Star Odyssey

Chapter 3229: Strategy

After hearing Shang Tianzong’s comment, Shang Cheng immediately retorted, “Elder Brother, you are already able to control a ten-ring mecha, while I am only able to manage a nine-ring one. Just that alone shows how far you have surpassed me. Moreover, you’ve been involved in the management of the empire's affairs under Father’s guidance for a long time already. The entire Infinity Empire knows of this, so please, Elder Brother, there’s no need for such humility.”

Shang Tianzong replied, “When it comes to overseeing the empire, how could I compare to you, Fifth Brother? Of the empire’s 1,785 officials, you’ve met with at least 500 of them, haven’t you?”

Shang Cheng’s heart skipped a beat. He had not expected Shang Tianzong to know about even those meetings. They had not been held openly, but rather arranged through secret channels that belonged to Shang Cheng alone. Despite his caution, Shang Tianzong had still learned of them. “Elder Brother, don’t make things up. How could I have had the time to meet with so many people? Even if I did, what of it? All of them praised you as the rightful heir to the throne. I had no choice but to listen.”

Shang An’an rolled her eyes. In the same breath, Shang Cheng first claimed to have not met with the officials, and then he remarked about how they had praised Shang Tianzong as the ideal heir to the throne. Fifth Brother, you’re really shameless! Do you feel no guilt at all when you lie like this? Who would openly discuss the throne? That’s nothing less than suicide. On top of that, why would they say anything to you?

Shang Tianzong realized that he had underestimated Shang Cheng’s shamelessness. How could anyone say such things?

Shang Tianzong barked out a laugh in anger. “You’re being too modest, Fifth Brother. The truth is that I’ve met with even more officials, and all of them suggested that I not compete with you for the throne. They all believe that you have the ability to elevate the Infinity Empire to even greater heights. Even Father agreed.”

Shang An’an was left speechless. Who would have been stupid enough to say such things? Who would have openly supported their fifth brother? Her oldest brother was also being shameless.

With this, Shang Tianzong and Shang Cheng continued their little back and forth, crazily praising the other while belittling themselves. The bottom line was the same; neither wanted to be the next Emperor Shang.

Lu Yin watched the exchange with a bit of interest. He knew exactly what the two men were thinking. In fact, if he was in their same position, he also would not want to become the emperor.

Becoming Emperor Shang meant becoming Lu Yin’s thug, and they would have to answer summons to fight battles and frequently life-threatening situations at a moment’s notice. They would not even be able to enjoy much authority within the Infinity Empire, since there would simply be no time for it. It would be much better to live the leisurely life of a prince.

Lu Yin was reminded of the final statue from Great Elder Shan Gu’s Heavenly King. That statue was known as the Royal Regent. He had refused to allow a sky to remain above him, which was beyond arrogant.

One of the two men bickering in front of Lu Yin would become Emperor Shang, while the other would inevitably become the Royal Regent. Whether the next emperor liked it or not, he would have to follow the Heavens Sect into battle.

Lu Yin did not say anything as Shang Tianzong and Shang Cheng continually tried to force the throne onto the other.

Such an argument had never before occurred in the entire history of the Infinity Empire. No one wanted to inherit the throne, and the best candidates were instead trying to force it upon their former rival, whom they had once wished to kill for the throne.

Their argument echoed through the vast imperial palace.

Finally, someone could not take it anymore. “Elder Brother, Fifth Brother, whether or not you become Emperor Shang should be left to the Dao Monarch to decide. You two have been arguing for so long! Do you realize what this looks like?”

Only Shang An’an could stop the two men’s argument.

Shang Tianzong and Shang Cheng both turned to bow to Lu Yin. “We ask the Dao Monarch to make this decision.”

Lu Yin shifted his posture. “Are you finally done?”

The two quickly bowed again. “Please forgive us, Dao Monarch.”

Lu Yin looked around the room. “No matter what, this is a family matter that involves the Infinity Empire. It’s really not my place to interfere.

“Shang An’an, right?”

Shang An’an looked up at Lu Yin before stepping forward and bowing. “Yes, I am Shang An’an.”

Lu Yin asked, “Who do you think is most suitable to become the next Emperor Shang?”

Shang An’an had not expected Lu Yin to throw the problem at her feet. She looked over at Shang Tianzong and Shang Cheng, both of whom gave her continuous subtle gestures.

Shang An’an hesitated. “Dao Monarch, I am just a princess. I hold no authority to decide matters concerning the throne.”

“Just share your own feelings,” Lu Yin said casually.

Shang An’an’s eyes flitted back and forth between Shang Tianzong and Shang Cheng for some time before she finally gritted her teeth and spoke, “According to the empire’s traditions, Crown Prince Shang Tianzong is the rightful heir and should be the next emperor.” ꭆ

Shang Cheng let out a sigh of relief.

Shang Tianzong’s expression fell as he glared at Shang An’an. He had always known that she was close to Shang Cheng. When Lu Yin asked the princess for her opinion, Shang Tianzong had already known that things would not fall in his favor, and the results proved him right.

Shang Tianzong was about to say something, but Lu Yin raised a hand to stop him. “Enough. If that’s the case, then Shang Tianzong, you will become the next Emperor Shang.”

Lu Yin then rose to his feet and stepped down from the throne. “Go have a seat.”

Everyone stared at Shang Tianzong.

Shang Cheng’s eyes betrayed a mix of relief and lingering fear.

Shang An’an’s expression was conflicted. Between Shang Tianzong and Shang Cheng, she preferred Shang Cheng; he was at least a more genuine person.

Several of their older siblings had died under mysterious circumstances, and all the signs had pointed to Shang Tianzong.

The man wanted to refuse the throne, but Lu Yin had already made the decision. If Shang Tianzong refused, it would be no different from rejecting Lu Yin’s authority, and Shang Tianzong did not have the courage to do such a thing.

Helpless, he could only walk to the throne, walking past Lu Yin on his way. Shang Tianzong offered a respectful bow. “Given the Dao Monarch’s presence, I don’t dare to be presumptuous. Please, Dao Monarch, take the throne.”

Lu Yin dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. “I don’t care about that chair. Sit.”

Shang Tianzong’s face turned pale as he turned to look at the throne. He still hesitated.

Shang Cheng relaxed and gave Shang An’an a grateful look. If she had chosen him, he would be the one hesitating instead.

No one truly knew Lu Yin’s opinion on the matter.

Lu Yin looked at Shang Tianzong. “Go sit down.”

Shang Tianzong’s heart dropped. He gritted his teeth and slowly walked over to the throne, which he then nervously sat upon.

Down below, Shang Cheng was the first to bow. “Greetings, Emperor Shang.”

Right after that, Shang An’an, Liu Ling, Bu Wu, and the others followed suit. “Greetings, Emperor Shang.”

“Greetings, Emperor Shang.”

Hong Nian glanced at Lu Yin, but his expression remained blank.

Then, he also bowed. “Greetings, Emperor Shang.”

Shang Tianzong’s voice was filled with bitterness as he said, “Rise.”

“Thank you, Emperor Shang.”

“Thank you, Emperor Shang…”

Lu Yin nodded. “Now that there is an Emperor Shang, we need to choose Supreme’s next pilot.”

Shang An’an was caught off guard. “Dao Monarch, isn’t Supreme Emperor Shang’s exclusive mecha?”

“Who said that?” Lu Yin countered.

Shang An’an froze and then slowly lowered her head, not daring to ask any further questions.

Everyone was stunned. Supreme had always been used by the Infinity Empire’s emperor. This was a rule of the empire, and the throne and the mecha had been tied together so tightly in people’s minds that they had even connected the position of emperor with being Lu Yin’s thug. This was why neither Shang Tianzong nor Shang Cheng had wanted to become the emperor.

If the emperor was not going to serve as Lu Yin’s muscle, then…?

Shang Cheng’s face twitched, and his eyes flickered as his mind raced.

Shang Tianzong stared at Lu Yin’s back, equally confused.

Lu Yin calmly called out, “Yi.”

The man stepped forward from the rest of the crowd. “Dao Monarch.”

“Starting today, you will be Supreme’s pilot. The mecha is broken, but it can be repaired. Once it’s fixed, use it and bring it to the Heavens Sect.”

Yi quickly bowed. “Understood.”

Lu Yin then left. He was not going to spend much time in the Infinity Empire.

Only after he left did the tense atmosphere in the imperial palace finally relax a bit.

Shang Tianzong's eyes flickered. He understood that Lu Yin’s actions had all been quite deliberate.

Separating Supreme from the Infinity Empire’s emperor could have been mentioned much sooner, and that would have removed everyone’s hesitancy to accept the throne, and yet Lu Yin had kept silent. He had simply watched to see who would be forced to become the emperor, knowing that, in such a situation, the emperor would fall to a disadvantage.

Shang An'an's relationship with Shang Cheng had led Shang Tianzong to be pushed forward. His siblings had essentially sacrificed him.

However, Lu Yin had overthrown the traditions of the Infinity Empire, which had given Shang Tianzong true power to rule as Emperor Shang. This changed everything, as there was no doubt that resentment would linger between him and Shang Cheng and Shang An'an, which would give rise to two opposing factions within the Infinity Empire.

The Heavens Sect would no longer need to keep such a close eye on the Infinity Empire. If any internal conflicts arose, subsequent orders from the Heavens Sect would be carried out instantaneously.

This was all a strategy. It had been a small action, but the results were obvious. To implement such methods, there was only one requirement: overwhelming power that suppressed all.

Lu Yin could choose to follow the empire’s traditions, or he could discard them at whim. His word alone was the final decision. The Infinity Empire was powerless to resist.

This was Lu Yin's power.

Shang Tianzong was not alone, as everyone understood what had happened.

All of the people in the imperial palace felt quite bitter. Lu Yin was toying with their Infinity Empire, and they were powerless to do anything about it.

Shang Qiu stared at Shang Tianzong, who sat high above on the throne as the new Emperor Shang. However, there was another figure behind the emperor.

The Infinity Empire had completely changed.

Bu Wu sighed. For Lu Yin, it did not matter who became the emperor or if the Infinity Empire genuinely submitted to the Heavens Sect. The Infinity Empire was incapable of escaping.

That was the truth, and they were helpless to do anything about it. Their Infinity Empire was nothing more than a toy.

…

After leaving the Infinity Empire, Lu Yin next visited the Lockbreaking World in the Fifth Mainland’s Neoverse. Four people were there waiting for him: Grandmaster Xiu Ming, Grandmaster Gu Yan, Grandmaster Li, and Grandmaster Qiu Ling.

These four were the only Array Grandmasters left in the Origin Universe. While Highsage Grandmaster still lived, he had lost a great deal of his former strength due to his failed breakthrough, and he was quite frail. There was no reason for Lu Yin to reach out to the old man for advice.

There were additional Array Grandmasters in the Sixverse Association, but none of them surpassed Grandmaster Gu Yan’s skill, which meant that there was no reason to seek them out.

The Six Ancient Spirit Array had disappeared long ago, the six massive sourceboxes having been taken back to Shenwu Continent.

The Lockbreaking World still felt rather nostalgic to Lu Yin, especially when he looked at the Ancient Spirit Sea and a certain landmass.

He had come to that place to meet with Grandmaster Xiu Ming, Grandmaster Gu Yan, and the others in Xiu Ming’s home.

This was Lu Yin’s first time meeting Grandmaster Li, who was one of the Perennial World’s Array Grandmasters. He had focused his expertise on destructive sourcebox arrays, and thus, he had always been stationed on the rear battlefield.

As for Grandmaster Qiu Ling, the last time Lu Yin had seen her had been on the rear battlefield, where Lu Yin had played a game of Stable Zone with Mu Shang before being attacked by Nutjob Lu.

Lu Yin had not forgotten that Grandmaster Qiu Ling was a Redback.

As for Nutjob Lu, it was past time to settle things with that man.

When she saw Lu Yin again, Grandmaster Qiu Ling trembled. The gap between them had grown to an unimaginable level. It was simply too vast for her to comprehend.

If Lu Yin wanted to kill the woman, he could do so with nothing more than a glance.

She was a Redback, and she knew that Lu Yin was likely aware of that fact. And yet, even after so many years, he had never targeted her. Why? Did he know the truth, or not? Grandmaster Qiu Ling had no idea.

For a long time, she had wanted to flee. After Lu Yin had become the Dao Monarch of the Heavens Sect, she wanted to escape, but someone had always been watching her. She could never get away, and she could not even think of where to go if she could escape.

It was actually Grandmaster Li who had been keeping an eye on Grandmaster Qiu Ling. While Lu Yin had never met the man, that had not stopped him from giving the Array Grandmaster certain tasks.

Lu Yin had never forgotten that Grandmaster Qiu Ling was a Redback. He had kept her around to see if Aeternus would try to take action through her. However, as Lu Yin’s own power had grown and more experts had joined the Heavens Sect, Grandmaster Qiu Ling had faded into the background. She was nearly irrelevant now.

OMA's Thoughts

Translated By: OMA

Edited By: Neshi/Nyxnox

TLC'ed By: OMA