As Lin Yu, playing the role of Heavenly Artisan, displayed extreme indignation with an attitude of "do whatever you want to me," even the usually malicious Li Nian found her imposing manner weakening somewhat.

Especially since from Heavenly Artisan's statements, she had indirectly deduced what had happened to him.

It seemed many of the Marauders who came from Zheng City had died or been injured—nearly wiped out?

This inevitably made Li Nian inwardly suspicious while also marveling at Zhu Ming's strength.

"That 'Veterinarian' sister said she offended two organizations at once—seems she wasn't joking."

"And...to actually track me down at my doorstep, her skills are indeed extraordinary."

To have killed so many people without even undergoing Promotion, and even pushed a First-Tier like Heavenly Artisan into a corner!

According to Heavenly Artisan's account, it wasn't just him—another First-Tier member of the Marauders had even died.

This was enough to show just how formidable and ruthless this "Veterinarian" was.

Moreover, even though Li Nian herself hadn't gained any substantial benefits, with Heavenly Artisan now accusing her with an attitude of "you local gangs have absolutely no manners," she couldn't say much in response.

She was in the wrong here—Li Nian had given Zhu Ming the nod to "handle" this matter.

And Zhu Ming was indeed a reserve member of the Free Alliance.

Li Nian had simply underestimated Zhu Ming's ferocity—she'd thought the Veterinarian would go to negotiate.

Who could have guessed she'd just straight up slaughter them all!

Thus, not wanting to completely sever ties with the Marauders, Li Nian could only laugh it off awkwardly.

"Ah, you know how it is—we Free Alliance members don't interfere with each other's actions."

"How about this: I won't take the hammer—let's each take a step back, and you keep this quiet, alright?"

Li Nian said with a grin, "After all, it wouldn't sound good for your Marauders to have been taken down single-handedly by one of our Free Alliance members, would it?"

"What do you mean single-handedly? She colluded with your local Jiangcheng organization—and that damn 'Doctor' who came to Zheng City to mess with me!"

"Heavenly Artisan"—that is, Lin Yu—interrupted Li Nian again, speaking indignantly.

Li Nian was startled once more, her evaluation of Zhu Ming rising another notch.

She cleared her throat lightly, "Well...whether you believe it or not, she technically hasn't officially joined the Free Alliance yet."

"How about this: I'll arrange compensation through organizational channels for your fallen comrades. Sound good?"

Li Nian took another step back.

Then, she added a veiled threat: "I don't want to escalate this, but...the only reason I'm being so polite right now is precisely because I don't want things to escalate."

After she finished speaking, Lin Yu's expression softened slightly.

"Fine, we'll do it your way."

"This...was simply a case of our skills being inferior!"

Having said this, Lin Yu turned and walked toward the riverside street, taking out his phone.

A short while later, a business car quickly reversed back down the road.

Almond rolled down the window, speaking urgently.

"Get in quick—if you'd messaged any later, I'd have been on the highway already."

"Didn't expect you to still be alive!"

Heavenly Artisan said nothing more. After getting in the car, he slumped into the passenger seat, his clothes still damp.

"I underestimated how dangerous Jiangcheng is," Lin Yu murmured. "They're all dead...that woman was like a monster."

Hearing this, Almond's expression turned grim as well.

"I also ran into someone in a white coat...claimed to be a Free Alliance reserve member."

"That's her," Lin Yu said bitterly. "The most cunning and treacherous opponent I've ever faced—but at least I escaped."

"And just now, I met Master Thief!"

Almond looked even more surprised. "You met Master Thief too?"

"Is this some Free Alliance scheme?"

Lin Yu gave a pained smile. "Probably not, since she let me go and seemed unaware of the whole thing...I didn't see any other Free Alliance members on the boat either."

"Instead, I ran into a local Jiangcheng 'Thief' and that 'Doctor' who attacked me before."

Having said this, Lin Yu closed his eyes.

"Drop me off somewhere up ahead."

He exhaled deeply as he spoke.

Almond was astonished. "You want to stay in Jiangcheng? Have you lost your mind?!"

"I was the one who brought them here—Red Fuji, Little Ice, A-Kang, Ming-Zai," Lin Yu said, guilt flashing across his face. "Red Fuji...he was one of the few people I could call a friend, like you."

"I wasn't as close with Little Ice, A-Kang or Ming-Zai before, but...they died right in front of me, Almond. Do you know—when Little Ice died, Ming-Zai went mad trying to avenge her."

"That kid must have liked her, huh?"

Lin Yu took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. "I thought after joining the Death Game, I'd become numb to death...how ironic. I even joined the Marauders and killed indiscriminately for revenge."

"But when they died before my eyes, I couldn't just remain cold and detached."

He spoke with self-mockery.

Almond stayed silent for a moment before giving Heavenly Artisan a gentle pat.

"It's not your fault. From the moment we joined the Death Game, we were all just struggling to survive anyway."

"I know, but precisely because of that...thinking how they fought tooth and nail to survive dungeon after dungeon, it makes it even harder to accept."

Lin Yu's voice grew quiet. "During my talk with Master Thief just now, she said...they'd offer compensation."

"Probably through organizational channels."

"But...I can't just let this go. I'm staying in Jiangcheng."

Almond stepped on the brake.

The car came to a smooth stop by the roadside.

Almond hadn't been driving fast to begin with.

At this speed, even with a sudden stop, the high-end business car remained perfectly stable.

"I won't stop you—we're not close enough for me to interfere with your decisions. But what exactly can you do staying in Jiangcheng?"

"Get revenge?"

Almond asked.

"I only joined the Marauders for revenge in the first place," Lin Yu said, opening the car door. "Now with this new grudge...I actually feel motivated again."

"Those three—I've already memorized them."

"The debt for burning down the house, the debt for killing my friends—I'll repay every last bit someday."

After Lin Yu finished speaking, Almond in the car let out a long sigh.

"Fine, I respect your choice."

"I'll report everything here truthfully to the boss...honestly, he probably won't blame you either."

"After all, the Free Alliance got involved..."

Then, the business car's taillights disappeared into the night.

Lin Yu watched Almond drive away, then exhaled in relief.

"Finally over..."

"Scriptwriter, director, and actor all in one—playing multiple roles is exciting, but damn exhausting!"