"In other words, after the trial ends, the zombie horde must be cleaned up immediately to prevent the birth of Corpse Kings that could be taken away by the New Human Alliance. But this time, Siken Maldo didn't do so, and Baruda even defected and fled, so the empire concluded that he colluded with foreign races," Bronson added.
Lu Yin nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
The Maldo family were old subordinates of the Zishan Clan, but he had just arrived at the capital and hadn't even found his footing. It was impossible for him to help Siken Maldo. He could only pray for himself.
Lu Yin thought of Yin. He was certain that Yin was a member of this New Human Alliance. Could it be that he was a Corpse King? It didn't seem like it.
Yin had left at Gema Space Station. Connecting this to Baruda's defection, it was likely related to him.
Lu Yin didn't think about it anymore. What if he knew the truth? He couldn't say a word. Siken Maldo had been convicted of treason without even a single word of explanation. Whether this was related to the Zishan Clan, he couldn't be sure.
This was different from Las's probing on the spaceship. This was a killing intent, one that even an Explorer couldn't escape.
Looking at the scenery of Zhenwu Star, the spaceship flew for two hours and finally saw the majestic Great Yu Imperial Palace.
Clusters of towering buildings pierced the blue sky. This was the Great Yu Imperial Palace, the center of power for the entire Great Yu Empire. Even from such a great distance, the majesty it exuded was soul-shaking.
Xu San's lips trembled as he looked fearfully into the distance. In his eyes, the Great Yu Imperial Palace seemed like a sky-swallowing beast pressing down on him.
"The Great Yu Imperial Palace has thirteen gates for entry, guarded by the Thirteen Imperial Squads. The main gate is called the Great Star Gate, corresponding to the First Squad. Your Highness, His Majesty has ordered me to escort you through the Great Star Gate," Bronson said respectfully.
Lu Yin nodded silently, stepped off the spaceship, and looked up. The Imperial Palace soared into the sky. With the naked eye, one could see the Star Energy fluctuations it emitted, which made one tremble.
Xu San was left behind. With his status, he was not qualified to enter. Being able to get this close was already a favor shown on account of Lu Yin.
The Great Yu Imperial Palace was vast. Entering through the Great Star Gate, it took 20 minutes of walking to reach the spacious Great Yu court.
Along the way, Lu Yin saw the unique cultural heritage of the Great Yu Empire. Carved railings and jade buildings depicted countless stories. There was little technology within the imperial palace; the further one went in, the more ancient it felt. When he saw the court, Lu Yin even suspected he had traveled back through the river of time to ancient ages.
Bronson bowed before the court, made an inviting gesture to Lu Yin, and remained outside the hall himself.
Lu Yin took a deep breath, feeling the countless immense Star Energy fluctuations around him. He approached the court hall step by step, finally stopping outside.
Cough, cough.
Undying Wu Shan coughed twice, looked up towards the outside of the hall, and revealed a smile. "Come in."
All the court officials stood solemnly. Only the captains of the Thirteen Imperial Squads turned their heads to look outside the hall with curious eyes.
Lu Yin stepped into the audience hall. With just one step, the world changed dramatically. An inexplicable pressure descended from the heavens, turning everything before his eyes gray-white. The ground faintly trembled, and his ears went deaf. Lu Yin's pupils shrank; this was the pressure from an absolute expert. The air distorted, like silk threads connecting heaven and earth.
Lu Yin's internal organs began to ache intensely. Everything before him blurred, and the Star Energy in his body was suppressed, unable to move.
The numerous court officials slowly turned their heads to look at the entrance of the hall, their gazes varied—solemn, mocking, arrogant... A native had transformed in an instant, becoming the King Zishan who stood above countless people. No one could accept it. This pressure didn't come from any single person but from everyone. It wasn't intentionally released, but merely a rejection born from dissatisfaction. The entire court wanted to reject Lu Yin.
Lu Yin's mind grew dizzy, his fingers trembling. The figure of Undying Wu Shan in front of him gradually disappeared. He was about to lose consciousness.
Drink!
With a soft shout, Lu Yin bit the tip of his tongue. His five fingers tore into the flesh of his palm. Fresh blood dripped from his palm, the pain clearing his mind. He lifted his foot and took another step, his body completely entering the audience hall.
Suddenly, the pressure receded like a tide.
Everyone looked at him in surprise. A Seeker who could actually withstand this pressure was not easy to come by.
At the very front, Crown Prince Duo Lan Wushan had a faint smile on his lips, while the Second Prince pouted.
Among the captains of the Thirteen Imperial Squads, the bald, blind man gave an almost imperceptible nod.
At the highest point, Undying Wu Shan laughed heartily. "Come closer."
Lu Yin let out a breath and looked up, meeting Undying Wu Shan's gaze with a solemn expression. He lifted his foot and walked forward, passing by official after official, even passing by the captains of the Thirteen Imperial Squads, finally stopping in the same row as the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. "Lu Yin pays his respects to Your Majesty."
A smile appeared on Undying Wu Shan's face. Just as he was about to speak, he coughed a few more times, then took a sip of water. "Call me Royal Uncle."
Lu Yin turned. "Royal Uncle."
Undying Wu Shan nodded. "You have suffered all these years outside."
Lu Yin said respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Royal Uncle."
"Royal Brother, Father Emperor has always remembered the Zishan Clan. Where have you been all these years? Why was there no news of you? And who gave you the name Lu Yin?" Crown Prince Duo Lan Wushan asked.
Everyone looked at Lu Yin. Ever since Lu Yin's Zishan Clan bloodline was confirmed, the Great Yu Empire had been investigating him but had found nothing. This was incredible. The Great Yu Empire was the number one power in the Canglan Territory, yet it was unable to investigate a person's background, which made everyone very curious about Lu Yin.
Lu Yin had already prepared an answer. "To be honest, I have amnesia. I only remember this name. If you don't believe me, you can probe my mind. I speak nothing but the truth."
Duo Lan Wushan quickly waved his hand and smiled. "Royal Brother speaks too seriously. There is no need for that. Royal Brother's identity as a descendant of our Great Yu Empire's Zishan Clan has been confirmed. No matter what has happened in the past, our Great Yu Empire will be Royal Brother's strongest support."
"The Crown Prince is right. Little Yin, from now on, you can stay in the empire with peace of mind. Accept the peerage of King Zishan and bring glory to the Zishan lineage," Undying Wu Shan said in a loud voice.
Lu Yin hurriedly affirmed.
"Father Emperor, has a residence been arranged for Royal Brother Lu Yin? If not, Your Son is willing to arrange one for him," Second Prince Du Ke Wushan spoke for the first time, his tone calm.
Undying Wu Shan smiled. "No need. Little Yin's residence does not need to be arranged by others. The King Zishan Manor is his home."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was shocked. "Your Majesty, that is not possible! The King Zishan Manor holds a noble status in the capital. It not only represents the peerage of King Zishan but also the honor of our Great Yu Empire's past experts, representing the merits of the former King Zishan. Even if it is to be returned to King Zishan, we must wait until he has developed."
"That's right, Your Majesty. Please reconsider."
"Your Majesty, please reconsider." ...
Lu Yin found it strange. Wasn't it just a residence? Was it necessary to make such a fuss as if they were risking their lives to offer advice? Was there something wrong with this group of people's heads?
Bang! Undying Wu Shan became furious. "We have spoken. Do you want Us to go back on Our word? We are not dead yet! It is not your place to make decisions for Us!"
The faces of the numerous court officials turned pale. "Please forgive us, Your Majesty."
The Crown Prince and the Second Prince also turned and bowed.
Lu Yin glanced around and found that only a few strangely shaped people hadn't moved. Huh? Why was there a loli?
In fact, as soon as he entered the court, he had noticed this group of strangely shaped individuals, a total of seven people. One was two meters tall and completely black; one had fiery red hair and a serious expression; one exuded a cold aura, warning others to stay away; one was a bald, short, and blind man; one wore a white coat, looking like a scientist; one was excessively handsome, looking even gentler than Xia Luo; and there was also a petite loli. These seven people with very distinct appearances stood very close to the front, second only to the Crown Prince and the Second Prince.
Lu Yin guessed that these few people were probably the captains of the most powerful Thirteen Imperial Squads of the Great Yu Empire. Truly a group with personality.
"What are you looking at? Haven't you seen a beauty before?" the petite loli glared fiercely at Lu Yin.
Lu Yin was speechless and turned his head away. It was hard not to notice the appearance of these few fellows, especially the bald, short, and blind man. His frightening appearance was second only to Shi Wuzhang's.
Seeing Lu Yin turn his head away, the petite loli proudly puffed out her chest ʘʘ and lifted her head smugly.
"Alright, court is dismissed. We are tired. The Crown Prince, the Second Prince, and Little Yin will stay," Undying Wu Shan said tiredly, waving his hand.
The numerous court officials retreated one after another.
Before leaving, the petite loli glared fiercely at Lu Yin.
Lu Yin ignored her. Just a little girl, and she was a captain?
Undying Wu Shan took the three of them to the garden. The air in the imperial garden was fresh, and the plants grown were all things Lu Yin had never seen before. Fortunately, he had been in space before, and the inner universe at that, so it wasn't too strange.
Undying Wu Shan was perhaps old. He pulled Lu Yin along and began to reminisce, leading him on a tour of the garden while recalling old stories, which made him very helpless. He wasn't a member of the Zishan Clan at all; he had no time to listen to an old man ramble. But Undying Wu Shan was convinced he was, and even Duo Lan Wushan and Du Ke Wushan couldn't escape, forced to listen for three solid hours.