Chapter 81

Long Chu continued, "Do you know what the Second Ring Army is called, Your Majesty?"

Lu Yin looked at Long Chu.

"The Second Ring Army is officially part of the thirteen teams of the royal court, but in reality, they are the surveillance and killing machine watching over us. They are called the true defense force, defending against us," Long Chu said angrily.

"What do you want me to do?" Lu Yin asked.

Long Chu said in a low voice, "Regain control of the military power of the Zishan clan, take charge of our Zishan Army. We are soldiers, not playthings for the nobles' children, and certainly not enemies of the empire."

Lu Yin smiled bitterly, "Commander Long, you flatter me too much. You are a smart person and should understand my current situation. To put it nicely, I am the Zishan King; to put it bluntly, I am a pawn used by His Majesty to repay the ancestors' kindness. For His Majesty, giving me the position of Zishan King is already a way to account to the old Zishan clan. It will be difficult for me to regain power."

"Your Highness, how do you know unless you try? The Third Ring Army supports you," Long Chu shouted.

Lu Yin pressed his hand down, "This matter is not urgent. Commander Long, do you have anything else?"

Long Chu sighed and sat down, looking troubled, "There is one thing, I hope Your Highness can help."

"What is it?" Lu Yin asked, looking at him.

Long Chu said, "General Xikang Malduo is also from the old Zishan clan, but he was arrested due to the Earth trial. I hope Your Highness can help save him; he must have been framed."

"Why are you so sure?" Lu Yin asked, frowning.

Long Chu said in a low voice, "His Majesty did not give General Malduo any chance to defend himself. Even when he learned of Baruda's defection, he immediately sealed the news. Clearly, someone is afraid of complications and has slandered to His Majesty, eager to kill General Malduo. Otherwise, His Majesty would not have been so hasty in condemning the general. I beg Your Highness to save the general."

Lu Yin tapped his fingers on the table, deep in thought.

Long Chu stared at Lu Yin, his eyes bloodshot, clearly having not slept all night and looking very agitated.

After a while, Lu Yin looked at Long Chu, "I understand. I will immediately request an audience with His Majesty and do my best."

Long Chu was overjoyed, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Lu Yin nodded and had Xu San see him off.

Watching Long Chu leave, Lu Yin's eyes turned cold, "This is the second time. Do they really think I am easy to provoke?" On the Yili, Yin had given him a note, which not only contained information about the old Zishan clan but also information about some of the traitors. This Long Chu was one of the traitors, a man of Xika.

Long Chu's purpose was simple: to force Lu Yin to save Xikang Malduo. Given Lu Yin's current capabilities, if he really intervened, it would not end well. Not only would he fail to save Xikang Malduo, but it would also give the impression to the Undying Yushan that he was eager to integrate the old Zishan clan, making many people see his ignorance and mock his blindness. In this case, his position as Zishan King in the Great Yu Empire would be ruined, and no one would help a blind and arrogant person who could not see the situation.

But if he did not help, he would offend the old Zishan clan.

No matter how he handled it, he was in a difficult position.

Xika's methods were cunning.

Lu Yin narrowed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and left the Zishan King's residence, heading for the imperial palace.

Soon, the news that the Zishan King was going to plead for Xikang Malduo spread throughout the imperial capital, and countless people learned of it, their faces showing ridicule.

"Twenty-seven zombie kings escaped; this is the work of the New Human Alliance. His Majesty naturally knows that Xikang Malduo is innocent, otherwise, he would not have dared to return. But this matter needs a scapegoat; otherwise, the Great Yu Empire would face pressure from the inner universe. The New Human Alliance is an enemy of the human star domain, no less threatening than the other major star domains. His Majesty cannot bear it. This Zishan King actually dares to speak up, asking for death," Xika sneered in a luxurious villa.

Las said smugly, "This is to make things difficult for His Majesty. If Xikang Malduo does not die, His Majesty will have to bear the pressure. This Lu Yin cannot see the situation, truly believing that the old Zishan clan respects him. The Zishan clan has long been a mere name."

Xika shook his head and smiled, "It's not that he cannot see the situation, but that he does not understand. Zishan King? Who would take it seriously? The Crown Prince only gives him some face to show righteousness. The consequences of his blind arrogance will soon be felt." He then looked at Las, his face turning serious, "I heard you lost a car race to Wukai last night?"

Las was taken aback and said sheepishly, "It won't happen again."

Xika snorted, "What did you promise him?"

Las was hesitant.

"Speak," Xika barked.

Las hesitated, "I asked you to plead for Xikang Malduo in the imperial court."

Xika slapped Las, sending him several meters back, "Wretch, how dare you make such a bet? The imperial court is where the empire discusses state affairs. Every decision affects countless people in the empire. How can you treat it as a game? How will I explain this to His Majesty? Kneel in the courtyard for three days and do not get up."

Las covered his mouth and ran off, his face pale.

Xika rubbed his head, feeling a headache.

At this moment, not only Xika but many others were ridiculing Lu Yin's ignorance.

In a pink room, the little girl Taohang stared at the screen with glowing eyes, where countless snacks were displayed, and her mouth was almost watering.

A knock on the door, and a pleasant voice said, "Captain, there is news. The Zishan King Lu Yin is going to plead for Xikang Malduo."

Taohang blinked, "He's a good person."

The person outside paused, "What did you say?"

Taohang said matter-of-factly, "I said he's a good person. Xikang Malduo is clearly innocent, and no one else dares to plead for him, but he does. He's a good person. I was rude to him in the hall; I should find a chance to apologize."

The person outside was speechless.

Inside the imperial palace, the Undying Yushan had his eyes closed, standing for two hours.

No one dared to disturb him.

After a while, the Undying Yushan opened his eyes, "What is it?"

The palace maid who had just arrived said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Zishan King requests an audience."

The Undying Yushan said calmly, "Let him in."

Outside the imperial palace, Lu Yin followed the palace maid in, while Bronson waited outside.

As soon as Lu Yin left, Crown Prince Doran Yushan and Second Prince Duke Yushan arrived simultaneously. Looking at Lu Yin's back, Doran Yushan smiled, "Second brother, why are you here too?"

Duke Yushan said lazily, "To see Father. What about you, big brother?"

"I am too," Doran Yushan said.

Duke Yushan glanced at the imperial palace, "Then why don't you go in?"

"Why don't you go in, second brother?" Doran Yushan countered.

Duke Yushan shrugged, "Stop smiling at me; it makes me sick."

Doran Yushan sighed, "What can I do if I don't smile? Second brother, life is too tiring if you live it too seriously."

Duke Yushan scratched his ear, "You should say that to yourself, but with me chasing you, you can't help but be tired."

"Is the throne so important to you that you don't even recognize your big brother?" Doran Yushan said, staring at Duke Yushan.

Duke Yushan ignored him and walked into the imperial palace, "Let's go. If we are too slow, Father will be angered by that Zishan King. I don't want to see Father die before I become the Crown Prince, then the throne will be yours."

Doran Yushan sighed and walked into the imperial palace.

Bronson's face was calm. The struggle for the throne was bloody, but the Great Yu Empire was an exception. The Undying Yushan had only five children, with the third and fourth dying in the inner universe, leaving only the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, and the Fifth Princess. The throne would be decided among the three, and the Fifth Princess had no interest. The Crown Prince and the Second Prince had been competing, but their competition was too open, even daring to speak about it in public. He was no longer surprised.

"Lu Yin pays respects to Uncle."

The Undying Yushan looked at a purple, glowing plant in front of him and beckoned to Lu Yin, "Come and take a look. This plant comes from a unique planet and has no name yet."

Lu Yin approached and looked at the purple plant, which was round and grew in segments, emitting a strange vibration. He could not tell if it was strong or weak.

"Do not get too close. It is very domineering now," the Undying Yushan said with a smile.

Lu Yin was puzzled, "Domineering?"

The Undying Yushan nodded, "It can strangle explorers."

Lu Yin's eyes widened, and he quickly stepped back, looking at the purple plant in surprise, "So powerful?"

The Undying Yushan laughed, looked at the purple plant, and approached it. Then, to Lu Yin's surprise, he reached out and touched it, turning to Lu Yin, "Do you want to touch it? It feels very comfortable."