The strange Xiao Nian

The so-called "Grandmaster Faction" is not a real faction within the "Order," but rather a kind of insider slang used to describe members like "Grandmaster" Gu Mo who do not regard the Native Wisdom life of the Ten Realms as having equal rights with humans in the Real World, or even grant them basic human rights.

Of course, the "Grandmaster faction" itself encompasses different types: some simply view "non-human" Wisdom life from Other Worlds as beings without human rights, while others believe that the Native the Ten Realms still possess a basic "right to life" but not any further rights...

Therefore, Lin Yu was not surprised that there were similar ideas about "Xiao Nian".

What he found strange was...

Xiao Nian seems to be more accepting of "Schreiber" than she had imagined.

From what I've observed so far, Xiao Nian 'Lin Yu expression and tone when mentioning "Schreiber" have not expressed any "dissatisfaction."

In the online Group Chat, because her words were in "text" form, Lin Yu assumed that she mentioned these things intentionally because she was somewhat "cautious" against "Schreiber".

After all, considering Xiao Nian's identity and experience, as well as the style of behavior she observed in the Nether Void Realm last time, Lin Yu felt that it was only natural for her to be wary of "Schreiber's" involvement and have some reservations.

But after actually seeing the Xiao Nian, Lin Yu realized...

She doesn't seem to mind working temporarily with "Schreiber".

Lin Yu even felt that she seemed quite happy to have "Schreiber" do the "dirty work".

On the contrary, Ren Gu, who was outside the Xiao Nian, expressed his doubts again after thinking about it.

"Director, although I know you've already proven it to the professor, I still want to ask... are you sure Schreiber is reliable?"

"If we really need to rely on him to obtain intelligence, how can we be sure that he's not using us, or that he won't falsify the information he gives us?"

Lin Yu said, "Of course you don't need to worry about that... I'll just say one thing."

"Schreiber and Sherlock are actually quite good friends—I mentioned to the professor that Schreiber also has a very wide network of connections in the Barren Realm."

"In reality, that identity was something he acquired through 'Sherlock'."

Although "Sherlock" didn't know he was "Schreiber" at the time, it didn't hinder their relationship.

As Lin Yu spoke, Ren Gu stroked his chin.

"So... this operation can actually be considered Schreiber 'returning a favor'?"

Lin Yu nodded. "Yes, and... although the main purpose of coming to the Barren Realm this time is to investigate the cooperation between 'Secretary' and 'Supreme Evolution,' it's not entirely unrelated to 'Sherlock,' is it?"

"After all... you've all seen the report, right?" Lin Yu said. "The reason Comrade Li Hua and I were able to identify the 'Secretary' as the mole was largely because we received a tip from A Luo."

Hearing this, Good Night Xi Ba complained, "Damn, I remember now, that 'Vill Valetti'... Wow, damn, that's really outrageous... Getting this name from the Barren Realm from 'Xi Ba' and 'one hundred and twenty' is ridiculous enough, but Xi Ba, this name even matches up with 'Secretary'!"

Paper Kite was somewhat shocked. "You actually read the report carefully, and you even remembered the 'puzzle' and the 'answer'."

Good Night looked at Paper Kite with some dissatisfaction. "Hey, Xi Ba Paper Kite, don't look down on me... I'll still read the reports related to 'Director,' okay?"

Yin Lan interrupted, "Actually, you should read every single report carefully!"

Good Night didn't directly respond to Yin Lan, "Now is not the time to talk about my Xi Ba things. Isn't the most important thing right now what the Director just said?"

Xiao Nian walked up to Lin Yu with his hands behind his back. "Indeed, even though I've read your report... I didn't really think this mission had anything to do with 'Sherlock'."

Lin Yu calmly said, "A Luo discovered the connection between the 'Secretary' and the 'Copper Furnace' in this realm... Actually, he initially just wanted to investigate who was putting a bounty on me."

"But in the end, he discovered that 'Secretary' was actually an undercover agent planted by 'Copper Furnace' within 'Order'," Lin Yu paused, "And it is now known that 'Secretary' was a 'Player' from the previous version, and one of the main traces of his activities in this realm is that he had cooperated with 'Supreme Evolution'."

"Then... let's make another bold assumption: perhaps 'Sherlock' was able to uncover the 'Secretary's' undercover identity precisely because he found traces and evidence of the 'Secretary's' activities in the Previous Version, isn't that right?"

"Perhaps besides searching for the facilities, technology, and personnel left behind by the 'Supreme Evolution,' there is another path... that is, following the traces of 'Sherlock's' investigation to find out what he found."

"Although this method isn't very reliable and relies somewhat on 'luck'... it might actually yield unexpected benefits."

As Lin Yu was speaking, Loquat Candy chimed in.

"Really? But what does that have to do with 'Schreiber'?"

Lin Yu said in a low voice, "Because this is probably Schreiber's investigation plan and direction... We don't need to allocate manpower to do this; we just need to let Schreiber try this direction."

Xiao Nian said in confusion, "Wow, how could Schreiber be so kind? Even if he's connected with Sherlock, why would he help us investigate these things?"

Questions about the Xiao Nian...

Lin Yu had, of course, already thought of an answer.

"Because he wasn't helping us, or assisting the Order in investigating the technology related to the 'Supreme Evolution' Authority... these were just clues he might stumble upon."

"In reality, all Schreiber wanted... was the 'Truth' from beginning to end."

Lin Yu said in a low voice.

He wants to investigate the Truth behind Sherlock's death—the whole truth.

Paper Kite was quite surprised. "Hasn't the Truth already come to light? Even... the murderer has been brought to justice!"

But Ren Gu seemed to understand what Lin Yu meant by "the whole Truth".

"While the most important aspect of a case is uncovering the 'murderer,' it contains much more information than just the 'murderer'..."

"The details of the case, the killer's method, the murder weapon, the motive... a murder is like a complete chain; if any link is missing, it cannot be called 'the Truth'."

Lin Yu nodded.

"Yes," Schreiber thought... since A Luo is a "Detective," he couldn't let the whole story remain so unclear after he had delivered the message and the mystery."

"He wanted the whole Truth to come to light—so rather than helping out out of gratitude, it's more accurate to say that 'Schreiber' was involved in this from the very beginning to investigate the whole 'Truth' and reconstruct the entire course of events."

Upon hearing this, Loquat Candy couldn't help but sigh, "Does this mean that 'Sherlock's' obsession has been put to rest?"

"Rather than fulfilling 'Sherlock's' obsession, it's more like a special way of mourning," Ren Gu said softly, his tone somewhat moved. "Because 'Sherlock' was a 'Detective'... so to investigate the clearest 'Truth' and ensure his death leaves no 'ambiguity'... this result and process itself is a form of mourning."

Loquat Candy pondered, "So that's how it is... It does fit the character of that 'Schreiber' —he calls himself a successor of 'Freud,' so it's not entirely surprising that he would have such strange ideas."

"I really didn't expect Schreiber to have this side to him. He's not completely insane. Maybe I should try to understand him more deeply," Paper Kite whispered. "But thinking about it, it's not surprising. After all, in the events in Shenzhen, it was precisely because of his actions at the last moment that a lot of unnecessary trouble was reduced, and you could even say that many casualties were minimized."

Xiao Nian nodded and said, "I've heard about this too... So, people are complicated, and what is considered 'good' or 'bad' is often relative—if I had the chance, I'd actually like to get to know him."

"Let's skip that Xi Ba; he's actually quite annoying in person."

Good Night's words rang out.

Listening to their conversation, Lin Yu couldn't help but think that having Schreiber appear at the last moment in the Shenzhen [Instance] had indeed brought some benefits.

At least... although Schreiber is still considered a "dangerous element" and a very threatening guy by the standards of "Order".

But in reality, many members of "Order" now have somewhat complicated views of him.

After all, most members of "Order" have relatively high moral standards and their Values are basically similar to universal values.

When Schreiber objectively does something good and does them a favor, it's difficult for these people to maintain a completely opposing and hostile attitude towards Schreiber.

Just like those so-called "Grandmaster" who, when they actually see Commoner people in danger in the Ten Realms, most of them still can't help but step forward and lend a helping hand.

Of course... even considering this, Lin Yu still felt that Xiao Nian's attitude was a bit too strange.

After all, she wasn't a witness to the Shenzhen incident...

But in any case, Xiao Nian's lack of aversion to "Schreiber" is a good thing for Lin Yu.

Therefore, Lin Yu decided not to investigate further for the time being.

"Alright, we can discuss these details on the way tomorrow," Lin Yu said, looking at Xiao Nian, "Since we're spending the night here... let's assign us rooms."

"My place has quite a few guest rooms. Let's divide them by area: two of you from South China will share a room, two of you from Central China will share a room... Paper Kite will have a room by herself, and Dionysus and I, the two girls, will share a room."

Xiao Nian said somewhat casually.

No one else objected, but Good Night jumped up from the sofa.

"Xi Ba, why is Paper Kite in a single room?! I protest!"

Xiao Nian looked at Good Night and scratched his head.

"Oh... then you can have a room by yourself, and let Paper Kite and the Director share one."

"That won't do either. I'll be scared to sleep Xi Ba at night," Good Night said righteously. "Let Paper Kite share a room with me, and the Director can have a single room!"