Chapter 102 Part 2

The effect of the Moongazing Agate on him and Zhou Chen was still active, making them look like young masters from an ordinary noble family out traveling. This place was not far from the capital, and no one was foolish enough to come looking for trouble.

However, Zhou Yin already had a troublesome matter at hand.

He had just received a transmission talisman.

Over twenty years ago, when he left Zhou Village, in order to investigate the extermination of the Zhou family and to save his uncle Ji Rong, he had charged into the Dongyue Pingnan Army's main camp alone to see its commander General Hui, and received the Lingyin Sword from General Hui, thus owing him a favor.

He gave General Hui three transmission talismans, telling him he could use them in times of dire emergency and he would find him.

Over twenty years passed, and those three talismans from General Hui had never been used. Zhou Yin had almost forgotten about this matter. For an ordinary person, General Hui, who was in his twenties back then, was probably nearing the end of his lifespan now.

If he had a smooth life and wanted to pass the talismans to his descendants, Zhou Yin naturally had no objections. After all, the favor was in General Hui's hands, and it was up to him how he wanted to use it.

But now, General Hui had suddenly used the talismans, and not just one, but all three.

The message transmitted over contained only one sentence: In grave danger, save my life.

When General Hui burned those three talismans, he didn't hold much hope. He was purely at his wit's end, trying everything possible.

Perhaps Zhou Yin was already dead, he thought. Although General Hui was not a cultivator, he knew that for those who walked the path of cultivation, every step was even more perilous than for those like him who fought on battlefields. One misstep and they could lose their lives.

Besides, even if Zhou Yin was alive, he might not necessarily be able to resolve his current predicament.

General Hui looked at the surrounding walls, so filthy that their original color could no longer be discerned, and the foul odor all around, smiling bitterly. If it was just him, so be it, but there was also his family...

He began to reflect on his life. Although he also held a high position, accepted bribes, and flattered the monarch, he firmly believed that he was different from those mediocre officials.

At the very least, everything he did was for the rivers and mountains of Dongyue. On the battlefield, he never retreated. Charging into enemy formations, he also led his troops from the front. He had won countless battles for Dongyue and expanded its territory, but in the end, he was actually framed and reduced to this state!

General Hui sighed and lowered his head, seeing that broken bowl in front of him, which contained half a bowl of water whose color could no longer be discerned. However, borrowing the light shining in from the small latticed window overhead, he could vaguely see his current appearance.

Hair and beard grizzled, face haggard.

He was no longer young. The once valiant and peerless commander of the Pingnan Army, the ever-victorious general, was now in his twilight years...

Time waits for no one.

General Hui laughed at himself and was about to raise his hand to touch the wrinkles on his forehead when he suddenly stopped.

Because he saw a pair of shoe tops.

The shoe tops were very clean. His gaze moved up. Although the other party's clothes were black, they were clean and tidy, not a thread out of place.

But such clean attire shouldn't appear here, especially... inside the iron bars.

General Hui's gaze met the visitor's. He gaped in shock for a long time before uncertainly saying softly, "Brother Zhou?"

Zhou Yin nodded. "Didn't you summon me with the talismans to save you and get you out?"

His voice was not loud, but not soft either. It was enough to attract the guards in the heavily guarded dungeon.

General Hui couldn't help turning his head to look outside.

He only heard Zhou Yin say, "I have already set up a barrier here. No worries."

General Hui nodded, his emotions surging beyond words. "I really didn't expect... that you would still be willing to come... Brother Zhou's bearing is even more outstanding than before. Your cultivation must have greatly improved!"

Even someone like him who had not cultivated could tell that Zhou Yin's demeanor was extraordinary. Compared to over twenty years ago, it was like a dust-covered bright pearl had its grime wiped away, radiating dazzling brilliance.

Zhou Yin made an affirmative sound. "I'll take you out first."

In his surprise and joy, General Hui felt some hesitation. "Will it implicate you?"

Zhou Yin didn't say anything. He took out a talisman, dripped a drop of blood on it, and tossed the talisman to the ground.

In an instant, another "General Hui" appeared before their eyes, head lowered, sitting there blankly.

General Hui watched with his mouth agape. It wasn't his first time seeing a cultivator perform magic, but it was his first time seeing such a straightforward spell that didn't even require chanting an incantation.

Without waiting for him to react, Zhou Yin grabbed him and left. The two transformed into a beam of sword light and disappeared into that small window.

Coming without a shadow, leaving without a trace.

Until he changed into clean clothes and sat in the private room of the inn, General Hui still felt a bit like he was dreaming.

Beside him, Zhou Chen looked at this extra big candle with some dissatisfaction.

"What are your plans now?" Zhou Yin asked.

"Brother Zhou, I can't express my gratitude enough. I don't know what to say..." General Hui smiled bitterly. He truly never imagined that a favor he did more than twenty years ago could save his life now, over two decades later.

"It's just that my family will be sent to the execution grounds in three days, and the entire household will be executed..."

Zhou Yin nodded: "I will go save them."

Seeing him agree without hesitation, General Hui suddenly felt a bit guilty. He should have collected more treasures for Zhou Yin back then. Compared to this kind of kindness from him, what he had given was truly insignificant.

He then heard Zhou Yin ask: "How did you end up like this?"

General Hui knew he was not familiar with the internal affairs of Dongyue, and had no intention of going into a long explanation. He said in a few words: "I have always been at odds with the Right Prime Minister Jiang Hui, and I was inclined towards the Left Prime Minister's faction. This time, he slandered me in front of the emperor, saying that my merits and power threatened the ruler. He found a way to take away my military power, imprisoned me, and intends to eliminate me completely."

Zhou Yin nodded: "Do you know how many cultivators are by Jiang Hui's side?"

General Hui remembered that this person in front of him also had some grievances with Jiang Hui because his family was exterminated. He thought for a moment and said, "There are many experts by his side. I heard he even has Nascent Soul cultivators, and at least three Core Formation cultivators. Brother Zhou, forgive my bluntness, but although your cultivation is profound now, it's still difficult to fight against multiple opponents alone. I'm afraid we need to plan for the long term."

His character was still quite frank. Although he also had deep hatred for Jiang Hui, he did not incite Zhou Yin to go seek revenge, but instead tried to dissuade him. Compared to those cultivators with honeyed words and murderous hearts, he was countless times better.

This was also one of the reasons why Zhou Yin had regarded him highly back then and was willing to give him three talismans.