Chapter 551: Powerful Expert of the Xiaoyao Sect

Meanwhile.

Within the Dragon Protection Villa in the State of Ming, located in the [Comprehensive Martial Arts World].

Zhu Wushi, known as the Iron-Fisted Marquis, also received news from his subordinates.

"Report!"

"Reporting to the Marquis, something terrible has happened!"

To be honest, when Zhu Wushi saw how panicked this subordinate was, he already guessed it was intelligence regarding the State of Song.

Zhu Wushi spoke hurriedly, "Is it about the State of Song?"

Facing Zhu Wushi's questioning, the subordinate naturally did not dare to hesitate and immediately spoke, "Reporting to the Marquis, it is indeed so. According to news from the front lines, the capital of the State of Song has been breached."

"What?" Although Zhu Wushi had already mentally prepared himself, when he heard the news that the capital of the State of Song had fallen, panic and shock still appeared on his face.

He never expected that the State of Song, a fellow powerful nation of the Central Plains, would possess no power to resist.

"How could it be so fast? If I remember correctly, it has been less than half a month since the Great Ming Empire went to war with the State of Song!"

Clearly, upon hearing the news, his first reaction was skepticism. The subordinate hurriedly added, "Reporting to the Marquis, this matter is absolutely true!"

"The capital of the State of Song has been breached by the Great Ming Empire from the north. It is said... that the Ming flag is already hanging over the capital!"

At this moment, after Shangguan Haitang, Duan Tianya, and Guihai Yidao learned of the news, they also arrived before Zhu Wushi one after another.

"Marquis! What should we do? Our Ming State borders the State of Song. Since this so-called Great Ming Imperial Grandson has already breached the Song capital, will he continue to attack our Ming State?"

"What should we do?" Duan Tianya pressed urgently.

However, regarding this question, even Zhu Wushi did not know how to answer.

Shangguan Haitang spoke directly, "Marquis, that Great Ming Imperial Grandson killed Cheng Shifei. Since that is the case, our Dragon Protection Villa must naturally seek revenge for him!"

"Why not... strike first to gain the advantage!"

Shangguan Haitang had a good relationship with Cheng Shifei. Therefore, upon learning that Cheng Shifei had failed to assassinate the Great Ming Imperial Grandson and had been killed by him instead, Shangguan Haitang had been determined to avenge him.

But when Zhu Wushi heard Shangguan Haitang's proposal, he flew into a rage!

"Hmph, strike first to gain the advantage? Are *you* going?"

Facing Zhu Wushi's rhetorical question, Shangguan Haitang fell completely silent. Clearly, he knew very well that given his current strength, he was no match for Zhu Ying.

At this time, Duan Tianya, the leader of the Four Great Secret Agents, also spoke up, "But Marquis, if we do not take the initiative to attack, wouldn't we just be sitting ducks?"

"What if this so-called Great Ming Imperial Grandson truly intends to attack our Ming State? What then?"

In truth, Duan Tianya and Shangguan Haitang shared the same thought; they both wanted to strike first to gain the advantage, which would both catch the enemy off guard and avenge Cheng Shifei.

However.

Duan Tianya also knew very well that even if he, Shangguan Haitang, and even Guihai Yidao combined their strength, they would still be no match for the Great Ming Imperial Grandson.

But, if Zhu Wushi were to act, the situation might be different.

After all, the Iron-Fisted Marquis Zhu Wushi was at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm!

Thus, Duan Tianya spoke directly to Zhu Wushi, "Marquis, since things have come to this, I believe only you can personally descend from the mountains!"

"You are also at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm. If you personally take action, combined with my help, Haitang's, and Yidao's, we will surely be able to kill this Great Ming Imperial Grandson!"

But just as Duan Tianya finished speaking, Zhu Wushi roared in anger, "Presumptuous!"

"Since when is it your turn to tell this King how to do things?"

Clearly, Zhu Wushi did not want to act personally. He knew very well that although they were both at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, with his current strength, he would absolutely be no match if he tried to go head-to-head with Zhu Ying!

Right at that moment, an imperial official arrived at the Dragon Protection Villa.

The official said to Zhu Wushi, "Reporting to the Marquis, the Emperor has issued an order. Please enter the palace immediately."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Wushi showed no sign of surprise, for he understood very well that the Emperor had summoned him to discuss the fall of the State of Song's capital to the Great Ming Empire.

Thus, Zhu Wushi said coldly to the official, "This King shall go at once."

***

Simultaneously.

Within the capital of the Great Ming Empire in the Comprehensive Martial Arts World, Zhu Ying had begun infrastructure construction.

Zhu Ying knew very well that if the Great Ming Empire wanted long-term peace and stability, it must naturally benefit the people.

Only when the commoners loved the Great Ming Empire could the regime be secure.

Inside the great hall, Zhu Ying addressed the group of Ming officials and scientists who had just arrived through the spatial portal: "Now that the State of Song in this Comprehensive Martial Arts World has become territory of our Great Ming Empire, we must naturally help the people develop well."

"I command you all to carry out a massive transformation of the former territories of the State of Song within one month, striving to achieve modernization!"

As Zhu Ying's voice fell, the group of Ming officials and scientists who had just arrived from the Main World accepted their orders one after another.

Subsequently, Zhu Ying emphasized to everyone, "The most urgent priority is the laying of water pipes, so that all citizens can achieve freedom of water usage. Additionally, we must carry out electrical construction."

"In short, one sentence: improve the people's livelihood first, and then proceed with deeper levels of construction."

Just as Zhu Ying finished issuing these instructions, he suddenly heard a shrill cry from the high sky outside the hall.

Zhu Ying was not panicked, for he knew very well that it was the sound of a Pterosaur.

Not long after, under the leadership of Commander Liu Lei of the Royal Guard, Zhu Yuan璋 and Zhu Biao descended slowly into the imperial palace within the capital riding Pterosaurs.

Immediately, Zhu Yuan璋 and Zhu Biao arrived at the great hall. Upon seeing the two of them, Zhu Ying was naturally very excited.

Zhu Ying immediately said to Zhu Yuan璋 and Zhu Biao, "Grandfather, Father, you have finally arrived."

Zhu Yuan璋 said with a smile, "Xiongying, I didn't expect you to defeat the State of Song so quickly. It truly is a surprise to us!"

Zhu Ying responded calmly, "Grandfather, the military strength of the State of Song was not strong to begin with. Dealing with such a nation naturally does not require much time."

At this time, Zhu Biao also said to Zhu Ying, "Xiongying, how do you plan to handle the State of Song after its occupation?"

Zhu Ying said patiently, "Father, the State of Song is a Central Plains nation, and its people are all Han. Naturally, they must be treated well. In this campaign against the State of Song, the Ming army has never massacred a single city."

"In fact, the Ming soldiers and the commoners have interacted very amicably. Now that the State of Song has been eliminated, we must naturally allow them to rest and recover, building up livelihoods and technology to benefit the people."

After Zhu Ying finished speaking, Zhu Biao nodded repeatedly, "I was thinking the same. The people of the State of Song and our Ming people share the same origin; naturally, they must be treated well."

"Since Xiongying has already decided, then I do not need to worry too much."

However, after Zhu Biao finished his sentence, Zhu Ying suddenly spoke seriously, "Father, you actually still need to worry a little."

"Although the State of Song has been defeated, as far as I know, many martial arts experts of the State of Song have yet to show themselves. I expect that before long, these martial arts experts will come to seek revenge."

Without a doubt, when Zhu Ying mentioned that martial arts experts would come for revenge, both Zhu Yuan璋 and Zhu Biao showed a hint of tension on their faces.

Zhu Yuan璋 hurriedly said to Zhu Ying, "Xiongying, is this true? Do these martial arts experts of the State of Song really dare to come for revenge?"

"If that is indeed the case, then I shall have to show off my skills a bit."

Clearly, for Old Zhu, he was already impatient to demonstrate his strength.

Unfortunately, after Zhu Yuan璋 finished speaking, Zhu Ying waved his hand and said, "Grandfather, have you forgotten? Xiongying has told you many times; there is no need for you to act."

"If the martial arts experts of the State of Song truly dare to come for revenge, Xiongying alone can eliminate them."

Beside him, Zhu Biao also said, "Indeed, Father. Leave these matters of fighting to Xiongying. Let us stay in the capital of the State of Song for a few more days to help the people develop well."

Hearing the persuasion of Zhu Biao and Zhu Ying, Zhu Yuan璋 could only agree.

***

Meanwhile.

Inside the Shaolin Temple in the State of Song.

They had just learned the news that the State of Song had been eliminated by the Great Ming Empire.

As the Abbot of the Shaolin Temple, Xuan Ci was quite angry.

He immediately summoned all four Great Divine Monks, and of course, all the disciples of the Shaolin Temple.

Xuan Ci said to the crowd, "Amitabha. The State of Song has been defeated by the Great Ming Empire from the north."

"The rise and fall of the world is the responsibility of every common man. Although we are all monastics, now that the State of Song is destroyed, both you and I bear responsibility."

The Abbot Xuan Ci sighed again and said with great helplessness, "Since things have come to this, Shaolin absolutely cannot sit idly by, nor can we stand by and watch."

"All Shaolin disciples, heed my command! Immediately follow this Abbot to the capital of the State of Song to slay the rebels!"

...

In fact, besides the Shaolin Temple, there were other hidden experts in the State of Song who were also preparing to head to the capital for revenge.

Especially the experts of the Xiaoyao Sect.

Xiaoyao Zi, plus Wuya Zi, and then the Tianshan Tonglao.

Of course, there were also many disciples of the Xiaoyao Sect.

Xiaoyao Zi, Wuya Zi, and Tianshan Tonglao were all experts at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm. Now that these three were heading to the Great Ming capital together, their goal was naturally to assassinate Zhu Ying.

Inside the capital of the State of Song, Zhu Ying appeared quite calm.

He knew very well that these Song experts would definitely come to claim his life.

However, Zhu Ying was not panicked in the slightest.

Although Zhu Ying's current realm had not yet entered the Half-Step Tiangang Realm, because he practiced the True Dragon Qi, his current strength could actually rival experts of the Half-Step Tiangang Realm.

Therefore, even if the Shaolin experts combined with the top martial arts experts of the Xiaoyao Sect, they would not be able to kill Zhu Ying.

...

At this moment, inside the Great Ming Imperial Palace.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony.

As the Emperor of the Ming State, Zhu Houzhao, had a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

He said to the civil and military officials in the hall, "Speak up. Where exactly should the Ming State go?"

"Now that the State of Song has been defeated by the Great Ming Empire from the north, its capital is destroyed, and the head of the Song Emperor, Zhao Gou, is even hanging from the city gates."

"From this, it is evident that the strength of the Great Ming Empire far exceeds that of the State of Song. Since the Great Ming Empire could eliminate the State of Song within half a month, our Ming State is certainly no match."

"In other words, once the Great Ming Empire attacks our Ming State, the Ming State will immediately fall into the predicament of national destruction."

"You are all the civil and military officials of the Great Ming. If the Ming State is destroyed, I believe none of you will fare much better."

In truth, the Ming State had been discussing this matter for a long time, but they had not actually reached a suitable plan.

Some advocated for sending troops to the State of Song, but more officials disagreed.

But now, the situation was different.

The State of Song was destroyed; therefore, the Ming State might be the next target.

Thus, Zhu Houzhao needed the civil and military officials to discuss a countermeasure.

After Zhu Houzhao finished speaking, the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony became exceptionally quiet. Clearly, not a single official knew how to deal with the Great Ming Empire.

Seeing that no one would speak, Zhu Houzhao's face showed obvious anger.

Subsequently.

Zhu Houzhao began to call names.

"Imperial Uncle, you speak first."

Zhu Houzhao turned his gaze toward the Iron-Fisted Marquis, Zhu Wushi.

Seeing this, the latter hurriedly bowed to Zhu Houzhao and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this minister believes that since things have come to this, the Ming State naturally needs to deploy more troops to the borders for defense."

"Additionally, we must unite with other nations to jointly resist the Great Ming Empire."

When Zhu Wushi finished, Zhu Houzhao's face was still filled with displeasure.

Clearly, Zhu Wushi's answer did not satisfy the Emperor of the Ming State.

Zhu Houzhao said coldly, "Deploy troops to guard the borders? Unite with other nations to resist the Great Ming Empire. Imperial Uncle, oh Imperial Uncle. You are thinking of this matter far too simply, aren't you?"

"This is not like you at all."

Zhu Houzhao was a clever man. He knew very well that Zhu Wushi's answer was extremely vague.

Furthermore, Zhu Houzhao could clearly sense that Zhu Wushi did not want to exert effort, which caused Zhu Houzhao to harbor suspicions toward him.

Just then, the Grand Eunuch Cao Zhengchun stepped forward.

As someone close to Zhu Houzhao, Cao Zhengchun naturally sensed the Emperor's dissatisfaction with Zhu Wushi.

Since Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi had always been at odds, he naturally took this opportunity to make things unpleasant for Zhu Wushi.

Thus, Cao Zhengchun added fuel to the fire, saying, "Marquis, you command the Dragon Protection Villa, which is filled with clouds of experts. Why not have the Marquis and the many experts of the Dragon Protection Villa go to the capital of the State of Song to assassinate the Great Ming Imperial Grandson!"

"Moreover, the Marquis is an expert of the Divine Ability Realm! Combined with the many martial arts powerhouses of the Dragon Protection Villa, you will surely be able to heavily wound the Great Ming Imperial Grandson!"