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

Chapter 528 The Eager Crowd

"On behalf of the Director and the Eastern Depot, this servant thanks Your Majesty for the reward!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

Cao Shaoqing knelt down and kowtowed in excitement.

With one celestial being and several other deities working together, the Eastern Depot could easily take over Lingyun Cave.

It will also allow us to avenge our previous humiliation!
"Ah."

Zhu Jinzhen nodded calmly: "Also, regarding the manpower lost by the Eastern Depot, after that world ends, I can grant Cao Zhengchun special authority to allow the Eastern Depot to draw some elites from the Capital Guard to replenish them."

The Eastern Depot, the Western Depot, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Dragon Guard Manor.

The four intelligence agencies of the Ming Dynasty checked and balanced each other, so no one side could be weakened too much, otherwise the balance would easily be lost.

The art of rulership lies in weighing and balancing.

Although Zhu Jinzhen didn't care about this, he wasn't ignorant of it either.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Cao Shaoqing bowed down again in gratitude.

Although he hadn't been back for long, the Eastern Depot was no pushover. During this time, the events in the capital, including Zhu Jinzhen's special grant of 30,000 Earth Dragon Pills to strengthen the capital's guards, had caused quite a stir.

Cao Shaoqing was naturally aware of this as well.

Thirty thousand Imperial Guards—that's roughly equivalent to thirty thousand experts at the Finger-Pointing Realm.

With a little training, they wouldn't be any worse than those Eastern Depot masters who died in battle.

"besides……"

Zhu Jinzhen glanced at the secret guards who had arrived outside with the box, and waved for them to hand the box to Cao Shaoqing: "This is the Shuyue Pill, which can help Zhixuan save on the accumulation of power and increase the chance of enlightenment."

"It's a reward for you."

"With your talent, and with a little more experience, you could become a terrestrial immortal."

Shu Yue Dan is a brand-new elixir that Zhu Jinzhen refined using the Shennong Cauldron during this period. It was made by adding some universal treasure coins condensed from the Treasure Basin, and it has the effect of accelerating comprehension and cultivation speed.

It is most effective for those below the level of terrestrial deities.

"This servant, Cao Shaoqing, kowtows to express my gratitude to Your Majesty for your great favor. Long live the Emperor!" Cao Shaoqing accepted the jade box and kowtowed repeatedly before the Emperor to express her gratitude.

"Go do something."

Zhu Jinzhen waved his hand, dismissing Cao Shaoqing.

……

The capital city, the headquarters of the secret guards.

Yan Yimei returned with her mission.

The top martial arts experts who had been subdued, such as Yan Kuangtu, Dugu Qiubai, and Zhu Faga, all gathered here, some rubbing their fists in anticipation, others polishing their swords, awaiting the orders from the secret guards.

"I've heard that in that world, there are countless masters and powerful figures, as well as ancient monsters who have lived for thousands of years, secretly manipulating everything in China, and also old monsters who play games in the mortal world."

"Sword Saint Dugu Jian, whose Holy Spirit Sword Technique is renowned throughout the martial world, has never met an opponent. He only suffered one defeat, at the hands of Heavenly Sword Nameless. According to the secret guards' intelligence, Dugu Jian has been in seclusion for many years, and has innovated the Holy Spirit Sword Technique, having comprehended a peerless sword technique that does not belong to the mortal world."

"Oh? Swordsmanship that doesn't belong to this world?"

"Yes, that Sword Master Wuming is no ordinary person either; it's said he's already reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship..."

"Hehe, that's a misconception."

"Indeed, before the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, who dares to claim that they stand at the pinnacle of swordsmanship?"

"However, the Heavenly Sword Realm is indeed extraordinary, revered by all swords, and regarded as the heavens. When a Sword Saint approaches, his sword will automatically fall. When a passing swordsman draws his sword, it will automatically fall into the ground, swaying as if he is bowing."

As the group discussed, they subconsciously glanced at the peerless swordsman present.

Sword God Xie Xiaofeng, Sword Demon Dugu Qiubai, and Yi Tianxing and the others from Famous Sword Manor noticed that the three of them remained silent, their sword intent constantly surging, all yearning to spar with those peerless swordsmen. "However, those are just ordinary experts. According to the secret guards' investigations, countless ancient monsters still lurk in the mortal realm! They've existed for thousands of years! I can't even imagine what kind of masters they are!"

"Tianmen Di Shitian, who calls himself the god of the human world, was originally Xu Fu, an alchemist who sought immortality and medicine during the time of the First Emperor. Later, due to greed, he stole the blood of the phoenix, thus gaining the ability to live forever."

"Over the long years, Xu Fu, feeling bored, began to join various martial arts sects under different identities. He used a thousand years to learn the strengths of all kinds of martial arts, and created his own peerless martial art, the Sacred Heart Technique. He once became the leader of the martial arts alliance and even ascended to the throne of the emperor, vying for supremacy over the world."

"There is also the Bu clan, which is said to have produced many extraordinary figures. They claim to be immortal gods, founded the Search for Gods Palace, and there is also the Demon Lord Bu Bai Suzhen, etc."

Upon hearing this, everyone showed expressions of longing and anticipation.

Once they reached the level of Ning Daoqi, Tian Seng, Yan Kuangtu, and others, ordinary experts could hardly arouse their interest. These immortal old monsters had existed in the human world for thousands of years.

However, according to the intelligence from the secret guards, they were at most at the terrestrial celestial realm.

It might even be slightly weaker.

The martial arts of that world, such as the Sacred Heart Technique that could grant immortality and bring the dead back to life, the Nine Void Boundless Realm, the Sword Realm, and the Great Evil King and other peerless divine weapons, also deeply attracted them.

Tian Seng, Zhu Fajia, and others were even more eager.

For no other reason than the intelligence gathered by the secret guards.

There may very well be a true Buddha in the world of Fengyun.

The great sun has come!

"Amitabha, good, good, good."

The monks exchanged glances, each seeing the fervor in the other's eyes and the unusual emotions they shared.

Vairocana Buddha is the Buddha worshipped in Buddhism.

When what they once thought was a myth becomes reality, it's natural that they find it hard to calm down, but it's not entirely true that all they have left is the thought of converting to Buddhism.

Zhu Jinzhen, the Ming Dynasty, the Jingnan Campaign, the battle to slay the immortal.

The world has already seen that so-called immortals are not truly invincible.

Zhu Jinzhen and his skilled warriors showed the world that even celestial beings can be injured, bleed, and... die!

So……

Where is Vairocana Buddha?!

Such a thought is undoubtedly terrifying.

But for no apparent reason, it took root in the hearts of all the monks, including Tian Seng and Zhu Fajia.

Although it was outrageous and delusional, there was an uncontrollable desire stirring within them.

Yan Yimei arrived, interrupting everyone's discussion. Her gaze swept around and landed on the strongest among them: Zhu Faga, Yan Kuangtu, Dugu Qiubai, and Xie Xiaofeng.

"In this turbulent world, the Eastern Depot needs manpower support."

"His Majesty has decreed that I select several terrestrial immortals to assist in the mission."

"To suppress the fire unicorn within the Lingyun Cave."

"To clear away any other obstacles that the Eastern Depot might encounter."

"How many of you are willing to go?"

Upon hearing this, everyone held their breath, and the next moment countless gazes, like those of hungry tigers and wolves, turned to Yan Yimei with burning intensity.

Everyone was wary of those around them, as if they were about to fight over the spot.

A world of turmoil?

Suppressing the Fire Qilin?!

These words stimulated everyone's nerves, and even the most composed person, who would remain unmoved even if Mount Tai collapsed before them, was now deeply moved.

(End of this chapter)