Moreover, Kong Deming was confident he could suppress any opposition from the imperial family or the court! As the man closest to becoming a Rank Ten Soul Engineer, and himself a member of the royal bloodline, his influence was vast.
Yet, upon hearing his words, Jiang Shengyu immediately took a step back.
At that moment, Jiang Qingtong also moved to stand at Shengyu's side. The two of them spoke in unison to Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen:
"Forgive us, Teacher, but this is something we cannot agree to."
"Hm?"
Kong Deming froze, frowning as he looked at the siblings.
"What do you mean by this…?"
Jiang Qingtong lifted Shengyu's hand into her own and held it up before him.
"This is what we mean."
It was as though Kong Deming had been struck by lightning. Jing Hongchen shot up from his seat in shock, staring fixedly at their clasped hands. His mouth opened several times, but he could not form words, and he began pacing in agitation.
The two men who normally held sway over the entire Sun Moon Empire were, for once, utterly speechless.
It was Huo Yuhao, sitting quietly to the side, who tilted his head and asked bluntly:
"Cousin… and Cousin… you're together?"
Jiang Qingtong turned to him with a thumbs-up and a playful smile.
"You really are the calm one! Teacher and Senior Brother are far too excitable."
"How could anyone stay calm about this? Are you mocking me?" Kong Deming rose to his feet, his face full of agitation. He pointed at the two of them, struggling to speak, but in the end all he could force out was a single sentence:
"You cannot do this!"
"We can. We're not true siblings," Jiang Shengyu replied firmly. He drew Qingtong slightly behind him, using the same explanation they had once given to junior—though carefully omitting the matter of their shared thoughts and senses.
Hearing this, both Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen fell into silence.
"No wonder…" Jing Hongchen muttered.
"No wonder I always wondered why my grandchildren, as talented as they are, never spared each other even a glance…"
"Uh…"
Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong exchanged a look—half their vision filled with palpable awkwardness.
Kong Deming finally waved his hand.
"My thoughts are in disarray. Leave me for now. I must consider this…"
"…Alright."
The two nodded, still holding hands as they left. Huo Yuhao bowed to both teachers before quickly following after them. Catching up, he asked:
"Cousin, Cousin! You… aren't really my cousins, are you?"
As the child of destiny of the Douluo Continent, Huo Yuhao was in truth an extremely perceptive youth. In all his years within the Sun Moon Empire, he had never once heard mention of Shengyu and Qingtong's parents. He had long since begun piecing things together.
The two did not conceal it from him. Jiang Qingtong said softly:
"I'm sorry, Yuhao. We lied to you back then."
"Why claim to be my cousin at all, then?" Huo Yuhao's expression did not change; he only asked Qingtong this question.
She blinked and smiled faintly.
"Perhaps it was just in the moment. Back then, seeing you lying there all alone in the Star Dou Forest, you looked so lonely. I thought… you must long for family too, don't you? And we had no kin of our own…"
Huo Yuhao nodded slightly. He did not press further, nor ask why they had known of his circumstances. After a moment's silence, he said firmly:
"No matter what, you will always be my cousins!"
The pair ahead stopped in their tracks, turning back to look at him. Jiang Qingtong's expression grew tender. She said with emotion:
"Yuhao, thank you for trusting us."
The three exchanged no more words. Everything was understood without being spoken.
Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen, meanwhile, had been so shaken by the revelation of Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong's relationship that they vanished from public view for days. Even when members of the Worship Hall came seeking Kong Deming, they were told he was too busy to receive anyone.
Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong realized that, for now, they would likely have to make the trip to Shrek Academy on their own.
But just as they were preparing to set off, a special guest arrived—Jiang Nannan!
In the reception hall, Shengyu and Qingtong sat facing Jiang Nannan, who had come before them. Qingtong asked curiously:
"Senior Sister Nannan, why are you here so early? The reporting date for Shrek Academy's exchange students should still be half a month away, shouldn't it?"
Jiang Nannan sat with perfect posture, her hands clenched tightly upon her skirt. After a long silence, she asked in a low voice:
"Qingtong… you've been playing along with Elder Xuan and the others all this time, haven't you?"
The instant she spoke those words, though Shengyu and Qingtong's expressions remained unchanged, their eyes grew cold. Qingtong asked evenly:
"What makes you ask this?"
Sensing their gazes, Jiang Nannan quickly shook her head.
"Please don't misunderstand! I'm not here to expose you. I would never betray you!"
Seeing her nervousness, Qingtong was silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled.
"So, Senior Sister Nannan has her own reasons for coming—something you also cannot let Shrek Academy know, am I right?"
Jiang Nannan nodded, finally revealing her purpose:
"I want to remain in the Sun Moon Empire. Not as an exchange student from Shrek Academy, but as a formal student of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy."
Shengyu was not surprised. He had already sensed as much when she returned to Shrek previously.
The less a person was tied to the Three Kingdoms of the Douluo Continent, the more easily they were drawn to the prosperity of the Sun Moon Empire. And if they carried painful memories of their homeland, then the temptation was all the greater.
By fortune—or misfortune—Jiang Nannan had both.
"No problem!"
Shengyu shook his head and readily agreed to her request.
"Leave Shrek to us. You need only focus on living here in peace. I'll even have a residence arranged for you in Mingdu—and bring your mother here as well."
He intended to make Jiang Nannan into a model example—an archetype whose choice would resonate with many others from the Three Kingdoms of the Douluo Continent who shared her circumstances.
A mere house? Just a structure of steel and stone. For most, purchasing property in Mingdu would be an immense burden. But for Shengyu, the Marquis of the Heavenly Moon, it was no more than a word spoken.
After their meeting with Jiang Nannan, the siblings also prepared to depart for Shrek Academy.
They had assumed they would have to travel alone—but in the end, Kong Deming personally escorted them.
Both Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen were bewildered.
It's just going to school… why would Silver Moon Douluo Kong Deming himself accompany them?
As they journeyed toward Shrek, Kong Deming spoke to the pair:
"I have thought long and hard these past days. Since you are so determined, I will not tear you apart."
Hearing this, Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong exchanged glances and quickly thanked him.
"But do not celebrate too soon!" Kong Deming's tone shifted sharply as he continued.
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