Chapter 540: Wang Chongyang Comes Out of the Mountains

However, just as Zhu Yuanzhang finished explaining his thoughts, he was ruthlessly rejected by Zhu Ying. Zhu Ying immediately refused, saying, "Old Man, you'd better not step in."

"You are the Emperor of the Great Ming Empire. If an accident were to occur, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"Besides, you will have more opportunities to act in the future."

In Zhu Ying's view, Zhu Yuanzhang's current realm was only that of a Great Grandmaster. Although the Great Grandmaster realm was considered a relatively strong tier within this [Comprehensive Martial Arts World], Zhu Yuanzhang's actual combat ability was mediocre. If Zhu Yuanzhang were to face a martial arts expert of the same Great Grandmaster level, he would actually find no advantage whatsoever.

Since that was the case, Zhu Ying simply refused to let Zhu Yuanzhang intervene.

Once Zhu Ying's words fell, although Zhu Yuanzhang felt somewhat frustrated, he ultimately accepted.

"Fine. Since the Hero Ying won't let me act, then I won't. However, I shall observe from the sidelines."

Faced with this condition, Zhu Ying did not refuse. He nodded toward Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "As long as the Old Man doesn't step in, everything is fine."

Afterward.

Zhu Ying turned to the Crown Prince of Great Ming, Zhu Biao, beside him and inquired, "By the way, Father, is the Great Ming main world currently stable?"

Zhu Ying suddenly remembered that since Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao, and himself were all currently in this [Comprehensive Martial Arts World], there was no one left to preside over the Great Ming main world.

While it was impossible for any other power to rebel against the Great Ming main world, Zhu Ying still felt somewhat uneasy despite that.

Zhu Biao hurriedly said, "Don't worry, Ying. Currently, the Great Ming main world is primarily presided over by Wenxi. Now that Wenxi has grown up, he naturally needs more training and experience."

When Zhu Ying heard that Wenxi was presiding over the Great Ming main world, he felt completely relieved.

After all, Zhu Ying knew very well that with Zhu Wenxi's current strength, he was fully capable of handling the political affairs of the [Great Ming main world]. Furthermore, as the fourth-generation successor of the Great Ming Empire, it was most appropriate to have Zhu Wenxi stationed in the Imperial Capital.

"That's good then."

Zhu Ying said slowly, "Since Wenxi is presiding over it, there won't be any problems!"

...

At this moment, in the State of Song, at Mount Zhongnan.

Within the Quanzhen Sect.

Officials from the State of Song had already arrived.

"Where is Wang Chongyang! Tell him to come at once to receive the imperial decree!"

This Song official was incredibly arrogant and overbearing. Upon arriving at Mount Zhongnan, he shouted and yelled directly at the Quanzhen Taoists who came to inquire about his identity.

Hearing that he was sent by the Emperor, the Taoists were naturally startled. They hurriedly reported the matter to Ma Yu, the eldest disciple of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen.

Before long, Ma Yu hurried to the Song official's presence.

As the head of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen, Ma Yu had seen grand spectacles before; thus, when he saw these Song officials, he did not panic in the slightest.

Ma Yu first bowed to the Song official and then inquired, "May I ask, Excellency, for what matter have you come to Mount Zhongnan?"

These Song officials did not recognize Ma Yu, so they mistook him for Wang Chongyang.

"You are Wang Chongyang?"

Seeing this, Ma Yu quickly shook his head in denial. "This Taoist is not my Master; I am Ma Yu."

After introducing himself to the Song officials, Ma Yu hurriedly pressed further, "May I ask, Excellencies, what business do you have with my Master?"

The leading Song official was clearly impatient and said directly, "How many times must this official tell you? Hurry and have Wang Chongyang come to receive the decree!"

"Receive the decree..." To be honest, when Ma Yu heard the words "receive the decree," a look of solemnity immediately appeared on his face.

"May I ask, Excellency, what is the Emperor's decree? My Master is currently in cultivation and may find it difficult to receive guests! Would it be acceptable if this poor Taoist received the decree on his behalf?"

After Ma Yu finished speaking, the Song official cursed directly, "This Wang Chongyang certainly has a big ego, actually daring to refuse the decree! If the Emperor finds out, he will surely take Wang Chongyang's life!"

"Stop the nonsense!"

"I will give you only the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn. Hurry and have Wang Chongyang receive the decree. If he does not appear within that time, do not blame this Excellency for being heartless."

Once the Song official finished speaking, Ma Yu realized the gravity of the situation. He hurriedly said to the official, "Please... Excellency, do not be agitated! This poor Taoist will go seek instructions from my Master immediately!"

With that, Ma Yu's figure flashed and disappeared before everyone's eyes.

Not long after.

Inside the Quanzhen Sect.

Ma Yu summoned all the Seven Masters of Quanzhen.

"Master is currently in cultivation, but now, the Emperor of the State of Song has sent people to have him receive an imperial decree. What do you all think we should do?"

As Ma Yu finished speaking, everyone was stunned.

Clearly, no one had expected the Emperor of Song to suddenly summon Wang Chongyang.

"Senior Brother, you decide!"

At this time, Qiu Chuji spoke to Ma Yu.

Once Qiu Chuji finished, the others also voiced their agreement.

"Yes, Senior Brother. You are our eldest disciple. Since Master is currently in secluded cultivation, the affairs of the Quanzhen Sect, large and small, naturally fall to you to decide!"

After thinking for a moment, Ma Yu said to the group, "Since it is an imperial decree from the Emperor of Song, our Quanzhen Sect, as the number one sect in the State of Song, must naturally obey the commands of the Song Imperial Court."

"Let's do this: we shall go together to Master's cultivation site and wake him up."

As Ma Yu's voice fell, the other Quanzhen Taoists also agreed!

A moment later.

The Seven Masters of Quanzhen had all arrived at the summit of Mount Zhongnan. At this moment, Zhou Botong was playing to himself outside the room where Wang Chongyang was cultivating.

"Uncle!"

Seeing Zhou Botong, Ma Yu shouted loudly.

"Uncle, something terrible has happened! People from the Imperial Court have arrived!"

However, upon hearing Ma Yu's words, Zhou Botong did not care in the slightest. Instead, he said somewhat impatiently, "People from the court are here?"

"Could it be that the court found out I've been raising bees in private?"

Zhou Botong complained while busy catching bees.

"Uncle, it's not about the bees, it's... looking for Master!"

"Eldest Senior Brother?" Upon hearing that it concerned Wang Chongyang, the expression on Zhou Botong's face instantly turned serious.

"Ma Yu, Eldest Senior Brother is in cultivation. What could the Emperor of Song possibly want with him at a time like this?"

Ma Yu shook his head and said, "Uncle, I do not know either, but looking at the officials, it seems to be a matter of great importance."

Yet Zhou Botong still said disdainfully, "Under the heavens, what matter could be more important than Senior Brother's cultivation?"

Clearly, to Zhou Botong, he cared nothing for the so-called Imperial Court.

Seeing this, Qiu Chuji patiently explained to Zhou Botong, "Uncle, since the Emperor has specifically requested to see Master, let him meet them."

"If..."

Before Qiu Chuji could finish, Zhou Botong shook his head directly and said, "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

"Senior Brother's cultivation has reached its most critical moment. He is only one step away from entering the Divine Ability Realm. At this moment, he must not be disturbed!"

Although Zhou Botong appeared careless and was known as the "Old Mischief," he was not at all negligent when it came to matters concerning Wang Chongyang.

When Ma Yu and the others heard Zhou Botong's words, they were completely dumbfounded.

They looked quite helpless.

After all, whether it was Zhou Botong or the Song Imperial Court, neither was something the Seven Masters of Quanzhen dared to provoke.

Just then.

From inside the house, Wang Chongyang's voice suddenly rang out!

"Ma Yu!"

"Come in!"

Wang Chongyang's voice was incredibly profound. At this moment, everyone fixed their gaze on the house.

"Has Senior Brother finished his cultivation?"

"Ma Yu! Since Senior Brother told you to go in, hurry up and go!"

Zhou Botong urged hurriedly.

Ma Yu naturally did not dare to hesitate and immediately entered the room.

"Ma Yu, what has happened?"

Wang Chongyang asked Ma Yu in a cold tone.

"Master, the Imperial Court has dispatched officials, specifically naming you to receive the decree."

As Ma Yu finished speaking, Wang Chongyang's face darkened. Then, Wang Chongyang performed a finger divination and said, "Not good. The world is indeed undergoing changes!"

With that, Wang Chongyang left his place of cultivation and came before Zhou Botong and the others.

Seeing that Wang Chongyang had finished his seclusion, Zhou Botong hurriedly asked, "Senior Brother, how is it? Did you break through to the Divine Ability Realm?"

Wang Chongyang shook his head and said to Zhou Botong, "Junior Brother, how could the Divine Ability Realm be broken through so easily? Although I am already at the peak of the Great Grandmaster realm, entering the Divine Ability Realm is quite difficult."

At this time.

Wang Chongyang said to his disciples, "Come, follow your Master to receive the Imperial Court's people!"

Having said that, Wang Chongyang and the others approached the Song officials.

Even though Wang Chongyang was the Sect Leader of Quanzhen and a peerless Great Grandmaster, he still behaved very politely when he met the Song Imperial officials.

Wang Chongyang bowed to the Song officials and said, "This Taoist is the Sect Leader of the Quanzhen Sect, Wang Chongyang. May I ask, Excellencies, for what matter have you come to Mount Zhongnan?"

The leading Song official immediately said, "Wang Chongyang, the Emperor has a decree. Now that the Jin Kingdom has been destroyed, the Grandson of the Great Ming has already dispatched troops to the border of the State of Song!"

"Upon hearing this, the Emperor fears that the Great Ming Grandson will invade Song. Therefore... the Emperor has decided that you, Wang Chongyang, shall go to the Great Capital to assassinate the Great Ming Grandson!"

"Wang Chongyang, what are your thoughts?"

To be honest, after hearing the decree from the State of Song, there was no change in the expression on Wang Chongyang's face.

The reason was simple.

Because... Wang Chongyang had already guessed the purpose of these officials' visit.

Then.

Wang Chongyang said, "This Taoist accepts the decree!"

"Please convey to His Majesty that this Taoist shall head to the Great Capital immediately to assassinate the Great Ming Grandson!"

Clearly.

Once Wang Chongyang finished speaking, the Song officials were quite satisfied.

Among them, the leading official even said, "Taoist Wang, we shall trouble you!"

...

After the Song officials departed, Ma Yu hurriedly said to Wang Chongyang, "Master, the strength of the Great Ming Grandson is unfathomable. If you go to the Great Capital rashly, you may encounter great danger."

Qiu Chuji also advised, "Yes, Master. That Great Ming Grandson killed Ouyang Feng with just a single move, and Ouyang Feng was a peerless Great Grandmaster!"

"This is enough to show that the Great Ming Grandson's strength is clearly superior to Ouyang Feng's; he might even be in the Divine Ability Realm."

After Qiu Chuji finished, Zhou Botong spoke up again, "Senior Brother, if that Great Ming Grandson really is in the Divine Ability Realm, then you'd better not go!"

"It is simply too dangerous!"

However, for Wang Chongyang, his mind was already made up.

"Do not try to persuade me further. Our Quanzhen Sect is the number one sect in the State of Song. Now that the north of Song is under threat, it is only natural for Quanzhen to make a contribution."

"Seven Masters of Quanzhen!"

"This time, you shall all accompany your Master to the Great Capital!"

Clearly.

Wang Chongyang knew very well in his heart that he had no way out. Since things had come to this, he could only obey the orders of the Imperial Court!

...

Half a month later.

The Great Capital.

Inside the Imperial Palace.

Zhu Ying sat expressionlessly upon the Dragon Throne, while Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were on his sides.

Before long.

Liu Lei, serving as the Commander of the Royal Guards, suddenly arrived before Zhu Ying.

"Reporting to Your Highness!"

"Currently, a large number of martial arts experts have infiltrated the Great Capital!"

Upon hearing this, a trace of excitement actually appeared on Zhu Ying's face. He said to Liu Lei, "Hmph, they've finally arrived. These people have kept me waiting for a long time."

"However, since the martial arts experts from various nations have arrived, why haven't they come to assassinate me?"

As Zhu Ying's voice fell, Liu Lei immediately explained, "Reporting to the Grandson Highness, it may be that no one dares to be the first to stick their neck out..."

"After all, Your Highness's name has already spread throughout the entire world!"

"The martial arts experts of all nations already know that Your Highness defeated Ouyang Feng with just a single move."

Hearing this, Zhu Ying nodded slightly. "Makes sense."

"However, these martial arts experts who have infiltrated the Great Capital will certainly act. Send men to keep an eye on them for me!"

"As you command!" Liu Lei responded immediately.

Just then.

Guo Zhen, the Commander of the Imperial Guard, also entered the hall.

"Reporting to Your Highness, an envoy from Tibet requests an audience!"

Hearing this, Zhu Ying said indifferently, "An envoy from Tibet? Hmph, I suspect this person is here to kill me."

Guo Zhen pressed further, "Then, does Your Highness mean... not to see him?"

Zhu Ying waved his hand and said, "See him! I must see him!"

"I want to see what kind of scheme this Tibetan envoy is playing."

After Zhu Ying finished speaking, Guo Zhen quickly brought the Tibetan envoy into the hall.

And this Tibetan envoy was none other than the disciple of the Golden Wheel Dharma King—Huo Du!