Chapter Sixty-Two: Tattoo Ascension

In a small inn in Yingchuan, Liu Yao sat around a table, drinking wine.

“I have yet to ask your esteemed name, brother,” Liu Yao inquired, feigning ignorance as he poured a cup of wine for Xu Shu.

“Please, you honor me too much,” Xu Shu replied, somewhat flustered, his hand waving nervously. A hint of hesitation flickered in his eyes as he finally said, “I am Dan Fu from Yingchuan, paying my respects to Your Highness.”

Liu Yao shook his head, pretending to be disappointed. “I treat you so sincerely, yet you still do not tell me the truth.”

Xu Shu was instantly filled with guilt. Not only had Liu Yao saved his life, he had treated him with such courtesy, and yet Xu Shu continued to hide his true identity. He gritted his teeth and said, “Your Highness, I assumed a false name out of necessity, not wishing to implicate others. My given name is Xu Fu, later changed to Xu Shu, courtesy name Yuan Zhi.”

“Haha, Yuan Zhi, now that is much better. I have long heard of your name. As for implicating others, with my status, do you think anyone would dare?” Liu Yao laughed.

Xu Shu forced a smile. With Liu Yao’s identity, not to mention the thousand elite soldiers outside, there truly weren’t many who would dare raise a hand against him. Of course, that earlier Zheng Jian was a complete exception.

“I did not expect Your Highness to know of my humble name. I am honored. But I have heard that Your Highness is presently in Yingchuan to pacify the Yellow Turbans. Why have you come here?” Xu Shu asked curiously.

Liu Yao did not answer directly. He drank a cup and said, “Yuan Zhi, are you aware that the Great Han is in grave danger?”

Xu Shu spat out his wine in shock, coughing. He had not expected Liu Yao to say such a thing. “Your Highness, how could the Han be in trouble?”

“Of course there is turmoil. Not to mention Zhang Jiao and his million followers among the Yellow Turbans. Just look at the great families and clans—they hold much of the power, though the empire belongs to the Liu family. They buy up land, enclose it, and force the people into misery. The Yellow Turban uprising stems in large part from the actions of these clans,” Liu Yao spoke bitterly.

Xu Shu nodded in agreement, for he had witnessed firsthand the countless common folk persecuted by the great clans during his years wandering and upholding justice.

“Yuan Zhi, I know you wish to wield your sword to right the wrongs of the world. Perhaps you can save one or even ten men, but you cannot save the realm,” Liu Yao said.

Xu Shu nodded. After this experience, he realized that his sword could slay a villain, but mistakes could happen, and it was but a small matter compared to Liu Yao’s efforts to resist foreign threats. “Your Highness, I humbly ask you, how might the common people of the realm be rescued?”

Liu Yao smiled. “I see you are sharp-minded, Yuan Zhi. Why not abandon martial pursuits for scholarly ones, travel the realm, and study the arts of governance? Then, assist a wise ruler and use your talents to bring fairness and justice to the world.”

Liu Yao’s words were like a sudden enlightenment for Xu Shu. He declared resolutely, “Thank you, Your Highness, for your guidance. From today, I will forsake the sword for the pen and travel to study. If I achieve anything in the future, I hope Your Highness will not turn me away.”

“Excellent!” Liu Yao laughed. His purpose had been to persuade Xu Shu to become a scholar. At present, Xu Shu was but a warrior, but if he went forth to study, the future advisor worthy of kings would emerge. “Yuan Zhi, do not worry. It is too soon to speak of this. If, in the future, you have learned much and deem me worthy of your service, there will always be a place for you in my ranks.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Xu Shu said, moved. Liu Yao did not bind him with favors, which revealed his noble character. “Since that is so, I will take my leave and begin my travels.” With that, Xu Shu made to depart.

“Wait, Yuan Zhi,” Liu Yao called out.

Xu Shu turned back, puzzled.

“You may leave easily enough, but what of your elderly mother at home?” Liu Yao reminded him.

Xu Shu was stunned, filled with remorse. As a filial son, he had forgotten his mother—an unforgivable oversight.

“If you are willing, leave your mother in my care. I will treat her as an honored guest. If, in the future, you decide I am unworthy of your service, you may come to Youzhou and take her away. I will not stop you,” Liu Yao offered with a smile.

“How can I accept such kindness!” Xu Shu exclaimed, deeply grateful. He had already received so much from Liu Yao; to entrust his mother as well was a debt beyond repayment.

“It is but a trivial matter,” Liu Yao said lightly.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Xu Shu said, his resolve strengthened to repay Liu Yao’s kindness with all his might in the future.

After bidding farewell, Xu Shu returned home to explain everything to his mother. Liu Yao, meanwhile, retired to his room, intent on investigating the tattoo that had saved his life that day.

Inside, he touched the tattoo, which instantly transformed back into an ancient book.

Before Liu Yao could speak, a line appeared: “Danger detected. Lottery attempts have reached ten. System upgrading. Three additional lottery attempts granted.”

Liu Yao stared at the ancient book, utterly speechless. He had not expected it to upgrade, and only when he was endangered. Had this accident not occurred, who knew when the upgrade would happen? But the three new chances filled him with excitement.

He asked mentally, “Ancient book, what new features have you gained with this upgrade?”

A line slowly appeared: “System upgrade adds a mission system and an exchange system. Missions will be issued. Completing them grants lottery chances. Lottery chances may also be used to exchange for drawings of your choice.”

Liu Yao took a moment to organize his thoughts, then nervously asked, “Are missions mandatory? What happens if I fail?”

“You may freely choose whether to accept missions. If failed, double the reward is deducted. If the reward becomes negative, the system will leave the host.”

Liu Yao breathed a sigh of relief. At least there was nothing fatal. Even if the ancient book left, it was something he would never allow, as it was his greatest tool and advantage for future ambition. He resolved to be cautious when accepting missions.

“Ancient book, is there a list of available drawings?” Liu Yao asked.

A green light flashed, and Liu Yao opened the book. Instantly, a list appeared before him.

He glanced over it and was shocked. He had thought three lottery chances were generous, but the cheapest item required three chances, while some at the end required hundreds or thousands—he ignored those. Even the stirrups and repeating crossbow he had previously drawn required three and ten chances, while primitive steel-making needed fifteen. Liu Yao could not help but marvel at his luck.

He closed the ancient book, refusing to look further, as the feeling of seeing but not having was too unbearable. After reflecting for a while, Liu Yao understood the nature of the upgrade: lottery and exchange, each with its advantages. Exchange offered freedom of choice but at a steep price, while lottery was unpredictable. Looking at the list’s prices, then at his meager three chances, he felt a pang of bitterness.

Shaking his head, Liu Yao stopped thinking about it and quietly drifted into sleep.