Mythical-grade item, Command Token.
The moment Chen Yu possessed it, the Little Demon and Sona had already educated him about the numerous problems he would face. It was also because of the Command Token's appearance that they had truly begun cooperating with him.
Someone had specifically investigated his identity, even mentioning his region.
The motive was already quite clear!
The visitors were coming for the Command Token.
"I didn't expect them to be so fast," Chen Yu narrowed his eyes slightly. "Logically, the natives of the underground world wouldn't know about regional divisions. I haven't even had the Command Token for a month, yet they found me this precisely?"
"The magnates in the underground world, all of them are deeply unfathomable,"
The Little Demon spread her hands, providing an answer.
"Even so, they shouldn't have found Chen Yu this quickly," Sona frowned, crossing her arms and muttering, "The underground plane is so vast. Perhaps they could have investigated Chen Yu in half a year, but how could they find him now? Judging by the timeline, they must have confirmed Chen Yu's location and sent people as soon as he obtained the Command Token."
"How could that be?"
The Little Demon's thoughts were completely different from Sona's.
"Chen Yu invited guests from surrounding city-states to the commercial district. They all had transactions with Chen Yu to varying degrees. Did they preemptively lay a trap months ago?"
"Could it be that it's not from those magnates?" Chen Yu asked suspiciously.
As the Little Demon had said, the recent commercial district grand opening invited guests from various city-states with whom they had dealings. There were no unfamiliar faces.
Anyone who knew about the Command Token and its function must be a top force within the underground world.
They shouldn't be outside this underground region.
"Impossible."
Sona's expression was certain, or rather, unwavering.
Both she and the Little Demon had truly touched the top tier of the underground world and had remained in that echelon for a time, knowing a thing or two about the affairs of the underground.
If they hadn't truly reached that level, they wouldn't even know about the existence of the Command Token.
"Sigh, no matter how much I think about it, what's the point?" Suddenly, the Little Demon spread her hands helplessly. "This matter isn't important to Chen Yu. What we should be thinking about now is countermeasures, how to ensure his safety."
Why dwell on these things?
The Little Demon found it very perplexing.
From the moment Chen Yu obtained the Command Token, they both knew that his identity would eventually be exposed. The only difference was the timing.
Now that someone was investigating Chen Yu's identity.
Let's assume the worst: Chen Yu had already been targeted by those with ill intentions.
But—
So what?
The outcome would be no different.
Would obsessing over how those magnates discovered Chen Yu's identity and dispatched people to probe serve any purpose?
"Ultimately!"
"Isn't Chen Yu's next step to go to the royal city and be certified as a city lord of the Tatu Kingdom? With the identity of a city lord, his safety could be somewhat guaranteed."
"There are too many people in this underground world who want to obtain the Command Token."
"They won't rashly act to expose Chen Yu as the holder of the Command Token just to get it. If they did that, it would be equivalent to informing everyone."
"At that time, the force that sent scouts to Chen Yu might not be able to obtain it."
"Someone will obstruct them."
"Perhaps someone will even protect Chen Yu and try to befriend him."
The Little Demon spoke logically, and Sona frowned.
"If that's the case, wouldn't it be more beneficial for Chen Yu to publicly announce that he is the holder of the Command Token now?"
The Little Demon: "..."
Chen Yu: "..."
Does this sister know what she's saying?
Publicly announce?!
Is she trying to get Chen Yu killed?
Sona also noticed the expressions of the Little Demon and Chen Yu and knew she might have spoken incorrectly. However, based on the Little Demon's previous statement, she didn't think her translation was problematic in any way.
"Sister Sona, things aren't as simple as you think."
"The outcome of Chen Yu revealing he possesses the Command Token is different whether he is a city lord or not. Moreover, there is a big difference between voluntarily exposing it and being forced to expose it."
"Once he becomes a city lord, he belongs to the Tatu Kingdom."
"If the Tatu Kingdom also wants this Command Token, then wouldn't they stand on Chen Yu's side? Even taking a step back, Chen Yu as a city lord represents the Tatu Kingdom, and if he is bullied, it's a disgrace to the Tatu King."
"If you expose yourself rashly, who will know who you are?"
"What's the point of killing him?"
"Chen Yu will surely die, and in the end, it will devolve into a scramble for the Command Token among various forces. Chen Yu won't even have a grave dug for him."
Sona, with a frown, didn't seem to fully understand the Little Demon's explanation.
"Forget it, as a Holy Mage of the Holy See, how could you understand these convoluted matters?" the Little Demon sighed and looked at Chen Yu sideways. "What are you planning to do now?"
"No changes."
Chen Yu's eyes held determination.
He had no other choice. The primary goal to survive was to obtain the status of a city lord and have his city-state receive the kingdom's protection.
Only then would those lurking in the shadows refrain from attacking rashly.
"Not a single good thing has happened," Chen Yu ran his hands through his hair, his eyes filled with exhaustion. "And it just has to be the Tatu Kingdom."
It was very disheartening.
Chen Yu's partner, the Elton family, was facing unprecedented setbacks in the Tatu Kingdom, and the royal family held a prejudice against him.
Yet, Chen Yu needed to draw strength from the Tatu Kingdom.
But on second thought, if it weren't for this, the Elton family wouldn't be cooperating with him like this. Overall, there were gains and losses.
"The matter of going to the royal city cannot be delayed. We depart tomorrow."
Chen Yu narrowed his eyes, and Sona and the Little Demon both slightly raised their eyebrows.
"However, before I go, there are a few things I need to arrange," Chen Yu licked his lips, his hands involuntarily clenching.
This unknown investigation had disrupted many of Chen Yu's plans.
He also needed to make other arrangements.
Otherwise, even if he went to the royal city, he wouldn't feel at ease.
"There's also the matter of that Yin Teng just now," Sona frowned. "Even if there were no one watching outside, he couldn't have arrived here so silently. There's only one possibility: someone was concealing their presence, and he just happened to be within the range of that concealment."
"Agreed."
The Little Demon raised her small hand and squinted around.
"But I've scouted around just now and found no suspicious locations. If nothing unexpected happens, that person should have already left."
"Never mind that."
Chen Yu's gaze was firm, his eyes filled with resolve.
"The important matters come first!"