I am about to die of old age, and I have awakened the character of longevity.

Chapter 53 Human Heart
The living room of the villa.

"Deacon Lin, this is the aged tea I've collected for many years. Please try it and see if it suits your taste." Zhang Lin bent down and poured tea for Lin Yun. His brows were full of flattery.

Lin Yun sat at the head of the table, picked up the teacup and took a sip, nodding his head and saying, "Hmm. The tea is good. Zhang Lin, you are thoughtful."

Zhang Lin smiled and said, "I am where I am today thanks to Deacon Lin's care over the years. I will never forget your kindness."

After some pleasantries, Lin Yun changed the subject, "This series of murders committed by the Plum Blossom Monster has had a very negative impact on our Blood Ridge black market. Your ability to remain calm and analyze the Plum Blossom Monster's intentions before reporting them will be of great help to my subsequent plans. After the deed is accomplished, I will report it to the Incense Master and claim credit for you."

Zhang Lin was about to thank him when he suddenly thought of something and looked embarrassed.

He has been in the Tiger and Wolf Sect for many years and knows the importance of merit.

In order to climb up in the Tiger and Wolf Gate, in addition to participating in the examinations held every three years, there is another important way: that is merit.

Merit is relatively general, determined by the incense master and then submitted to the examination hall for review. There is a lot of room for maneuver in this area, and there are many insider information and substitution phenomena.

There's another way to earn credit: completing missions issued by your sect. Not only can you get corresponding rewards, but you'll also earn credit. This is a relatively straightforward approach.

For example, if the Tiger and Wolf Sect feels that the Plum Blossom Monster is an unforgivable criminal, they will issue a task internally: whoever kills the Plum Blossom Monster will receive xx reward and xx merit.

Most of the missions were dangerous, so Zhang Lin never dared to take them.

The contribution of the Plum Blossom Monster this time is a rare opportunity for Zhang Lin.

But Zhang Lin knew deep down that the Plum Blossom Monster's murderous logic and purpose were thought up by "Big Brother." His rushing to report it was already inappropriate, but at least it made sense.

If I continue to take credit for this contribution... I will become estranged from my elder brother.

After careful consideration, Zhang Lin suppressed his inner greed and said, "Deacon Lin has misunderstood. This wasn't my idea. It was the new deacon's."

Hearing this, Lin Yun turned around and looked at Zhang Lin in surprise.

Lin Yun had already seen through Zhang Lin's thoughts.

While Lin Yun and Wei Xiangzhu were away, Xie An, who had replaced Zhang Biao, was in charge of the Blood Ridge Black Market. Xie An should have been the one reporting on this matter. Zhang Lin's report this morning was an overstepping of authority, and it looked like he was trying to steal credit.

It's just that Zhang Lin has followed Lin Yun for many years, so Lin Yun didn't care too much about it. If Zhang Lin continues to take credit for this time, Lin Yun will turn a blind eye.

"Zhang Lin, have you thought it through?"

Zhang Lin gritted his teeth and said, "Think it over carefully. This is indeed the credit of the new deacon. I can't take it for granted."

Lin Yun didn't say anything more and just drank his tea.

Lin Yun knew Zhang Lin well enough to know that he wasn't a very courageous person, preferring a more cautious approach. He wouldn't dare take on large sums of money, but occasionally taking on small favors was commonplace.

Now it’s strange.

Not long after, Liang Zhi hurried in.

Lin Yun asked, "Where's your boss?"

Liang Zhi stared at the pressure and bowed his head, answering, "The boss is busy with important matters and can't be idle. I was asked to apologize to Deacon Lin."

Ok?
Lin Yun immediately became unhappy, feeling that the new deacon was ignorant of etiquette and somewhat looked down upon him, the chief deacon. His tone became much colder, "What is so important?"

Liang Zhi told the story he had prepared long ago, "The boss has determined that the Plum Blossom Monster might attack two vendors who are doing well in the black market, so he is keeping a close eye on them and dares not relax for a moment. He is afraid that the Plum Blossom Monster will take advantage of us." When Zhang Lin heard this, his old face turned red.

While I was rushing to report and claim credit, others were working steadily. We are not on the same level at all...

Lin Yun's expression softened considerably, a smile playing on his lips as he expressed a certain approval for the new deacon. While he normally didn't mind his subordinates vying for credit, the Blood Ridge branch was facing a crisis, and what was most needed were capable individuals who could get things done, not those who sought to steal the credit.

Lin Yun suddenly glanced at Zhang Lin, who immediately blushed and lowered his head, not daring to look Lin Yun in the eye. Needless to say, Zhang Lin knew that Lin Yun was very disappointed in him at the moment.

Snapped.

Lin Yun placed the teacup heavily on the table and stood up. "Come on, take me to see it."

"Yes." Liang Zhi nodded and took the initiative to lead the way out. Liang Zhi, with his sharp eyes, noticed the expressions of Lin Yun and Zhang Lin just now, and his admiration for the new deacon grew even stronger.

On the other side, Xie An stood beside the street, leaning against an ancient locust tree. While observing the two vendors, his eyes occasionally glanced towards the courtyard.

"Haha, you've worked hard, bro!"

Lin Yun strode up behind Xie An and spoke with a smile from a distance.

Xie An pretended to have just heard the voice, turned around suddenly, and immediately showed an expression of being flattered. He bowed and said, "Please forgive me, Grand Deacon, for not being able to come to pay you a visit the first time."

Lin Yun was in a very good mood and quickly shook Xie An's hand warmly. "These are just some formalities, don't mind them. You should focus on official business."

"Thank you for your understanding, Archdeacon."

Xie An hurriedly thanked him, and at the same time glanced at Zhang Lin behind Lin Yun, and found that Zhang Lin's face was red and he was ashamed.

After some pleasantries, Lin Yun still sided with Zhang Lin, and took the initiative to explain, "Just now I thought it was Zhang Lin who came up with the idea of ​​the Plum Blossom Monster, but Zhang Lin told me that it was you who came up with it. He was just concerned and anxious, so he came to report so early in the morning."

Although it was a sentence that left no trace, Xie An had already tasted two messages:

First, Lin Yun still sided with Zhang Lin and didn't want to misunderstand Zhang Lin.

Second, Zhang Lin didn't actively take credit for his work, but rather confessed it openly. This suggests that while Zhang Lin may have some hidden agendas, he still has principles. He's a worthwhile person to befriend.

Thinking of this, Xie An took the initiative to give Zhang Lin a way out and said, "Brother Zhang has been patrolling day and night recently and has been very busy. He told me this when he reported to the hall this morning. I have to thank Brother Zhang for helping me share my worries."

Hearing this, Zhang Linchong gave Xie An a grateful look and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

If Xie An was petty and said a few bad words about him to Lin Yun at this moment, it would be difficult for him to gain a foothold in the branch in the future.

Thinking of this, Zhang Lin felt ashamed and felt that Xie An was a broad-minded person who was worthy of admiration and trust. He would treat him as a loyal and faithful person in the future.

Seeing Xie An's open-minded attitude, Lin Yun felt even happier. He smiled and said, "That's great. With everyone so united in purpose, why should we fear a single plum blossom monster? Are those the two vendors you mentioned?"

Xie An elaborated on his analysis and praised Liang Zhi's ability to get things done in front of Lin Yun. Although it was just a passing remark, Liang Zhi, who was standing next to him, was impressed.

Lin Yun looked Liang Zhi up and down and said, "You did a good job." Then he discussed the next plan with Xie An.

Finally, Lin Yun made the final decision: when the market closes tomorrow morning, he will follow these two vendors all the way and catch the Plum Blossom Monster.

Zhang Lin couldn't help but ask, "Deacon Lin, Master Wei was severely injured by the Plum Blossom Monster before. Can we... make it this time?"

(End of this chapter)