Suspicion

After hanging up the phone, Lin Yu had naturally achieved his goal of finding Zhu Rong.

However, he wasn't in a hurry to leave.

After all...

He also needed to obtain contact information with Zhu Rong —only through Zhu Rong could he maintain communication with the people behind him.

Lin Yu looked at the "farmer" in front of him and asked.

"You're not planning to leave the [Instance] instance and return to reality in the next few days, are you?"

"Of course, I need someone to get me out of here first," Zhu Rong said matter-of-factly. "Besides, since we failed... there will probably be some extra cleanup work to do."

As Zhu Rong spoke, Lin Yu nodded in understanding.

"Then tell me your Communicator's serial number, so I can contact you directly when I need to find that 'sir'."

Zhu Rong nodded and showed his Communicator number, but after Lin Yu added it, he expressed his confusion.

"As Player, we have better ways to connect, right... You should have already enabled [Socializing], shouldn't you?"

Lin Yu shook his head.

"Do you think I've only been 'Tier Advancement' for a short time?"

Although Lin Yu knew that Fu Luo had most likely activated [privileges], and that he himself had already activated [privileges] and had many alternate accounts...

But where is he going to find a "Sherlock" [Socializing] panel to add Zhu Rong as a friend?

Zhu Rong was even more impressed. "What? I thought you had already secretly 'Tier Advancement' and succeeded, but you just kept it a secret and endured it without revealing it!"

"You've only Tier Advancement for a short time, and you've already beaten me, a mere 'Tier 2', into this state... No wonder you're an unofficial member of 'Order'."

Seeing that Zhu Rong's misunderstanding of Fu Luo was deepening, Lin Yu did not offer any explanation.

"Anyway, I'll contact you if anything comes up..."

Zhu Rong nodded. "No problem. Since he has no objections to you, I will definitely try my best to cooperate with you— Sherlock, we can say that we became friends after a fight."

As she spoke, Zhu Rong stood up, extended her hand, and shook hands with Lin Yu.

"I'd only ever heard of you on the 'forum' before. People always said you were lazy, cowardly, and foul-mouthed, good for nothing except solving puzzles quickly. Now it seems those were all inappropriate misconceptions," Zhu Rong paused, "Of course, it also seems there was some deliberate concealment and misleading involved."

"We became friends after our initial conflict, and once we get out of here..."

"Just pretend you don't know me after we go out," Lin Yu said sincerely, looking at Zhu Rong. "I don't want to be too high-profile."

Zhu Rong paused for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, since I lost to you once, it's only right that I keep your secret."

"But like I said... if I have the chance next time, I'll win it back!"

Zhu Rong spoke earnestly, Lin Yu nodded slightly.

"Alright, I look forward to your challenge."

After saying that, he turned and left the "cell".

"We've obtained very valuable information," Lin Yu sighed. "At least now I know that behind the City That Never Sleeps, there exists an 'alliance' composed of neglected offspring from various families, taking advantage of the situation to disrupt things."

"Considering that 'Sir' directly used the name 'Zhu Rong' to participate in the C-77 mission, they are likely strongly connected to the C-77 mission to assassinate Arter Mercury... It's quite possible that this was instructed by someone in this alliance."

"Even if they have no direct connection, they should know quite a bit about this commission."

Lin Yu pondered, feeling that his plan regarding the "assassination" commission had been further refined.

The more information he gathered, the more confident he became that he could complete the task and leave unscathed.

Certainly...

For Lin Yu, there was another person who clearly knew more information that he hadn't yet asked.

After leaving the Security Bureau, Lin Yu looked at the driver from the Nightless Sky Family who was waiting for him.

"Mr. Sherlock, would you like to return to the Nightless Sky Family or stay at a hotel for the night?"

Hearing the driver's question, Lin Yu shook his head slightly.

"No need, we're going to the Saint Orchid Family next."

The driver looked at Lin Yu in surprise, then nodded.

"I see."

Lin Yu asked the driver with some curiosity.

"Don't you need to consult with Nightless Sky Huo Le?"

"Of course, the Miss specifically instructed me that you can go wherever you want," the driver said. "She specifically emphasized that you are not allowed to report or ask for permission for any of your upcoming itineraries."

Lin Yu smiled and said, "That's a great trust indeed... I'm honored."

Afterwards, the driver took Lin Yu towards the direction of the Saint Orchid Family.

Shortly after Lin Yu left the Security Bureau, Zhu Rong's cell door was opened again.

A woman with fiery red hair and scarlet eyes walked in, closed the door, and placed a heavy bag on the table in front of Zhu Rong.

Looking at the woman, Zhu Rong stood up somewhat embarrassed.

"Sorry, I failed even when I tried to kill the butler..."

This woman was none other than "Zhu Rong," whom Lin Yu had met at the Demon Pig Bar when he was commissioned by C-77, and also the mysterious Noble who referred to herself as "Your Excellency" on the phone.

Upon hearing the real Zhu Rong's apology, "Your Excellency" seemed unconcerned, simply waving his hand dismissively.

"It's alright, after all, you'll succeed if nothing unexpected happens—who could have predicted an accident?"

"Besides, Barry, Saint Lan's butler, wasn't a very important figure. It would be a good thing if he died, but if he didn't... it wouldn't affect the overall situation."

Zhu Rong nodded. "It's just a pity about those two captains..."

"There's nothing to regret. They came here to atone for their crimes; even if they hadn't come, they would have been dead anyway."

"Your Excellency," he said, then opened the heavy bag.

A delightful aroma wafted over, Zhu Rong took a sniff.

"This is..."

"Takeaway barbecue. The food from the Security Bureau is always terrible. You're not really Noble, so they won't care much."

The box was opened, revealing a generous pile of steaming hot roasted meat.

"Your Excellency" picked up a piece with his own hand, threw it into his mouth without any regard for his image, and even licked his fingers.

"Hmm... the cooking time and seasoning are just right."

Zhu Rong looked even more uneasy. "I've messed things up, how can I expect you to personally deliver roasted meat to me?"

"Stop talking nonsense and don't waste your time," the woman said bluntly. "This isn't your problem at all—he figured out my identity in just a few words, and scheming against you is as easy as drinking water for him."

"I even suspect he's connected to the C-77 commission—although he's ostensibly working for Nightless Sky Huo Le, he's at least been trying to plant people in the C-77 commission."

As she spoke, she began to recall.

"First it was Saint Orchid Kui... and then that last guy who joined..."

"None of the people involved in this commission are easy to deal with."