"Where are we now?"
Xuan Ziwen leisurely opened the deep-sea cabin door, poked his head out, and looked around. If he hadn't just passed an anchor buoy bearing the special insignia of the Sun Moon Empire, he would've thought he'd drifted so far off course as to be completely lost at sea.
"Hmph~~~"
The middle-aged man let out a disdainful snort as he looked at the young couples snuggling outside the cabin. He couldn't help feeling a little miserable: "I'm already in my forties or fifties, yet when I was young I had to watch people my age being lovey-dovey, and now that I'm old, I still have to watch you kids doing the same..."
"Teacher Xuan, why not just add a rule to our lab: no early romances allowed?" Ke Ke poked her head out from behind, grinning at the two.
"Of course, the best solution would be for you to find us a 'teacher's wife' yourself!"
"Ahem, ahem, ahem..." Xuan Ziwen glared at Ke Ke, then turned back to the control panel.
Zi mu also stepped outside to stretch his legs.
Yesterday, the sea was rough. Even the Deep Abyss Submarine, mighty as it was, bobbed like a small boat blown about by the wind. Stuck for a whole day, everyone stayed in their rooms with their own rations.
Though, according to Ke Ke, some strange noises came from Ju Zi's room around dusk, but Ju Zi explained—embarrassed and annoyed—that she wasn't feeling well, as it was that time of the month.
But now, seeing Ju Zi nestled in Su Wen's arms, her usually calm and pretty face was tinged with a young lover's shyness, and Zi mu was left a little bewildered.
Huh???
Wait—when did this happen?!!
"Let me see, the marked location should be right here." Xuan Ziwen said thoughtfully, pointing to the red circle on the map. In past years, they'd already searched the surrounding seas, so only a few spots remained.
"Oh well, let's start tomorrow." Xuan Ziwen stretched lazily.
How could you do this kind of task without slacking off a bit? Just treat it like a vacation.
…
Mingde Hall, Main Hall.
Meng Hongchen lay on a soft couch, idly fiddling with her carving knife, eyes unfocused.
Seeing a short, stout figure enter, she immediately whined, "Grandpa~"
"Well, well, a rare visitor…"
Jing Hongchen teased, smiling, "I thought you'd be clinging to that Su Wen boy. What, you got some time to visit this old man?"
"Su Wen's on a mission. He went out to sea with Teacher Xuan and the others to explore a sea mine," Meng Hongchen pouted, clearly unhappy.
"Mission?" Jing Hongchen was taken aback.
He oversaw everything in Mingde Hall. For Su Wen to leave Mingdu—something so important—without anyone telling him? He started to feel something was off.
"He refused to take me, saying it was official business. But isn't it just exploring a sea mine?" Meng Hongchen complained. "How dangerous could it be? He clearly wanted to send me away, probably so he can spend time with Ju Zi..."
"Oh, right, Grandpa, here's a letter from my brother at Shrek Academy. I already took my own copy."
With that, the girl set down the envelope and left the hall.
"..."
["Grandpa, I'm doing well at Shrek Academy. The senior students look after me, often training me and helping me grow stronger. Don't worry. How's Meng doing lately? Has she been totally captivated by Su Wen? I know she's not used to being in the capital without me, but I'll be back in two years..."]
Jing Hongchen shook his head helplessly.
But deep in his eyes, there was a flash of warmth.
This grandchild he'd raised himself was also the future inheritor of his legacy, Mingde Hall's rising star—he couldn't be more satisfied.
But...
As a brother, you really are full of yourself.
Meng never mentions you, not even once. Her heart is all on Su Wen...
Jing Hongchen sighed.
It wasn't that he didn't want to intervene with his granddaughter—it was just impossible.
Ultimately, they'd walk different paths. Two and a half years from now, war might break out on the continent. When that day comes, so-called love will seem fragile compared to duty to home and country. Since she's young, let her be wild for once...
"Lin Jiayi!"
After a while, he summoned his confidant to ask about Su Wen's trip.
"Hall Master."
A middle-aged man entered, but kept his head down—odd, compared to usual.
Jing Hongchen's unease grew stronger.
"Look up!"
"H-Hall Master..." Lin Jiayi trembled, barely holding back his panic.
"What are you afraid of?" Jing Hongchen narrowed his eyes. Though short, the pressure he exuded as a near-Super Douluo filled the hall with a suffocating atmosphere.
"Please spare me, Hall Master!" Lin Jiayi dropped to his knees, shaking like a leaf, face ashen.
"Speak!"
Jing Hongchen's voice trembled. Things seemed to be spiraling in the worst possible direction.
He'd meant to test Lin Jiayi, but...
"A few days ago, Elder Kong personally came to me and ordered me to keep you in the dark, and arranged for Xuan Ziwen's trip to explore the sea mine. It's not that I didn't want to report it, but I was too afraid to, Hall Master!"
Lin Jiayi knelt, voice hoarse and desperate.
BOOM!!!
The lion-head armrest Jing Hongchen gripped exploded, splinters showering Lin Jiayi, who pressed his head to the floor, not daring to move.
"OH NOOO, my grandson!!!"
If Su Wen died, Shrek Academy would absolutely retaliate. Did the Sun Moon Empire think Shrek was a pushover? Dream on! He didn't care about the Empire's other young elites, but if anything happened to Su Wen, no matter how the Empire tried to cover it up, Shrek would find out sooner or later...
Jing Hongchen's eyes turned red.
He didn't bother with Lin Jiayi.
His figure turned into a streak of light, shooting straight into the sky, intending to rush out of the city.
But in the next instant—
Several figures blocked his way.
"Xu Jiangliu, Ye Yulin, Wang Zhang…" Jing Hongchen clenched his fists, spitting out their names in rage. Some averted their eyes in guilt, others stayed silent.
Seven Rank-9 Soul Engineers!
"Jing! Go back."
Kong Deming's figure appeared in midair.
"Teacher!!" Jing Hongchen almost coughed up blood, grief-stricken. "That's my grandson! My only bloodline! The Hongchen family has only one child per generation—my son died for the Empire on the battlefield. Must this only descendant be cut off too?!"
Even Ye Yulin was moved, but seeing Xu Jiangliu and the others' indifferent faces, she felt a chill.
"Meng can marry a son-in-law and change her surname," Kong Deming hesitated, then spoke.
"You're so ruthless!" Jing Hongchen shivered, staring at Kong Deming's calm face.
"Go back," Kong Deming sighed, waving his hand. "You are not to leave for three days. I'll be here myself. I hope you can be sensible…"
"Hahahaha." Jing Hongchen laughed up at the sky.
But tears streamed down his face. "Then why not send the Fourth Prince? Why not the Crown Prince? Why must it be my grandson?!"
"Jing!" Kong Deming snapped.
"If you keep making trouble, I'll have you imprisoned!"
"Think of Meng! If you die, your granddaughter will die too!"
"..."
Jing Hongchen hung his head.
Watching Jing Hongchen's retreating figure, Xu Jiangliu whispered, "Elder Kong, I'm afraid he'll never understand your kindness."
"Don't act so innocent now..." Kong Deming glanced at him. "If it was your own son being sent to die, would you accept it?"
"Uh..." Xu Jiangliu froze.
"For the Empire, sacrificing my son—"
"Nonsense!" Kong Deming snorted, cutting him off, and left without looking back.
Xu Jiangliu's face turned ugly, but he dared not say more. He waved Lin Jiayi over, who was still trembling.
"Mingde Hall is yours for now. Don't worry about Jing Hongchen. A new Hall Master will be appointed soon. Don't cause any trouble during this period."
"Yes, yes…"
Seeing how timid Lin Jiayi was, Xu Jiangliu nodded.
Mingde Hall was a juicy prize, coveted by all. Under Jing Hongchen, no one could infiltrate, but now...
With Jing Hongchen's fall, it was the perfect time to carve up this piece of meat.
Of course, the power Xu Jiangliu represented was the entire Sun Moon Royal Family—and beyond.
…
"Just as I thought!"
Xuan Ziwen's face said it all. The Deep Abyss Submarine's searchlights pierced the quiet deep sea, sending all kinds of sea soul beasts scattering.
Thanks to the submarine's speed, they finished searching the designated area in just three days—five times faster than expected.
Su Wen and Ju Zi, both in diving suits and dripping wet, entered the control room.
"Weren't you excited to try before? Why not fight for it now?" Ju Zi, wrapped in a towel, smiled at Ke Ke.
"Actually, I have thalassophobia," Ke Ke admitted, shrinking back.
"I'm fine on the surface, but once I go deep, I just want to run."
"That's because you're not strong enough," Su Wen chuckled.
"If you were a Sea God, would you still be afraid?"
"Nonsense~" Ke Ke rolled her eyes.
"The Sea God is master of the sea! That's totally different. Your example is way too extreme."
Zi mu and Ke Ke had already dived together once. Now, seeing Ju Zi clinging to Su Wen, her big eyes sparkling and her skin even fairer after surfacing, Zi mu looked a little downcast.
"Hmm..."
Xuan Ziwen ignored their banter.
His eyes were fixed on the glass outside. "Su Wen, look ahead!"
"Hm?" Su Wen followed Xuan Ziwen's finger.
The submarine slowed, its spotlight illuminating the dark seabed. Sea soul beasts scattered, but below, as black as ink, bubbles rose like from a volcano.
"The temperature's rising. Something's odd here…" Xuan Ziwen muttered.
…