Regarding Juzi's assignment, Lu Jingming was not entirely confident—he was mainly willing to give it a try. If Juzi could become the Sun-Moon Empire's War Goddess Empress like in the original, then he could conquer the empire without shedding a drop of blood.
Even if she failed, it didn't matter. Juzi's outstanding military talent meant, with a little training, she could become one of his trump cards.
For this reason, Lu Jingming specifically asked Herta to make this special Level 9 soul tool to ensure Juzi's safety.
He would never skimp on protection and support for those who worked for him.
As for Juzi wanting to kill the White Tiger Duke—let her. Whether the White Tiger Duke lived or died made no difference to him.
The little fox, used as a hand-warmer, looked utterly hopeless, its limbs limp as Lu Jingming fiddled with it. Who knew, maybe once the Divine Child recovered its memory and intellect, it would give Lu Jingming a shock therapy session over all this black history.
Playing with the ball-of-yarn-like little fox, Lu Jingming looked up at the endless blue sky and clouds. His deep gaze seemed to pierce through space, looking at the vast universe and the god realm hidden in another dimension.
Although everything on the Douluo Continent was under the control of that God King, there was always a way to break the stalemate.
That God King was not omnipotent in the god realm and had enemies too.
Besides, he couldn't keep an eye on Douluo Continent at all times—otherwise, the God of Emotion, Rong Nianbing, wouldn't have got Huo Yuhao while overseeing the continent.
Ever since he realized he was in the Douluo Continent during the Peerless Tang Sect era, Lu Jingming had started making plans.
He was determined to take Douluo Continent—and the god realm as well.
If it could be called the Tang Family Continent and Tang God Realm, why not the Lu Family Continent and Lu God Realm?
"Xiao Ming, it's your turn." A gentle voice interrupted Lu Jingming's thoughts.
Across from him, Zhang Lexuan smiled softly.
Between them lay a Go board, black and white stones crossed in a complex battle. The black side was at a disadvantage, and Lu Jingming, holding black, hadn't moved in a while.
"Sister Lexuan, do you know the truth of this world?" Lu Jingming didn't rush to make a move, but looked at Zhang Lexuan and asked.
Zhang Lexuan blinked, a trace of puzzlement in her eyes, and after a moment's thought, replied, "The strong rule?"
Lu Jingming nodded slightly, then slowly shook his head.
He picked up a black piece with his long fingers and placed it heavily on the board. The crisp "pa" broke the short silence.
The sound startled the dazed little fox, whose pink ears and tail shot upright in fright—looking adorably startled.
"The truth of this world is nothing but twelve words: 'Those who submit to me will prosper; those who resist will perish!'"
Lu Jingming's gaze was cold, his tone icy and domineering, exuding a powerful, intimidating aura.
Zhang Lexuan was suddenly shaken, staring blankly at this side of Lu Jingming she'd never seen.
In her heart, Lu Jingming had always been the occasionally mischievous but caring and gentle younger brother.
But now, his sudden display of dominance and coldness made her feel a little lost and inexplicably flustered.
Just then, out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at the Go board and froze.
She leaned in for a closer look as if she couldn't believe her eyes.
A smile that was not quite a smile appeared on her face. "Xiao Ming, is there something missing from the board?"
"Mm? What do you mean, Sister Lexuan? Nothing's missing, all the pieces are there!" Lu Jingming replied with a calm expression.
At the same moment, a wisp of faint black mist flowed in his hand. If you looked closely, several white pieces were being slowly devoured by the black mist, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
"You!" Zhang Lexuan shook her head with exasperation, gently tapping Lu Jingming's forehead with a slender finger, her eyes full of doting affection.
"I lost." Looking at the white pieces, now in a checkmate due to the missing key stones, Zhang Lexuan simply admitted defeat.
But with that, the familiar feeling returned. The momentary panic and unfamiliarity vanished like an illusion.
Nearby, Keqing, who was sprawled on the map scribbling, looked up at the commotion.
A hint of disdain flashed in her pretty violet eyes as she rolled them at Lu Jingming. "You really can't stand losing, can you!"
She didn't believe for a second that Lu Jingming's half-baked Go skills could beat Zhang Lexuan, who'd learned directly from Changli.
"Just admit I won," Lu Jingming said smugly, pointing at the board as if to provoke her.
Keqing's mouth twitched, and she simply turned away to focus on her own business, showing she didn't want to bother with his thick-skinned antics.
Lu Jingming felt a little disappointed that Keqing didn't take the bait; he enjoyed bantering with her—it was fun, after all.
"Ying ying——" The little fox, finally recovering from its fright, angrily pounced on Lu Jingming.
Zhang Lexuan, resting her chin in her hands, watched with a gentle smile as Lu Jingming struggled under the little fox's face attack.
Watching this warm scene, Zhang Lexuan couldn't help thinking how wonderful it would be if time could stop at this moment, making this happiness last forever.
"Ah, it's the little fox! Little fox, we've come to play with you again!" Suddenly, two identical childish voices broke the tranquility.
The pink-haired fox stiffened instantly, forgetting all about getting back at Lu Jingming and bolting away.
Two small figures with blue hair dashed past Zhang Lexuan and Lu Jingming like the wind, chasing after the pink fox.
It was the twin sisters, Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo.
Since the last banquet, the sisters had been obsessed with the seaside villa. There were so many new and interesting things that the place was irresistible for children.
Not to mention the adorable pink fox.
The girls couldn't resist, so whenever they had free time, they ran to Lu Jingming's place.
After a while, they became very familiar with Keqing and the others.
Now, whenever the palace guards saw them, they let them through without even reporting.