"Even I didn't expect this," the Hall Master said. "Zhang Lexuan is very likely related to my teacher by blood. Perhaps she is the surviving child left behind after the annihilation of the Haoyue Count's Manor back then…"
"But then… how did Zhang Lexuan end up at Shrek Academy?"
Jing Hongchen narrowed his eyes slightly. His dim, probing gaze passed through the lenses of his glasses and settled on the file in Jiang Jue's hands.
More than twenty years ago, within the Sun Moon Empire, the Haoyue Count's Manor was wiped out in a single night. From the Count himself down to the lowest servants, not a single person survived.
Through his investigation, Jing Hongchen also learned that the very day the Haoyue Count's Manor was exterminated happened to be the day when the children of the household were to awaken their martial souls.
After the massacre, the Sun Moon imperial family immediately launched an investigation. This was because the Haoyue Count was far more than just a count—he was also related by blood to Kong Deming, one of the foundational pillars of the Sun Moon Empire.
However, despite the massive scale of the investigation, nothing was found. The perpetrator had taken no more than ten minutes to destroy the Haoyue Count's Manor, and all remaining traces had been forcibly erased with soul power.
When the investigation yielded no results, the Sun Moon imperial family, in order to preserve imperial authority, took the initiative to seal the matter. News of the massacre was also swiftly controlled at the time.
After more than twenty years had passed, the incident had long since been forgotten by the world.
If Jiang Jue had not pointed out Zhang Lexuan this time, Jing Hongchen—despite conducting a reverse investigation—might not have been able to uncover the truth.
On the Douluo Continent, a martial soul is the foundation of a faction's inheritance. As for the Sun Moon Empire, aside from the Purple-Golden Heaven-Extinguishing Dragon and the Sun Martial Soul, the other inheritance martial soul was the Silver Moon Martial Soul.
Jiang Jue quickly skimmed through the documents, pondering inwardly.
"Back then, when Zhang Lexuan's entire family was wiped out… was Mu En merely passing by, or was Mu En the one who did it?"
Now he was already certain that Zhang Lexuan was the survivor of the Haoyue Count's Manor massacre.
It was extremely difficult for a true dragon martial soul to mutate into a pig-like form—but for a pig-like martial soul to mutate into a true dragon was even more impossibly rare. What's more, Zhang Lexuan's martial soul was the very pinnacle of Moon-type martial souls.
"Kid Jiang, what are you planning to do?" Jing Hongchen asked softly, his gaze fixed on Jiang Jue.
This was no small matter. His teacher, Kong Deming, had been extremely enraged over the destruction of the Haoyue Count's Manor. If he were to learn that the Haoyue Count had a daughter still alive—and that she was at Shrek Academy—there was no guarantee he wouldn't act impulsively.
Moreover, during this period, Jing Hongchen had heard that Kong Deming had already begun researching a level-ten soul tool and was gradually integrating it with his martial soul. At such a critical juncture, nothing could be allowed to go wrong.
"Hall Master Hongchen, there's no need to worry. I have my own use for this matter," Jiang Jue replied with a faint smile.
Since it could be confirmed that Zhang Lexuan was a citizen of the Sun Moon Empire, dealing with Shrek Academy later on would become much easier.
Jiang Jue remembered that in the next All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, the leader of Shrek Academy's team would be Zhang Lexuan.
"In that case, guided by my 'kind-hearted' nature, I'll help free you a little," Jiang Jue's eyes flickered as he thought to himself.
From a young age, Zhang Lexuan had been taken to Shrek Academy by Mu En. Her entire life had been arranged by him—like a puppet being manipulated.
"By the way, Hall Master Hongchen, were there any remaining items left behind from the destruction of the Haoyue Count's Manor back then?"
"After the massacre, all traces were erased with soul power. Even if anything remained, it would have been sealed away by the imperial family," Jing Hongchen replied, shaking his head slightly.
"Then could you help me check, Hall Master Hongchen? After all, you're also a duke of the Sun Moon Empire—and the Hall Master of Mingde Hall," Jiang Jue asked with a smile.
"Heh, you brat, treating me like an errand runner now? Fine—on Dream's account, I'll help you this once," Jing Hongchen scolded with a laugh, yet still agreed.
"Kid Jiang, what you said that day was right—Xu Tianran really is ambitious."
After a moment of contemplation, Jing Hongchen sighed, his expression somewhat complicated.
"Ambition is a good thing. I'd be more worried if he had none," Jiang Jue said with a laugh.
After the next All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament ended, this continent was bound to fall into chaos.
And before that happened, he had to possess enough strength.
"Hahaha, true enough. Once you've got your eye on him, Xu Tianran's future probably won't be pleasant," Jing Hongchen said with a brief pause and a smile.
Although he was a duke of the Sun Moon Empire, who became emperor meant little to him.
After all, the Sun Moon Empire's long-standing tradition of killing the ruler to seize the throne—slaying brothers and murdering kin—was something he had grown accustomed to long ago.
"Hall Master Hongchen, you're mistaken. It's not that I have my eye on him—it's that we do," Jiang Jue said pointedly, gesturing to himself and then to Jing Hongchen.
"Next, Shrek Academy should be sending someone over as well. Hall Master Hongchen, don't miss this opportunity."
As Shrek Academy's future star, Jiang Jue was certain that Shrek Academy would send people to rescue Huo Yuhao.
Whether openly negotiating or secretly stealing him away—Shrek Academy was capable of either.
"Of course. After openly and covertly battling Shrek Academy for so long, I've been waiting for this day. This time, they must pay a price," Jing Hongchen said with a smile, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"Grandpa, Jiang Jue, what are you two talking about out there? You've been gone so long—why haven't you come back in yet?"
At that moment, Meng Hongchen called out from inside the room. There was a trace of worry on her pretty face, and then she quickly withdrew again.
Seeing this, Jing Hongchen's mouth twitched hard. How could he not understand? His precious little cabbage was worried that he might speak harshly to Jiang Jue.
Sigh… she's grown up after all, Jing Hongchen thought, waving his hand.
"Kid Jiang, go on in. I still have things to deal with, so I won't be going inside. Remember to treat Dream well in the future."
With that, Jing Hongchen vanished in a flash.
Jiang Jue nodded slightly and then walked into the room.
"Jiang Jue, where's my grandpa?" Meng Hongchen asked, seeing him return alone. She glanced behind him in confusion.
"Your grandpa still has important matters to attend to, so he went back first," Jiang Jue said softly, rubbing Meng Hongchen's silky hair.
"Then… after you came back this time, will you be leaving again?" Meng Hongchen nodded thoughtfully, then asked with expectation, her tone tinged with nervousness.
"Dream, there are still some things I need to take care of. They concern our future…" Jiang Jue said softly, holding her face with both hands and looking into her eyes.
"I know. I know you're carrying a heavy burden on your shoulders. But this place will always be somewhere you can rest, and I'll always be someone you can rely on."
"When you're tired, just come back and rest for a while…"
"I'll be waiting for you."
A trace of disappointment appeared in Meng Hongchen's beautiful eyes, but it quickly faded. She looked at Jiang Jue calmly, her voice slow yet filled with determination.
"Alright," Jiang Jue paused slightly and replied in a deep voice.
"Then when are you leaving?" Meng Hongchen asked softly as she reached out to straighten Jiang Jue's collar.
"Tomorrow. The poison in your body has been resolved. From now on, it won't hinder your cultivation anymore. The Snow-White Swan Kiss is extremely effective—you can explore its potential more," Jiang Jue said after a brief pause.
"Then you have to make it up to me properly, okay? You must hand over the 'imperial grain'!" Meng Hongchen said softly, her nose twitching as she whispered into Jiang Jue's ear. A shy glint flashed through her eyes as she leaned in to kiss him.
"Of course," Jiang Jue replied.
Looking at Meng Hongchen's hazy gaze, he lifted her up in his arms. With a flash of movement, they arrived inside her room.
(End of Chapter)