Star Odyssey

Yin.
However, as Lu Yin’s reputation grew, especially after the Tournament of the Strongest, where Lu Yin had become a household name, Ian’s feelings towards the youth had changed.
At that time, he had even told Dana that not everyone had the chance to battle against a legend.
  

He had initially thought that he would never have any more interactions with the man, and he had certainly not expected to meet Lu Yin so soon again.
This was the person who had robbed him but was still known as a legend.
 

“The captain of the Ordnance Mercenaries, Qijin, pays his respects to His Highness, the Royal Regent.” Qijin bowed outside of King Zishan’s palace. 

“Ian of the Ordnance Mercenaries pays his respects to His Highness, the Royal Regent.” Ian bowed as well.
 

Lu Yin smiled at the two men.
“There’s no need for the formalities.
Have a seat.”

Qijin looked at Ian as he cautiously sat down. 

“The Ordnance Mercenaries.
I’ve heard that name many times before.
Deputy Captain Shalosh is the captain of the Eighth Imperial Squadron, and he’s known as a powerful Cruiser even within the scope of the entire Outerverse.
How did he join the Ordnance Mercenaries in the past?” Lu Yin asked out of curiosity.
 

Qijin respectfully replied, “Shalosh was heavily injured at one point, and the Ordnance Mercenaries were coincidentally in Canopy Weave at the same time.
We saved him, and after that, he joined our mercenary group.” 

“Ah, I see,” Lu Yin acknowledged with a nod.
It had been noted in Shalosh’s personal file that he had come from Canopy Weave.
Lu Yin speculated that Shalosh had most likely been recommended by a powerful figure from Canopy Weave.
However, the weave had later been destroyed by the Neo-Vestige Sect when it had tried to gain control of two weaves.
This was something that had happened very long ago, and Shalosh had only inherited some battle techniques.
There really was not much of a connection between him and the former powers of Canopy Weave. 

“How did Shalosh join the Thirteen Imperial Squadrons?” Lu Yin asked, as this was not recorded in the captain’s personal file. 

Qijin responded, “Shalosh took part in the selection of his own accord and was chosen by the late emperor.
He then slowly rose up through the ranks to eventually become the captain of the Eighth Squadron.” 

Lu Yin finally gained a clearer understanding of this captain.
His focus next shifted over to Ian as he smiled gleefully.
“It’s been a long time since I last saw you.” 

Ian’s expression changed as he respectfully answered, “Forgive me for offending you in the past, Your Highness.” 

Qijin knew that Ian had participated in Earth’s trial in the past and also that the Royal Regent had attended Earth’s trial at that same time.
Thus, the two had likely had some sort of interaction at that time. 

Lu Yin laughed.
“I remembered robbing you, but I don’t remember you offending me.
Why? Were you scolding me behind my back?” 

Ian felt uncomfortable.
 

Lu Yin smiled and then gestured for the other youth to sit.
He looked at Ian with a sense of astonishment.
“Tell me, how did you discover the underground troops? They shouldn’t have left any obvious signs.” 

With the topic on, Ian instantly became much more confident, as this was his forte.
“No military movement can be completely traceless.
Back in the academy, my learning centered on the anchorage position of spacecraft as well as psychological analysis.
These particular courses were rather neglected in the Imperial Military Academy, and almost nobody took them.
However, they’re actually very useful.
Whenever spacecraft land on an unknown planet where the troops are faced with unknown threats, they will always take on a defensive position pointing outwards.
Even the captain’s mental state is very important at such times, and all of these details can be used to analyze many things…” 

Ian spoke for almost five minutes, though Lu Yin did not really understand what the youth was saying.
Lu Yin had not received any military training, but he had come to roughly understand a little.
Tracking down military troop movements was similar to analyzing a criminal’s psychology, and Ian had applied such analysis techniques towards military affairs, particularly towards the captain of the spacecraft. 

Lu Yin immediately ordered this academic course to become mandatory for graduation, and at the same time, he ordered all the officers of the empire to review the material as well.
No matter how much they absorbed, they all would have to study it, as psychology was very important. 

As he looked at Ian, Lu Yin exclaimed, “You’re pretty good, and leaving you as a mercenary is too wasteful.”

He looked at Qijin.
“Captain Qijin, would you mind if I stole a talent from your members?”

Qijin immediately responded, “Being able to receive Your Highness’s attention is Ian’s fortune.” He then hurriedly cast a meaningful glance over at Ian. 

Ian stood up.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Lu Yin nodded.
“The Thirteen Squadrons are combat oriented, and with your power level, you won’t be able to have much of an impact.
Since that’s the case, you can instead join the Allied Forces of the Great Eastern Alliance and assist Commander Liuying Zishan in handling certain matters.
Your status won’t be very high, but your future prospects will be decent.
It will all depend on you whether or not you can climb upwards.” 

Ian was delighted, as he did not have a strong desire to join the Thirteen Imperial Squadrons either.
They were essentially the empire’s butcher knife, and it would not have been too different from being a part of the mercenary group.
He looked forward to being in a formal military, which was why he had entered the Imperial Military Academy, and the alliance’s Allied Forces were indeed the most suitable place for him.
“Thank you, Your Highness.
I will not let you down.” 

Lu Yin grunted in acknowledgement and then dismissed the two men before summoning the Foreign Affairs Secretary, Hill Auna. 

“We’ve determined the origins of those troops, and they come from Armament Weave’s Wei family.
Immediately send out a notice to the Wei family demanding them to hand over the master plans as well as compensate us with 3 million star essence.
Otherwise, we will declare war,” Lu Yin said sternly. 

Hill Auna was surprised.
“3 million star essence? Your Highness, isn’t that a bit too much?” The taxes collected from the entire Great Yu Empire in one year was around 3 million, and that was an astronomical amount.
Forget 3 million—30,000 would already be considered a decent sum.
This was still the Outerverse, not the Innerverse. 

However, Lu Yin remained firm, and he made it clear that there was no room for negotiation.
“Three million, and not one essence less.” 

Hill Auna instantly understood—the demand for compensation was a farce whereas the declaration of war was the real deal.
The Royal Regent wanted to wage war, and so Hill Auna didn’t dare to say another word.
He simply acknowledged his orders and withdrew.