Negotiation and Deterrence
Hearing Pankto's remarks, Lin Yu felt a headache coming on.
He knew things would turn out this way!
Bringing up Will Valetti in front of Li Nian and Chen Zhuo is one thing...
Now he also has to show people at the "Psychology Society" that he has a close relationship with the Truth Company.
This is not what Lin Yu wanted to see.
But since it has already happened, Lin Yu has no choice but to accept it.
He looked at Wang Yuyang, his expression indifferent.
"I can vouch for him—besides, A Nian and I have already subdued him once before."
"If Pankto causes any more trouble, I will take responsibility for dealing with him."
Lin Yu spoke calmly.
Seeing Lin Yu's resolute attitude, Wang Yuyang had no choice but to give up.
He lowered his voice, speaking in a tone that Lin Yu could hear as if offering advice, "Don't trust the NPCs in the Instance too much. Truth Company isn't exactly a reputable company."
"The fact that this man, a former employee of the Truth Company, was dumped here after going insane suggests that he's involved in many things."
"You're still 'Tier 1,' so there's no need to be too deeply tied to any particular faction within the Instance."
Lin Yu knew that Wang Yuyang meant well, so he nodded.
"I see."
After this minor incident, the six of them finally set off, despite Wang Yuyang's slightly wary demeanor.
After all, while bringing Pankto might pose hidden risks, it also meant having an extra helper.
Moreover, Pankto's identity also has other ingenious uses on this train.
They entered carriage number 3 and then opened the door leading to carriage number 9.
Stepping out of the door, the space was filled with a cacophony of noise and a stench reminiscent of fermentation.
The carriage was clearly designed for the futuristic market, but at that moment Lin Yu felt as if he were on a traditional green train.
Compared to carriage number 3, which simply had a few boxes piled up and a few mats on the floor, carriage number 9 showed more obvious signs of modification.
The carriage was divided into two halves by a long curtain, the seats were converted into beds by setting up frames, and there were various old buckets used for water and storage.
It seems these people have indeed lived in this carriage for quite some time.
Seven or eight disheveled men, resembling homeless people with messy hair, occupied one side; a dozen or so young-looking teenagers occupied the other side.
Seeing Lin Yu and his group emerge from Gate 3, the tallest of the boys stood up alertly and picked up the iron rod he had polished at both ends.
"Carriage 3? People from the Airport Gang?"
"Why did you come uninvited? This is Blue Blood Team territory!"
In carriage number 9, there's even a barbed wire fence strung across the corridor connecting the doors and the carriage!
Lin Yu walked forward through the barbed wire fence.
"We're new to the Airport Gang and want to understand the ecosystem inside the Despair Train, so our Boss said we could come and see for ourselves."
The tall boy with the iron rod listened with some suspicion. "When did the Boss of the Airport Gang become so undisciplined with his subordinates?"
He turned to look at the group of men who looked like homeless people.
"Hey, Iron Thorns, what's going on here?"
The homeless men, who were sitting together as if playing cards, turned around and said nonchalantly, "Oh, their Boss was originally a hoodlum... it's normal for him to be a bit loose with team management."
"That guy wasn't very bright to begin with!"
Through this simple interaction, Lin Yu made a judgment in his mind.
The two organizations entrenched in carriage number 9 likely have some kind of subtle symbiotic relationship.
The Blue Blood Team is stronger and dominates.
However, these Iron Thorns people had probably been on this Despair Train for a long time, so the Blue Blood Team didn't kill them. Instead, they kept them as their advisors and encyclopedias.
With this in mind, Lin Yu had a plan for how to negotiate next.
"To everyone in Iron Thorns, although I'm new here, it doesn't seem appropriate to slander our Boss like this, does it?"
He bypassed the Blue Blood Team's youths and spoke directly to the Iron Thorns members in a provocative tone.
Although Zhu Ming's voice was relatively gentle, Lin Yu's tone was extremely fierce at this moment.
The tall young man from the Blue Blood Team frowned and tapped the floor with his iron bar.
"Hey, newbie, didn't your Boss warn you before he sent you here not to cause trouble here?"
In an instant, the Blue Blood Team members, who had been lazily resting, stood up one after another, all looking at Lin Yu with unfriendly expressions.
Lin Yu stood there, his expression unchanged.
Seeing Lin Yu's calm demeanor, a disheveled middle-aged man in the Iron Thorns realized something.
"Tang, don't get agitated. This guy is deliberately trying to provoke you."
He looked at Lin Yu, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes beneath his dirty eyelids.
"Although this train is full of fools and stupid things... you don't seem to be a fool."
"What exactly is your purpose in coming here?"
Lin Yu didn't seem surprised by the wary question.
He used his hands to pry open the gaps in the barbed wire and spoke softly.
"You guessed it, I'm here to ask you about someone."
"'Baron'."
As Lin Yu spoke, the Blue Blood Team became restless again.
"You're looking for His Excellency the Baron?"
"Why are the Airport Gang looking for the Baron instead of their own Boss? What are they doing here?"
"What exactly do you mean?!"
The disheveled uncle with Iron Thorns chuckled, "This girl isn't some newcomer to the Airport Gang. She probably just got on the bus... but that's enough for her to have been on it for a short while."
"How are the people from the Airport Gang doing?"
Lin Yu wasn't surprised at all that his lie had been exposed—in fact, it would have been strange if such a crude plan as impersonating the Airport Gang had actually succeeded!
Even if the Despair Train was filled with pigs by the Truth Company, it should have produced a few wild boar spirits by the time it survived the repeated Great Purge and infighting.
But why did he still choose to propose this plan, and why did Li Nian Wang Yuyang also express their approval?
Because...
The moment the lie is exposed, the Truth revealed at that moment will actually make the "negotiation" go more smoothly.
Lin Yu grinned at the disheveled homeless man. "You guys found out... Oh dear, those guys weren't very cooperative, so they were taken care of."
"I hope you can cooperate a little—I have no interest in you, all I want to do now is find the 'Baron'."
Lin Yu spoke calmly, but his tone was clearly threatening.
This was more effective than simply telling them "we slaughtered the entire Airport Gang."
"Damn it, are you threatening us?"
"You think we're like those trash from the Airport Gang? Before they were thrown here, they were nothing but scum, good-for-nothings, low-level thugs who only knew how to steal and intimidate Commoner. They were only thrown up here because they offended someone!"
"We're not idiots! We come from the Great Wilderness, and we're the ones who legitimately stole the Truth Company's convoy!"
As expected, the leader of the Blue Blood Team looked somewhat displeased and shouted a few curses in a deliberately fierce manner.
But judging from the actions of him and his henchmen...
They were still frightened.
All it takes is a "reason" to convince them, or rather, a "reason" that they can convince themselves of, a "stepping stone" to get them to back down, and they'll probably give in.
And this reason is not hard to find.
Lin Yu looked behind him; the other five people were still hidden in the shadows, and only their blurry outlines could be seen from the outside.
"Put on your hood and walk around for a bit."
He spoke to Pankto nodded.
Then, the well-known "madman" on the Truth Train revealed himself.
The distinctive uniform and the spray paint on the chest instantly silenced the entire carriage.
Lin Yu smiled and said, "Everyone, I really have something important to discuss with the Baron."
"Would you all be so kind as to do me this favor?"