Lin Yu's Loophole
If Lin Yu wanted everyone to immediately discover the illusion that "Xia Yue is not dead," he could have made the disappearance of "Xia Yue's" body even more sensational.
An explosion... or perhaps [the Mask] deliberately left footage of "Xia Yue" stumbling out of the police station on the surveillance camera—these would be enough to solidify the claim that "Xia Yue" has been Resurrection.
But Lin Yu did not do that.
What he wanted wasn't for Xia Yue to Resurrection, but for everyone to believe that Xia Yue was alive!
Because the investigation by "Order" was not thorough enough, the Truth at the time remains somewhat ambiguous.
Given that ordinary people are investigating Player, and that the "Death game" is Thought Interference, it is entirely possible for the "Player" to use some kind of Item disguised as their own corpse to fake their death.
There are even precedents for this approach.
However, this is where the first loophole regarding Xia Yue arises—"time".
Xia Yue was murdered by Fluoxetine in the afternoon, and her body was discovered before midnight.
The fact that she died in the afternoon has not been "erased".
If Xia Yue is truly a promising "newcomer," then either she passes the first Instance, and the fact of her "death" is directly reversed and disappears.
Either she failed the first Novice instance, or the fact of her death still exists.
According to Fluoxetine and the "Psychology Society's" assessment, Xia Yue was not Player in the "afternoon".
The "Player" do indeed possess many amazing and ingenious methods, and can use some kind of magical Item to fool the Police, making them mistake a fake corpse for a real one.
Furthermore, the "Player" has ample motivation to do so—especially when being killed by another Player, concealing the fact that they are still alive can save their life.
But how could someone who isn't Player do this, and what reason would they have to do so?
Fortunately, Lin Yu had already patched up this loophole in advance.
He parked his bicycle in front of a shopping mall, walked into a fire escape in a blind spot of the surveillance cameras, changed into a pre-prepared outfit, and quickly activated [Mask] and [Counterfeit].
After wandering around the mall for a while, Lin Yu took out a brand new phone and hailed a taxi to the commercial street in the center of Jiang City.
Today, besides visiting Xia Yue and disposing of her body, he also has an appointment to attend.
He got out of the ride-hailing car and went to an elegant Coffee shop, where he walked straight to the bar and sat down.
Beside her sat an excessively young girl, wearing Baseball Cap and sunglasses, sipping a fruit-flavored Coffee drink topped with whipped cream.
"Hey, A Nian, you made quite a commotion the other day."
Li Nian, who had her legs crossed, pulled down her sunglasses, glanced at "Zhu Ming" who was wearing a floral shirt and jeans, and spoke.
"It seems you're very well-informed, but let's not talk about that now..."
"You previously stated that you killed Player a bounty exceeding 500,000 from the 'Hunter Society Guild,' and we have verified that it is indeed true— 'Red Fuji' from 'The Marauders' has been confirmed dead, and the time and location match your description. The photographic evidence you submitted is also sufficient to prove it."
"Although there are rumors that it was done by a rising star 'Doctor'... the fact that you managed to get him to willingly give you the credit is proof of your skill and ability."
"In short, congratulations! You've fulfilled one of the three conditions. Now you just need to fulfill one more condition."
Li Nian spoke, Lin Yu nodded.
"Okay, I understand."
"So which one do you choose? To join us in the Game and play once, or to join another organization?" Li Nian flipped her hand and pulled out a black card. "If you choose the former... this is a [Team-up Card]."
"We've already discussed and decided on the candidates; 'Mountaineer' and I will be conducting this Instance assessment."
Li Nian spoke, she seemed quite certain that Lin Yu would choose the "former" option.
After all, this "Miss. Zhu Ming" had already made it very clear when she first came to our door.
She offended the "Marauders" and the "Psychology Society," and disliked "Order."
Although it's still unclear how this girl offended the "Psychology Society," she definitely had a deep grudge against the "Marauders" after what happened on the ferry across the river.
Even "Red Fuji," who completed the first mission, is a key figure in the "Marauders."
Although after interacting with that girl named "May May" a few days ago, it seems she has some connection with that rising star who is about to join "Order"...
But considering Zhu Ming's actions and demeanor, Li Nian was quite certain that she wouldn't, and couldn't, join "Order."
So...
This guy can't possibly join a "Psychology Society," can he?
Unexpectedly, Lin Yu gently picked up the [Team-up Card], played with it in his hand for a moment, and then stuffed it back into Li Nian's shirt pocket.
"I choose option two... It's not too late for us to team up in Instance after we've truly become 'Partner'."
Lin Yu spoke gently, glancing at the astonished Li Nian.
"I'm sorry, I'm a rather suspicious person."
Li Nian snapped out of her reverie and shook her head, "It's alright, this choice is very interesting—but, would you mind revealing which organization you plan to join?"
"Psychology Society"
Lin Yu answered without hesitation.
"Huh? Those lunatics? Don't you have a grudge against them?"
Li Nian asked subconsciously.
Lin Yu smiled and said, "Yes, but recently I've discovered... it seems to be just a misunderstanding."
He looked at Li Nian and said softly, "Do you think the people from the 'Psychology Society' might make mistakes in their assessments?"
Li Nian paused for a moment, then nodded. "Maybe. For example, these guys supposedly only gave 'Grandmaster' a C, and I only got an A... How could I only get an A? Six Instance and I've 'Tier Advancement' to at least an A+!"
Li Nian stroked her chin and said.
Lin Yu smiled faintly, "It's not that my potential was misjudged, it's just that the 'Psychology Society' sometimes pulls promising non- Player into the Game through assassination... That's what caused some misunderstandings between me and them."
What do you mean by that?
Li Nian frowned even more deeply.
Lin Yu did not answer the question directly, but pointed to his face.
"You know, A Nian, I realized the importance of disguising myself during the first Instance, so in every Instance, I try my best to cover my face and leave no survivors."
"However, later on, I obtained an Item that could slightly adjust my appearance."
Lin Yu gently peeled a thin film off his face.
This film has no inherent purpose; it was created by transforming Counterfeit.
Just as the membrane formed by the [Counterfeit] was peeled off, Lin Yu also activated the [Mask], which was timed perfectly.
"Anyway, now that I've confirmed my joining you, and after several meetings... it doesn't seem like it matters much to show you my true face."
Lin Yu's face underwent some subtle changes, and his appearance became closer to the original prototype of the character "Zhu Ming".
Seeing Li Nian's somewhat surprised expression, Lin Yu smiled and spoke.
"In short, consider this a 'test' I've left for you... Based on my current appearance and what I just said, find out why I suddenly changed my mind and whether I'm confident I can join the 'Psychology Society'."
"Here's another hint."
The code name 'Zhu Ming' comes from the "Astronomical Treatise" in the Huainanzi.
With that, Lin Yu stood up and walked towards the entrance of the Coffee.
Admittedly, according to the "Psychology Society's" assessment, when Fluoxetine killed Xia Yue, she was just an ordinary person with high potential who had not entered the "Death game".
But...
What if the "Psychology Society" is wrong?
At this moment, Lin Yu's profile was reflected in the glass shop window.
The body I saw just hours ago, and the girl in the black-and-white Posthumous Portrait...
Absolutely identical.