Kong Deming, He Shen's Heartache!!

[Sign-in successful. Reward obtained: Level-Ten Soul Engineer—Kong Deming]

Kong Deming was the Sun-Moon Empire's sole Level-Ten Soul Engineer, the father of Sun-Moon soul tools, the chief grand worshipper of the Hall of Worship, and unmatched across the continent in Soul Tool mastery.

He possessed countless Soul Tool forging blueprints, abundant stores of Level-Ten and Ninth-Level Soul Tools, and mountains of Soul Tool tomes. He was one of the continent's foremost Soul Engineers during the second era, wielded Twin Martial Souls, and his personal Level-Ten Soul Tool, the Sun-Moon Divine Light Shield, was incomparably powerful.

Qian Xunzong was delighted. He did not linger, instead taking a teleportation soul tool carriage back to the main hall of Cloud-Treading Villa.

After entering the hall, Qian Xunzong willed it and activated his sign-in reward, summoning Kong Deming.

Ripples spread through space as a silver-haired old man stepped out slowly. He wore a silver-white Soul Tool robe trimmed in gold, dense Soul Tool energy swirling around him. His cuffs and waist were covered in intricate Soul Tool components, and he held a red diamond cane. The instant he landed, he bowed deeply.

"Old Kong Deming greets my lord."

[Name: Kong Deming

Age: 130

Martial Souls: Silver Moon, Sun

Level: Rank 95 Super Douluo

Title: Silver Moon Soul Rings: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black, Red (Black, Black, Black, Black, Black, Black, Red, Red, Red)

Soul Bones: Complete set of six Soul Bones

Evaluation: Level-Ten Soul Engineer, number one on the continent, the continent's only one. Possesses massive Soul Tool reserves and has true combat power comparable to a Limit Douluo.

Loyalty: ∞]

As expected of Kong Deming. With the power of Soul Tools, he could possess the combat strength of a Limit Douluo despite only being Rank 95. He truly was a powerhouse of his generation!

"Rise."

"Master Kong, do you currently have any Soul Tools on you? Could you take them out for me to see?"

"Yes, my lord!"

Kong Deming raised a hand and opened his Giant Storage Soul Tool. In an instant, streams of light filled the grand hall as countless Soul Tools floated in the air.

The Level-Ten Soul Tool, the Silver Moon Divine Light Shield, stood at the very front. There were also two or three other Level-Ten Soul Tools—cannon-type, spatial-type, defensive, and detection-type. Their pressure made the hall pillars tremble faintly.

Dozens of Ninth-Level Soul Tools followed behind, their power formidable. There were also countless functional Soul Tools from Level Eight down to Level One, categorized into attack, healing, flight, restraint, and illusion types. There were more than a thousand in all, filling over half the hall.

Beyond that, layers upon layers of Soul Tool tomes, piled like hills, appeared in midair. They recorded Soul Tool theories, forging cores, and energy improvement plans. Many were exclusive secret manuals long lost to the Sun-Moon Empire, their value immeasurable. Kong Deming cupped his hands and spoke sincerely.

"Young Master, all of this old man's collection is here. Young Master may use the equipment blueprints as you please.

"However, researching and forging High-Grade Soul Tools consumes enormous quantities of rare meteoric iron, energy cores, and Soul Tool Apprentices. Without sufficient financial support, many innovative ideas can only be shelved."

"If you're short on money, summon Shen Wansan and He Shen!!"

Qian Xunzong swept his gaze across the treasures filling the hall and immediately ordered the servants to summon Shen Wansan and He Shen to the main hall.

About an hour later, Shen Wansan entered calmly, dressed in a brocade merchant's robe and carrying a neatly balanced master ledger. He Shen followed closely behind, clutching a gilded ledger tightly to his chest. His fingers continuously stroked the gilded patterns on its cover. Even after reaching the center of the hall, he did not forget to lower his head and feel the ledger's inner layers, afraid that even the slightest amount of gold and silver recorded within might have gone missing.

When the two saw the High-Grade Soul Tools filling the hall and the unfamiliar white-haired old man, they froze slightly before bowing and waiting for instructions. Qian Xunzong's voice was steady as he issued his orders clearly.

"Shen Wansan, He Shen, the two of you oversee all the gold mines, trading houses, restaurants, and mining operations under my name. After calculating the monthly net profits and deducting the necessary expenses for operations, staff wages, and material purchases, allocate half of the remaining profits to Master Kong, provided it does not affect future development.

"This funding will be used solely to expand the Soul Tool Workshop, purchase rare ores, and research new Soul Tool equipment. Deliver the full amount every month. Not a single coin may be withheld."

Shen Wansan quickly calculated the monthly income of their businesses. Half the profits would be enough to support a top-tier Soul Tool research base on the continent. He immediately bowed to accept the order.

"Rest assured, my lord. Every month, this subordinate will separately allocate half the profits and deliver them to Master Kong's workshop. Independent ledgers will be maintained, and every expenditure on consumables, ores, and labor will be clearly recorded for Young Master's inspection at any time."

Beside him, He Shen looked as though he had been struck by lightning. His whole body jolted, and the gilded ledger in his arms nearly fell to the ground with a slap. His triangular eyes widened round, the color instantly draining from his face. His lips trembled without stop as he clutched his chest and staggered back two steps, looking as though the pain might make him faint at any moment.

"M-My lord! Half the net profits?! Surely you're joking with this subordinate!"

He Shen rushed before Qian Xunzong in a few steps, waving his hands repeatedly with a miserable expression. His eyes reddened at once, as though someone had robbed him of the private fortune he had saved for half his life.

"We have seven gold mines, over twenty chain restaurants, and thirteen spice trading houses! The monthly net profits could fill three treasure vaults, and the shining Gold Soul Coins alone could be stacked into mountains!

"If half of it is taken away at once, the gold and silver in this subordinate's vaults will be cut in half! Just thinking about it feels like my heart is on fire—it hurts so much I can barely breathe!"

Qian Xunzong raised a brow and said blandly, "Is it really necessary to be this dramatic over giving half the profits to Master Kong for Soul Tool research?"

At once, He Shen began counting on his fingers. The more he spoke, the more aggrieved he became, until his voice carried a sobbing tone.

"My lord, you do not understand the hardship of guarding wealth! The four new silk shops west of the city still need another million gold coins to establish themselves. The mining equipment at the three northern iron mines has rusted, and repairs will cost another fortune. The hundreds of guards and managers at branches across the land cannot have their monthly wages delayed by even a day!

"This subordinate had originally planned to use the remaining profits to stockpile Heavenly Frost Iron and high-grade crystals, lock them in a secret chamber, and feel content just looking at them day and night. But now half of it is gone! From now on, this subordinate will dream every night of gold and silver growing wings and flying away!"

He secretly glanced sideways at Kong Deming, looking at him like a wastrel, and muttered under his breath.

"Master Kong's Soul Tool research isn't forging equipment at all. It's a gold-devouring beast! A small piece of top-grade ore costs tens of thousands of gold coins, and high-grade Soul Tool core materials are priceless and unavailable. You could pour heaps of gold and silver into it and still fail to recoup the cost in three to five years. Isn't that just money down the drain?"

Qian Xunzong could not help but chuckle. "Look further ahead. Soul Tools can greatly enhance our faction's combat strength. They will be useful in future campaigns and city defense. This investment is guaranteed to pay off."

He Shen stamped his feet anxiously, then leaned closer and lowered his voice, attempting to persuade Qian Xunzong. "My lord! This subordinate has a solution that benefits everyone! How about taking only ten percent of the profits?

"Ten percent is enough for Master Kong to buy ordinary ores and forge some low-level Soul Tools. This subordinate can store the remaining forty percent in the secret chamber for you. The interest will compound, and by the end of the year, we can stockpile several more chests of purple gold!"

"No." Qian Xunzong's tone did not soften in the slightest.

"Master Kong needs to study Soul Tool technology. The consumption of materials and manpower will be enormous. Ten percent is nowhere near enough."

Seeing that pleading was useless, He Shen drooped his head, his mouth sagging so low it could have hung an oil pot. He gently stroked the ledger in his arms as though bidding farewell to a beloved relative who had been with him day and night, sighing heavily.

"If ten percent won't do, then twenty percent... twenty percent should be acceptable, right? Half is truly too much. Just thinking of so much gold and silver being sent away every month makes this subordinate unable to eat or sleep. I'm afraid I'll waste away day by day."

Shen Wansan, standing nearby, could not hold back his amusement and interjected softly. "Manager He, our business foundation is solid, and our monthly income continues to increase every year. Giving away half now will only double our profits once Soul Tools enter mass production.

"Besides, Master Kong is the only person on the continent who can make Soul Tools right now. Those smiths in Gengxin City have plenty of materials, and all kinds of rare materials are practically dirt cheap. It will not cost much."

He Shen turned and glared at Shen Wansan, deeply displeased. "Shopkeeper Shen, it's easy for you to say when the money isn't coming out of your vault! Every bit of silver was accumulated through this subordinate's painstaking accounting and careful calculations. Half of it is being handed out for nothing—who wouldn't feel the pain?"

Qian Xunzong could not be bothered to listen to any more bargaining. He said in a deep voice, "Say no more. Shen Wansan is right. At this time, top-grade ores are as cheap as cabbages. This matter is settled. Half the monthly profits will be transferred to Master Kong on time."

Seeing Qian Xunzong's resolute attitude, He Shen knew there was no use pleading further. He instantly wilted, bowing with his head lowered and answering in a listless voice.

"This subordinate... this subordinate obeys. From now on, I will keep a close watch on every expenditure on Master Kong's side. Every scrap of iron and every gold coin will be entered into the records. We will save wherever possible and never waste a single coin!"

Kong Deming had long seen through He Shen's money-loving nature. He could not help stroking his beard with a chuckle before stepping forward.

"This manager may rest assured. This old man will not waste a single resource. Every piece of gold and silver will be turned into powerful Soul Tool equipment. Within a few years, I will surely earn my lord wealth far exceeding today's investment."

Even with Kong Deming's assurance, He Shen's heart still ached. Standing to the side, he sighed from time to time, repeatedly glancing at the radiant Soul Tools throughout the hall while constantly calculating the massive sum of money that would vanish every month. He looked as though he had suffered a crushing loss.

Qian Xunzong ignored He Shen's grief-stricken appearance and turned to Kong Deming, issuing his orders in a deep voice.

"Shen Wansan and He Shen will fully supply all resources for your future research. Focus on your studies without restraint. You need not be limited by finances."

Excitement surged onto Kong Deming's aged face. He bowed deeply, his eyes filled with fervor for Soul Tool research.

"This old man thanks Young Master for your favor! Within three years, I can improve the existing Soul Tools and forge dedicated offensive and defensive equipment for a Soul Tool army. I can also replicate and perfect every lost forbidden Soul Tool technique!"

Qian Xunzong nodded slightly. Looking at the Soul Tool equipment filling the hall and the mountain-like stacks of tomes, a plan gradually took shape in his mind. Douluo Continent had always revered Martial Souls above all else, while Soul Tool technology had long been reduced to a supporting role. Though the Sun-Moon Empire had conducted research in the field, constraints from the imperial family's structure and resources had prevented it from soaring.

Now, he possessed the Level-Ten Soul Engineer Kong Deming, massive quantities of High-Grade Soul Tool equipment, complete inheritance tomes, and an endless supply of funding from his businesses. Within a few years, he would be able to establish a top-tier Soul Tool force entirely his own.

With Martial Soul power and top-tier Soul Tool technology advancing along two paths, he would gain an irreplaceable trump card against Spirit Hall's hidden currents and the evil soul masters causing trouble across the continent.

Shen Wansan was already planning the funding schedule and rare mineral acquisition plans in his heart, carefully dividing the monthly profits. He Shen still stood at the side, privately grieving over the lost gold and silver, muttering nonstop as he calculated how to reduce all kinds of material expenses and minimize the loss of funds.

"My Gold Soul Coins..."

Meanwhile, Kong Deming impatiently floated out the forging blueprints he carried with him, his fingers swiftly working through ideas for improving new Soul Cannons and large-scale illusion defense barriers.

The setting sun shone through the carved window lattice and into the hall, illuminating the shimmering streams of light cast by the Soul Tools overhead.

On one side stood an old man obsessed with Soul Tool research, on the other Shen Wansan, skilled in coordinating commerce, and there was also He Shen, who treasured wealth as dearly as life and kept sighing as he painfully gave up profits. With all three fulfilling their respective roles, a complete and vast path for Soul Tool development was finally laid out.