Douluo Jueshi: Who let him join Shrek!

"Jing Hongchen has been dismissed by Xu Tianran."

Jiang Ming was not surprised when he received the news.

From the moment he decided to deal with Xu Tianran, he could foresee that Jing Hongchen would be dismissed by Xu Tianran.

After all, this wasn't the first time. Jing Hongchen had been in and out of the position of head of Mingde Hall several times.

After the lecture, Jiang Ming walked out of the Soul Guidance Department's laboratory and took out a voice transmission soul guidance device.

“Princess Jiujiu, Princess Vina, Jing Hongchen has been dismissed by Xu Tianran, so the plan can continue.”

Empire of the Sun and Moon, Mingde Hall.

After sitting in the office of the Mingde Hall Master for a few minutes, Jing Hongchen suddenly stood up, placed the seal symbolizing the Mingde Hall Master on the table, opened the door and walked outside.

He was dismissed from his post, and from this moment on, he was no longer the head of Mingde Hall.

As he stepped out of the office, a dozen or so Soul Masters stood outside, looking at Jing Hongchen with complicated expressions.

These are all senior soul masters of Mingde Hall. Jing Hongchen is not particularly popular in Mingde Hall, but after all, he has been the hall master for so many years and still has a group of his own die-hard fans.

"Master."

An eighth-level Soul Master looked at Jing Hongchen, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

Jing Hongchen shook his head and said in a deep voice, "What are you all doing gathered here? Have you all finished your tasks for today? I've only stepped down from my position as hall master. You can continue with what you're supposed to be doing."

After saying that, Jing Hongchen walked towards a laboratory deep inside Mingde Hall.

Looking at everything familiar around him, he wondered if he would have another chance to return after stepping down this time. But judging from His Majesty's condition, it seemed unlikely.

Having spent so many years at Mingdetang, experiencing ups and downs, it's still the same ending in the end, which is somewhat heartbreaking.

But there was nothing he could do; His Majesty's trust in him had plummeted to rock bottom, and this was all he could do.

Recalling her entry into the palace yesterday, Jing Hongchen couldn't help but sigh softly.

He couldn't help but wonder if he had done something wrong yesterday.
He shouldn't have told His Majesty his suspicions; if he hadn't, perhaps that day would have come later.

Heh, no, what difference does it make whether it comes a day later or a day earlier? Judging from His Majesty's current trend, he was bound to reach this point sooner or later.

One day earlier, in the imperial palace of the Sun and Moon Empire.

After seeing the guards carry out the body of a palace maid, Jing Hongchen came to wait outside Xu Tianran's bedroom.

At first, Ju Zi didn't let him in. It wasn't until Xu Tianran woke up that Jing Hongchen entered the palace with Xu Tianran's permission.

After entering the palace, Jing Hongchen immediately apologized to Xu Tianran.

"Your Majesty, this old minister is guilty!"

Xu Tianran sat on the bed, his eyes, which had just awakened, still bloodshot, a sight that sent chills down one's spine.

He was still holding Orange's hand, as if only in this way could he feel a sense of security, completely ignoring the fact that Orange's hand had been bruised from being held for so long.

"Guilty? What crime has the Master of the Red Dust Hall committed?"

Xu Tianran's voice was a little hoarse, and combined with his just-woke-up posture, he seemed harmless.

But the faint bloodshot glint in his eyes was impossible to ignore.

"Your Majesty, I have fallen for Jiang Ming's treacherous scheme, causing you great anxiety day and night. I am guilty!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Tianran's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Tell me carefully."

Jing Hongchen bowed and lowered his head as he began to explain.

He discovered that Mingjiang had gone to him and told him about the plan to kill Xu Tianran within the next year, seemingly just to get him to pass on this information to Xu Tianran!

Before he and Kong Deming told Xu Tianran the news, Xu Tianran's personality was gradually deteriorating towards paranoia and madness, but not as fast as it is now.

But after he and Kong Deming told Xu Tianran the news, Xu Tianran became restless day and night in a short period of time, waking up from nightmares every day.

At first, he didn't realize the trick involved, but when he saw the palace maid that Xu Tianran had killed, he suddenly realized it!
He always thought that Jiang Ming's purpose was to transfer him and Kong Deming away from Xu Tianran, which was why he told them these things and asked them to leave Mingdu.

But in reality, Jiang Ming probably just wanted the two of them to tell Xu Tianran the truth, so that Xu Tianran wouldn't be able to sleep well for the next year!
Someone wants to kill me within the next year, and that person is the strongest person in the world!
This kind of pressure would be unbearable even for someone with a normal mindset, let alone someone like Xu Tianran who already had mental health issues. They would be slowly driven crazy!

After Jing Hongchen finished explaining, the palace fell silent.

Xu Tianran lowered his eyes, his gaze towards Jing Hongchen carrying a hint of gloom, while Ju Zi beside him sighed softly in his heart.

Jing Hongchen realized what was happening, but it was too late!

"Master of the Red Dust Hall, do you think I don't know?"

Suddenly, Xu Tianran spoke up.

Upon hearing this, both Jing Hongchen and Ju Zi were slightly taken aback.

Both of them looked at Xu Tianran with surprise, but saw that Xu Tianran's expression was very calm, and his bloodshot eyes looked very gloomy.

"Hehe, Master of the Red Dust Hall, I didn't inherit this throne smoothly. Don't treat me like a fool."

Xu Tianran's hoarse voice carried a hint of weariness.

"I already knew about this when you and Master Kong told me about it. But..."

At this point, Xu Tianran let out a long sigh.

"But I cannot ignore it."

In fact, the best solution for him in the face of Jiang Ming's pressure to kill him within the next year was to stop thinking about it.

Alternatively, one can rely on strong self-confidence and sufficient leverage to prevent fear from arising within.

But he was unable to implement either of these solutions.

He couldn't stop thinking about the former. As for the latter, even though he had some trump cards and methods, he lacked understanding of Jiang Ming's current situation and couldn't judge whether his prepared methods could restrain Jiang Ming.

Therefore, even though he knew in his heart that this was Jiang Ming's open conspiracy, he couldn't ignore it.

Upon hearing Xu Tianran's words, both Jing Hongchen and Ju Zi were slightly startled.

Yes, Xu Tianran was not a useless emperor, but an emperor with the ambition to unify the continent and extremely ruthless methods!

Even if his mindset is off, he can still sense that something is wrong in such situations.

This is the real Xu Tianran! Orange eyes held a complex expression. Xu Tianran's current level of clarity was not a good thing for her upcoming plans.

"Master of the Red Dust Hall, I don't blame you for this matter. You fell for the trap out of loyalty to me, but..."

As he spoke, Xu Tianran sighed softly, and his gaze toward Jing Hongchen suddenly sharpened.

"Master Hongchen, explain yourself. Why did you secretly send Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen away from Mingdu? Is there someone in Mingdu who wants to harm them? Or is it that you don't trust me, Master Hongchen?"

Upon hearing this, Jing Hongchen was suddenly jolted!
It was discovered!

When he and Kong Deming discussed whether or not to tell Xu Tianran about this, they had already made up their minds.

He can stay, so that if Jiang Ming really enters Mingdu in the future, or even breaks into the palace to kill Xu Tianran, he can go to his rescue.

But his grandchildren cannot stay in Mingdu.

The reason is also very simple.

He had witnessed Xu Tianran's personality changes over the years. If Xu Tianran were to go mad one day in the future, then he, Jing Hongchen, and his grandchildren Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen would be in big trouble!

why?
Because the three of them had too much contact with Jiang Ming back then!
Xiao Hongchen was alright; his contact with Jiang Ming was mainly through Meng Hongchen, but Meng Hongchen was the problem.

Jiang Ming was brought to Mingdu by Meng Hongchen!

If Xu Tianran really wants to pursue this matter and settle scores, Meng Hongchen will undoubtedly die!

Although Xu Tianran hasn't done anything to Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen yet, only confining them to Mingdu and forbidding them from leaving, what if Xu Tianran's condition worsens in the future?
No one could guarantee what Xu Tianran might do to the brother and sister.

He didn't care about Xu Tianran's distrust or even surveillance. It didn't matter to him. He had been in close contact with Jiang Ming, so it was understandable that he was being monitored.

Even if something happens in the future, he has certain methods to deal with it.

But the siblings, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, are no match. If Xu Tianran wanted to harm them, it would be too easy!

"Your Majesty, I only wish for the two of them to go home and pay respects to their parents."

The parents of Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen passed away a long time ago. Returning to their hometown to pay respects to their parents was also an excuse that Jing Hongchen gave the two siblings to leave Mingdu.

Xu Tianran, however, clearly didn't buy it.

"Paying respects to their parents? Then why did they leave secretly? If I remember correctly, Master Hongchen, your hometown is near the coastline, right? Are the two of them going home to pay respects to their parents, or are they going somewhere else by sea?"

Xu Tianran said calmly.

Instantly, Jing Hongchen's expression changed.

"Your Majesty, I truly only wished to send them both home to pay their respects; I had no other intentions!"

Clearly, he understood the implication in Xu Tianran's words.

Xu Tianran suspects that he caused Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen to defect to the enemy!

We absolutely cannot take the blame for this!
If you take the blame, you're doomed!

"Well, it's best if there's no other meaning behind it. I also want to trust the Master of the Red Dust Hall, so I had one of the retainers from the Offering Hall take the two of them back to their hometown. They should be back soon. Oh, by the way, the retainers from the Offering Hall are very interested in their talents and are preparing to nurture them well."

To nurture these two into pillars of the nation as soon as possible, I have ordered the Imperial Guard to take them into seclusion. Don't worry, Master Hongchen, they are safe and sound. When they emerge, they might even be level nine Soul Masters! At that time, Master Hongchen will have three level nine Soul Masters in one family—a truly glorious achievement!

When Xu Tianran said those words, Jing Hongchen's heart sank.

Retreat?

Can this be called seclusion?

This is clearly coercion; this is solitary confinement!
Become a level nine Soul Master?
Doesn't he know his own grandchildren?

They have a high probability of becoming level nine soul masters!
To say that one can become a level nine Soul Master within a year is a pipe dream! Not to mention the other elders of the Royal Hall of Worship, even if Kong Deming were to personally take over the teaching now, it would be impossible for them to become level nine Soul Masters within a year!
So, this basically means using Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen to trap him in Mingdu.

If Jiang Ming really attacks, it's fine if they try their best to stop him, but if they show even the slightest sign of slacking off, the two of them probably won't be able to get out of the pass.

"His Majesty."

Jing Hongchen didn't know what to say.

It's impossible to get Xu Tianran to release Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen. Since Xu Tianran has already done this, there's no possibility that either of them will be able to get out before Jiang Ming arrives.

“In that case, this old minister will entrust his grandchildren to Your Majesty.”

In the end, Jing Hongchen lowered her head.

At least their grandchildren are alright, just under house arrest. If they were to clash with Xu Tianran now, that would be the real danger to them.

Xu Tianran nodded in satisfaction and said calmly, "By the way, Master Hongchen, I heard that the strategic resource reserve plan of Mingde Hall is progressing a bit slowly. In that case, please rest for a while, and I will send a royal retainer over to try."

"Perfect timing. As one of the top level nine soul masters in our Sun Moon Empire, Master Hongchen should have more time to contribute to the plan now that you've stepped down. Unless you have something else to do, it's best not to leave Mingde Hall."

Upon hearing this, Jing Hongchen trembled and looked up at Xu Tianran, only to see a pair of cold, somewhat scarlet eyes.

He slowly bent down and said in a deep voice, "This old minister obeys the decree!"

Recalling the scene in the palace yesterday, Jing Hongchen felt utterly exhausted.

The saying "Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger" is absolutely true.

Not to mention, Xu Tianran himself is a rather tyrannical tiger.

No matter how much he pledged his loyalty, he could not dispel Xu Tianran's suspicions, and Xu Tianran still used this method to control him.

He had a feeling that Xu Tianran seemed to be very clear-headed now, but in the future, under Jiang Ming's pressure, he might create a huge disaster!

However, given his abilities, he can't stop it now.

Upon entering the top-secret laboratory deep within Mingde Hall, Jing Hongchen saw several old acquaintances.

These are the most outstanding Soul Masters of the Sun Moon Empire, and none of them are below level nine.

Outside, they are respected, even revered by thousands.

Now, in this top-secret laboratory of Mingde Hall, they must abandon all research on soul guide devices, cease all private affairs, and only continuously produce strategic military resources such as level-nine fixed-mount soul guide shells.

Jiang Ming stole most of the Sun Moon Empire's level nine fixed-position soul-guided artillery shells when he was in the Sun Moon Empire, and now Xu Tianran is eager to replenish these strategic reserves.

It's impossible to snatch it back from Jiang Ming; we'll have to rebuild it ourselves.

This urgent need for reconstruction signifies that Xu Tianran's ambition has never disappeared! (End of Chapter)