Star Odyssey

Chapter 787: Strange Conversation

After listening to the man’s introduction, a woman cried out, “The Mavis Bank also sent someone over?”

“I heard that they came for True Insight, as some Lockbreaker called Deng Pu thought that he could sell True Insight here in Millions City. These people all came here for him,” the man beside her explained in a deep voice.

“The City Master has organized this Qiong’s Banquet to warn these people not to take action within the city. Otherwise, that many powerhouses might actually ruin our Millions City,” someone else said.

“Remember how Innerverse experts have also looked for trouble in Millions City? Whenever that’s happened, the City Master always hosts the Qiong Family’s Banquet to resolve the crisis. Let’s just hope that this time is no different.” 

…

“I never dreamed that the Outerverse Lockbreaker Society would actually end up in such a miserable state. Things are so bad now that people are even plotting to take their True Insight. Back when the Innerverse was still connected to the Outerverse, even if True Insight had gone missing, there wouldn’t have been anyone who would dare to brazenly grab it.” Someone was discussing recent events on the second floor. 

“The times have changed. I heard that the eastern weaves have been subdued by this fellow called Lu Yin, and he’s just an Explorer,” someone mocked. 

“But isn’t that because he’s supported by the Hall of Honor? It’s all because Lu Yin has eleven Honor Points. Nobody is willing to risk killing him as the Hall of Honor will chase down his murderer.” 

“You can’t say it like that—the Hall of Honor isn’t anyone’s nanny. Even if no one’s willing to kill Lu Yin, they must still have some way to capture him! This person was able to form this Great Eastern Alliance with his own methods and ability. Now that the Outerverse is isolated from the Innerverse, the Hall of Honor’s influence has dropped significantly.” 

“That’s right, even Aegis was beaten back.”

“Aegis is just afraid of Smoker, and this Lu Yin is incredibly lucky. Wait a while longer to see if the central weaves will let him continue his streak.”

“This Qiong’s Banquet’s main target isn’t him, but rather those Enlighters. Let’s hope that a huge battle doesn’t break out.”

…

Lu Yin calmly smiled and continued enjoying his wine. 

In another corner of the hotel restaurant, there were other people having similar discussions. “The Outerverse Lockbreaker Society was attacked, and someone even raided the Mavis Bank recently. The Outerverse is becoming more and more chaotic, and it’s safer to stay here in Millions City.” 

“How long can you actually stay in Millions City for? You’ll need to leave someday. No matter how good things are here, it’s still not our home.” 

“Bah.” 

…

The nearby conversations all entered his ears. These people all had some degree of wealth and status, but they were still terrified of the current chaotic universe. In that case, then what about the commoners? Or ordinary cultivators? The current Outerverse was showing signs of becoming even more chaotic, and Lu Yin was actually a portent of that disorder, as was Wei Rong. 

As Lu Yin thought about Wei Rong, Wei Rong actually arrived outside the Riverside Hotel and coincidentally exchanged glances with Lu Yin. 

He had not expected to bump into Lu Yin in this place. 

This Riverside Hotel often publicized that it had served the Daynight clan leader, Nightking Dijiang. Everyone also knew about Lu Yin’s relationship with the Daynight clan, but Lu Yin had still chosen to visit this place. 

Wei Rong quickly ascended three stories and casually sat down to join Lu Yin, and beside him was the Umbral Butterfly Tribe’s young mistress, Angie.

“Brother Lu, you’re still rather relaxed. Aren’t you afraid that someone else will catch Deng Pu before you?” Wei Rong smiled.

Lu Yin smiled back and poured a glass of wine for both Wei Rong and Angie. “That’s fine. If it’s destined to end up with me, then it won’t get away. If it doesn’t belong to me, then I won’t get it even if I beg for it.” 

“Well spoken. Cheers, Brother Lu!” Wei Rong raised his wine glass.

Lu Yin similarly raised his wine glass and clinked glasses with Wei Rong.

When they had met on Zenyu Star in the past, the two had chatted with each other in a very agreeable manner. Although they were enemies, their conversations tended to be even more carefree than one between true friends. They were both intelligent people, and they were both tactful in their words. They were mutually probing the other, and neither felt embarrassed by their verbal sparring. They were each trying to obtain information from the other party, and searching for weaknesses by reading between the lines. 

“Brother Lu’s battle against Aegis was very impressive,” Wei Rong complimented.

Lu Yin smiled. “If it had been Brother Wei, you would definitely have been able to resolve things much more easily. I must thank Brother Wei for not creating more trouble for me.”

“I wanted to, but things were beyond my influence. Aegis has been growing increasingly ruthless, and they even dared to openly attack Brother Lu. Even the Hall of Honor can’t hold them back, so naturally, I have no ability to intervene in their affairs.” Wei Rong sighed. 

Lu Yin’s eyes flashed. “Actually I’m very curious about something. Aegis was willing to openly try to kill me—was that because they were certain that I wouldn’t die, or was it because they wanted to give me a warning? Or, is there someone else hiding in the shadows behind them giving the orders and trying to probe the Hall of Honor?” 

Lu Yin had thought of this possibility even before his all-out war with Aegis. Back then, he had suspected Wei Rong of trying to use Aegis to sound out how much strength the Hall of Honor still had in the Outerverse, but he had quickly ruled out that possibility. No matter how much hidden strength the Hall of Honor possessed, at the very least, everyone was aware of Elder Lohar’s existence. Unless Aegis had a powerhouse who was comparable to Elder Lohar, there was no way they would be willing to antagonize the Hall of Honor. 

Aegis was not run by fools. Even if Wei Rong had wanted to probe the Hall of Honor, Aegis would not have allowed him to act as he wished. Hence, Lu Yin had pushed this conjecture to the bottom of his list. Instead, he had simply assumed that, from the very start, Aegis had been confident that Lu Yin would not die to their assassination attempt. After all, he was someone who had killed Enlighters before and that their assassination attempts must have been nothing more than a warning. As long as Lu Yin did not die, the Hall of Honor would not pursue his attackers. 

Now that Lu Yin was meeting with Wei Rong again, for some reason, Lu Yin suddenly vented this suspicion that he had kept hidden in the depths of his heart.

Wei Rong’s eyes flashed. “Does Brother Lu suspect that I may have instigated Aegis?”

“Of course not. Brother Wei is not that impulsive. Back when you attacked Sourcepeak Planet, it was only because President Geoffrey wasn’t around. Even if Brother Wei hopes to spark a revolution and have the Outerverse cast off the constraints that those colossal organizations have placed upon us, you would still never choose the Hall of Honor as a target. In fact, they could only be the final target,” Lu Yin said.

Wei Rong nodded. “That’s right, the Hall of Honor has long since controlled the Human Domain, and its foundation is unfathomable. To me, Elder Lohar’s existence is only what the Hall of Honor has revealed on the surface. It is very possible that they are hiding even more terrifying powerhouses. Only if the Astral Beast Domain had truly invaded the Outerverse back then, or if some powerhouse who couldn’t be handled by the Outerverse’s forces had appeared would the hall’s hidden trump cards make a move. I will not even make plans to probe the Hall of Honor even at this moment, as I’m not that foolish.” 

“Then does Brother Wei think that my conjecture has any merit?” Lu Yin looked at Wei Rong. He had not brought this question up to anybody else, as there were only a few people, like Wei Rong, who qualified to answer. 

Wei Rong felt that this question was somewhat strange. “Isn’t Brother Lu already a member of Aegis’ second level managers? In that case, you must have spoken with Starfox. Didn’t you ask them?” 

“Does Brother Wei think that Starfox would speak about such things?” Lu Yin laughed.

Wei Rong raised his glass, stared at the wine it held, and then at the roiling river water. “The circumstances of the Outerverse are like the river’s water in that neither can be reversed. You and I are only able to see what’s on the surface, but if Brother Lu’s suspicion is correct, then that means that there is someone who can use Aegis to test the Hall of Honor. Such a person is definitely not someone who either of us can compare to.” 

Lu Yin fell deep into thought, and he suddenly thought of Ku Wei. The Court of Seven Names’ Ku family had definitely sent other people to the Outerverse, and he also remembered meeting Blackless God. The Three Dark Hands and the Hall of Honor were hostile to each other, and it would be perfectly reasonable for one of those two to probe the Hall of Honor. 

Although this was just Lu Yin’s conjecture, it was also possible that the assassination attempt had been nothing more than a mere warning from Aegis. 

“Right, Brother Lu, I have a question that I would like to consult you about.” Wei Rong placed his glass down and looked at Lu Yin. “Will the Neo-Vestige Sect join the Great Eastern Alliance?” 

Angie’s expression changed, and she turned to closely observe Lu Yin.

Neo-Vestige Sect was one of the three top powers of the Outerverse that could not be provoked. If Neo-Vestige Sect had really joined the Great Eastern Alliance, then the central weaves would have to rope in both Millions City and the Dark Phoenix family to contend against the alliance.

Lu Yin felt distressed. “That will be very difficult, but it’s not entirely impossible. As long as the Great Eastern Alliance has twenty weaves among its members, the Neo-Vestige Sect will also join us.” 

Wei Rong shouted in admiration, “Brother Lu was actually able to convince the Neo-Vestige Sect! That’s impressive!” 

“It’s a pity that there aren’t even twenty weaves in the entire eastern region. I’ll have to find a way into the central weaves, and I hope that Brother Wei will show some mercy at that time.” Lu Yin smiled. 

Wei Rong laughed. “That’s impossible! There’s no way I’d allow Brother Lu to get what you want. Otherwise, the entire Outerverse will fall under your control.” 

“Then let’s wait and see. I’m quite confident.” Lu Yin smiled.

“I am very confident as well, haha.” Wei Rong laughed.

“Since Brother Wei is so confident, then it would appear that the formation of the central weaves’ alliance is proceeding smoothly?” Lu Yin smiled.

“It’s more troublesome, as those old farts don’t really understand you. I can only try to smear Brother Lu’s reputation in order to make them more wary of you, but it will still take some more time for them to ally together.” Wei Rong was clearly vexed. 

“That’s very normal. Otherwise, an alliance would have formed a long time ago. Brother Wei will have to work harder, but of course, I won’t allow you to have an easy time of things.” Lu Yin smiled. 

Wei Rong raised his glass. “I also won’t allow Brother Lu to have an easy time as you try to completely take control of the eastern weaves. Cheers!”

“Cheers!” 

Angie speechlessly looked back and forth from one to the other. What did this conversation mean? Had they really spilled their own secrets that casually? Had they really not hidden anything at all? During their entire tête-à-tête, they had seemed more like good friends than bitter rivals, which was something that Angie could not wrap her head around. 

Under normal circumstances, shouldn’t these two be trying to infiltrate the other’s thoughts and obtaining secret information to wreak destruction on the other, or at least taunt each other? Why did these two speak to each other so strangely? 

“Everyone, get out for Young Master! Young Master is reserving all the seats!” an arrogant voice echoed throughout the restaurant. The diners all looked down at the ground floor to see that a group of youths were surging in, and the commotion had even caused the hotel owner to come out and repeatedly bow while saying something indiscernible. 

Wei Rong was astonished at who he saw. “It’s actually him—Zhu San, the Zhu family’s heir.”

Lu Yin looked down as well. The Zhu family was an existence that was second only to the Qiong family within Millions City, and he had also heard of Zhu San’s name before. Reportedly, this person was arrogant, but other than that, he was not too bad. At least he had not committed any heinous crimes. 

“Lord San, there are many guests here today, and it’s quite difficult for you to reserve all of our seats. Could you be a bit charitable? We will reserve a private room for you, if that’s agreeable…?” The boss incessantly apologized.

Zhu San proudly answered, “Alright, but Young Master wants that private room.”

The boss’s expression instantly changed. “That- that-”

Zhu San glared at the older man. “The Innerverse and Outerverse have been separated for almost two years already, and yet you’re still trying to flatter the Daynight clan? I want that private room, and that’s a must.” 

The boss sighed. “Very well. Please head inside, Lord San.”

Zhu San was just about to enter the room, but two people suddenly walked in front of him and moved straight towards the second floor.

Zhu San was furious that he had been ignored, and the group of youths behind him also grew angry since these people had actually dared to walk in front of their young master. “You two, stop right there!” 

The two people turned to face Zhu San, letting the people there see that they were both men. One was a middle-aged man with narrow eyes and snow-white skin who had a dashing aura. The other was a youth with ordinary looks and a downcast expression. 

“Didn’t the two of you see Young Master? How dare you walk in front of me! Are you tired of living?” Zhu San raged. 

That downcast-looking youth frowned. “Didn’t notice.”

The dashing, middle-aged man beside the youth smiled. “Little bro, we’ve offended you, so please head on in first.”

Zhu San was still unhappy. “It’s not up to you where this lord goes.”

“Are you going or not?” The downcast-looking man asked impatiently.

Zhu San shouted back, “This Lord has not lost my patience yet, but a country bumpkin like you actually dares to act haughty in front of me. Brothers, it seems like quite a few blind people have sneaked into Millions City. Beat him up for your lord!”

The group of youths behind Zhu San immediately picked up tables and chairs and rushed towards the two men.