Chapter 3802: Preparation

Xian Ding did not hold anything back. He listed all of the cultivators in the Fifth Odyssey who were capable of fighting, as well as all those who were eligible for the position of Odyssey Commander. He even mentioned the creatures that they had subdued from foreign megaverses.

However, none of this was related to what Lu Yin truly wanted to know.

“Has the Fifth Odyssey recently made any preparations to launch a war?” Lu Yin asked bluntly.

Puzzled, Xian Ding shook his head. “No.”

Lu Yin stared at the man, and while hesitation flickered in Xian Ding’s eyes, he forced himself to meet Lu Yin’s gaze.

A spiral of karma shot out from Lu Yin’s fingertip to pierce Xian Ding. The man instantly felt something stab into him, but he could not find anything when he checked. It was quite confusing.

Lu Yin stared at Xian Ding with cold eyes. He was using the power of karma to search for what he wanted to know. “Are you absolutely certain?”

Suddenly nervous, Xian Ding swallowed. “Ye- yes. There’s been nothing.”

Lu Yin sneered. “This is your last chance. Do you think that the Azuresword Sovereign is strong enough to avenge you?”

Xian Ding’s pupils shrank while his face turned ashen.

Avenge me?

Xian Ding had raced off from the Four Commands Sword Sect specifically to warn his master about this man. This stranger could not be antagonized.

The man’s strength was unfathomable, and he also had connections to the Sea of Karma. This was not someone whom Xian Ding or his master could afford to offend.

Beads of sweat trickled from his forehead as Lu Yin continued to stare at him.

Xian Ding felt a chill run through him. “Yes... There have been some preparations, but I don’t know our target. All I know is that my master intends to fight for the title of Odyssey Commander soon. He even sent me to the East Command to propose marriage and deliver his Minor Harmonious Sword Canon.”

“Be clear about things,” Lu Yin ordered.

Gritting his teeth, Xian Ding stopped trying to hold anything back. “My master is hoping that I can marry Lu Siyu. With the Sea of Karma behind us and a connection to the Seven Fairies, it would be easy for him to become the Odyssey Commander. With that position, he’ll be the safest during the campaign, and he will also receive the best resources...

“Even if I fail to marry Lu Siyu, simply delivering Master’s Minor Harmonious Sword Canon will be enough for Lu Sizhan to owe us a favor. When the Four Commands Grand Swordmaster is selected and everyone sees that Master’s technique has been incorporated into the Grand Swordmaster’s sword intent, they’ll acknowledge my master as being greater than the Grand Swordmaster, which will also help him when competing for the position of Odyssey Commander.”

Lu Yin was impressed. “Very thorough, and also quite interesting.”

Xian Ding’s face remained pale. It was true that his master had planned out each step of his plan. If Xian Ding succeeded and married Lu Siyu, all the better. If not, gaining Lu Sizhan’s favor would still be enough. Eventually, the name of the Azuresword Sovereign would eclipse that of the Four Commands Grand Swordmaster. While doing this would undoubtedly offend the Four Commands Sword Sect, it would help the Azuresword Sovereign become an Odyssey Commander.

No matter how things were examined, there was no downside for the Sword Sovereign.

The only unanticipated development was that Lu Sizhan had never bothered to even learn the Minor Harmonious Sword Canon. Despite that, because of Lu Yin’s interference, Lu Sizhan had succeeded in becoming the Four Commands Grand Swordmaster.

Forget the Azuresword Sovereign—not even the Greater Sancti could have predicted such an outcome.

“Your master doesn’t cultivate sword intent. He pours all his efforts into schemes and plots like the one you’re telling me about. Azuresword Sovereign? What an empty title,” Lu Yin commented before leaving.

Xian Ding was left there standing. It was only a long time later that he let out a breath.

Why is he investigating the Fifth Odyssey? Is he headed there? No! I have to warn Master! But if I do, won’t he find out that I’ve already given everything away? That would get me in trouble too.

No, Xian Ding could not say a word.

He wiped the sweat from his brow and took off again, fleeing into the distance.

He had been incredibly unlucky during this outing.

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Elsewhere, Lu Yin returned to the Four Commands Sword Sect and went straight to the East Command.

At this moment, lanterns and streamers covered the East Command, the entire region filled with a noisy celebration.

Lu Sizhan, holding a birdcage in his left hand as always, appeared relaxed and at ease. However, no one would dare to refer to him as useless any longer. While it was true that he had not won the title of Grand Swordmaster through his own power, his subsequent determination to pay for besmirching the sect’s honor by laying down his life and his strength after entering Dukkha had earned the man universal recognition.

In particular, Ming Zhou’s praise had elevated the man to the level of a true Four Commands Grand Swordmaster. He was regarded as comparable to Lu Cang, with the potential to achieve even greater strength.

Despite his improved reputation and status, far fewer suitors arrived to propose to Lu Siyu.

Lu Sizhan’s new status put much greater pressure on such people.

In her courtyard, Lu Siyu rested her chin on her hands. She was smiling as she stared off into space.

"Young Mistress, Master was truly awe-inspiring," a maid praised.

Lu Siyu grinned. "Of course! Who do you think my father is?"

"So cheerful. Does this mean that I’ve fulfilled your request?" a voice suddenly filled the courtyard, causing Lu Siyu to jump.

She looked at a corner of the courtyard, baring her teeth while angrily glaring. "Can't you make some noise like a normal person? Why do you always do this? Are you trying to scare people to death?"

As soon as the maid saw Lu Yin, she dismissed herself.

He was leaning against a wall while smiling at Lu Siyu. "How am I coming along with your request?"

Lu Siyu snorted. "You've got some nerve! My father almost died because of you!"

Lu Yin complimented the man. "Your father has an upright heart. I admire him."

"Of course." Lu Siyu raised her head up proudly. The curves that she revealed were quite lovely to look at.

Catching Lu Yin’s stare, Lu Siyu blushed and ducked her head. "What are you looking at, you little thief?"

Lu Yin chuckled. "Tell me about your six senior sisters."

Lu Siyu blinked at Lu Yin. "Are you actually curious?"

"Very."

"Why not ask someone else? The Seven Fairies are famous throughout the megaverse. Many people know about them."

"I don't want to ask someone else. I want to ask you."

"I'm not telling you anything! You want to pry information out of me? It won’t be so easy. My sisters won’t give you requests that will be so easily accomplished."

Lu Yin showed a faint smile. "Do you want your sisters to feel as helpless as you felt while you were hiding in that corner?"

Lu Siyu’s heart immediately clenched. She remembered how helpless her father had been, as well as her own despair. She had miserably waited on a stool in the corner of her courtyard for Lu Yin to appear.

She glanced over at him. The little thief was both terrifyingly powerful and also devoid of scruples. If her sisters gave him genuinely difficult requests, it was likely that they would only invite trouble for themselves. No, she needed to warn them. However, if she did that, then their requests would not be challenging enough, which would be no different from helping this thief.

The more that Lu Siyu considered the matter, the angrier and more upset she became.

Lu Siyu clenched her sparkling teeth. For the moment, she had no idea what she should do.

Suddenly, something occurred to her; could this little thief be doing this on purpose? Her request had been very difficult, but for someone as strong as Lu Yin, there had been no need for him to cripple the sect masters’ legs. Even so, he had done so. She was also certain that he had overheard her conversation with her father and had learned that she wanted to cancel her request, but Lu Yin had never appeared in front of Lu Siyu.

Yes, he definitely did it all deliberately! He made sure to embarrass me and drive me to despair. He’s now using this to threaten my six elder sisters so that they won’t give requests that are too difficult. That has to be it.

Lu Siyu suddenly directed a particularly vicious glare at Lu Yin. “Just you wait! Your schemes won’t succeed so easily!”

She then slammed her window shut with a bang.

Lu Yin felt lost.

What scheme? What caused her to suddenly blow up like that?

There was no denying that Lu Yin was at a disadvantage in matters like these. While he was able to peer into people’s hearts and could wield words as weapons throughout the three megaverses, it was impossible for him to perceive Lu Siyu’s thoughts. People’s minds were too difficult to guess.

Cough, cough

.

Lu Yin looked across the courtyard. Lu Sizhan had arrived. When the man saw that Lu Yin had looked over, Lu Sizhan offered a helpless smile and apologized. “My daughter was rude. I hope that you won’t take any offense, sir.”

Lu Yin grunted. “It’s nothing. What brings you here?”

Lu Sizhan looked around the courtyard in a questioning manner.

Was I not supposed to come here?

Lu Yin caught his mistake and smiled as he corrected himself with a smile. “My apologies. I forgot that I am in your home.”

“Haha! If you don’t mind, feel free to treat this as your own home. My East Command gladly welcomes you.” Lu Sizhan laughed.

Lu Siyu immediately shoved her window back open. “Old Lu, what nonsense are you spouting now?”

Lu Sizhan frowned and scolded her, “Girl, show some manners!”

Lu Siyu snorted, and Lu Sizhan turned back to Lu Yin and slowly bowed. “Sir, you’ve helped me enter Dukkha. My East Command must repay your kindness.”

As he spoke, the man brought out two karmic buds. “I wonder if these might satisfy you?”

Lu Yin’s eyes lit up. “You’re offering those to me?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you.” There was no refusal. While the competition for the Four Commands Grand Swordmaster title had been full of twists and turns, the final result was excellent. Once Lu Yin fulfilled Lu Siyu’s request, he had apologized to the Four Commands Sword Sect and even helped Lu Sizhan enter Dukkha. No one had any obligations to the other party, but Lu Yin needed karmic buds. Since Lu Siyu was already Greater Sancte Green Lotus’s nominal disciple, she did not need them. Thus, Lu Yin did not refuse.

Lu Siyu also did not try to dissuade Lu Yin. Instead, she gleefully called out, “Hey! Um... Lu Yin!”

He looked over.

“I’ve already told my sisters what happened here, and all of them say that they’re reconsidering their requests. Don’t expect to complete them as easily as you did mine!” Lu Siyu shared triumphantly.

Lu Yin just smiled. “That’s fine. There will always be a way, so I won’t be the one losing out.”

Lu Siyu’s expression changed. She clenched her jaw and gave Lu Yin one more glare before slamming the window shut again.

Lu Sizhan awkwardly apologized, “My daughter has been rude to you again. If you’re not in a hurry to leave, feel free to stay here as long as you like.”

Lu Yin glanced at Lu Siyu’s room. “Very well. I’m sorry to trouble you, Senior.”

He intended to wait in the Four Commands Sword Sect until the next request came in.

The East Command quickly prepared a courtyard for Lu Yin to use. It was just a short distance from both Lu Sizhan and Lu Siyu’s quarters, while also being quiet and secluded.

Since there was no telling how long it would take for the other women to announce their requests, Lu Yin decided to roll his die and use the karmic buds.

Lu Sizhan returned to Lu Siyu’s courtyard.

“Old Lu, is he settled in?”

“Mhmm.”

“That little thief is despicable! He deliberately made things difficult here, just so that the rest of the requests will be easier!”

“Don’t speculate wildly.”

Lu Siyu frowned. “I’m not speculating! I’m sure of it! He-”

She was just about to share that Lu Yin had peeked on her while she had been bathing in the Lotus Pond with her sisters, but she managed to stop herself in time.

Lu Sizhan did not notice the change, and he simply said, “Girl, you’re no longer young. It’s time you think about life’s important matters.”

A headache appeared as Lu Siyu listened. “Old Lu, you said that you wouldn’t push me. I’m still young!”

Lu Sizhan looked at Lu Siyu and let out a heavy sigh. “Before this, your father was confident that I would be able to keep you safe. Since you’re Greater Sancte Green Lotus’s disciple, I’ve let you fool around. But your father will eventually grow old, and Greater Sancte Green Lotus...”

The man trailed off, clearly troubled. Lu Siyu grew puzzled. “Old Lu, what are you trying to say?”

Lu Sizhan glanced at the distant Mother Tree and then up at its vast canopy that covered the entire sky. “Even Greater Sancte Green Lotus is a human. You need to prepare backups for yourself. The Seven Fairies may not remain so blessed forever. Even a Greater Sancte’s disciples can die, as you well know.”

Lu Siyu held a hand to her forehead. “So it’s finally here.”

Lu Sizhan did not understand. “What’s here?”

“You’ve changed, Old Lu. You never used to have such thoughts. You were cheerful and open-minded. Even if you might have been a bit useless, you were always happy.”

“You wretched girl! Is that any way to talk about your own father?”

“But it’s the truth! Why else would you have earned the description of being ‘the most useless yet the happiest man’?”