Negotiation Skills

Following the captain's instructions, Lin Yu opened the door to the second room on the Right Hand and saw Zhu Rong again.

The room was equally "luxurious," with upholstered sofas, a wooden coffee table, air conditioning, a single bed, and even a television, refrigerator, and a separate bathroom.

If you took a picture and showed it to the residents of the City That Never Sleeps, probably few would guess that this is Security Bureau "detention center" where Prisoner are held.

Zhu Rong sat cross-legged on the sofa and closed his eyes to rest.

He no longer wears the black robe that concealed his figure; instead, he wears a loose, lightweight, bright yellow prison uniform.

Lin Yu also saw Zhu Rong's appearance—indeed, she was completely different from the red-haired woman he had seen when he accepted the C-77 commission.

Zhu Rong was a man who looked to be in his early thirties. He had a square face, thick eyebrows, and a neat buzz cut. His skin appeared dark due to long-term sun exposure. He was a strong, well-proportioned man, exuding a sense of power.

Hearing Lin Yu push the door open and enter, Zhu Rong opened her eyes and looked at Lin Yu with some surprise.

"It's you, Sherlock."

Lin Yu flicked the brim of his hat and said casually, "Are you surprised to see me?"

With that, Lin Yu walked straight to Zhu Rong and then sat down on the sofa next to him.

Zhu Rong used her hands to prop herself up from her cross-legged position and moved to the side, making room for Lin Yu.

"It's a bit of a surprise, because I couldn't figure out why you came to see me."

"At least, I can't figure out why you got here so quickly."

Lin Yu looked at the other person and said with a smile, "You've been locked up in this kind of cell. If I hadn't come quickly, you probably would have been released soon."

"They should be locked up for at least 24 hours, since it involves Royal Nobles."

As Zhu Rong spoke, she thought for a moment, then took out a pack of cigarettes from her bosom, pulled out two, and offered them to Lin Yu.

"Do you smoke, Sherlock?"

Lin Yu was somewhat surprised by the other person's actions.

What kind of thought process would lead Zhu Rong to emit smoke at such a moment?

After observing the other party for three seconds, Lin Yu realized that Zhu Rong seemed to be simply spreading smoke to him, without any attempt to test him.

Therefore, he reluctantly declined.

"Thank you, no, smoking is harmful to your health."

"Would you mind if I had one?"

"I do mind, secondhand smoke is also harmful to health."

"OK."

Zhu Rong put away the cigarettes and cigarette pack.

Lin Yu steered the conversation back to where it left off. "My purpose in coming to see you is simple... I want to know who's behind you."

Zhu Rong smacked his lips, not answering the question, but instead asking, "Nightless Sky Huo Le send you to ask this?"

"No, it's just that I want to know... I'm curious who you work for," Lin Yu asked, resting his chin on his hand. "Only you know that I work for Nightless Sky Huo Le, but I don't know your background. Isn't that a bit unfair?"

"Don't you know? Isn't that a problem with your ability? Where is this kind of fairness?"

Zhu Rong asked in return, her tone serious.

Lin Yu was speechless at the other party's earnest question.

He realized that negotiating with Zhu Rong and probing around the issue here did not seem to be a good option.

Therefore, Lin Yu looked at Zhu Rong and changed his strategy.

"Alright, let me put it another way... I need to know who you work for and why you assassinated Saint Orchid Kui's butler."

Why should I tell you?

Zhu Rong remained unmoved by reason.

"You can't do anything to me... I can only be locked up here for one day—my crimes are not enough to Judgment."

Lin Yu tapped the table. "But if I exert pressure through the Nightless Sky Huo Le, the person behind you will inevitably have to use their connections to fight against Nightless Sky Huo Le again... After this happens many times, I will naturally find out who is behind you."

"But in this process, you're the one who suffers—are you really not willing to be the point of leverage in this 'tug-of-war' between the two forces?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Rong pondered for a moment and slowly nodded, "If this is necessary... then I should endure it; it is also part of my duty."

"No matter what, I cannot choose to betray."

Although Zhu Rong's attitude remained firm, upon hearing this, Lin Yu realized that the negotiations had taken a turn for the better and found a breakthrough.

"It's just my duty, isn't it? It seems you have a really good relationship with them," Lin Yu said softly. "But why are you so insistent on keeping this from me? Do you think I would be a threat to them?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Rong said seriously, "Won't your working for the Nightless Sky Huo Le be detrimental to them?"

Lin Yu looked at Zhu Rong and suddenly changed the subject. "My friend and I solved the case of the accidental death of 'Carrot,' a member of the 'Player Mutual Aid Society,' in Sea City."

Zhu Rong was quite surprised. "Why are you suddenly bringing up things from the Real World? What does this have to do with the City That Never Sleeps?"

"Of course, because I heard your name back then. 'Carrot' Grandpa assigned you to handle a certain dangerous [Item], which means he believed you first and foremost had good character, were a reliable person, and also had certain abilities."

"After meeting you today, I think Grandpa Radish is quite good at judging people."

Zhu Rong was somewhat pleased by Lin Yu's praise and couldn't help but nod slightly.

"Grandpa Radish is a senior I greatly respect. He gave me a lot of useful advice on ' Tier Advancement and choosing [Item]..."

Being praised and recognized by a respected senior is certainly something to be proud of.

However, since the two were now on opposing sides, Zhu Rong quickly forced a stern expression and asked, "So, what exactly are you trying to say?"

"Are you trying to get on my good side? -- Perhaps we can be partners outside, but in the City That Never Sleeps, we've already chosen different sides."

Lin Yu looked at Zhu Rong and asked in return, "Do you know why that last [Item] didn't end up in your hands?"

"Because the 'Gambler' of 'Order' do not approve of 'Carrot's' arrangement... At first I didn't know why, but now I understand."

"While you are reliable, you are indeed... incredibly stupid."

Lin Yu spoke calmly, and Zhu Rong's eyes widened. "Why are you making a personal attack?"

"This isn't a personal attack; it's just something I observed."

Lin Yu sighed.

"You think you're doing your job by staying silent? Before you came in, I didn't even know who was behind you... But now, I know very well."

"First of all, the person behind you must be an enemy of Nightless Sky Huo Le."

"Secondly... if their identities were to become known to Nightless Sky Huo Le, it would be a tremendous disadvantage."

"To be honest, at this point... the scope has been narrowed down considerably."

"And all of this you just told me."