After hanging up, Lin Yu’s objective in finding Zhu Rong had, of course, already been accomplished.

However, he wasn’t in any rush to leave.

After all…

he still needed to obtain Zhu Rong’s contact information — only through Zhu Rong could he keep in touch with the people behind him.

Lin Yu looked at the “Farmer” before him and asked.

“Aren’t you planning to leave the dungeon and return to reality in the next few days?”

“Of course not. I have to wait for someone to pull me out,” Zhu Rong replied matter-of-factly, “Besides, since I failed… there are probably some extra aftermath tasks to handle.”

Zhu Rong spoke, and Lin Yu nodded in understanding.

“Then give me the ID number of your communicator, so when I look for that ‘Your Excellency,’ I can contact you directly.”

Zhu Rong nodded and revealed his communicator number. After Lin Yu added it, Zhu Rong expressed confusion.

“As players, don’t we have better ways to contact each other…? You should have Social turned on by now, right?”

Lin Yu shook his head.

“How long do you think I’ve been promoted?”

Although Lin Yu knew Fu Luo had most likely enabled privileges, and Lin Yu himself had already turned on privileges and had many alternate accounts…

he wasn’t going to go dig up a Furbollo Social panel just to add Zhu Rong as a friend.

Zhu Rong admired him even more: “What? I thought you had quietly been promoted long ago and were just holding back, keeping it secret!”

“You only just promoted and you already managed to beat a Second Tier like me into this state… no wonder you’re an auxiliary member of Order.”

Seeing Zhu Rong’s misunderstanding of Fu Luo deepen, Lin Yu didn’t bother to explain.

“In any case, I’ll contact you if anything comes up…”

Zhu Rong nodded. “Alright. Since he has no objections to you, I’ll cooperate as much as I can — Furbollo, I guess we’ve become acquaintances the hard way.”

Saying that, Zhu Rong stood and extended his hand to shake Lin Yu’s.

“I’d only seen your name on the forum before. People always said you were lazy, cowardly, and sharp-tongued, and that apart from solving puzzles quickly you were worthless. Now it seems those were all unfounded rumors,” Zhu Rong paused, “Of course, it also seems you deliberately played dumb to hide your skills.”

“We’ll call it having gotten to know each other through a scuffle. Once we’re out…”

“Once we’re out, just pretend you don’t know me,” Lin Yu said earnestly, looking at Zhu Rong. “I don’t want too much attention.”

Zhu Rong blinked and nodded. “Fine. I lost to you once; keeping your secret is the least I can do.”

“But I’ll say it again… if there’s a next time, I will win it back!”

Zhu Rong said seriously. Lin Yu nodded slightly.

“Alright, I’ll look forward to your challenge.”

With that, he turned and left the “cell.”

“I got some very valuable information,” Lin Yu exhaled, “At least now I know there’s a group behind Sleepless City — an alliance formed by overlooked descendants from various families that’s taking the chance to stir up trouble.”

“Considering that ‘Your Excellency’ directly used the name ‘Zhu Rong’ to participate in the C-77 commission, they are very likely closely connected to the C-77 contract to assassinate Alt Mercury… it might even have been a hint from someone in that alliance.

“Even if there’s no direct link, they should still know quite a bit about this commission.”

Lin Yu thought it over, feeling his plan concerning the assassination commission becoming more complete.

The more information he gathered, the more confident he became that he could complete the commission and walk away unscathed.

Of course…

there was still one obvious person who knew more that Lin Yu had not yet questioned.

After leaving the Public Security Bureau, Lin Yu looked toward the Sleepless Sky family driver waiting for him.

“Mr. Furbollo, would you like to return to Sleepless Sky or spend the night at a hotel?”

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

“No need. We’re heading to the Sheng Lan family next.”

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

“I understand.”

Lin Yu asked the driver curiously.

“Aren’t you going to report to Sleepless Sky Huo Le?”

“Of course not. The young mistress specially instructed me that you can go wherever you want,” the driver said, “She emphasized that none of your subsequent itinerary needs to be reported or approved.”

Lin Yu smiled. “That’s quite the trust… I’m honored.”

The driver then drove Lin Yu toward the Sheng Lan family.

…

Not long after Lin Yu left the Public Security Bureau, Zhu Rong’s cell door was opened again.

A woman with fiery red hair and blood-red eyes walked in and shut the door, placing a heavy bag on the desk in front of Zhu Rong.

Seeing the woman, Zhu Rong rose awkwardly.

“Sorry, I failed killing the steward…”

This woman was, of course, the mysterious noble Lin Yu had met when accepting the C-77 commission at the Magic Boar Bar — the “Zhu Rong” who had also called himself “Your Excellency” on the phone.

Upon hearing the real Zhu Rong’s apology, “Your Excellency” didn’t seem to mind and merely waved lightly.

“It’s fine. If nothing had gone wrong, you would have succeeded — who could have predicted an accident?”

“Besides, the Sheng Lan steward Barry wasn’t a very important figure. It would be a good thing if he died, but his survival won’t affect the overall situation too much.”

Zhu Rong nodded. “It’s just a pity about those two team leaders…”

“No pity. They came to redeem themselves with meritorious deeds; even if they hadn’t come, it would have been a dead end for them anyway.”

“Your Excellency” said, then opened the heavy bag.

A mouthwatering aroma wafted out. Zhu Rong sniffed.

“This is…”

“Packed roasted meat. The Public Security Bureau’s food is always awful. You’re not actually a noble, so they won’t bother too much.”

The box was opened to reveal piles of steaming roasted meat.

“Your Excellency” picked a piece up with her hand and, without concern for appearances, tossed it into her mouth and even sucked her fingers.

“Mm… the doneness and seasoning are perfect.”

Zhu Rong looked even more uneasy. “I messed things up. How could you personally send me roasted meat?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, don’t waste it,” the woman said bluntly, “This wasn’t your fault — he guessed my identity in three or four sentences. Targeting you was as easy as drinking water.”

“I even suspect he has some connection to the C-77 commission — although he publicly does work for Sleepless Sky Huo Le, he must have at least inserted people into the C-77 commission.”

She went on to recall.

“First Sheng Lan Kui… and then that guy who was added last…”

“The participants in this commission really are no small potatoes.”