Zuo Lin'an quietly observed Zhao Lin.
Actually, he had been paying attention to this player for a while now.
From the very beginning, Zhao Lin had shown an extremely friendly attitude toward the other players. Even after separating from some of them, he still got along very harmoniously with the remaining nine players around him.
Furthermore, he had proactively informed them that he was proficient in the art of Qi-gazing and could use it to find the correct exit, thereby leaving the mine shafts and finding the path of survival.
Because of this, the other players were willing to follow him and even listen to his directions to some extent.
As for Fang Tang asking him if he was truly good-natured...
“I don't know. Maybe,” Zuo Lin'an replied casually.
But in his heart, he also felt a faint sense of unease.
Yet, he couldn't quite put his finger on what was wrong.
After all, Zhao Lin hadn't shown any signs of using a talent, nor had he brought out any specter items.
As for whether it was related to some spell or technique he cultivated himself, Zuo Lin'an and Fang Tang had no way of knowing.
However, the power systems of the same world were fundamentally the same, usually boiling down to just those few types.
Especially for Zuo Lin'an, who had recently often seen the old Daoist teaching Lin Xiaolei various inherited Taoist spells.
Although Lin Xiaolei couldn't fully digest all of it to grow stronger just yet, he had learned a great deal of theoretical knowledge. Consequently, Zuo Lin'an, who had been auditing, had also picked up quite a few details.
Since he hadn't noticed Zhao Lin making any suspicious moves so far, it meant that even if the man had some hidden agenda, he probably hadn't put it into action yet.
“Let's keep watching. He'll eventually show his true colors.”
“Alright.”
Zhao Lin and his group quickly arrived at another fork.
Someone grumbled softly.
“Why is it another fork?”
Zhao Lin walked to the front with a smile, soothing them gently.
“It's fine, leave it to me.”
At this moment, Zuo Lin'an, hidden in the shadows, suddenly pulled out his phone and started recording a video.
Although he hadn't noticed anything, perhaps it was simply because he wasn't professional enough.
Professional matters were best left to the professionals.
He watched as Zhao Lin formed hand seals, then lightly wiped his fingers across his eyes before sweeping his gaze around.
Then he closed his eyes, opening them again after two seconds.
“This way.”
He raised his finger and pointed in a direction, indicating to everyone that this was the correct path.
Seeing this, the other players accepted his word without question.
Zuo Lin'an finished recording and sent the video to the old Daoist.
【Zuo Lin'an: Help me take a look at this. He says this is the art of Qi-gazing and can find the path of survival that leads to the actual exit. Is that true?】
Although it was very late, the old Daoist was still awake.
He was still playing cards in the living room with several others.
After all, the dungeon master was away on a business trip. If they didn't celebrate a little, it would be a waste of a good opportunity.
When he noticed someone had sent him a message, he was momentarily startled.
After all, in this world, everyone he knew was right in front of him. He pulled out his phone to check.
“Hmm?”
The others quickly gathered around.
Lin Xiaolei blinked. “It's a message from Brother An.”
The old Daoist opened the video. Ignoring everyone else, his gaze locked directly onto Zhao Lin.
“It's actually him...”
Before long, Zuo Lin'an received a reply from the old Daoist.
【Old Daoist: The art of Qi-gazing is real, but this guy is no good.】
【Old Daoist: His name is Zhao Lin. He doesn't excel at many things, just two. The first is the art of Qi-gazing shown in the video. If he says a path is the way of survival, then nine times out of ten, he's right.】
【Old Daoist: And the second is curse arts! All kinds of curse arts!】
Zuo Lin'an raised an eyebrow.
Curse arts?
No wonder he had felt a faint sense of dissonance between the impression Zhao Lin gave him and the friendly attitude the man displayed.
So that was why.
Fang Tang leaned in to watch as well.
【Old Daoist: On the surface, he acts like a complete do-gooder, often using his Qi-gazing technique to help others or profit from it. However, he secretly hides his identity and specializes in curse arts!】
【Old Daoist: Whether it's hair, skin, flesh, bone, or even severed limbs—as long as it falls into his hands, it becomes the perfect catalyst for his curse arts.】
【Old Daoist: The owners of those items can only pray to the heavens that Zhao Lin merely kept them as spares rather than actually using them to place a curse, or they'll be left waiting for death.】
【Old Daoist: What I mean is, among those cursed by Zhao Lin, not a single person has survived to this day.】
Zuo Lin'an frowned slightly, but his brow quickly cleared.
Even if Zhao Lin was proficient in curse arts, it didn't matter. They were useless against specters anyway.
Even if he were to use them, they would be targeted at other players.
Still, he had some questions.
【Zuo Lin'an: Then how do you know? And since you know, others must know as well. Why hasn't he made a move on you? And why hasn't anyone exposed his true identity?】
【Old Daoist: Oh, who would dare! This guy is a master of both Qi-gazing and curse arts.】
【Old Daoist: I wouldn't fear either of them if they were used in isolation. But he happens to cultivate both, and in a sense, they complement each other perfectly.】
【Old Daoist: If I were to secretly plot against him, frame him, or cause him any trouble or harm, he would be able to detect the clues using his Qi-gazing.】
【Old Daoist: Once he gets even a shred of a clue, tracing it back to my true identity is only a matter of time. When that happens, not only will I be finished, but all my family and friends will suffer along with me.】
【Old Daoist: We have a classic saying where I come from.】
【Old Daoist: “Better to offend the strongest saint than to cross an insidious villain.” Unless you have a hundred percent certainty of killing him in a single strike, do not make a move.】
【Old Daoist: You can't even show a hint of intending to target him, or a villain like him will definitely take precautions and strike first to gain the upper hand.】
【Old Daoist: Because of this, even though many people secretly know about Zhao Lin's identity, no one dares to spread the word for fear of offending him.】
Zuo Lin'an roughly understood the old Daoist's concerns.
【Zuo Lin'an: Then why is he helping these players now? If he merely wanted to clear the dungeon and leave, he could find the correct exit entirely on his own.】
Could it be that he was bringing these players along to deal with the specters in the dungeon?
After all, although his methods were formidable and insidious, they were useless against specters.
Speaking of which... did he have any specter items in his possession?
What could his special talent be?
Was this behavior of his related to his talent?
【Old Daoist: Guarding against specter attacks is definitely part of it, but it's surely more than that. I'm certain he must be plotting something.】
【Old Daoist: Right, don't you have the gold hairpin? Why not go test him out?】
Zuo Lin'an thought about it and agreed. No matter what tricks Zhao Lin had up his sleeve, wouldn't he find out if he went to test him himself?
He casually pocketed his phone.
“Fang Tang, stay here. I'll go over there and test the waters first.”
Rate on N.U.
