Star Odyssey

Chapter 1761: Tempting The Heart

Yuan Miaomiao looked up to gaze at Lu Yin. Her eyes were quite beautiful, and Lu Yin could see his own reflection in her eyes. "Why would Alliance Leader Lu ask such a thing? Especially since you did not care about our earlier warning and insisted on entering Venom Flowzone. Grandfather said that all of His Majesty's schemes are useless against you."

"You overestimate me and underestimate Emperor Qing Shaohuang," Lu Yin replied in a casual tone.

Yuan Miaomiao shook her head. "Even if His Majesty is able to do as he wishes, it will only bring unpredictable disasters upon the Divine Venom Dynasty."

There was a knock at the door, and a gentle voice spoke, "Let's have dinner first."

Yuan Miaomiao stared at Lu Yin.

Lu Yin got up. "There’s no need. I’ve already said everything I need to."

He then prepared to leave.

Yuan Miaomiao suddenly took off her mask, drawing Lu Yin's eyes. A flicker of surprise could be seen on his face. He had seen too many beautiful women throughout his life, and no matter if one considered Starsibyl, Ming Yan, Bai Xue, or Madam Nalan, all of them were absolutely stunning. Yuan Miaomiao revealed herself to be beautiful enough to compete with any of those women Lu Yin knew.

Still, the most unique feature to Lu Yin’s eyes was the image of an alluring flower on Yuan Miaomiao’s face. Though the flower had no color and was merely an outline, the moment Lu Yin laid eyes on it his mind was filled with the image of this flower blowing in the wind. It was red and bold, and completely enchanting. Given Yuan Miaomiao's beautiful appearance and her soul-devouring eyes, the flower looked to be indescribably glamorous.

This was a flower that seduced people's hearts. This was not a seduction brought about by words, but by beauty and the image of the flower that was on Yuan Miaomiao's face. This flower was her ability to seduce people's hearts.

Lu Yin's heart was swayed. He was not overcome by emotions, but by his heart. It moved as though his heart was actually being stolen.

His expression shifted a bit, and his eyes flickered. It was the flower! That flower on the woman’s face was producing a powerful temptation that combined with her beautiful features to produce something Lu Yin could almost not resist.

Someone weaker would absolutely fall to this ability.

"Miaomiao, you-" Qing Longlong opened the door, only to be shocked at what she saw. She stared at Yuan Miaomiao in complete disbelief.

Yuan Miaomiao continued to stare at Lu Yin. She focused on his face, but saw that his first reaction was just a bit of surprise, and after that, his expression returned to normal. This was quite disappointing, as the flower on her face made her tempting enough that no man should be able to resist her. By the time she had only been five years old, she had already attracted countless suitors. If not for her grandfather, she shuddered to even consider what fate might have met her.

As she had grown older, she had covered her appearance and had covered the flower on her face, which had stopped the men pursuing her. If she had not done that, she never would have been able to go anywhere without causing a commotion.

She had hidden her appearance for many years, and Yuan Miaomiao had once told Qing Longlong that she would only ever reveal herself to a man she acknowledged. At this moment, Qing Longlong saw that her friend had revealed herself to a man, and yet this man did not seem to care at all.

Lu Yin looked at Yuan Miaomiao and calmly asked, "Was there anything else?"

Yuan Miaomiao bowed once more, and pursed her lips before sadly saying, "Miaomiao was born in Venom King City, and I can't bear the Divine Venom Dynasty suffering a disaster. Alliance Leader Lu, so long as you agree to leave Venom Flowzone, Miaomiao will put herself at your disposal."

"Miaomiao, what in the world are you talking about?" Qing Longlong was startled, and rushed over to support Yuan Miaomiao. When the princess saw the wariness in Lu Yin's eyes, she felt that he must have threatened Yuan Miaomiao.

Lu Yin shook his head. "If Yuan Taishi knew what you just said, he would be very disappointed in you."

Yuan Miaomiao looked sad. "Grandpa was also born here in Venom King City, and he’s lived here all his life. Given his old age, I hope for him to be able to enjoy his years in peace without having to worry about the Divine Venom Dynasty. Since Grandpa thinks you should leave, Miaomiao also hopes you will leave and never come back to Venom Flowzone ever again. Miaomiao is willing to serve you no matter what you may ask of her."

Qing Longlong grabbed hold of Yuan Miaomiao and scolded her, "Miaomiao, do you know what you’re even saying? If I had known what you wanted earlier, I would never have brought Brother Lu here!"

Lu Yin suddenly stretched out a hand and ran his fingertips along Yuan Miaomiao's face, stroking the silky skin.

Qing Longlong was furious at his actions, and she turned to glare at Lu Yin. "Stop!"

Yuan Miaomiao stubbornly kept her eyes on Lu Yin and did not take a single step back. She allowed Lu Yin’s hand to touch her face until his palm cupped her face.

"This is a jincan? What kind of jincan is this?" Lu Yin asked. He was not actually wanting to take advantage of the girl, but was simply curious about the flower on her face. It was quite odd for anything to be able to sway his heart.

Qing Longlong frowned. "It's a flower of affection. It will only ever bloom for those you love."

Lu Yin pulled his hand back. "Go back and tell Yuan Taishi that I, Lu Yin, don't like to kill without cause, but everyone has a bottom line. He'd better help Qing Shaohuang stay away from my bottom line, or else he can’t blame me for getting rude."

He then walked out of the restaurant.

Back in the room, Yuan Miaomiao swayed and nearly collapsed to the floor. Fortunately, Qing Longlong supported her friend. "Miaomiao, you’re too impulsive! How could you?"

Yuan Miaomiao answered in a bitter tone, "The Divine Venom Dynasty should not have to suffer any disasters."

"Why are you so certain Lu Yin will bring disaster to the Divine Venom Dynasty? For so many years, no one’s been able to do anything at all to our Divine Venom Dynasty." Qing Longlong felt quite confused.

Yuan Miaomiao shook her head. "Longlong, he's waiting for you outside. Go on."

Qing Longlong continued to stare at her friend with worry.

Yuan Miaomiao smiled. "It's okay."

Qinglong sighed and finally walked away.

Yuan Miaomiao looked outside the restaurant, her eyes still full of complex emotions, though they were dominated by bitterness and an indescribable melancholy, fear, and more.

Elsewhere, an old man was standing in Qing Shaohuang’s office. There was a bitter expression on the old man’s face, and his eyes were quite anxious. In front of him, Attendant Yi was whispering something to Qing Shaohuang. The man’s voice was not loud, but the old man was still able to hear everything. Lu Yin had slapped Attendant Yi, and the emperor’s entire demeanor had changed the moment he had heard of this.

The old man was Yuan Taishi, the Divine Venom Dynasty’s most senior minister. Even Emperor Qing Shaohuang had to show respect to his person. Without Yuan Taishi, the Divine Venom Dynasty would never have reached its current prosperity.

"Your Majesty, Qing Li is asking to speak with you." Some time later, someone entered to make a report.

Qing Shaohuang solemnly replied, "Show him in."

Qing Li soon entered and bowed low to Qing Shaohuang, who waved a hand. "Tell me, what do you think of Lu Yin?"

Qing Li was not surprised that Qing Shaohuang would ask such a question, so he immediately replied, "Brother Huang, Lu Yin is not an easy person to unravel."

"What do you mean?" Qing Shaohuang frowned.

Qing Li considered his response before speaking. "He- he seems to be a bit too cruel."

Qing Li had already considered this conversation on his way over, but had not been able to find a suitable word to describe Lu Yin. He could openly comment on what he had seen, but as Qing Li had already told Lu Yin about Transience, he did not dare make any moves against Lu Yin, as Qing Li feared the youth’s retaliation.

Transience was Qing Shaohuang's greatest secret, and even Yuan Taishi and Qing Longlong did not know of it.

"You came to such a conclusion when welcoming him?" Qing Shaohuang was in a terrible mood at the moment. The hand print on Attendant Yi's face had still not disappeared. Given the man’s cultivation, he naturally could remove it, but had deliberately kept it. He absolutely hated Lu Yin.

Qing Li shrugged. "Brother Huang, I haven’t had much contact with Lu Yin, and I didn’t entertain him for very long at his arrival, as Linglong met up with him. This-"

"Longlong? Longlong went to meet with Lu Yin?" Qing Shaohuang asked in an odd tone.

Qing Li was caught off guard. "You didn’t know, brother? Didn't you send her?"

Qing Shaohuang's expression grew even worse.

Attendant Yi quietly said, "Your Majesty, Her Highness is kind and does not tend to think badly of others. His Highness might not be able to accurately gauge Lu Yin’s character."

"He slapped you and she still can’t see it?" Qing Shaohuang shouted.

Attendant Yi dropped to his knees. "This old slave mispoke and overstepped. Please don't get angry, Your Majesty."

Qing Li watched Attendant Yi's performance with cold eyes, but did nothing to interrupt. No matter if it was Lu Yin or Attendant Yi, Qing Li did not want to end up on either man’s bad side.

"Alright, stand up," Qing Shaohuang ordered.

Attendant Yi thanked the emperor with a quick bow.

Qing Shaohuang stared at Attendant Yi. "What do you think about Lu Yin?"

Attendant Yi bowed again and said, "Lu Yin is arrogant and more. He is not someone who is easy to get along with. On top of that, he is extremely ambitious, and even the Sword Sect and the Daynight clan fear him. That is not a person who can understand true friendship. It would be best to either maintain a great deal of distance from him, or-” The man’s eyes suddenly grew incredibly vicious. "Avoid future troubles."

"Arrogant!" Yuan Taishi could no longer listen in silence, and he glared at Attendant Yi. "What does a mere servant know? How dare you discuss affairs of state."

Qing Shaohuang glanced over at Yuan Taishi. "Old Taishi, no need to get angry. I asked for his opinion."

Yuan Taishi bowed and solemnly replied, "Your Majesty, my Divine Venom Dynasty has never interfered with matters of the outside world. No matter what sort of character Lu Yin might have, or how ambitious he may be, none of it has anything to do with us, so why get involved with him, either as an enemy or as friends? Regardless, neither option will bring any benefits to our Divine Venom Dynasty."

"Elder’s words are wrong. If Lu Yin unites the Innerverse, would you still be willing to claim that such a thing has nothing to do with our Divine Venom Dynasty?" Attendant Yi asked in a cold voice.

Yuan Taishi grew furious. "A small man’s opinion!"

Attendant Yi’s expression sharpened, and a cold glint flickered deep in his eyes. "This old slave is a villain for His Majesty's sake. If the Great Eastern Alliance is truly no threat, why would the Sword Sect have sent someone to my Divine Venom Dynasty?"

"They are trying to take advantage of us."

"Is Elder Yuan afraid?"

…

"Enough. Old Taishi, stop here for now; I'm tired," Qing Shaohuang interrupted the argument and waved for Yuan Taishi to leave.

Yuan Taishi glared at Attendant Yi, but could only excuse himself.

Attendant Yi held too high a position in the empire, and he had Qing Shaohuang’s complete trust. On top of that, the chief attendant was very powerful in his own right. If not for all of these details, Yuan Taishi would have attacked this servant who overstepped himself.

"You should also leave for now," Qing Shaohuang said to Attendant Yi.

Attendant Yi bowed left, leaving only Qing Shaohuang and Qing Li in the office.

Qing Shaohuang turned to Qing Li, "Do you think Transience would be enough to deal with Lu Yin?"

Qing Li’s fingers twitched as he shook his head. "No. Back then, Nightking Zhenwu used Transience and poisoned Lu Yin, yet the youth removed the poison and survived. Brother Huang should already know this."

"I know, but Transience has changed since then; it is now more toxic and deadly," Qing Shaohuang stated coldly.

Qing Li dropped his head, not knowing what to say. He hesitated over whether or not to tell Qing Shaohuang that Lu Yin already knew about Transience. This was not something that Qing Li wanted to admit to, but if the emperor tried to use Transience to deal with Lu Yin and then failed, Qing Li would suffer right alongside Qing Shaohuang. Even if Qing Shaohuang ended up fine, Lu Yin would still reveal his knowledge of Transience, and Qing Shaohuang would not let that matter just go.

Qing Li was stuck in quite a dilemma.

However, it was also possible that Transience would be able to take care of Lu Yin. After all, there was no way to detect the poison, which left a tiny glimmer of hope.