Star Odyssey

Chapter 2105: Evidence

"You guys want to relocate Earth’s native population?" Lu Yin stared at Hen Xin as he slowly voiced his question, but his expression had already fallen.

Hen Xin and Lu Yin gazed at each other. "Yes."

Hen Xin was already aware of Lu Yin’s relationship to Earth, as that was the entire reason why Lu Buzheng and the others had denied the proposal three times so far.

"I refuse," Lu Yin said bluntly.

Hen Xin frowned, and he was about to scold the young man for interfering. What gave an Envoy the courage to say no to anything that a Semi-Progenitor said? However, Hen Xin quickly remembered that Lu Yin was the new Dao Chosen and that he had been given the authority to represent the heavens. This was not something that Lu Yin could try to enforce on his own, and it would be useless even if Lu Buzheng and the other Semi-Progenitors tried to push for it. However, Destina’s support changed everything.

"I support the Dao Chosen. The Dao Chosen refuses, so I also refuse," Destina said, throwing in her unconditional support for Lu Yin.

Hen Xin felt rather frustrated. "Destina, this is an important decision that’s related to the potential fate of all humanity. Those ordinary people living on Earth are useless, so it’s better to move them somewhere else. I can at least promise to compensate them for their trouble, if that’s required."

Destina simply ignored Hen Xin, as all she intended to do was unconditionally back up everything that Lu Yin said or wanted.

Lu Yin had not expected Destina to be so forthright with her support. "Thank you, Senior Destina."

Destina smiled at him. "My support is for the Dao Chosen, not you. If someone else becomes the Dao Chosen, I support them in the same way."

"This junior understands that, but I still have to thank you," Lu Yin responded in a polite tone.

In the past, it had been the Lu Heavenly Gate and the Honor Heavenly Gate that had opposed moving the Earthlings while the Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate and the Undying Heavenly Gate had supported the suggestion. As for the Bloodlines Heavenly Gate and the Destiny Heavenly Gate, they had both remained neutral regarding the matter. But now that the Destiny Heavenly Gate had thrown in their unconditional support for whatever the Lu Heavenly Gate wanted, even if Hen Xin could obtain the Bloodlines Heavenly Gate’s support, they would still lack the four votes necessary to pass the vote.

Hen Xin's proposal had been foiled again.

Every matter that was discussed in the meeting of the Heavenly Gates were issues that the gatemasters had already discussed in the past. They were all either related to the establishment of the Heavens Sect or the current situation in the Human Domain. No one was specifically targeting anyone, and no one would deliberately make trouble for Lu Yin over these matters. No one had even considered the possibility that he would become the Dao Chosen, so even if they wanted to scheme against him, they needed more time to prepare. It was quite possible that the next Heavenly Gates conference would be much different.

Still, even if no one targeted Lu Yin in the meeting, that did not mean that Lu Yin did not target anyone. Twenty years had passed since Lu Yin’s disappearance, and after all that time, there were debts that needed to be paid and issues that needed to be settled.

Several days passed as the meeting proceeded, and the gatemasters of the six Heavenly Gates brought up many different issues to be discussed. The truth of the matter was that most issues were handled by people much further down the hierarchy. However, there remained a significant number of matters that necessitated some level of communication between the gatemasters.

"This junior has listened to you seniors address many matters, almost all of which concern founding the new Heavens Sect or dealing with the Aeternals. This junior truly admires your dedication to humanity’s future, but there remain a few details that this junior would like to bring to your attention." As Lu Yin spoke, he turned to focus on Hen Xin as six doubtful pairs of eyes locked onto him.

"Senior Hen Xin, is Aurora Enterprises currently a subordinate of your Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate?"

The moment these words were spoken, the expressions on the faces of Arch-Elder Zen and Lu Buzheng changed.

Hen Xin went stiff. Aurora Enterprises was something that he had not expected anyone to mention in these meetings ever again.

He had started to gain a bit of understanding regarding the current era after taking charge of Ni Huang and several other Semi-Progenitors and leading them to occupy Progenitor Chen's Mausoleum. There, he had coincidentally learned that Aurora Enterprises had recently developed microarray technology. While people of the modern era believed microarray technology to be a very recent development, Hen Xin had heard of it before, as a brilliant researcher during the Heavens Sect era had developed the same technology.

Even back then, Hen Xin had been interested in the technology and its potential, but he had been caught up in the Aeternals’ plot and frozen in a sourcebox for countless years. He had forgotten about the matter after awakening in the modern era, until he was reminded by the chance mention of Aurora Enterprises. As soon as he heard the news, Hen Xin had instantly taken action, attacked Aurora Enterprises, and taken control of the company.

After that incident, Arch-Elder Zen and the others from the Fifth Mainland had approached Hen Xin and demanded that he return Aurora Enterprises. After several years of neither side backing down, a compromise had been reached, and the two parties had ultimately agreed to share microarray technology. Still, the reality of the situation was that Hen Xin was the sole person who truly controlled microarray technology, and all public credit for the matter had been given to him.

If not for the large number of Semi-Progenitors who followed Hen Xin, as well as the threat of the Aeternals, it would not have been nearly so easy for him to seize control of Aurora Enterprises. Even if he had tried to cover the matter up, others would have gone after him.

As Hen Xin stared at Lu Yin, the Semi-Progenitor had no idea what the young man’s plan was, but it did not actually matter. It was completely impossible to take Aurora Enterprises away from his Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate. Even if Destina threw her support behind Lu Yin, nothing would change without a war between human forces.

As microarray technology had continued to develop and more applications were discovered, Hen Xin had only become more and more certain that this technology could completely alter the future of humanity. He would never give such a thing up. "That's right, Aurora Enterprises now belongs to my Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate."

Lu Yin nodded. "In that case, I wonder, what are the profits from the microarray technology over these last twenty years? Did you know, Senior, that twenty percent of those profits belong to me?"

Hen Xin was caught off guard. "Twenty percent of the profits are yours? What are you talking about?"

Lu Yin answered with a slight smile. "It looks like you didn’t know that when Aurora Enterprises got stuck in developing microarray technology, I was the one to help them reach a breakthrough. After all, I provided them with necessary materials to produce a final product. Those efforts of mine resulted in twenty percent of the profits from microarray technology belonging to me. Also, this junior provided a great deal of bark from the Mother Tree as raw materials, and a portion of the final products made with those materials also belong to this junior.”

Hen Xin turned to look at Arch-Elder Zen and the other gatemasters. He truly had not known anything about this matter. When stealing Aurora Enterprises, he had only focused on Arch-Elder Zen and his allied Semi-Progenitors, so he had never learned about Lu Yin’s connection to the company or its technology.

Arch-Elder Zen spoke up, "Lu Yin is correct. He had already disappeared when everything happened, so his involvement was never mentioned. There’s no denying that he is directly responsible for the successful development of microarray technology and that he also provided almost all of the required raw materials."

Hen Xin frowned. "Your proof?"

Lu Yin arched a brow. "What sort of evidence do you want, Senior?"

Hen Xin replied in a low voice. "It's impossible for me to just believe your words. Aurora Enterprises has produced far too many microarrays over the past twenty years, and the resulting profits are simply massive. You want to just take twenty percent of those profits away? That’s unrealistic, even if your claims are true. There is no way you can be given twenty percent."

He then looked at Arch-Elder Zen. "Back then, we agreed that all profits from the production of microarrays will be used to fund the fight against the Aeternals and to establish the Heavens Sect."

Arch-Elder Zen nodded and shrugged. There really had not been any other option at that time. Such an agreement was already the most that they could push for, and the only other option would have been to simply lose everything.

Hen Xin was eager to have his name spread across the universe and become famous. This was why he wanted his name to be associated with the historic development of microarray technology. For that he was ready to sacrifice some immediate benefits

He could sacrifice profits, but not suffer a loss on top of that. . Hen Xin had reached an agreement with Arch-Elder Zen, so if he agreed to Lu Yin’s terms he would have to pay out of his own pocket.

A smile spread across Lu Yin’s face. "Senior, are you saying that you believe this junior?"

Hen Xin and Lu Yin stared at each other."If I claim that you kidnapped Hen San and that you must return him, will you agree? It’s simply impossible for me to believe your words without sufficient evidence."

"Aurora Enterprises’ Director Zhi can verify everything," Arch-Elder Zen interjected.

Hen Xin shook his head. "Director Zhi has exhausted himself both mentally and physically in order to keep up with the production demand for microarrays over the years. Thus, he is unable to do so."

Lu Buzheng yelled, "You aren’t even trying to hide that you’re just using technicalities! Clearly, you just don’t want to allow any witnesses to testify. Your heart’s becoming darker and blacker."

Hen Xin was unmoved by the accusations. While the six Heavenly Gates technically jointly ruled over humanity, if not for the threat of the Aeternals, Hen Xin might have already attacked the Lu Heavenly Gate. This was not out of any hatred or enmity, but rather because Hen Xin genuinely wanted to be the one to rebuild the Heavens Sect, and in order for that process to proceed flawlessly, all potential hidden dangers had to be removed.

Both the Lu Heavenly Gate and the Honor Heavenly Gate presented hidden dangers to Hen Xin, but he was not truly worried. After he became a Progenitor, they would both surrender to him.

"Senior, you just demanded that this junior give you Hen San, correct?" Lu Yin asked while smiling at Hen Xin.Updated from nov𝒆lbIn.(c)om

The Semi-Progenitor clasped his hands behind his back as he replied, "Evidence is necessary for all transactions. If I claim that you captured Hen San and simply believe you to be guilty, can I go after you for revenge?"

"If that’s what you want, Senior," Lu Yin said as he took out Zenith Mountain and tossed Hen San out of the mountain.

Every single person present was stunned by Lu Yin’s actions, no matter if it was Hen Xin, Lu Buzheng, or even Hen San himself. Everyone was dazed. Just what was going on?

No one had been aware that Lu Yin had been the one to capture Hen San, and he could have easily kept his guilt hidden. Despite that, what did Lu Yin do? He had actually released Hen San in the middle of the Heavenly Gates conference. Why?

Lu Buzheng blinked and stared at Lu Yin as though he was an idiot. How was this not simply creating a new conflict? Was Lu Yin trying to start a war with the Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate?

Hen Xin was also dumbfounded. He had simply casually mentioned a random accusation to prove a point, and he had certainly never expected to learn that Lu Yin really had been the one to capture Hen San.

Even Destina was surprised, as this was outside of even her expectations. After all, no one would normally do such a thing, as this was basically slapping Hen Xin in the face.

"Gatemaster?" Hen San stared at Hen Xin and spoke up in a weak voice.

It was only then that Hen Xin managed to react, and he stared at Lu Yin with a gloomy expression. "It was actually you?"

Lu Yin just smiled. "Senior, you asked me to release Hen San, and so I have."

Hen Xin had no idea what Lu Yin was planning, and he almost attacked Lu Yin on the spot. However, after seeing the smile on Lu Yin’s face, Hen Xin felt that there was something off about the matter, so he resisted both speaking and attacking.

Hen Xin had successfully climbed from a common family to being the gatemaster of the Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate, and even being favored by one of the ancient Dao Monarchs. He was a cautious person, and given Lu Yin’s shocking behavior, Hen Xin did not feel comfortable trying anything at the moment.

Lu Yin seemed to have expected Hen Xin's reaction, as he simply turned to look at Jue Yi. "You aren’t really the God of Death’s disciple while I am the heir to his true cultivation art. According to what you said to me when we first met, everyone who cultivates or uses death energy must obey the God of Death’s heir without reservations. Am I remembering correctly?"

Lu Buzheng just stared at Lu Yin. This kid had first provoked Hen Xin and then moved on to antagonize Jue Yi. He must have lost his mind.

Lu Buzheng was not the only one who caught off guard, as Arch-Elder Zen also felt that Lu Yin was being foolish. This was not the Lu Yin that he knew.

The Lu Yin that Arch-Elder Zen knew was someone who was prepared before every step he took, someone who was cautious and always kept things deeply hidden. He was someone who had ten more steps planned for every step taken. However, that cautious youngster was deliberately antagonizing the gatemasters of the Heavenly Gates, which was unspeakably dangerous.

Kidnapping Hen San was essentially picking a fight with Hen Xin, and now Lu Yin was demanding Jue Yi’s subservience. Where did Lu Yin get the courage to speak to Semi-Progenitors in such an overbearing manner? When such behavior had been exhibited during the Dao Chosen selection, people had merely believed the young people to be domineering and bold, but given the current setting, Lu Yin’s behavior took on a very different nature.