Confrontation, self-exposure!
This was the only way Chen Yu could think of to escape his desperate situation.
Instead of hiding and being discovered by all nations, it was better to openly admit to possessing the Tiger Tally and let them know that the Tiger Tally they were desperately seeking was in his hands.
If they wanted it, they could come and snatch it.
Outside the City Lord's mansion, countless generals looked on in bewilderment.
They did not know the use of the Commander's Tiger Tally. In their eyes, Chen Yu had inexplicably gone mad. However, out of respect for his identity as an equipment merchant, the generals dared not speak.
However—
Those who knew the Tiger Tally's purpose were so shocked they couldn't speak.
"Old... Boss..."
Heidou's eyes widened, his lips slightly parting. Disbelief filled his gaze as he looked at Chen Yu, unable to comprehend how he could openly announce the matter of the Tiger Tally.
As one of Chen Yu's closest confidants in the underground world,
He knew the importance of the Commander's Tiger Tally in the underground world and how many forces craved it.
And he just... said it out loud?
Loni pursed her lips, not understanding. What she cared about was Chen Yu's name.
Chen Yu!
She had always thought Chen Yu was Chen Batian.
To think she had been fooled again.
Despite knowing this, Loni harbored no resentment. Her interactions with Chen Yu during this time had fostered a very harmonious relationship between them.
Such trivial matters would not be on her mind.
Whether it was Chen Yu or Chen Batian, to her, he was always her Brother Chen, with no difference.
Fu Hua Aier Dun, on the other hand, slightly raised his brows, not showing much surprise. Since his meeting with Chen Yu in the Free City-States, he had already considered this possibility.
Now, Chen Yu's sudden self-exposure and confrontation, while unexpected, also brought a slight sense of shock.
He knew a little about the Commander's Tiger Tally.
It was just that he did not know its specific uses, nor did he want to. Now, his family and Chen Yu's interests were inseparable. If the Aier Dun family wanted to survive, he needed to bind the family to Chen Yu's ship without any hesitation or reservation.
Who he was, or what treasures he possessed.
It was not important to the Aier Dun family.
But—
It was not so simple for others.
Liuyue, clad in armor, stared at Chen Yu with shocked eyes, seemingly forgetting to breathe. For a long time, she showed no reaction.
"Chen Yu!"
Su Zhan, his eyes filled with terror, grabbed Chen Yu's arm.
"You..."
"Hahahaha, I've truly gone mad."
Chen Yu grinned, but at this moment, he felt an unspeakable sense of exhilaration.
It felt so good.
Ever since he obtained the Commander's Tiger Tally, Chen Yu's life had been like walking on thin ice. Day and night, he lived in constant fear that others would discover the Tiger Tally was in his possession.
He tried desperately to destroy any evidence that proved his ownership.
Recruiting survivors in the area,
Forging identities!
Everything he did was to erase any trace of the Commander's Tiger Tally being with him.
Despite his desperate efforts, he still couldn't escape the clutches of the various nations. They had still investigated him, making his situation even more perilous.
Since that was the case, what was there left to hide!
The Tiger Tally was with him! Read here.
He admitted it.
"I... I think you've really gone mad," Su Zhan said, swallowing hard and whispering, "Do you know that by doing this, you're putting yourself on the chopping block? Even if I try my best to protect you with River Town, I won't be able to. Old Chen, why are you doing this?"
"To put oneself in a desperate situation, and then find a way to survive."
Chen Yu smiled faintly, placing a hand on the Tiger Tally in his embrace.
"Don't worry, Su Zhan. In fact, what you did reminded me of this. Otherwise, I wouldn't have thought of this, and I would have died quietly at the hands of those in the shadows. Now, by exposing myself, it's actually more beneficial to me. Think about it, isn't that the case?"
Seeing Chen Yu's calm and composed eyes, Su Zhan frowned deeply, considering the underlying reasons.
"You... you mean to..."
"Someone has already pinpointed me," Chen Yu said in a low voice. "This means my current situation is no longer safe. At this point, hiding in the shadows will only lead to my quiet demise. So why shouldn't I just confront them openly, expose my identity, and bring all those investigating me to the same starting line? Everyone knows the Tiger Tally is with me, so I will be the focal point of attention. As long as someone dares to make a move against me, all forces will know."
"A single move that affects the whole board," Su Zhan murmured.
"More or less."
Chen Yu nodded slightly and said in a serious tone.
"These forces will have different ideas. I just said that if they want the Tiger Tally, they can come and exchange for it. Then, there will inevitably be forces that choose the most legitimate path. They will also not allow anyone to assassinate me secretly, thereby risking the destruction of the Tiger Tally. They cannot bear such a loss!"
"Besides, do those who are secretly assassinating me truly dare to kill me?"
"If they kill me and obtain the Tiger Tally, it will draw the focus onto them. Then, the person who obtains the Tiger Tally will face the condemnation of all forces. Even the First Kingdom of your Beastman Empire cannot withstand the ill will of all nations, right?"
"What I'm doing is seeking survival, not death!"
Listening to Chen Yu's explanation, Su Zhan, who had been frowning, nodded slightly. His complexion gradually softened from grimness, and he let out a sigh of relief.
"Damn it, you scared me to death."
"I thought you had really become mentally unstable from the pressure of this Tiger Tally."
"Well, even if you do this now, other forces might exchange resources with you. But if you delay handing over the Tiger Tally, or if you keep making exorbitant demands, those forces will lose their patience."
Chen Yu smiled and nodded upon hearing this. Su Zhan's point was valid.
Exchange!
There would be limits in the minds of all parties.
Chen Yu was an unknown nobody and was not on the same trading level as them. Therefore, their patience with Chen Yu during the transaction would decrease.
If negotiations failed for a long time, it wouldn't be strange for them to fall out.
But—
What of it?
"If they lose patience, so be it. As long as more than 20% of the forces retain their patience, my safety will not be greatly threatened," Chen Yu said softly. "Moreover, the purpose of my doing this is to buy time. I will delay for as long as possible. As for how to handle it when I can no longer delay, that's something to consider later. For now, being able to live well is enough."
"Old Chen!"
Su Zhan raised his hand and patted Chen Yu's shoulder.
"You truly are as bold as ever."
"This isn't called being bold. It should be said that I am as crazy as ever, although this madness is intermittent," Chen Yu said, pointing to his head. "There's a madman living in here."