"That goes without saying!" Zhu Ziyang nodded firmly. "My idea is to first establish contact with the surviving Moon Line clans within the Sun Moon Empire. Even though they've been heavily suppressed, I don't believe they have no hidden cards or backup plans. If Sister Le Xuan were to become their leader, I'm certain they'd be more than willing."
"Indeed," Mu En agreed, pondering over Zhu Ziyang's words. "For over a hundred years, the Sun Line of the imperial family has never stopped secretly oppressing the Moon Line. If not for the lack of a direct heir, those Moon Line nobles might have rebelled long ago.
"In fact, it's only in the past twenty or thirty years—thanks to infighting within the Sun Line—that the Moon Line survivors have had a moment to breathe. Without that, they might have been completely wiped out.
"Haha… perhaps this is fate—for the Moon Line survivors, for us, and for Le Xuan herself!"
"Once we consolidate the Moon Line's resources and influence," Zhu Ziyang continued, "we can then try to win over nobles and factions within the Sun Moon Empire who are dissatisfied with the current emperor or have been sidelined. Ideally, we should aim to directly gain control of a military force."
"That will require the Academy's intelligence department to step in," Mu En said thoughtfully. "And it's not something that can be done overnight. You'd best start with the most prominent nobles and powerful factions."
"Finally, we would launch a coup, overthrow the Sun Line royal family, have Sister Le Xuan ascend the throne, and then unify the continent!" Zhu Ziyang said, clenching his fist for emphasis. "This way, we can ensure Shrek Academy's interests, push forward our reforms, and achieve the goal of a unified Douluo Continent—true peace for our world!"
"Hahaha! Easier said than done!" Mu En chuckled at Zhu Ziyang's confident tone. "The current emperor and crown prince of the Sun Moon Empire are far from easy opponents. Taking back the throne that rightfully belongs to Le Xuan will not be simple!"
"That's alright, Teacher!" Zhu Ziyang replied with a confident smile. "Strength will be our greatest trump card!"
"Hahaha! You're not wrong," Mu En said with a hearty laugh. "If your strength is great enough, even if you directly seized the throne of every empire, no one would dare to oppose you."
"Teacher, you know very well—worldly power means as little to me as stray cats and dogs on the roadside," Zhu Ziyang said with a nonchalant shrug.
"That's true, though it's not the most flattering way to put it," Mu En replied, smiling. "Alright then, go and bring Le Xuan here. This plan can only move forward with her consent. While I'm certain she'll agree without hesitation, she still needs to understand the true meaning behind it."
"Understood, Teacher!" Zhu Ziyang nodded and left the Sea God Pavilion.
After leaving, he found Zhang Le Xuan at the inner court's training grounds, accompanied by Jiang Nan Nan.
"Ah! Brother, you're back!" Jiang Nan Nan cried excitedly, immediately running into his arms.
"Yes, Nan Nan, I'm back!" Zhu Ziyang replied with a warm smile, holding her close. "Senior Sister said you've made great progress!"
"Hehe, of course! I promised I'd keep up with you!" Jiang Nan Nan grinned sweetly. "Guess what—I'm already level 59! Teacher says I'll reach Soul Emperor in at most half a year!"
"Nan Nan, that's amazing!" Zhu Ziyang said in a playful tone, lifting her up and spinning her in a circle. "Here's your reward!"
"Honestly, do you two really have to be so lovey-dovey in public?" The speaker was not Zhang Le Xuan, but Tang Ya.
The training ground was full of familiar faces—Tang Ya, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Xue Weiwei among the newer inner court disciples, and Han Ruoruo, Ling Luocheng, Gongyang Mo among the senior ones—all of them watching Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nan Nan's display, feeling thoroughly stuffed with "dog food."
"Long time no see, everyone!" Zhu Ziyang greeted them warmly, showing no sign of embarrassment.
"It really has been a while," Bei Bei said. "Ziyang, what have you been up to these past six months?"
"Nothing much—just secluded cultivation. Let's just say, the gains were quite substantial." Zhu Ziyang smiled, then turned to Zhang Le Xuan. "Sister Le Xuan, are you free right now? Teacher asked me to bring you to the Sea God Pavilion."
"Ah?" Zhang Le Xuan blinked in surprise, then quickly nodded. "Oh! I understand—I'll go right away!"
She hurried off toward the Golden Ancient Tree. Seeing this, Zhu Ziyang could only rub his forehead, squeeze Jiang Nan Nan's hand, and say to the others, "I'll see you all tonight!"
Catching up to her, he accompanied Zhang Le Xuan back to the Sea God Pavilion.
"Le Xuan, you've been at Shrek Academy for over ten years now," Mu En said with a deep sigh as he looked at her standing respectfully before him.
"Fifteen years, Elder Mu," Zhang Le Xuan replied softly, unsure of his purpose. She couldn't help noticing how frail and old he seemed—so much so that it felt as if he could close his eyes and leave this world at any moment. Her voice softened unconsciously.
"Fifteen years… not a short time," Mu En mused. "Le Xuan, have you ever thought about what you want to do in the future?"
"Elder Mu, you…" Zhang Le Xuan's heart skipped a beat, a sense of unease flooding her. "Are you… sending me away?" she asked in a trembling voice.
"Hahaha, of course not," Mu En laughed heartily. After a moment, he continued, "It's just that the older I get, the more I tend to think about such things. Tell me, do you remember your parents or your family?"
"Eh?" Zhang Le Xuan was momentarily stunned, then a flicker of emotions—confusion, shock, fear, and faint hope—passed across her face. "Elder Mu, do you mean… someone from my family is still alive?"
"Unfortunately, no," Mu En said, his tone tinged with regret. "But… it's almost the same."
"What do you mean?" she asked, puzzled.
"Le Xuan, do you know your family's origins?" Mu En asked.
"Elder Mu, you know I was only eleven or twelve when my family fell. I was just an ignorant little girl—how could I possibly know our origins?" Zhang Le Xuan said with a wry smile, then added playfully, "Please don't keep me guessing—just say it!"
"Hahaha, very well. I won't keep you in suspense." Mu En smiled warmly, then his tone turned serious. "What I'm about to say… I hope you can remain calm."
"I'll try," she said with a faint smile, though inwardly she sensed that whatever he was about to say could change her life.
"You are, in fact, a princess of the Sun Moon Empire."
The words hit Zhang Le Xuan like lightning. Her expression shifted wildly—shock, disbelief, anger, sarcasm, speechlessness—all blending together. If anyone but Mu En had said such a thing, she might have slapped them outright.
She, Zhang Le Xuan—Shrek Academy's senior sister of the inner court, assistant instructor, prospective Sea God Pavilion member—being told she was the princess of the Sun Moon Empire? It was absurd. And yet… coming from the Pavilion Master himself, the man she respected most, it was terrifying.
"E-Elder Mu, you're joking, right?" Her voice trembled—she was afraid.
"I know this is cruel to hear, but it's the truth," Mu En said gravely. "Child, listen to me. Once you know the full story, you may no longer feel so burdened."
He explained everything—his and Zhu Ziyang's deductions and the plan they had formed. At the end, he reassured her, "Girl, this is entirely our ambition. You needn't be involved if you don't wish to. Neither I nor Ziyang will force you."
"I…" Zhang Le Xuan's thoughts were in complete disarray. Was she to shoulder the ambitions of Elder Mu and Zhu Ziyang? To pretend—no, perhaps not even pretend—to take her rightful place? If she truly was of the Sun Moon royal family, then calling herself a princess was no lie.
Should she go… to become the Empress of the Sun Moon Empire? She felt utterly lost.
"Le Xuan, there's no need to decide right away," Zhu Ziyang said gently. "Take your time and tell us when you're ready."
"…Alright. I'll think about it carefully," Zhang Le Xuan said at last, still troubled as she left the Sea God Pavilion.
Zhu Ziyang and Mu En exchanged a glance. They were both nearly certain she would agree—but placing such a heavy burden on one woman's shoulders left them both uneasy.
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