Mu En

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Earlier Life and Preparations for Succession

Mu En obtained a Dragon Core in his youth. He later intended to give it to Bei Bei to help his Martial Soul evolve into the Radiant Sacred Dragon 23.

He also rescued Zhang Lexuan during a desperate period in her life and helped her avenge her grievances. Although he continued counseling her afterward, he regretted allowing her to make a promise involving Bei Bei that she struggled to abandon 22 26.

Before meeting Huo Yuhao, Mu En had supported Shrek’s Soul Tool Department and infiltrated the Sun Moon Imperium, where he learned that Soul Tools capable of threatening him already existed. His declining health made succession urgent: he initially chose Xuan Zi, while also placing hopes in Zhang Lexuan’s future development 23.

Observing Huo Yuhao

Mu En assigned Zhang Lexuan to observe Huo Yuhao, Gu Yuena, and Gu Qiu’er. Although the girls possessed exceptional dragon Martial Souls, Huo Yuhao’s ten-thousand-year first Soul Ring particularly interested him. He correctly considered a Soul Beast sacrifice a possible explanation 12.

After reading He Caitou’s notes from Huo Yuhao’s lessons, Mu En recognized a system of knowledge fundamentally different from the continent’s existing scholarship. He believed it could help Shrek surpass the Sun Moon Imperium technologically, but initially could not understand why Huo Yuhao shared it freely 18.

Huo Yuhao’s insistence that knowledge should benefit everyone prompted Mu En to invite him to teach more people. In exchange for access to Shrek’s books, Mu En gave him a token granting entry to the Inner Court’s Library Pavilion 18 19.

Academy Investigation and Reforms

Wang Dong’s complaints about Zhou Yi’s expulsions and excessive training led Mu En to promise an investigation and suspend her. Soon afterward, he stopped an out-of-control Ma Xiaotao from attacking the group and confronted Yan Shaozhe over the academy’s handling of witnesses 19 20.

Reviewing academy records that night revealed years of abuse, concealed deaths, and misconduct. Mu En acknowledged his own neglect of management and summoned the academy’s leaders to impose reforms 20.

The investigation convinced Mu En that Shrek could not safely be left to his intended successors. He asked Huo Yuhao to help him live another twenty years, offering to pay whatever price was necessary 20 23.

Treatment and Recovery

Huo Yuhao diagnosed an improperly healed spinal fracture, necrotic bone, and dead nerves. A Dragon Core in Mu En’s abdomen sustained his body while also exposing it to savage energy. Huo Yuhao judged that treating these problems could restore several decades of remaining life 23.

During surgery inside the Golden Tree, Mu En and Gu Yuena suppressed the Dragon Core while Elder Zhuang stabilized his body. Huo Yuhao replaced the damaged spinal segment with one cultivated from Mu En’s blood, then began reconstructing his nerves 25.

Mu En stood, straightened his back, and walked without pain after the first session. Huo Yuhao prescribed weekly treatment for another two or three months. Mu En handed the Dragon Core to Gu Yuena as agreed payment and ordered Elder Zhuang to keep the matter secret 25.

Continued Intervention

After Dai Huabin provoked Huo Yuhao, Mu En sent Zhang Lexuan to investigate records at the White Tiger Duke’s Mansion, focusing on events eleven or twelve years earlier and five or six years earlier 24.

Following the freshman assessment, he rewarded Huo Yuhao with Ruling the World, first using the technique to test whether an evil influence had taken hold of him. Huo Yuhao passed, and Mu En recognized the intent of his version as love and responsibility toward all under heaven 29.

Mu En also sought Huo Yuhao’s help for Ma Xiaotao’s worsening Evil Fire. He prohibited her cultivation, arranged for her to assist Zhang Lexuan, and explained the danger of her becoming an Evil Soul Master. He later released Yan Shaozhe from confinement but assigned him to sweep Sea God Lake alongside Xuan Zi 25 29 40.

Appearance

• Elderly and initially stooped: Before treatment, Mu En uses a wheelchair and has difficulty straightening his back 20 23 25.
• Restored posture and mobility: After surgery, he walks upright with a strong, resonant voice, startling and delighting members of the Sea God Pavilion 25.

Personality

Mu En is warm toward young people and enjoys watching them grow. He openly admires Huo Yuhao’s precise control of Soul Power and is willing to reconsider his own assumptions when confronted with the boy’s educational ideals 18 19.

His affection for Shrek does not prevent him from acknowledging its failures. Once he discovers the concealed abuses, he apologizes, accepts responsibility for neglecting management, and punishes senior figures despite their personal connections to him 20.

He is also calculating about the academy’s future. He seeks both Huo Yuhao’s medical help and his lasting friendship, fearing the consequences if such a capable person becomes Shrek’s enemy. His matchmaking between Huo Yuhao and Zhang Lexuan combines concern for her happiness with the hope of eventually making Huo Yuhao the academy’s leader 20 22 23.

Abilities & Skills

Radiant Sacred Dragon

Mu En’s Martial Soul evolved into the Radiant Sacred Dragon through the expression of an inherited gene sequence 50.

• His family’s inherited Martial Soul is the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon 50.
• He initially planned to use the Dragon Core to help Bei Bei achieve a similar evolution 23.

Ruling the World

A self-created Soul Skill combining Soul Power, spiritual power, and the user’s emotions 29.

• Mu En describes its special effect as preventing a defeated enemy from ever overcoming the user 29.
• Its expression varies with the user’s personality and emotional intent 29.
• Mu En has incorporated it into two of his own Soul Skills 29.
• His testing strike lets an ordinary Soul Master experience its intent but causes an Evil Soul Master unbearable pain 29.
• He teaches its principles to Huo Yuhao without concealing the explanation from the four women present 29.

Soul Power Manifestation

• Produces a huge golden hand that knocks the rampaging Ma Xiaotao into Sea God Lake 19.
• Uses concentrated Soul Power to help suppress the Dragon Core during his own treatment 25.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Dragon Core — Acquired in his youth; sustained his injured body but carried harmful malevolent energy. Given to Gu Yuena as payment for assisting his treatment 23 25.
• “Mu” token — Grants unrestricted entry to the Inner Court’s Library Pavilion; entrusted to Huo Yuhao 19.

Relationships

• Huo Yuhao — Physician, student of his self-created technique, and prospective successor. Huo Yuhao considers Mu En a farsighted elder whose oversight makes Shrek worth reforming rather than abandoning 23 25 29 43.
• Zhang Lexuan — Rescued protégé and hoped-for future leader. Mu En promotes her to vice dean and deliberately encourages her closeness to Huo Yuhao; he is delighted when she acknowledges her feelings for him 20 23 26 50.
• Yan Shaozhe — Disciple whom Mu En raised himself. Mu En condemns his cover-ups and lack of ambition, removes him from office, and loses confidence in his ability to lead 20 25 29.
• Cai Mei’er — Disciple appointed to replace Yan Shaozhe as dean. She also reports to Mu En about Ma Xiaotao’s condition 20 25.
• Ma Xiaotao — Granddisciple. Mu En restrains and disciplines her while actively seeking treatment for the Evil Fire threatening her judgment and future 19 25 29 40.
• Xuan Zi — Originally chosen successor. Mu En rejects him as unreliable after confronting his negligence and hostility toward Soul Tools 20 23.
• Bei Bei — Young man whose Martial Soul development Mu En supports. Mu En recognizes that Bei Bei and Zhang Lexuan’s bond is familial rather than romantic 22 23.
• Gu Yuena — Assists in suppressing the Dragon Core during surgery and receives it afterward under their prior agreement 23 25.

Notable Quotes

“I want to live another twenty years. Can you make that happen? Whatever the price!” 23

“This is a great love, a responsibility toward all under heaven.”
— On the intent within Huo Yuhao’s Ruling the World 29