When the weary Undying Wu Shan finished, Lu Yin also felt his legs go soft.
"I'm tired. My apologies. When one gets old, one likes to reminisce about the past," Undying Wu Shan said with a self-deprecating smile, pushing a plate of pastries in front of Lu Yin. "Try some. This was Undying Zi Shan's favorite pastry."
Lu Yin nodded and took a bite. The taste wasn't bad.
Just as Undying Wu Shan was about to speak again, he glanced at Duo Lan Wushan and Du Ke Wushan. "Are you two still here? Go back. We want to have a private chat with Little Yin."
Lu Yin almost spat out his food. Was he toying with them? They had been forced to listen along for three hours, and it seemed Undying Wu Shan hadn't paid them any mind at all.
Duo Lan Wushan and Du Ke Wushan seemed accustomed to it. They bowed respectfully and withdrew.
"There are too many troublesome matters in the Great Yu Empire. Only here can We find a moment of peace. I remember back then when We and Undying Zi Shan roamed the universe, everyone knew the name of the Undying Duo. A pity, a pity, he left a step ahead of Us. We have been living on borrowed time for several hundred years. I thought I would never see a descendant of the Zishan Clan again in this life. It's a good thing the heavens have eyes and brought you here. Little Yin, We are very pleased to be able to see you before We die," Undying Wu Shan lamented once again.
Lu Yin could only play along. "Your Majesty's strength is unparalleled in the universe. Living for another ten thousand years is not a problem. You won't die so easily."
"Haha, We know Our own body. You don't need to comfort Us," Undying Wu Shan shook his head helplessly, then smiled and looked at Lu Yin. "We have seen everything about your trials on Earth. You are very good. To be able to defeat a Night King, even a newly awakened one, is extremely difficult. Among your peers, very few are your match. You have let Us see the shadow of the young Undying Zi Shan."
Lu Yin was ashamed. "Qing Yu's strength was too great. If it weren't for my classmates working together, I alone could not have defeated him."
Undying Wu Shan smiled. "That was also your wisdom. You controlled that entire trial's final battle with your own hands, and in the end, you were even able to force a Melder realm student to attack for you. Very smart. Only the smart can survive better."
Lu Yin said nothing.
"We are also aware of what happened on the spaceship. Do what you must. As long as We are on the throne for a single day, We will protect you," Undying Wu Shan's topic suddenly changed.
Lu Yin quickly took two steps back. "Thank you, Royal Uncle."
Undying Wu Shan nodded and casually took out a Cosmic Ring. "You've just arrived at the Capital Star, and you'll need money everywhere. Here is a Mebis Bank star card and some Star Energy crystals. Take them and use them."
Lu Yin did not refuse and said again, "Thank you, Royal Uncle."
Undying Wu Shan grunted in acknowledgment. "Your strength is too weak. We have ordered Bronson to be your personal guard. Alright, We are tired. You may leave."
Lu Yin had originally wanted to refuse, but seeing Undying Wu Shan's closed eyes, the words on the tip of his tongue remained unspoken. He bowed once more and turned to leave.
The dignified, iron-fisted emperor of the Great Yu Empire was now in his twilight years. He had been on the throne for eight hundred years and had expanded nearly half a territory. To be honest, from the bottom of his heart, Lu Yin held great respect for this man. But any expansion was accompanied by death. After Undying Wu Shan's death, Lu Yin didn't know how history would judge him, but he was still very grateful to Undying Wu Shan. The man had taken great care of him.
Looking at the Cosmic Ring, Undying Wu Shan had given him 20 cubic meters of crystals. It wasn't much, but for a cultivator of his level, it was considered a lot. He wondered how much money was on the star card.
Led by a palace maid, Lu Yin left the garden. Bronson was already waiting outside. The moment he saw Lu Yin, he immediately stepped forward. "Greetings, King Zishan."
Lu Yin smiled. "I've troubled you, General Bronson."
Bronson said solemnly, "Protecting Your Highness is this subordinate's duty. Please do not be so courteous, Your Highness."
Lu Yin nodded and walked towards the exit of the imperial palace.
Bronson followed right behind Lu Yin, maintaining a distance of one meter, not too far and not too close.
"Oh right, General Bronson, I heard you are the third seat of the First Imperial Squad. Can you tell me a little about the Thirteen Imperial Squads?" Lu Yin asked.
Bronson said, "I am willing to clear up any doubts for Your Highness." After a pause, he said, "The Thirteen Imperial Squads correspond to the thirteen gates of the imperial palace. To enter or exit the palace, one must pass through the thirteen squads. One could say the Thirteen Imperial Squads are His Majesty's shield. Every captain possesses the combat power of a Cruiser, unparalleled in the Canglan Territory and famous throughout the outerverse. More importantly, the Thirteen Imperial Squads correspond to the thirteen sectors of the Great Yu Empire. Nearly half of the administrative appointments in the thirteen sectors come from the thirteen squads. The lord of a sector is the captain of a squad in the Thirteen Imperial Squads."
Lu Yin was surprised. "The Thirteen Imperial Squads are related to the empire's thirteen sectors?"
Bronson replied, "By His Majesty's appointment. The Sector Lords of the thirteen sectors are the captains of the Thirteen Imperial Squads. The heads of administration in the thirteen sectors are usually the corresponding vice-captains. The Thirteen Imperial Squads have the authority to investigate and supervise their corresponding regions."
Lu Yin understood. No wonder it was said that the Thirteen Imperial Squads were the most powerful department in the empire. Each captain was a great general of the frontier, even possessing the power to dismiss administrative officials. Undying Wu Shan had delegated power, controlling the source himself. It saved him trouble and he didn't have to worry about rebellion. This method of governance could usually only be implemented with extreme confidence in the central authority. It was clear how confident Undying Wu Shan was in himself.
Bronson gave Lu Yin a brief introduction to the captains of the Thirteen Imperial Squads. At first, Lu Yin didn't react much, as he didn't know any of them. But when Bronson mentioned the captain of the Thirteenth Squad, he was shocked. "What? Liu Ying Zishan? The captain of the Thirteenth Squad is named Liu Ying Zishan?"
Bronson nodded. "Yes, Captain Liu Ying Zishan is the captain of the Thirteenth Squad. She is currently handling affairs in the Thirteenth Sector and will return in a while."
Lu Yin frowned. "Is she also from my Zishan Clan?"
Bronson shook his head. "Captain Liu Ying is not from the Zishan Clan. As for why she uses the surname Zishan, I must ask Your Highness to inquire with her personally."
Lu Yin's eyes flickered. Not from the Zishan Clan, yet bearing the Zishan surname. What was the origin of this woman? Undying Wu Shan hadn't mentioned it when he saw him. Had he forgotten?
Before he knew it, Lu Yin and Bronson had arrived at the Great Star Gate. Crown Prince Duo Lan Wushan was there, smiling at him.
Lu Yin immediately stepped forward. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, why are you here? You couldn't be waiting for me, could you?"
Duo Lan Wushan smiled. "Naturally, I was waiting for you, Royal Brother. You've just arrived at the Capital Star, and your royal brother doesn't have much to give. Just a small meeting gift, I hope you won't dislike it." After speaking, Duo Lan Wushan gave Lu Yin a Cosmic Ring.
Lu Yin's eyes lit up. He wasn't shameless enough to check it on the spot. He put it away and said politely, "Royal Brother is too kind. To refuse would be to disrespect your good intentions. I will accept it then. Thank you, Royal Brother."
Duo Lan Wushan smiled. "Royal Brother is straightforward. Oh right, the Capital Star is very large, and it's inconvenient for you to get around. I've already had someone deliver the latest model spaceship. It's just outside the Great Star Gate, for your use."
Lu Yin thanked him again.
Duo Lan Wushan didn't say much more. Before leaving, he instructed Bronson to take good care of Lu Yin.
The captain of the First Imperial Squad was Undying Wu Shan himself. The left vice-captain was Crown Prince Duo Lan Wushan, and the right vice-captain was Second Prince Du Ke Wushan. As the third seat of the First Squad, Bronson had to obey Duo Lan Wushan's orders.
Watching Duo Lan Wushan's departing back, Lu Yin looked down at the Cosmic Ring and was astonished. Duo Lan Wushan had actually given him 50 cubic meters of Star Energy crystals, even more than what Undying Wu Shan had given. How generous. He wondered how much he had embezzled. He couldn't help but sigh, "The Crown Prince is such a good person. As expected of the empire's next emperor, so humble and gentle."
Bronson bowed his head and said nothing.
Lu Yin had just taken two steps when he suddenly thought of something. His eyes lit up with excitement. He clenched his fists and finally walked out of the Great Star Gate with an enigmatic smile.
Outside the Great Star Gate, Xu San was hiding to one side, his eyes shining as he looked at an incredibly beautiful spaceship in the distance. Regardless of its size or design, it far surpassed the one that had brought them here; they were simply incomparable. Its captivating streamlined body and domineering design were truly a man's romance.
Xu San stared at the spaceship, his mouth almost watering. He wondered who it belonged to. Such a cool thing must be very expensive.
Soon, Lu Yin came out, said something to Xu San, and walked directly towards that very cool spaceship.
Xu San hurried over. "Boss, don't touch it randomly! This thing looks very expensive at a glance. Don't let people think we're trying to pull a scam."
Lu Yin was speechless. "Stop embarrassing me. Get in." After speaking, Lu Yin opened the cabin door and sat down.
Xu San was dumbfounded, then excited. "Boss, is this ours?"
"Nonsense," Lu Yin felt this guy was a bit of a disgrace. He needed to broaden his horizons, otherwise, he wouldn't even fetch a good price if sold. "Let's go. We're going to the Martial Hall on the first ring continent to find Zhang Dingtian and the others."
"Boss, how do you know Zhang Dingtian and the others are on the first ring?" Xu San asked.
"Body reconstruction is all done at the Martial Hall. Let's go." After speaking, Lu Yin started the spaceship. With a blast of air, the spaceship shot out, automatically planning its route and setting a course for the first ring.
Bronson directly traversed the void to follow.