"He didn't see much, but he saw I might have a lucky chance to get something. That thing could make the Zhu family in Sichen Town truly rise. That’s why he plotted against me."
Zhu Xinfu sighed deeply. "I met Zhu Shenfu, originally named Zhu Liangfu, in the military camp. We looked five or six percent alike, so we called each other brothers and swore an oath. When we learned he was from the Zhu family in Zhu City and I was from Sichen Town, we were even happier. We thought it was fate. Though we lived in different places, we knew our ancestors were the same, so our bond was very strong."
Zhu Xinfu began to recall the past. "After a mission, I got leave to visit family. He did too. We went back together. He said he wanted to visit his home first, then go to Sichen Town with me the next day. I didn’t think much of it and agreed. We went to the Zhu family in Zhu City. I noticed Zhu Yongfu looked at me strangely. I felt uneasy."
The story reached its climax. "I felt something bad was going to happen. It wasn’t just paranoia. I saw people walking back and forth around us. I decided to hide the box I was carrying. I used a post-meal walk as an excuse to go to the village entrance. After checking the terrain, I came back at midnight and buried it. I got this item by chance during a mission. It’s useless to others, but extremely useful to our Zhu family."
Zhu Xinfu’s voice grew heavy. "My instinct was right. The next day, they held a farewell banquet for me but drugged the food. When I woke up, I was locked in a dark room. They had gouged out my eyes, cut out my tongue, and broken my legs."
"Zhu Yongfu is truly disgusting," Zhu Zhibin said angrily.
"Don’t interrupt. Let your grandfather finish," Zhu Shunyao stopped him.
Zhu Xinfu continued, "Zhu Yongfu came to me. He said he saw in a mirror that the Sichen Town Zhu family rose because of me. He wanted the rare item I got. But he forgot he had blinded me, silenced me, and crippled me. Why would I give it to him? I ignored him completely. Later, Mei Ying found me. I learned Zhu Yongfu spread rumors outside that I had illegally crossed to Xiangshui and killed Zhu Liangfu. He threw all kinds of dirt on me. In truth, he harmed me and had Zhu Liangfu impersonate me to go to Xiangshui."
"Why did Zhu Liangfu impersonate you?" Yan Aohan asked.
Zhu Xinfu smiled faintly. "They thought I hadn’t gotten the item. They believed if someone impersonated me, the luck would fall on that person. So they impersonated me. But luck is elusive. It’s not something they can just find."
Zhu Xinfu opened the box. Zhu Yanyi looked inside and was slightly stunned. It was a triangular token, gold-inlaid with jade. The front had the characters 'Military Advisor'. The back showed a feather fan and a scholar’s hat.
"The Military Advisor Token," Yan Aohan said slowly.
Zhu Xinfu looked at Yan Aohan. "Little Yan knows this?"
Yan Aohan nodded. "The Military Advisor Token. It belongs to the leader of the Military Advisor Alliance." He paused to explain. "During the Three Kingdoms period, many heroes rose up. There were many talented advisors. Though they served different lords, they admired each other and formed the Military Advisor Alliance. The leader rotated. Zhuge Kongming was the Sleeping Dragon, the first advisor. When the alliance formed, this token was created for him. It recognized the Sleeping Dragon. With this token of the First Advisor, one could command the alliance members at any time."
"Does the Military Advisor Alliance still exist?" Xie Chengyu asked casually. "If so, why haven’t we heard of it?"
"The alliance still exists," Yan Aohan smiled lightly. "But the world changes too fast. Many advisors had special abilities. They knew staying in this world wasn’t possible, so they followed some masters to another plane. Of course, if the Zhu family uses this token, they can still get help."
"Then give the token to Little Yan," Zhu Xinfu said directly, pushing the box toward Yan Aohan.
Yan Aohan picked up the token, looked at it, and then placed it in Zhu Yanyi’s hand. "Ani, keep the Military Advisor Token safe."
Zhu Yanyi was slightly stunned. "To me?"
Yan Aohan nodded. "The token is very powerful. It benefits you. Since the Zhu family is destined to rise, let it start with you. Keep it safe. Even if you don’t use it, it can cause trouble for the Zhu family in Zhu City later."
Zhu Yanyi looked at Yan Aohan. "Am I that petty?"
"Aren’t you?" Yan Aohan asked with a smile.
Zhu Yanyi coughed. "I’m never petty. I just repay kindness with kindness and revenge with revenge. I am clear about gratitude and grudges."
Saying such things openly was something only Zhu Yanyi dared to do.
She said it so generously that others could only look at each other and silently turn away.
Yan Aohan chuckled. "You’re right. You’re not petty. You’re just clear about gratitude and grudges."
Indeed, Zhu Yanyi was like this because someone spoiled her. That person was Yan Aohan.
Zhu Yanyi smiled at Yan Aohan, her expression becoming playful.
"Since that’s the case, give the token to Ani," Zhu Xinfu smiled.
"Grandpa, you know how important the token is from Aohan. Are you still giving it to me?" Zhu Yanyi asked curiously.
Zhu Xinfu smiled. "I am old. As long as this item doesn’t fall into the hands of the Zhu family in Zhu City, it doesn’t matter who has it. Giving it to you is the best choice now."
Zhu Yanyi looked at Zhu Xinfu. She continued, "If this represented power in this world, I might not give it to you. I would give it to your father or Doumiao. But this token connects to another world. If I gave it to them, it would be useless. Ani, you will not stop here in the future. So giving it to you is best."