Social Obligations

Lin Yu never expected this...

After following the four members of the "Freedom Alliance" in a long circle, he ended up back at the hotel on the top floor of the "Shengjiang Building".

Although it wasn't the same room, Li Nian had booked this place.

With almost a full day to go before Thursday night, and the four members of the "Freedom Alliance" not being part of "Order," there was no need for them to set up checkpoints near the abandoned elevated highway in the south of the city in advance.

But...

Lin Yu had initially thought that these people would at least hold some kind of strategic meeting...

But these few people...

That's a bit too much freedom.

Old Zhou, the man in the vest, was exercising. He had just finished a set of Russian push-ups and was now doing clapping push-ups.

Xiao Yun, a girl in Black Dress, was sitting on his back, watching a beauty video.

Meanwhile, Qianhuan and Li Nian were playing Playing Cards with cards.

None of the four people seemed to care about Lin Yu in the room, as if he had actually opened the door and left...

It seemed like no one was stopping them.

"Is this what relaxation feels like?"

Lin Yu couldn't help but sigh.

Upon hearing Lin Yu's words, Old Zhou, who was doing push-ups, looked up.

"That's exactly what our 'Freedom Alliance' is all about. Intrigued?"

"I really like you, why don't you consider joining us!"

This is the second time Lin Yu has received such a warm invitation from the "Freedom Alliance".

Lin Yu smiled and politely declined.

"No need, everyone... Rather, as I've already said, I have an almost obsessive desire to 'become a hero.'"

"Among the Player, I think the organization that best embodies my aspirations is 'Order'."

Lin Yu emphasized this again.

Sitting on Old Zhou's back, Xiao Yun paused the video, blinked, and said, "But being able to analyze this 'desire' and express it so Leng Jing, perhaps our 'Freedom Alliance' is also a good fit for you."

"After all... we won't stop you from upholding justice."

Lin Yu declined again.

"Never mind."

Li Nian seemed to have been dealt a bad hand, and taking this opportunity, she dropped her cards and skipped over to Lin Yu.

"You dare refuse us time and again now that you're in our hands? Aren't you afraid we'll just kill you?"

"While we really don't want to be exposed, we're not particularly afraid of those two guys... If we were, none of us would have gotten involved in this mess!"

Li Nian spoke with a tone that was both playful and laced with a hint of fierceness.

Lin Yu looked at Li Nian, his expression unchanged.

"I can tell the difference between a threat and a joke; your words won't scare me."

"Of course... most importantly, joining the 'Freedom Alliance' is a 'good thing' from your perspective, and I'm declining the benefits you're offering without making you angry."

Qianhuan tossed the Playing Cards on the ground and lazily said, "I disagree with them. I think you're really suited for 'Order'..."

"It is precisely because of this consideration that I am somewhat reluctant to let you go."

Qianhuan spoke casually.

But compared to Li Nian just now, he now seemed like a genuine threat.

Upon hearing Qianhuan's words, the other three members of the "Freedom Alliance" also stopped what they were doing and showed expressions of great interest.

Although all three of them admired Lin Yu to some extent, and even had a slight liking for the "May" Lin Yu he was playing at the moment.

However, members of the "Freedom Alliance" organization do indeed enjoy a very high degree of freedom.

They wouldn't interfere with each other's decisions on such minor matters.

Qianhuan walked straight towards Lin Yu.

"If I told you that I'm willing to risk being hunted down by Li Hua and the Tycoon to kill you right here... what would you do?"

"To sacrifice like a 'real hero'?"

Qianhuan spoke, she flipped a sharp Playing Cards between her fingers and pressed it against Lin Yu's throat.

A chill ran through the sharp edges of the playing cards.

Without the cover of "Fluoxetine" and without the buffer of the Game Rules within the Instance.

Only when he faced Qianhuan directly did Lin Yu realize so clearly...

Qianhuan is someone I absolutely cannot confront head-on right now.

But what determines life and death is never just the difference in "strength".

Although Lin Yu, using the pseudonym "May May," explained his reason for staying as "a hero complex."

But Lin Yu himself doesn't have this kind of sentiment!

The most crucial reason he stayed as "Lin Yu" is...

With Li Nian and Qianhuan present, Lin Yu had many ways to ensure he wouldn't die.

All you need to do is throw out a little bit of "information".

Looking into Qianhuan's eyes, Lin Yu spoke calmly.

"You are the one who cannot kill me, because..."

You owe me a favor.

As Lin Yu spoke, Qianhuan narrowed her eyes.

"I owe you a favor? I'm only meeting you for the first time!"

Lin Yu silently took out his phone from his pocket and turned on the screen.

He secretly sent a message while we were in the restaurant.

That message wasn't a plea for help from anyone; it was fabricated "evidence" he was creating.

On the phone belonging to "May May", there was a text message from "Zhu Ming".

"The answer is correct. Let me know if you need anything; this answer is worth a favor from the 'Magician'."

Lin Yu looked at Qianhuan and spoke.

"I don't know if you've heard of 'Sherlock,' but he's my friend—and the reason he's willing to be my friend is because my puzzle-solving abilities are no less than his."

"So... I'm the one who solved the mystery of 'time and place'."

"Zhu Ming, please help me."

Qianhuan looked at Li Nian, Li Nian stepped forward with some surprise, picked up Lin Yu's phone, and confirmed the number.

"Really... Hey, what's your relationship with 'Zhu Ming'?!"

Lin Yu took the phone back from Li Nian's hand.

I have no obligation to tell you this.

He looked at Qianhuan and smiled, "If I'm not mistaken, the one who needs to get to the abandoned elevated road in the south of the city on Thursday night... is that you, 'Mr. Magician'?"

Qianhuan put away the Playing Cards.

"You got it right... What a surprise! I didn't expect that just randomly grabbing a Hostage from 'Order' would lead me to the guy I owe a favor to!"

Qianhuan looked at the other three.

"Hey, could you let me make a decision, repay the favor, and just let this kid go?"

"No problem," Li Nian said, resting her chin on her hand. "It's just a matter of changing hotels—anyway, if we release them, according to him, we won't be the primary target."

"As long as we don't go too far, 'Order' will definitely have to guard against 'Marauders' first."

Old Zhou and Xiao Yun didn't have any objections.

However, Lin Yu shook his head.

No, I don't plan to leave yet.