Chapter 83

It's really inconvenient not having any star energy crystals on me; I don't even have any money. I should go to the Mephisto Bank and see how much money Immortal Yushan has given me. I hope he isn't too stingy.

True to its name, True Star is vast, but most of the nobility live not far from the Imperial Palace.

Ten minutes later, Lu Yin and Xu San arrived outside a luxurious estate. This was Sika's home.

At the same time, Bronson emerged from the void.

Lu Yin led the two towards the estate and was stopped by the guards.

"Tell Sika that Prince Zishan Lu Yin is here to pay his respects," Lu Yin said calmly.

The guard was startled and hurriedly went inside to report.

Soon, Sika arrived with Las. "What nonsense, why didn't you invite the Prince inside?" Sika first scolded the guard, then respectfully said to Lu Yin, "Your Highness, I am deeply sorry for not welcoming you properly. Please forgive me."

Las also bowed respectfully, his eyes flashing with hatred.

Lu Yin smiled. "I apologize for the sudden visit. I hope you, Lord Sika, will not be offended by the disturbance."

Sika replied, "It is an honor for Lord Zishan to visit my home. Please, Your Highness, come inside."

Lu Yin nodded and walked in without hesitation.

Sika's residence was luxurious, but only in a general sense. Given his position as Deputy Minister of Finance, it was not excessive. Moreover, he was cautious, speaking with great care. He was very respectful to Lu Yin, who had no real power, and always acted appropriately, even earning Lu Yin's admiration.

Many people act one way in front of the emperor and another behind his back, but Sika was different. He lived as if under the watchful eye of Immortal Yushan, always thinking of him, and there was no fault to be found in him. He was a formidable person.

Lu Yin couldn't help but recall the introduction Silver had given him. Although Sika was the Deputy Minister of Finance, he had effectively sidelined the Minister of Finance, Baley, and controlled the empire's finances. Otherwise, the Royal Twelve Teams wouldn't have taken an interest in him. This man was deeply calculating.

Facing such a person, many would find it difficult, but Lu Yin liked dealing with such people because they were smart.

"Your Highness, my son Las offended you during the trial. Please forgive him," Sika immediately apologized and had Las apologize to Lu Yin.

Lu Yin smiled. "Lord Sika, you are too kind. The trial is a battle, and I would also hope you wouldn't blame me for being too harsh on your son."

"Ha ha, Your Highness is absolutely right. Otherwise, this boy might think he is invincible in the Yutang. It's good for him to learn that there are greater things beyond his world, and that there are geniuses like Your Highness," Sika laughed.

Lu Yin also smiled at him.

Both were being very hypocritical.

In fact, Lu Yin's visit surprised Sika. He didn't know Lu Yin's purpose. On the Willpower, Las had incited Willow to give Lu Yin a hard time, but that matter was long past. As for Longchu, Sika believed he had kept it a secret, and no one knew that Longchu was his man. Why did Lu Yin come? To confront him? It didn't seem likely.

"Lord Sika, I hear that the planet you were born on has beautiful scenery," Lu Yin asked curiously.

Sika smiled. "Yes, I was born in..."

An hour passed quickly.

Xu San stood behind Lu Yin, bored, not knowing what Lu Yin was up to.

Las was the same, standing beside Sika, watching the two chat about various topics.

Everything about the Great Yushan Empire was new to Lu Yin, and he could ask countless questions. However, Sika, as the Deputy Minister of Finance and a powerful figure, had many things to handle. But he couldn't outright refuse Lu Yin's questions, so he had to answer them one by one, from the planet's scenery to its customs, and even to the trial and gossip. Two hours passed in this manner.

Las couldn't take it anymore.

Sika coughed and picked up his teacup, a clear signal to end the visit.

But Lu Yin acted as if he didn't see it, also picking up his teacup and taking a sip.

Another hour passed, and Sika coughed again. "Your Highness, what brings you here today?"

Lu Yin replied, "Nothing much, just wanted to visit Lord Sika and learn from your vast knowledge. After all, I've interacted with your son a lot and know you are a learned scholar. I wanted to learn more. Longchu also mentioned that you are very knowledgeable."

Sika's eyes flickered, and he nodded, pondering for a moment before whispering a few words to Las. Las gritted his teeth and left with a sour expression.

A short while later, Las handed Sika a spatial ring.

Sika smiled at Lu Yin. "Your Highness, as a newcomer to the capital, there are many things you might find inconvenient. You can hire a few servants to help you. I have been favored by the Zishan House, and this is a small token of my respect. Please accept it." He then handed the spatial ring to Lu Yin.

Lu Yin was surprised. "That's too much," he said, naturally accepting the ring.

Las sneered.

Sika smiled. "Your Highness, please don't be too formal."

Lu Yin stood up. "Since that's the case, I will accept it. Thank you, Lord Sika."

Sika stood up, respectfully saying, "I will see you out, Your Highness."

At the door, Lu Yin stepped out of Sika's residence and suddenly turned back. "Lord Sika, when will you have time? I will visit again."

Sika smiled. "I apologize, Your Highness, but I am very busy lately. If you have any questions, we can talk outside the Great Star Gate after the court session."

Lu Yin nodded. "Alright, see you then."

Watching Lu Yin's back, Sika's expression darkened.

"Father, what does that bastard mean? He wants to come again?" Las was furious.

Sika said coldly, "He is testing me and also warning me. He wants to tell me that if I act against him again, he will come back."

"Is that all? He was bought off with some money. Does he really think his title as Prince Zishan can do anything to us?" Las sneered.

Sika's eyes darkened. He realized this person was beyond his control. How did he know that Longchu was his man? Only he and the Second Prince knew, not even Las. He had just saved Sikemaldu, and this person seemed not so simple. "Send someone to see where he goes," Sika ordered.

"A report, Lord, Prince Zishan went to Minister Baley's residence," a soldier immediately reported.

Sika's eyes changed, and he clenched his fists. He came to his residence first and then went to Baley's. This clearly showed that he knew about Sika's control over Baley's power. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gotten the order wrong. Prince Zishan must have someone backing him, otherwise, he wouldn't know so much about the capital. This person was not simple.

"Las, remember, don't provoke him for now," Sika said sternly.

Las was confused but didn't dare to contradict his father.

Baley's residence was not far from Sika's, both in the same noble circle.

Lu Yin was respectfully invited into Baley's residence. After a half-hour conversation, Baley was even more generous than Sika, directly giving him a spatial ring.

Sika had many concerns, but Baley didn't. He was a puppet, with nothing but money. He gave Lu Yin a Mephisto Bank crystal card, which looked even more exquisite than the one Sika gave.

"It is an honor to have Your Highness visit. Please take care of me in the future," Baley politely smiled as he saw Lu Yin off.

Lu Yin smiled. "Minister Baley, you are too kind. Please go back."

Baley nodded and watched Lu Yin leave. Once Lu Yin was out of sight, he spat. "What a scoundrel, extorting me. We'll see how long you can be so smug."

Lu Yin was in a very good mood. He had thought about it when the Crown Prince Doranyushan gave him a gift. Visiting each minister and openly asking for bribes, no, gifts, and leaving if they gave, staying if they didn't. He had all the time in the world.

After all, he was a leisurely prince with no real power. What did it matter if someone reported him? Who would report him for bribery? Who would bribe a leisurely prince?

Moreover, Immortal Yushan had promised to protect him as long as he was in power. He needed to use this promise soon, or who knew when Immortal Yushan would die.

As for his reputation, he didn't care what these ministers thought. They were all corrupt, but why did Immortal Yushan tolerate them? Because they could get things done, not just be corrupt. Corruption wasn't scary; what was scary was being corrupt and useless. Sika was corrupt on a massive scale, but he managed the empire's finances well, so no one dared to speak against him.

He was the opposite of Sika. He had no power, so no matter how corrupt he was, it wouldn't cause jealousy. It would lower many people's guard, especially since he was corrupting the ministers.

He had gone through so much trouble to impersonate a descendant of the Zishan clan; he felt he needed to get something out of it. Lu Yin consoled himself.