Zhu San spat out a mouthful of blood and looked up at the sky.
Ce Jiu's gaze landed on him, and he frowned, "You're Zhu San?"
Zhu San stood up with difficulty and bowed, "Greetings, Young Master."
Ce Jiu replied, "I'll give you an hour to wash up and follow me to see the patriarch." He then tossed a pill onto the ground. Everyone knew that this was no ordinary pill due to its medicinal fragrance.
Qian Ye's mouth fell open, and his mind trembled. He recognized this pill; it was the Ce family's best pill. Only those who were severely injured were allowed to take it. How could Zhu San take such a pill?
He looked miserable, but he wasn't actually injured, so he didn't need such a pill.
Zhu San was also shocked and looked at Ce Jiu in confusion.
Ce Jiu said, "Hurry up."
Zhu San was startled, "Yes."
An hour later, Zhu San left with Ce Jiu under the complicated gazes of Qian Ye and the rest. They were heading towards the center of the Astral Mesh to see the patriarch.
Many people looked at Qian Ye's group with schadenfreude in their eyes.
The three of them had beaten up and bullied Zhu San, and it seemed that he was about to make a comeback. Once he did, their days would be miserable.
Don't look at how they obtained some things for the clan, but those things were far from the contributions of the Ce Clan's direct descendants. Moreover, Zhu San was personally taken away by the young patriarch, Ce Jiu. Looking at his attitude, Ce Jiu was very polite to him. This was not simple.
Qian Ye and the other two looked at each other, and their bodies went limp. They felt as if a great disaster was about to befall them. There were rumors that Ce Jiu treated them with respect, but that was a lie. Their subordinates had purposely made it up to raise their status. Now, Zhu San had really been taken away by the young master and even given a precious pill.
Who would have thought that Zhu San, who had been silent for so many years, would rise again?
In outer space, Ce Jiu transformed his domain into a ruler and brought Zhu San to the center of the Astral Mesh.
Zhu San nervously asked, "Young Master, may I ask why the patriarch is looking for me?"
He didn't feel that he had the right to meet the patriarch, nor did he have the value.
Ce Jiu glanced at him, "You know Lu Yin, right?"
Zhu San was astonished, "Lu Yin?"
Seeing Ce Jiu staring at him, he thought for a moment and said, "When I tried to take Wan Qiancheng, I failed because of Lu Yin …"
Zhu San told him a lot of things in the past.
In fact, he had made a detailed record of these things. Regardless of whether the plan succeeded or failed, it had to be recorded. This was the style of the Ce family.
Looking at the vast planet in front of them, this planet was the center of the Star Luo Region and also where the clan leader, Ce Lao Yan, was.
"Lu Yin wants to visit the Ce family because he wants to meet a friend he hasn't seen in a long time. Get ready," Ce Jiu said and stepped onto the planet.
Zhu San was stunned. Lu Yin, Lu Yin, it was actually Lu Yin.
No wonder Ce Jiu had personally gone to pick him up; Lu Yin had wanted to meet him.
But when did he become friends with Lu Yin?
Long time no see. Friends?
…
Lu Yin and the Second Nightking stood in space outside the Astral Mesa Domain. In front of them was the Ce Family's Strategy Elder Yan.
"I didn't expect Alliance Master Lu to visit my Ce Clan. Your presence brings light to our humble dwelling," Ce Lao Yan said politely. He had a smile on his face, but it didn't give off any warmth. Instead, it gave off a trace of coldness.
Ce Lao Yan
Yan led the rest of the Ce Family to welcome Lu Yin. This was a sign of respect for Lu Yin's status, but it didn't mean that they welcomed him. At least, the Ce Family's elder, Ce Yue, wasn't present.
Lu Yin stepped forward and smiled, "I hope Clan Leader Ce doesn't mind my sudden visit."
Ce Lao Yan smiled, "After the You family's trial, I actually wanted to invite Alliance Master Lu to my Ce Family as a guest, but I was afraid that Alliance Master Lu would be busy, so I didn't ask. Since Alliance Master Lu is here, the Ce Family naturally welcomes you."
"That's good," Lu Yin smiled, his gaze landing on the group behind Ce Lao Yan. One of them had his head lowered, looking nervous and uneasy. It was Zhu San.
"Zhu San, Alliance Master Lu is here to see you. Why don't you come out?" Ce Lao Yan asked.
Zhu San, who was standing behind Ce Jiu, shuddered and walked out. He didn't know why Lu Yin was looking for him. They definitely weren't friends, but there was no reason for him to come to the Ce Family to cause trouble.
Ce Jiu looked at Lu Yin with a complicated expression. They had once been rivals, and Lu Yin had only been a junior to the Ce Family. Now, this person had grown to the point where the entire Ce Family welcomed him.
Zhu San walked up behind Ce Lao Yan and looked at Lu Yin with a complicated expression. He didn't know what to say.
Lu Yin laughed, "Brother Zhu, you said you would invite me to the Astral Sift as a guest after we parted at the Burial Garden. Why haven't I heard from you?"
Everyone looked at Zhu San.
Zhu San opened his mouth. Lu Yin didn't seem like he was looking for trouble, but were they that close?
Even though Lu Yin was smiling cheerfully and talking to him like a friend, Zhu San knew Lu Yin well. Why would Lu Yin look for him for no reason at all?
They really weren't close.
"I-I forgot," Zhu San laughed dryly.
Lu Yin smiled, "I took the initiative to look for you. Don't tell me you don't welcome me?"
Although Zhu San was on guard, he had once been the young master of the Zhu Family and had been bold enough to take over Myriad City. Even though he couldn't figure out Lu Yin's motive, he quickly recovered and forced a smile, "Of course you're welcome, but I'm afraid I might neglect Brother Lu due to my status in the Astral Sift."
Ce Lao Yan said, "Alliance Master Lu is a guest in the Astral Sift, so how could we neglect him?
Let's not chat at the entrance. Alliance Master Lu, please. "
Lu Yin smiled and nodded, following the Ce Family into the Astral Sift.
Zhu San was instructed by Ce Lao Yan to follow Lu Yin.
The Astral Sift's arrangement reminded Lu Yin of the Starsift Sect, as the planets were all arranged in a regular pattern.
Along the way, he asked many questions about the Astral Sift, as if he was very curious. No one could tell his motive, as if he really was just a guest.
Ce Lao Yan received Lu Yin while contacting Hui Zhi and Ku Pu. He wanted to find out Lu Yin's motive, but he couldn't find anything.
Lu Yin was no longer a junior, and even the Ce Family felt pressured when facing him. If not for the Seven Courts having a Half-Ancestor like Xia Ji, even Ce Lao Yan would feel pressured given Lu Yin's influence.
As the head of the Ce Family, Ce Lao Yan took the initiative to receive Lu Yin and show him around the Astral Sift. Zhu San, Ce Jiu, and the rest followed along, and it wasn't until a day later that Ce Lao Yan allowed Zhu San to receive Lu Yin. After all, Lu Yin had come to find Zhu San.
The Second Nightking had been following them the entire time. The Ce Family cared about Lu Yin's influence, but they didn't care about his strength. Only the Second Nightking could arouse their vigilance.
Fortunately, the Second Nightking had been very normal the entire time, just like an ordinary person.
"Father, why don't you ask Lu Yin how he learned the Ce Family's Ce Secret Character?"
Ce Lao Yan couldn't help but ask.
Ce Lao Yan asked, "What do you think of Lu Yin's relationship with Zhu San?"
Ce Jiu thought about it, "I don't think they're very close."
"Then why did he come to find Zhu San?" Ce Lao Yan asked.
Ce Jiu replied, "I've thought about it before. Could it be that he wants to use Zhu San as an excuse to visit the Ce Family?"
Ce Lao Yan solemnly said, "Lu Yin is a very scheming person. If he uses Zhu San as an excuse to visit the Ce Family, then he must have some ulterior motive. It's not like he doesn't know that the Ce Secret Word has been exposed, but he still dares to come here. He must be prepared."
"So Father doesn't want to act rashly before we know his goal?" Ce Jiu suddenly understood.
Ce Lao Yan turned around and looked deeply in Lu Yin's direction, "The universe is a game of chess, and there's no time limit. It all depends on who can endure it. Lu Yin can't stay in the Ce Family for long, so his goal will be clear soon." He then ordered, "Bring me the information on Zhu San."
"Yes, Father."
After Ce Lao Yan and the rest left, only Lu Yin, the Second Nightking, and Zhu San were left behind.
Lu Yin looked at Zhu San, "You didn't expect me to come looking for you?"
Zhu San was puzzled, full of apprehension and vigilance, "Alliance Leader Lu, we've never interacted before. Why are you looking for me?"
Lu Yin raised a hand and slowly patted Zhu San's shoulder, "Let's talk as we walk. Take me around the Astral Mesh and the planet you live on."
Zhu San didn't understand, but he still did as he was told and brought Lu Yin to the planet he lived on.
His residence wasn't too far from the street where the brothel had been located. Zhu San's eyes flashed when she saw the bustling crowd and the various beauties in the brothel. She brought Lu Yin along and landed on the street. "Alliance Master Lu, my residence isn't too far from here. Let's walk over to avoid attracting attention."
Lu Yin nodded, "As you wish."
Zhu San took a deep breath and led Lu Yin to the street where he was often looked down upon and bullied. This planet was where the Ce Family's outsiders spent their time, and those who could walk on this street were the more capable ones. Among them, Qian Ye and a few others were the most eye-catching.
Although Zhu San had failed in his attempt to take over Wanqian City, he had accumulated a lot of resources over the years and often came here to spend. Most people recognized him.
His goal in bringing Lu Yin here was simple: to intimidate others.
Although he didn't know why Lu Yin had come looking for him, he didn't want to know. Even if Lu Yin wanted to use him, he wanted to collect some interest first.
No one was stupid, especially someone like Zhu San who was good at seizing opportunities.
In order to take over Wanqian City, he had even dressed as a woman. There was nothing he didn't dare to do.
The streets were bustling with activity, and from time to time, there would be people talking loudly with beautiful women accompanying them. Occasionally, there would be people spending money like it was nothing.
When Zhu San brought Lu Yin and the Second Nightking down the street, they immediately attracted a lot of attention.
At this moment, Qian Ye and the other two were drinking gloomily on the fifth floor of the brothel. They had been here since yesterday and had stayed the entire night. They were uneasy and didn't know what had happened to Zhu San that the young patriarch had personally come to take him away.
"Brother, what should we do if Zhu San really gets close to the young patriarch?" the Ming Elder asked with a gloomy expression.
Zi Shu frowned, "Ever since Zhu San returned from the Outerverse to the Astral Mesh, we've bullied him too many times. It won't be easy to reconcile."