"..."
In the room, only Zhang Lexuan's quiet sobs and Xu Cheng's complex expression remained.
To be honest, something like this would be absolutely earth-shattering for someone like Mu En—a figure held in such high regard, seen as upright and virtuous, and the top leader of Shrek Academy. Most Shrek students probably couldn't even fathom linking him to such a thing.
But with the suspicions planted in Xu Cheng's heart after reading the original work in his previous life, he had long begun investigating.
First, he confirmed Zhang Lexuan's background, then promptly dispatched Nana to the Holy Spirit Cult to investigate further. After some backdoor dealings with the cult leader Zhongli Wu, he finally obtained these evil soul masters.
And more deeply, this also involved Long Xiaoyao.
After all, these "black gloves" were lent to his close friend—by him.
"This world isn't just black and white. Maybe over the years, he's felt guilt for this and has been tormented by it. But the facts are the facts—he was the main culprit who slaughtered the Zhang family back then." Xu Cheng gently patted the beauty's back, his voice soft.
The original novel painted Mu En in a fairly positive light, but people change. Whether he had evolved from a righteous youth into a cunning old master, or had always been someone willing to use any means to achieve his goals—Xu Cheng couldn't say for sure.
Back when he looked at the world through Shrek's lens, Mu En naturally appeared to be a good guy. But now…
"I want to kill him… avenge my family…" Zhang Lexuan clenched her fists so hard her nails dug into her palms, blood flowing down her fair hands—but she didn't even notice.
Her once gentle, serene eyes were now tinged with blood.
Why had she been so loyal to Shrek Academy all these years, even leaving her beloved behind to return alone?
It was because of her pact with Mu En back then.
She had been Beibei's child bride and also a member of Shrek Academy.
The cost? Having the true enemy stage a performance—killing a few "innocents" in front of her to make her believe vengeance had been taken.
The Zhang family was innocent, yet in the eyes of these top-level figures, they were just expendable pawns—tools to reclaim her loyalty.
And the most pathetic part? She'd lived all these years under that illusion—believing her family had been avenged, then giving her life in service to the very sect responsible.
"Some Inner Court Senior Sister I am… I don't care anymore… sob sob sob…" Zhang Lexuan covered her face, tears flowing through the gaps between her fingers.
"Being Inner Court's senior sister is a kind of shackle too…" Xu Cheng stroked the hair of the beauty in his arms, letting out a long sigh. "Actually, Mu En doesn't have much time left. I suspect he'll die within the next couple years—you probably knew that better than I did before you came here."
"..."
Zhang Lexuan paused. With tear-filled eyes, she looked up at Xu Cheng. "A Cheng, I only ask one thing of you." As she spoke, her expression gradually turned resolute. "Take back Shrek Academy. Sweep across the continent. Unite everything!"
"You're right. Killing him would be letting him off too easily. I want his soul trapped inside the Golden Tree, watching helplessly as the very Shrek Academy he fought so hard to protect falls, step by step—just like I watched my foster parents die back then…"
"But… you were raised by Shrek. Doing this—doesn't it feel…" Xu Cheng smiled faintly.
"After defeating Shrek, besides the Elders and high-level leadership, would you kill the ordinary students and Inner Court disciples?" Zhang Lexuan countered.
"…No," Xu Cheng pondered for a moment and replied.
Once the city falls, the necessary targets must be eliminated—but full-scale slaughter wasn't in the plan.
"Then as Inner Court Senior Sister, I've done my best. Giving them a dignified ending is the only thing I can still do." Zhang Lexuan said with a sense of peace.
In truth, from the beginning she had known how terrifying Xu Cheng's leadership and the Sun-Moon Empire's strength were. The more she was exposed to it, the more she realized trying to save the crumbling Shrek was a hopeless mission. At best, when the Sun-Moon Empire stormed Shrek, she could only kill herself as its commander.
But now, after learning the truth, the burden on her shoulders felt much lighter.
"From this day on, I won't keep you under house arrest anymore. The Shrek folks can move freely within the Sun-Moon Empire. Just… next time you try to run, maybe discuss it with me first?" Xu Cheng joked.
"But… won't Shrek retaliate against the Sun-Moon exchange students?" Zhang Lexuan asked, both relieved and anxious.
Clearly, she had no illusions about Yan Shaozhe's character.
"Something happened recently. Shrek now says it wants to establish long-term diplomatic relations with the Sun-Moon Empire and actively promote soul tool technology exchange…" Xu Cheng handed her a newspaper with a smile.
"Speak human!" Zhang Lexuan snorted softly, lying in Xu Cheng's arms and giving his waist a playful pinch.
"They're just scared, Auntie. You can stay here for the next three years, no problem."
"What about after three years?"
"Shrek might not even exist by then…"
"Sigh, since we're in the confinement room anyway… how about trying something different?"
"A Cheng, what are you doing? No! Don't tie me up—sob sob sob…"
-------------------------
"You're saying that after this battle, the provinces suffered heavy losses, and now the dukes are all whining and begging to be excused from their tax payments this year?" Xu Jiawei stared emotionlessly at the minister below.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Just yesterday alone, this old subject received seven emissaries—all trusted envoys of the dukes. I wouldn't dare deceive you." The Prime Minister gave a bitter smile.
"You said the capital's military camp suffered over twenty thousand casualties in a single day? But the camp is located north of the capital. Are you telling me the Sun-Moon Empire circled around and attacked the north first before suddenly rushing to the south to ambush me?" Xu Jiawei turned his gaze to the Minister of War.
"Uh… that's what happened, Your Majesty…" The old minister averted his gaze, staring sheepishly at the ground.
"And the corpses?" Xu Jiawei clenched his fists.
"They were all disposed of yesterday afternoon." The old man replied smoothly, without a hint of shame.
"Hmph…" Xu Jiawei exhaled deeply and turned to the last kneeling official.
"And you, beloved subject. I could tolerate their nonsense. But you say the national treasury is empty? That we've lost dozens of ten-thousand-year soul bones in a single day, nearly a hundred million gold soul coins, and several soul tools? What is this—are you saying the Sun-Moon Empire can teleport now? That they infiltrated our treasury unnoticed and just stole everything?!!"
"Your Majesty, as absurd as it sounds, it's the truth…" The Finance Minister wiped the sweat from his brow. "The Sun-Moon Empire's latest stealth soul tool can even evade Shrek's surveillance. They managed to deliver several rank-nine stationary soul cannons to Shrek City. If they can do that, stealing from our treasury isn't too far-fetched…"
"Haha… hahahaha~" Xu Jiawei sat on his dragon throne, his hair turning white overnight as he laughed bitterly.
This war had completely stripped him of his imperial dignity. The Sun-Moon Empire had stomped him into the ground, spat in his face—and now, the dukes each harbored their own agendas. In the past, he could suppress them thanks to the Worship Hall and the Sun-Moon Empire's cautious stance, but now…
And this war had exposed two problems—soldiers who existed only on paper, and embezzlement in the treasury.
He coldly eyed the two ministers. These high-ranking officials were likely plants from hidden aristocratic factions. He hadn't expected to be so blind, but after a long silence, he eventually closed his eyes.
These matters were clearly tied to the nobility. If he wanted to preserve the last shreds of his image as emperor, he couldn't blow the lid off. He had to play dumb and pretend to go along.
It seemed… they thought they had him cornered.
But I… will make them pay…
"I know. Though there is something fishy about this matter, with the strength of the Sun Moon Empire, it's indeed not impossible."
Xu Jiawei flew into a rage out of anger.
After all, he truly was a pushover now.
Only in the royal court…
A stunning figure stood in the foremost position below. Looking at her elder brother, whose hair was already white, and the undercurrents surging in court, her beautiful eyes flickered with a trace of complexity…
Sun Moon Empire Royal Academy.
Zhang Lexuan was walking down a path, softly humming a tune.
She gently rubbed the soul tool storage ring, her eyes showing a hint of shyness. This afternoon, she had secretly gone to a strange shop and bought some odd items — prisoner outfits, shackles, and some special instruments of punishment. Ever since she and someone tried cosplay the day before, she found herself unable to stop. It seemed to have awakened some strange desire deep in her heart.
Tonight, she would give A'Cheng a surprise.
A genuine smile appeared on her face.
"Lexuan!"
"Senior Sister!"
Suddenly, two sneaky-looking figures peeked out from the side of the road, glancing around to make sure no one was around before waving at Zhang Lexuan to come over.
Zhang Lexuan raised an elegant eyebrow. Her previously good mood instantly vanished. She clenched her fists and took a deep breath before slowly exhaling.
Since these two had come looking for her, she'd see what nonsense they were about to bring.
"Lexuan, you're alright! That's great!" In a relatively quiet grove under the trees, Fan Yu spoke excitedly.
"Teacher Fan Yu, is there something you need from me?" Zhang Lexuan asked calmly.
"Uh…" Fan Yu felt something was off but didn't think much of it. He hurriedly said, "Elder Mu's condition has worsened. The doctors say he has at most one month left to live. He hopes you can return to Shrek and see him one last time. He's been thinking about you and keeps mentioning your name…"
What does his life or death have to do with me?
Zhang Lexuan scoffed coldly in her heart.
Yet she didn't show anything on her face. Instead, she hesitated and said, "But the Sun Moon Empire has just issued an order that no Shrek Academy student is allowed to leave Mingdu until the three-year term is up. If I leave now…"
"Oh come on, now's not the time to worry about all that. Besides, after things settle down, you can always come back." Fan Yu tried to persuade her earnestly. "I know you're attached to this place, but it's not like you're leaving forever…"
"So, what you're suggesting is… I escape from Mingdu?" Zhang Lexuan asked, her voice tinged with sarcasm.
"Mingdu doesn't have walls. As long as you're careful when you leave, you won't get caught. Here, take this — it's a map of the route from the Sun Moon Empire to the Mingdou Mountain Range. Keep it safe. Once you arrive, people from Shrek Academy will meet you." Fan Yu handed her a map.
"Have you reported this matter to the Academy?" Zhang Lexuan asked, thoughtful.
"This is a direct request from the Academy," Fan Yu said quickly.
"You must have suffered a lot when you were captured last time, right?" Zhang Lexuan asked with apparent concern.
"Oh, it was all for the Academy. No big deal," Fan Yu beamed.
"Then you must take care of yourself. Don't let those old wounds flare up again," Zhang Lexuan smiled.
"Of course, of course. Don't just stand there — go pack. Leave tonight, or things might get complicated." Fan Yu reminded her again.
"Alright, Teacher Fan Yu, and you too, Student Moxuan — take care." Zhang Lexuan smiled sweetly. Her beauty could captivate kingdoms and cities alike.
Moxuan stood there dazed, captivated.
"She's the top senior sister of the inner court. Don't get any weird ideas… You? Want a swan as a toad?" Fan Yu glanced sideways at the dazed Moxuan.
"Don't think I don't know why you reported her back then. Mo Xuan, your talent is decent, but… you're not worthy of her. The Academy would never approve of it."
Fan Yu patted Moxuan on the shoulder and turned to leave.
Leaving Mo Xuan standing there alone, lost in thought for a long time.
In the laboratory.
Xuan Ziwen enthusiastically introduced Huo Yuhao to Zimu and Keke.
Zimu had a dead-fish expression. Ever since Juzi left, no one could stir any interest in him. Still, he politely greeted them.
"Wow, junior, you're quite handsome." Keke puffed up her chest. She was also quite good-looking, and while many in Mingde Hall had pursued her, none had truly caught her eye.
"Thank you, Senior Sister," Huo Yuhao responded with a shy smile.
"Don't underestimate Yuhao — he went to the Body Sect for training and just returned to the Academy. He even underwent a second martial soul awakening: Spirit Eyes! He's practically the chosen one for our soul tool department!" Xuan Ziwen exclaimed excitedly.
"And he's already a Soul Ancestor at just thirteen — not the kind who got there by taking pills like some of you. He cultivated step by step, solid and steady. His odds of becoming a Title Douluo in the future are extremely high."
Upon hearing that, Keke's eyes lit up.
This little handsome guy has some crazy talent.
After all, thirteen-year-old Soul Ancestors weren't uncommon in the Sun Moon Empire — but most relied on pills. If someone like Xu Cheng rose through sheer cultivation alone, that was another level entirely.
Of course, this also showed that Keke didn't actually dislike Huo Yuhao — she just disliked Shrek Academy.
"From now on, Keke will take care of you in Mingde Hall. I'm friends with the Crown Princess, you know…" Keke smiled.
"You mean Sister Juzi?" Huo Yuhao's eyes lit up.
Back when he met Nana, Juzi, and Meng Hongchen — all due to Xu Cheng — he had already met these sisters-in-law.
"Wha— you know her too?" Keke was stunned.
"Of course. He was personally recommended by His Highness Xu Cheng, and he specifically asked me to teach him well…" Xuan Ziwen shrugged.
"Aaah, so embarrassing…" Keke covered her face.
"Alright, you two get to know each other. I've got things to do… Oh right, Yuhao, start by learning the basics of soul tools with Keke. His Highness mentioned that before you went to the Body Sect, you were just a Level 2 Soul Engineer. Trying to replicate Level 3 or 4 core formations might be a bit difficult. Don't rush it," Xuan Ziwen said as he waved and left.
"Don't worry, Teacher Xuan. I'll study hard and contribute to the Sun Moon Empire's soul tool development!" Huo Yuhao responded seriously.
"Where are you from in the Sun Moon Empire?" Xuan Ziwen asked curiously before leaving.
"I'm from the Star Luo Empire…" Huo Yuhao replied.
Xuan Ziwen: "…"
(End of Chapter)