Su Zhan roared at Chen Yu, his hand gripping his shoulder tightly.
His eyes were red-rimmed, the whites filled with ferocious bloodshot veins.
Chen Yu stared at him intently, falling silent for a moment. After a long pause, he slowly exhaled.
"How did you know?"
The Command Token!
Even if the dungeon announcement had revealed his name, and Su Zhan had coincidentally thought of him among many with the same name, how could he know that mythical item was a Command Token?
"Chen Yu."
"Not only do I know, but many people actually know."
Su Zhan gritted his teeth, his expression grave.
"Do you think there are many people named Chen Yu in the dungeon, and those people might not find you in a short time? But what if I told you that most people named Chen Yu are already dead?"
*Clang.*
The white jade wine cup suddenly dropped from Chen Yu's hand to the floor. The moment Su Zhan finished speaking, his hand began to tremble uncontrollably.
Chen Yu desperately wanted to calm himself, but his hands simply refused to obey.
All... dead?
Seeing Chen Yu's state, Su Zhan sighed and said,
"Since the announcement of the mythical item, all the nations have begun searching for you. You have no idea how many people have died in the dungeon during this time. And it's very simple to lock onto the target demographic. In this entire dungeon, only we foreigners have names like 'Chen Yu.' The native inhabitants of the dungeon have complex surnames and given names. Whether it's the human race or the beast race in the dungeon, it's all the same."
"The moment Chen Yu was announced, they had already locked onto us foreigners."
"Although they don't know our so-called regional divisions, they can conduct a carpet search and interrogation. Anyone they encounter named 'Chen Yu' whom they confirm isn't you, they kill directly."
"It's been over a month since the 'Recommend for Filial Piety and Integrity' appeared. How long do you think your Area 0713 can last?"
"I think..."
"Their reach has already extended into your area."
For some reason, Chen Yu thought of the mysterious figure in the camp earlier. If everything Su Zhan said was true, then that figure was likely there to investigate his identity.
And what's more—
His personnel within the city had also reported that someone was specifically inquiring about him.
"I'm afraid you're right," Chen Yu said with a slight smile, shrugging. "It seems their reach has indeed extended to me. Looks like I've really been exposed."
"So, the Command Token is really in your possession."
Su Zhan pressed him urgently, and Chen Yu looked at him for a long time.
"Yes."
He hesitated.
This hesitation made Chen Yu feel like a stranger to himself. The person sitting before him was none other than Su Zhan, his childhood friend with whom he had shared everything.
At that moment, his trust in Su Zhan wavered slightly.
Even though he ultimately believed Su Zhan was telling the truth, this doubt towards his close friend made him feel immensely guilty.
Why had he become like this?
"Damn, it really is you!" Su Zhan didn't notice the change in Chen Yu's expression. His mind was entirely occupied with his concern for Chen Yu.
"Old Chen!"
Upon learning that the 'Command Token' was indeed in Chen Yu's hands, Su Zhan immediately stood up, pacing anxiously on the city wall.
"Can't we get rid of this troublesome Command Token?" After pacing for a long time, Su Zhan suddenly lowered his head and gritted his teeth, saying, "There are too many people in the dungeon who want the Command Token. Even a sovereign ruler has to consider whether they can truly hold onto it, or if it will bring about national destruction. For us little people, it's an even greater catastrophe."
"Do you think I wanted this?"
With the conversation having reached this point, Chen Yu no longer tried to hide anything.
"From the moment I knew the importance of this Command Token, I haven't been able to sleep. My mind has been consumed by it! Do you think I don't know it's a hot potato? I understand the principle that an innocent man is condemned if he possesses a treasure!"
"Then just throw it away quickly!"
"Give it to whom?"
Despair flickered in Chen Yu's eyes.
"Su Zhan, I've considered everything you've thought of, but this matter isn't as simple as you think, nor as easy as you say. Do you think this Command Token can just be given away? Even if I give it away, will those powerful figures believe it's no longer in my possession?"
"Even if I handed over the Command Token in front of everyone, would I be safe?"
"Everyone wants the Command Token, you said it yourself!"
"So, no matter who I give this Command Token to, others will be dissatisfied. Is it possible they might kill me out of spite? And does the person who receives the Command Token have enough capability to protect me, or is it possible they might simply discard me after obtaining it."
"If that's the case..."
"Then I might as well keep the Command Token with me. This way, if something unexpected happens, I might have some bargaining chips. Before I am discovered, I can use my Command Token to develop my own strength."
"I've thought about it no less than you, even more than you."
After acquiring the 'Command Token,' Chen Yu had indeed considered many things. He hadn't directly followed the advice of the little devil and Sona to turn the Command Token into his sword.
His first thought was indeed to throw the Command Token away.
He didn't want this Command Token!
However, after countless nights of consideration, the conclusion he reached was that whether he gave it away or not, he likely couldn't escape death. The moment the dungeon announcement exposed him, he had been pushed to the edge of a cliff.
He had no retreat.
One step back meant an abyss. If he wanted to survive, he could only grit his teeth and move forward.
No one was more desperate than him.
What was he?
He was just a foreigner who had entered the dungeon for less than a year, who had been lucky enough to acquire a city, and to have a foothold in this dungeon.
How could he possibly control a divine artifact?
"Old Chen, give it to our Federation's Chief," Su Zhan suddenly changed the subject. "I can guarantee you, as long as you hand over the Command Token, he will absolutely protect you. Moreover, he can later conquer the Tartar Kingdom and give you enough cities in exchange. Our Chief is truly a good ruler."
"Do you believe those words?"
Chen Yu, however, smiled bitterly, baring his teeth.
"Rulers, do you think we can truly understand them? You think he's suitable, that he'll give me cities. What solid evidence do you have? Frankly, aren't these just your wishful thinking? Su Zhan, don't think I'm being unreasonable. The world is like this; rulers are often heartless, don't you know that?"
"Our ruler truly..."
"What, are you acting as a persuader for your ruler?" Chen Yu coldly interrupted Su Zhan, frowning. "If you came here for that purpose, then let's end this drink. I can tell you clearly, the Command Token is with me. If you want it, send someone to kill me."
With that, Chen Yu stood up and walked towards the base of the city wall. Su Zhan clenched his fist and shouted.
"What do you take me for? We have over ten years of friendship!"
"I'm sorry," Chen Yu said, shaking his head slightly at the stairs of the city wall. "I trust you, but I don't trust him. It's late, get some rest early."