"Your Highness..."
While Xu Shi was deep in thought, Xu Jiangnian slightly bowed and addressed the figure standing behind him.
Xu Shi shuddered in fear. At the mere mention of that name, a deep-seated dread arose within him. He instinctively hid behind his grandfather, cautiously peeking out to observe Xu Cheng and the unfamiliar woman beside him.
"No need for such formalities, Uncle Nian," Xu Cheng said with a warm smile.
His handsome features, combined with a gentle, spring-like demeanor, made it hard for anyone to associate him with the ruthless individual who had just caused a storm with a mere wave of his hand.
But Xu Shi felt it viscerally. To him, that warm smile was merely a façade—a mask concealing a lurking, terrifying demon.
"I wonder what brings Your Highness to see me?" After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Xu Jiangnian was the first to speak.
"I heard that thirty years ago, the old Prince Baili lost a baby girl—your younger sister. Is this true?" Xu Cheng asked with a smile.
"It is," Xu Jiangnian replied, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Xu Cheng's timing in bringing this up made his seasoned political instincts tingle—something unusual was at play.
Could it be... she had been found? Impossible. He had never given up searching over the years, yet it was like looking for a needle in a haystack. The clues were too scarce, and too much time had passed. Many of the people involved were long dead, leaving the trail cold. Even back then, his father had leveraged all the connections of the Sun-Moon Empire, with the Emperor himself supporting the search, but still, no results...
He had only spent a few months with his sister, but he had loved her dearly. Perhaps this entire generation of the Xu family had an innate tendency to dote on their younger sisters.
After all, daughters were rare in the Xu family. Whenever one was born, she was treated as a precious gem—far more cherished than the rowdy, thick-skinned boys who ran wild.
"There is some news," Xu Cheng said with a smile.
Xu Jiangnian froze in visible shock. His lips quivered, and his previously composed demeanor was gone. "Ah Cheng, are you serious?!"
Even the way he addressed Xu Cheng had changed.
Xu Cheng chuckled inwardly at this but said nothing.
He cast a sidelong glance at Zhang Lexuan, who stood beside him, her expression icy. Though she appeared calm, one of her hands was clenched so tightly behind her back that her pale skin showed deep indentations from her nails.
Clearly, her emotions were far from steady.
In the original story, she had always been alone.
Bearing the heavy burden of Shrek Academy, she had few true friends and had locked herself away, becoming the academy's aloof senior disciple.
Yet she must have secretly envied those around her who had family.
Now, the kinship she had longed for stood right before her. But if she embraced it, how would she face Shrek Academy? How would she face Elder Mu, who had raised her?
She remained frozen in place, overwhelmed by tangled emotions.
"Of course, I'm serious. How could I lie to you about this, Uncle Nian?" Xu Cheng grinned and then gently squeezed Zhang Lexuan's cold hand in his warm grasp.
"Is she... is she well?" Xu Jiangnian's voice trembled. His eyes were filled with desperate hope, as if afraid that Xu Cheng's answer would be unbearable.
After all, the world of Douluo was full of darkness.
A lone girl...
"She joined Shrek Academy and has been doing well. She may not wish to return," Xu Cheng said softly.
"That's good... That's good..." Xu Jiangnian's eyes turned red. He gazed up at the sky, lost in thought.
"Aren't you curious about her true identity?" Xu Cheng asked.
"When I lost her, it was my fault. If I hadn't been so playful and left her alone, maybe..."
"There were guards with her. Back then, you were only a Soul Grandmaster. Even if you had stayed, it might not have made a difference," Xu Cheng countered.
"It's not the same..." Xu Jiangnian lowered his head and smiled wistfully, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. He looked at Xu Cheng and said, "Your Highness, thank you for telling me this. I won't trouble you any longer."
With that, he turned away without a second glance, preparing to leave with the bewildered Xu Shi.
But at that moment, a hesitant female voice called out behind him.
"Brother..."
Xu Jiangnian stopped in his tracks, his body trembling.
Slowly, he turned to see Zhang Lexuan, her eyes red-rimmed, lips tightly pressed together, tears silently streaming down her pale cheeks.
His lips moved, but no words came out. It was as if his throat had been blocked.
With his intelligence, he had already guessed the truth.
Shrek Academy. Moon Martial Soul. Matching age. And most of all—she looked exactly like their mother...
But he hadn't spoken his suspicions aloud. Knowing that his sister was alive and had lived well all these years was enough for him.
He never expected that she would be the one to reach out to him.
"Mingxuan..." he choked out the name that had been hidden for thirty years.
Xu Mingxuan.
Their parents had given her that name when she was born. From that moment on, he had taken on the responsibility of being a big brother.
Because he adored his sister so much, even when she was just a few months old, he would sneak into her nursery and sit beside her cradle, clumsily calling out her name.
Tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.
Earlier, he hadn't dared to look at her—afraid that if he did, the fragile veil between them would shatter.
They had only spent a few months together as children.
But blood ties ran deeper than time.
And now, Zhang Lexuan's long-standing thoughts of leaving the Sun-Moon Empire were beginning to waver...
------------------------------------------------
"Make it a trilogy!" Xu Cheng commanded the young director.
"One film isn't enough! After Tang Shenwang, his daughter and son-in-law take over. Then his son, his grandson—endless generations!"
"Wouldn't that turn it into the Tang Family's personal world?" The young director muttered under his breath.
"Of course! That's exactly the effect I want. Besides, isn't that the truth?" Xu Cheng shrugged.
"So, Your Highness, in the script you asked me to direct—everything so far has been fine. We introduce Holy Soul Village, show a boy practicing the Purple Demon Eye, then his father calls him home for dinner... up until he joins the academy and meets Xiao Wu. But later, when it comes to Titan Giant Apes, Azure Bull Python, and those creatures, that's a challenge..." The young director hesitated.
They had set a high standard early on. Many actors had martial abilities close to their characters'. Even Zao Wuji and Flender were near one-to-one representations. But portraying creatures like hundred-thousand-year soul beasts? That was another matter.
His films were his art. If he couldn't do them justice, it pained him.
"Where are we in the filming?" Xu Cheng asked while watching the footage.
"Right at the scene where Tang San storms the Star Dou Forest to save Xiao Wu."
"Then pause for a few days," Xu Cheng said. He was committed to making a high-quality production, so he wouldn't cut corners. He planned to consult Mirror Hall or Star Dou Forest to see if there were ways to replicate the aura or appearance of such creatures.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Xu Cheng watched the film.
It was a crying baby, met by a rough and "violent" father, who forcefully poured hot rice porridge into the baby's mouth. The little one, in pain, struggled repeatedly, but it was to no avail...
Then, Old Jack heard the sound, rushed in, grabbed the child, angrily yelled at Tang Hao, and then took the child away, returning to his home, while Tang Hao leisurely continued drinking his wine.
The advantage of this pseudo-documentary style was that it mixed truth with fiction, leaving the viewer somewhat confused.
What you remember was shown in full detail, while what you missed due to unconsciousness or childhood memory loss was added with embellishments.
This worked similarly for ordinary people as well.
For what's widely known, I show it without change, so everyone naturally assumes it's true, while for the unknown, more liberty can be taken to paint the scene...
After leaving the film studio.
Xu Cheng yawned.
Not long ago, Zhang Lexuan had just "recognized her ancestors," and she experienced long-lost familial affection from her blood-related elder brother.
However, she expressed that she didn't like Xu Shi because the boy had left a bad impression on her at the banquet that night.
As a result, Xu Shi had a tough time, almost being whipped by his usually gentle grandfather, and was made to kneel in the family temple for two days. Only after the matriarch of the Xu family intervened was he spared.
Xu Shi was crying without tears, and was then confined for three months. Their schooling content mostly revolved around soul guide design and manufacturing, as well as practical combat. He chose the latter, and Xu Jiangnian, being a ninth-level soul engineer, personally recruited a seventh-level soul engineer from his army to teach him.
The Xu family attached great importance to Zhang Lexuan's arrival. Although all information was kept strictly confidential, the entire royal family celebrated behind closed doors. Outsiders only knew that the royal princess had been found, but had no idea who it was.
Meanwhile, Zhang Lexuan temporarily stayed by the side of Xu's matriarch, feeling the warmth of a mother-daughter bond.
As for what would happen with Shrek Academy, Xu Cheng had asked, but she kept biting her lip, lowering her head with a face full of hesitation.
Xu Cheng wasn't in a hurry, because he still had a big move to play...
--------------------------------------------
"Your Majesty, something has happened!"
In the capital of Xingluo Empire, a panicked voice echoed.
A messenger with wings quickly landed in the hall, then knelt on one knee, his face filled with fear.
"What's all the panic about?" Xu Jiawei glared at him. "Are you telling me that they're going to fight? I refuse to believe that the Sun and Moon Empire would make such a hasty move!"
"It's not..." The messenger's lips were bitter.
"What is it then? Did some minister's ancestral grave blow up? Did his great-grandfather pop out and make a scene in the palace, disturbing the military, or I'll... huh?"
Xu Jiawei was getting angrier as he spoke, almost shouting "disrupt the military's morale and take them out to be executed," but he noticed the soldiers below bowing their heads slightly.
What's... huh???
"What do you mean by that?" Xu Jiawei was a bit worried.
"The Duke of the White Tiger's ancestral grave... it exploded!" The messenger's face was full of grief.
"Quickly, tell me everything you know!" Xu Jiawei shouted angrily.
"The enemy first went to the Duke of the White Tiger's residence, broke through the guards, and threatened the Duke's wife to guide them to his ancestral grave. The Duke's wife didn't want to, but had no choice, so..."
"Wait, are you saying that the Duke's wife was the one who led them?" Xu Jiawei seemed to catch on to something.
"Yes!" The messenger nodded heavily.
"So, how is the Duke's wife now?" Xu Jiawei pressed on.
"Alive, but her mental state seems to be unstable. She refuses to leave the Duke's residence..."
"Understood. You may leave." Xu Jiawei waved his hand.
"Write a letter," he turned to a servant, "Write it in my name to Dai Hao. Tell him to calm the military and not let it waver. Also, inform him that it was the Duke's wife who led the way..."
"Yes!"
Looking at the letter from Dai Hao the next day, Xu Jiawei's expression grew darker, pacing back and forth, filled with anger: "What is he doing? What does he want? Is he forcing me to go to war? Once war breaks out, the entire continent will be involved. The common people will suffer. We've barely recovered for four thousand years! If war happens, can Dai Hao bear the responsibility for this?"
It seemed he had forgotten that only a few months ago, he had said he would endure the blame and make the people suffer.
"Reply to him! If he declares war, the Duke of White Tiger will be stripped of his title, and his military powers will be revoked. I will personally negotiate with the Sun and Moon Empire!" Xu Jiawei said in a panic.
Truth be told, he wanted to project a harmonious image of the emperor and his ministers.
But Dai Hao had truly frightened him.
The letter from Dai Hao, line by line, indicated that if Xu Jiawei didn't respond, he would go personally to the Sun and Moon Empire to seek a response.
Dai Hao held the elite troops of the border. These were soldiers forged in the fires of battle, the backbone of the empire.
If war began, there would be no turning back.
But Xu Jiawei didn't want that. Not now.
The state of Xingluo Empire hadn't reached the level he desired. Even if the Sun and Moon Empire moved, whether they could withstand it was still questionable. Moreover, taking the initiative to attack would be pure suicide, wouldn't it?
"Now he's going to get me killed," Xu Jiawei cursed under his breath.
"Brother, after all, it's someone else's ancestral grave." Xu Jiujiu sighed helplessly. "Imagine if it was our family's grave. How would you react?"
Xu Jiawei: "..."
He sighed deeply, "Jiujiu, I understand. But if war breaks out... we stand almost no chance, especially if we attack first. Whether the other two countries will intervene, or whether Shrek Academy will act—these are all unknowns. It's too rushed."
"But the Sun and Moon Empire has already trampled on our dignity..." Xu Jiujiu said quietly. "Brother, if this matter isn't dealt with, how do you think the ministers will view us?"
"Ugh..." Xu Jiawei slowly closed his eyes.
With his sister's reminder, he began to realize the situation more clearly.
"Looks like we'll have to go through diplomatic channels," Xu Jiawei mused. "The Sun and Moon Empire must not have been prepared for this. According to reports from spies, they haven't taken any large-scale actions yet and are not ready for a long war. They probably never expected this. As long as I show a little more strength, they will definitely get nervous... And this will also give the Duke of White Tiger an explanation."
"Send my orders. First, send two of our strongest guards to capture the group from the Sun and Moon Empire and bring them back. Second, issue a stern condemnation to the Sun and Moon Empire through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and demand that they pay the price!"
In the Sun and Moon Empire.
Xu Cheng looked at the letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, somewhat dazed.
It took him a while to realize, his pupils widening in shock: "Juzi went to Xingluo Empire, bypassed several provinces, and headed straight to the Duke of White Tiger's residence? Not only did they kill someone, but they also blew up his ancestral grave?!!"
"Yes, Your Highness," the second secretary (also the head maid), Nana, replied seriously.
"Now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is consulting us, seeking your opinion before responding."
"Heh, what does Xu Jiawei want?" Xu Cheng chuckled.
"He's listed a compensation list, demanding certain items like black clay, white iron... and the first generation of soul-guided mech designs?" Xu Cheng was amused. "Xu Jiawei sure is bold. These are rare materials for crafting soul-guided devices. Even in the Sun and Moon Empire, they are in short supply. He thinks he has me cornered?"
"Can we contact Juzi?" Xu Cheng frowned.
This matter was indeed the Sun and Moon Empire's fault, but as long as they had the people...
"Juzi... returned to the camp yesterday," Nana's expression was odd.
Xu Cheng: ???
"She wasn't captured?"
"Qing Yi sent a letter explaining. Two Title Douluo from Xingluo Empire chased her, and several members of the mech regiment were killed or injured. But Juzi wasn't captured. She led her subordinates to heavily injure one Title Douluo and successfully retreated, bypassing the enemy's defenses and returning to the Ming Dou Mountains. She even joked that Xingluo Empire's communications were too outdated..."
Xu Cheng: "..."
It was like an advanced civilization beating up primitives.
He had thought the war would go smoothly for the Sun and Moon Empire, but he didn't expect it to be this easy...
No wonder, even with Huo Gua and Xuan Ziwen, the three nations and Shrek Academy were swept away in just a few months in the original story. The blitzkrieg was simply unstoppable.
Xu Cheng glanced at Xu Jiawei's letter again, his mouth twitching.
This old man probably had no idea the oranges had already returned.
Now, the situation was even more dramatic.
"Reply!" Xu Cheng waved his hand. "Tell him to get lost. If he keeps talking, we'll go to war!"
"Yes!" Nana saluted, dressed in the military uniform of the Sun and Moon Empire, looking quite dashing.
"What? Xu Cheng dares to insult me!" Xu Jiawei exclaimed angrily.
This letter was not sent privately.
It was delivered through a diplomatic statement.
In other words... the entire continent knew about this incident.
"Notify the other two countries and Shrek Academy to form an alliance!" Xu Jiawei knew that one step at a time was the key. Though he wasn't in a hurry for war, he wanted to establish an alliance with the other two countries and the "neutral" Shrek Academy to flex some muscles.
However, Shrek Academy and the other two countries were also troubled.
Especially Shrek, where Yan Shaozhe was busy and overwhelmed, thinking about how to win back the trust of the aristocratic families. He simply waved his hand and handed it over to Du Weilen to handle.
The latter, however, was unclear about Yan Shaozhe's stance and responded ambiguously.
"As for economic support or moral support, I think both are possible. If I am able, I will definitely do it, but the problem is, I don't have the ability right now."
"As for forming an alliance, I think it will happen one day, sooner or later. But if you're asking me when, I can't answer that for now, though I believe it will definitely happen in the future..."
Xu Jiawei: "..."
(End of Chapter)