The real Schreiber was the counterfeit Old Zheng, while the counterfeit Schreiber was the real Old Zheng

After several rehearsals, Old Zheng is now almost "very skilled" at playing the role of "Schreiber".

Therefore, after receiving Lin Yu's instructions, Old Zheng quickly adjusted himself and got into character.

As Lin Yu and "Liuli" continued forward, approaching the Alley...

A series of unhurried footsteps echoed in the alley.

"Pat-pat, pat."

A gloomy man wearing a white coat and gold-rimmed glasses walked out of the alley, a faint smile on his face.

"Hello, my two 'Marauders' friends."

Lin Yu looked at the figure he had planned to appear, but his face showed a completely unfathomable astonishment.

Then, that surprise turned into anger.

"Schreiber... it's you again!"

Lin Yu gritted his teeth and stared intently at the man wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

His fists were clenched so tightly that the veins on the back of his hands and even his forearms were bulging and his muscles were taut, as if he would punch the man in front of him in the face at any moment and shatter his glasses.

Liuli recognized the newcomer and spoke coldly after hearing Lin Yu's angry voice.

"Schreiber, is it... Why didn't you go after the Psychology Society? What's the meaning of appearing in front of us at this time?"

Liuli asked, Old Zheng, who was playing the role of "Schreiber," also slightly spread his hands.

"You all seem to have a huge Error about me. I'm not some fanatic obsessed with the 'Psychology Society'... For me, the 'Psychology Society' is certainly important, but it's just, well, a part of my life and plans, not 'the whole thing'."

"For me, the most important things to consider are how to 'design Trial,' how to increase the strength of 'Player,' and how to create 'Player' who can truly reach their 'upper limit.'"

"The Psychology Society is essentially just a means to an end for me."

Old Zheng continued his statement.

Lin Yu would give Old Zheng's performance a score of 7.5 out of 10 for this monologue-like statement.

"That's really good, Old Zheng, you're getting better and better... at least when you were playing 'Schreiber,' you were getting better and better."

"However, this character is based on him, and what he just did might have been a bit of a 'natural performance'... Well, even if it's a 'natural performance,' some people still can't act it well. What Old Zheng did is really good."

Lin Yu praised Old Zheng's performance in his heart, but on the surface, he showed his disgust for Old Zheng.

"The people in the 'Psychology Society' are all mentally unstable lunatics, and you're no different from them... Your explanation just now only makes us think you're even more insane."

Lin Yu didn't hold back his malice, offering his frank comments.

Such words certainly didn't bother Old Zheng —whether it was "Schreiber" or the First Generation "Freud," being called a "madman" was practically a familiar "routine."

Old Zheng simply nodded slightly. "What you said is true... However, I'm not telling you this in a way that you can understand."

Liuli stared at Old Zheng and said, "So, what exactly do you want to do?"

Old Zheng held up a finger. "What else could I be doing here? Of course, it's... Trial!"

"I have come here in person at this moment... because this moment in Shenzhen is the perfect opportunity for me to Trial you both and unleash your potential!"

Old Zheng was speaking, before Lin Yu could reply, Liuli spoke up with a puzzled expression.

"Huh? You've mistaken me for someone else. Me and 'Yayu'?"

"I'm someone who stumbled and struggled, taking three tries to finally reach 'Tier 2.' I'm only alive today thanks to 'A'yu,' Sister Yu. Without her sharing [Item] with me and helping me through the levels, I don't know which [Instance] I would have died long ago... Do I really need this Trial?"

As she spoke, Liuli looked at Lin Yu beside her. "If you say I was just a bonus from 'Yayu,' I could accept it... To be honest, 'Yayu' is indeed quite capable, but... she doesn't really need any Trial, does she?"

"This girl is getting stronger very quickly, and she's also good at putting pressure on herself—after all, she's a complete newbie, a 'Player' who hasn't even been 'Tier 1' for long. Why are you Trial her?"

"The two of us... don't need to be 'Trial' at all, do we?"

"Furthermore, as you just mentioned... Shenzhen is currently in a special period, and the situation is very complicated—under these circumstances, shouldn't you be looking for 'others'? Stronger, more promising, more famous... Although I don't know what that standard is, according to the current 'Psychology Society' standards, the two of us should definitely not be the primary targets."

As Liuli spoke, she kept pressing for more questions.

But Old Zheng remained patient, and instead of getting flustered by Liuli's questions, he patiently explained again.

"Indeed, by the current standards of the Psychology Society, perhaps neither of you would be suitable candidates for the 'Trial'... But I have always had serious doubts about the current standards of the Psychology Society."

"You two, 'Yayu' and 'Liuli'... I think you're both very promising. Although most 'Player' don't know your names yet, and even if they do, they'll mostly see you as 'A'yu's' lackeys... Even if they've gotten to know you better, they'll just think that one of you is just an interesting 'Tier 1' newbie, and the other is just a 'Tier 2' with a bit of cleverness."

"But in my eyes... it's actually the two of you who are the most 'Trial' in this Shenzhen right now."

Liuli looked at Lin Yu, then turned back to him. "Really? Schreiber, are you serious? Me and 'Yayu' are the most valuable in Shenzhen right now?"

Even if you can ignore the Psychology Society, which you care about most... you shouldn't waste your precious time on the two of us.

"Don't you know the 'Freedom Alliance' is here? Almost the entire group is here! 'Beast Master,' 'Master Thief,' 'Fishing Man'... aren't they all extraordinary individuals, and all considered experts at a bottleneck in their skill development?"

"The rising star of 'Order,' the 'Director,' is here, along with many top-tier members of 'The Night Watcher'... Even among the 'Marauders,' frankly, 'Ling Xian' and 'Li Zi' are far more valuable than us."

"I really don't know what your criteria are—even if they differ from those of the 'Psychology Society,' yours should at least be... logically consistent, right?"

"I believe you are the Orthodoxy successor of the Founder of the 'Psychology Society,' but the more 'Orthodoxy' you are, the more you should... convince me and persuade me."

"Liuli" spoke quickly and clearly.

Clearly, she was genuinely trying to persuade the "Schreiber" in front of her.

As a "Tier 2" member, she is indeed relatively weak in terms of direct combat abilities, and in the "Marauders," an organization that highly values individual violence, she is almost an anomaly.

However... Lin Yu knew very well that she was definitely not a useless person who had only survived to this day because of "A'yu's " help.

"Liuli" was able to advance to "Tier 2" and even have a certain say among the "Marauders" not only because of her relationship with A'yu, but also because her abilities in all aspects other than positive ones are excellent and outstanding!

For example, those words, if spoken by someone else, might not convey the meaning as well.

Clearly, Liuli had carefully considered her words and negotiation methods, as her target was "Schreiber." She knew exactly what her words were meant to achieve and had considered in a very short time what kind of words would persuade someone like "Schreiber."

If the "Schreiber" in front of him is a real person, Lin Yu felt that these words had a high probability of interfering with and shaking the decision made by "Schreiber".

At least, they would be willing to let "Schreiber" continue listening.

It's just a pity...

"Schreiber" doesn't exist—the person playing that role now isn't even himself, but Old Zheng.

Old Zheng's current thoughts and judgments are clearly not influenced by these things.

So...

He simply shrugged at Liuli's words.

"What you say may have a point... but I know in my heart that I am self-consistent, and that's enough."

"I don't need to show you all this— 'Trial' aren't some carefully chosen Christmas present from your parents that you can return if you don't like it after opening it."

"If lightning strikes a tree in the sky, or a rock rolls down the road and hits someone—and it happens to you, don't think about whether you can prevent it from happening; instead, think about how you can cope with this calamity."

"Would you negotiate with Lightning or rocks?"

"The 'Trial' I'm referring to is essentially a 'predestined' event: it's inevitable and inescapable."

"So... the Trial has begun," Old Zheng said in a Liuli voice, then praised, "Although you are a 'Tier 2' Player and a very intelligent one, in terms of adaptability... the one next to you is much faster than you."

Old Zheng sighed and then used the title "Schreiber" to praise Lin Yu.

This praise was not entirely unfounded...

After all, Lin Yu's current posture already looked like he was about to pounce on him at any moment.

"The Yayu... is indeed more perceptive."

Liuli spoke softly, looking at the person in front of her.

"Alright," Schreiber, since you're determined to 'Trial' us no matter what, then... begin."

As Liuli spoke, she heard a new, faint sound behind her.

Turning around, Liuli saw a simple yet tall man standing behind the two of them, carrying Knight Commander.

"The members of the 'Marauders'... have been found!"

"Sure enough, there are still some who escaped the net in this city!"