"Is everything settled?"
Xu Cheng lightly tapped on the desk, his expression calm.
"Everything is in order, Your Highness." The Fire Phoenix team leader walked up to Xu Cheng's side and whispered a few words in his ear.
"Mm, understood. Make sure she doesn't suffer. The rest of the Shrek Academy students can control the situation. My target is only a few people... especially that one named Fan Yu, you know what I mean." Xu Cheng's fingers paused, and he slowly opened his eyes, a cold gleam flashing in his gaze.
"Understood. As for the interrogation, the topic…" The team leader hesitated.
"There is no topic. Just interrogate, that's all." Xu Cheng said indifferently.
"...Yes!"
After silently mourning for that Fan Yu, the team leader left.
Only Xu Cheng remained, quietly sitting in the chair.
"Didn't expect it, Senior Sister, that you would be like this..." Xu Cheng grinned.
A strange gleam flashed in his eyes. Could it be that she enjoys something more exciting? Who would've thought that the dignified and elegant Senior Sister would hide such a secret deep inside...
As his voice fell, a deep purple soul skill slowly spread from his feet.
The first soul skill, Mind Reading.
This soul skill could be used on those whose strength was far lower than his or those who were completely unprepared.
Xu Cheng had rarely used it, having only used it three years ago when he first met Tang Ya, which scared her into calling him a pervert.
Even then, it might be a punishment for someone wanting to leave without a word...
Xu Cheng thought to himself.
...
"What? The Sun Moon Empire dares to detain people! Have they lost their minds? The grandson of the Mingde Hall Lord is in my hands, and they dare to act like this!" Yan Shaozhe fumed, lightly slapping the table.
The surrounding elders were present, so it wasn't his place to lose his temper.
"But the Sun Moon Empire's reasoning is indeed solid. We've interfered with their internal affairs, and now all of us are being isolated for investigation. It's reasonable under the circumstances," Elder Lin said indifferently.
"Didn't think of the consequences before acting, and now it's happened, who can we blame, Shaozhe?"
"I..." Yan Shaozhe was instantly left speechless.
Elder Lin was truly worthy of her position in the Treasure Pavilion and as a member of a hidden sect. Despite her age, her demeanor was still composed, and her calm criticism silenced Yan Shaozhe.
"What do the rest of you think about this matter?" Elder Lin turned to look at the others.
"Talk reason with Shrek Academy? What a joke!" Elder Xuan sneered. "If the Sun Moon Empire dares not release the people, I'll take a few old guys and make a huge scene in their Mingdu. Let's see how they react."
"Yes, we have their people too. I don't believe they won't release them!" Elder Song also slammed the table, angrily.
The elders all began to speak, and surprisingly, they all agreed on one thing.
That is, to create a fuss.
"I don't care whether the Sun Moon Empire is right or not. If they don't release the people, I'll kidnap their exchange students from Mingdu and even storm their capital!"
"Hmm..." Elder Lin sighed lightly, closing her eyes and saying no more.
To be honest, she wasn't particularly close to Elder Mu. She was closer to Yan Shaozhe and others, and not as close to Elder Xuan, but now, she somewhat missed Elder Mu.
At least when Mu En was around, he could swiftly identify the root of the issue and resolve it step by step. He was like a mountain, firmly protecting Shrek Academy from outside threats.
But now...
...
Sun Moon Empire's Conference Hall.
This was the highest-level meeting in the Sun Moon Empire, held only during wartime or major incidents. Those who could attend were high-ranking officials, and though there were few, they were all powerful figures capable of shaking the capital with a stomp.
Xu Zhen sat at the head of the table, smiling as he looked at his son beside him.
"Now, tell me, what's the big deal you've caused here?"
Hearing this, Kong Deming, Xu Jiangnian, Jing Hongchen, and an unfamiliar old man all turned their gaze to Xu Cheng.
"Keep Zhang Lexuan, and flush out the remnants of the previous dynasty hidden within the military, eradicate them all," Xu Cheng said indifferently.
"Heh..." Xu Zhen smiled without speaking.
As for flushing out the remnants of the previous dynasty, with Xu Cheng's methods, there was no need for such a big show, so the goal was clear...
Looks like he's another lover, just like me.
"Then, what if Shrek doesn't comply?" Xu Jiangnian furrowed his brows.
His younger sister, he didn't want to see Zhang Lexuan leave, but he couldn't ignore Shrek's attitude either.
"Then I'll make them understand one thing." Xu Cheng lightly said. "When I'm negotiating, they'd better listen and follow the rules."
"Otherwise, I'll make them beg me to negotiate."
"Just like a young man, full of vigor," Xu Zhen chuckled. "But Jing Hall Master's grandson is in Shrek Academy, they'll use this to blackmail you. How will you deal with that?"
"Your Majesty, my grandson died in battle for the Empire. That was his honor! The Hongchen family will only be proud of this," before Xu Cheng could respond, Jing Hongchen spoke first.
Xu Cheng's lips twitched.
A scene suddenly flashed in his mind, smiling at Hongchen: I haven't even gotten in the car yet!
But he still smiled and said, "Elder Jing need not worry. My goal in this trip is to intimidate, not to sever ties with Shrek. Xiao is my beloved friend, my brother. I would never betray him, not to mention there are many Sun Moon Empire students in Shrek Academy, who are the future of our Empire. How could I neglect them?"
"Then His Highness means..." Jing Hongchen subtly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that Xu Cheng was indeed reliable.
"Kill the chicken to warn the monkeys. As for the chicken..." Xu Cheng grinned, "It's best to use the one closest to us."
"You mean... Dai Hao from the Star Luo Empire, or even someone from the middle of the two nations?" Kong Deming's pupils contracted slightly.
"Yes, but not entirely." Xu Cheng exhaled deeply. "Currently, there's a sect stationed at the Mingdou Mountain Range on the Star Luo Empire's border. Their strength is at least several times that of the original. There are also some hidden sect powerhouses who haven't left. After we launch our attack, nearly half the continent's forces will come to assist..."
"You mean to start a war?" Kong Deming frowned.
The Sun Moon Empire was known for being cautious; if they were to start a war, they had to be fully prepared for a crushing victory, but now...
"The joint defense research is complete," Xu Cheng didn't answer directly but smiled.
"This afternoon, I witnessed the results with my own eyes. It's already highly mature. All we need is several eighth-level soul masters at the center to activate the soul tool, and we can link up all surrounding defensive soul tools, forming an almost invincible defense. The strength depends on the number and level of the linked soul tools. If we deploy a 10,000-strong soul master army, we can withstand the attacks of a Super Douluo, and with 100,000, we can resist an Ultimate Douluo."
Joint defense doesn't rely on elite forces but on numbers. As long as the quantity is sufficient, even low-level soul masters can withstand the strongest attacks, making it terrifying.
"Joint defense, completed?!" Kong Deming exclaimed.
He looked at Jing Hongchen, who nodded slightly.
"This is something I found out just this afternoon. Even if His Highness didn't mention it, I would inform everyone soon."
"And Elder Kong, I must correct your wording. We aren't starting a war; we're initiating a counterattack!" Xu Cheng smiled. "I'll charge through, from here to Star Luo Imperial City in three days, and then return along the same path."
"But if we don't start a war and instead reveal the true strength of the Sun Moon Empire to the world, is that not a bit unwise?" The unfamiliar old man hesitated.
He had just taken over as Prime Minister after the previous one retired and wasn't intending to speak, but he couldn't hold back.
"There are pros and cons," Xu Cheng pondered.
"Once we show our true strength, forces that have been hesitant in the past will fully align with the Sun Moon Empire. Also, revealing our strength can reduce a lot of trouble. For example, today's issue—if we keep tolerating, those old fossils at Shrek Academy will get more arrogant. On the other hand, if we slap them hard, they'll behave."
"Of course, there are downsides. The strategy of boiling the frog in warm water will fail. The Body Sect and Shrek will realize they can't mess with us, and then they'll start targeting the Sun Moon Empire, preparing to fight to the death."
"However, I lean toward the first option. After all, even though they are preparing to fight, they are still preparing, not acting yet, because we haven't started a war..."
"Hehe, not bad, not bad. Young people need to have their own ideas. Since that's the case, does anyone oppose this?" Xu Zhen smiled.
"No," Kong Deming looked at Xu Cheng, helplessly.
Jing Hongchen nodded without hesitation.
The unfamiliar old man also slightly nodded.
A storm was brewing over the entire Douluo Continent.
...
On the way back, Xu Cheng sat in the car, deep in thought.
There was still one big weapon he hadn't used—the missile.
But using missiles would inevitably result in civilian casualties, in Shrek City, Star Luo City, and so on—tens of thousands of innocent civilians would die.
He didn't want to use it for two reasons: First, the charity king system gives rewards for doing good deeds, and with so many killings in his hands, he might be part of the Demon system; second, he didn't want to become like Shrek and others. Since he criticizes them as hypocritical, he despised the idea of doing such a thing.
Now he realized Shrek had figured out his methods, deduced his character.
After all, he wasn't hiding anything, and the Holy Spirit Sect's branches were thriving, with many members, and its fame was spreading.
Shrek had become so arrogant likely for this reason, thinking Xu Cheng would never hurt the civilians of Shrek City. It's laughable really—these self-righteous, so-called top experts on the continent, now relying on a bunch of defenseless civilians to protect them. But that was the reality.
They wouldn't feel embarrassed, nor regret it, just shamelessly continuing to stir things up.
So...
Should good people be held at gunpoint?
Xu Cheng smiled. After all, a real good person would still be holding a gun... but he, on the other hand, was an evil soul master...
End of Chapter