The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 781 It was precisely the people of the Netherworld Cult.

The two walked to the side, and Liu Ruyan lowered her voice and said, "Young master, to be honest, I am a member of the Netherworld Sect..."

Liu Ruyan's words startled Zhu Xiong Ying. He hadn't expected this seemingly frail woman to be a member of the Netherworld Cult. He feigned composure and said calmly, "Oh? What do you mean by that, young lady?"

Liu Ruyan sighed and said softly, "Young master, you may not know, but I did not join the Netherworld Sect willingly. I was originally a chivalrous woman of the martial world, upholding justice and helping the weak. However, I offended an elder of the Netherworld Sect and was forcibly abducted, forced to join the sect. Now I have no choice but to submit to this. I am extremely grateful for your righteous rescue today. But I also have a request, and I hope you can grant it."

Zhu Xiong Ying thought to himself, "Could it be that Liu Ru Yan wants me to help her escape from the Netherworld Sect?"
He pretended to hesitate for a moment, then said, "Please speak freely, young lady. As long as it is within my power, I will do my best to help."

A glimmer of hope flashed in Liu Ruyan's eyes as she said, "Young master, could you please take me away from here? I really do not wish to remain in this hellhole any longer."

Zhu Xiong Ying was secretly delighted; this was exactly the result he wanted.

He nodded and said, "Okay, I promise you. But first, you have to tell me what secrets you know about the Netherworld Cult?"

Liu Ruyan hesitated for a moment before saying, "The headquarters of the Netherworld Sect is located deep in the Kunlun Mountains of the Western Regions, where there is a mysterious underground palace called the 'Netherworld Palace.' The leader of the Netherworld Sect is shrouded in mystery, and no one knows his true identity. The Netherworld Sect's influence is spread throughout the world, with numerous henchmen. They commit all kinds of evil deeds, making them feared by all. This is all I know."

Zhu Xiong Ying thought to himself, "Although this information is not much, it can still be considered as some clues."

He said, "Okay, I understand. Let's get out of here without further ado."

After saying that, he took Liu Ruyan away from the desolate mountains and headed towards the nearest town.

Along the way, Zhu Xiong Ying subtly inquired about Liu Ru Yan's background, trying to figure out whether she was truly trustworthy.

Liu Ruyan's answer was watertight and did not reveal any flaws.

Zhu Xiong Ying thought to himself, "It seems that Liu Ru Yan is indeed not simple."

However, he was not worried that Liu Ruyan would play any tricks.

After all, his strength was unmatched, and he was not afraid of anyone.

After arriving in town, the two found an inn to stay at.

Zhu Xiong Ying told Liu Ru Yan to go and rest first, while he went alone to the roof of the inn and gazed into the distance.

He thought to himself, "Netherworld Cult, I will definitely eradicate you completely!"
Suddenly, a dark figure appeared behind him.

"Who goes there?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked coldly.

The shadowy figure didn't speak, but instead launched an attack directly at him.

Zhu Xiong Ying dodged the attack from the shadowy figure with a swift movement.

Upon closer inspection, he discovered that the dark figure was actually a masked man dressed in black.

"Are you a member of the Netherworld Cult?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked.

The masked man did not answer, but continued his attack.

Zhu Xiong Ying sneered and said, "Since you refuse to speak, don't blame me for being impolite."

After saying that, he used his signature move – the "Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms".

The masked man had not expected Zhu Xiong Ying to be so powerful, and was immediately forced to retreat in defeat.

"Who are you?" the masked man asked in terror.

Zhu Xiong Ying snorted coldly and said, "I'm the one who'll take your life!"

After saying that, he struck the masked man in the chest with his palm.

The masked man screamed and flew backward, crashing heavily to the ground.

He struggled to get up, only to find that he was seriously injured and unable to move at all.

"Who...who exactly are you?" the masked man asked again. Zhu Xiong Ying walked up to the masked man, looked down at him, and said, "I am Zhu Xiong Ying!"

Upon hearing this, the masked man's eyes widened in disbelief.

"You...you are the grandson of the Ming emperor?" he asked in a trembling voice.

Zhu Xiong Ying sneered and said, "Exactly!"

A flicker of despair crossed the masked man's eyes; he knew he was doomed today.

"Why...why did you want to kill me?" he asked.

"Because you are a member of the Netherworld Cult!" Zhu Xiong Ying said coldly.

After saying that, he slapped the masked man on the head.

The masked man died on the spot.

After disposing of the masked man's body, Zhu Xiong Ying returned to the inn.

He went to Liu Ruyan's room and found that she was already asleep.

He walked to the bedside and quietly looked at Liu Ruyan's sleeping face.

Liu Ruyan's sleeping face is beautiful, just like a sleeping beauty.

Zhu Xiong Ying's heart stirred, and she couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke Liu Ru Yan's cheek.

Liu Ruyan suddenly opened her eyes.

She was startled when she saw Zhu Xiong Ying stroking her cheek.

"What...what are you going to do?" she asked in terror.

Zhu Xiong Ying quickly withdrew her hand, saying awkwardly, "I...I just..."

Liu Ruyan sat up, looking at Zhu Xiong Ying warily, and said, "Who exactly are you? Why are you approaching me?"

Zhu Xiong Ying took a deep breath and said, "Miss Liu, I have no ill intentions towards you. I just want to help you escape from the Netherworld Sect."

Liu Ruyan sneered and said, "Do you think I'd believe your nonsense?"

Zhu Xiong Ying sighed helplessly and said, "I know it's hard for you to believe me, but everything I'm saying is true. I really want to help you."

Liu Ruyan was silent for a moment, then said, "Then why did you kill that masked man?"

Zhu Xiong Ying said, "Because he wanted to kill me."

A hint of doubt flashed in Liu Ruyan's eyes as she asked, "Why would he want to kill you?"

Zhu Xiong Ying said, "Because he felt I knew too much."

Liu Ruyan looked at Zhu Xiong Ying with a complex expression, as if deep in thought. Suddenly, she asked, "Are you really a grandson of the Ming Dynasty emperor?"

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Liu Ru Yan's complicated expression, a cynical smile playing on his lips. "What? You can't believe that this grandson of the emperor also enjoys traveling incognito to experience the hardships of ordinary people?"

Liu Ruyan stared at him warily, not answering immediately. She had seen many spoiled brats, pretentious and swindling. Although Zhu Xiong Ying before her was imposing, who knew if he was another wolf in sheep's clothing? "A prince of the imperial family, would he venture into danger alone? Who exactly are you?"

Zhu Xiong Ying laughed heartily, his laughter echoing in the room. "Miss Liu, what you say is amusing. If I, the imperial grandson, were to set up a grand procession, surrounded by a retinue, what would that be called an incognito visit? Wouldn't it just be disturbing the peace?" He paused, his eyes suddenly turning sharp. "As for why I killed that masked man, it's simple: because he wanted to kill me, and I'm not one to be passively attacked."

Liu Ruyan's doubts deepened. The assassins of the Netherworld Cult were highly trained; why would they so easily target a mere "imperial grandson"? Unless… "What secret of the Netherworld Cult have you discovered?"

(End of this chapter)