Chapter 152: Changes on the Zenyu Star (2/2)

After a long wait, Undying Yushan finally awakened and summoned Lu Yin in.

“Your Majesty,” Lu Yin greeted politely.

Undying Yushan looked feebly at Lu Yin. “Come closer.”

Lu Yin walked towards the emperor.

“Closer.”

Lu Yin was puzzled by the request, but he nonetheless stepped forward until he was right by Undying Yushan’s side. Undying Yushan looked at Lu Yin with murky and tired eyes. “Little Yin, don’t search for the Zishan clan hidden treasure. Return to Astral-10.”

Lu Yin was shocked as he looked at Undying Yushan. Only now did he realize just how perceptive this Ironblood Emperor, who had ruled the empire for eight hundred years, was even at death’s door. Perhaps Lu Yin’s last visit to the palace had made his goal too apparent when he had wandered around the palace for a prolonged period of time.

“Your Majesty-” Lu Yin wanted to say something, but he was stopped by Undying Yushan. “The treasure belongs to the Zishan clan, and this Majesty should not stop you. But there’s no more time, so don’t think about it anymore. This Majesty will see to it that you get appropriate compensation. Leave the capital star immediately—the further the better. Before you can properly protect yourself, don’t stray too far from Astral-10. Rest assured. Even if a war breaks out in the empire, it will not spread to Earth. This Majesty has already sent people to protect it.”

Lu Yin felt a pang of sorrow stab through his heart. He could feel Undying Yushan’s concern and the dying man was truly doing his best to guide Lu Yin as an elder. “Your Majesty, please take care.”

This was his last farewell.

Undying Yushan nodded. “Go. The further, the better.”

Lu Yin retreated a few steps, bowed, and then turned to leave.

Undying Yushan sighed. So what if he had traveled through the universe? On his deathbed, he was surrounded by insignificant enemies, his descendants were being monitored, and his son had turned traitor. He asked himself what wrongs he had done to deserve this ending. Why did it have to end up like this?

“Eh, it’s such a pity that the effect of this purple star ointment is insufficient. Otherwise, it could have prolonged His Majesty’s life a while longer.” Lu Yin had just stepped out of the emperor’s chambers when he coincidentally overheard this. His eyes gleamed as he paused in his steps.

Undying Yushan’s attending physician had just uttered those words.

“When His Majesty first returned from the Innerverse with heavy injuries, it was only with the purple star’s medicinal effects that he was able to survive for so long. But now that the plant has been mostly exhausted, there’s no choice left. It’s a panacea from the Innerverse’s Fallen Star Ocean. Even the fifth princess would not have an easy task gathering it as it can only be found by luck,” another doctor griped.

“If we could just double the effectiveness, then His Majesty could be saved. But what a pity. The second prince is too vicious and preemptively arranged for the purple star to be wasted bit by bit a hundred years ago. Otherwise, it would not have ended up like this,” another doctor bemoaned.

Lu Yin’s eyes flickered as he stood at the doorway. It was possible for him to raise the effectiveness of this purple star if he managed to roll Enhance. His die should be able to upgrade the purple star by a grade, no? However, Lu Yin hesitated. If he did this, then it would expose his innate gift. But if he didn’t… He remembered Undying Yushan’s affectionate gaze that should have been directed only at family members. Lu Yin’s heart jolted and his gaze steadied.

Sometimes, human emotions could surpass all else. Lu Yin knew that he was no selfless saint and that he would also take advantage of anything to get ahead, even engaging in dark schemes if necessary. He had thought that he would never sacrifice himself to save another; those who did so were idiots. But when it came to those who were close to him, he couldn’t turn a blind eye, could he? Otherwise, how would he be any different from a beast? Undying Yushan had shown great kindness to Lu Yin ever since he arrived at the Great Yu Empire, and now, Lu Yin wished to preserve this person’s life, even if it required paying a price.

Lu Yin returned to Undying Yushan’s side, “Your Majesty, could you hand the purple star to me and allow me to study it?”

The surrounding people looked at Lu Yin. This was Undying Yushan’s lifeline and this request was akin to cutting it short.

Huo Qingshan and Jue Lang’s gazes turned cold.

Undying Yushan lethargically opened his eyes, “Of course.”

“Your Majesty, no! The purple star is the key to your survival!” one doctor cried out.

Undying Yushan feebly responded, “For how long?”

The doctor hung his head. It was not a question of how long as it was simply unable to prolong the emperor’s life any further. Undying Yushan was practically already at death’s door.

“Give it to Little Yin.” Undying Yushan was finished speaking on this matter.

Jue Lang stood up and glared at Lu Yin. His eyes were cold as he did not know what King Zishan intended to do. But to request the purple star at this sort of time was no simple request.