Chapter 14: The Swordmaster's Command Token

A new NPC veteran had arrived in the small village, which greatly surprised Swordmaster and Autumn Water, who hurried to surround Zhan Xiaobai and question him about what had happened.

Zhan Xiaobai simply grinned, refusing to reveal anything. Only after Spring-and-Autumn Hero and Ah Fei returned from leveling outside did he convene a meeting in the administrative courtyard.

Ah Fei burst out anxiously, “Big Brother, stop keeping us in suspense! Where did you find that old soldier? He seems to be pretty high-level.”

With a sly chuckle, Zhan Xiaobai replied, “Actually, it’s all thanks to Old Li. He was bored today and went for a stroll outside the village, where he discovered the old soldier. He rushed back to report and suggested that I go persuade him myself. That’s how I managed to recruit him for our little village. Otherwise, who knows who might have taken him.”

He explained with an air of pride.

Ah Fei exclaimed, “Damn, Old Li is incredible! How does he manage to recruit an NPC? Why can’t I ever run into one?”

Swordmaster laughed. “That’s just luck. Even if you bumped into one, recruiting them isn’t so simple. There’s a lot to it. If it were that easy, NPCs would be everywhere.”

Spring-and-Autumn Hero agreed. “Exactly. I’m always out leveling up and I’ve encountered quite a few wild NPCs, but I haven’t even received a single quest. Opportunities like this are rare.”

Zhan Xiaobai raised his hand to quiet them, smiling. “I didn’t gather you all just to talk about that. There’s something I want to give to one of you.” He glanced at the four of them, his expression mysterious and amused.

Everyone grew curious. “What is it?” “Is it really that valuable?”

Zhan Xiaobai produced a command token and handed it over with a smile. “A Swordsman’s Command Token. Take a look for yourselves.”

“A rare item!” they gasped.

Ah Fei snatched it up first, but Swordmaster quickly took it, then Spring-and-Autumn Hero, and finally Autumn Water. They each examined it repeatedly, as if afraid it would fly away.

Autumn Water stroked the token, reluctant to part with it. “So this is what a command token looks like. This is an eye-opener. Wait—Brother Xiaobai, did you get this from that old soldier?” she asked in surprise.

Though a girl, Autumn Water lacked the usual delicacy of most girls. She was well-versed in both the civil and martial arts, and had a keen interest in military matters, which made her status in the village no less than anyone else’s.

Zhan Xiaobai nodded. “Clever as always, Autumn Water. You guessed right. The old soldier gave me this token as a generous gift. Since we started playing, we’ve only acquired two rare items: the Village Construction Blueprints and this command token. That’s quite a rarity.”

Swordmaster spoke up, “True, even though it’s just a basic infantry command token, and for the most basic class, who else has such a thing this early in the game? I doubt there are many in the whole country. None have shown up on the trading platform yet, either. That shows how rare it is.”

Zhan Xiaobai said, “So, who do you think should use this token?”

Swordmaster was surprised. “Why don’t you use it yourself?”

Zhan Xiaobai laughed. “I can’t. My class is Scholar. To get a second class, I have to wait until level 20, and that’ll take too long—I level up slower than you all. Keeping the token would be a waste, so I wanted to discuss who among you would make the best use of it.”

The token rested in Autumn Water’s hands. She held it for a moment, tempted, but then shook her head. “I’m not the right fit. Maybe when we have more tokens in the future. For now, someone else should have it.” She handed it back to Zhan Xiaobai.

He glanced at her, saw that she truly didn’t want it, and then turned to the other three. “Swordmaster, Ah Fei, Hero—one of you has to use this token, or it’ll just go to waste.”

Swordmaster was the first to decline with a laugh. “Giving it to me would be a waste—I’m the weakest in combat out of all of us. My strength lies in construction. Let Ah Fei or Hero take it.”

Zhan Xiaobai nodded. Swordmaster was always forthright; if he’d wanted it, he wouldn’t have refused.

The one who wanted the token most was clearly Ah Fei, who gazed at it longingly.

Zhan Xiaobai suppressed a smile but didn’t decide immediately.

Spring-and-Autumn Hero, knowing how much Ah Fei wanted it, smiled. “Why not give the token to Ah Fei? He seems to want it most.”

Ah Fei was overjoyed when Hero offered it, reaching out to accept the token from Zhan Xiaobai. But then he hesitated—why was everyone refusing it, leaving him to take it? He wasn’t the most capable among them, so why should it go to him? If he accepted, he might be walking into a trap.

Jumping up, Ah Fei pointed at Hero. “Hey, Hero, why push it on me? You refuse it just to make me look greedy? Are you setting me up? You think I’m that easy to fool? Good thing I saw through your scheme. No way, this token is yours, especially since you’re the highest level!”

Spring-and-Autumn Hero was exasperated. He’d meant well, but now it seemed like a conspiracy.

Zhan Xiaobai laughed. “Since Ah Fei doesn’t want it either, then let’s give it to Spring-and-Autumn Hero. As Ah Fei said, he’s the highest level.”

This outcome satisfied him.

Spring-and-Autumn Hero tried to refuse, but Ah Fei pulled him over and stuffed the token into his hands. Helpless, he accepted it.

Swordsman’s Command Token: Basic infantry unit. Equip to use. Requires level 20 Warrior class. Once equipped, you become a squad leader and can command a squad of five level 20 swordsman-infantry. Can be upgraded through campaigns.

Spring-and-Autumn Hero tried to equip it, but found he couldn’t—there was a level 20 requirement. Disappointed, he said, “I’m only level 13 right now. I can’t use it yet, and leveling up is getting slower. It might be a while before I can use it.”

Zhan Xiaobai replied, “No problem. For now, just focus on leveling up. Bring Bloodthirst Militiaman #1 with you every time, and try to get him to level 20 as well. Then you can transfer him into a swordsman and have him join your squad; otherwise, the token will be of little use.”

Spring-and-Autumn Hero was delighted. “Alright, I’ll keep the token in the courtyard’s secure storage for now, so I won’t lose it if I die. I’m off to level up.”

The Swordsman’s Command Token finally had an owner.

Spring-and-Autumn Hero set off to train, bringing Bloodthirst Militiaman with him. Ah Fei, hearing this, immediately joined him, secretly thinking: This time the token went to Hero, but next time, if another token or rare item appears and his level is higher than the others’, it’ll be his turn. Yes, that’s the plan.

After the two left, Zhan Xiaobai smiled to himself, well satisfied. Everyone knew how to yield and share benefits; only then would the village have prospects and unity for construction, making his leadership much easier. If everyone fought over every gain, nothing would get done.

Leaving the administrative hall, Zhan Xiaobai was about to look around when he suddenly noticed Old Li directing several villagers as they moved lumber, apparently preparing for construction. He was puzzled—what were they building now? The cottages had already been finished.