The Family Head's Promise

Regarding Nightless Sky Fire Apricot's statement earlier, Lin Yu actually wanted to say something...

Perhaps you're not overthinking it, but rather your mother genuinely has these concerns for you.

But Lin Yu ultimately didn't say it.

Lin Yu didn't want to get too involved in the relationship between the mother and daughter from the Nightless Sky Family.

After all... even the most upright officials find it difficult to settle family disputes, and Lin Yu wasn't sure if his judgment on these kinds of family relationships was accurate.

Moreover, neither side in this relationship, either Nightless Sky Fire Apricot or Nightless Sky Yong Lian, can be easily fathomed by common sense.

Even if my judgment is correct...

Lin Yu also felt that it was better to let Nightless Sky Fire Apricot think and draw her own conclusions.

Of course, after saying what she just said, Nightless Sky Fire Apricot obviously didn't continue thinking about that aspect.

"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore. Let's get back to the present... Once 'Sherlock' comes out, we'll continue our operation."

"Now that you've informed your mother that I'll be involved in the next operation, we don't need to sneak around anymore... What's the next step? Go to your 'home' for a show of things, then go find Paris, right?"

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot spoke, Lin Yu nodded.

"Yes, that's the process..."

"Understood— Pipi just reported Paris's location to me; he is indeed on the Beverage Factory production line," said Nightless Sky Fire Apricot, picking up the communicator. "In that case... we'll probably have to go to the Outer City, so I asked the butler to prepare a car in advance and pick you up directly from your residence."

"Once you reach the Outer City, you can enter the Beverage Factory with your Permission card —as for how you'll meet Paris, that depends on how you want to initiate the conversation with him."

"If it's just about getting access, I can do it by showing my face. After all, he'll give face to the Second Miss of the Nightless Sky Family no matter what. But if you want to cooperate with him more deeply, or if you're prepared to offer him benefits, I'll pretend to be your Retainer. Because my identity as a 'Chosen of God Candidate' was only recently announced, and this old fox is still observing. He probably doesn't want to get too involved with me. In this situation, if I get involved and try to develop a deeper cooperative relationship with him, I'll most likely be met with 'double compliance'."

Lin Yu looked at Nightless Sky Fire Apricot, who was quite surprised by how methodically she planned the next step of the plan and even analyzed the pros and cons of each option. "You're really organized—this side of you... is quite rare."

Listening to Lin Yu's words, Nightless Sky Fire Apricot pondered his implied meaning, crossed her arms, and said with some dissatisfaction, "What do you mean, Arthur? I am, after all, the 'Fairy Queen'... I have at least this basic ability to coordinate and plan, okay?"

"Don't underestimate me—I'm not some idiot with only a talent for Alchemy."

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot spoke, she turned to the side and nudged Lin Yu's lower back with her toe—because the step she was on was one step higher than Lin Yu's, she could easily do this.

Lin Yu did not dodge. Feeling the sensation in his lower back, like being repeatedly rammed by a rat wearing an iron helmet, he silently concentrated his qi and blood under that skin to resist the attack of the Nightless Sky Fire Apricot.

"I didn't mean to say you're only good at one subject... Of course I know you have the ability in this area, it's just... This is the first time I've seen you demonstrate this ability."

"Most of the time when I'm with you, you're quite easygoing and take things one step at a time."

Lin Yu explained, Nightless Sky Fire Apricot nodded in agreement.

"Hmm... that's true."

"But this time the situation is special, it involves matters of 'Authority,' so we have to be serious about it," said Nightless Sky Fire Apricot, crossing her arms and stretching her shoulders and neck. "It's even closely related to my own future... Arthur, you truly deserve to be the new head of Truth Company's strategic projects. Your ability to make promises and your ability to hold this position are truly convincing."

Lin Yu said helplessly, "I didn't get the 'Fear' project just because I can make empty promises..."

"Eh--what's the reason for that?"

"Nightless Sky Fire Apricot asked curiously."

Lin Yu said, "It's fate... we just happened to meet."

"Just a coincidence?" Nightless Sky Fire Apricot curled her lips. "Even considering your status as a 'Otherworlder,' it can't be explained by 'just a coincidence'... After all, an ordinary person might never come into contact with an Authority in their entire life."

"Why do you always seem to run into Authority? Don't you find it strange, Arthur?"

"After all, I overheard your conversation with your mother just now... Even setting aside 'fear,' you've still come into contact with at least two 'Authority,' right? And these Two Authorities are practically in your hands now."

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot looked at Lin Yu and asked.

Lin Yu neither denied nor admitted it.

After all... it's fair to say he wielded Two Authorities.

But in reality... there are far more than two.

Lin Yu himself certainly didn't take this for granted—even if he initially thought it was a coincidence when he first obtained the Authority "information," as he encountered more and more Authority and learned more and more secrets, Lin Yu knew very well that it was definitely not a "coincidence."

There is indeed some kind of force that guides these Authority to attract and draw closer to themselves.

In Lin Yu's view, this might be due to "Destiny"—after all, although Destiny, as the Authority, has been shattered, it can no longer have a wide-ranging impact.

However, it is also possible that one has carried a Fragment of Fate from the very beginning, and this Destiny has been subtly influencing one's life all along.

Even... Lin Yu felt it might have nothing to do with "Destiny".

After all, all the forces related to "Authority" that he has encountered so far share a common characteristic that is not difficult to discover.

They all have some connection with Lin Zhao to varying degrees.

Furthermore, from the few words spoken by the "emperor" and the "general," Lin Yu could easily deduce that his older sister in the Previous Version likely played a role similar to a "master of Authority collection."

She may indeed have acquired a considerable amount of Authority through her efforts.

Is it possible for Lin Zhao to ensure that these Authority remain in his own hands through arrangements that span across different versions of the story?

Lin Yu felt that... this was also highly possible.

After all, every Authority he held seemed to be part of Lin Zhao's plan when he carefully examined it.

That's all...

Lin Yu didn't know how to explain it to Nightless Sky Fire Apricot.

However, before Nightless Sky Fire Apricot could press for further details...

"Squeak--"

The library door opened.

Fu Luo strode out from inside, interrupting the conversation that Lin Yu and Nightless Sky Fire Apricot were having.

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot was actually just chatting with Lin Yu and didn't really want to pry into Lin Yu's abilities regarding "Authority." So when she saw Fu Luo come out, she naturally changed the subject.

"Oh-Mr Sherlock, this way!"

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot stood up and greeted Fu Luo warmly.

Although she met Fu Luo very infrequently, she acted as if she were very familiar with Fu Luo.

Fu Luo followed the sound and looked in the direction of Huo Xing and Lin Yu from Nightless Sky Fire Apricot. He then stepped forward and spoke somewhat awkwardly.

"Your Excellency Fire Apricot... and also, Arthur."

Looking at Fu Luo, Lin Yu asked, "Are you done or just came out for some fresh air?"

"It's over, it's over... His Family Head told me that we should just continue doing what we were supposed to do," Fu Luo said, sighing slightly. "This is truly the longest story I've ever told."

Lin Yu raised an eyebrow. "Why do you say that?"

Fu Luo sighed, "Do you even need to ask... She still insists I tell the story in the first person. How much conviction do I need to have to continue acting like Sherlock Holmes and recounting my own experiences, even knowing she understands I'm telling a 'fictional story'?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yu nodded slightly. "To be honest... I think even if the Family Head doesn't know the Truth, your self-proclaimed status as Sherlock Holmes shows a considerable level of conviction."

Fu Luo smiled wryly, "Don't make fun of me."

Lin Yu said seriously, "How can this be considered a joke? Have you forgotten that my main job is Actor... For Actor, this is a talent, a rare ability—to truly immerse oneself in a virtual character, to put oneself in that person's shoes, and to tell the story and experiences of that character in the first person. This is the state that all Method Actor dream of!"

"So I think even if you don't become a 'Detective,' you can still achieve great things as Actor."

Lin Yu explained to Fu Luo.

Fu Luo was momentarily taken aback by Lin Yu's Lin Yu words.

Is... is that so?

Lin Yu reiterated, "Of course, when have I ever lied to you?"

Hearing Lin Yu's words, Fu Luo's expression softened considerably.

Clearly, Lin Yu's words did help him get out of the "awkward" situation.

Fu Luo nodded slightly and said, "That's true... At least judging from the result, His Family Head was actually quite pleased to hear it."

"Oh, right... Arthur, although the Family Head said we can leave now, she asked me to give you a message after the story ends."

She said, "Tell Arthur that I roughly understand his whole plan, and that he can do it without worry. I will naturally ensure the safety of all of them."