"Brother, should we mobilize troops from the provinces near the Mingdou Mountain Range? If needed, I'll need to begin coordinating them in advance," Nana said softly, pointing to a few locations on the map.
"No need. These dukes are useless in battle and only good at causing trouble," Xu Cheng sneered.
Once he ascended the throne, this feudal system akin to medieval Europe in the original world would come to an end. Under his reforms, it would be entirely abolished and replaced with a centralized government.
There were far too many issues with this system. Just like in the original story, the rebellious Duke of Glory—never mind his actual strength—the mere fact that he could independently mobilize his entire provincial army and even privately maintain troops showed how much power a duke wielded within his own territory.
Of course, another reason for not involving them was simply that they were too weak.
To dare launch an attack on the Sun-Moon Empire with only a little over a hundred Soul Elders and ten thousand regular troops—Xu Cheng really didn't know if this Duke of Glory had lost his mind or was being manipulated by some transdimensional plot device.
He didn't want these people ruining his mood.
"But the imperial army will have to pass through these provinces on their way from Mingdu to the border of the Mingdou Mountains. If we don't notify them, it might cause problems," Nana said worriedly.
"All the better then. Notify Wang Yiheng: anyone who dares obstruct the army en route—if they don't clear the way within three breaths, kill them! Just bulldoze straight through," Xu Cheng said calmly, sipping his tea.
To outsiders, his reforms might appear drastic.
But the truth was, the Sun-Moon Empire had many deep-rooted problems. To make the empire great again, some growing pains were inevitable.
Besides, on the Douluo Continent, strength was everything. A bunch of relics clinging to the past would ultimately be swept away by the tide of the times.
"Who are the designated participants for this expedition?" Xu Cheng asked, eyes half-closed.
"The Xiejun Soul Engineer Regiment—all 1,200 soul engineers are being deployed, led by Rank-9 Soul Engineer Wang Yiheng," Nana recited fluidly. "On the frontlines, the Fire Phoenix Regiment is deploying four battalions, including the Mecha Battalion, totaling 977 troops under Commander Huo Qing. The Royal Dragon Regiment is deploying two battalions, totaling 607 troops under Commander Qing Zhi. Additionally, the Royal Soul Engineer Regiment is sending one battalion with 301 troops under Commander Xu Jiangnian. And lastly, there are over ten thousand regular soul engineer soldiers. Xu Jiangnian will serve as the overall commander of this expedition."
"Mm…"
Xu Cheng gave a small nod.
Appointing Xu Jiangnian as the commander was his own decision. Juzi, though promising, lacked experience and maturity. Aunt Qing also lacked the qualifications. Wang Yiheng, while powerful, was not seasoned enough. Only Xu Jiangnian—a seasoned veteran at Rank-94—could command the respect of these elite troops.
To be appointed as the commander of the Royal Soul Engineer Regiment, charged with the defense of Mingdu, required more than just the emperor's trust—one's strength had to be formidable.
A Rank-94, Rank-9 Soul Engineer's combat power was comparable to a Rank-97 Super Douluo.
Of course, personal strength was only part of it. In this war, the use of integrated defenses would more than make up for the Sun-Moon Empire's lack of top-tier soul masters (since Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen wouldn't be participating—this campaign was purely to display the empire's military strength).
"There are also three elders from the Hall of Offerings accompanying the Royal Dragon Regiment to the front," Nana added.
Xu Cheng smiled faintly.
To serve as a Royal Offering, one naturally had to be above a Rank-9 Soul Engineer.
In the early parts of the original story, Rank-9 Soul Engineers felt extremely rare—but by the later stages, they were as common as titled Douluo. The Sun-Moon Empire could easily muster twenty such individuals.
His cheap old man, Xu Zhen, really had started loosening his grip—after all, these royal offerings could only be commanded by the emperor himself…
"In that case, relay this to Xu Jiangnian: it's now 10 PM. Once Wang Yiheng arrives tomorrow morning, immediately begin pushing the frontline toward the Mingdou Mountain Range. Emphasize three principles—fast, precise, and ruthless. By this time the day after tomorrow, I want to hear that the army has reached the Star Luo Imperial Capital…" Xu Cheng tapped his fingers on the table, his tone calm and steady.
The Sun-Moon Empire's military had simulated countless strategies for invading the three nations of the original continent.
The high command could recite these tactics by heart.
Not long ago, Juzi had led the Mecha Battalion on a mission that turned the Star Luo Empire into a laughingstock on the continent. It had served as a probe—and a lesson, helping to optimize their strategy.
Mingdou Mountain Range.
Inside the Sun-Moon Empire's military command tent.
Several figures sat silently, emanating powerful auras that made even the guards nervous.
At the center sat a middle-aged man in golden armor, radiating an intimidating presence. He stared thoughtfully at the battlefield map before him.
When it came to this war, he dared say he wanted to win more than anyone else.
No one understood how far a doting brother would go.
If Xu Cheng didn't want Zhang Lexuan to leave, did he have a say in the matter?
Inside the tent, Huo Qing and Qing Zhi sat on either side. The only difference was that beside Huo Qing sat a stunning young woman in matching red armor—Juzi. Compared to a few months ago, her beautiful eyes now held a trace of steely resolve forged in the crucible of war.
"Report!"
The sharp voice of a messenger rang from outside the tent.
A soldier rushed in and knelt on one knee. "A letter from the capital!"
All four in the tent turned toward him.
Xu Jiangnian raised his hand, and the letter flew into his grasp. He skimmed it swiftly, face expressionless, before looking at Huo Qing and Qing Zhi.
"Wang Yiheng is currently leading his entire regiment here overnight, along with three royal offerings. Once they arrive tomorrow, we begin. His Highness expects us to reach the Star Luo Imperial Capital within two days."
"Two days? Pfft, I say one's enough!" Qing Zhi grinned. He was quite plump, almost like a balloon—fitting for his martial spirit: the Puffy Dragon.
"My Fire Phoenix Regiment is fully prepared. But the safety of His Highness back in the capital…" Huo Qing frowned slightly.
The capital was "exposed," with only one Fire Phoenix Battalion and three battalions from the Royal Soul Engineer Regiment guarding it.
If something happened…
"Commander Huo Qing, I understand your concerns, but the capital has several royal offerings, as well as Elder Kong and Elder Jing guarding it. Nothing will happen," Xu Jiangnian said with a twitch of his lips.
With that sly brat's cunning, if anything happens to him, I'll write my name backward!
"All that's left is the Xiejun!"
Xu Jiangnian crushed the letter into dust and stepped out of the tent, gazing up at the bright moon. Slowly, he murmured:
"Only one piece remains."
"Mmmf mmmf~"
Inside the interrogation chamber.
Fan Yu's eyes were bloodshot, and he struggled helplessly. But shackled as he was, he couldn't use any of his Rank-8 Soul Engineer strength. He could only endure the whipping.
Every torture device imaginable was present—and thoroughly tested on him.
He turned his head to look at He Caitou and Mo Xuan, their heads drooping beside him. He wanted to comfort them, but could only let out muffled grunts.
What truly drove him to despair was that once the soldiers detained them, he knew something had gone wrong. At first, he tried to righteously protest—but before he could say anything, a gag was shoved into his mouth, and the torture began without even a single question asked.
Would it kill you to at least ask something?!
I already confessed, dammit!
The moment Fan Yu's gag was removed, his spit would surely fly all over the face of the Fire Phoenix soldier.
But to his dismay, judging from the soldier's expression, they had no intention of asking anything at all.
"Enough. Stop."
The door to the interrogation room creaked open.
A familiar face appeared before the three of them.
"Your Highness…" the Fire Phoenix soldiers quickly bowed in salute.
"Take them off," Xu Cheng said casually, sitting down in a chair and waving his hand.
"Yes, sir!" one of the soldiers removed the gags from the three men. A series of ragged breaths followed.
Fan Yu gasped and glared at Xu Cheng. "Xu Cheng! They're exchange students from Shrek Academy, and I'm their chaperone. How dare you subject us to torture without cause? Once we return to the academy, you'll pay the price!"
"You're still so stubborn?" Xu Cheng said with a hint of surprise.
Then he turned to one of the Fire Phoenix soldiers. "Did he confess?"
The soldier looked confused, and Xu Cheng smacked his forehead. "Ah, I forgot to say—he already confessed that Shrek Academy tried to collude with the former crown prince Xu He, attempting to meddle in the internal affairs of the Sun-Moon Empire. Now, you may begin the official interrogation."
"Yes, sir!" the soldier nodded, and in Fan Yu's horrified gaze, the gag was shoved back in.
"Mmmf mmmf mmmf!!!" Fan Yu struggled desperately—
—but it was useless.
"Speak or not! Speak or not!" The Fire Phoenix team member continued tightening the torture device.
Fan Yu: "..."
I %￥#@...
"Well then, Cousin Xu He, do you admit to this matter or not?" Xu Cheng glanced at the nearby Xu He, who was pretending to be dead, with a gentle smile on his face.
"Sigh, whether I admit it or not, what difference does it make? After all, the evidence is irrefutable." He Caitou opened his eyes, his gaze fixed fiercely on Xu Cheng.
"To you, I've always just been a pawn you could manipulate at will. Ever since the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament months ago, I've been part of your plan, haven't I? Your Blood Eyes have the power to sway hearts. If I'm not mistaken, you'd already uncovered my subordinates and orchestrated this entire farce yourself. Am I right, Xu Cheng?!"
By the end, he was nearly hysterical.
"Uuuuu..." Mo Xuan was so scared he was on the verge of wetting himself.
Only now did he finally understand why He Caitou had previously warned them all to be cautious of Xu Cheng—this once-affable soul tool instructor, a mere fifteen-year-old boy, was terrifying beyond belief.
And now that he knew such earth-shattering secrets… could he still make it back to Shrek Academy alive?
Fan Yu, hearing this, closed his eyes in despair.
So that's it! So that's how it is!
Xu Cheng never needed to ask anything at all.
After all, the evidence had long been prepared. Whether He Caitou admitted it or not… it didn't matter.
"He Caitou, things didn't have to be this way," Xu Cheng said, shaking his head in regret. "I promised the Emperor I wouldn't harm you. But you've repeatedly crossed the line. From the moment you began leaking imperial secrets to Shrek Academy, it was clear your heart had already abandoned the Sun-Moon Empire."
"Of course, I won't kill you. But your subordinates… that's another story."
"What are you going to do?!" He Caitou asked in panic.
"You think that black-robed man—an eighth-level soul engineer—could have escaped from my grasp?" Xu Cheng smirked. "He Caitou, many remnants of the old regime still linger, mostly in the lower and middle levels of society. But many of them have pledged allegiance to today's Emperor. I have no intention of slaughtering them all—but those who dared return to rescue you must be your most loyal followers."
"Xu Cheng!!!"
He Caitou's eyes turned blood-red.
He shouted in rage.
Those were his true foundation—his loyal followers. He remembered their faces clearly, even now, from that fiery night when he fled as a child.
And now…
"No, it's you who doomed them," Xu Cheng shook his head and smiled. "I've had my eyes on those people for a long time."
He placed his hands behind his back and spoke slowly: "But identifying your true die-hards… that was tricky. Heh, since you asked about my schemes, I might as well explain."
Xu Cheng took a single step forward.
A crimson soul power immediately engulfed the entire interrogation room.
Now, only Xu Cheng and He Caitou remained.
Above them in the sky—
A blood-red moon hung high.
The torture devices binding He Caitou vanished. He collapsed to the floor, covered in injuries, but he gritted his teeth and glanced around at the surrounding space, a look of shock flickering in his eyes.
Even with strength nearing that of a fifth-level soul engineer, he couldn't sense the outside world at all.
Xu Cheng's strength was just as unfathomable as he had displayed on the tournament stage—deep and immeasurable!
The ground rippled like a pool of blood beneath Xu Cheng's feet, sending waves outward that eventually stilled before He Caitou.
"Cousin, between you and me, there's a blood feud."
He Caitou spat out a mouthful of blood and sneered, "So it's come to this."
"No, no, no. What I mean is—you and I." Xu Cheng shook his head and smiled faintly. "Because my mother… was also killed by those remnants."
He Caitou's pupils shrank sharply.
He stared at Xu Cheng in shock.
"Your goal was never to stop Zhang Lexuan, or even to get at me. All of this was just a distraction. Your real purpose was revenge!"
"No. From a certain point of view, I was your real target all along…"
A storm of emotions surged through He Caitou's heart.
Staring up at the youth before him, his feelings were a whirlwind of conflict.
Only now did he recall something an undercover agent once reported to him—a clue about this matter. But it had happened so long ago, and his hatred toward Xu Zhen had never lessened because of it. Back then, he'd merely scoffed and thought, "Good riddance."
"Yeah…"
Xu Cheng slowly lifted his head.
In his mind, he saw that moment fifteen years ago—shortly after his birth—when a warm presence, with lively eyes full of maternal love, hope, and helplessness, looked upon him.
Even as a transmigrator, he would never forget it.
In his past life, he was an orphan—never knowing the love of a parent. And in this life… it was the same.
Xu Zhen was, after all, an emperor. There was fatherly affection—but more than that, it was just a gamble.
"All these years, I've been investigating. Who attempted to assassinate my father back then? Who stabbed my mother to death? And just recently, I finally found the answer…"
"He's hidden among the remnants. And he's been my true target all along…"
(End of Chapter)