Douluo Dalu 2: You are an Evil Soul Master, but also a good person ?

"That works too," Xu Cheng nodded with a smile, showing no signs of making things difficult for the squad leader.

The latter secretly let out a sigh of relief, feeling a better impression of Xu Cheng.

After all, many of the imperial heirs of the Sun Moon Empire were notoriously arrogant. Even the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion wasn't taken seriously by some of them.

By comparison, Xu Cheng's reasonable demeanor was rather pleasing.

"Wu Yun, you may leave now," Xu Cheng waved his hand.

"I'll stay here and wait. There's no need to worry about my safety. We are well within the Sun Moon Empire's borders, and our soldiers would never harm one of their own."

"Alright..."

Wu Ya glanced at Xu Cheng, knowing full well that this kid was working on winning people over.

With an amused chuckle, Wu Ya didn't wait for the group's response. A pitch-black soul ring suddenly emerged, revealing his Martial Soul True Body—tens of thousands of crows dispersed in all directions before vanishing from sight.

"Captain!"

One of the Fire Phoenix squad members called out in alarm.

"No need! Let him go!"

Squad leader Huo Lei hurriedly stopped her.

As a Soul Sage, she was extremely sensitive to powerful energy fluctuations. The moment Wu Ya had activated his Martial Soul True Body, she had felt his terrifying strength—at least beyond the level of a Titled Douluo!

He might even be one of the legendary Hyper Douluo!

If such an expert truly intended to attack, they wouldn't stand a chance.

Moreover, this only further confirmed Xu Cheng's extraordinary status.

A Title Douluo-ranked expert was a strategic asset in any country, and yet Xu Cheng could summon and dismiss one with a wave of his hand…

"May I ask how I should address you, sir?" Xu Cheng asked with a pleasant smile.

"My name is Huo Lei," the squad leader cautiously answered.

Until her Fourth Battalion commander could verify Xu Cheng's identity, she dared not reveal any military secrets, even though Xu Cheng's identity was already evident. As a soldier, she had a duty to safeguard classified information…

"How severe is the current friction with the Star Luo Empire?"

"Not too severe..."

"Is our Sun Moon Empire military equipped this well across the board?"

"I wouldn't know..."

"..."

Huo Lei's responses remained careful and vague.

Fortunately, within ten minutes, sounds came from the sky.

Silhouettes streaked across the horizon, rushing toward them.

Approximately twenty figures, each clad in exoskeletal armor with blazing-red designs, soared through the sky using Level 7 Soul Power Boosters. They looked like fiery meteors streaking across the sky, exuding an imposing presence.

Among them, the leader stood out with a commanding presence.

Xu Cheng focused his gaze. The woman appeared around thirty years old, with short, neatly trimmed hair. A scar ran across her forehead, dangerously close to her right eye. She had a sharp nose, and her fair skin was as smooth as porcelain.

She was strikingly beautiful but carried an aura of ruthless determination.

Xu Cheng could tell that shaving her hair short and bearing the scar on her forehead was likely intentional.

He sighed inwardly.

She must have had a tough time over the years...

Once a frail palace maid, she had discovered a talent for soul engineering and chose to temper herself in the military. After her mother's death, she had no backing in the imperial court.

To survive here, she needed more than just talent—she needed to be ruthless.

"Commander!"

Squad leader Huo Lei straightened her posture and saluted the approaching Huo Qing.

Then, she quickly began to explain, "This gentleman is—"

"I know!"

Huo Qing walked forward slowly, stopping right in front of Xu Cheng.

The atmosphere grew heavy.

The subordinates behind her held their breath, watching the scene unfold.

Then, Huo Qing suddenly embraced Xu Cheng.

The cold ruthlessness on her face melted away, her eyes reddening as she hugged Xu Cheng tightly, her grip so firm that her arms turned pale from the pressure.

Instantly—

The Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion members collectively exhaled in relief.

It seemed they really did know each other.

Most likely, he was even a relative…

"Commander Huo Qing looks so emotional—I haven't seen her like this in years."

"That young man is quite handsome... Do you think I have a chance?"

"Ha! Dream on! He clearly prefers the gentle and refined type. Someone from the military like you? No way!"

"I heard his surname is Xu. That means he must be royalty…"

"..."

The military had a rough and straightforward atmosphere, whether among men or women.

And discipline was strict in the Sun Moon Empire, but moments like these still allowed some murmuring.

"So much alike… You look just like her…"

After a long while, Huo Qing finally released Xu Cheng.

She cupped his face in both hands and gently stroked it, her usually sharp and fearsome eyes now filled with warmth.

"..."

"Young Master, I..."

"No need to kneel."

Xu Cheng subtly supported her.

If she were to kneel in front of everyone, the prestige she had worked so hard to build in the army would suffer.

Besides, according to his memories, despite the master-servant bond between Huo Qing and his mother, they had been more like sisters.

"Thank you, Young Master."

Sensing Xu Cheng's insistence, Huo Qing dared not refuse.

She wiped her tears before turning back to her soldiers, her expression once again turning cold and composed.

"Silence!"

Instantly, the entire unit fell quiet.

"Return to camp!"

With Huo Qing's command, the soldiers swiftly reorganized their formation.

Boarding their flying soul tools, they headed back to the military camp in an orderly manner.

"Let's go."

Huo Qing held Xu Cheng's hand in one of hers, Nana's in the other, and flew toward her camp.

…

"Young Master, you have suffered all these years…"

Inside the command tent, Huo Qing could no longer hold back her emotions. Her eyes turned red as she continuously stroked Xu Cheng's face, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Aunt Qing, just call me A'Cheng or Xiao Cheng. Calling me 'Young Master' makes things feel too distant," Xu Cheng said warmly.

"Besides, I've lived quite comfortably in the imperial capital all these years. You're the one who has suffered in the military..."

"..."

Huo Qing took a deep breath.

Seeing Xu Cheng's sincere expression, she nearly teared up again.

The reason she had fought so desperately for so many years was to repay the kindness of Lady Ya and ensure that Xu Cheng had at least some foundation in the future.

Hearing these words now, she knew she had not misplaced her loyalty.

"It's my own failing... After ten years, all I've achieved is the rank of battalion commander…" Huo Qing sighed.

She understood that in the eyes of common folk, her rank was already an incredible accomplishment.

But in the cutthroat imperial struggle, this barely even registered as a ripple.

If A'Cheng had any intention of contending for the throne, then her influence alone would be utterly insufficient.

The thought filled her with self-reproach.

"Aunt Qing, you've done exceptionally well," Xu Cheng reassured her with a smile.

He knew she was subtly trying to persuade him to back down.

He appreciated her concern, but since they were family, there was no need to hide anything.

"Now, I have Elder Cheng's support, and the backing of the Holy Spirit Church. My chances of claiming the throne aren't small."

"Elder Cheng?"

Huo Qing frowned, worried that the boy was being used as a pawn in the imperial power struggle—an endeavor where death often came swiftly and unnoticed.

(End of Chapter)