"Elder Jing, I think we need to tighten up Mingde Hall's defenses. Whether it's deploying troops or installing more detection soul tools (drones), I believe it's absolutely necessary."
Inside Mingde Hall.
Xu Cheng spoke seriously.
He definitely didn't want to be ambushed by the Body Sect again. In the original story, they pulled it off thanks to buying underground drilling soul tools from the black market of the Sun Moon Empire, which let them launch a silent assault. But in this lifetime, things had been accelerated—there was no telling whether they'd team up with Shrek Academy and use Xuanzi's "Underground Escape Art" to launch a sudden attack.
Right now, Mingde Hall was a true treasure trove—far more important than in the original.
Whether it was Elder Cheng's personally developed [Artificial Soul Rings] project, the new generation of mechas, or mobile cannon platforms, these were all too important for Xu Cheng to allow any mishaps.
If the Body Sect made a mess of things, he'd seriously consider launching an all-out war.
"Your Highness makes a good point. With how the situation's changing recently, your proposal is quite necessary," Jing Hongchen squinted slightly and nodded.
In fact, Mingde Hall was already strong.
It was like a mix between a weapons factory, a national defense research base, and a military academy. Especially in the Douluo world, where knowledge = power (literally). An eighty-year-old, eighth-level soul engineer might be old in age, but not in power. Even the ones focused solely on research weren't pushovers in combat.
"Your Highness, what exactly do you suggest?" Jing Hongchen hesitated for a moment but decided to hear Xu Cheng out first.
"First," Xu Cheng pondered aloud, "we've placed plenty of detection soul tools on the surface, outside the invisible city wall. They can detect intruders and analyze strength and info, but the underground area is noticeably lacking…"
In the original story, had the invisible wall extended underground, the Body Sect wouldn't have been able to sneak into Mingde Hall so easily to launch their surprise attack. They only found out after the assault began.
And based on the tactics of the Body Sect and Shrek Academy, those people loved to dig.
Twice in the story, the Body Sect attacked Mingde Hall, and once they escaped from Mingdu—that was also via underground tunnels, same with Star Luo Empire.
Although last time they failed to buy the underground soul tools due to a fluke, there was no guarantee the Star Luo Empire hadn't already stockpiled some. And don't forget about Xuanzi—he might be known as the weakest of the Level 98s, but thanks to his Earth-element martial soul, his tunnel-digging ability was top-notch.
"Your Highness is absolutely right," Jing Hongchen said, stroking his white beard and nodding again.
"Secondly, those airborne drones outside Mingde Hall don't serve much of a purpose. The enemy won't be foolish enough to barge in through the front. Tunneling underground is much more effective. So I suggest we station military forces near Mingde Hall, and I'll request royal protectors to take turns guarding the place. What do you think?"
"Let's do as you suggest," Jing Hongchen chuckled.
After all, he had once said that Mingde Hall was essentially a dowry prepared by the Hongchen family for this future monarch. Even if Laughing Hongchen were to inherit it, given their close ties, calling it a "dowry" would only deepen the alliance between the royal family and the Hongchen clan.
As for whether Xu Cheng wanted to sideline him—there was no need to worry. He had practically "watched" Xu Cheng grow up. He trusted that Xu Cheng had the magnanimity not to do something like that...
"To extend the invisible city walls of Mingdu underground, we'd need to cover at least a hundred kilometers and go down several hundred meters. Sigh… Forget it. I'll do it myself," Jing Hongchen muttered as he sipped his tea.
Elder Cheng had disappeared from the public eye, happily immersed in his research on artificial soul rings. Ah… the simple joy of a pure researcher.
He couldn't help but feel a bit envious.
Then again, he glanced over at Xu Cheng, who sat there smiling calmly.
Having a good student sure makes a difference…
Elsewhere…
"Your Majesty! The Sun Moon Empire's forces have ceased searching and instead are heading directly for the Star Luo capital. They must be targeting the former three empires and Shrek Academy!" A general exclaimed with delight.
They were currently on the western coastline of Star Luo, bordering the southern part of the Heavenly Soul Empire.
Gazing out at the endless sea, where their only sustenance came from fishing soul beasts, Dai Hao couldn't help but feel a deep sorrow.
He had just declared himself emperor.
And was immediately outmaneuvered by the Sun Moon Empire.
He thought he had it in the bag—only for his dream of empire to be shattered by a single coordinated defense strike.
Now he was a "wandering emperor." Compared to his former glory, it was like heaven and earth had switched places.
Of the 100,000 troops, many were dead or scattered. Over the past few days, they had barely managed to regroup 20,000. His elite White Tiger Guards had been reduced from 1,000 to fewer than 100—truly a devastating loss.
Worst of all was his own arrogance. He'd tried to exchange 100,000 troops for their crown prince's consort.
What a joke.
Once the fighting started, his supposedly mighty army collapsed instantly.
The enemy had steamrolled them.
Was his dream of restoring the empire always meant to stay a dream?
Still, there was a sliver of good news. Dai Hao exhaled slowly—he had recently learned that the Sun Moon Empire had launched a direct assault toward the Star Luo capital. Unfortunately, the scouts he sent hadn't returned yet. No one knew what had happened…
"Report—!"
A figure shot across the sky.
A middle-aged man with wings landed before Dai Hao and knelt. "Reporting, General! I've confirmed the situation from a few days ago!"
"Speak!" Dai Hao's eyes widened anxiously.
"The Sun Moon Empire swept through the Mingdou Mountains, broke through several provinces with no real resistance, and advanced straight to the Star Luo capital…"
"And the capital—what of it?!" Dai Hao asked urgently.
His heart was a tangled mess. On the one hand, he hoped the capital had fallen and their elites wiped out—that would give him a chance to retake the throne. On the other hand, he feared that if a true war broke out, there'd be no place left for him at all.
"The Sun Moon Empire… withdrew the very same day. They've returned the way they came…" the scout reported after a deep breath.
"WOOHOO!!"
Cheers erupted all around.
"Your Majesty, give the order! Let's march on the capital and take back what's rightfully ours!" a general cried out in excitement.
"Yes, Your Majesty, let's do it!"
Everyone was fired up.
They had already witnessed the terrifying power of the Sun Moon Empire's army—if even the Body Sect couldn't withstand them, what chance did the Star Luo capital have?
The city must be in chaos, with all factions vying for power. This was the perfect time for them to return and reclaim control.
Even Dai Hao couldn't hide the flicker of excitement in his heart.
"You seem to have more to say. Speak freely, and I'll see you well rewarded," Dai Hao told the messenger, noting his hesitation and giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder.
"Y-Your Majesty… while it's true they withdrew… they never actually attacked the capital," the scout said nervously.
Everyone: "..."
Dai Hao: "..."
For the love of—can you not pause dramatically mid-sentence?!
An awkward silence fell.
Dai Hao's hand on the scout's shoulder suddenly grew heavier. "So… what you're saying is that the Star Luo capital didn't suffer any damage at all?"
"Y-Yes, that's correct," the scout almost cried.
"This wasn't a war. It was a unilateral show of force by the Sun Moon Empire…" Dai Hao let go and turned to the coast.
A massive boulder sat on the shoreline. He climbed atop it, staring out over the endless sea.
Only he knew the full weight of his emotions.
For the first time, he felt utterly small and powerless. Once a revered frontier commander, now a speck under the crushing weight of true power.
The Sun Moon Empire could crush him like an ant. The only reason they hadn't… was probably because he wasn't even worth killing.
"We can't return to our old duchy," he sighed. "It sits between two nations, unprotected by the Body Sect. If either side strikes again, we're finished. So…"
He looked toward the vast sea, "We head west."
"But General… west is the deep sea…" a general murmured, lowering his head.
"I have no way back. You've followed me through thick and thin—brothers in arms. But we've fallen. If any of you want to leave, I won't stop you," Dai Hao said calmly.
Silence.
Everyone bowed their heads. They knew—escaping was close to impossible. Especially for them, the core of Dai Hao's command. If they returned, they'd be greeted with arrest warrants on every street.
Live like dogs… or…
"General, we follow you!"
"Where you go, we go!"
"We stand with you!"
"Heh… in that case, we go west. We'll be pirates, damn it!" Dai Hao laughed wildly, eyes fixed on the sea, where fog rolled across the waters and scattered islands lay faintly in the distance.
There… that would be their new home.
At Shrek Academy…
"What?! Father… how could this be!"
Dai Huabin's eyes were bloodshot, flipping through a letter over and over.
Due to delayed communication, this second son of the White Tiger Duke had only just received word.
His mother's letter was full of despair—it stated that the Star Luo Empire had issued a decree: at the start of next month, the entire White Tiger Duke household would be executed.
That included his mother, other family members, and all offspring.
His mother was about to die—how could he not lose control? Dai Huabin pushed the door open, ready to return to the capital and avenge her.
"Huabin! Don't fall into their trap!" Zhu Lu grabbed his arm, trying to calm him. "Your father's fate is still unknown. The capital might be using your aunt to lure you back and wipe you out too. Think—why send this letter now, of all times?"
"Maybe… they want to force your father out to rescue her!"
"Move. That's my mother!" Dai Huabin's eyes blazed red. He shoved Zhu Lu aside and stormed out.
But the moment he opened the door—he froze.
Standing in front of him…
Was his elder brother.
Dai Yuheng, one of the top-ranked geniuses of the inner court, the elder brother whom their father had placed high hopes on, was also the only person Dai Huabin both respected and feared—aside from their father.
The two stared at each other in silence.
The atmosphere grew tense and wordless.
"You need to learn from this and not act on impulse," Dai Yuheng said calmly.
"But big brother, that was our mother..." Dai Huabin choked through sobs, tears streaming down his face.
Though he was arrogant and condescending—bullying Huo Yuhao and his mother in the original story, and bearing heavy responsibility for their deaths—he was still a filial son, especially toward the Duchess of the White Tiger.
"Now, among the direct bloodline of the Dai family, only the two of us remain." Dai Yuheng's tone was cool. "If both of us die, then the Dai family truly ends. That's something neither Father nor Mother would want to see..."
"If you truly seek revenge, then climb higher. Rise to the top ranks of Shrek Academy. Only with power can you truly take revenge." Dai Yuheng's expression didn't change as he spoke.
"..."
Dai Huabin lowered his head, his face unreadable, fingers clenched so tightly they turned white.
"Then what about you, big brother?"
"I…" Dai Yuheng hadn't finished speaking before Dai Huabin suddenly roared in anger, interrupting him. "You're just afraid of dying! You're scared to go to the Star Luo imperial capital because you don't want to lose everything! I'd rather die there than live like a coward—"
Before he could finish, Dai Yuheng struck his neck with a knife-hand strike, and Dai Huabin collapsed to the floor, unconscious.
"Zhu Lu, come out."
Dai Yuheng spoke calmly.
"Big Brother Dai…" A graceful figure stepped out from the dormitory.
"Watch over him. Don't let him run off," Dai Yuheng instructed. Then he hesitated for a moment before saying, "Give him this once he wakes up."
He handed her a ring—an item storage soul device.
"And one more thing…"
He gave Zhu Lu another ring, his gaze softening slightly as he looked at the young woman. "This is a gift from me, in place of our parents. Whether it's five years or ten—whenever it may be—congratulations on your future wedding."
"But… Big Brother Dai…" Zhu Lu's eyes were brimming with tears.
"Tell him Shrek will protect him. But only if he never steps outside the walls of Shrek Academy or Shrek City," Dai Yuheng said with a grin.
With that, he turned and left without looking back.
"You're really leaving?"
At the entrance of a dormitory in the inner court—
Gongyang Mo leaned against the wall, glancing sideways at Dai Yaoheng as he packed his things.
"Yeah," Dai Yuheng replied after a pause.
"What did the Academy say?"
"The current situation is tense. We need unity, not internal conflict. Besides… it was Father who acted first. There's no moral high ground here."
Dai Yuheng spoke plainly.
"But Uncle Dai is merely missing in action, not confirmed dead on the battlefield…"
"There's no difference," Dai Yuheng let out a quiet laugh.
He suddenly recalled that night six months ago, by the bonfire en route to the Ming Dou Mountain Range, when Ma Xiaotao had asked him what kind of man his father, Dai Hao, was.
He'd answered that his father was very self-disciplined with women, and only had his mother as a wife.
From his tone, Ma Xiaotao had thought Dai Hao was a man who respected women and believed in true love.
But in truth, that wasn't the case.
Even if his father was alive now, he would never go to rescue his mother.
In fact, the coup he launched had surely factored his mother into the equation…
"Well, good luck then."
Gongyang Mo tossed him a storage ring.
"There's four million gold soul coins inside. We were classmates once. This is the best I can do…"
He looked a bit helpless. "My clan even told me to stay away from you."
"Thanks," Dai Yuheng said, glancing over the ring with a grin.
(End of Chapter)