Versatile Sword Cultivator

Chapter 68 – He just doesn’t want to be deceived again

"Lin Jichen, are you trying to hit on our guild leader?"

Su Wanling stared at Lin Jichen warily, as if guarding against a thief.

"You're overthinking it," Lin Jichen denied.

Su Wanling naturally didn't believe him. "Then why did you specifically ask if our guild leader was participating?"

"I just wanted to borrow some money from her, it's not as dirty as you think," Lin Jichen said helplessly.

"Is that really the case?" Su Wanling was skeptical.

"Believe it or not," Lin Jichen rolled his eyes.

Su Wanling pursed her lips and warned, "It's best that way. I'm telling you, don't get any ideas about our guild leader. If her father finds out, you'll be in big trouble."

Lin Jichen sneered, "Ha, how bad could it be? It's a society ruled by law!"

"Believe it or not, I've said my piece. If you don't listen to the advice of the elders, you'll suffer later," Su Wanling couldn't be bothered to persuade him further, as if she cared too much about this guy.

It would be best if Luo Yu's father found out. Let's see if you can still talk tough then.

"Since you've agreed, let's get going. We should hurry; I estimate that other teams are close to clearing Night Cave Ghost Ridge," Su Wanling said.

Lin Jichen felt no urgency because he remembered that when the Secret Realm first opened, the fastest to clear it was the solo Secret Realm, Nightmare.

That would take four or five days at least.

Other Secret Realms took even longer to clear, so there was no need to rush.

The two left the Sword Sect together, heading towards the Nightmare Secret Realm.

But just as they reached the entrance, they ran into Wang Jinghao and his group, the leaders of the Eternal Guild.

Wang Jinghao, upon seeing Lin Jichen, approached warmly.

"Brother Lin, I came specifically to find you. Help me clear a Secret Realm, will you? The reward is three million! And any equipment dropped by Sword Cultivators inside is yours."

Wang Jinghao explained his purpose. Their Eternal Guild was stuck in the Secret Realm and couldn't get through, so he urgently thought of Lin Jichen.

He came to the Sword Sect to show his sincerity.

Lin Jichen didn't want to help someone like Wang Jinghao, but it wasn't the right time to fall out with him.

"Oh, Brother Wang, you're late. I've already agreed to help her," Lin Jichen pointed at Su Wanling.

Su Wanling faced Wang Jinghao without fear, meeting his gaze proudly.

Wang Jinghao's expression changed slightly, and he forced a smile. "Brother Lin, whatever price she offered, I'll double it!"

This time, Wang Jinghao wouldn't let Su Wanling have her way.

Last time he compromised, he didn't want to be a fool for no reason.

But this time was different. The first clear of the Secret Realm was crucial, and he was willing to pay any amount.

Just as Su Wanling was about to retort, Lin Jichen said awkwardly, "It's not about the money. Um... she's my girlfriend now, so you understand, I can't help it."

Su Wanling's eyes widened, almost thinking she had misheard.

"Right, dear? You said if I helped you clear the Secret Realm, you'd be ready to meet me in real life."

"I..." Su Wanling almost retorted on the spot, but seeing Lin Jichen's gaze, she reluctantly changed her tone, "Mm..."

Lin Jichen shrugged and said to Wang Jinghao, "You see, Brother Wang, what can I do? I've always been a sucker for a beautiful woman."

Wang Jinghao was half-convinced.

"I remember you were about to get married, weren't you? You and your girlfriend from Jiangxi were preparing for the wedding, and you said your mother-in-law asked for a dowry, so you sold your equipment."

Damn!

How could I forget that?

Lin Jichen sighed inwardly but remained composed. "I couldn't help it. A rich woman pursued me, and she's so beautiful. I didn't want to work hard anymore, so I broke up with my ex."

Wang Jinghao still didn't quite believe it, but by then, Su Wanling had already pulled Lin Jichen away.

"Let's go quickly. If we don't hurry, I won't meet you in real life."

"Oh, oh, wait for me, babe."

With that, the two quickly left the sect and teleported away.

"Damn it, that woman again!"

Wang Jinghao cursed, having been thwarted by Su Wanling twice.

"Brother Hao, what do we do now?"

Wang Jinghao cursed, "What else can we do? Go back. This guy is greedy and lustful. Good, people like him are easier to control. We'll see."

After Lin Jichen and Su Wanling teleported, they arrived at the teleportation point.

"Lin Jichen, what did you mean by those words just now? You're taking advantage of me!" Su Wanling demanded.

Lin Jichen just chuckled, remaining calm.

"You're so full of yourself. I just didn't want to offend anyone."

"What do you mean?"

"Think about it. If you two kept bidding against each other, no matter who won or lost, I wouldn't go help Wang Jinghao. That would mean I'd offend him. But by saying you're my girlfriend, they won't hold a grudge against me, only against you."

Lin Jichen's words were shameless but steady.

Su Wanling suddenly understood and complained, "Lin Jichen, you're such a coward. Can't you stand up for me just once?"

"No," Lin Jichen replied bluntly. "We're just in a cooperative relationship. Why should I take the blame for you for free?"

"Besides, you have a big guild and a guild leader to back you up. What are you afraid of? I'm just a lone wolf. Moreover, this is your responsibility, not mine. Otherwise, I could go help Wang Jinghao clear the Secret Realm right now."

Having learned from past experiences, Lin Jichen was very cautious with strangers in reality.

Once bitten, twice shy.

He admitted he was scared.

Except for Ren Lan and Gu Qiuxue, he wouldn't easily trust anyone.

When dealing with strangers in reality, he preferred to pour his heart out to NPCs in Tale of Immortal.

At least in the game, characters were true to their nature. Bad people were bad, and good people were good.

Unless an NPC experienced some significant change, they wouldn't change.

This had been proven even after the game and reality merged.

So compared to real people, Lin Jichen now trusted NPCs more.

He was like an otaku obsessed with the second dimension, only loving the girls in the second dimension.

But who would have thought that one day, the girls from the second dimension would all appear in the real world?

It seemed like Lin Jichen was hitting on NPCs, but in reality, he was building a trustworthy and useful network for the future.

Su Wanling didn't argue further. She thought Lin Jichen lacked chivalry, but his words made sense.

It was just that Lin Jichen said they were merely in a cooperative relationship, which made her a bit unhappy.

Did that mean they weren't even friends?

"You're right. I misunderstood. I apologize. Let's go; the guild leader is waiting for us."

Su Wanling's tone was stiff. After speaking, she walked ahead by herself.

Lin Jichen shrugged, knowing that Su Wanling was angry.

But he didn't care.

Having been deceived before, trust was now a distant concept for him.

Don't blame him for wrapping himself up; he just didn't want to be deceived again.