Ming Dynasty: pacifying the rebellion and defending the border, dominating the world

Chapter 192 News That Made Zhu Jinzhen Tremble

"Chamu Xue??"

Less than half an incense stick of time.

Information about the boy named Cha Muxue has already been placed on Zhu Jinzhen's desk.

Xiao Luoyang, the acting deputy commander of the Secret Guard, has already had the Secret Guard thoroughly investigate Cha Muxue.

"Your Highness, we have confirmed that he is indeed one of the survivors of the Chamu tribe. According to the results of my interrogation using mind control techniques, his tribe was attacked by a powerful expert, which led to the death of the divine dragon that they had worshipped and protected for generations. The Chamu tribe was then slaughtered, and he was the only one who survived."

"After that, I wandered around, searching for the murderers who massacred the Chamu people."

"Because he was outnumbered and outmatched, he thought of joining the army to make a name for himself and prepare for revenge."

Xiao Luoyang reported Cha Muxue's situation truthfully.

Zhu Jinzhen nodded from time to time, as this was largely in line with the Dragon Ball storyline he knew: "Where does Xu Changhai plan to assign this young prodigy who reached the Innate Realm at the age of sixteen?"

"Your Highness, it is the Xi'an Guard."

"Ok!"

"Let's arrange it that way then. Have the secret guards keep a close eye on things."

Zhu Jinzhen nodded. The eight dragon balls were not as miraculous as the water and fire dragon balls, and their effects on him were not significant. He only cared about them because they were rare treasures, nothing more.

"By the way, have you found out the whereabouts of the Chamu tribe and the location of the demonic dragon that Chamu Xue and the others are guarding?"

"Your Highness, the matter has been investigated and confirmed."

Xiao Luoyang nodded and continued, "According to Chamu Xue, the Chamu tribe has lived in the towering mountains on the north side of the Qilian Mountains for generations. Although the demonic dragon has been worshipped and protected by the Chamu tribe for generations, it does not live only within their tribe and often disappears for long periods of time."

"I speculate that the Chamu tribe should have an underground river that leads directly to Qinghai, and the true dwelling place of that demonic dragon should be Qinghai."

“There is indeed some basis to this.” Zhu Jinzhen nodded calmly. In reality, he had never seen that demonic dragon, but based on normal biological habits, he knew that the Chamu tribe of Qilian Mountain alone was simply not enough to support that demonic dragon.

Its most likely habitat is either somewhere in the Qilian Mountains or in Qinghai.

"Did Cha Muxue mention any traces of other demonic dragons?"

"Your Highness, no." Xiao Luoyang shook his head.

"That's it!"

Zhu Jinzhen also knew that if he wanted to find out the identities of the other divine dragons, demonic dragons, and flood dragons, he would probably have to take action himself. So he put the matter aside for the time being and said, "During the time that Yi Mei is away, the primary task of the secret guards is to monitor the entire Shaanxi province. I want you to be my eyes and ears, to observe every blade of grass and every move in the entire Shaanxi province."

"Anyone who embezzles, abuses power, or harms the people will be severely investigated."

"Yes, Your Highness, please rest assured. The Secret Guard has penetrated deep into all departments and units in Shaanxi. No matter what happens, it will not escape the Secret Guard's notice!" Xiao Qingyang replied solemnly.

Zhu Jinzhen maintained his secret guards for nearly five years, investing countless resources and silver.

As the saying goes, "It takes a thousand days to raise an army, but only one day to use it."

If they falter at this crucial moment, Xiao Qingyang himself doesn't know how he will face his prince.

Zhu Jinzhen nodded. He trusted the secret guards, but he wanted to remind them not to be negligent.

Thinking of the others who had been gone for a long time, he asked, "How is Xue Mei and Ni Chang's mission progressing?"

"Your Highness, according to intelligence from within the Secret Guard..."

"Huang Xuemei's group of secret guards encountered Dongfang Bubai, the leader of the Sun Moon Sect, in Hulu Village outside Hengyang City. After a contest and some transactions, they briefly reached an agreement."

"The next day, the grand ceremony of Liu Zhengfeng, one of the Five Sacred Sword Sects of Hengshan, washing his hands of his sword in Hengyang City was suddenly and inexplicably postponed. Moreover, the Songshan Sect, which was supposed to disrupt the event, also disappeared for some unknown reason."

"In the end, Huang Xuemei and the others parted ways in Hengyang. Huang Xuemei, leading the secret guards, recruited Qu Yang and went with Dongfang Bubai to Blackwood Cliff to complete the handover. Judging by the timeline, she should be able to replace Dongfang Bubai and take control of the Sun Moon Sect within the next day or two." "Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Jinzhen showed no surprise, but instead frowned: "Why has Liu Zhengfeng postponed his retirement from the martial arts world without reason? Also, why haven't those people from the Songshan Sect who caused trouble shown up? Have the secret guards investigated them?"

In the world of martial arts, Zhu Jinzhen can now basically sweep through everything with his eyes closed.

There weren't many things that could make him wary: the ancient gods and demons hidden in the background of gods and demons, the people from the heavenly world, and the meaning of the word 'heaven' that the dragon suddenly warned him about when he made his wish.

But Zhu Jinzhen will not overlook the real threat.

A time traveler!!

If there are any variables in the world of martial arts that could threaten Zhu Jinzhen, they are only other transmigrators and the possibility of some kind of multiverse organization suddenly entering the scene.

This is also why Zhu Jinzhen vigorously developed the secret guards, wanted to monitor the whole country, and favored many important characters in the plot.

The ceremony for Liu Zhengfeng to retire from his official career was suddenly and inexplicably postponed.

Furthermore, even the Songshan Sect, which was supposed to come and cause trouble, suddenly disappeared without a trace before the secret guards could intervene.

The underlying motives are quite intriguing.

Zhu Jinzhen's first thought was not that other forces had intervened or that Zongwu's influence had changed anything, but rather whether this variable was someone or something that did not belong to the original 'predestined fate'.

"I lay low in Shaanxi and focused on development. Although the impact was far-reaching, the actual plot remained largely unchanged. Even if Yue Buqun joined the Secret Guard, it would not have caused the plot of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer to deviate to this extent."

"But, could it really be as I suspect?" Zhu Jinzhen's eyes flashed with a dangerous light, and he couldn't help but feel suspicious. After all, it was understandable if something happened to Liu Zhengfeng or the Songshan Sect.

However, incidents occurred at the same time, especially Liu Zhengfeng's retirement ceremony, which caused a great stir in the martial arts world. Those who went to watch the ceremony were not only from the original Xiao Ao sects, but also from the eight major sects of the Ming Dynasty.

Postponing the retirement ceremony without cause is tantamount to making a fool of the various factions in the martial arts world.

Unless Liu Zhengfeng has lost his mind, he would never do such a thing, nor would he dare to do it.

But he did it anyway.

Zhu Jinzhen, on the other hand, was not too surprised. After all, although the Songshan Sect in the world of martial arts was full of experts, it could only barely reach the level of a first-class martial arts force. It was not surprising that it was devoured by the martial arts world.

It was only because the two things came together that Zhu Jinzhen found it a bit strange.

“Your Highness, the Secret Guard has been investigating, but…” Xiao Luoyang said, kneeling down on one knee with remorse, “I’m sorry to disappoint Your Highness, the Secret Guard has not yet found any clues.”

"We will investigate this matter with all our might."

"If necessary, send a master of the Land Immortal Realm in person."

"Have Huang Xuemei and Lian Nishang put aside all their current tasks and fully cooperate."

"Yes!" Xiao Luoyang instantly understood the seriousness of the matter.

Although he didn't know why Zhu Jinzhen valued this news so much, he only needed to carry it out and didn't need to have so much useless curiosity.

Zhu Jinzhen tapped the handle unconsciously, clearly his mind was in turmoil.

Apart from that, there was no other news that Zhu Jinzhen should pay attention to.

The secret guard mission of Lian Ni Chang and her group to rescue Lin Pingzhi's parents was without any twists and turns. Yu Canghai of the Qingcheng Sect was not even at the Zhi Xuan Realm. He led the team with a Grandmaster of the Celestial Phenomenon and a group of Zhi Xuan Grandmasters.

It was simply not something a mere Qingcheng Sect elder could withstand.

They rescued Lin Pingzhi's parents with ease.

(End of this chapter)