Zhu Yuanzhang: My second son is invincible!

Inside the Honglu Temple's annex, the doors and windows were tightly shut, not even a mosquito could fly in.

Zhang Tianshi placed soundproofing talismans in the four corners of the room before daring to speak, his voice very low: "Gentlemen, what did you see in the Fengtian Hall today?"

Dugu Sheng sat in the grand chair, his hand on the hilt of his sword, and said, "Zhu Yuanzhang is very strong, even stronger than the legends say, but he hasn't reached the peak of the fifth realm."

Zhu Biao…that kid is incredibly cunning; he has a lot of dirt on us.”

Fairy Yaoguang removed her veil, revealing a face of unparalleled beauty, but her expression was grave as she said, "Zhu Biao is nothing to worry about; the trouble is the King of Wu that Master Zhang mentioned."

Master Zhang nodded in agreement, saying, "That King of Wu... was shrouded in an ancient aura of killing intent. It wasn't something he cultivated; it seemed to be innate, no, more like... something he brought from ancient times."

Master Huiming put his hands together and said, "Amitabha, that is... Xing Tian."

The room suddenly fell silent.

A breeze was blowing outside the window, rustling the leaves.

"Xingtian..." Dugu Sheng repeated the two words, tapping his fingers on the hilt of his sword.

"An ancient war god, who fought the Heavenly Emperor for the throne and survived being beheaded—how could such a being possess a mortal?"

"It's not possession, it's more like... inheritance. That axe, that shield, it's recorded in the records of Longhu Mountain. Xing Tian wielded the shield and axe. The shield is the shield, and the axe is the axe."

"Those are the two items in Zhu Hui's hands," Zhang Tianshi said, shaking his head.

"Then what are we still talking about? Let's just admit defeat. Xing Tian's successor, let alone us, even those old ancestors in seclusion in the sect might not be able to withstand a single axe blow."

Dugu Sheng sneered.

"We cannot admit defeat. If we admit defeat, our sect will lose all face and we will truly become the court's dogs." Fairy Yaoguang's voice was cold and clear.

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Dugu Sheng asked, looking at her.

Fairy Yaoguang was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "The banquet is in three days. It will be a test."

"How should we test him?"

"Under the guise of a disciple competition, we request King Wu's guidance. If he is truly that strong, we will accept our defeat. If he is merely bluffing..." Fairy Yaoguang said slowly.

She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Zhang Tianshi pondered for a moment and said, "That is indeed a solution, but we cannot send anyone to their death."

Moreover, earthly emperors cannot live long. Even someone as powerful as Zhu Yuanzhang would soon die. This is the drawback of earthly emperors. They can remain in seclusion for a period of time and then reappear later...

"I have a disciple in Kunlun who has reached the Golden Core realm in body refinement. He has thick skin and flesh, and he won't die even if he takes a few axe blows," said Fairy Yaoguang.

"My Shu Mountain also has a sword formation; a four-person attack can defeat a Nascent Soul cultivator," Dugu Sheng said.

"My Putuo Mountain possesses the Vajra Indestructible Divine Power, which can withstand an attack," Master Huiming said.

Zhang Tianshi nodded and said, "Alright, let's do it that way. However..."

He paused, then looked at the three and said, "If the test reveals that the King of Wu is indeed as terrifying as we think, what do you all intend to do?"

The room became quiet again.

After a long silence, Dugu Sheng sighed and said, "Then we'll accept it. It's better than having our entire family wiped out."

"That's all we can do," Fairy Yaoguang said softly.

Master Huiming chanted the Buddha's name in silence.

……

At the same time, in the Eastern Palace.

Zhu Biao was reading a secret report sent by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, which detailed the actions of the four sect leaders after they returned to the Court of State Ceremonial.

"A musical note..." Zhu Biao smiled.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard had long ago set up a listening array under the Court of State Ceremonial, which was the latest earth-listening array developed by the Ministry of Works. It could penetrate not only soundproofing instruments, but even the soundproofing barriers of the Nascent Soul Realm.

Therefore, the secret conversation between the four sect leaders was recorded without missing a single word.

"Xingtian...the legacy, second brother, did you hear that? People say you are the reincarnation of Xingtian." Zhu Biao put down the secret report and looked at Zhu Hui, who was sitting opposite him eating watermelon.

Zhu Li spat out a watermelon seed, looked up blankly, and asked, "What weather?"

"Xingtian, the ancient god of war, said that the axe and shield in your hand are ancient divine artifacts," Zhu Biao explained patiently.

"Oh! It's pretty useful, it's easy to chop firewood and split trees." Zhu Li continued eating watermelon.

Zhu Biao chuckled and said, "Only you would dare to use an ancient artifact to chop wood."

Guanyinnu, who was peeling grapes for Zhu Hui, asked in a low voice, "Brother, they said they wanted to test my husband. Is there any danger?"

"Danger... Second brother, someone's going to hit you, are you scared?" Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Hui.

Zhu Li stuffed the last piece of watermelon into his mouth and mumbled, "Whoever hits me, I'll chop them up."

"Did you hear that? They're the ones who should be afraid, sister-in-law. You don't know how powerful my second brother is." Zhu Biao said to Guanyin Nu with a smile.

Guanyin Nu breathed a sigh of relief, but then frowned and said, "But... wouldn't this be too domineering? After all, my husband is a prince. It wouldn't sound good if word got out that he's fighting with a sect disciple."

"So we can't let them make the first move. At the banquet three days later, if they really propose a competition, I'll say... Your Highness is too precious to play with children. If they want to play, let their sect leader do it." Zhu Biao stood up and walked to the window to say this.

He turned around, a gentle smile on his face, and said, "Or, Second Brother, you could visit their mountain gate, just as a tourist attraction."

Guanyin Nu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood.

The eldest brother is trying to seize the initiative.

Zhu Li then raised his hand and said, "Brother, can I bring my wife? She says she wants to see famous mountains and rivers."

"Sure! But we'll have to wait until this is over. Let's eat first. Mother made braised pork and had it sent over," Zhu Biao said with a smile.

As soon as she finished speaking, a palace maid brought in a large earthenware pot, lifted the lid, and a fragrant aroma filled the air.

Zhu Hui's eyes lit up, and he ate three bowls of rice in a row.

Guanyin Nu couldn't help but laugh as she watched him wolf down his food.

This man, the inheritor of the ancient war god, the Prince of Wu of the Ming Dynasty, eats like a simple-minded boy who hasn't eaten for three days.

Also good.

……

Three days later, a banquet was held at Fengtian Hall.

The main hall was brightly lit and had twenty tables set up.

Most of the civil and military officials had arrived, and the four sect leaders sat at the second seat at the main table, opposite Zhu Biao and Zhu Hui.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not come, saying he was unwell and sent the Crown Prince as his representative.

This is an opportunity for Zhu Biao to establish his authority.

The banquet began, filled with singing and dancing.

After a few rounds of drinks, Zhang Tianshi finally spoke up.

"Your Highness, I have a request."

Zhu Biao put down his wine cup and said with a smile, "Please speak, Celestial Master."

"Our sect and the imperial court should live in harmony in the future. Today's grand banquet is quite auspicious. Why not let my disciples spar with the young talents of the court and make friends through martial arts?" Master Zhang said politely.

All the officials fell silent.

coming.

Zhu Biao, his smile unchanged, said, "The Celestial Master's suggestion is excellent, however..."

He paused, then looked at Zhu Hui: "Second brother, what do you think?"

Zhu Hui was gnawing on a roasted lamb leg when he heard this. He looked up, his mouth full of grease, and said, "Fighting...good! I haven't stretched my muscles in ages."

Zhang Tianshi's heart tightened, and he hurriedly said, "Your Highness is too kind. How could I trouble Your Highness to do it? What I mean is to let my younger disciples have a go at it."

"Oh! That's no fun. I'm full and want to sleep," Zhu Li said, continuing to gnaw on her lamb leg.

These words were spoken so bluntly that some people in the hall were trying not to laugh.

Zhang Tianshi's expression was not good.

Dugu Sheng interjected, "If Your Highness finds the competition uninteresting, why not... offer some guidance? My Shu Mountain has a sword formation that I would like Your Highness to examine."

That's a bit provocative.

The officials' expressions all changed.

Zhu Biao was still smiling, but his eyes were devoid of warmth as he said, "Sword Saint Dugu, my second brother is a prince, not a martial arts master. He can offer guidance, but there must be an explanation."

"What do you mean?"

"How about this! Second brother, go visit your Shu Mountain and take a look at the sword formations. Not only Shu Mountain, but also Longhu Mountain, Kunlun, and Putuo, go and see them all."

"Firstly, we came to enjoy the scenery, and secondly... to see how sturdy the protective formations of each sect are," Zhu Biao said slowly.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the four sect leaders all changed.

This is an attempt to challenge us.

Moreover, he single-handedly defeated four teams.