Time quietly passes by and it's been nine months since Mu En's passing and the incident in White Tiger Duke's Mansion.
Since then, many changes have happened.
For one, the White Tiger Duke had handed out a bounty that said that anyone who can help give him a lead to the one who attacked and killed his wife will be given any reward within his power.
This news naturally shocked many. As the White Tiger Duke and the Eastern Army Marshall known to have the Star Luo Empire's strongest army, his authority and power was second to the emperor himself.
So the promise of a reward from him was certainly tempting to many. However, they would all be disappointed.
Huo Yuhao was quite meticulous in erasing his tracks. Not only did he ensure that there were several other people with him during the infiltration to confuse them, but he also used layers of spatial displacement to make it seem that it was a high level soul master who attacked.
Even when powerful Titled Douluos were hired by Dai Hao to investigate, all they found were traces of soul tools tampered with and spatial fluctuations so distorted that no conclusive deductions could be made.
They concluded that the only ones capable of this were Body Sect and Sun Moon Empire, simply because they had no other clues except guesses.
Secondly, the reputation of Akatsuki was at an all time high. Secretive and mysterious, but they all acted with a righteous cause to eliminate evil soul masters and tyrannical nobles with expert ease.
Many people across the Three Douluo Empires praised and romanticized them as heroes in the shadows — the kind of justice-bringers that even Shrek Guardians and empires' guards couldn't match.
In taverns and teahouses, stories spread like wildfire of black cloaked figures descending upon evil nobles in the dead of night, or of entire evil soul master dens vanishing without a trace save for charred earth and liberated commoners.
Some skeptics believed it was a new military force from one of the empires, while others whispered it was a reborn organization of rogue soul masters disillusioned by the world's injustice.
Regardless, public sentiment grew steadily in their favor — especially among the commoners.
Thirdly, a new company was making waves in the three empires. It was called Konoha, it was a company that controls a franchise of restaurants that recently emerged throughout the three empires and Shrek City, as well as stores that sells common soul tools.
In the Three Douluo Empires and Shrek City, owning a soul tool is a privilege that only soul masters and nobles could only enjoy. Most soul tools stored are either combat oriented or for storage.
But the most impressive part — the stores that sell common soul tools under Konoha, which is called UCommodity, are soul tools that can be used by commoners, are useful in daily household tasks, and most importantly — they're affordable.
Refrigeration-type soul tools, cooking assist-type soul tools, light and heat regulators, washing machines — all soul tools crafted to be low-power and usable by those without soul power. It was revolutionary.
And obviously, the one behind Konoha was Huo Yuhao.
What would be the reactions of the higher-ups in the Three Douluo Empires be, if they knew that the one behind the up and rising company was a 14 year old boy?
Huo Yuhao and with the help of Ning Tian, founded Konoha, the company, in order to get further funding for the activities of Akatsuki and his projects.
He initially thought that commissions for assassinations, eliminating evil soul masters, and liberating people would have earned them a lot of money.
It wasn't, he was too naive on such a venture.
So, he asked for advice. And who was the most skilled when it comes to business and making money? The successor to one of the wealthiest clans in the continent, Ning Tian, with price of some shares of Konoha.
With Huo Yuhao's intelligence and skills of soul tool engineering, he can easily replicate the appliances and other technology from his previous life.
It was really jarring to think how there's a weapon that shoots a beam of destructive light and people, mostly commoners, still have to clean their laundry by hand.
A washing machine was enough to cause such a sensation.
What happens when he learns more soul engineering knowledge and techniques from the world's leading advancement of soul tools, Sun Moon Empire?
Well, that day has finally arrived.
Sea God Pavilion
"We pay great respect to the Pavilion Master!" Huo Yuhao and his friends cupped their hands respectfully towards the figure sitting at the head of the Sea God Pavilion table.
Standing beside him were Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, Ning Tian, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, He Caitou, Ma Xiaotao, Ling Luochen, and Xi Xi. A lot of time has gone by and they've grown a bit taller, stronger, and sharper.
As for Tang Ya, she hasn't come out of her closed door cultivation yet.
They all stared at the head chair, and obviously it was Xuan Zi who now sits as the new Pavilion Master.
Xuan Zi coughed, grumbling. "I thought I told you kids that you don't have to be so formal with me. I already have enough of that with the elders and other officials."
Wang Dong'er, Xu Sanshi and the others cheekily grinned at him.
Huo Yuhao smiled and said. "As mere students, how could we have the audacity to be familiar with the grand Pavilion Master?"
Xiao Xiao nodded along, smiling. "That's right. Mas— Pavilion Master! As lowly students, how could we ever be so bold in front of you? It's not like we're special or anything."
'These fellows... They haven't gathered together like this for so long and the first thing they do is tease me?!' Xuan Zi blankly stared at them.
He let out a sigh. "Alright, stop fucking around you little brats. I've gathered you all here for a special announcement."
Their faces, excluding Huo Yuhao, turned serious upon hearing that.
Xuan Zi stared straight at Huo Yuhao, then at He Caitou, and didn't beat around the bush.
"Yuhao, Caitou, the exchange program with the Sun Moon Imperial Academy will begin in three days. You two and several other selected students, accompanied by teachers, will be escorted to Maple Leaf City. As planned, Fan Yu will be the teacher to accompany the students in the Sun Moon Imperial Academy for the next few years or so."
"Now, although you're still kids, I believe that you're mature enough to understand to be careful of what you do in the Sun Moon Empire. As foreigners and selected students of Shrek Academy, you will be watched carefully by many eyes."
Both Huo Yuhao and He Caitou nodded. "Of course, Elder Xuan."
'Somehow, I don't feel assured.'
Xuan Zi stared at Huo Yuhao pointedly.
'Please don't create an international incident...'
Huo Yuhao smiled.
'No promises.'
Xuan Zi let out a deep sigh and said, "As for everyone else, we have a special training course suitable for each and every one of you. With the collaboration of Di Tian and the other Great Beasts, for the next few years, you're going to undergo a metamorphosis."
"Since you're all going your separate ways soon, I and the elders have prepared a banquet for you all in the mess hall. It starts later by 7pm. Be sure not to miss it! We've gone all out with the food and drinks! Hehe. Especially the drinks~"
'It's finally time,' Huo Yuhao thought to himself as he and the rest walked out of the pavilion.
He had been waiting for this day for more than a year, many of his projects depend on the numerous advanced knowledge and research the Sun Moon Empire has in soul tools.
Now some might ask, why couldn't he just infiltrate Sun Moon Empire and ransack all of its long millennia knowledge of soul tools?
The simple answer, is that he wasn't confident enough.
Huo Yuhao is greedy. If he wants something, he wants it all. That meant every secret and forbidden knowledge that the Sun Moon Empire, no, the Illustrious Virtue Hall has in advanced soul tools.
A shadow clone is quite versatile and useful, but its abilities are limited.
As for going there himself.... Honestly, he really didn't have the opportunity to do so until just this week.
'Ah, so much to do and with little time to spare.'
"Yuhao!"
"Hm? What's up?" Huo Yuhao turned his head and Wang Dong'er grabbed his right arm, smiling coyly at him.
"The banquet starts later by the evening. So... got any plans this afternoon?"
"Uh, no. I... have no plans actually."
Wang Dong'er smile widened. "That's great! So, wanna go hang out with me?"
"Oh? Where do you wanna go? I'm pretty sure we've visited every restaurant and food stand in Shrek City."
Wang Dong'er blushed, and pouted. Without giving any warning, she then pinched Huo Yuhao's side.
Huo Yuhao twitched, his lips trembling. "A-Ahaha. W-What I mean is....where are we going? It's all on me."
"Oh that's so sweet of you! But no, this is going to be on me. And where we'll be going is not in the city."
Huo Yuhao was surprised. Wang Dong'er chuckled as she led him to the shores.
Xiao Xiao frowned and turned towards Ning Tian, Ma Xiaotao, and Ling Luochen who looked calm.
"So, are you all just going to let Dong'er take the lead on us right now? We've only been hanging out with Yuhao very shortly this year and a half because we were all so busy. And now, we only have a few days before we're separated from him for a few years." Xiao Xiao said, crossing her arms.
Ning Tian nodded and said. "I honestly feel the same way, Xiao Xiao. However! It doesn't really matter. Unlike you, I have already come up with a plan that would lead to me and Yuhao spending a very great quality time together. Just. Us. Two."
"I'm sure, whatever Dong'er is doing with Yuhao couldn't possibly compare with what I'm looking forward to doing."
Xiao Xiao narrowed her eyes at her. "Don't be so smug. Whatever plan that you have, it's not gonna be good."
Ma Xiaotao giggled. "Well, I'm fine letting little Dong'er and some of you "hang" out with him. I am, after all, a few steps ahead of you all."
Xiao Xiao and Ning Tian glared at her.
Ling Luochen hissed. "Stupid fire bird! I won't forgive you, taking advantage of my Lord like that! Rrr!"
"Jealousy isn't a good look~" Ma Xiaotao didn't care, smugly smirking at the girls.
"...Does Yuhao know? Or?" Xu Sanshi muttered, looking back and forth between Huo Yuhao and the girls.
Jiang Nannan blankly stared. "Honestly? I'm not sure. But if Yuhao isn't going to start choosing soon, then he's going to experience a whole lot of pain."
Bei Bei slightly smiled and shook his head. "It's truly not an enviable position to be in. Only fools and douchebags would want that life."
Xu Sanshi raised an eyebrow at his friend. "Oh? You look better than I last saw you. You finally gotten over her? Did big sister Zhang Lexuan finally tame you?"
Bei Bei flushed and smacked his head. "I don't wanna hear that from you!"
He Caitou chuckled at the chaos happening before him. He then turned to Xi Xi, with a red tint to his cheeks, he slowly asked.
"So, uh... senior Xi? It's been a while since we last met. How have you been?"
Xi Xi glanced at him, the corner of her lips curled. "I've been fine. Although, I finished a pretty moderate mission just a while ago."
"Oh. So I guess, it went well? I assume."
"Yup! Although~ I am feeling...a little fatigued." She sighed, closing her eyes. Though she would repeatedly glance back at him, hinting at him.
He Caitou was no stupid man and asked, "I-I have tickets to a spa and bathhouse in Shrek City's upper district... would you, uh, maybe want to come with me? Y-you know, to relax a little?"
Xi Xi's lips curled into a sly smile. "My, what a thoughtful gentleman you are. I accept."
She leaned over him, and whispered. "Play it right, and I might reward you nicely~"
He Caitou's ears turned beet red, but he looked like he was trying very hard to stay calm — and failing.
'I'll become a man!'
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
AN: The Sun Moon Empire Arc will soon begin!
AN: I'm going back to college and finish it!(It's a long story.) Those who knows IT, please give some advice to this junior!