Chapter 561: The Sweeping Monk Attacks

A while later.

In Song Province, within the capital and the Imperial Palace.

Guo Zhen, serving as the Commander of the Imperial Guard, rushed toward Zhu Ying in a state of tension.

"Your Highness!"

"Your subordinate has urgent matters to report!"

Sitting upon the Dragon Throne, Zhu Ying remained expressionless upon hearing these words. "Speak. What is it?"

Guo Zhen immediately spoke up, "Reporting to Your Highness, your subordinate has just received a secret letter from the Iron-Fisted Marquis of the Ming Kingdom."

"A secret letter from the Iron-Fisted Marquis? What does he say?"

A few days ago, Zhu Ying had descended upon this Dragon Protection Villa along with Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao. Once Zhu Yuanzhang revealed his identity to Zhu Wushi, Zhu Wushi had immediately and wholeheartedly pledged his loyalty to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Furthermore, Zhu Wushi had expressed to Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Ying, and the others that he would not only pledge his loyalty to the Great Ming Empire but would also persuade the Emperor of the Ming Kingdom to do the same.

Therefore, when Guo Zhen mentioned that the letter came from Zhu Wushi, Zhu Ying assumed that Zhu Wushi's persuasion had been successful.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the contents of Zhu Wushi's letter state that the Emperor of the Ming Kingdom does not wish to join our Great Ming Empire and is even preparing to resist to the bitter end!"

Guo Zhen reported the contents of Zhu Wushi's letter to Zhu Ying in full detail.

Clearly, upon hearing this, a look of fury instantly appeared on Zhu Ying's face.

"What?"

"That Emperor of the Ming Kingdom truly has backbone, actually daring to refuse?"

As Zhu Ying's voice fell, Guo Zhen continued, "Your Highness, Zhu Wushi also stated in the letter that he hopes to act as an internal informant, waiting within the Ming capital for Your Highness to lead the grand army."

Having heard this, Zhu Ying naturally guessed Zhu Wushi's intention instantly. He spoke unhurriedly, "Hmph, Zhu Wushi is still wary of the strength of my Great Ming Empire."

"Send a reply to Zhu Wushi. In ten days, my grand army will officially launch an attack on the Ming Kingdom!"

"Your subordinate obeys!" Guo Zhen, as the Commander of the Imperial Guard, immediately responded.

Afterward, Zhu Ying spoke to Guo Zhen again, "Also, summon Lan Yu and the others. Since we are discussing the conquest of the Ming Kingdom, we must naturally prepare in advance."

"Your subordinate obeys!"

Not long after, several Great Generals of the Great Ming Empire arrived one after another before Zhu Ying.

"Your subordinate greets the Imperial Grandson. Your Highness, may you have eternal longevity."

"Rise, all of you."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Zhu Ying walked toward the generals with a relaxed expression, speaking to them in a calm tone, "Our Great Ming Empire has already conquered the Jin Kingdom and the Song Kingdom."

"I believe it is time to continue our expansion. The next target: the Ming Kingdom."

Zhu Ying continued, "Now, the Iron-Fisted Marquis of the Ming Kingdom, Zhu Wushi, has pledged his loyalty to me. This will inevitably cause a great loss to the Ming Kingdom's strength. I will only give you ten days to prepare for battle. In ten days, we shall officially crusade against the Ming Kingdom."

As Zhu Ying's voice fell, the faces of the generals naturally filled with excitement and fervor.

Especially Lan Yu!

Lan Yu spoke with a confident tone, "Please rest assured, Your Highness. We will surely sweep through the Ming Kingdom. Your subordinate believes that in just half a month, we can annihilate the entire Ming Kingdom."

Seeing this, Zhu Ying nodded and said loudly, "Good! In that case, I shall give you half a month. In half a month, you must break the capital of the Ming Kingdom!"

"Your subordinate obeys!" For a moment, all the generals shouted in unison toward Zhu Ying.

However, just as Zhu Ying was about to dismiss the generals, Liu Lei, the Commander of the Royal Guards, rushed hurriedly to his side.

Seeing Liu Lei so panicked, Zhu Ying felt a hint of confusion.

Zhu Ying immediately asked, "What has happened? Why are you in such a panic?"

Liu Lei rushed to Zhu Ying's front and said in a very tense voice, "Reporting to Your Highness, a martial arts expert has arrived outside the capital of the Song Kingdom."

"Your subordinate believes this person's realm may be even more powerful than the Divine Ability Realm."

Liu Lei had also practiced martial arts, so he could sense just how terrifying this person's martial strength was.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ying showed a look of surprise.

"What did you just say? This person's realm is even higher than the Divine Ability Realm?"

In truth, Zhu Ying already knew that within this Wuxia world, there were several experts at the Half-Step Gangqi Realm.

However, he never expected that these Half-Step Gangqi experts would actually come here to seek death.

Liu Lei, the Commander of the Royal Guards, continued in a panicked tone, "Reporting to Your Highness, every word I say is true. I beg Your Highness to personally go to the capital."

Zhu Ying nodded and immediately said to the others, "Since it is a Half-Step Gangqi expert, I shall personally go and exchange a few moves with him."

After saying this, he seemed to remember something. He immediately turned to Liu Lei and Guo Zhen and said, "You two, quickly inform my Imperial Grandfather and my Father. Additionally, send people to protect them."

"You must absolutely not let either of them be harmed."

"If even a single hair on my Imperial Grandfather or my Father is injured, I will hold the two of you accountable."

Zhu Ying knew very well that since a Half-Step Gangqi expert had arrived, the person's strength would certainly be enough to harm Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao.

Thus, Zhu Ying immediately dispatched Guo Zhen and Liu Lei to provide protection.

The two of them replied in unison, "Your subordinates obey."

After arranging everything, Zhu Ying arrived at the capital of Song Province.

At this moment, beneath the capital, a monk dressed in Buddhist robes was using a worn-out broom to sweep away fallen leaves.

Though he appeared ordinary, the True Qi radiating from his body was quite dense.

Seeing this, Zhu Ying immediately guessed the monk's identity.

Standing atop the city gate, Zhu Ying shouted toward the monk, "If I am not mistaken, you are the Sweeping Monk of the Shaolin Temple, aren't you?"

Upon seeing that Zhu Ying had recognized him, the latter replied directly, "That is correct."

"I presume this benefactor is the so-called Imperial Grandson of the Great Ming?" Seeing that Zhu Ying had recognized him, the Sweeping Monk did not continue to hide his identity. He even inquired about Zhu Ying's name.

Zhu Ying replied unhurriedly, "I am indeed the Imperial Grandson of the Great Ming. I wonder what business brings you to our Great Ming Empire?"

The Sweeping Monk did not answer immediately. Instead, holding his worn-out broom, he continued sweeping the leaves on the ground.

Only after he had completely cleared the leaves did he slowly speak to Zhu Ying, "Amitabha. This monk has come because I wish to ask the benefactor a few questions."

Zhu Ying said with a look of disdain, "I know what questions you want to ask. You want to ask why I intend to bloodwash the Shaolin Temple, don't you?"

"I can answer you now. Not only will I bloodwash the Shaolin Temple, but I will also bloodwash every martial arts sect in the world. How does that sound?"

As Zhu Ying finished speaking, a profound hatred appeared on the Sweeping Monk's face.

He never expected that this so-called Imperial Grandson of the Great Ming would be so ruthless!

***

While Zhu Ying was conversing with the Sweeping Monk, Liu Lei, the Commander of the Royal Guards, also rushed to the presence of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao.

"Reporting to the Emperor and the Crown Prince, a martial arts expert has arrived outside the capital to provoke us. Your subordinate has come under Your Highness's orders to protect Your Majesty and the Crown Prince."

As Liu Lei's voice fell, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao exchanged a look simultaneously.

Then, Zhu Biao asked Liu Lei with a serious expression, "What did you just say? Zhu Ying sent you to protect me and my Father?"

Seeing this, Liu Lei nodded quickly in response, "Reporting to the Crown Prince, those were indeed the Imperial Grandson's exact words."

After hearing this, Zhu Biao immediately said to Zhu Yuanzhang beside him, "Father, since Xiong Ying sent the Royal Guards to protect us, it seems this martial arts expert's strength is extraordinary."

A hint of tension also appeared on Zhu Yuanzhang's face. He said solemnly, "Xiong Ying is naturally very aware of our strength. Since he sent the Royal Guards to guard us, it means this martial arts expert's strength is far beyond the Grandmaster Realm."

Following Zhu Yuanzhang's words, Liu Lei spoke again, "Reporting to Your Majesty, your subordinate believes this martial arts expert's realm is at least at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm."

"What? The peak of the Divine Ability Realm?"

Upon hearing Liu Lei's answer, the expression on Zhu Yuanzhang's face naturally grew even more tense.

After contemplating for a moment, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly said to Zhu Biao, "No, we must go see for ourselves. If Xiong Ying is no match for this person, we can step in to assist."

Previously, Zhu Biao would have naturally refused Zhu Yuanzhang's suggestion. But now, not only did he not refuse, but he also immediately nodded and said, "Father is right. This person's strength is unusual. At a critical moment, we must act."

Clearly, both Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were extremely wary of the Sweeping Monk.

Meanwhile, atop the city walls of the capital.

Zhu Ying's expression was quite relaxed.

In truth, Zhu Ying had long known that the Sweeping Monk's realm was the Half-Step Gangqi Realm.

If Zhu Ying were still only at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, dealing with the Sweeping Monk before him would be somewhat difficult. However, currently, Zhu Ying had successfully broken through to the Gangqi Realm.

Therefore, Zhu Ying's strength was naturally far higher than that of the Half-Step Gangqi Sweeping Monk.

At this moment, Zhu Ying did not take the Sweeping Monk seriously at all.

Zhu Ying continued to raise his voice, speaking to the Sweeping Monk in a cold tone, "I will give you a choice. From this moment on, pledge your loyalty to me immediately."

"Perhaps I will even spare your dog's life. If you refuse, then I am sorry, but the Shaolin Temple truly will vanish from this world."

Zhu Ying's meaning was clear: he intended to kill the Sweeping Monk.

At this point, the Sweeping Monk could no longer restrain himself. He was the first to mobilize the True Qi within his body, and then, the Sweeping Monk rose directly into the air, flying into the void.

Simultaneously, a massive amount of True Qi erupted from the Sweeping Monk's body.

For a moment, golden light radiated in all directions.

Seeing this, Zhu Ying also gave a light leap and appeared in the void.

The two great experts were about to engage in a fierce battle.

At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao also appeared on the city gate under the protection of the Imperial Guard and the Royal Guards.

When the two of them saw the Sweeping Monk, they immediately felt a very powerful surge of True Qi erupting from his body.

Zhu Biao was the first to speak, "Father, this person's realm is indeed higher than the peak of the Divine Ability Realm. It seems he is indeed a Half-Step Gangqi expert."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately shouted toward Zhu Ying in the void, "Xiong Ying, be careful! Do not get injured!"

Zhu Ying did not respond to Zhu Yuanzhang; his gaze was fixed firmly on the Sweeping Monk.

Zhu Ying gave the Sweeping Monk one last chance.

"Though you are a Half-Step Gangqi expert, to tell the truth, you are still far from my level. I will give you one last chance: pledge your loyalty to me right now. If you dare to strike, I will surely shatter you into pieces and send you to meet the Buddha ahead of schedule."

Facing Zhu Ying's intimidation, the Sweeping Monk spoke with even greater dissatisfaction, "Amitabha, compassion, compassion. Benefactor, you have fallen into a state of cultivation deviation; you are beyond saving."

"Today, this poor monk shall grant the benefactor liberation."

As the Sweeping Monk's voice fell, he made the first move.

For his first strike, the Sweeping Monk utilized the Shaolin ultimate technique: the Great Vajra Finger.

The Sweeping Monk rapidly gathered the True Qi within his body into his fingertips, and then a streak of golden light stabbed directly toward Zhu Ying.

On the city gate, both Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao broke into a sweat for Zhu Ying upon seeing this scene.

However, since Zhu Ying was already a Gangqi Realm expert, this type of attack from the Sweeping Monk would not harm him.

In fact, at this moment, Zhu Ying did not even dodge.

Instead, he lightly waved his hand.

In an instant, a dense layer of Gangqi radiated from Zhu Ying's body, forming an indestructible Gangqi shield in front of him.

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

As the True Qi from the Sweeping Monk's Vajra Finger collided with the Gangqi shield, a massive shockwave was produced.

At this moment, it felt as if the very heavens and earth were trembling.

Panic appeared on everyone's faces, and many commoners fled back to their homes.

The sky began to grow dark with thick clouds, and thunder roared.

However, for Zhu Ying, he remained completely unscathed.

The Gangqi he released had successfully blocked the Sweeping Monk's Great Vajra Finger.

At this time, Zhu Ying looked at the Sweeping Monk before him with a cold gaze.

"You kid certainly have guts, actually daring to fight me. In that case, I shall not be polite."

Clearly, for Zhu Ying, he had decided to stop giving the Sweeping Monk any more chances.

In the next second, Zhu Ying directly unleashed the Six Meridian Divine Sword.

Since Zhu Ying had progressed from the Divine Ability Realm into the Gangqi Realm, the power of his Six Meridian Divine Sword was naturally much more formidable than when he was in the Divine Ability Realm.

In the blink of an eye, six streaks of Gangqi formed the shape of precious swords, stabbing directly toward the Sweeping Monk.

Seeing this, the Sweeping Monk's expression became grave.

He knew very well that the Six Meridian Divine Sword unleashed by Zhu Ying was incredibly powerful; a single mistake could mean his death. Therefore, at this moment, the Sweeping Monk went all out.