You people really have a special way of saying hello

The so-called "voting" ended quickly...

Ultimately, they naturally remained in Shenzhen.

Lin Yu was not surprised by the decision of all members of the "Freedom Alliance" to stay.

This is also what he hoped to see – because the "Freedom Alliance" is a very important asset to him.

From Lin Yu's perspective, which suggests a greater degree of chaos, the "Freedom Alliance" is an indispensable "variable."

Given the natural affinity between the "Freedom Alliance" and the identities of "Zhu Ming" and "Director," their staying in Shenzhen would certainly provide Lin Yu with an extra layer of security.

So...

Lin Yu's notification to the "Freedom Alliance" was not actually to ask them to evacuate Shenzhen, but rather to hope that while they remained, they could use their intelligence to make some responses and preparations.

But...

Even so, Lin Yu still looked helpless and even a little annoyed at the group that had decided to stay.

"Do you really understand what I'm saying...? Shenzhen is really going to be very dangerous from now on."

"My decision to stay and help the 'Director' was my own choice... You don't need to be held hostage by my choice."

He said with a sigh.

And the reply he received was equally firm.

"This wasn't kidnapping; it was our own choice... If I had to say, the 'Director' has helped us a lot. Even disregarding your relationship, he's practically a friend of our organization."

Old Zhou said seriously.

"I could never abandon my friends to seek refuge."

Li Nian said with a grin, "Sister Zhu Ming, instead of trying to persuade us, you should try persuading the 'Director' to run away with us."

"Or, we can tie him up!"

Xiao Yun pondered, "Kidnapping the Director... that seems like a feasible plan."

Chen Le spoke up, "Don't underestimate the 'Director.' He just Escape from the 'Diviner' again, and even from the 'Tier 5' Diviner hired... It's really hard to say whether we can tie him up."

This is also the source of Zhu Ming's information about the Diviner's movements.

As Chen Le spoke, Qianhuan was quite surprised.

"Really? This 'Director's' skills are changing every single day!"

Old Zhou said, "But even if he manages to escape from the 'Diviner,' we might still succeed in kidnapping him, after all, we have a unique advantage—we have Zhu Ming!"

Li Nian slapped her thigh. "That's right! No matter how much a 'Diviner' schemes and plots, they're definitely not as effective as Sister Zhu Ming's word!"

Lin Yu helplessly, "How did you come up with this plan based on kidnapping him...? I didn't intend to do that, okay?"

Qianhuan crossed her arms. "So what you're saying is, you can watch the 'Director' stay in Shenzhen, but you can't watch us stay in Shenzhen?"

What's the difference between "us" and "the Director" to you?

Lin Yu was speechless, and put on a helpless expression.

"I just... didn't want anything to happen to you..."

Lin Yu said in a low voice, stating it in the same nonchalant tone as "Zhu Ming".

"The Director had reasons to stay, but you didn't..."

He spoke in a low voice, his pace quickening.

"You don't need to put yourselves in danger, you don't need to pay the price for his recklessness... If it's for my sake, perhaps if you leave, I won't worry about you—that might be a better choice for me."

"With you all here, I can't act freely... The Emperor is really not the simple enemy you imagine."

"If Fang Qing were still here... I might not be so worried, but Fang Qing is gone now. If you stay here, there's a real possibility you'll die!"

"Stop with the nice talk... In this critical, life-or-death situation, can't you make some 'correct' choices?"

As Lin Yu spoke, he even showed signs of Emotion Loss of Control.

Before the "Freedom Alliance" responded, Lin Yu himself began to have some self-doubt.

"Could this be... an over-the-top performance?"

He has played "Zhu Ming" for so long that it's practically his best role besides "Director".

Lin Yu's performances, both in daily life and on Stage, have always been relatively "restrained." He dislikes overly flamboyant or expressive performance styles and doesn't like to directly "throw" his emotions at the audience.

But that instant just now...

It seems like it's time to use this form of performance.

Yes... Although "Zhu Ming" is a very gentle and easygoing character, he can still get angry at those close to him in situations like this.

My performance this time was reasonable, natural, and inevitable...

The only problem is... these words do seem quite convincing.

What if they actually manage to persuade the people from the "Freedom Alliance" to leave?

Fine, let them go... Although it's advantageous for the "Freedom Alliance" members to stay, their departure won't be fatal.

When "performing," the "performance" should naturally take precedence.

Lin Yu maintained his somewhat angry expression, but his mind was racing with thoughts.

While Lin Yu was pondering...

Li Nian took her hand.

"Sister Zhu Ming, what about you?"

Lin Yu looked at Li Nian. The little girl's expression had lost its usual playful tone; she was looking intently into his eyes.

And what about you?

She asked again.

The other members of the "Freedom Alliance" remained silent, simply watching Li Nian and Zhu Ming quietly.

Lin Yu sighed, "What 'What about me?'... I'm confident I'll survive."

"The 'Diviner' won't allow someone chosen by the [Fragment of Fate] to die. The 'Director' has the [Fragment of Fate], and so do I... Our situations are truly different from yours."

Li Nian shook her head.

"I'm not talking about this time, I'm talking about the Gray Domain incident."

When you went to the Gray Domain to rescue me, was it a 'correct' choice? Was it a 'correct option' that would have helped you survive?

"I understand you mean well and are worried about us, Sister Zhu Ming... but don't deprive me, don't deprive us of the right to choose the 'Error option'."

"If we were a group of people who would always make the 'right choice' and make 'rational judgments' most of the time, we wouldn't be gathered here."

Li Nian spoke, she tightened her grip on Lin Yu's hand.

So... we'll stay, no matter what you think, we'll stay.

Lin Yu broke free from Li Nian's hand.

He looked at Li Nian, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.

"Alright... then you must all take good care of yourselves."

Lin Yu spoke in a low voice.

Upon hearing Lin Yu's words, Li Nian's face regained its usual relaxed expression, and she grinned, saying, "Hahahaha, of course we can! Who do you think we are?"

"But... at least she's finally relented, Sister Zhu Ming."

Li Nian grasped Lin Yu's forearm again and shook it.

Lin Yu shook his head and sighed, "You didn't need my permission in the first place."

"That's true, but it's better if you agree," Xiao Yun said with a smile. "Anyway... how about we play some board games?"

"A Nian said she also brought a board game for one more person—and that one doesn't require cards, Qianhuan can play it too."

Qianhuan raised her hand. "Hey, why do you think I cheat when I play cards?!"

Old Zhou calmly said, "You were playing Golden Flower with the Boss, and when the Boss had three aces, you turned out to have a triple of aces."

Qianhuan's eyes darted around. "What if the Boss cheated?"

"Boss, that's cheating! Brother Lian, I really admire you for saying such stupid things," Li Nian gave a thumbs up. "Your card-playing etiquette is beyond belief."

"That's what you call 'having a sharp weapon in your heart and the urge to kill arises spontaneously,'" Old Wu commented. "When your basic skills are too good, and remembering and switching cards is as easy as eating and drinking, it's impossible not to cheat when playing cards."

Lin Yu said, "Then you guys play, I don't think I'll have much time to play cards... I have other things to take care of, I should be leaving soon."

At this point, Lin Yu looked at Li Nian and hesitated for a moment.

"Oh, by the way, A Nian... I have some personal matters to discuss with you."

Li Nian asked, "Eh? What's the matter?"

Other members of the "Freedom Alliance" also showed expressions of curiosity.

Lin Yu glanced at the curious eyes around him and said, "This time, besides finding out some information about the Diviner 'Director during his trip to the Prison Mountain Realm, the 'director' also ran into an acquaintance of A Nian. That acquaintance then asked the 'Director' to pass on a few words to Li Nian."

Old Zhou nodded. "Oh, I see... but the term 'acquaintance' is rather subtle."

"It's a girl."

Lin Yu added.

Old Zhou shook his head. "I'm not doubting the gender, I still trust A Nian... I mean, is this A Nian's friend or enemy? Could it be Native whose things A Nian stole and is trying to threaten us?"

The Comedian slapped his thigh. "It actually seems quite possible!"

Li Nian immediately retorted angrily, "What do you two mean? I definitely have many friends in the Prison Mountain Realm. I have a well-known reputation for good deeds in the martial arts world there!"

Qianhuan gave a thumbs up. "You have such a good reputation, A Nian. Does your good reputation refer to the joint wanted notice issued by sixteen Martial Arts School and the ban on entry to twenty-two villages and towns? Do you really think I've never been to the Prison Mountain Realm?"

Lin Yu said, "I don't know about these things... but the person delivering the message this time should indeed be a friend."

"A Nian, let's talk in private."

As Lin Yu spoke, he got up and walked towards the inner room.

Li Nian glared at the others, then quickly followed Lin Yu.

The two entered the guest room and closed the door. Li Nian asked, "So, who brought what message, Sister Zhu Ming... is she really my friend?"

Lin Yu nodded.

Yes, your friend asked the "Director" to pass on a message to you, the content of which is...

"Surprise!"

As Lin Yu spoke, the girl's cheerful voice overlapped with his cool tone.

Qin Siyu jumped out from behind Li Nian, twirling the Utility knife in her hand halfway.

"Wow, 'Master Thief' A Nian, your vigilance has gotten worse."

Li Nian turned around and looked at Qin Siyu, a look of surprise on her face.

"Why are you out here?!"

"And... my vigilance hasn't diminished at all, 'Moon-Exploring Star-Plucking'!"

As Li Nian spoke, she opened her left hand, revealing a cloth bag containing Golden Needle.