Deep within the Mingdou Mountain Range.
The sprawling military encampments stretched endlessly across the terrain. Ever since the Star Luo defensive line was breached and the White Tiger Duke disappeared, the strategic significance of the Mingdou Mountain Range had all but evaporated—it was now little more than a symbolic warzone, with no real enemy left to face.
The Star Luo Empire had not sent anyone to garrison it, so although it was technically still a border zone, in reality, only the Sun Moon Empire had stationed troops there. After the recent conclusion of hostilities, the supporting forces from other fronts had gradually withdrawn back to Mingdu, leaving behind just two battalions from the Beast Soul Engineer Corps as the permanent garrison.
"You're back?"
Inside the striking crimson command tent of the Fire Phoenix Regiment—
Huo Qing stood in the main tent clad in her sharp, capable uniform. Her phoenix eyes glanced down at the kneeling girl before her—Juzi—and an unconscious trace of gentleness surfaced in her gaze.
Because of Xu Cheng, she had always regarded Juzi as a daughter. In the military camp, she had taught her everything without reserve. The recent victory had also proven Juzi's talent and hard work.
"Reporting to the Commander: Mecha Corps Captain Juzi, reporting for duty!" Juzi said crisply.
"Enough, when no one else is around, just call me Aunt Qing." The longer Huo Qing studied the girl's face, the warmer her expression became. Though only just past forty, Huo Qing carried the bearing of a seasoned general. Since advancing to a Rank Nine Soul Engineer and taking over the Fire Phoenix Regiment, her aura of authority had only grown stronger.
Once a commander with an overwhelming presence, she now showed a rare side of tenderness. Watching from the side, Huo Lei clicked her tongue inwardly. Glancing at Juzi, who had been pulled up to sit beside the commander, she thought—This one and His Highness must already be…
"Alright, you're all dismissed. Another shipment of the latest all-terrain turrets from Mingde Hall has arrived today. Take your team to inspect them." Huo Qing waved her hand casually.
"Yes, ma'am!" Huo Lei saluted and withdrew from the tent.
Even trusted aides must understand boundaries when it comes to matters their superiors wish to keep private…
Inside the tent—
"You must have spent quite a long time reconnecting with His Highness after returning, didn't you?"
Juzi's fair cheeks instantly flushed pink. "Aunt Qing…"
Huo Qing shot her a mildly exasperated look. "What? I'm not an outsider—what's there to be shy about? It's just a pity you didn't manage to hit the mark. You should've tried a few more times. Now that the war's quiet, it's the perfect opportunity to give birth to a little prince. I'll even help you raise him…"
Juzi blushed scarlet and nearly moved to cover her aunt's mouth.
But women in the military were often tough—not just in strength, but in character too. Though Juzi had done her best to adapt, she still found herself overwhelmed by such bluntness from time to time.
"That boy may be surrounded by countless beauties, but still has no children. Other princes already have kids by the age of eleven or twelve. The royal family places great value on heirs…"
As Huo Qing spoke, she gently stroked Juzi's cropped hair. Since joining the military, Juzi had resolutely cut off her long locks.
"You're a shoe-in to be his consort, but if you want to become empress, that's something you'll need to fight for. Your biggest strength is the military—and in the future, I'll likely leave my forces under your command. These troops are your people. But your biggest weakness? You're too far from him. You need to keep the emotional connection alive. There are too many pretty faces by his side…"
"Yes, Aunt Qing. I understand." Juzi nodded softly, leaning against Huo Qing, basking in the motherly warmth.
In Juzi's eyes, Huo Qing was both mentor and maternal figure—and she treated her with genuine affection.
"Since there are no active military engagements, you should return to A-Cheng's side." Huo Qing mused.
"Aunt Qing…?" Juzi looked uncertain.
"You silly girl!" Huo Qing tapped Juzi's forehead with a finger, sighing at her reluctance. "I know how skilled you are in handling administrative affairs. You were his secretary before joining the army. When A-Cheng wrote to recommend you, he mentioned this specifically. Now that there's no fighting, what can you accomplish hanging around a bunch of rowdy women? Isn't that just a waste of time? I'll put in a word with A-Cheng and have you go back to resume your duties—take over from Nana…"
"But…" Juzi hesitated.
"I know what you're thinking. You're close to Nana and afraid she might misunderstand? But you're both on the same boat. Even if there's rivalry in the harem in the future, you'll be on the same team. That girl's got a clever mind—but only when it comes to outsiders."
"Besides, A-Cheng clearly intends for her to manage the Holy Spirit Sect. She's the future leader there, not of the Sun Moon Empire. So if you don't return to fill that role…" Huo Qing saw right through it all. After so long at court and on the battlefield, her insight surpassed most.
"You're saying… Nana is just a temporary stand-in as secretary?" Juzi still hesitated. Her bond with Nana was dear to her. As for the position of Empress—it had never even crossed her mind until Aunt Qing brought it up.
"If you were just some brute like me, I wouldn't say a word. But you're capable, and A-Cheng lacks capable aides. You're excellent at governance—what's there to hesitate about?" Huo Qing advised earnestly.
It was a win-win situation—Juzi was just overthinking it.
"Alright…"
After some thought, Juzi finally nodded.
"Aha, now that's what I like to see!" Huo Qing beamed, nodding repeatedly. "Such a pretty girl. You could go toe-to-toe with the Empress herself. Just look at those eyebrows—tsk, tsk…"
------------------------
"Why are you back already?"
Xu Cheng looked at Juzi in surprise. The girl had removed her heavy armor and no longer carried the imposing aura of a battlefield general.
"Why's your face so red?"
Before she could reply, Juzi's fair face turned an even deeper shade of red. She bit her lip and said quietly, "Aunt Qing said I should come help you—resume my duties as your secretary…"
"Since the front is quiet, it makes sense. That Nana girl keeps whining to me about wanting you back. But you were so focused on earning merit—I didn't want to interrupt. It's good you're back."
Xu Cheng patted her head gently. Yesterday, after sharing an intimate moment, she had rushed off in armor. He'd been a little frustrated. Didn't she know who her biggest supporter was?
Clearly, Aunt Qing understood her value too.
This little secretary—Juzi—was truly indispensable.
"Smart, capable, charming in public and private—that's my Juzi." Xu Cheng chuckled, pulling her close and whispering by her ear.
"Mmm… Do I really matter that much to you?" Juzi asked shyly.
"There's a difference between people, after all." Xu Cheng shook his head with a sigh.
He had too many secrets.
To manage everything down to the smallest detail, Juzi was undeniably the best choice. Nana's focus lay elsewhere, and there were no other qualified candidates. He'd truly wanted her back.
"Hmph! I'm not even in the room yet, and His Highness is already talking behind my back!"
A teasing voice called out.
A graceful figure appeared ghost-like in front of them.
"N-Nana…" Juzi flustered, trying to rise from Xu Cheng's lap.
But he gently held her waist in place, and she squirmed like a water snake for a moment before covering her face.
She was traditional at heart—military life hadn't changed that. Even if the soldiers shared bawdy jokes, none dared say such things in front of their superior.
"Juzi, we're sisters—what's the big deal?" Nana giggled, plopping down on Xu Cheng's other leg. Though Juzi wasn't short, next to Nana, she looked rather dainty.
"We played cards together last night. You weren't shy then." Nana said with a mischievous smile, resting her chin in her hand.
"Nana!!!" Juzi turned beet red with embarrassment and fury.
She glanced around the familiar room. Memories from last night surged back—
Too embarrassing!
"Hehe, we're all sisters here. I know you inside and out—uh, figuratively! We've seen everything, so what's there to be embarrassed about?" Nana teased, utterly carefree.
"…Thank you."
Juzi seemed to understand—Nana was sending her a signal.
"You had your fun leading the mecha corps in battle, even flaunted your might across enemy lines! Me? I was stuck in Mingdu, slaving away at court affairs. Now that you're back, let's divide the work—you handle the Sun Moon Empire, I'll take care of the Holy Spirit Sect. Deal?" Nana's eyes sparkled with hope.
She had met Juzi first—when the girl was still dirty and ragged—and they shared the deepest bond.
This so-called power struggle? She couldn't care less.
As long as she could be His Highness's blade—even if now, it seemed, others were fighting for the right to be that blade too…
"Damn! This is brutal!"
Nana thought secretly.
"Take over, Juzi," Xu Cheng said, pinching her soft, squishy cheek. "Nana will run the Holy Spirit Sect. You'll handle the Sun Moon Empire's affairs—military, Mingde Hall, the rising 'Embroidered Guards'… even the national treasury."
"Ever since Your Highness picked me up, I've always been your person. Wherever you send me, I'll never complain," Juzi replied sincerely.
She wanted to kneel, but Xu Cheng still held her waist.
"Now's a perfect time—why not try last night's move again? I've learned a few new positions, just waiting for a partner to try them out…" Xu Cheng grinned.
Juzi instantly blushed all the way to her neck.
But seeing Nana's smiling face, she gritted her teeth, "Fine! Bring it on!"
"Hehe, no begging for mercy this time~" Nana teased.
"Hmph! Whoever begs is a little dog!" Juzi retorted without fear.
The room was filled with spring warmth.
The three of them fell into a playful harmony.
"Brother, who even are you?"
Ning Tian stared, baffled, at the suddenly appearing boy.
A classmate?
Do I even know you?
And that pickup line—so cringey it'd be embarrassing even in ancient times!
What, did you just crawl out from underground? A fossil? No, an oily fossil…
Ning Tian couldn't even be bothered to roast him. She glanced at Tang San like he was an idiot, then turned to leave. But as her eyes scanned ahead, they landed on Dai Huabin.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
"Dai Huabin? If I remember correctly, you weren't listed among the Shrek exchange students this time."
As the young mistress of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she easily noticed the irregularity—especially since the two clearly came for her…
Weird.
"A funny coincidence. Not long after your group left for exchange, Tang San joined the new class and became Wang Dong's classmate. He wasn't well known then, so you probably hadn't heard of him," Dai Huabin explained, pushing aside the overly eager Tang San.
"I see…" Ning Tian shot a suspicious glance at the glowing-with-confidence Tang San.
She twitched her lip—what is this guy?
She had taken a leave of absence back then to return to her sect and didn't return to the academy afterward, heading instead straight to Maple Leaf City.
"So… you still haven't answered my question." Ning Tian crossed her arms, scrutinizing the two.
"Well…" Dai Huabin hesitated on how best to explain.
But Tang San cut him off. "I want to form the new Shrek Seven Devils. I see great potential in you—comparable to our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect ancestor from ten thousand years ago. So I invite you to join us. Let me introduce myself again: Tang San, twin spirits—Blue Silver Grass and Clear Sky Hammer. Spirit Elder, Level 37. As the future leader of the new Seven Devils, and someone recognized by current Shrek authorities, I will rise again on this continent!"
He spoke with utter confidence.
"Oh?" Ning Tian raised an eyebrow.
Though he was a bit oily, kind of dumb, and his brain seemed a few millennia out of date, his talent… was undeniable. Even in monster-filled Shrek, he was indeed a standout genius.
But still…
"Sorry. Not interested." Ning Tian shrugged.
"If you join us, I guarantee Shrek will be your strongest support! I'm Xuanzi's direct disciple and hold influence in the Sea God Pavilion!" Tang San frowned.
"Besides, reforming the Seven Devils should be every Shrek student's highest honor! As Ning Rongrong's descendant, it's your duty and responsibility!"
"…"
Just when Tang San thought he'd succeeded—
Ning Tian turned away slowly, her expression tinged with suppressed anger.
"You talk just as bad as the Tang San from ten thousand years ago!"
Tang San: ???
Staring at her departing figure, Tang San blinked in confusion. "What… what did she mean?!"
"Give it a rest. I just remembered—the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect only declined after ten thousand years…" Dai Huabin looked pained.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Tang San asked.
"Well… apparently, ten thousand years ago, their sect's God-level ancestor ascended to the divine realm without honoring the two Title Douluos who died for him in that war. She refused his father's plea to revive them and never looked back… And their bloodline wasn't passed on. So…"
Tang San: "…"
Oh. Right.
Back then, Ning Rongrong had asked his opinion. And he was the one who refused her…
So now… would the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect even like him?
"Honestly, that old Tang San? Pure ungrateful bastard." Dai Huabin snorted. "The sect bet big on him, and when he won—ha ha ha…"
"What are you looking at me like that for? I wasn't talking about you!"