A Strange Puzzle, a New Mission

Freedom... is it really freedom?

Lin Yu savored the words from the "Dionysus" and repeated them.

Hearing Lin Yu repeat himself, Yin Lan composed herself and spoke with a hint of helplessness.

"Oh dear, I know you're definitely innocent. I've seen Li Hua's [Item] records... However, a single [Item] record left by Li Hua and my testimony as an indirect witness aren't enough to get you through the process immediately."

"However, don't worry," although the "Grandmaster" didn't directly vouch for you, her meaning was similar... In addition, the "Hacker" and the "General" are actually biased towards you, so you'll definitely be fine today."

As she spoke, Yin Lan ate another bite of Shaomai, took a small sip of wine, and lowered her voice.

"This is what the 'professor' told me; his conclusion... won't lie."

Hearing Yin Lan's words, Lin Yu also scooped out the almost soaked Shaomai from the bowl and put it in his mouth.

"I hope so... I just hope it doesn't take too long."

After all, once everything that happened in Shenzhen settled down, the landscape of the entire "Player" community underwent a tremendous change.

Just considering his role as "Director," Lin Yu certainly still has a lot of follow-up work to do.

Not to mention...

He is not only a "Director".

Yin Lan expressed her understanding after hearing Lin Yu's words.

"It must be really tough being stuck here 'in jail' during this crucial period, but... think of it this way, give yourself a chance to catch your breath. I think you might need a break."

Lin Yu ate his Shaomai and asked again.

"That makes sense... However, what exactly is this 'process'? Since the 'professor,' 'Grandmaster,' and even the 'general' all subjectively believe I'm fine, then what is the current process...?"

"I knew you'd ask that, since there aren't many people within the organization who actually know this—to be honest, I'd heard before that 'Order' has a dedicated 'Internal Fact-Finding Adjudication' process, but I really didn't Item what it was like."

"After all, this kind of thing has happened once or twice before," Yin Lan seemed more talkative after venting her emotions, perhaps partly due to the alcohol. "Sometimes I have this thought, 'What's the point of this?' But after this time, I understand... We really should have these standardized procedures in place, because there will always be a time when they're needed... I'm getting off-topic."

"Let's get back to the process itself. Simply put, the first step is for the 'professor' and some civilian staff to cross-check the evidence with all the people who submitted the reports. Then someone goes to the scene to investigate and verify, checking whether the reports conflict with the factual basis or are questionable," Yin Lan said, twirling her chopsticks. "After this step, the next step is a blind trial by the public. We find some members within the organization who are not yet aware of the full picture of the matter, summarize all the current reports and evidence, conceal key information that could identify the 'identity,' and submit the pure chain of evidence and the statements in the reports to them for objective judgment to determine whether you are guilty and what measures need to be taken."

"Finally, after these two steps, the person involved will be voted on by their immediate supervisor, colleagues from the same department, colleagues from other departments, the regional head of 'Order,' or someone from the 'Decision-making Level.' The final result, along with all the information from the three-step Internal Adjudication process, will be made public within our organization."

As Yin Lan spoke, Lin Yu finally understood.

This is indeed a very rigorous and time-consuming process.

"Being meticulous is better; at least it can ensure my innocence..."

Lin Yu paused, then suddenly remembered something and pondered, "Ah... no, if the second step is a blind trial, it might actually cause some trouble."

Yin Lan was stunned. "Huh? What trouble?"

After thinking for a moment, Lin Yu said, "I think my part of the report is a bit far-fetched if it's viewed through a 'blind review.' Did you notice how I noticed the suspicion surrounding the 'Secretary' in the report I submitted?"

Yin Lan nodded. "I glanced at it. Wasn't the most crucial thing to unlock 'Sherlock's' 'hint'? What happened?"

"It seems you didn't read carefully. Let me explain in detail the 'puzzle-solving approach' and 'hint connections' I wrote in my report..."

As he spoke, Lin Yu briefly recounted to Yin Lan how the riddle "VII/120" led to the answer "Vell Valetti," and how it became connected to the "Secretary."

Yin Lan and the "Secretary" are clearly two completely different types, and their puzzle-solving abilities are worlds apart.

But her reaction after hearing it was no different from the "Secretary's".

"This is... utterly ridiculous, it feels like you made this up."

"However, considering it's 'Sherlock'... well, and you too, it doesn't seem impossible—though it's still far-fetched, I don't know why, but it somehow feels a little more believable."

Yin Lan spoke, Lin Yu nodded.

"You see, this is the problem," Comrade "Dionysus" said... "This 'reasoning process' is far beyond common sense, so I think that if we conduct a blind trial and conceal the 'key identity information,' then without knowing that the question setter is Fu Luo and the person responsible for solving the puzzle is me... I think it's very easy for the members participating in the blind trial to make an Error judgment."

As Lin Yu spoke, Yin Lan fell into thought.

"Your concerns... seem reasonable, and it's indeed easy to misjudge, but I don't think it's a big problem."

"Because members participating in the 'blind review' must write down the basis and reasons for their judgments, if they feel there are doubts about the 'reasoning process,' they will raise them proactively—at which point the decision-making stage will reconsider whether their doubts arose because they did not know that the puzzle was posed by 'Sherlock.'"

"Furthermore, the entire process will be made public, so... well, I think it's fine. We'll definitely get the process completed today."

Yin Lan comforted Lin Yu.

Lin Yu nodded. "Indeed, I'm relieved to see there's a 'public announcement'..."

At this point, Lin Yu asked another question.

"But you've been emphasizing 'today' since just now... Comrade 'Dionysus,' does the organization have another task for me to complete soon?"

Lin Yu asked, but Yin Lan shook her head, denying Lin Yu's question.

"No, I only said that the professor emphasized it today—I was just afraid you'd worry."

After hearing Yin Lan's explanation, Lin Yu thought for a moment and then spoke again.

"On the contrary, I feel even more strongly that I should be assigned a new task today."

"Although the 'professor' may not have asked you to convey this to me, the fact that he emphasized today to you... and from your words, I can tell that you were subconsciously greatly influenced, indicates that the 'professor' must have 'extra emphasis' on today's timeframe. I think he probably just didn't tell you that I would have a 'new task'."

"Or perhaps... the professor hadn't actually made up his mind yet, but the thought just popped into his head, so he subconsciously emphasized 'time' to you."

"After all, the emphasis of this notification and implication shouldn't have been on the 'time point' in the first place."

As Lin Yu analyzed the situation, Yin Lan subconsciously said, "No way..."

Despite saying that, Yin Lan was still somewhat swayed.

And at this time...

"Buzz--"

Yin Lan's phone, which was on the table, vibrated and the screen lit up.

She turned on her phone screen, and then a look of surprise appeared on her face.

"Wow..." Director, "Comrade, you were right..."

She turned her phone screen around, and it showed the latest message from the "professor".

[Professor: Regarding the Internal Adjudication on the "Director," the blind review phase has concluded, and the decision-making phase will begin soon. I have expedited the process.]

[Professor: Inform the "Director" to prepare to enter the "Barren Realm" tonight. There are still many unresolved issues regarding the "Secretary's" death that need further attention. He needs to participate in this action team and serve as its leader. I will provide him with the specific action plan later.]

[Professor: I will issue an order to the South China Region later to retrieve the Remote Teaming Item from the nearest location.]

Lin Yu looked at the message the professor had sent and then turned to Yin Lan.

"Is this how you informed me?"

Yin Lan glanced at Lin Yu and shrugged. "What's wrong with that? We've already been notified... and there hasn't been any 'semantic wear and tear' or distortion."

Lin Yu sighed, "That's true... But entering the 'Barren Realm' tonight... that's really rushed."

Hearing Lin Yu say that, Yin Lan sighed softly.

"That's a good thing, at least you'll have something to keep you busy..."

Lin Yu said, "You just said that I was staying in this hotel to relax."

Yin Lan was already slightly tipsy. She rubbed her nose and said, "It does seem a bit off... but when I think about it, it doesn't seem to be a problem. Taking a break or finding something to do to distract myself wouldn't be a bad thing, right?"

"According to your calculations, how could anything bad happen?"

Lin Yu said softly.

Yin Lan smiled and said, "Yes... but no matter what the mission is tonight, please be careful and take care of yourselves," Director.

Lin Yu nodded. "I will, don't worry about that."

Lin Yu paused for a moment, then said, "However, could you also please pass on my message to the 'Professor'?"

"Before entering the 'Barren Realm' tonight, after the decision-making phase ends, that is, after the public announcement begins, I will leave here directly to take care of some personal matters—when the team-type [Item] are ready, just tell me the location, and I'll go get them myself."