Chapter 538: Martial Artists Gather!

A world of integrated martial arts, the former Jin Kingdom, Dadu City.

At that time.

The banners within Dadu City had already been changed to those of the Great Ming.

After approximately half a month of development, the infrastructure within Dadu City was now quite abundant.

Particularly the road paving.

Not only had the roads within Dadu City completed their hardening, but even throughout the entire territory of the former Jin Kingdom, all roads had been paved, turning the original dirt paths into cement roads.

Simultaneously, many high-rise buildings had been constructed within Dadu City!

The original walled city had been forcibly demolished by the Imperial Guards, and furthermore, a large number of surveillance facilities had been installed throughout the city.

In short.

The current Dadu City had been completely transformed.

And on the outskirts of Dadu City, within the Great Ming military camps, a million-strong army was undergoing training!

On this day.

Zhu Ying had specifically come to inspect this million-man army.

Looking out across the field, the Armored Corps, the Mountain Battalion, the Cavalry Battalion, and other units were all actively training. Regarding this, Zhu Ying was quite satisfied.

"His Imperial Grandson has arrived!"

Liu Lei, the commander of the Royal Guards, suddenly shouted. In an instant, all the soldiers halted their steps, turning their gazes toward Zhu Ying.

"This general salutes His Imperial Grandson! May His Imperial Grandson live for ten thousand years!"

For a moment, the million-strong army bowed in unison toward Zhu Ying.

"Rise, all of you."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

At this time, Zhu Ying turned to Lan Yu, Mu Ying, and the others, saying, "Dadu City is still too small; it cannot be compared to the imperial capital of the Great Ming Empire."

"Having this million-man army gathered in this single camp is somewhat crowded. How about we deploy some of the troops to the borders of the Great Ming Empire within this integrated martial arts world!"

"What do you all think?"

As soon as Zhu Ying finished speaking, the generals naturally did not hesitate, responding almost in unison, "This general obeys your command!"

Immediately after, Zhu Ying began to carry out detailed deployments.

"Lan Yu!"

"This general is here!" As the Great General of the Cavalry Battalion, Lan Yu did not dare to delay upon hearing Zhu Ying call his name, responding promptly.

Then, Zhu Ying ordered, "Lead the Cavalry Battalion to the border between the Great Ming Empire and the Mongol-Yuan immediately!"

"This general obeys your command!"

Zhu Ying knew very well that the Mongol-Yuan were primarily composed of cavalry. If he wanted to contain or even annihilate them, Lan Yu's Cavalry Battalion was the top choice!

After all, the Cavalry Battalion was also largely composed of cavalry, consisting of both heavy and light cavalry!

Using the Cavalry Battalion to confront the Mongol-Yuan was naturally the best choice.

Subsequently, Zhu Ying turned to Xu Huizu and said, "Xu Huizu, lead the Infantry Battalion to the border with the Song Kingdom!"

"This general obeys your command!"

As a Central Plains nation, the Song Kingdom naturally relied on infantry, so sending the Infantry Battalion to meet them was the most appropriate choice.

...

In the following period, Zhu Ying proceeded to arrange his troops based on the strength and characteristics of the bordering nations.

Before long.

The armies of the Great Ming Empire set out in grand processions toward the borderlands.

At the same time.

The various nations were also in a state of great panic.

The Song Kingdom.

In the imperial court.

Upon learning that the Great Ming Empire's army was marching toward the border, the Song Emperor, Zhao Gou, was so terrified that he broke into a cold sweat!

In the eyes of the Song Emperor, the Great Ming Empire's next target would undoubtedly be the Song Kingdom.

Thus.

To deal with the potential invasion of the Great Ming Empire, the Song Emperor immediately summoned many martial arts experts as well as civil and military officials!

Within the capital of the Song Kingdom.

The Song Emperor said to the crowd, "Now... the nation in the north known as the Great Ming Empire has already wiped out the Jin Kingdom!"

"However, I have just received news that... the northern Great Ming Empire's army is marching toward the border of our Song Kingdom!"

"You all tell me, what should our Song Kingdom do?"

Perhaps because he was too frightened, the Song Emperor's voice was trembling significantly.

At this moment.

A Song official proposed, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this official believes the situation is not yet clear. We must absolutely not take the initiative to attack, nor should we engage in combat with the Great Ming Empire's army!"

"I implore Your Majesty to remain restrained!"

After this official finished speaking, the Song Emperor nodded repeatedly.

"Your words make sense! The situation is currently complex, and we must not act rashly. But... what if the Great Ming Empire truly intends to attack our Song Kingdom? What then?"

As the Song Emperor finished speaking.

Qin Hui, the Chancellor of the Song Kingdom, suddenly stepped forward. He immediately proposed to the Song Emperor, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this official believes the most urgent matter is to send more martial arts experts to Dadu City!"

"As the old saying goes, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win a hundred battles!'"

"Only by understanding the enemy's intentions can we make sufficient preparations."

When Qin Hui finished, the Song Emperor felt it was indeed very reasonable, so he said, "Qin Hui, then tell me, who would be the most suitable person to send?"

Qin Hui did not hesitate to think and spoke directly, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this official believes the most suitable candidate is none other than the Sect Leader of the Quanzhen Sect, Wang Chongyang!"

"Wang Chongyang is the head of the Five Greats and the leader of the Quanzhen Sect; furthermore, his realm has reached the Grandmaster stage. It would be most appropriate to have Wang Chongyang lead the Seven Disciples of Quanzhen to gather intelligence!"

The reason Qin Hui proposed sending Wang Chongyang was quite simple: Qin Hui and Wang Chongyang were in a hostile relationship. Therefore, Qin Hui naturally hoped to use this opportunity to eliminate Wang Chongyang and the Quanzhen faction!

At this time.

Upon hearing Qin Hui's suggestion, the Song Emperor fell into silence. In Zhao Gou's view, the Quanzhen Sect possessed immense strength; if they rashly sent Wang Chongyang out and he failed, the martial strength of the Song Kingdom would be greatly diminished.

Thus, the Song Emperor was quite conflicted.

"If we send Wang Chongyang, wouldn't the risk be somewhat too high?" Zhao Gou pressed Qin Hui.

Clearly, Qin Hui had already anticipated the Emperor's question. In the next second, he explained patiently, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, this is the best choice."

"If we only consider military strength, our Song Kingdom is naturally no match for the Great Ming Empire, and it would be difficult to even contend with them. In that case, it would be better to simply send a martial arts expert to directly assassinate the Great Ming Imperial Grandson!"

"As long as the Imperial Grandson dies, the Great Ming Empire will naturally fall into chaos, and thus will no longer threaten our Song Kingdom!"

Once Qin Hui revealed his plan, it undoubtedly received the immediate approval of the Song Emperor.

"Very well! If we can truly kill the Great Ming Imperial Grandson, that would be for the best!"

"Carry out my command immediately! Have the Quanzhen Sect Leader, Wang Chongyang, lead the Seven Disciples of Quanzhen to Dadu City at once!"

"There must be no error!"

However, just as the Song Emperor issued the order, Guo Jing and Huang Rong immediately stepped forward to voice their opposition.

Because Guo Jing was the commander of the Xiangyang garrison, he and Huang Rong had come to the Song capital to attend the imperial court session as representatives of the martial arts experts.

Guo Jing knew very well that Qin Hui's primary purpose in sending Wang Chongyang to Dadu City for an assassination was to eliminate political rivals! It was not for the benefit of the Song Kingdom at all.

Thus.

Guo Jing immediately said, "Your Majesty, Taoist Wang is the head of the Five Greats; he must not be sent out lightly. I implore Your Majesty to dispatch someone else!"

"Furthermore... the realm of the Great Ming Imperial Grandson has already reached the Divine Ability stage. As for Taoist Wang, although his strength is that of a Peak Grandmaster, it is almost impossible for him to kill the Great Ming Imperial Grandson!"

After Guo Jing finished speaking, Qin Hui immediately retorted, "Guo Jing! Then you tell me, do you have any other good ideas?"

Clearly.

After Qin Hui spoke, Guo Jing fell into silence.

After all, Guo Jing's realm was the same as Wang Chongyang's—a Peak Grandmaster. Even if Guo Jing were to act, he would not be a match for Zhu Ying.

At this moment, Huang Rong, standing beside him, spoke up immediately, "Your Majesty, I believe we should take a two-pronged approach. Wang Chongyang can certainly go for the assassination, but at the same time, a high-ranking official should also be dispatched!"

"One martial arts expert for the assassination, and one high-ranking official to negotiate for peace!"

"In this way, our Song Kingdom can both advance and retreat as needed!"

Huang Rong's intelligence and wisdom went without saying. Once she conveyed her idea to the Song Emperor, the latter was very much in agreement.

Thus.

The Song Emperor turned to Huang Rong and asked, "Then tell me, whom should I send?"

Huang Rong did not need much thought, as she already had an answer in mind.

Huang Rong glanced at Qin Hui and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, I believe it would be most appropriate for Chancellor Qin Hui to go to Dadu City. Chancellor Qin is quite silver-tongued, and he is, after all, the Chancellor of our Song Kingdom!"

"If Chancellor Qin goes, he will naturally be able to succeed in peace negotiations!"

Upon hearing this, the Song Emperor did not hesitate at all, but instead spoke directly to Qin Hui, "Well said! In that case, Qin Hui, you shall make a trip to Dadu City!"

At this moment, Qin Hui was already terrified. He hurriedly said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this official is in poor health, I fear..."

But before Qin Hui could finish, the Song Emperor said decisively, "What? Qin Hui, do you intend to defy my decree?"

Seeing the Song Emperor's anger, Qin Hui quickly added, "This official would not dare. This official is willing to go!"

...

In fact, besides the Song Kingdom's decision to dispatch a martial arts expert to Dadu City, the Great Khan of the Mongol-Yuan, Kublai Khan, also had such intentions!

In the grasslands, inside a command tent.

A Mongol-Yuan cavalryman hurried to Kublai Khan's side. The soldier asked with a panicked expression, "Reporting to the Khan, something terrible has happened! On the border of the Great Ming Empire, there has suddenly appeared over a hundred thousand troops!"

"And! They are all cavalry!"

As the messenger's words fell, a look of panic appeared on the face of the Mongol-Yuan Khan, Kublai Khan.

"What? Over a hundred thousand cavalry!"

"How is that possible?"

"Our Mongol-Yuan cavalry only numbers a hundred thousand. How can the Great Ming Empire have so many cavalrymen!"

The messenger hurriedly said, "Reporting to the Khan, your subordinate does not know either, but it is indeed the case!"

Kublai Khan was greatly alarmed.

He said tremblingly, "With so many cavalry at the border, does the Great Ming Empire intend to attack our Mongol-Yuan?"

"This must not be allowed!"

Kublai Khan knew very well that if the Mongol-Yuan were to go head-to-head with the Great Ming Empire, they would have no advantage whatsoever. Therefore... Kublai Khan decided to send martial arts experts to perform an assassination!

"Notify the Two Elders of the Xuanming immediately and have them rush to Dadu City at once! No matter what, you must kill the Great Ming Imperial Grandson!"

...

At this moment.

Inside the Ming Imperial Palace.

The Emperor of the Ming, Zhu Houzhao, had naturally received this intelligence.

The Jinyiwei (Brocade-Clad Guards) also spoke in a panicked tone, "Your Majesty, tens of thousands of troops have suddenly appeared on the Mongol-Yuan border. It seems... the Great Ming Imperial Grandson is truly about to make a move!"

"Furthermore, according to intelligence, many nations have already dispatched officials, and even martial arts experts, to Dadu City! Some nations wish to negotiate peace with the Great Ming Imperial Grandson, while others wish to assassinate him directly!"

Upon hearing this intelligence, Zhu Houzhao thought for a moment and then said slowly, "Since other nations have already dispatched martial arts experts, our Great Ming must naturally dispatch experts as well."

After saying this, Zhu Houzhao immediately issued an order to the Jinyiwei, "There is no time to lose. Immediately dispatch men to notify the Iron-Fisted Divine Marquis and have him rush here. Additionally, notify Cao Zhengchun to come and see me!"

After Zhu Houzhao finished, the Jinyiwei immediately accepted the command.

Not long after, the Iron-Fisted Divine Marquis, Zhu Wushi, and Cao Zhengchun arrived in the Fengtian Hall.

From his dragon throne, Zhu Houzhao looked at the two before him and said, "Imperial Uncle, Cao Zhengchun, I have just received news that various nations have already dispatched martial arts experts to assassinate the Great Ming Imperial Grandson."

"I believe the Ming Kingdom cannot simply sit and wait for death; we must also send experts."

After speaking, Zhu Houzhao glanced at the two men and added, "I have called you both here this time because I want to hear your thoughts."

Hearing this, Cao Zhengchun quickly replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this servant believes our Great Ming indeed must send experts!"

"Currently, the martial arts experts of the Ming are all within the Marquis's Dragon Protection Villa. Why not have the Marquis dispatch several experts to Dadu City!"

After speaking.

Cao Zhengchun glanced at the Iron-Fisted Divine Marquis, Zhu Wushi.

From the dragon throne, the Ming Emperor, Zhu Wushi, then inquired, "Imperial Uncle, what are your thoughts?"

Zhu Wushi did not hesitate. In fact, for Zhu Wushi, he also very much wanted to know the true strength of the Great Ming Imperial Grandson.

Thus, Zhu Wushi readily agreed!

"This official obeys your command!"

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, this official will certainly dispatch suitable people to Dadu City!"

...

Inside the Dragon Protection Villa.

After returning from the Imperial Palace, Zhu Wushi immediately summoned the four great secret agents. (End of Chapter)