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Chapter 83 - Chapter 83: A Welcoming Gift

To be fair, not having a Star Core was incredibly inconvenient. He didn't even have any money on hand. Perhaps it was time to visit the Mebis Bank and see how much money Immortal Wushan had left him. Hopefully, the man hadn't been too stingy.

The planet of Celestial Martial Star was massive, but most nobles resided not far from the imperial palace.

Ten minutes later, Lu Yin and Tu San arrived at the gates of a luxurious estate—the residence of Sika.

At the same time, Bronson emerged from the void.

As Lu Yin led the two toward the estate, they were stopped at the gates by the guards.

"Inform Sika that Prince of Purple Mountain, Lu Yin, has come to visit," Lu Yin said calmly.

The guard was visibly stunned and quickly rushed inside to report.

Soon, Sika came out personally, accompanied by Las. "You useless fools! Why didn't you invite His Highness in?" Sika scolded the guards before turning toward Lu Yin with a respectful bow. "Your Highness, please forgive me for not greeting you sooner."

Las bowed as well, albeit with eyes burning with resentment.

Lu Yin smiled. "Forgive me for this unannounced visit, Lord Sika. I hope I'm not causing trouble."

Sika replied politely, "It is an honor for me to receive the Prince of Purple Mountain. Please, come in."

Lu Yin nodded and stepped in without hesitation.

Sika's estate was extravagant, but not overly so—well within what one would expect from a Deputy Minister of Finance. The man clearly knew his place. He was cautious, measured in his words, and showed the utmost respect toward Lu Yin, who technically held no real power. Lu Yin couldn't help but feel a bit of admiration for such careful finesse.

Most people put on a front before the emperor and act differently behind his back. But Sika seemed to live as if under the ever-watchful eyes of Immortal Wushan. Every move he made appeared calculated not to leave a single trace of fault. This man was dangerous.

Lu Yin couldn't help but recall the contents of the slip of paper Yin had given him. Sika may only be the deputy finance minister in title, but he had completely neutralized the authority of Minister Bailey, effectively monopolizing control over the empire's finances. Otherwise, the Twelve Divisions of the Imperial Court wouldn't bother with him. A man of deep schemes.

To many, dealing with someone like Sika would be a headache. But Lu Yin actually liked dealing with intelligent people like him.

"Your Highness," Sika began, "my son Las may have offended you during the trials. Please accept my deepest apologies."

Las lowered his head, but hatred still flickered in his eyes.

Lu Yin smiled. "Lord Sika, you're too kind. It was a trial—a battle, after all. If anything, I should apologize for going too hard on your son."

"Haha, well said, Your Highness. That brat has been thinking too highly of himself ever since he joined the Martial Academy. A little lesson in humility was just what he needed. Now he knows that there's always someone stronger—and that some are born with talent beyond imagination, like Your Highness," Sika laughed heartily.

Lu Yin offered a knowing smile in return.

Both of them were putting on a show.

Sika was clearly surprised by Lu Yin's visit. He didn't know what the prince was after. The incident with Las provoking Lu Yin on the Willpower Arc had long passed. As for Long Chu, Sika was confident no one could trace that back to him. No one, aside from the Second Prince, even knew Long Chu was working for him—not even Las. So why was Lu Yin here? To press charges? Didn't seem like it.

"Lord Sika, I heard the planet you were born on has beautiful landscapes," Lu Yin suddenly said, feigning curiosity.

Sika smiled. "Indeed. I was born on…"

Time passed—an hour flew by.

Tu San stood silently behind Lu Yin, bored out of his mind. He had no idea what his master was trying to achieve.

Las also stood next to his father, expressionless, listening to their idle chatter.

To Lu Yin, everything about the Great Martial Empire was new. He could ask a thousand questions. But Sika was different. As someone in a real position of power, he had countless matters to handle. Still, he couldn't simply refuse a prince's questions, so he begrudgingly entertained every topic—from geography and climate to anecdotes about the trials. Another two hours passed.

Las was nearing his limit.

Sika finally cleared his throat and lifted his teacup in a silent signal: time to wrap things up.

Lu Yin, however, seemed oblivious and casually sipped his own tea.

An hour later, Sika could bear it no longer. He asked directly, "Your Highness, may I ask what brings you to visit me today?"

Lu Yin smiled. "Oh, nothing in particular. Just wanted to pay you a visit, learn from your vast knowledge. I've heard much about you from your son. Even Long Chu said you were quite the scholar."

A glint flashed in Sika's eyes. He nodded slowly and whispered a few words to Las. The latter clenched his jaw, face darkening, and left.

Moments later, Las returned and handed Sika a Spatial Ring.

Sika smiled warmly. "Your Highness, it must be inconvenient arriving in the Capital without proper resources. You might need a few attendants or staff. I owe much to the House of Purple Mountain. Please accept this small token of gratitude."

He offered the Spatial Ring with both hands.

Lu Yin raised an eyebrow. "Then I shall gratefully accept," he said, taking the ring without hesitation.

Las sneered inwardly.

"No need for formalities, Your Highness," Sika said with a smile.

Lu Yin rose to his feet. "Thank you again, Lord Sika."

Sika stood as well. "Allow me to escort you out."

As they reached the door, Lu Yin suddenly turned. "Lord Sika, I'd love to visit again sometime. Shall we talk more in the future?"

Sika forced a smile. "Apologies, Your Highness, I've been quite busy lately. But perhaps after court ends one day, we can chat outside the Grand Star Gate."

Lu Yin nodded. "Very well. Until next time."

Watching him leave, Sika's expression darkened.

"Father, what's that bastard trying to pull? He wants to come again?" Las growled.

"He's probing us—and sending a warning," Sika said coldly. "He's making it clear: if we make a move against him again, he'll be back."

Las scoffed. "Just give him a little cash and he leaves. Does he really think his status as a powerless prince makes him untouchable?"

Sika's eyes turned cold. Lu Yin had clearly slipped beyond his control. How had he known about Long Chu's ties to him? No one else should've known, not even Las. And just earlier, he had rescued Siken Maldo… This man was no simpleton. "Assign someone to follow him."

"Reporting in, sir—Prince Lu Yin has just entered Minister Bailey's estate," a guard announced.

Sika's face twisted. First, he visited me, then Bailey? He's clearly letting me know he's aware I undercut Bailey's authority. There's no way that order was a coincidence. This prince must have someone backing him—someone who knows the intricacies of the capital. He's dangerous.

"Las, remember this—don't provoke him again. For now," Sika ordered grimly.

Las didn't understand but dared not argue.

Bailey's estate wasn't far from Sika's—both were in the noble district.

Bailey warmly welcomed Lu Yin in. They chatted for half an hour. Compared to Sika, Bailey was even more generous. Without hesitation, he handed Lu Yin a Spatial Ring.

Sika had to maintain appearances, but Bailey didn't care. He was a puppet anyway—he had no real power, but plenty of money. He even gave Lu Yin a Mebis Bank platinum card, far more luxurious than Sika's.

"It's an honor to host Your Highness. I look forward to your guidance in the future," Bailey said courteously as he walked Lu Yin out.

Lu Yin smiled. "You flatter me, Minister. Please, return inside."

Bailey nodded and watched Lu Yin depart. Once the prince was out of sight, he snorted. "What a joke. Extorting me? You'll get what's coming. Just wait."

Lu Yin was in an exceptionally good mood.

Back when Crown Prince Dalan Wushan gave him a "welcome gift," he had already considered this move: visiting all the high officials in the capital and openly collecting "gifts"—no, welcoming presents.

If they gave something, great. If not, fine. He had plenty of time to spare.

He was a powerless, idle prince. What was there to worry about? Who would dare accuse him of bribery? Who in their right mind would bribe a prince with no real power and just a Third Stage cultivation?

And Immortal Wushan had promised him—so long as he lived, no one could bully Lu Yin. That promise had to be used while it lasted. Who knew how long the old man would stay alive?

As for reputation? Lu Yin couldn't care less what the other court officials thought of him. Every one of them was corrupt in some way, but they still functioned, and that was why Immortal Wushan tolerated them. Corruption wasn't the problem—incompetent corruption was.

Sika's embezzlement was probably astronomical, but he managed the empire's finances with efficiency and order. So no one dared criticize him.

Lu Yin, on the other hand, was the opposite. He had no power, so even if he was greedy, he wasn't a threat. If anything, it lowered others' guard. And he wasn't targeting civilians—he was targeting the corrupt ministers.

"If I'm going through all the trouble of pretending to be a descendant of the Purple Mountain Clan, I better get something out of it," Lu Yin told himself with a smirk.

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