Three-One Split

On Nine Cold Mountain, although Lin Yu left the Ten Thousand Flowers Cave Dwelling under the pretext of "searching for the attackers," his route after leaving was very clear and his speed was very fast. It was not like he was "searching aimlessly" at all, but rather like he was traveling with a clear goal.

Lin Yu was indeed on his way.

About half an hour later, Lin Yu arrived at a higher place in Nine Cold Mountain —a cave that had once been inhabited by Yaomo but was now abandoned and not very deep.

And inside this cave...

Qin Siyu was poking at a makeshift fire made of stones with a stick, letting the dry branches and leaves inside burn.

The crackling sound came from the fire, and the flickering flames illuminated Qin Siyu's face and the sleeping old man not far behind her.

"Ah... Senior, you're finally out!"

Upon seeing a figure appear at the cave entrance, Qin Siyu was initially startled, but after recognizing Lin Yu, she relaxed and greeted him softly.

Lin Yu nodded. "Yes, things inside the Cave Dwelling over there... are basically all arranged, so naturally I came to check on things here."

Upon hearing this, Qin Siyu blinked slightly. "Arrangements... As expected, senior. Last night, all the Yaomo in the Cave Dwelling fell into a coma. Not only was it your doing, but you weren't just cooperating with me; you had ulterior motives, didn't you?"

Although Qin Siyu didn't understand what was happening when she was stealing, when she looked out as she packed up all her spoils, she saw all the Yaomo outside who were asleep and unconscious, and who couldn't be awakened no matter how she tried.

One or two might be drunk, but there wasn't a single one awake on the field. Even without Old Zheng's explanation, Qin Siyu could understand...

This was most likely Lin Yu's doing.

Therefore, Qin Siyu confidently and boldly led Master Wei Jian and the spoils of war out of the Ten Thousand Flowers Cave Dwelling, and then found a new place to stay within the Nine Cold Mountain.

Master Wei Jian had been captured and imprisoned in the Yaomo's Cave Dwelling even earlier and had not had a proper rest, naturally could not hold on any longer after leaving the environment of the Yaomo's Cave Dwelling and fell into a deep sleep.

Although in the Prison Mountain Realm, being able to push a skill to its peak often means that the person is no ordinary mortal and must have a certain level of "cultivation".

However... Master Wei Jian was only skilled in forging and Artifact Forging; he was not a true Martial Artists or a member of the Daoist Sect. He did not actually cultivate any Cultivation Method to increase his strength. He was simply healthier than the average person through the daily forging process.

Therefore, although he was physically strong, he was still not beyond the realm of "ordinary people".

In addition, he was old and had actually been captured yesterday. However, because Meng Qingjun's birthday was just today, he was not stewed on the spot yesterday on the grounds of "saving him for today".

But on the other hand... precisely because of this, Master Wei Jian had actually been tied up for a whole day and hung upside down for most of the day.

Naturally, he no longer had the strength to stay awake, so he came here to catch up on sleep.

Qin Siyu then turned to the side and pointed to Master Wei Jian behind her. "Senior, I've piled up all those treasures behind the cave... However, compared to the treasures of those Yaomo, the most precious thing on this trip is actually this person!"

"This is Master Wei Jian, currently the master of the Two Mountains and Six Hells..."

"No need for introductions, I know who he is," Lin Yu interrupted Qin Siyu. "I've heard of Master Wei Jian's reputation, I know his skill level... and before I came here, I also knew that you saved him."

"After all, I've assigned you a helper—while he's helping you, he can also give me a report on what you've been doing."

Lin Yu made no attempt to hide the fact that he was using Old Zheng to observe and monitor Qin Siyu.

Qin Siyu blinked, also understanding the underlying meaning in Lin Yu's words.

However, for Qin Siyu...

She didn't react to this at all, as if she hadn't even understood the meaning behind Lin Yu's words.

"If you know him, that would be wonderful. I'll introduce him to you when he wakes up... But, senior, please conceal your Yaomo aura. He's quite old-fashioned," Qin Siyu leaned closer and lowered her voice to the lowest possible level. "And... remember to cooperate with me. My persona in front of this old man is that of Righteous Path Heroine- errant."

Lin Yu said, "I know all that, and Old Zheng told me too—but I don't have time to cultivate a relationship with Master Wei Jian right now. I'm afraid we'll have to find another opportunity to do this later."

"I've come to see you now because I have something more important to do."

As Lin Yu spoke, Qin Siyu immediately asked, "What is it, senior? Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Remember when I said you had tracking marks left on you?" Lin Yu glanced at Qin Siyu, noticing the strange, vibrant power that was still integrated with her qi and blood Meridians. "I said before that there was no need to remove or conceal them for you... but now, I'm going to start removing them."

Qin Siyu asked curiously, "Eh... why so suddenly, senior—have you changed your mind and don't want them to find us anymore?"

Lin Yu shook his head. "No, on the contrary... I wanted to put some pressure on them."

"After all this time, the fact that I had no idea about the methods implanted on you will damage my 'reputation'... To be honest, I really hope that other people will have a higher opinion of me."

"Secondly... they haven't found you yet, and even Old Zheng and I haven't detected their presence in this area. This suggests that the three giant Snake Yaoguai and their dear little brother aren't in a hurry and are probably making thorough preparations... Hmm, it seems that the Thousand-Eyed Thousand-Silk Demon Lord has indeed given them a certain degree of deterrence."

"However... I don't have time for them to prepare leisurely now—my arrangements are complete, so I need to make the three of them come to me urgently."

Upon hearing this, Qin Siyu suddenly understood. "I see... So, Senior planned to figure out the tracking methods within my body right here, is that right?"

After all... what if the covert tracking methods that have always worked suddenly become ineffective?

As the party tracking the situation, they will certainly have some urgent thoughts due to the changes in this situation.

For them, given this change, their already advantageous and dominant position, and their role as the "attacker," naturally leads to the optimal solution being...

After ceasing observation and preparation, and immediately regrouping, head towards the direction where the last remaining "location" signal remains, lock onto that area, and minimize the risk of Lin Yu escaping.

Lin Yu believes...

That "Cold Cicada"... will definitely come up with this "optimal solution".

Even if he is smart enough to realize that this is exactly what he wants, he will probably still do it—just like a skilled chess player who, when faced with a "standard opening," will still play the "standard opening" even if he knows that this may be the position his opponent wants.

Because he won't be influenced by too many external factors to make the "right" choice...

At the same time, when he has the upper hand, he will be more confident—confident that even if the steps he takes meet the opponent's expectations, he will be able to find the optimal solution first in the "battle" that can produce countless variables.

He is a smart man and has trustworthy companions...

For Lin Yu...

This is almost the most predictable type of person's actions.

Certainly...

As expected...

This will also be the most formidable opponent.

"Senior, then... let's begin! Don't worry about me or show me any pity!"

Qin Siyu spoke, she began to unbutton her shirt.

"Stop, stop! What are you doing!"

Seeing Qin Siyu's actions, Lin Yu's mental deduction of "Cold Cicada in the Cold" and his review of his next plan instantly stopped. He quickly raised his hand to stop Qin Siyu.

Qin Siyu tilted her head naturally. "Eh, of course it's to remove the 'tracking devices' from my body."

"Senior, what are you thinking?"

Lin Yu felt a headache coming on when he heard Qin Siyu's counterattack. "I never expected this... removing that method from your body doesn't require you to take off your clothes!"

"Really? Senior, didn't you say this thing is completely integrated with my blood and qi circulation...? In a sense, this is a method that penetrates to the bone marrow, right?" Qin Siyu said thoughtfully. "I've seen in those storybooks and comic books that to remove this kind of method, for healing or treatment, you have to take off your clothes, then you put your hand on my back and transfer your energy in..."

"It's not that complicated... at least I don't need it," Lin Yu said, pausing for a moment. "Besides, I think normal healing shouldn't require it. It's just that the stories and comic books you read are deliberately set up that way for the sake of fictionalization—I'm serious, can't you read something more serious?"

Before Qin Siyu could speak again, Lin Yu pulled up her clothes and straightened her collar.

Then, Lin Yu casually lifted Old Zheng off her shoulder and patted him, and Old Zheng regained his form.

"Wow... you must be Mr. Zheng. You look quite refined."

Qin Siyu looked at Old Zheng, who had suddenly appeared, with some surprise.

Old Zheng waved at Qin Siyu: "Right? Am I even more handsome than you imagined?"

"Stop being so glib," Lin Yu kicked Old Zheng. "This Master Wei Jian is indeed a very important person. You keep a close eye on him... After I take Qin Siyu elsewhere, I'll remove the tracking devices from her."

Old Zheng raised an eyebrow. "Wow, is it my turn to play Old Shi's niche?"

"No, I wouldn't run here even if I wanted to," Lin Yu paused for a moment, "But if we really can't beat them, it's possible I'll ask you to help me hold off a Demon Lord."

"Can I take on a Demon Lord?" Old Zheng laughed, pushing up his glasses. "Boss, are you kidding? Any one of those three old snakes could easily give me Three-One Split advantage."

"What the hell is 'Three-One Split'?!"

Qin Siyu couldn't help but complain.

Old Zheng's smile widened even more, "It means they can kill and eat me within three minutes, as an extra meal."