Kong Deming Arrives, Discussing Zhang Lexuan

Jing Hongchen waited until Liu Yueming had settled down before lifting his teacup and taking a sip. Finally, his gaze fell on Yan Hongchen, his tone unhurried. "There is one more matter. Little Yan mentioned someone to me at the Treasure Pavilion before—or rather, a woman."

Liu Yueming and Yi Hongchen were both taken aback. They looked at Yan Hongchen with questioning gazes. Over the past year, Yan Hongchen had been focused on cultivation, and there were some matters they were only hearing about now.

Perhaps his trip to the Extreme North last year had left lingering fears in his heart, but this time, he had been even more cautious than before, keeping even the information tightly under wraps.

Yan Hongchen offered no explanation. He merely sat quietly and waited for Jing Hongchen to continue. He already had a guess—Zhang Lexuan. They had encountered her at this Soul Fighting Tournament, and the Sun Moon Team had suffered a crushing defeat once again.

Zhang Lexuan's experiences were comparable to Ghost Nana's. He only hoped Yi Hongchen would act soon and not allow another tragedy to repeat itself.

"Grandfather, since you know about her, have you told Elder Kong?" Yan Hongchen asked. This was what concerned him most. Kong Deming was the key.

Jing Hongchen nodded. "Of course. Before returning, I had already consulted Elder Kong and invited him as a guest. The time is about right; he should be here shortly. It will depend on you—and whether the three of you can make us proud enough for Elder Kong to accept disciples."

He paused, his tone growing more solemn. "Strictly speaking, the person you asked me to investigate was Shrek Academy's starting team captain in this Soul Fighting Tournament. She is nearly twenty years old and broke through to the rank of quasi-Soul Sage during the tournament. If she had had time to obtain her seventh soul ring, the Sun Moon Team would have lost even more badly."

Yi Hongchen frowned. Naturally, he had kept an eye on Shrek Academy's team this time. To prevent his three children from overestimating themselves in the future, he had deliberately studied the information on both the starting and reserve members.

As he recalled it now, a name surfaced in his mind—Zhang Lexuan. Her Martial Soul... was the moon.

He suddenly understood. A moon Martial Soul was one of the symbols of the Sun Moon imperial family. And the representative figure of this Martial Soul within the Sun Moon Empire was Kong Deming!

Yan Hongchen knew this matter had to be explained clearly. It was far too significant. Not only did it involve his own plans, but it also concerned Kong Deming's bloodline inheritance.

Jing Hongchen had previously worried about the inheritance of Yue Hongchen's branch. Kong Deming actually faced the same problem. Due to the brutal struggles within the imperial family, he was now the only remaining imperial descendant with a Moon Martial Soul.

If Kong Deming died, this Martial Soul would be lost forever. Now that he had heard of another person possessing a Moon Martial Soul, he naturally could not let the opportunity pass.

As for whether it was merely a coincidence or a scheme by Shrek, that could be investigated later. All Kong Deming wanted was for Zhang Lexuan to be willing to return to the Sun Moon Empire.

Besides, if the two truly shared a bloodline—perhaps great-grandfather and great-granddaughter—that would be even better.

"Fine. Then I'll wait until Elder Kong arrives before speaking."

The moment Yan Hongchen finished speaking, a voice rang out in the hall.

"What is it that requires waiting until this old man arrives?" At some unknown moment, an extra person had appeared in the center of the hall.

He appeared to be in his thirties or forties, with refined features and a silver robe. His bearing was as tranquil as still water. He stood there as though he had been there for a long time, yet also as though he had just stepped out of thin air. Not a trace of soul power fluctuated around him, but everyone instinctively held their breath.

Jing Hongchen hurriedly rose and bowed. "Greetings, Elder Kong."

Yi Hongchen and Liu Yueming bowed as well, together with Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, and Yan Hongchen.

Kong Deming's command of spatial power had already reached perfection. Even Jing Hongchen had not expected him to appear so suddenly.

Kong Deming said lightly, "Hongchen, you did not invite me here this time merely for your grandchildren, did you? It seems... there is something else?"

Jing Hongchen respectfully invited Kong Deming to take the seat of honor. Kong Deming did not decline and sat in the main seat, his calm gaze sweeping over everyone.

If not for this "surprise attack," he would not have known that Jing Hongchen had been hiding so many thoughts.

Kong Deming was the master of the Sun Moon Empire's Consecration Hall. He carried one-quarter of the imperial bloodline and was loyal only to the imperial family.

He was also the Sun Moon Empire's foremost soul engineer, wholly devoted to researching his natal soul tool, the Silver Moon Divine Light Barrier.

The reason he had been comfortable letting Jing Hongchen manage Mingde Hall was because the Hongchen Family had never involved itself in imperial struggles.

Yet at this moment, he felt that Jing Hongchen seemed to harbor some unusual thoughts. Still, he did not ask. He simply waited quietly.

Jing Hongchen took a deep breath. "Elder Kong, this matter does concern my grandson. However, the matter of taking disciples can be put aside for now. First, I must report on someone—someone who may be connected to you, Elder Kong. If my grandson had not reminded me beforehand, I might have forgotten..."

Kong Deming had been absent from the public eye for far too long. Yet a man's reputation cast a long shadow, and Yan Hongchen's reminder had instead made Jing Hongchen recall this pillar of the empire.

As for how they should meet, the Consecration Hall would ordinarily have been the safest place. But this time, he had invited Kong Deming in a private capacity, ostensibly only to take disciples, without making too much of a spectacle.

Kong Deming said nothing. He merely looked quietly at Jing Hongchen, signaling for him to continue.

Jing Hongchen got straight to the point. "Zhang Lexuan, Shrek Academy's captain for this Soul Fighting Tournament. Twenty years old. Martial Soul—the moon. She broke through to rank seventy during the tournament. If she had obtained her seventh soul ring, the Sun Moon Team would only have lost more badly."

Twenty years old, a quasi-Soul Sage, and a moon Martial Soul.

After hearing Jing Hongchen's words, a flicker of interest instantly flashed through Kong Deming's eyes. Then, as though he had thought of something, he shook his head. "Hongchen, you are thoughtful. Setting aside whether she is truly of my clan, even if she is, the bloodline may be far too distant. More importantly, she has already taken root in Shrek. She will not return to the Sun Moon Empire."

Seeing Kong Deming like this, Yan Hongchen knew it was time for him to step forward. He gave a slight bow, his tone neither servile nor overbearing. "My apologies, Elder Kong, but I must respectfully disagree."

Upon hearing this, Jing Hongchen's heart settled. He knew Yan Hongchen must be aware of some inside information. The secrets of their last trip to the Extreme North had brought them considerable gains. This time was much safer than before.

Kong Deming looked at Yan Hongchen, surprise flashing through his eyes. Then he turned back to Jing Hongchen and asked, "Is this your youngest grandson? Why is his cultivation higher than that of the eldest and second?"

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen both lowered their heads awkwardly. Elder Kong's words were... true enough. They really were a considerable distance behind Yan Hongchen.

Yan Hongchen remained calm. "Elder Kong, please allow me to recount what I know about that person. As for whether it is true, please have Elder Kong and my grandfather verify it together later. What I have is only... something from a dream."

Kong Deming could not help looking at Jing Hongchen, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny, as if to say, "Are you entertaining this old man?"

But seeing the calmness in Yan Hongchen's eyes, he still nodded. "Very well. This old man will listen. However... you must also tell me what is going on with your cultivation. Could it be that your grandfather acted recklessly?"

Yan Hongchen knew he could not hide it from Kong Deming. Still, Kong Deming was a man of the Sun Moon Empire. He was not one to spread secrets, and if the empire had produced a genius, he would protect him no matter what.

He spoke frankly. "Elder Kong, after my first special dream, my grandfather, my parents, and I went to the Extreme North to investigate."

"Afterward, we encountered Snow Empress, the ruler of the Extreme North. Though there were some twists and turns, I made a deal with Snow Empress personally and gained some rewards. In the end, we returned safely."

"A hundred-thousand-year head soul bone, an additionally acquired external soul bone, two ten-thousand-year soul rings, and the cultivation talent granted by my own Martial Soul."

Kong Deming raised an eyebrow. So this was not Yan Hongchen's first special dream; there had been a precedent. Could this be some kind of heavenly bestowal? And was there something special about Yan Hongchen that had drawn the attention of the ruler of the Extreme North?

After pondering for a moment, he said, "Very well, this old man understands. Then tell me—what did you discover in your dream? Or rather, how much do you know?"

Yan Hongchen steadied himself inwardly. What dream? He had not dreamed in a long time. Still, the foresight of a transmigrator should be enough.

"This dream was rather straightforward, not as complicated as the previous ones." He spoke slowly, his tone steady and clear.

"As far as I know, Zhang Lexuan's family had originally been nobles of the Heaven Dou Empire. Later, they were persecuted by another great noble family, and her entire household was massacred. She only survived because she had been hiding beneath the bed, playing hide-and-seek with her mother. Her mother collapsed beside the bed and, before dying, used her body to block the bed and covered Zhang Lexuan's mouth with her hand."

"Afterward, Zhang Lexuan wandered alone until an old man found her in the outskirts. Seeing her talent, that old man used the promise of helping Zhang Lexuan avenge herself to make her his great-great-grandson's child bride, and had her swear lifelong loyalty to Shrek."

At this point, Yan Hongchen paused slightly, his gaze turning profound. "I have some doubts... Her entire family was slaughtered, yet the only one left alive was a little girl hiding under the bed? Isn't checking beneath the bed one of the most basic things to do during a massacre?"

"Also, why did that old man happen to go to the Heaven Dou Empire, and happen to encounter Zhang Lexuan after her family had been exterminated? When she was at her most helpless, he took advantage of her gratitude—and for something as disgusting as making her a child bride..."

He raised his head and looked directly into Kong Deming's eyes. "Elder Kong, do you think her parents' deaths could truly have had nothing to do with that old man? Sometimes, one coincidence is just a coincidence. But a whole string of coincidences... may not be coincidences at all. What's more, she has now become the captain of Shrek's team and swept through the Sun Moon Team."

Yan Hongchen did not elaborate further. Some matters were better left for Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen to investigate themselves. Even he did not dare claim to know everything with absolute certainty, and he refused to believe that these two had no covert operatives in Douluo Three Kingdoms.

He knew persuading Kong Deming would not be easy, but he still brought up another matter. "Elder Kong and my grandfather can investigate as thoroughly as you like—the more detailed, the better. And it would be even better if there were a way to verify blood relations."

"In my dream, there is an excellent opportunity. Zhang Lexuan will appear then, though we will still need to send someone to keep watch. It should be about two years from now. We may need to be wary of that old man. When the time comes, could I ask Elder Kong to act just this once?"

A sharp glint flashed through Kong Deming's eyes before they returned to calm. He fell silent for several breaths, then slowly nodded. "Alright. If there is a chance to meet her and obtain her blood, this old man has a way to verify her bloodline. During this time, your grandfather and I will investigate as well. If she truly suffered such a monstrous injustice, and it was because of Shrek—this old man will never let them off."

Yan Hongchen sighed inwardly. None of these old Titled Douluo were easy to deal with. There were quite a few grandfather-generation figures in the original work, but most of them met poor ends in one way or another... His own grandfather could be considered one of the better ones.

Kong Deming withdrew his imposing aura, and his expression softened. The way he looked at Yan Hongchen gained a touch more warmth. "Alright, forgive me, little fellow. If you do not mind, just call me Grandpa Kong."

He paused, his gaze resting on Yan Hongchen's face with the appreciative look one gave an uncut jade. "To have earned the appreciation of the Lord of the Far North, with your talent, this old man truly hopes to take you as my disciple."

Yan Hongchen calmly met Kong Deming's gaze. He knew this move had been somewhat risky, but he had made the right choice. Still, he had just finished complaining about it, and now he was really supposed to call him that?