"Of course," Zhu Ziyang nodded and said, "My idea is to first establish contact with the remnants of the Moon Lineage within the Sun Moon Empire. Even though they've long been oppressed, I doubt they're completely defenseless. If we let Sister Lexuan become their leader, I believe they would be more than willing to accept her."
"Yes, for over a hundred years, the Sun Lineage within the imperial family has never stopped suppressing the Moon Lineage," Mu En said thoughtfully. "If not for the lack of a direct descendant of the Moon Lineage, those nobles would've already revolted. It's only in the past twenty or thirty years that internal strife within the Sun Lineage has given the Moon Lineage a chance to breathe. Otherwise, they'd likely have been wiped out by now."
"Heh, perhaps this is fate — for the Moon Lineage, for us, and for Lexuan."
"Once we've consolidated the Moon Lineage's resources and power, we can attempt to draw in nobles and factions within the Sun Moon Empire who are dissatisfied with the current emperor or have no chance of advancement. Ideally, we'd even gain control of a military force," Zhu Ziyang continued.
"That will rely heavily on the Academy's intelligence network. It's not something that can be done overnight," Mu En remarked. "It's best to start with the major noble families or powerful factions."
"And finally, of course, we stage a coup, overthrow the Sun Lineage's rule, and have Sister Lexuan ascend the throne to unify the continent!" Zhu Ziyang raised his hand and clenched his fist. "This way, we secure Shrek Academy's interests, drive our reforms forward, and realize the dream of a united Douluo Continent. True peace would finally be within reach!"
"Hahaha! It sounds simple when you say it, but in reality, it's anything but," Mu En laughed heartily at Zhu Ziyang's confidence. "The current emperor and crown prince of the Sun Moon Empire are no fools. Reclaiming Lexuan's rightful throne from them won't be easy."
"It doesn't matter, Teacher!" Zhu Ziyang wore a confident smile. "Strength will be our greatest leverage!"
"Hahaha! You're not wrong. With enough power, even if you just took over all the imperial thrones by force, no one could object," Mu En said with a laugh.
"Teacher, you know me — worldly authority is no more valuable to me than a stray cat or dog on the roadside," Zhu Ziyang said with a casual shrug.
"That's true, though it's not the most pleasant way to put it," Mu En chuckled. "Alright, go find Lexuan. This plan can't proceed without her agreement. Even if she's likely to agree without hesitation, she still needs to understand what this means."
"Yes, Teacher!" Zhu Ziyang nodded and turned to leave the Sea God Pavilion's main hall.
After leaving, he found Zhang Lexuan in the Inner Court's training grounds. Jiang Nannan was with her.
"Brother! You're back!" Jiang Nannan saw Zhu Ziyang and immediately threw herself into his arms with excitement.
"Yes, Nannan, I'm back!" Zhu Ziyang smiled warmly as he embraced her delicate figure. "I heard from Sister Xian that you've made a lot of progress."
"Heehee, of course! I promised I'd keep up with you!" Jiang Nannan beamed. "I've already reached Rank 59! Teacher said I'll break through to Soul Emperor in half a year at most!"
"That's amazing, Nannan!" Zhu Ziyang spun her around playfully and said, "You deserve a reward!"
"Do you two really need to act so lovey-dovey in public?" The one who spoke wasn't Zhang Lexuan — it was Tang Ya.
Aside from Lexuan and Jiang Nannan, the training ground was filled with other new Inner Court disciples like Tang Ya, Beibei, Xu Sanshi, and Xue Weiwei, as well as veteran disciples like Han Ruoruo, Ling Luocheng, and Gongyang Mo. All of them watched Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan's affectionate display and felt like they'd just been force-fed dog food.
"Long time no see, everyone!" Zhu Ziyang was completely unbothered and greeted them all cheerfully.
"It really has been a while, Ziyang. What have you been up to these past six months?" Beibei asked.
"Nothing special. Just went into seclusion somewhere. Let's just say I gained a lot," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile, then turned to Zhang Lexuan. "Sister Lexuan, are you free right now? Teacher asked me to bring you to the Sea God Pavilion."
"Huh?" Zhang Lexuan snapped out of her daze and quickly replied, "Oh! I understand. I'll go right away!"
As she turned and headed toward the Golden Ancient Tree, Zhu Ziyang rubbed his forehead, squeezed Jiang Nannan's hand affectionately, then said to the others, "Everyone, I'll see you tonight. Let's catch up later!"
He then followed Zhang Lexuan and returned with her to the Sea God Pavilion.
"Lexuan, you've been at Shrek Academy for more than a decade now, haven't you?" Mu En looked at her with deep emotion.
"Fifteen years, Elder Mu." Zhang Lexuan wasn't sure what Mu En was getting at. He seemed so old, like he could close his eyes and pass on at any moment. Her voice softened unconsciously as she replied.
"Fifteen years… That's no short time," Mu En sighed again. "Lexuan, have you ever thought about what you want to do in the future?"
"Elder Mu, are you… are you trying to make me leave?" Lexuan suddenly grew anxious, her voice trembling.
"Hahaha, of course not!" Mu En laughed warmly. After about ten seconds, he said, "I'm old, and I tend to overthink. Lexuan, do you remember your parents or your family?"
"Huh?" Zhang Lexuan was confused, but her expression quickly shifted to shock, fear, hope, and a mix of complex emotions. "Elder Mu… Are you saying someone in my family is still alive?"
"Unfortunately, no," Mu En said regretfully. "But… it's not too far off."
"Huh?" Lexuan tilted her head, confused.
"Lexuan, do you know your family's origins?" Mu En asked.
"Elder Mu, you know I was just eleven or twelve when my family was destroyed. I was just a clueless little girl — how could I possibly know my family's origins?" Lexuan gave a bitter smile, then pouted a bit. "If you've got something to say, just say it already!"
"Hahaha, alright, alright. I won't keep you guessing." Mu En chuckled. "But what I'm about to tell you — I hope you can remain calm."
"I'll try, Elder Mu." Lexuan already had a bad feeling, but she smiled and braced herself.
"You are actually a princess of the Sun Moon Empire!"
Zhang Lexuan was stunned. Mu En's words shattered her composure, and she showed emotions she had never displayed before — shock, disbelief, anger, sarcasm, and confusion all at once. If it weren't for the fact that it was Mu En speaking, she might have slapped him on the spot.
She, Zhang Lexuan — the Inner Court's senior sister, an assistant teacher, and a prospective member of the Sea God Pavilion — was being told she was a Sun Moon Empire princess? What a ridiculous joke!
Of course she wanted to believe it was just a joke — but coming from Mu En, the leader of Shrek Academy and the Sea God Pavilion's master, the person she respected most… it was terrifying.
"E-Elder Mu, you're joking, right?" Her voice trembled. She was afraid.
"I know this is hard for you, but it's the truth," Mu En said heavily. "Child, just listen to everything. Once you know the full story, I think you'll understand."
Mu En then told her everything — his and Zhu Ziyang's suspicions, the plan, the reasoning behind it all. At the end, he said gently, "Lexuan, this is entirely mine and Ziyang's ambition. You don't have to get involved if you don't want to. We will never force you."
"I…" Lexuan's mind was a mess. Mu En's words had left her deeply shaken. Was she really going to bear the weight of their ambitions? Was she truly a member of the Sun Moon royal family? If so, calling her a princess wouldn't even be inaccurate.
Should she go? Should she become the Empress of the Sun Moon Empire?
Zhang Lexuan was utterly lost.
"Sister Lexuan, there's no need to decide right away. Take your time. When you're ready, just tell us," Zhu Ziyang said.
"Alright. I'll think about it carefully," Lexuan replied, her heart in turmoil as she left the Sea God Pavilion's hall.
Zhu Ziyang and Mu En exchanged glances. They were eighty percent confident Lexuan would agree. But to place such a heavy burden on one woman's shoulders… it left both of them quietly uneasy.
(End of Chapter)
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