Chapter 4058: Old Friends

A bit more than a century might not sound like a long time, but for a world that progressed in both technology and cultivation, it could lead to earth-shaking changes.

A single thought was enough for Lu Yin to observe the entire megaverse, but doing so felt meaningless. Regardless of whether he was in the Tianyuan, the Spirit Nidus, or the Nine Odysseys Megaverse, he had never done so before.

It was necessary to always maintain a certain level of respect for one’s surroundings.

Upon returning to Earth, Lu Yin was surprised to find that little had changed.

That should not be the case. How could more than a century result in so little change?

No, there were changes; almost everyone on Earth was a cultivator. It was rare to see ordinary humans, but even those people had trained their bodies to be close to the Seeker level. They were practically cultivators themselves.

There were many strong cultivators living on Earth. Lu Yin could sense a number of familiar auras. Bai Xue was still as beautiful as ever, and she had also become much stronger.

Zhou Shan looked a bit older and more worn, but given that more than a century had passed, he had not really changed too much.

There were children clustered around him as well. They seemed to be family and were likely Zhao Shan’s direct descendants.

After a hundred years, Zhou Shan had produced a great many heirs.

Times really did change.

Zhang Dingtian was not present, and neither was Liu Shaoge.

Lu Yin watched from a distance, but he chose not to disturb the man. Instead, he simply left.

He did not know what to say.

No one had even sensed that he had stopped by.

After leaving Earth, Lu Yin made his way to the Great Yu Empire. He arrived on Zenyu Star, where he saw the imperial palace and Wendy Yushan.

Wendy had been accepted as Sage Bodhi’s disciple, and she had since become a Semi-Progenitor. Her progress was quite impressive, especially since she was only waiting for the right opportunity to break through to the Progenitor realm now. Her progress had been incredible.

He did not disturb her either. Instead of entering the palace, he approached a familiar nearby street.

It had long since become the most expensive real estate in the Outerverse. Even a single shopfront along that street could cost more than an entire planet.

Shrewd merchants never sold their shops, though there were some who had had no other choice.

The bar had not changed, though the owner had.

The little bar that he was familiar with somehow still stood. It was quite unexpected, given how quickly things changed in the mortal world. He had thought that the bar would not have lasted.

Night fell, and he walked in. “Boss, a pot of wine.”

“You got it.”

Lu Yin eyed the proprietor. It was a different man, most likely the old owner’s grandson.

It was a miracle that such a tiny bar had endured.

The cloudy wine and simple snacks sent him back to a time when he had first arrived in the Great Yu Empire and been accepted as King Zishan’s heir. This was the bar where he had met with the second prince, Duke Yushan, and also where he had seen Jenny Auna.

He drank his wine in silence. Some might say that it was cold at the top, but he felt like he was still the same man as ever.

He liked the little bar.

“Boss, another pot!” a familiar voice called out.

Huo Xiaoling? He had not expected to see her.

The lively girl that he had met long ago had grown much more composed, as well as far stronger.

“Here you go, Sister Huo.”

“How many times do I have to tell you, don’t call me ‘Sister Huo!’ It sounds awful.”

“Heh, I understand. Next time.”

She took the pot, splashed a bit on the floor. “Old friend, it’s your favorite. Enjoy.”

Lu Yin observed in silence.

Huo Xiaoling let out a long breath, poured herself a cup, and proceeded to drink alone.

After some time passed, she left.

Lu Yin stayed.

“How long can I keep drinking here for?” he asked the owner.

The young man smiled. “As long as you like. We don’t close.”

“Don’t you rest?”

“You won’t drink for a full day and night... right? Hehe.”

“I can’t make any promises. I’m feeling rather nostalgic.”

“Then I’ll keep you company.” The man dragged a stool over to Lu Yin’s table, prompting a chuckle.

“Are you that eager? Short on cash?”

“Of course not. You know where we are. This is Zenyu Star, one of the Outerverse’s hottest locations, as well as Lord Lu’s old stomping grounds. We’re right next to the Heavens Sect. Forget a bar—even just dust off of this street can be sold for a fortune. We’re not hurting.

“This was my granddad’s rule: if there’s even one customer still here, we don’t close, and we don’t rush them. Just sit with them, till the end of time, if need be.

“That’s our business model, hehe.”

Lu Yin smiled. “Sounds like your granddad had some stories.”

“None of them were his own, but he heard plenty. He told me that there are two kinds of drinkers: those who love wine, and those who don’t.”

“How’s that?”

“Those who love wine drink it for taste, which is normal enough. The other kind use wine to drown their sorrows or to spill their feelings, burdens that they’d rather not carry. For them, wine is just a tool. They’d rather not drink because once they do, and a story starts, it might not be one that they want to tell.

“My granddad spent his entire life brewing and selling wine, and he heard many stories. He never repeated them. Just like the people who shared them, he kept their stories in the wine. He said that he was clumsy when trying to comfort people, so he’d just sit with them.

“Now, it’s my turn.”

Lu Yin took a sip and then eyed his empty cup. “Another pot.”

“Right away.”

After filling his cup, Lu Yin splashed a bit onto the floor, just like Huo Xiaoling had. “This one’s for your granddad.”

“Sir... did you know him?”

Lu Yin did not answer. “How do you manage to keep this bar going?”

The owner grinned. “Our regulars are untouchable. Oh, speak of the devils. Folks, let me clean some stools for you.”

“Ha! It’s been a long time! I’ve missed this flavor.”

“Bring out the good stuff!”

“On it...”

Lu Yin quietly drank his wine as two tables were pushed together to seat a dozen people. Many who had arrived were familiar faces.

He saw Smoker, Huo Qingshan, Cool Sis, the blind monk, Cai Jianqiang, and others whom Lu Yin did not know but were likely members of the Great Yu Empire’s Thirteen Squadrons.

It really was a good day.

“Old rules! A toast to Lord Lu!” Huo Qingshan raised his cup high.

“To Lord Lu!”

“To Lord Lu!”

Lu Yin was speechless. You know that I’m not dead, right?

“Uh, bosses, isn’t that a bit off? Won’t Lord Lu get upset?”

“What do you know? Is he that petty?”

“Still, that gesture is a bit...”

“Just ignore him. He’s not one of us and has no real history with Lord Lu. Kid- Cough, cough, cough...”

“Enough. Smoker, you’re going to cough your lungs out.”

“Where’s Ku Wei?”

“He ran back to the Heavens Sect as soon as possible. With Lord Lu back, he’ll be first in line to kiss ass.”

“Ha! We’re different from him. Our bond with Lord Lu doesn’t need any flattery.”

Someone sprinted over to the bar from the distance. “Wait, wait! I’m not there yet! This is too much!”

“Peach! We were waiting on you. Hurry up!”

“Says who? Aden isn’t here either.”

“Oh, Captain Huo. Sister Huo also dropped by just now.”

Huo Qingshan grunted. “Then put this tab on her.”

“Huh? That doesn’t seem right...”

“That just feels wrong...”

“Shameless.”

“Boss Huo, you’re going too far.” Everyone teased the man.

Huo Qingshan remained stone-faced. “I’m saving up for interstellar travel. That girl’s still young. She’s got plenty of time to save up.”

“Despicable.”

“If my dad were like you, I’d cut all ties.”

“We protest on Sister Huo’s behalf!”

...

After listening to some of the banter, Lu Yin smiled and raised his cup. “Everyone, do you mind if I join?”

Everyone froze and turned to stare at the man who was sitting with his back facing them.

Huo Qingshan spoke in a low voice, “You want to drink with us, sir? Sure, please do.”

Everyone warily watched Lu Yin.

He turned to face them, and though the flickering lamplight was quite dim, it was still enough to clearly show his face.

Mouths dropped open as everyone stared at him in stunned silence.

Lu Yin smiled. “What? Aren’t you happy to see me?”

“Your Highness!”

“Your Highness...”

Peach and the others called out instinctively.

Huo Qingshan swallowed. “Your Highness... you’re back.”

“Boss Huo, is he...?”

Huo Qingshan started to bow, but Lu Yin stopped him with a hand. “Tonight’s just about catching up. There’s no need for any formalities. Come, let’s drink.”

Eyes flushed red for Huo Qingshan, Peach, and many others. They had not expected to ever be able to share a cup with Lu Yin again. While they had always claimed to have ties with Lu Yin, it had been years since he had last returned. And now...

Worth it. Everything was worthwhile.

“Drink!”

“Drink!”

“Peach, get Aden over here! Hurry!”

“Cool Sis, call Shalosh. Quickly!”

“And you, go tell Ban Jiu. Move! Move!”

Lu Yin laughed. “There’s no rush. We’ll wait for all of them. None of us will go home sober.”

“We won’t go home sober!”

...

“Your Highness, why are you here?” Shalosh arrived. The usually stern man was almost in tears.

He had brought Fu Xiaoshu, Luo Yi, Schutz, and Gerbach with him.

Huo Qingshan had also called Huo Xiaoling to rush over.

Huo Xiaoling was speechless. Isn’t he the guy who was drinking next to me earlier?

Wait, the tab’s on me? How much is that going to be? Father, you really know how to take advantage of your daughter.

Ian and Dana also arrived, their eyes growing misty when they saw Lu Yin.

Suddenly, Ku Wei burst in. “Master! How could you leave me in the Heavens Sect and come here to drink on your own?

“Master, when drinking, you can devour rivers and mountains! Truly peerless throughout the cosmos! Please-”

“Shut up and have a drink.”

“Yes, sir. Master is so domineering!”

...

“Everyone, the old rules! A toast to Lord Lu!”

“To Lord Lu!”

“To Lord Lu!”

“Hold up, I’m right here! Change your wording.”

“Sorry! It’s an old habit.”

...

“What brought you back here?” Wendy Yushan arrived and smiled at Lu Yin.

He smiled back. “This is also my home.”

Wendy raised her cup.

...

Days later, Lu Yin arrived in the Cosmic Sea. In the distance, the massive warships that belonged to Leon’s Armada loomed, and he could not suppress his grin.

“Boys! Our family’s home! It’s time for a feast!”

“Hahaha! Little Brother, I knew that you’d show up.”

“Big Sis, I can’t drink anymore. We just finished a round on Zenyu Star.”

“Hm? Are you telling me no?”

“...Never. Come on, bottoms up!”

“Hahaha!”

Thud. Highsage Leon slammed his massive blade down on the deck. “Little Seven’s here! Are you coming to drink or not?”

“Which Little Seven?”

“Which one do you think?”

“Don’t tell me you’re talking about Lord Lu...”

“You think this is a joke?”

“Third Brother, have you had too much to drink? You still dare to call him Little Seven?”

“Little Seven is Little Seven. Now, get over here and drink! And drag your boss with you.”

“Third Brother, you-”

“I heard that, Third Brother! Show some respect to Lord Lu. That man’s ruthless.”

Lu Yin leaned over. “How ruthless?”

His question was met with silence, and then, “Ruthless at drinking.”

“Third brother, Boss and I are coming! Just wait there. Black, White, where’d you two disappear to? We’re going drinking!”

Highsage Leon let out a roar of laughter. “This is payback for all the pranks that you two pulled on me back in the day! Oh, and we need to get that geezer, Sea King. He’s not wriggling out of this either!”

...

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