Kong Deming's Bewilderment, Old Master Long Xiaoyao, and the Meeting of Two Sacred Dragons (4.5k)

"Master Kong, that's the situation. This is beyond what I can handle, so you must decide. I need at least two Level 9 Soul Engineers as bodyguards."

Inside the Sun Moon Empire's most tightly guarded underground research facility, Jing Hongchen stood at attention like a student awaiting instruction, his eyes lowered toward the tall old man seated squarely in the grand armchair before him.

He might call him "Old Kong" behind his back, but face-to-face, who wouldn't eagerly call him Master Kong a few times, sweetening up the old man so he would cough up some gold?

The old man sitting upright in the armchair was none other than Kong Deming, the towering pillar of soul engineering renowned as the father of Level 9 Soul Engineers and the empire's foremost Soul Engineer.

Yet at that moment, bewilderment clouded the soul engineering giant's eyes. His brain, practically an encyclopedia of soul engineering, had stalled upon receiving this unexpected news.

"You're saying Yan Shaozhe tried to kill the Ultimate Dark Qilin from the Original Three Kingdoms, which drove him to Mingdu?"

"Yes."

"The Dark Qilin himself belongs to a sect full of true dragons, and sooner or later they'll belong to our Sun Moon Empire?"

"Exactly, exactly."

"The Dark Qilin himself has a wide circle of friends and brought two people along—one a Holy Angel who could counter the Holy Spirit Cult in the future, and the other a defected member of the Shrek Seven Monsters who could deal Shrek Academy a heavy blow?"

"That's precisely it!"

"The more I hear, the more it sounds like a dream."

Kong Deming knitted his brows in thought. "The empire hasn't bought off Shrek Academy's dean. If we had, how could I not know?"

Jing Hongchen sprang up on the spot. "That's what I thought too! Master Kong, you were thinking exactly what I was!"

"Hmm?"

Kong Deming raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, no—I was thinking exactly what you were, Master Kong."

Jing Hongchen instantly transformed into an ingratiating Little Jing, nodding and bowing with a fawning smile.

"If it wasn't us, then was the Holy Spirit Cult behind it?"

Kong Deming was an exceptionally intelligent man. After considering every possibility, he arrived at two explanations: either Yan Shaozhe's head was stuffed with Blue Silver Grass, or Yan Shaozhe was an undercover agent.

First, he ruled out the possibility that Shrek's dean was an unparalleled moron. Yan Shaozhe had to be an undercover agent.

If he wasn't working for the Worship Hall, was he working for the Holy Spirit Cult? But what could the Holy Spirit Cult offer to make him betray Shrek?

Just then, Starry Sky Douluo Ye Yulin, attending nearby, brightened and said:

"Master Kong, I know something about the Holy Spirit Cult. Their cult leader's wife, Feng Ling, was Yan Shaozhe's lover when they were young. As far as I know, Yan Shaozhe was responsible for her martial soul becoming an Evil Phoenix."

Understanding instantly dawned on Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen. They said in unison, "Then that explains it."

When in doubt, love sorted it out. This was a theorem that had remained unchanged on the Douluo Continent for ten thousand years. Yan Shaozhe must still be pining for his old flame.

Thinking of those Evil Soul Masters, Jing Hongchen grew wary. "Master Kong, what do we do now?"

"What do we do? They're already on our turf. Where could they run? I want all three geniuses!"

Kong Deming slapped the armchair. "I'll ask His Majesty to transfer Liao Mengkai back from the Terror Claw Soul Engineer Legion specifically to protect Yu Tianjun. As for the Holy Angel's guardian..."

"Master Kong, I can do it!"

Ye Yulin stepped forward and volunteered.

"You know me, Master Kong. I've been lacking a disciple all these years. An angel is unbeatable in aerial combat, and she has a talent for soul tools too. She's my heaven-sent successor!"

With someone trying to steal his ripe fruit, Jing Hongchen's old face instantly flushed as red as the eyes of a Vermilion Sunny Ice Toad, and he roared at Ye Yulin:

"Enough, Old Ye! They came to join my Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, not you!"

"I could be a member of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy too."

Ye Yulin folded his arms, lifted his balding head, and curled his lip. "I could condescend to serve as Vice Dean. How's that? Generous enough?"

Generous, my ass! I ought to beat that bald head of yours into a marinated egg.

Jing Hongchen's expression soured, and he was about to throw a punch when he noticed Ye Yulin discreetly winking:

Old toad, if you don't want someone snatching them away, play along. We'll split those two geniuses evenly, one apiece.

The master of the Radiant Virtue Hall understood immediately and joined the act with a sarcastic remark. "The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy doesn't welcome baldies."

Ye Yulin bristled instantly, sparks shooting from the eyes beneath his bald crown:

"Jing Hongchen, have I been giving you too much face?"

Jing Hongchen refused to yield an inch. "Don't think your title of Starry Sky Controller scares me, Ye Yulin! I'm no worse than you at large-scale attacks, and I'm better at administration!"

"You've taken Yu Tianjun. Is it so unreasonable for me to take Ye Guyi?" Ye Yulin looked utterly heartbroken.

Jing Hongchen shouted, "I forged that good relationship with Yu Tianjun years ago, when I risked my neck hunting souls for Little Meng and traveled all the way to Dragon City.

"I even gave him Red Dust Protection! Without that connection, would he have come to Mingdu? Where's the justice if he doesn't study under me?"

On the surface, they were arguing. In reality, he wanted to settle the right to teach Yu Tianjun outright, preventing a certain old geezer from stealing him.

"Enough. Two Level 9 Soul Engineers bickering like this—what kind of behavior is that?"

Kong Deming saw straight through his two disciples' little schemes and restored silence with a single sentence.

Both immediately behaved themselves.

"Set aside Yu Tianjun's training for now. You don't even know whether he has a talent for soul tools. What's the hurry?"

Kong Deming calmly took a sip of tea. "Given his martial soul, ordinary soul tools would provide negligible improvements. Like your grandchildren, Little Jing, he needs a tailored plan."

"The soul tools must work with him, not the other way around."

"If he has no talent for soul tools and we can't find a way to integrate them into his fighting style, he only needs to be able to use certain special soul tools. There's no need to force him to meet rank requirements."

Jing Hongchen thought for a moment. "You mean we should make him a full suit of soul tool armor, just like Little Meng's?"

"Correct. As for the natural treasures of light and darkness he needs, and spiritual items for comprehending other elements, we can give him some first, but not everything."

Kong Deming stood, clasped his hands behind his back, and gazed south with profound eyes. "I have a Dark Moon Mystic Core. I originally intended to use it to break through to rank ninety-five when attempting to become a Level 10 Soul Engineer. Since he needs it, I can give it to him later."

"Three thousand years ago, our predecessors obtained the inner cores of two Great Sun Golden Crows while exploring a minor plane. They contain pure light and fire elements. Give them to him and the Holy Angel as enrollment gifts."

"As for treasures to comprehend the elements, the empire once killed a Silver Dragon. Its scales are perfect for that purpose. I authorize giving him two. The rest will depend on his efforts."

"The Dark Qilin originally lived peacefully, but Shrek's persecution drove him far from home. The Holy Angel hates evil with a burning passion. Properly nurtured, those two will become the Sun Moon Empire's new guardian deities."

"Ling Luochеn's identity is more valuable than her talent, though she has the potential to become a Super Douluo. There's a Six-Ten-Thousand-Year Snowfield Wolf King Right Leg Bone in the imperial treasury. I'll authorize giving it to her."

"Zheng Zhan has nothing better to do anyway. Have him protect Ling Luochеn."

"Yu Tianjun is the core of this trio. He comes from a Bounty Hunter background and only turned to us because he had no other choice. We must gradually win his allegiance."

Jing Hongchen chuckled, displaying his confidence as master of the Radiant Virtue Hall. "Rest assured, Master Kong. Leave this to..."

"I'll oversee this myself. First, see whether he's interested in soul tools. If not, we can try to cultivate his interest, but don't force it."

With one sentence, Kong Deming extinguished Little Jing's hopes, making it clear that these waters were too deep for him to navigate; Kong Deming would have to take over.

Jing Hongchen's old face immediately fell.

Ye Yulin's lips moved. He wanted to ask whether Ye Guyi could still become his disciple, but didn't dare.

Ignoring Jing Hongchen's dejected expression, as though he had lost a hundred million Gold Soul Coins, Kong Deming kept his hands behind his back and continued at length:

"We don't need the Dark Qilin to become a Level 9 Soul Engineer. As long as he acknowledges that soul tools have value, we can begin."

"A kindly, approachable teacher—that is, me—will guide him onto the proper path in life and turn him into an outstanding successor to imperialism."

"I'll personally make the soul tool that conceals his aura."

"As for his student life, see whether you can make him class monitor or give him some other position that brings him into frequent contact with his classmates. Incentives are permitted, but handle it elegantly."

"Encourage them to make friends. New friends will help them quickly grow familiar with and accept Mingdu's environment."

"Lastly, if possible, arrange a partner whose hand he can hold for the rest of his life. I have no descendants, so I won't offer opinions on that. Handle it yourselves."

"Little Jing will be dean, and Little Ye will be vice dean. Any objections?"

"None!"

The two Level 9 Soul Engineers regained their confidence at lightning speed, stood at attention, saluted, and marched out. As soon as they left the Offering Hall, they threw their arms around each other's shoulders and reached a tacit agreement that clearly divided their interests while joining forces.

"Once we're working together, you'll still decide matters great and small. I'll only teach occasionally, say a few words, and back you up. You'll remain in charge of the academy. How does that sound?"

Ye Yulin knew that Jing Hongchen had spent years cultivating his influence in the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and the Radiant Virtue Hall, and had long regarded the academy as his exclusive preserve. He voluntarily yielded ground in exchange for securing a successor.

"Oh, what have I done to deserve having you as my deputy, Old Ye? Forget dean and vice dean. We can discuss things together."

Accepting Ye Yulin's goodwill, Jing Hongchen said with a beaming smile, "No one but you deserves to teach the Holy Angel. I'll be sure to give your arrival a grand introduction at the academy."

"But, you know, the soul tools Xiao and Meng might need for high-altitude combat after they become Soul Saints..."

Ye Yulin looked perfectly solemn. "I won't keep anything I have to myself. We're both teachers setting an example, after all."

Jing Hongchen's smile broadened. "Haha, well said! I've always felt I could inherit Master Kong's ideals and become the new father of Level 9 Soul Engineers.

"As for teaching the Dark Qilin, I think I'm perfectly qualified to compete for... Who's throwing things from up there?"

Jing Hongchen's foot slipped as a metal fragment fell from the sky and struck his forehead.

Ye Yulin looked left and right. Finding no one, he felt certain he knew the culprit and snickered:

"See what happens when you run your mouth? Don't you know how petty Master Kong is? Trying to steal his ripe fruit... Why is there more?"

Metal shavings rained down from the sky. Starry Sky Controller Ye Yulin couldn't control the sky above his own head, and his bald crown instantly turned green.

With one sporting a green scalp and the other a red forehead, they exchanged a glance and silently quickened their pace.

Old Kong, we really didn't mean it! You're magnanimous—the most magnanimous man in the Sun Moon Empire!

Before flying back to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Ye Yulin rubbed his scalp. It was still green. He quietly said to Jing Hongchen, "Old Jing, we can't keep this blessing to ourselves."

"You mean...?"

Jing Hongchen's plump face curved into an excited grin at the prospect of mischief.

"The Qilin has powerful vitality, and Liao Mengkai is the foremost Level 9 Close-Combat Soul Engineer. He'll surely itch to test his skills when he sees the Dark Qilin. We could do this, then this, then this..."

"You really are full of wicked ideas, Old Ye. This hall master loves it! Haha..."

At the entrance to the Heavenly Dragon Sect in Dragon City.

"That's just the right pressure, and this tastes wonderful. You youngsters really know what you're doing. I haven't felt this comfortable in ages."

Long Xiaoyao lay in a rocking chair, with Yu Tianlong pounding his back on the left and Xing Yan kneading his shoulders on the right. Occasionally, he ate a couple of slices of hotpot meat, looking every inch the pampered old patriarch.

The Five-Element True Dragon Soul Elders prepared hotpot and grilled meat, providing Lord Dark Sacred Dragon with supreme service.

"Old Master, now that you're comfortable, could you give us a little guidance?"

Sweating profusely from massaging his shoulders and periodically breathing fire to grill the meat, Xing Yan asked with a face full of smiles.

"Grill the meat, grill the meat. Cook it properly, and I'll teach you."

Long Xiaoyao stuck out his tongue and licked his lips, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on the meat slices as their aroma slowly emerged, displaying the highest respect for food.

"How fragrant. Is that a ten-thousand-year Frost Abyss Cold Wyrm? Eight hours over a low true-dragon flame to soften the meat—you're real connoisseurs."

Yu Tianlong explained, "That's not all. We also have to shock it with our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon electricity for fifteen minutes."

"Excellent technique. Who invented it? I really like this."

"My Second Brother, Yu Tianjun. He brought the meat back too," Yu Tianlong answered honestly.

"Hmm?"

Long Xiaoyao lifted his eyelids and asked Yu Tianlong, "Aren't you the eldest of the Heavenly Dragon Sect's current generation?"

Without blushing or faltering, Yu Tianlong said, "Our sect ranks seniority by strength. My second younger brother is younger but stronger, so we all call him Second Brother."

"Then what does he call you? Do you each use your own ranking?"

"He calls me Big Little Brother. I think it's pretty good. It sounds like 'Great Emperor.'"

"Ahem, ahem. You youngsters certainly know how to amuse yourselves."

Long Xiaoyao coughed twice. He really couldn't keep up with the times anymore.

If I'd known, I would've made Mu En call me Big Brother more often when we were young.

"Come on, Big Little Brother, your turn."

Having finished his task, Xing Yan called Yu Tianlong over to take his place.

"All right. Watch closely, Old Master."

Yu Tianlong released his martial soul, transformed both arms into dragon limbs, and lit up his second soul skill. Thunderous Might formed an electrical net, controlling the current so the wyrm meat received an even shock.

Long Xiaoyao watched in bewilderment. Had Yu Tianjun devised a way to turn cooking into cultivation?

"Slurp~"

That disgracefully tempting aroma conquered the Dark Sacred Dragon's nostrils. Long Xiaoyao suddenly lost interest in the hotpot and desperately wanted to shove Yu Tianlong aside, the corners of his mouth shedding tears of sympathy for the wyrm.

Half an hour later...

"Nobody touch it! All this meat is mine!"

Long Xiaoyao pounced on the food like a starving dragon, his eyes seeing nothing else.

"You can't do this, Old Master! I worked hard all day..." Xing Yan wailed.

"Here's a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone. Work harder from now on." Long Xiaoyao flicked his hand, sending out a scorching streak of red light.

"I'll pack it up for you, Old Master!" Xing Yan's expression changed at lightning speed.

"Then what about us and Second Brother..." Yu Tianlong and the five-element true dragons openly displayed their envy.

"You still remember Yu Tianjun?"

Chewing the Flood Dragon meat and savoring the finest delicacy of his life, Long Xiaoyao raised his eyes and looked around. The Heavenly Dragon Sect's atmosphere was far more harmonious than he remembered.

"Of course we do," everyone answered in unison.

"You needn't worry about him. As for you youngsters, I'll teach you over the next few days."

Long Xiaoyao held a piece of Flood Dragon meat in each hand, moving left and right, then replaying right and left in slow motion, his cheeks stuffed full.

"Thank you, Old Master!"

The Dark Sacred Dragon's abilities reached the heavens. A few days of his guidance would benefit them endlessly, and the Heavenly Dragon Seven Sons burst into delight.

Feeling the joy of everyone gathered together, Long Xiaoyao understood why Yu Tianjun valued his family so deeply. If he had fellow disciples like these and someone slaughtered them all, the Dark Sacred Dragon would turn into an Evil Sacred Dragon on the spot and bring eternal night to the continent.

The cheerful atmosphere lasted until evening, when Long Xiaoyao volunteered to rest outside and told the Heavenly Dragon Seven Sons to go back.

"Goodbye, Old Master! I'll grill more meat for you tomorrow."

"Be careful not to catch a chill, Old Master."

"Keep warm, Old Master..."

The Heavenly Dragon Seven Sons were reluctant to leave.

Long Xiaoyao merely waved them off, laughing as he scolded them. "Go on, get out of here. Every last one of you is cursing me. Even if your sect master suffered frostbite, I'd still be fine."

After sending the Heavenly Dragon Seven Sons back, Long Xiaoyao settled comfortably into his rocking chair. Life as a pampered old master really was pleasant.

Yu Tianjun had trained these youngsters well. His own painstaking efforts hadn't been wasted. Only the boy himself was pitiful, with a home he couldn't return to.

An unknown amount of time passed before the Dark Sacred Dragon suddenly opened his eyes and looked toward a snow-covered corner.

"Long time no see. Did you come here looking for me or the Heavenly Dragon Sect?"

"I came looking for the Heavenly Dragon Sect. I didn't expect you to be here."

Radiant Soul Power welled forth, lifting Mu En's body to his feet. Clad in white robes, he walked slowly over, his eyes holding surprise, understanding, and helplessness.

In the end, it all became a soft sigh.

"Long time no see, Xiaoyao."