Chapter 584 - 584: This Isn't Just Ordinary Spying; We Need to Take Decisive Action!

Xu Jiawei was also deeply troubled. While the Star Luo Empire had experienced talent drain in the past, with some leaving to join the Sun Moon Empire, the situation had never been as severe as it was now. The enrollment figures for many academies within the empire had completely collapsed this year. Even the Star Luo National Academy, the strongest academy in the empire, had only managed to enroll one third of its usual number of students.

He said with a grave expression, "Jiujiu, first we need to control the public discourse within the empire and prevent everyone from knowing about this. We must create the impression that this year's enrollment figures are excellent. If necessary, we'll have soldiers disguised as students enroll in the academies."

Xu Jiujiu nodded in agreement, thinking that controlling internal rumors would indeed help curb talent drain and stabilize public sentiment.

The subordinate kneeling on the ground spoke up with a mournful face, "Your Majesty, the severe talent drain issue has already spread throughout the empire. Even in some villages, people have started discussing it!"

"What!" Xu Jiawei stood up abruptly from his chair, his face filled with fury. "Who leaked this information and publicized it so widely? Haven't the new students from various academies not enrolled yet? Apart from us, only the admissions offices and senior officials at each academy should know the true enrollment numbers. According to Star Luo law, such matters cannot be disclosed without my permission. Are there spies from the Sun Moon Empire among these people?"

In fact, the new student enrollment dates varied among the three empires, Shrek Academy, and the Sun Moon Empire, as no standard had been set.

As a result, when the various academies in Star Luo began enrolling students this year, they discovered something was wrong. Upon further investigation, they realized many talented individuals had fled to the Sun Moon Empire, obtained Sun Moon citizenship, and effectively become citizens there.

"This... Your Majesty, it's not impossible," the subordinate said nervously.

Xu Jiawei fell silent, rage boiling inside him like a volcano about to erupt. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. Anger clouded one's judgment; he needed to regain his composure to come up with a solution.

Xu Jiujiu noticed her brother's silence and remained quietly seated, saying nothing. She knew her brother well, understanding he was currently calming himself to think of a solution. She, too, began contemplating how to address the talent drain issue and alleviate his concerns.

After a moment, Xu Jiawei regained his composure somewhat and spoke again, "This isn't just ordinary spying; we need to take decisive action! Starshatter Douluo, take your men and investigate this matter thoroughly. Even if it involves royal relatives, don't let them off. Arrest them immediately and bring them to Star Luo City for trial."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Starshatter Douluo, who had been standing guard outside the hall, responded gravely. As a Super Douluo, his status in the Star Luo Empire was extremely high. Xu Jiawei sending him showed how seriously he viewed this issue.

Xu Jiawei then turned to Xu Jiujiu, saying, "Jiujiu, as the Emperor, I cannot easily leave Star Luo City. Therefore, I need you to take a group of people to Ming Dou Mountain Range and supervise Dai Hao to strengthen defenses there. Screen suspicious individuals attempting to leave the empire through Ming Dou Mountain Range. Once confirmed as talents intending to defect to the Sun Moon Empire, detain them immediately!"

Xu Jiawei's reasoning was straightforward. If these individuals were planning to defect and join the Sun Moon Empire, in the future, they might end up facing Star Luo troops on the battlefield. Instead of letting them join the enemy, it would be better to detain them now.

"Royal Brother, our border is incredibly long. We share borders not only with the Sun Moon Empire but also with the Dou Ling Empire and the Heavenly Soul Empire," Xu Jiujiu said hesitantly. "If I were one of these talents planning to join the Sun Moon Empire, I wouldn't necessarily take the Ming Dou Mountain route. I might go around through another empire or even take a sea route."

Xu Jiawei replied, "I've considered that. Since we're suffering such severe talent drain, the other two empires must be in a similar situation. I'll send envoys to discuss with their emperors so we can jointly combat this talent exodus to the Sun Moon Empire."

He sighed heavily, "Originally, I thought that since Shrek Academy's enrollment collapsed this year, it would mean that talents would stay within our empire's academies, as they would have no other choice. I never imagined these talents would betray their own nation and join our enemy. Is the Sun Moon Empire really that attractive, or is someone instigating this from behind?"

Sun Moon Empire, Imperial Palace.

A half moon was setting in the west, its pale light pouring like ink over a pavilion, casting it in moonlight. Xu Tianran and Kong Deming sat opposite each other at a stone table, two steaming cups of tea placed before them, its fragrance permeating the air, giving a refreshing sensation.

They had been conversing for a while now, and Xu Tianran had shared with Kong Deming about his discussions with the military commanders and Ju Zi, as well as Ye Xishui's earlier harsh words.

Xu Tianran finally asked his most pressing question, "Master Kong, can the Sun Moon Empire unify the Douluo Continent without the Holy Spirit Church's assistance?"

His cooperation with the Holy Spirit Church was purely transactional. If they couldn't provide sufficient benefits, he would abandon them without hesitation. To Xu Tianran, everyone in this world was merely a tool for his use, including even Ju Zi, whom he trusted the most.

Kong Deming replied gravely, "Of course we can! Your Majesty, I can assure you with absolute certainty that with the Sun Moon Empire's current strength, we can unify the continent even without the Holy Spirit Church. In fact, we might face even less resistance without them. After all, the Holy Spirit Church is composed of evil soul masters, who are naturally despised. Moreover, Zhongli Wu recently slaughtered many Shrek students' families in the three empires, creating numerous atrocities. Although this hurt Shrek Academy's reputation, it worsened the evil soul masters' reputation even further. If the Holy Spirit Church becomes the Guardian Church and Zhongli Wu becomes our Imperial Preceptor, wouldn't people from the other empires view the Sun Moon Empire as equally evil? Under such circumstances, we'd encounter stronger resistance during the war, and after it ends, we'd need even more time and energy to win people's hearts in the occupied territories."

Xu Tianran praised, "Master Kong is wise!"

He then changed the topic, "However, Master Kong, since you're so confident in our empire's current strength, could it be that new powerhouses have emerged within our borders these past few days?"

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