Chancellor

Let's be fair and try to see things from each other's perspective.

Lin Yu felt that if he were the "emperor," he would definitely send a squad of Armored Soldier to try and kill him.

Although Lin Yu felt he could survive even with a squad of Armored Soldier, it was because Lin Yu knew how many "trump cards" and how much strength he possessed.

From the emperor's perspective, he could not possibly know the full extent of his own power.

Even if you think a squad of Armored Soldier can't do it, there's no harm in trying!

A few Armored Soldier might not play a decisive role on the battlefield on Gu Mo and Jian Cunyi's side, but they would definitely disgust themselves to no end.

But the emperor didn't do that... which is quite intriguing.

Could it be that the "Emperor" is an amateur?

Lin Yu pondered the idea, but quickly dismissed it.

Even if this is the Truth, he cannot make such a prediction—it is extremely dangerous to explain any phenomenon as "the enemy's inadequacy."

So...

Was it because the emperor was extremely cautious, or because he greatly respected Gu Mo and Jian Cunyi's abilities?

Or perhaps he has a strong sense of Contract obligation, and having promised the Diviner, he must prioritize dealing with Gu Mo and Jian Cunyi?

Perhaps that's part of the reason. After all, the strength that Gu Mo and Jian Cunyi displayed when they teamed up was so impressive that even Lin Yu was somewhat shocked.

Especially after he impersonated Shen Bingmiao's voice and gave Gu Mo some hints, the two of them, knowing the Authority the emperor wielded, would inevitably be able to make reasonable and targeted tactical adjustments.

Although Gu Mo was the one who suggested "pretending to be Shen Bingmiao," Lin Yu clearly did not intend to include Gu Mo in the conspiracy.

He planned to... lure Gu Mo along as well.

After all, if possible, Lin Yu would also like to give it a try...

If this lie Make It Real, could it reclaim the Senior Sister's sense of self and awaken her abilities as a "Fraudster"?

However, that's all in the future.

In short, although the emperor may indeed have had considerable fear and respect for Jian Cunyi and Gu Mo...

But these factors don't seem to be the main reason why he gave up on himself.

Could it be...?

Was the emperor not as concerned about himself as he thought, and were the Diviner's words merely bluffing and exaggeration?

No, that's not right either—even without the Diviner's reminder, the fact that "Copper Furnace" had offered a bounty on him, and that the "Emperor" had attacked him with all his might without any hesitation when they faced each other in the Karma Threads Illusion, all indicated his attitude.

Whether in words or deeds, the emperor clearly harbored immense and high-priority malice towards himself.

After eliminating all other possibilities, Lin Yu could only think of one thing.

This noble, proud, Supreme of the Nine and Five ruler...

Arrangements have been made—arrangements that will allow him to achieve his goals and expectations without having to personally intervene.

Yes... he was the "Emperor".

Why would an emperor need to do everything himself?

Thinking of this, Lin Yu immediately used [Ancient Notebook] again to refresh his Memory, first confirming that there were no other beings around who had received the "Oblivion" buff or had similar methods to approach him.

Having ruled out the "Diviner" who had returned, Lin Yu also reawakened Old Zheng.

"Old Zheng, help me use the mental network to eliminate... any hostile entities around me that are approaching me."

Lin Yu explained his needs to Old Zheng, then paused for a moment before speaking.

"No, just tag all the 'Player' heading here and I'll filter and judge them myself."

As Lin Yu was speaking, Old Zheng's voice rang out.

"Received, boss—do you think someone's planning an attack?"

"Of course..." The "Emperor" wouldn't let me off so easily. At least if I were him, I would arrange for some people to deal with me,"Lin Yu said coldly. "This is a rare opportunity, and after this, the 'Copper Furnace' will be almost entirely exposed to the 'Order's' vision. If they want to make a move against me, this may be their best and last chance."

"Learn."

After Old Zheng finished speaking, then...

Lin Yu sensed it; on the three-dimensional Map, a dozen or so human figures marked in red had appeared—they were rushing here from all directions.

To be honest, the quantity was a bit more than Lin Yu had expected.

After all... although the outcome of this battle is arguably the most important in the entire Shenzhen, in terms of sheer intensity, the battles on the top floor of the International Convention Center and at the intersection were far more brutal and involved far more people.

"The Order, the Night Watcher, and the Marauders actually managed to spare more than ten people to come here... That's truly remarkable."

While these guys, who are at most "Tier 3" and don't even have any Ranked Expert, certainly can't control the battle, or even exert any influence...

However, observing the results here is itself beneficial to one's own organization.

Being able to know the outcome of the battle immediately allows for a swift decision on whether to retreat or pursue.

This is indeed a strategically valuable operation that warrants our investment of manpower.

Lin Yu did not intend to interfere with their actions.

What he needs to do...

The goal is simply to identify the exceptional one among these moving people.

And this is not difficult to notice.

Because he could pinpoint the identities of most of them by observing fluctuations in Mental Power and the characteristics of their souls.

There was one person whose identity and mental fluctuation characteristics Lin Yu could not discern.

But...

This Mental Power Network, formed by millions of people in Shenzhen and covering the Shenzhen, has a far greater effect in "surveillance" and "investigation" than simply spreading one's Mental Power.

Because in addition to sensing "Mental Power," Lin Yu can also directly access the consciousness of ordinary people within it.

He can...

Share the audiovisual experiences of ordinary people.

Near the person Lin Yu had targeted, the seemingly dazed and sleepwalking ordinary people he passed on the Street now had Lin Yu's probing gaze behind their blank and vacant eyes.

Lin Yu recognized the person visually—although the person was wearing a mask and Baseball Cap, the light gait and the smooth hair coming out from behind the hat were enough for Lin Yu to identify the person.

"Cold Cicada... It really is true, we meet again."

The other party was also the fastest among all those who rushed here—he had already reached a place only ten meters away from where the "emperor" had descended.

So...

Lin Yu didn't hesitate much.

He directly activated the Wind Veins behind him, actively approaching "Cold Cicada".

"Whoosh--!"

As Cold Cicada walked forward, he raised his head. A gust of wind blew off his Baseball Cap, revealing his bright eyes.

"You've come to see me, haven't you?"

Cold Cicada was standing at an intersection, watching Lin Yu's figure descend from the sky and step onto the traffic light.

"Otherwise what?"

Cold Cicada reached out and smoothed her hair, then asked in a soft voice.

"I didn't come here for you. Did I come here... to get involved in that battle?"

Lin Yu raised an eyebrow. "What if? Why don't you give it a try?"

"Ha, an 'Emperor' battling a 'Grandmaster' and a 'Feng Shui Master'... even the aftershocks would be enough to kill me," Cold Cicada Director chuckled. "You really want me dead, don't you?"

Lin Yu stood directly above the Traffic Light, the red light numbers below him jumping as the countdown decreased.

"Of course I want you dead, after all... you came here to kill me too."

"In the Prison Mountain Realm, you were responsible for killing me; now that we're in the Real World, you're still the one killing me."

"The killer must also be prepared to be killed, right?"

Cold Cicada spoke frankly, "Yes, that's fair... but I have to correct myself. Back in the Prison Mountain Realm, it wasn't because of personal grudges, but purely because of my position and the fact that someone had commissioned me."

"I know," Lin Yu said, somewhat surprised, "But it seems like this time, there's a bit of personal grudge involved?"

Cold Cicada looked at Lin Yu: "It's not a 'personal grudge,' it's just that I had my own personal motives... But why do you seem so surprised? Didn't you anticipate that my actions and words in the Prison Mountain Realm would trigger spontaneous Killing Intent in me?"

"Oh, now that you mention it, I do sense it," Lin Yu, squatting down from the traffic light. "But... you brought three older sisters with you in the Prison Mountain Realm and they didn't do anything to me. Now in the Real World, I have more helpers here, right?"

"You've come alone. Are you planning to test how many 'Order' and 'Night Watcher' experts I can summon in this situation?"

Cold Cicada shook her head. "Of course not—I'm not even entirely confident in a one-on-one situation right now."

"Before we entered the Prison Mountain Realm, I was confident I could fight you one-on-one, but now I absolutely won't do that."

"So... Director, I'm not alone."

Even if you've already called for help, they should still be on their way.

Cold Cicada said, extending her hand.

The hat that had been blown away by the wind returned to his hands.

"But my helpers have arrived now."

The man who returned the hat to Cold Cicada was an elderly man, around fifty years old, who stepped out from behind Cold Cicada.

He had a fair complexion, a long beard, wore a tall hat and wide belt, and possessed a dignified and imposing presence.

The man looked at Lin Yu and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Director... I've heard so much about you."

"I am a member of the 'Copper Furnace,' and the 'Chancellor.'"

The traffic light at Lin Yu's feet counted down "three, two, one" and turned from red to yellow.

"Chancellor? I've long admired you..."

The yellow light turned green.

Before Lin Yu could finish his sentence, he had already vanished from the spot.

"Whoosh!"

A golden light flashed before the Chancellor and Cold Cicada.

Both of them were taken aback, not expecting Lin Yu to make the first move.

Before the Cold Cicada Silver Threads formed a fine net, and the Chancellor brandished a Precious Sword.

The golden light collided with their defensive techniques almost instantly...

It disappeared.

Then, the Chancellor and Cold Cicada reacted almost simultaneously.

"Oh no... he got away!"

As the traffic flowed forward with the traffic light turning green, Lin Yu stood atop a refrigerated van, waving to the two of them.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both... Well then, until we meet again!"