Cao Cao's eyes narrowed as he regarded Lin Yu,his mind a whirl of suspicion and calculation."Lord Cao,you misunderstand.I have an affection for beautiful women,"Lin Yu declared with a solemn mien.

"Beautiful women?"Cao Cao was visibly astonished."Then,in your view,what kind of women can be deemed beautiful?"

"Diao Chan,the adopted daughter of Minister Wang Yun,and Cai Wenji,the daughter of Cai Zhonglang,are both the most ravishing beauties in the world!"Lin Yu had initially intended to mention Zhen Mi and the Qiao sisters as well.However,upon careful consideration of the timeline,he realized they were still underage at this time.He had no desire to be perceived as an odd middle-aged man with an inappropriate fondness for young girls.

"Unexpectedly,sir,your taste in women aligns with mine,"Cao Cao exclaimed,clapping his hands and bursting into hearty laughter.

"Truly,these two are peerless beauties!"He had once been a pupil of Cai Yong and had also visited Minister Wang Yun's mansion to plot the assassination of Dong Zhuo,thus having laid eyes on both Diao Chan and Cai Wenji.

"Both of them are currently in Luoyang City.Once we take Luoyang,perhaps you will indeed have an opportunity,sir,"Cao Cao winked,his expression one that men of the world would readily comprehend.

"Then I shall take Lord Cao at his kind word,"Lin Yu chuckled,then adroitly changed the subject.

"Lord Cao,what is your opinion of my second brother,Dian Wei?"

"Dian Wei is an exceptionally brave and valiant warrior,a truly rare and outstanding general!"Cao Cao replied without a moment's hesitation.

"Lord Cao is entirely correct.If he remains by my side,his great talents will be squandered.If Lord Cao has no objections,let him follow you.What say you?"Lin Yu proposed with a smile.

Cao Cao had long coveted Dian Wei but had been reluctant to broach the matter with Lin Yu.To his surprise,Lin Yu had raised it of his own accord this very night.After a brief moment of stunned silence,Cao Cao exclaimed with excitement,"I have no objections at all!How could I object to having Dian Wei?In that case,I shall appoint him as a colonel and the captain of my personal guard!"

"Excellent!Then I shall convey my gratitude to Lord Cao on behalf of my second brother,"Lin Yu said,bowing his hands in salute.

"Sir,you are too courteous!"Cao Cao could scarcely conceal his elation as he smiled.

"Sir has made such significant contributions today.I cannot be unfair in my rewards,"he mused for a moment before continuing,"How about this?Sir shall serve as the grain transport officer.Additionally,I will assign five hundred elite soldiers to you,and your third disciple,Zilong,shall command them.What do you think,sir?"

Lin Yu's lips twitched slightly.The position of grain transport officer was a rather perilous one in Cao Cao's camp!However,he could not refuse,so he forced a smile and said,"Thank you,Lord Cao,for your promotion."

The two engaged in casual conversation for a while longer before Lin Yu rose to take his leave.Upon returning to his quarters,he heaved a long sigh of relief,feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from his heart.

"Big Brother!"

"Big Brother!"

Seeing Lin Yu's return,Dian Wei and Zhao Yun hastened forward to greet him.

Lin Yu nodded and relayed to them Cao Cao's appointment of Dian Wei.

"Ah?I'm to be the captain of Lord Cao's personal guard?"Dian Wei was taken aback,a reluctant expression crossing his face.

"Why,are you reluctant to go?"Lin Yu teased with a smile.

"True,but didn't Lord Cao offer you any rewards,Big Brother?"Dian Wei inquired.

Hearing his concern for him,Lin Yu felt a warm glow within.Dian Wei was a dependable brother.All those times he had treated him to barbecues in the past had been well worth it.

"Do not worry.Lord Cao has also made arrangements for me and Zilong,"Lin Yu told them with a smile,explaining his appointment as the grain transport officer and Zhao Yun's command of five hundred soldiers.

"That's good!"Dian Wei let out a sigh of relief,but then sighed again.

"Only,from now on,I fear I won't be able to see you two as often."As the captain of the personal guard,he would have to safeguard Cao Cao's safety during the day and sleep in close proximity to him at night.

"It matters not.Brotherhood resides in our hearts!"Lin Yu patted Dian Wei's shoulder with a smile.In truth,he too felt a tinge of regret,yet it was a necessary move.After all,in Cao Cao's eyes,he showed no ambition for fame or fortune yet had two strong and valiant sworn brothers,which was highly unusual.Lin Yu had no choice but to let Dian Wei follow Cao Cao and accept the appointment.Fortunately,it seemed he had successfully allayed Cao Cao's suspicions.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Second Brother,have you forgotten what Big Brother always says?Brothers for life!No matter where we are,we are always dear brothers!"Zhao Yun said with a smile.

The three of them exchanged glances and then burst into laughter in unison.

...

After the capture of Hulao Pass,Luoyang City was within easy reach.Yuan Shao intended to seize the capital in one fell swoop.Thus,after a few days of rest,the allied forces regrouped and made a beeline for Luoyang City.Regrettably,following Li Ru's counsel,Dong Zhuo absconded with the emperor,civil and military officials,and the city's populace in a hasty retreat towards Chang'an.Before departing,he even set a massive fire,reducing the ancient and storied Luoyang City to ashes!

When the feudal lords'allied forces arrived,the city was ablaze everywhere,nearly reduced to ruins!Yuan Shao promptly ordered the allied forces to extinguish the fires.

...

In Luoyang City.

Lin Yu and Zhao Yun led several hundred men,hastening through the ruins.

"Big Brother,shouldn't we focus on putting out the fires first?"Zhao Yun asked,his face a mask of confusion.

"The fires are too fierce.With just our few men,it would be of little avail,"Lin Yu replied.

"Then what are we going to do?"Zhao Yun inquired again.

"Third Brother,I have a plan.Just follow me,"Lin Yu said with a mysterious smile.

After traversing the streets that had been reduced to rubble and were strewn with corpses,the group soon arrived at the imperial palace.

What lay ahead should be the Jianzhang Hall.Lin Yu gazed at the dilapidated palace before him,lost in thought.

After skirting the pitch-black palace walls,a small courtyard came into view.

There was a well at the southern corner of the courtyard.

"Wait outside!"Lin Yu ordered.

The accompanying soldiers naturally had no objections and departed upon receiving the command.

When only Lin Yu and Zhao Yun remained in the courtyard,Lin Yu quickly made his way to the well and peered down.

Zhao Yun,ever vigilant and nimble,swiftly seized him and asked in alarm,"Big Brother,what's amiss?Are you in such despair?"

Lin Yu shot Zhao Yun an angry glare.

"Who said I was in despair?"

"Then what are you doing?"Zhao Yun asked,bewildered.

Lin Yu took another look at the deep well and chuckled.

"Zilong,I've been good to you,right?There's a treasure down there.How about you go down and retrieve it for me?"

Since his big brother had asked,as a loyal younger brother,Zhao Yun would not refuse.

With the tools that Lin Yu had prepared in advance,Zhao Yun slowly descended.Fortunately,Lin Yu had been training with Dian Wei recently and had gained considerable strength.

He gritted his teeth and held the rope,calling down the well,"Zilong,have you found anything?"

"Big Brother,there's the corpse of a palace maid down here,"Zhao Yun's voice echoed from the bottom of the well.

Lin Yu's face lit up with delight."Examine the corpse quickly to see if there's anything on it."

"There is!Big Brother,pull me up!"

Lin Yu did not hesitate and immediately pulled on the rope to hoist Zhao Yun up.

After emerging,Zhao Yun handed a brocade bag to Lin Yu.

Lin Yu's eyes sparkled with excitement as he opened the bag.Inside was a small,exquisitely crafted jade pendant,known as the"Pendant of Eternity."It was said to grant the wearer eternal youth and beauty.Lin Yu had always been fascinated by such legends and had hoped to find this very pendant in the ruins of Luoyang.

"Now,we truly have something precious,"Lin Yu whispered to himself,his heart pounding with excitement.

Zhao Yun looked at him,confusion written on his face."Big Brother,what is this treasure?"

Lin Yu smiled enigmatically

"Zhao Yun,this is the'Pendant of Eternity,'a legendary artifact said to bestow eternal youth and beauty upon its wearer,"Lin Yu explained,his eyes gleaming with a mix of awe and satisfaction.

Zhao Yun's eyes widened in disbelief."Is such a thing truly possible,Big Brother?"

Lin Yu chuckled softly,"Whether the legend is true or not,this pendant is a symbol of our fortune.It's a reminder that we must seize every opportunity that comes our way."

With the pendant securely in his possession,Lin Yu felt a renewed sense of purpose.He knew that in this era of chaos and war,such treasures could be as valuable as any army or strategy.

"Come,let's return to camp,"Lin Yu said,tucking the pendant safely into his robes.

As they made their way back through the smoldering ruins of Luoyang,Lin Yu's mind raced with possibilities.The pendant was but one piece of a larger puzzle,a puzzle that if solved,could shift the balance of power in their favor.

Upon their return,Cao Cao was eager to hear of their findings.Lin Yu recounted their journey,omitting the discovery of the pendant,which he chose to keep secret for now.

Cao Cao listened intently,nodding in approval."Well done,Mr.Lin Yu.Your resourcefulness is a great asset to our cause."

Lin Yu bowed respectfully,"I am but a humble servant,Lord Cao."

That night,as the camp settled into a restless sleep,Lin Yu sat alone in his tent,the pendant before him.He ran his fingers over its smooth surface,lost in thought.The legends surrounding the pendant were numerous,each more fantastical than the last.Could it truly grant eternal youth?Or was it merely a symbol of power and wealth?

As he pondered,a plan began to take shape in his mind.The pendant could be the key to an alliance,a tool to sway the fates of kingdoms.But it was also a risk,for such a treasure would surely attract the covetous eyes of many.

Lin Yu decided then and there that the pendant's existence would remain a closely guarded secret,known only to him and perhaps one other he could trust implicitly.

In the days that followed,the allied forces,under Yuan Shao's command,continued their pursuit of Dong Zhuo,who had retreated further west towards Chang'an.The road was long and arduous,marked by skirmishes and strategic maneuvers.

Lin Yu,with Zhao Yun at his side,continued to play a pivotal role in the military campaigns,their counsel and bravery earning them the respect and admiration of their peers.

Dian Wei,now a captain in Cao Cao's personal guard,thrived in his new role,his loyalty and prowess on the battlefield becoming the stuff of legend.

As for the pendant,it remained a silent witness to the unfolding events,its true power and purpose yet to be revealed.

The journey to Chang'an was fraught with challenges,but Lin Yu's heart was filled with a quiet determination.He knew that the path ahead was uncertain,but with the pendant's secret safe and his brothers-in-arms at his side,he was ready to face whatever the future held.

And so,the chapter closes with Lin Yu holding the key to a mystery that could change the course of history,his mind set on the grand stage of the Three Kingdoms era,where the line between myth and reality was often blurred.