Chapter 214: The Impossible Task
"Grandmaster, you don't want me to…"
"That's right. I've already spoken with your teacher. As long as you can win over Zhang Lexuan, I can accept her—even if she ends up as your concubine."
Kong Deming's voice carried a note of resignation. In any normal circumstance, his great-granddaughter would never become a concubine, no matter where she married—even in the royal family.
But he truly had no choice. Jing Hongchen was on the verge of breaking through level 95 and would become a level 10 Soul Mentor before him. Though master and apprentice, it wouldn't be long before Jing Hongchen was beyond his control.
More importantly, he couldn't do anything about his own grandson. The two sides weren't enemies, and Kong Deming knew his limits.
He understood well that Xiao Qiang was the person Jing Hongchen had long wanted as Meng Hongchen's future husband, so originally, Kong Deming had no intention of seeking out Xiao Qiang.
Yet whether it was the Kong family, the royal family, or others, only Xiao Qiang and Xiao Hongchen were acceptable.
Kong Deming had planned to match Zhang Lexuan with Xiao Hongchen—they were a good fit—but Zhang Lexuan's strength forced him to reconsider.
Xiao Hongchen could not suppress Zhang Lexuan. If she ever returned to freedom and killed Xiao Hongchen, he might never defeat her. And if Zhang Lexuan were to marry, she'd do so as a member of the Kong family. Losing Xiao Hongchen would be a disaster.
Not only would it create enmity between the two families, but the Sun Moon Empire would lose considerable strength. Among everyone in the empire, only Xiao Qiang was capable of standing against Zhang Lexuan.
Xiao Qiang had been targeted by Jing Hongchen, and being a concubine was Jing Hongchen's bottom line. Though Kong Deming could not accept his great-granddaughter becoming a concubine, it was better than her fleeing to Shrek and becoming an enemy.
At least as a concubine, she'd remain one of theirs. If feelings grew between them, she might even become a valuable ally of the Kong family.
In the end, it was better for Zhang Lexuan to be one of them than an enemy.
"Grandmaster, it's easier to ask me to defeat someone or improve my strength quickly, but if you want me to win over Zhang Lexuan, I really can't. She's too deeply bound to Shrek. It's not one or two years or even ten or eight years—it's been more than ten years. She grew up mostly in Shrek."
Although Xiao Qiang could forcibly control others using precepts, violating one's will so completely would be detected by others. He could control Zhang Lexuan, but if he did, others might think he'd be the one controlled later.
Such precepts can't be exposed lightly when one's strength isn't enough to dominate.
"It's okay. Everything depends on effort. Just do your best. I'll help you with the Ordinary Alliance. I'll let Zhang Lexuan come over later. Just get along normally. Don't rush feelings. You can trust your own excellence." Kong Deming said, then left without waiting for any refusal.
The next day, Zhang Lexuan was sent to Xiao Qiang's office.
Looking at Zhang Lexuan, Xiao Qiang felt a headache coming on. With the intense bond she had to Shrek, his master was giving him an impossible task.
"Master Xiao, don't stress too much. The clan leader means for Miss Lexuan to be by your side. Your main task is ensuring her safety. Other matters are up to you." The old man who sent Zhang Lexuan said.
"I know. You may leave."
Xiao Qiang waved his hand, leaving only himself and Zhang Lexuan in the Soul Hall Master's office.
He looked at the soul-limiting collar on Zhang Lexuan's neck. If he remembered correctly, he was the one who put it there.
"Miss Lexuan, I can help you remove the collar, but let me be clear—once it's off, don't do anything reckless."
"Okay." Zhang Lexuan answered without hesitation.
"You agreed so quickly that I suspect you have bad intentions." Xiao Qiang put a hand on his waist, staring at her deadpan.
"If I lied, I'd never be with the one I love."
"Huh? So cruel? Don't swear so lightly." In any other place, this oath would be as meaningless as a fart. But this is the Love Continent, and Zhang Lexuan has a lover. Even if the person she loves doesn't return her feelings, this oath is still harsh—here, love is more important than life.
"I'm not lying, so I dare swear it."
"Okay."
Xiao Qiang raised his hand and untied the collar on Zhang Lexuan's neck. She rubbed the marks left behind. Just when Xiao Qiang thought his plan to control Zhang Lexuan after removing the collar was doomed, she suddenly exploded the moment he relaxed slightly.
"Wait, you've sworn and you're really going to do this? Aren't you afraid of being completely separated from Beibei?"
"His heart is not with me. So what if I die alone for Shrek?"
Zhang Lexuan released a soul ring ratio of two yellow, two purple, three black, and one red. Then the seventh soul ring's Martial Soul True Body lit up. With her eighty-three-level momentum, she grabbed Xiao Qiang.
She had seen Xiao Qiang's strength two years ago and knew he could defeat six-ring Soul Emperor Dai Yueheng.
Now, after two years, Zhang Lexuan was sure Xiao Qiang's strength had grown—and she dared not be careless. After activating her Martial Soul True Body, her eighth soul skill, Blood Moon Eclipse, also activated, giving Xiao Qiang no chance to resist.
The surroundings seemed drowned in a sea of blood, and his own soul power was eroded and drained by Zhang Lexuan's skill—but Xiao Qiang remained calm.
"This sea of blood and erosion really suits a Shrek with a bunch of evil soul masters."
"Don't slander me… um!"
Before Zhang Lexuan finished speaking, Xiao Qiang punched her back.
"You said you're the same. So why do you think I dare relax alone in front of you? It's because you're no different from Dai Yueheng back then to me now."