Through cross-verifying various insider information from different player circles during this period, Lin Yu easily reached a conclusion.
The strength of the Tycoon was very formidable.
In fact, among all the players he had seen so far...
The title of the 27th-ranked Tycoon nationwide, combined with Li Hua, who was at least on par with several others, was enough to intimidate the four members of the Free Alliance.
Lin Yu sat calmly here, pointing at the brooch as he spoke.
“This is called the Soul Spirit Golden Brooch. I don’t know if you’ve heard of it... but anyway, it can monitor our vital signs in real time.”
“The moment any of us dies, the last place where its signal disappears will be locked onto by the Gambler and the Tycoon.”
“Don’t forget, you still have to stay in Jiangcheng for a whole day... If your whereabouts are exposed now and become the ‘number one target’ for these two, as well as the Jiangcheng Order branch and the local gang Jiang’an Hall, your priority over more than 24 hours will surpass that of the Marauders and the Psychological Society. Can you really accept that?”
“If you release the people over there, maybe he will report to the Order. But on one hand, you have enough time to evacuate, and on the other... you haven’t actively killed any Order members in this operation so far. Li Hua and the Tycoon might try to track your location, but it’s not to the extent where they have to go all out against you, right?”
“Besides, the plan I just proposed—to release him—is the most beneficial for you... You can just release the Order’s team leader here and use my life as a bargaining chip to make him temporarily hold off on reporting to the Order.”Lin Yu explained calmly and clearly.
He was composedly using the Soul Spirit Golden Brooch as the foundation and the Tycoon’s reputation as a deterrent. Combining these two gave him the leverage to negotiate.
On this premise, the plan he proposed...
Was indeed the “best” for the Free Alliance members.
As expected, after hearing Lin Yu’s entire explanation, the four from the Free Alliance were clearly persuaded.
“You’re quite clever and resourceful, and the plan you proposed sounds reasonable,” the muscular man in the vest said, “I vote in favor.”
“Already moved to the voting stage? Then I’ll vote in favor too!”
“After all, what this guy said is absolutely right... He even considered our ‘way out’,” Phantom said with a smile.
The girl in the black dress pursed her lips, “That’s already two votes... but I have no objection. I think having him join might actually be pretty interesting.”
Li Nian grinned, “It should be quite, quite interesting—unanimous approval!”
But the four from the Free Alliance agreed, Captain High Mountain resisted as he spoke.
“May, let me stay behind... After all, you’re just here to help, I’m the Order member.”
“You shouldn’t take such risks!”
He gritted his teeth and spoke, but Lin Yu interrupted him.
“No, you heard it too, Brother Shan... They agreed to the plan, and the majority agreed to bring me along.”
“And if the two of us go back, you as the ‘captain’ can come up with an excuse to fool the others... If you leave, they will definitely notice something.”
High Mountain was about to say something else, but Lin Yu’s words completely cut him off.
“As the captain of the Order, although it’s cruel, Brother Shan, you must be calm—calm to the point of cold-bloodedness,” Lin Yu said, lifting his head while sitting on the chair, “Besides, I might not even die... Don’t let me down.”
High Mountain clenched his teeth and finally spat out one word.
“Damn!”
Xiaoyun’s light and somewhat airy voice reminded him as well.
“If you don’t leave soon, your teammates will come over... It’s better to follow what this junior member said before we change our minds.”
“We will return him to you once we confirm a safe place... maybe.”
High Mountain finally stopped resisting. He swallowed the endless guilt and fury, adjusted his expression, and turned to leave the store.
Lin Yu’s last four words, “Don’t let me down,” struck his heart like a heavy hammer, causing this veteran policeman—who had been accustomed to sacrifice and death due to his profession even before entering the Death Game—to feel profound helplessness.
He hated it so much.
Hated himself for bringing up Li Hua, hated himself for making Lin Yu buy water, hated himself because... he wasn’t strong enough!
Lin Yu could not blame him, but High Mountain could not avoid blaming himself.
“You must definitely come back safely, Brother May.”
High Mountain left without looking back.
Watching his departing figure, Lin Yu turned to the four from the Free Alliance.
Old Zhou had already resumed noisily eating his noodles.
But the other three looked at Lin Yu with interest.
Phantom spoke, “May, right? I’ve heard rumors about you recently. Seems like a very powerful rookie.”
“Seeing you today, you really live up to your reputation.”
He praised with a smile.
Li Nian was more direct, “Although your plan is indeed the ‘optimal solution’ from a macro perspective, you and he won’t die, and we can accept that... But why?”
“Actively surrendering yourself to us, do you consider your own life as a ‘pawn’ too?”
Li Nian’s question was very reasonable.
Because the plan Lin Yu proposed had many advantages, but only one drawback...
He was the one who wouldn’t get out safely!
Normally, it’s hard for anyone to come up with a plan at the first moment that “benefits themselves the least.”
It’s like in Go, sacrificing a stone to break a deadlock.
Many people can think of such solutions in long-circulated life-or-death problems, but if someone made such a move in an actual match...
It could only be called a brilliant move.
Yet Lin Yu remained composed.
He looked at Li Nian, the girl he was most familiar with among the four.
She still hadn’t recognized him because at this moment, his “persona” as a Doctor was the polar opposite of his persona as a Soldier.
As a Soldier, he looked like a clever guy but was actually arrogant, narcissistic, and easily emotional.
But now, as a Doctor...
He was calm to the point of being almost abnormal.
Based on this persona, Lin Yu was able to give an answer that convinced Li Nian and the other three.
“Yes, I do consider myself a pawn... What I’m seeking is the overall optimal solution.”
“Moreover, I’m not the one who benefits the least as you think.”
Lin Yu said this, which further piqued Li Nian’s curiosity.
“What other benefits can you gain?”
Phantom reacted, “From their conversation just now, this guy doesn’t seem to have joined the Order... He’s boosting his reputation!”
Hearing Phantom’s words, Lin Yu smiled and nodded.
“You’re right, Mr. Magician... But for me, there’s an even greater benefit.”
“I get to experience the noble feeling of ‘sacrificing oneself to cover the retreat.’ This will greatly satisfy my psychological craving for ‘fairness and justice’ and my desire to ‘become a hero’!”