Wu Junji understood everything, but understanding and letting go were two different things.
The carriage rattled along, and Chen Yu finally heard the question he had been waiting for:
"What is your ability?"
Chen Yu cupped his hands and said:
"The ability granted by General Summoning makes up for a lord's shortcomings to the greatest extent possible. Whatever Your Highness the Crown Prince needs most, that will be this commoner's ability."
"But you have not yet granted me your fortune."
"So this commoner does not yet know."
In his previous life, Chen Yu had always answered his questions unhurriedly and in very few words.
If one word would do, he would never use two.
Now, however, their positions had been reversed.
The ability granted by General Summoning came into being the moment a lord permitted his summoned general to draw on his fortune.
Wu Junji rejected Chen Yu, and so his fortune rejected Chen Yu as well.
Chen Yu said, "Your Highness, undercurrents run deep at Jixia Academy, and the various factions are tangled together. There may be danger."
Chen Yu took a Red Cord from his sleeve.
"His Majesty bestowed this upon me. With just one drop of Your Highness's blood, once this commoner wears the Red Cord, you will be able to sense my thoughts at any time."
He wanted the Crown Prince to feel at ease about using him.
Wu Junji did not believe him.
People could even disguise their emotions. Falsifying his inner thoughts would be child's play for someone like Chen Yu.
Still, he gave him the blood.
Because he was a little intrigued.
He was curious how Chen Yu would deceive him if he chose to fabricate his thoughts.
The Red Cord was tied around Chen Yu's wrist. With a mere flicker of intent, Wu Junji sensed the subtle joy in Chen Yu's heart.
Wu Junji was suspicious.
"What are you so happy about?"
The question seemed to make the other man even happier.
Chen Yu glanced at the young Crown Prince's knitted brows, then discreetly subdued his gaze, striving to make his voice as sincere as possible so Wu Junji would know he meant no offense.
"Your Highness, I cannot say."
If he said it, he would be thought sick in the head.
Wu Junji sneered. He did not know what Emperor Zhou and Chen Yu were plotting, but he did need the ability granted by General Summoning.
Use him for now. Throw him away if he proves useless, and replace him once I find another way.
Wu Junji never made things difficult for himself. With a thought, he shared his fortune.
Chen Yu felt his mind become perfectly clear, and through some unseen guidance, he understood his purpose.
"Puppet."
Back then, what Emperor Zhou had desired most was a pair of eyes in the shadows.
Thus, Li Gong's ability had been concealment.
What Wu Junji needed most, however, was a utterly loyal warrior who would never betray him.
Thus, as his summoned general, Chen Yu became a puppet Wu Junji could control.
Moreover, fortified by fortune, he was an exceptionally durable puppet.
As long as Wu Junji's mind could keep up, Chen Yu could fight anyone.
He was like an NPC controlled by a player in a game. No matter how long the NPC's health bar was, victory against monsters was still closely tied to the player's skill.
Wu Junji raised his brows slightly. This ability struck him right in the heart.
He eagerly made Chen Yu stand up, then had him prostrate himself on the spot.
Seeing Chen Yu sprawled on the floor like a turtle, Wu Junji's mood instantly brightened. All his aversion and discomfort vanished.
He took an apple from a plate, bit into it, rubbed it against the floor to coat it in dirt, and shoved it into Chen Yu's mouth, all while uttering an insincere remark calculated to provoke resentment.
"Actually, I do not dislike you all that much."
Smiling, he propped his chin on his hand and commanded:
"Eat."
The ability granted by General Summoning did not allow him to resist his lord's commands.
Chen Yu looked at the apple and, without the slightest hesitation, bit off every dirt-covered part and took it into his mouth.
Wu Junji watched quietly, without much pleasure.
He only found it dull.
The carriage stopped. They had arrived. Wu Junji stepped on Chen Yu's back as he crossed over him and warned:
"I will give you one last chance. Leave, and whenever you see me from now on, keep as far away as you can. So long as you never appear before me, I cannot be bothered with you."
"Stay, and I will grant you a road to certain death."
Before you continue