cultivators who had lived for hundreds of years not only had terrifying pet beasts, but they also had powerful artifacts and artifacts. Lin Jin had gotten the immortal-binding rope from the insect cultivator.
The truth of his previous doubts was finally revealed. Yang Ming had suffered the greatest blow this time. Not only had his family been killed, but his good friend's family had also been annihilated.
As for Yang Ming himself, he was severely injured and looked like a cripple. His pet beast had been forcefully taken away by the Demonic Appraisal Association using an evil technique. It was then separated from his physical body so Yang Ming looked a little dispirited and lethargic.
Fortunately, Mr. Zhong had hired the best doctor to treat him. However, this wasn't enough for Yang Ming.
Lin Jin wasn't surprised when Yang Ming came looking for Lin Jin in private.
"Appraiser Lin, Yang Ming is here to thank you and also to thank Miss Shang'er for saving my life," Yang Ming said sincerely.
Lin Jin helped Yang Ming into the room and brewed him a pot of tea.
Shang'er and Xiao Shu came out from the inner chamber. Xiao Shu was clearly curious about a monster cultivator like Shang'er. After getting to know her, he dragged her to a small room at the back for some reason. But this was good too. Lin Jin didn't have to worry about her because she wouldn't have to bother him anymore.
"Tsk tsk, so miserable!" Shu Xiao Lou looked at Yang Ming from head to toe and said this.
Yang Ming had obviously heard about what happened to Xiao Shu so he didn't show any displeasure. Instead, he bowed respectfully at Xiao Shu. "Greetings, Senior Shu."
"There's no need for that. You should just sit down and rest in your current state." Xiao Shu waved him off and sat down. Yang Ming insisted on bowing. Other than visiting Lin Jin and thanking Shang'er, he was also here to look for Xiao Shu.
Yang Ming was now carrying a blood feud. If it was anyone else, they wouldn't give up when they encountered this kind of thing, let alone someone like Yang Ming.
He wanted nothing more than to slaughter every single member of the Demonic Appraisal Association, especially Appraiser Yan. He had to find the man and interrogate him in person. If Appraiser Yan was really the culprit, Yang Ming would skin him alive and tear his bones apart.
But strictly speaking, he didn't have the ability to do so. Even if Appraiser Yan came, Yang Ming would be the one dead.
Hence, he came looking for Xiao Shu.
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