Following the team leader's instructions, after opening the door to the second room on the right, Lin Yu once again saw Zhu Rong.

The furnishings inside the room were equally "luxurious": a soft upholstered sofa, a wooden coffee table, air conditioning, a single bed, and even a television, refrigerator, and an independent bathroom suite.

If you took a photo and asked the residents of Sleepless City, few would guess this was the Public Security Bureau's "detention center" for holding prisoners.

Zhu Rong was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, eyes closed, meditating.

He was no longer wearing the black robe that concealed his figure. Instead, he had changed into a loose, lightweight, bright yellow prison uniform.

Lin Yu also got a clear look at Zhu Rong's appearance—it was indeed completely different from the red-haired woman he had seen when accepting the C-77 commission.

Zhu Rong was a man who looked to be in his early thirties. His face was square, his eyebrows thick and bushy, and he had a neat, clean buzz cut. His skin appeared somewhat dark from prolonged sun exposure. His entire physique was robust, well-proportioned, and brimming with a sense of power.

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

"It's actually you, Furbollo."

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

As he spoke, Lin Yu walked straight towards Zhu Rong and sat down on the sofa beside him.

Zhu Rong used his hands to lift his cross-legged body and scooted over to the side, making room for Lin Yu.

"A little surprised, because I can't figure out why you're looking for me."

"At the very least, I can't figure out why you rushed over so quickly."

Lin Yu looked at the other man, a smile playing on his lips as he spoke. "You're locked up in a cell like this. If I didn't come quickly, you'd probably be released soon."

"At least 24 hours. After all, it involves the Peerage Nobility."

Zhu Rong said this, then thought for a moment, pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, took out two, and offered them to Lin Yu.

"Smoke, Furbollo?"

Lin Yu looked at his action, somewhat taken aback.

What kind of mental process would lead Zhu Rong to offer him a cigarette at a moment like this?

After observing him for three seconds, Lin Yu realized Zhu Rong seemed genuinely just offering him a smoke, with no hidden test or anything.

So, he declined helplessly.

"Thanks, no. Smoking is bad for your health."

"Do you mind if I have one?"

"I do. Secondhand smoke is also bad for your health."

"Okay."

Zhu Rong put the cigarette and the pack away.

Lin Yu steered the conversation back on track. "My purpose for seeing you is simple... I want to know who is behind you."

Zhu Rong smacked his lips, didn't answer the question, and instead asked, "Did Sleepless Sky Huole send you to ask?"

"No, I want to know myself... I'm curious, who are you working for?" Lin Yu asked, resting his chin on his hand. "Only you know I'm working for Sleepless Sky Huole, yet I don't know your background. That's hardly fair."

"Isn't you not knowing a problem with your own ability? Where's the fairness in that?"

Zhu Rong retorted seriously.

Lin Yu was stumped by his earnest counter-question.

He realized that negotiating with Zhu Rong, beating around the bush and probing here, didn't seem like a good choice.

So, looking at Zhu Rong, Lin Yu changed his strategy.

"Alright, then I'll put it another way... I need to know who you're working for, and why you assassinated the steward of Sheng Lan Kui."

"Why should I tell you?"

Zhu Rong remained unyielding.

"You can't do anything to me either... they can only hold me here for a day—my crime isn't enough to put me on trial."

Lin Yu rapped his knuckles on the table. "But what if I apply pressure through Sleepless Sky Huole? The person behind you will inevitably have to use their connections again to counter Sleepless Sky Huole... After enough back-and-forth, I'll naturally find out who's behind you."

"Only, during that process, the one suffering will be you—do you really not mind being the 'tug-of-war' point between two factions?"

Hearing this, Zhu Rong thought for a moment, then slowly nodded. "If it's necessary... then I should endure it. That's also part of my duty."

"Regardless, I cannot choose to betray."

Although Zhu Rong's attitude remained firm, hearing these words, Lin Yu realized the negotiation had already reached a turning point and a breakthrough.

"Duty, huh? It seems your relationship with them is indeed very good," Lin Yu said softly. "But what's the reason you're so determined not to let me know? Do you think I'll act against them?"

Hearing this, Zhu Rong said solemnly, "You work for Sleepless Sky Huole. Wouldn't you act against them?"

Lin Yu looked at Zhu Rong and suddenly changed the subject. "Earlier, in Haicheng, I worked with my friend to solve the case of the accidental death of the Player Mutual Aid Association member, 'Radish'."

Zhu Rong was very surprised. "Why are you suddenly talking about things from the real world? What does that have to do with Sleepless City?"

"Of course it does. Because back then, I heard your name. Radish Grandpa specifically designated you to handle a certain dangerous item, which means he believed you had good character, relatively reliable integrity, and also a certain level of competence."

"After meeting you today, I think Radish Grandpa's judgment of people is quite accurate."

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

"Radish Grandpa is a senior I deeply respect. He gave me a lot of useful advice on the Farmer's Promotion and item selection..."

Being praised and recognized by a senior you respect is, of course, something to be proud of.

But given their opposing stances now, Zhu Rong quickly forced a stern expression and said, "So, what exactly are you trying to say with all this?"

"Are you trying to cozy up to me? Maybe outside we could be partners, but in Sleepless City, we've already chosen different sides."

Lin Yu looked at Zhu Rong and asked in return, "Do you know why that item never ended up in your hands in the end?"

"Because the Gambler from Order didn't approve of Radish's arrangement... At first, I didn't know the reason. Now I understand."

"While you are reliable, you are indeed... too foolish."

Lin Yu said this flatly. Zhu Rong's eyes widened. "How can you make personal attacks?"

"This isn't a personal attack. It's an observed fact."

Lin Yu sighed.

"Do you think sticking to your guns and not talking is just doing your duty? Before coming in here, I actually didn't know what identity the person behind you had... But now, I'm very clear."

"First, the person behind you must be in an opposing position to Sleepless Sky Huole."

"Second... their identity, once known by Sleepless Sky Huole, would itself constitute a major disadvantage."

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

"And all of this, you just told me."