The burly man, Barzel, glanced at the person. "You're not wrong. So, what do you suggest we do?"
The person suggested, "Seal the news, and at the same time, find a way to eliminate that native."
Barzel threw the towel aside, looked at the person, and approached step by step. "Well said. Anything else?"
"Councilor Wendy won't care about the life or death of a native. We not only have to kill that native, but we must also stage it as an accident—an accident that will leave that native with an infamous reputation for eternity and make Councilor Wendy grow disgusted with her homeland," the person continued.
Barzel walked up to the person, raised his hand, and placed it on his shoulder. "You're not wrong. But have you considered this: what matter can escape Councilor Wendy's eyes? If she thinks Lord Buyou ordered us to do this, where do you expect Lord Buyou to put his face?"
The person's face turned pale in an instant. He hurriedly tried to explain, but it was too late. Barzel's hand tightened, and with a soft pop, the living person who had been standing there perfectly fine a moment ago was instantly turned into a pool of blood, staining the ground red. The stench of blood filled the entire space.
Everyone else became even more terrified, bowing their heads, not daring to move.
At this moment, footsteps were heard. A young man slowly walked in, slender and with a pale complexion. "Big Brother Barzel, no need to be angry. That native is in the Reaching Realm, and so am I. Just let this little brother resolve this worry for you. Deaths during a spar are a very normal occurrence. I believe no one will blame me."
Barzel wiped his hands. "Then I'll have to trouble you, Gui Huo."
A few days later, while Lu Yin was studying the star chart in the King of Zishan's residence, Bronson's voice transmission came through. "Your Highness, Captain Tao Xiang of the Imperial Court's Sixth Squad has come to visit."
Lu Yin looked up, surprised. Tao Xiang? Why would she come? He didn't seem to have any connection with this loli. No, wait. The first time I went to the imperial court in the Capital, this loli glared at me. She's not here for revenge, is she?
With no time to overthink, Lu Yin had just reached the front hall when he saw a little loli strolling around with a stunningly beautiful woman. That beautiful woman was, of course, Bai Xue.
"Oh, Lu Yin, you're here," Tao Xiang said in pleasant surprise, instantly appearing in front of Lu Yin, blinking her big eyes as she sized him up.
Lu Yin stepped forward. "Captain Tao Xiang, hello."
Tao Xiang hurriedly stepped back. "Don't come closer."
Lu Yin was puzzled and looked at himself. "What's wrong?"
Bai Xue explained, "The captain doesn't like to stand next to people taller than her."
Lu Yin was momentarily stunned. He looked at Tao Xiang. The little loli was only 1.2 meters tall. At that height, it was indeed difficult to find someone shorter than her. No wonder Bai Xue also stood several meters away from her.
"The King of Zishan's residence is really impressive, and so high up. I like it," Tao Xiang said, looking around.
Lu Yin smiled. "If you like it, you can stay here."
"Really?" Tao Xiang was delighted. She loved high places and enjoyed the feeling of looking down on everything.
Lu Yin nodded. "Really. By the way, Captain Tao Xiang, did you come to see me for something?"
Tao Xiang hummed in agreement. Facing Lu Yin, she said solemnly, "I came to apologize to you."
"Apologize? For what?" Lu Yin was confused.
Tao Xiang fiddled with her hair. "I shouldn't have scared you in court last time. I'm sorry." After speaking, she bowed solemnly in apology.
Lu Yin was startled and quickly tried to dodge. This was the captain of the Imperial Court's Sixth Squad, a super expert of the Cruiser Realm, who could rank in the top 20 of the entire Great Yu Empire, a person who didn't even need to bow when meeting Undying Yushan, yet she was bowing to him. He couldn't possibly accept it. However, Lu Yin couldn't dodge. Multiple Tao Xiangs suddenly appeared around him, bowing in unison.
Lu Yin's pupils shrank. Are these clones? No, it's speed, extreme speed.
After apologizing, Tao Xiang giggled at Lu Yin and was about to leave.
Previously, when Bronson introduced Tao Xiang to Lu Yin, he had said that she would correct her mistakes as soon as she knew them and had no ulterior motives. He hadn't believed it at the time, but he hadn't expected it to be true. The little loli had absolutely none of the airs of a captain. It was a wonder she could hold that position.
Seeing Tao Xiang about to leave, Lu Yin quickly said, "Captain Tao Xiang, it's rare for you to come. Stay for a cup of tea before you go."
Tao Xiang shook her head. "No, I still have things to do."
Bai Xue nodded at Lu Yin and followed behind Tao Xiang.
Lu Yin took out a bag of snacks from his spatial ring, shook it, and made a rustling sound.
Tao Xiang stopped, turned, and stared at the bag of snacks in Lu Yin's hand, her eyes suddenly burning with passion. "This... this is the third-generation collector's edition of 'Fatty' brand snacks from the Kaka Territory, the Ice Dragon Shrimp Chips, with a total production of only fifty thousand bags."
Lu Yin was surprised. He hadn't expected this bag of snacks to have such a great reputation. This was a snack he had stolen with the one-pip die. He had just wanted to try and see if he could attract Tao Xiang's attention, not expecting the effect to be so good.
"It's great that you like it," Lu Yin smiled and handed the snacks to Tao Xiang.
Tao Xiang instantly appeared in front of Lu Yin, staring at him fervently. "You... you're really a good person. Are you really willing to give this to me? This stuff is delicious."
Lu Yin smiled. "Of course. It's a pity I only have one bag, which isn't quite enough."
"It's enough, it's enough, more than enough! I couldn't even buy one bag last time. Thank you, Lu Yin, you're such a great person," the loli Tao Xiang said, her words jumbled, as if she had just learned some peerless combat technique.
Lu Yin was speechless. How did this kind of person become a captain? She can't be very old, can she?
Standing not far away, Bai Xue looked at Lu Yin in surprise. Although Tao Xiang had no ulterior motives, she wasn't someone just anyone could get close to. People without ulterior motives were often better judges of character and more principled. In the days she had followed Tao Xiang, she had never seen her be so enthusiastic towards anyone.
"Lu Yin, from now on, we're friends," Tao Xiang said, blinking her large, clear-as-water eyes at Lu Yin. At this moment, she was standing very close to him.
Lu Yin didn't know how to respond and could only say, "If I have delicious snacks in the future, I'll give them all to you."
Tao Xiang's eyes lit up. "Thanks. But I can't just take your things for free. Is there anything you need my help with? Let me say this first, I can't beat Wendy, so don't ask me to help you tie her up."
Lu Yin's eyebrow twitched. She's done her research on me. She even knew he had tied people up before and knew so much about his affairs. As expected, anyone who could become a captain was no fool. This loli had clearly investigated him intentionally. If he really treated her as a naive little girl, he would be in for a world of trouble.
"No need. You're a guest in my home; it's only right that I entertain you. Besides, didn't you say it yourself? We're friends, no need to be so formal," Lu Yin said with a smile.
"That won't do. I don't like to owe people things." Tao Xiang hugged the snacks tightly, bit her index finger in thought, and her eyes lit up. "That's right! Do you want to learn a combat technique? I can teach you."
Lu Yin was about to refuse when an idea struck him. "That movement technique you just used was a combat technique, right? It's so fast."
Tao Xiang said smugly, "Of course. This is the movement combat technique of our Imperial Court's Thirteen Squads—Void Flash."
"The Imperial Court's Thirteen Squads' combat technique?" Lu Yin was puzzled.
Tao Xiang said, "The Imperial Court's Thirteen Squads, the Martial Hall, and the royal family all have their own combat techniques. In fact, they were all obtained by His Majesty from the Innerverse. Void Flash is the exclusive movement combat technique of our Thirteen Squads. It can push speed to the extreme, slowing down space, deceiving space. Do you want to learn it? I can teach you."
"Isn't this the Thirteen Squads' combat technique? Can I learn it?" Lu Yin was surprised.
Tao Xiang nodded. "Because you are also a member of the Imperial Court's Thirteen Squads."
"Me? The Thirteen Squads?" Lu Yin pointed at himself. When did he join the Thirteen Squads? Wasn't it the Martial Hall?
Tao Xiang smiled. "The Yushan royal family and the Zishan clan are default members of the Martial Hall and the Imperial Court's Thirteen Squads. Your official assignment should be with the First Squad. I don't know the specifics, but you can definitely learn Void Flash. How about it? Want to learn?"
"I couldn't ask for more. As long as it doesn't violate any principles or make things difficult for you," Lu Yin said.
Tao Xiang beamed. "It won't be difficult at all. Come on, I'll teach you." She grabbed Lu Yin's right arm, and their bodies instantly vanished, reappearing several meters away in a flash. "Carefully comprehend the essence of Void Flash."
The moment Lu Yin began learning Void Flash, Bronson retreated outside. He also knew Void Flash, but everyone's interpretation of it was different, so he couldn't watch.
Bai Xue looked at Lu Yin with envy. She had not yet learned Void Flash.
Tao Xiang's speed was extremely fast. Like the Roaming Step, Void Flash had extremely high requirements for the force exerted by the legs. However, Lu Yin had the foundation of the Roaming Step and had also perceived the skills of the White Night clan's speed technique, so learning Void Flash was not too difficult.
Even so, it took him two hours to barely execute it.
"You really are a genius. An ordinary person would need at least two months to learn Void Flash. Those qualified to learn Void Flash are all elites of the Thirteen Squads, the elites of the entire Great Yu Empire. You've left those people far behind," Tao Xiang praised.
Lu Yin exhaled, a smile of excitement on his face. For offense, he had the Heavenly Star Palm, White Night Fist, and Heavenly Beast Claw. For defense, he had the Heavenly Star Art. What he lacked was extreme speed. Void Flash had filled this gap. "Tao Xiang, thank you."