Chapter 119: The Price of Passage
Seeing that Kong Lao was so furious he was about to launch an attack, Xiao Qiang quickly intervened to halt his impulse.
With Kong Lao's current power, if he truly fought with the already dying Mu En, the outcome would be hard to predict. One thing, however, was certain—whether or not Xue Di stepped in, Mu En's fragile condition meant that any real fight with Kong Lao would leave him unable to return to Shrek alive.
Thanks to Xue Di's protection and the presence of both Jing Hongchen and Kong Deming, Xiao Qiang wasn't concerned for his own safety.
But that wasn't the real issue.
The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy had just emerged victorious in the All-Continental Advanced Soul Master Competition, an event which held the same weight as a military exercise. Mu En, as the final representative of the Ultimate Douluo strength from the Three Kingdoms of the Douluo Continent, could not be allowed to die here. Especially not at the hands of someone from the Sun Moon Empire.
Even though the current emperor of the Sun Moon Empire was not as aggressive or ruthless as Xu Tianran, the younger generation, and even many elders, were deeply nationalistic. With such overwhelming momentum, a full-scale continental war would erupt within one or two years if Mu En were to die under these circumstances.
Unlike Xu Tianran, the current emperor craved the reputation of being the greatest ruler in the history of the empire. However, he lacked the audacity to roll the dice recklessly.
That made one thing absolutely clear—Mu En must not die here. Especially not at the hands of a Sun Moon Empire soul engineer.
Otherwise, war was inevitable. And for Xiao Qiang, that outcome was far from desirable.
His immense talent might spare him from being cannon fodder, but he had no desire to witness the continent descending into chaos.
Given this situation, a clash between Mu En and Kong Deming had to be avoided at all costs.
"Oh? You want me to pay for a ticket? What a joke," Mu En scoffed. "I've walked through the emperor's harem of the Star Luo Empire, injured a high-ranking noble in the Tianhun Empire's capital, and even slapped Zhongli Wu in the Holy Spirit Church. For all these years, I've gone wherever I pleased—who has ever dared to demand a ticket from me? And now you, a junior, expect me to hand over a ticket? Ridiculous."
Just as Mu En was about to act, Xiao Qiang's calm yet firm voice interrupted him once more, and the Dragon God Douluo's anger gradually subsided.
With Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen standing by, Mu En understood that taking action would gain him nothing—though that didn't mean he was afraid. Yet when confronted with Xiao Qiang's demand for a "ticket," he could only reply that such a thing had never been required of him since childhood.
"It's fine if you don't want to pay," Xiao Qiang said casually. "But Senior Dragon God, are you really ready to die here?"
His words made Jing Hongchen break into a cold sweat. This was no longer a confrontation they could mediate. Yet Xiao Qiang, a mere disciple, stood unwaveringly in the face of such overwhelming pressure. His courage bordered on reckless, but perhaps it was exactly what the moment needed.
"You think you can stop me?" Mu En replied coldly.
"Maybe not," Xiao Qiang said, his tone composed. "But with your current injuries, you don't need us to stop you. If you really fight my grandmaster seriously, whether you win or lose, you're not walking out of here alive."
He gestured around calmly. "You paid for your ticket. You're a guest. You'll leave Shrek safely. But if you insist on charging in… there are a few mechanisms in Mingde Hall designed to restrain even the strongest individuals. With your cultivation, you should be able to sense the danger they pose."
Mu En paused, eyes narrowing slightly. As he contemplated threatening Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen with Xiao Qiang's life, a sudden sensation swept over him—a chilling, overwhelming feeling of death penetrated every pore of his body.
His expression remained unchanged, but deep within, Mu En was shocked. This was the first time he had ever felt such a clear warning from his own instincts. If he made a move—he would die.
He was not afraid of death. But dying here and now, in this condition, was unacceptable.
He hadn't arranged many things yet. Without him, what would happen to Shrek? What about the golden tree, the future of the Sea God Pavilion, and the former Pavilion Masters waiting beyond? He might not care much about the fates of the three kingdoms of the original Douluo Continent, but he did care about Shrek.
Sensing Mu En's hesitation, Xiao Qiang pressed on.
"It seems you've understood. The Sun Moon Empire's technology has advanced. Maybe it won't kill you on the spot, but combined with your current injuries, it'll certainly be enough to keep you from returning to Shrek. You know better than me what that would mean for your academy."
Mu En looked at Xiao Qiang with a dark glint in his eyes. "Boy, aren't you afraid I'll take you down with me before I die? Do you really think those two can protect you?"
Xiao Qiang gave a small smile. "It would be ideal if they could protect me. But if they can't… then Senior Dragon God, surely you understand that the Sun Moon Empire will retaliate—and we will not stop at Shrek alone."
"You dare!" Mu En growled. He released a burst of pressure, but the Silver Moon God Light Shield blocked it all. Xiao Qiang remained completely unfazed.
"With my grandmaster and master here, you can't hurt me. In the end, you might destroy Mingde Hall, but reconstruction won't take long."
Xiao Qiang's voice turned cold. "You have two choices. Pay the ticket and leave peacefully. Or, if you insist on taking action or leaving without permission… how many ninth-level soul tools do you think will activate in this room?"
"Mingde Hall is a treasure trove—rare metals, top-tier soul tools, invaluable resources. Outside, they'd be worth fortunes. But compared to the life of the Sea God Pavilion Master? It's a small price."
"Hmph," Mu En scoffed. "Do you really think you can keep me here if I want to leave?"
"Maybe not," Xiao Qiang admitted. "But your injuries will. You know it, I know it. Trading Mingde Hall for the life of an Ultimate Douluo—that's a bargain. One we'd be proud to report to His Majesty."
"After all, if you die here, the morale of the Three Kingdoms will collapse completely. It will signal the fall of the Douluo Continent."
Mu En glared at Xiao Qiang. But Xiao Qiang returned his gaze calmly, without a flicker of fear.
A long silence followed.
Finally, Mu En sighed.
"…Fine. Tell me. How much is the ticket?"
Xiao Qiang raised three fingers.
"Three hundred thousand-year soul bones."
Mu En nearly choked. "Three?! Three hundred thousand-year soul bones? Why don't you just rob me!"
Xiao Qiang tilted his head innocently. "Huh? Isn't that what I'm doing?"
Mu En: "…"
Kong Deming: "…"
Jing Hongchen: "…"