To possess a tool is to use it.
If one kept it always, it would lose the meaning of its acquisition.
The Commander's Tiger Tally explicitly stated that the degree of fusion was directly linked to loyalty, and the elders present were the ones with the highest loyalty to Chen Yu and the capability to lead troops.
While Kailin, Nuoya, and Suni also possessed ∞ loyalty,
Chen Yu did not wish to approach them.
Divine Generals!
This designation meant they would inevitably step onto the path of war. Chen Yu did not discriminate against women, but he did not believe women were suited for the battlefield.
To be wrapped in a horse's hide and to fight in blood—this was a man's duty!
This was why Chen Yu chose Black Bean and the others.
However, he could not make decisions for them!
The Commander's Tally would grant the chosen individuals the talents and personalities of ancient Divine Generals. Although their own personalities would be preserved, the fusion of two personalities still carried numerous unpredictable outcomes.
While the item did not explicitly mention the possibility of death,
Sona and Barbara both believed that accidental death could occur during the fusion process.
"Boss, I'm willing."
Almost the instant Chen Yu finished speaking, Black Bean smiled and raised his hand.
"Being a Divine General sounds quite interesting, I'm willing to give it a try. As for whether I'll die, I may be dark-skinned, but my luck has always been good."
Following this, the others chimed in their agreement, and Black Donkey also grunted his assent.
"Have you all thought this through?"
Despite the chorus of agreement, a trace of a smile was absent from Chen Yu's face.
In his view, Black Bean and the others had not truly considered it; such hasty decisions were not what he desired. He hoped they would ponder this matter deeply.
This was a matter of life and death, not to be trifled with.
"Think it over carefully. I can give you half an hour to consider the pros and cons before making a judgment."
"Even if you refuse, I will bear no ill will."
"Your lives belong to yourselves; do not treat them as child's play. I am uncertain about this Divine General matter. Even if you are not Divine Generals, you will still be the core of the camp."
Suddenly, Black Bean smiled with a serious expression.
"Boss, life and death are fated, wealth and status are determined by heaven. Honestly, I don't care much about that. I just want to know, with the fusion of ancient Divine General personalities with ours, what is the probability of our current personalities being preserved?"
Chen Yu frowned at this. He had no authority on this matter.
The item did not provide particularly detailed explanations.
Professional matters should be left to professionals.
"Let me answer that for you," Sona whispered softly after a moment of thought. "Even if you ask Chen Yu, he doesn't understand the Commander's Tiger Tally and cannot tell you."
"I am eager to hear it."
Black Bean lightly spread his hands, and Sona pursed her lips and sighed.
"Thirty percent."
"Meaning there is a seventy percent chance we will lose our current personalities?" Black Bean raised his eyebrows slightly, and Sona nodded in silence.
For a moment, everyone fell silent.
While becoming a Divine General was undoubtedly desirable, none wished to lose their current personalities and humanity. If, after fusion, even with memories retained, their personalities became those of the Divine Generals, would they truly still be alive?
"There is also a significant chance you will die."
Barbara also stepped forward, adding to the explanation.
"The divine might of ancient Divine Generals is beyond our imagination. During the fusion, it is highly probable that you will be unable to withstand their divine might, leading to the direct annihilation of your souls."
"Chen Yu is correct. You truly need to consider this carefully."
Even Barbara only had a general understanding of events from ancient times. She knew that the underground world was a chaotic era back then.
The Divine and Demonic races were locked in endless conflict.
She herself was descended from demons, but who knew how many generations had passed; her bloodline might not even be pure.
Divine races, Demonic races.
Those chaotic eras possessed world-destroying capabilities.
Even though she always considered herself a great demon king, any Divine General or Demonic General from that period could likely crush her into dust.
She did not believe there was any possibility of Black Bean and the others being able to accept them.
"Boss, can you step away for a moment?" Black Bean suddenly grinned. "With you here, it's hard for us to make a decision out of respect for you. How about you go rest elsewhere, and we'll discuss it among ourselves and have Barbara and the others give you our answer?"
"No problem."
This request truly resonated with Chen Yu. He had also considered whether his presence would influence Black Bean's judgment, which was why he thought of giving them half an hour to consider.
Now that Black Bean suggested it, he naturally would not refuse.
"Sona, Barbara, let's go. I'll leave this to Black Bean and the others," Chen Yu called out. However, Black Bean stopped him. "You go by yourself. Sona and Barbara should stay; we have a few things we want to ask them."
"Alright."
Chen Yu didn't think too much of it and turned to leave.
To be honest, his heart was quite conflicted. He wanted Black Bean and the others to become Divine Generals, yet he also did not want them to agree to it.
If there were no probability of death in the Commander's Tally,
and no personality fusion,
he wouldn't have bothered asking Black Bean and the others; he would have simply assigned them all. They were his trusted subordinates; who else would he assign if not them?
Black Bean, who remained in his spot, stretched his neck. Seeing Chen Yu depart, the smile on his face vanished.
It was replaced by an indescribable solemnity.
"Boss, have we encountered some trouble?" Black Bean licked his lips and frowned. "I've been with the Boss the longest. In normal times, he wouldn't even mention such a thing to us."
"You are quite clever."
Barbara shrugged, but she did not hide the various possibilities that arose after the appearance of the Commander's Tiger Tally.
"Holy crap, is this thing that important?" Kuka exclaimed, grinning. "The boss is ruthless, to be able to obtain such a powerful item. I really didn't follow the wrong person."
"Mmmph—"
Black Donkey cried out, stretching his neck.
"Can't you speak properly? Why is that old donkey calling out? Where's your True Word Fruit?" Lion Jack frowned. Black Donkey grudgingly threw a fruit into his mouth. "This thing is incredibly expensive, can I just eat it randomly? You've been with me for so long, don't you know what I want to say? Do you really need me to waste money like this?"
"If we don't become Divine Generals, the Boss's situation will be very dire, won't it?" Rousi murmured.
Immediately, everyone fell silent.
"Honestly, I don't have high hopes for you all," Barbara whispered gravely. "From what I know of Divine Generals, given your current state, you likely wouldn't be able to withstand it."
"Absolutely no possibility?" Black Bean frowned.
"There is a probability, it's just slim." Barbara shrugged. "I would suggest you don't agree. If something really happens to you, given Chen Yu's nature, he absolutely won't be able to ignore it and remain at peace. He might not commit suicide, but he will definitely blame himself for the rest of his life. I believe you know this."
Despite Chen Yu's usual tough talk, acting like a slave owner,
those familiar with him knew that
he was the most typical example of tough talk but a soft heart.
If he truly had no humanity, he wouldn't have risked taking this city, nor would he have thought of liberating those slaves.
He wouldn't need to take in survivors either!
The more people he took in, the more entanglements there would be in the future.
Black Bean and the others naturally knew Chen Yu's true character. It was precisely because they understood him that they were willing to stay here and follow him in expanding their territory.
Otherwise, were they fools to follow a vicious and cruel individual?
Did they have too much life to live?
Everyone remained silent, not speaking. The decision concerning life and death was indeed of paramount importance. Whether for Chen Yu or for themselves, they had to consider it carefully.
Suddenly, Black Bean widened his round eyes and inexplicably asked.
"Can I exploit a bug?"