Chapter 582: Making a Move

“Ding! Host has killed Dugu Qiubai. Reward...”

When Zhu Ying killed Dugu Qiubai—the man known as the Sword Demon—his status panel once again popped up with a notification.

However, Zhu Ying did not open the panel to check it. Instead, he continued to execute the Great Absorption Technique, beginning to incessantly siphon the true qi from within Dugu Qiubai's body!

In an instant, a massive amount of true qi surged into Zhu Ying's body.

Although Dugu Qiubai had been killed by Zhu Ying, a certain amount of true qi and astral qi still remained within his body. For Zhu Ying, he naturally did not wish to let this true qi and astral qi go to waste.

In a flash, after the aura within Dugu Qiubai's body was sucked away by Zhu Ying, Dugu Qiubai instantly transformed into a withered corpse!

At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao slowly approached Zhu Ying's side.

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke to Zhu Ying with an excited expression: "As expected of my good imperial grandson! Xiong Ying, I didn't expect you to kill this Dugu Qiubai so easily!"

"This man was a master of the half-step Astral Qi Realm."

"It is said that Dugu Qiubai's strength was even greater than that of the previous Shaolin Patriarch, Bodhidharma."

Facing Zhu Yuanzhang's praise, Zhu Ying's face remained quite calm. He spoke to Zhu Yuanzhang in a steady tone: "Imperial Grandfather, Dugu Qiubai's strength was indeed remarkable."

"However, even with Dugu Qiubai's strength, he was still no match for Xiong Ying!"

Meanwhile, Zhu Biao remarked with emotion: "Xiong Ying, I truly did not expect that in this integrated martial arts world, there would be so many martial arts experts. It seems... even after the unification of the world is complete, the rule of the Great Ming Empire will not be stable."

Facing Zhu Biao's reminder, Zhu Ying nodded slightly. Clearly, Zhu Ying also highly agreed with what Zhu Biao had said.

"Father is right."

"This integrated martial arts world, after all, contains a vast amount of spiritual energy. Such a large amount of spiritual energy will inevitably nurture many martial arts experts. Dugu Qiubai was merely one of the top experts in this world!"

"Xiong Ying believes that in this world, there must be other martial arts experts living in seclusion! It is certainly not just Dugu Qiubai alone!"

As Zhu Ying's voice fell, a hint of tension appeared in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes.

After thinking for a moment, the old Zhu suddenly said: "If that is the case, these secluded martial arts experts will surely threaten our Great Ming in the future."

"Xiong Ying, we must find a way to deal with these martial arts masters as soon as possible."

Zhu Biao also said to Zhu Ying: "Yes, Xiong Ying, Father is right. We must find and eliminate all these martial arts masters hidden in the world so that this martial world can enjoy peace and prosperity!"

Hearing Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao say this, Zhu Ying pondered for a moment. To be honest, in Zhu Ying's view, finding all the secluded martial arts experts in one breath was by no means an easy task.

However, Zhu Ying also believed it was indeed necessary to deal with these hidden masters.

Immediately, Zhu Ying suddenly spoke to the commander of the Imperial Guards, Liu Lei, who was beside him: "Immediately dispatch the Imperial Guards to ride the Pterosaurs and conduct a large-scale search across this martial world!"

"Do not let a single martial arts expert escape!"

"Additionally, have Zhu Wushi come to search for the secluded martial arts experts as well. After all, Zhu Wushi was previously the Iron-Fisted Marquis of Dragon Protection Villa; he must have a vast amount of clues!"

"Your subordinate obeys!" As the commander of the Imperial Guards, Liu Lei responded immediately.

Afterward, Zhu Ying glanced at the ruined capital city. He let out a helpless sigh and slowly said to Zhu Yuanzhang: "Imperial Grandfather, it seems the capital will have to be rebuilt again."

"Dugu Qiubai has essentially destroyed all the infrastructure within this capital."

Zhu Yuanzhang also nodded and said calmly: "That is of no consequence. Currently, the construction capabilities of our Great Ming Empire's Ministry of Works are extremely strong. Repairing this capital is naturally not a problem!"

"Perhaps the newly rebuilt capital will be even more perfect than the previous one!"

Zhu Ying naturally agreed with the old Zhu's words. After all, the Great Ming Empire now possessed modern technology; as long as it was rebuilt, it would certainly be more advanced than the previous capital!

...

Not long after.

At the Imperial Palace, in the Grand Imperial Grandson's Manor.

Zhu Wushi arrived in a hurry.

"Your subordinate pays respects to the Imperial Grandson!"

"May the Imperial Grandson live for ten thousand years!"

Upon seeing Zhu Ying, Zhu Wushi hurriedly knelt on the ground to salute.

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Zhu Ying spoke to Zhu Wushi in an unhurried manner: "Do you know why I summoned you to the palace this time?"

Facing Zhu Ying's inquiry, Zhu Wushi did not dare to hesitate and quickly spoke: "Reporting to Your Highness, this official has just received orders from Lord Liu Lei to search for the hidden martial arts masters of the world."

As Zhu Wushi's voice fell, Zhu Ying nodded slightly and said: "That is correct."

"However, what I have asked you to find are not ordinary martial arts masters, but the most top-tier martial arts experts in this world!"

"Such as the Sword Demon Dugu Qiubai, or the Shaolin Patriarch Bodhidharma."

"Tell me, how many such martial arts masters are there in this world?"

To be honest, when Zhu Wushi heard Zhu Ying's words, the expression on his face instantly became tense. After all, in this integrated martial arts world, experts like Dugu Qiubai and Bodhidharma were extremely rare!

Moreover, every single one of them possessed the strength to destroy a nation single-handedly.

After a moment of deep thought, Zhu Wushi slowly replied to Zhu Ying: "Reporting to the Imperial Grandson, currently, there should be two such masters left in this world, like Dugu Qiubai and Bodhidharma."

"If this official remembers correctly, those two are A-Qing and Shi Potian!"

Zhu Wushi had once presided over the Dragon Protection Villa, so he had some knowledge regarding the world's top-tier martial arts experts.

Upon hearing this, a trace of gratification appeared on Zhu Ying's face.

Zhu Ying immediately said: "A-Qing and Shi Potian... Good. In that case, you shall search for those two together with Liu Lei!"

"I will give you one month. After one month, you must find them and capture them!"

In Zhu Ying's view, since the unification of this martial world was complete, there was no need to waste time. Therefore, Zhu Ying decided to take the initiative and strive to eliminate all these powerful martial arts experts!

Only by eliminating these masters could the Great Ming Empire's rule in this world be long-lasting and stable.

...

Soon.

Zhu Wushi and the Imperial Guard Commander Liu Lei began their operations.

Based on the intelligence previously collected by the Dragon Protection Villa, Zhu Wushi quickly locked onto A-Qing's whereabouts.

Jiangnan region, Wild Bamboo Forest.

Zhu Wushi and Commander Liu Lei had already led an army to completely surround this bamboo forest.

Zhu Wushi spoke to Liu Lei with a firm tone: "Lord Liu, this is the place!"

"A-Qing must be within this Wild Bamboo Forest!"

As Zhu Wushi's voice fell, Liu Lei nodded and said with a heavy tone: "Good. In that case, let us strike and kill her immediately!"

Then, without any hesitation, Liu Lei immediately issued the command!

"Besiege A-Qing!"

"Kill!"

In an instant, thousands of Imperial Guards rushed into the Wild Bamboo Forest...

At the same time.

Deep within the Wild Bamboo Forest, A-Qing also sensed the arrival of a group of uninvited guests.

A-Qing slowly walked out from her bamboo hut, casually picked up a bamboo stalk, and gave it a light swing.

In a flash of lightning, a dense wave of astral qi instantly surged toward the bamboo forest!

Following that, bursts of screams echoed through the sky!

This was A-Qing's strength.

As one of the absolute top martial arts experts in this world, A-Qing's strength was essentially on par with the Astral Qi Realm.

Furthermore, A-Qing had lived deep within this bamboo forest for decades.

Although she had long since stopped involving herself in the affairs of the martial world, A-Qing had never neglected her cultivation.

Thus, the current A-Qing's strength was already unfathomable.

At this moment, outside the Wild Bamboo Forest, both Zhu Wushi and Liu Lei heard the screams of the soldiers.

Upon hearing them, their expressions instantly turned panicked.

Especially Zhu Wushi.

He said to Liu Lei beside him in a nervous tone: "Lord Liu, A-Qing's martial arts are highly advanced. I fear that with the strength of the Imperial Guards, we cannot deal with her."

"It would be better if I personally stepped in to take her down!"

To be fair, Zhu Wushi was quite confident. After all, this was the first task Zhu Ying had assigned him since he joined the Great Ming Empire. Naturally, Zhu Wushi hoped to achieve something.

Seeing this, Liu Lei did not refuse, but instead nodded and said: "Since Lord Zhu wishes to act, I naturally will not stop you."

"However, A-Qing is a martial arts expert after all; I hope Lord Zhu does not underestimate her."

Zhu Wushi nodded, and then he charged directly into the Wild Bamboo Forest.

It could be said that Zhu Wushi's speed was quite fast.

Like a bolt of lightning, he suddenly appeared before A-Qing.

At the same time, A-Qing swept a sharp gaze over Zhu Wushi and said: "Could it be that you are the Iron-Fisted Marquis of Dragon Protection Villa, Zhu Wushi?"

The latter replied: "That is indeed I. I presume you are the lady A-Qing?"

A-Qing nodded slightly and said: "I wonder what business the Iron-Fisted Marquis has at my residence?"

Zhu Wushi was not panicked at all; he even smiled slightly and said: "I am acting on the orders of the Great Ming Imperial Grandson, specifically coming to execute you, Lady A-Qing."

Zhu Wushi did not waste words with A-Qing. Once he finished speaking, he immediately executed his ultimate technique, the Great Absorption Technique.

But to be honest, the current Zhu Wushi was only a master of the Divine Ability Realm, while A-Qing standing before him was a powerhouse approaching the Astral Qi Realm.

The strength of the two was not on the same level at all.

Naturally, Zhu Wushi was no match for A-Qing.

In fact, the Great Absorption Technique that Zhu Wushi employed had no effect on A-Qing whatsoever.

At this moment, Zhu Wushi was like a clown.

"You are too weak."

After A-Qing said this, she suddenly gave the bamboo in her hand a light swing.

Instantly, a dense surge of true qi suddenly struck toward Zhu Wushi. Seeing this, the latter immediately released his own true qi to resist.

"Boom!!"

But unfortunately, Zhu Wushi's true qi was completely unable to compare with the true qi A-Qing unleashed.

Suddenly, A-Qing's green-glowing true qi forcefully devoured the true qi released by Zhu Wushi.

Afterward, this green true qi completely surrounded Zhu Wushi.

"With just your strength, you dare to try and kill me? You are simply seeking death."

A murderous intent flashed in A-Qing's eyes.

Having said that, she swung the bamboo in her hand again, and next, the true qi began to rush toward Zhu Wushi frantically.

"Bang!"

"Bang bang bang!"

For a time, Zhu Wushi had no power to resist.

Because A-Qing's true qi was incredibly powerful, Zhu Wushi had absolutely no room to dodge.

Even when Zhu Wushi tried to use his own true qi to defend, he failed completely.

Just like that, the green true qi continuously bombarded Zhu Wushi's body.

A moment later, Zhu Wushi was knocked directly to the ground, blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.

"Is this the strength of the half-step Astral Qi Realm?"

This was the first time Zhu Wushi had dueled a master of the half-step Astral Qi Realm, and at this moment, he finally understood how terrifying A-Qing's strength truly was.

But A-Qing did not pay any attention to Zhu Wushi at that time.

Because she knew that, as of now, Zhu Wushi was already a dead man.

In the next second, A-Qing executed the Yue Nu Sword Technique.

Bang, bang, bang!

After three loud explosions, three streaks of green sword qi rushed directly toward Zhu Wushi.

At this critical moment, Zhu Ying arrived!

In truth, Zhu Ying had long understood that with Zhu Wushi's strength, it would be impossible to defeat A-Qing.

Therefore, Zhu Ying had only sent Zhu Wushi to find A-Qing's tracks.

As for the one who would truly duel A-Qing, it was naturally Zhu Ying.

At this moment, seeing Zhu Ying so easily parry the Yue Nu Sword Technique she had unleashed, A-Qing's expression became somewhat solemn.

"How is this possible?"

"Who are you? To actually be able to block my Yue Nu Sword Technique."

Zhu Ying spoke calmly: "I am the Imperial Grandson of the Great Ming. I have come now to take your life."

Having said that, Zhu Ying swung both hands and directly executed the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms.

He had already killed many martial arts experts with this move.

Such as the previous Bodhidharma, the Sweeping Monk, and the Sword Demon Dugu Qiubai.

The astral qi unleashed by the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms now rushed directly toward A-Qing.

Seeing this, A-Qing naturally did not dare to be careless.

She immediately used the bamboo in her hand to unleash dozens of sword qi strikes. These sword qi strikes merged together, instantly turning into a wall of bamboo glowing with green light.

Clearly, at this moment, A-Qing realized that Zhu Ying was by no means an ordinary martial arts expert.

Thus, A-Qing brought out her true skills to respond.

But unfortunately, A-Qing's strength was completely unequal to Zhu Ying's.

"Boom!"

After a deafening collision, the bamboo wall A-Qing had manifested completely collapsed, and simultaneously, a wave of astral qi shaped like a giant dragon rushed directly into A-Qing's body.