Long Chu continued, "King of Zishan, do you know what the Second Ring Army is called?"
Lu Yin looked at Long Chu.
"The Second Ring Army is externally part of the Imperial Court's Thirteen Squads, but in reality, they are killing machines that monitor us. They are called the official defense force, and it is us they are defending against," Long Chu said angrily.
"What do you want me to do?" Lu Yin asked.
Long Chu lowered his voice, "To retake the military authority of the Zishan clan and lead us, the Zishan King's army. We are soldiers, not petty figures who play games with the children of aristocrats, and certainly not enemies of the empire."
Lu Yin gave a bitter smile. "Commander Long, you overestimate me. You are an intelligent man; you should understand my current situation. To put it nicely, I am the King of Zishan. To put it bluntly, I am just a pawn for His Majesty to repay a debt to my ancestors. For His Majesty, granting me the title of King of Zishan was already his way of settling things with the Zishan clan's old subordinates. For me to retake power is... difficult."
"Your Highness, how can we know without trying? Our Third Ring Army supports you!" Long Chu exclaimed.
Lu Yin gestured for him to calm down. "There's no rush for this matter. Commander Long, is there anything else?"
Long Chu exhaled and sat down, looking troubled. "There is one thing I hope Your Highness can help with."
"What is it?" Lu Yin asked, looking at him.
Long Chu said, "General Siken Maldo is one of Zishan's old subordinates, but he was captured because of the incident on Earth. I hope Your Highness can exert your influence to save him. He was definitely framed."
"Why are you so certain?" Lu Yin asked, frowning.
Long Chu's voice was heavy. "His Majesty gave General Maldo no opportunity to explain. He even sealed all news the moment he learned of Baruda's treasonous escape. It's obvious someone feared complications and slandered him before His Majesty, eager to see General Maldo dead. Otherwise, His Majesty would not have been so arbitrary in convicting the General. I implore Your Highness to save the General."
Lu Yin's fingers tapped on the table, his eyes deep in thought.
Long Chu stared at Lu Yin, his eyes bloodshot. He clearly hadn't slept all night and was extremely anxious.
After a long while, Lu Yin looked at Long Chu. "I understand. I will seek an audience with His Majesty immediately and do everything in my power."
Long Chu was overjoyed. "Thank you, Your Highness."
Lu Yin nodded and had Xu San escort the guest out.
Watching Long Chu's departing figure, Lu Yin's eyes turned cold. "This is the second time. To dare make a move again, do they really think I'm a pushover?" The note Yin had given him on the Perseverance not only contained information on the Zishan clan's old subordinates but also on the traitors among them. This Long Chu was a traitor, one of Sika's men.
Long Chu's goal was simple: to force Lu Yin to save Siken Maldo. With Lu Yin's current capabilities, if he truly intervened, the outcome would be disastrous. Not only would he fail to save Siken Maldo, but he would also give Undying Yushan the impression that he was hastily trying to consolidate Zishan's old subordinates. This would make many see his ignorance and mock his blindness. As a result, his reputation as the King of Zishan in the Great Yu Empire would be ruined. No one would help a blind, arrogant man who couldn't see the reality of the situation.
But if he didn't help, he would offend the old subordinates of Zishan.
Although Lu Yin didn't know his family's reason for making him the King of Zishan, the title was definitely useful, and Zishan's old veterans were bound to be his future support. Offending them would make things difficult later on.
No matter how he handled it, he was caught in a dilemma.
Sika's methods were brilliant.
Lu Yin's eyes narrowed. After a moment of contemplation, he left the King of Zishan's residence and headed for the imperial palace.
Soon, news that the King of Zishan intended to plead for Siken Maldo spread throughout the Capital Star. Countless people heard the news, their faces filled with mockery.
"The escape of twenty-seven Corpse Kings was the work of the Neo-Human Alliance. His Majesty naturally knows Siken Maldo is innocent; otherwise, the man wouldn't have dared to return. But this matter requires a scapegoat. Otherwise, the Great Yu Empire will face pressure from the Innerverse. The Neo-Human Alliance is an enemy to all of humanity's domains; the threat they pose is no less than that of the other major domains. Even His Majesty can't bear this burden, yet this King of Zishan dares to stick his neck out. He must be seeking death," Sika scoffed in a luxurious manor.
Las said smugly, "He's just making trouble for His Majesty. If Siken Maldo doesn't die, His Majesty will have to bear the pressure. This Lu Yin can't see the situation clearly. Does he really think Zishan's old subordinates still revere him as their master? The Zishan clan has long been a clan in name only."
Sika shook his head and smiled. "It's not that he can't see the situation; it's that he doesn't understand it. King of Zishan? Who would pay him any mind? Only the Crown Prince, wanting to appear benevolent, gives him some face. He will soon feel the consequences of his blind arrogance." Finishing his words, Sika looked at Las, his expression sinking. "I heard you lost a race to Ukai last night?"
Las was startled and said sheepishly, "It won't happen again."
Sika snorted coldly. "What did you promise him?"
Las looked troubled.
"Speak!" Sika snapped.
Las hesitated. "To ask you... to plead for Siken Maldo in the throne room."
Sika slapped Las across the face, sending him stumbling back several meters. "You wretched son! How dare you make such a bet? The court is where the empire's affairs are discussed. Every single decision affects countless people in the empire. How could you treat it as a joke? If His Majesty finds out, how am I supposed to explain myself? Go kneel in the courtyard immediately, and don't get up for three days!"
Las covered his mouth, his face pale as he ran off.
Sika rubbed his temples, a headache forming.
At that moment, it wasn't just Sika; many people were mocking Lu Yin's ignorance.
In a pink room, the little loli Tao Xiang's eyes were sparkling as she stared at a light screen displaying countless snacks, drool nearly dripping from her mouth.
A knock came at the door, and a pleasant voice followed. "Captain, news has come. The King of Zishan, Lu Yin, wants to plead for Siken Maldo."
Tao Xiang blinked. "A good person."
The person outside the door paused. "What did you say?"
Tao Xiang said matter-of-factly, "I said he's a good person. Siken Maldo was obviously framed. No one else dares to plead for him, but he does. He's a good person. I was rude to him in court; maybe I should find a chance to apologize."
There was silence from outside the door.
Inside the imperial palace, Undying Yushan had his eyes closed. He had been standing like that for two hours.
No one dared to disturb him.
A moment later, Undying Yushan opened his eyes. "What is it?"
A newly arrived palace maid spoke respectfully, "Your Majesty, the King of Zishan requests an audience."
Undying Yushan said calmly, "Let him in."
Outside the imperial palace, Lu Yin followed the maid inside. Bronson was waiting outside.
Just as Lu Yin passed, Crown Prince Dolan Yushan and the Second Prince, Duke Yushan, arrived at the same time. Looking at Lu Yin's back, Dolan Yushan smiled. "Second Brother, why are you here too?"
Duke Yushan answered lazily, "To visit Father Emperor. And you, Big Brother?"
"The same," Dolan Yushan said.
Duke Yushan glanced into the imperial palace. "Then why not go in?"
"Second Brother, why don't you go in?" Dolan Yushan asked in return.
Duke Yushan pouted. "Stop smiling at me like that. It's disgusting."
Dolan Yushan sighed. "What should I do if not smile? Second Brother, one shouldn't live so wearily. It's very exhausting."
Duke Yushan cleaned his ear. "You should be saying that to yourself. But with me chasing from behind, you can't afford not to be weary."
"Is the throne really that important to you? You won't even acknowledge me as your big brother," Dolan Yushan stared at Duke Yushan and said in a low voice.
Duke Yushan ignored him and walked straight into the imperial palace. "Let's go. Any later, and Father Emperor will have been angered to death by that King of Zishan. I don't want Father Emperor to pass away before I become Crown Prince; the throne would become yours then."
Dolan Yushan sighed and followed him into the palace.
Bronson's expression was calm. The struggle for the throne was usually bloody, but the Great Yu Empire was an exception. Undying Yushan only had five children. The third and fourth had died in the Innerverse, leaving only the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, and the Fifth Princess. The throne would inevitably go to one of the three. The Fifth Princess had no interest, so the Crown Prince and the Second Prince were in constant competition. However, their struggle was rather overt, to the point they dared to speak of it publicly. He had long grown used to it.
"Lu Yin pays his respects to Uncle Emperor."
Undying Yushan looked at a glowing purple plant before him and waved Lu Yin over. "Come look. This plant is from a peculiar planet. It doesn't have a name yet."
Lu Yin approached and looked at the purple, spherical plant that grew upwards in segments, emitting a strange vibration he couldn't discern as strong or weak.
"Don't get too close. Right now, it's very... domineering," Undying Yushan said with a smile.
Lu Yin was confused. "Domineering?"
Undying Yushan nodded. "It can strangle an Explorer realm powerhouse to death."
Lu Yin's expression changed, and he hurriedly stepped back, staring at the purple plant in shock. "It's that powerful?"
Undying Yushan laughed loudly, looked at the purple plant, and walked towards it step by step. Then, under Lu Yin's astonished gaze, he reached out and touched it. He turned his head to look at Lu Yin. "Do you want to try touching it? It feels very nice."