Starting with the divine power of the Great Vajra, he traversed the heavens.

Chapter 278 The Emperor Invites You (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)
Three evil spirits?

They were actually here?!

Jian Zhengming's words immediately terrified everyone.

Seeing the chaotic scene, Jian Zhengming turned around and shouted, "Those who care about their lives, get out of here! Those who don't care about their lives, stay here!"

Upon hearing this, everyone wished they had two legs left and rushed down the stairs, some even jumping out of the windows to escape. In an instant, the entire restaurant was deserted except for Ren Shaoyang's table.

The three thugs remained unfazed, continuing to eat and drink. The little beggar even said, "Hey, big guy! They all skipped out on the bill, you'll have to compensate the boss for the loss."

Jian Zhengming clasped his hands in a fist and smiled, "Miss Hongxiu is right!" Then he looked at the innkeeper, "All expenses will be paid by our factory guards. You tidy up the other tables!"

"Yes, yes!" the shopkeeper said, his face pale and his voice trembling. "This old man begs you gentlemen, no..."

"Do you think I need your money?" Jian Zhengming frowned, impatiently saying, "Hurry up and pack your things? What if the President comes later? Are you going to try to ruin my plans?"

"Yes, yes!" The shopkeeper bowed and left hastily, and soon instructed the shop assistant to tidy up the mess.

Ren Shaoyang turned to look at Jian Zhengming, who had been tense all along: "Actually, Brother Jian, you don't need to be afraid of me."

"I am truly in awe to have met the Sword God in person!"

As Jian Zhengming spoke, he thought to himself, "Who the hell isn't afraid of a top-tier swordsman who can suddenly kill without the slightest hesitation?"

Although he thought this way, his expression became increasingly submissive.

Ren Shaoyang saw right through his little scheme, but didn't care. Instead, he, Hongxiu, and Ding'an praised the food and wine, and ate and drank heartily.

Just then, a commotion was heard downstairs, and a person came upstairs with a thud.

Jian Zhengming frowned, turned around and shouted, "Who is it?"

Then a short, stout Taoist priest came upstairs with a grin.

Jian Zhengming exclaimed in surprise, "Master Xiaoban!" He then asked, "What brings you here?"

The little Taoist bowed to him, then walked to the empty chair at the table, sat down, picked up his chopsticks and started eating, and picked up his wine cup and started drinking, ignoring Jian Zhengming's strange looks.

After the four had eaten and drunk their fill, the little beggar picked his teeth and asked, "Fatty Taoist, what's the matter?"

The chubby Taoist priest said with a bitter face, "Hey, the sect leader wants me to talk to you about Xiang."

"What's there to say?" Hongxiu's tone was icy. "Do you expect Ding'an to hand over the Eagle Knife so easily?"

The young Taoist blinked and asked, "Will it work?"

Ding An muttered, "Do they think I'm stupid? They're really asking for trouble!"

The half-baked Taoist said, "It seems that won't work."

Ren Shaoyang said, "Let's not talk about such disgusting things." He looked at the aggrieved-looking Xiao Ban Dao Ren and smiled, "The Eagle Blade is in Ding An's hands and has Feng Xing Lie's approval. Even if we were to return it, it would be to Ying Yuan, and it has nothing to do with the Eight Sects Alliance."

The young Taoist priest said, "Shaoyang, the number of people you've killed along the way has been too ruthless and terrifying. I'm afraid."

Ren Shaoyang glanced at him and laughed, "Afraid that the legitimate authorities and the government will join forces to attack me?"

The little Taoist nodded and said, "I'm worried that you might get hurt."

Ren Shaoyang smiled and patted the little Taoist's round shoulder hard, saying, "Goodness, your words really warm my heart."

Hongxiu also laughed and said, "That's more like a virtuous person. I hate those hypocrites the most, who talk about benevolence and morality but are actually despicable and shameless."

Chien Cheng-ming stood by, seemingly oblivious to the indirect criticism, yet remained expressionless.

The little Taoist chuckled and said, "For this title of 'a Taoist master,' I'd give you half my life, Sister Hongxiu!"

Hongxiu laughed and said, "Do you mean to represent the Eight Great Sects or just yourself?"

The Taoist priest smiled and said, "This only represents my personal opinion. However, if I were to die, it might change the minds of those old fogies."

Hongxiu exclaimed, "Wow! Fat Taoist, you've switched sides with us?"

The young Taoist priest said, "Sister Hongxiu, we're all in this together, ready to go through fire and water!"

Ren Shaoyang also smiled sincerely and said, "The gates of Peach Blossom Garden will always be open for you."

Hongxiu said, "You are a very fat Taoist priest."

The little Taoist laughed heartily: "Previously, I had to stand against you because of my sect and my sense of duty. Now that I have awakened, I want to stand by your side. What does it matter if I lose my life?"

Ding An gave a thumbs up and said, "Don't worry, none of the people who are with us have suffered any misfortune yet."

As they were talking, they heard footsteps again.

A group of people strode up from the entrance. The leader was tall and thin, with a stern face and piercing eyes, exuding great authority. Following him was a burly man with a full beard, dressed in military uniform, with a long sword at his waist. He walked with an imposing air, clearly a person of high rank.

Behind him stood a man and a woman dressed in tight-fitting clothes; the man carried a long knife on his back and the woman carried a long sword, each exuding an air of fierceness.

Behind him was a short dwarf with a gloomy and cunning expression.

Finally, there were eight generals in military uniforms.

When Xiao Ban Dao Ren saw these people, his scalp tingled. He thought to himself, "These imperial guards really have a keen sense of smell. They found us so quickly."

Jian Zhengming quickly walked over, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Commander-in-Chief!" He then greeted the bearded man in military uniform, "Greetings, Lord Hu!"

The middle-aged man at the head of the group nodded, then stepped past Jian Zhengming to the table. He took a deep breath and said loudly, "Leng Yan, a member of the Imperial Guard, greets Sword God Ren, Miss Hongxiu, and Emperor Li Dao!"

Ren Shaoyang smiled and said, "Since Lord Leng has come in person, what are your instructions?"

Leng Yan laughed and said, "How dare I utter the word 'order' before the Sword God Ren?" He glanced at the eagle blade on Ding An's back, then clasped his hands and said, "I have received an imperial decree. By His Majesty's great grace, the three of you are invited to the palace for a gathering."

The three villains and the half-Taoist were all taken aback, wondering why Zhu Yuanzhang was in such a hurry to see them.

Ren Shaoyang was somewhat tempted after hearing what Lengyan said.

After all, Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, was a very legendary figure, whether it was his humble origins, his ruthless methods, his true love with Empress Ma, or his unparalleled achievement of unifying the country from south to north.

Everything piqued his curiosity.

What exactly was this most legendary grassroots emperor in China's five thousand years of history like?
Is it because he looks remarkably like Master Xiao, or does he have the appearance of a dragon as depicted in the painting?
He turned to look at Hongxiu and found that she also looked eager to see what the founding emperor looked like.

Ren Shaoyang glanced out the window again and saw that the Qinhuai River was crowded with tourists, with rows of painted boats on the river, and red-sleeved beauties beckoning from the brothels, singing and laughing endlessly.

What a magnificent and prosperous scene!
"Isn't the Emperor afraid of my infamous reputation?" Ren Shaoyang suppressed his emotions and chuckled lightly.

Leng Yan laughed and said, "His Majesty is a man of great talent and ambition, and naturally knows what those Jianghu scoundrels are up to. His Majesty wishes to see the three of you, firstly because he wants to witness the legendary Eagle Blade, and secondly because he wants to see the demeanor of three peerless heroes!"

Ren Shaoyang smiled slightly and turned to look at Hongxiu and Ding'an: "What do you think?"

The little beggar said, "Let's go! The emperor is giving us face, so we can't refuse him."

Ding An said, "I agree. I'm also curious about what the emperor looks like."

Ren Shaoyang smiled and was about to speak.

Suddenly, the bearded officer shouted, "You madman, how dare you disrespect His Majesty?!" With that, he waved his hand sharply, "How dare you! Men, seize him!"

The man and woman carrying swords and knives stepped forward simultaneously, ready to charge.

Leng Yan suddenly felt a chill on his forehead and knew something was wrong. He quickly shouted, "How dare you! His Majesty invites people into the palace, and you dare to offend him?!"

Upon hearing this, the man and woman paused abruptly, and the bearded officer's expression changed drastically.

At this moment, Lengyan felt a slight breeze behind him and quickly turned around, his face turning ashen.

Before them stood a deep blue sword blade, emerging from the floor beneath their feet, swaying and twisting like a venomous snake.

bass!
The blade retracted and disappeared from the floor.

Ren Shaoyang moved his sleeves, sheathing his divine sword. His eyes shone brightly, captivating the soul. He looked at Leng Yan without blinking.

"Thank you!" Leng Yan swallowed hard, his heart felt like it was being squeezed, and his clasped hands trembled involuntarily. "Thank you for showing mercy, Sword God Ren."

Ren Shaoyang said indifferently, "You just reacted quickly." After saying that, he stood up and went downstairs with Hongxiu, Ding'an, and Xiaoban Daoren.

Seeing this, Lengyan quickly followed him out.

After a long while, the officer surnamed Hu roared in fury, "How dare he offend an official of the imperial court! I will report this to the Emperor and make him pay!"

Jian Zhengming whispered from the side, "Lord Hu, Ren Jianshen is someone who even dared to cut down Pang Ban, you..."

The officer gave him a cold look, but dared not say another word.

He inwardly complained that he was just putting on an act, and this kid saw through him. If it weren't for the Xining Sect behind him, he would have definitely taught him a lesson!

After everyone left the restaurant, the three villains boarded a donkey cart, while Leng Yan led the imperial guards on horseback to clear the way.

After walking for a while, the donkey cart stopped, and the three of them got off.

But ahead stood a palace, adorned with dragons and phoenixes, towering majestically.

Lengyan led the three of them forward along a white jade path. The area in front of the hall was shaded by flowers and trees. The hall door was half open, and several palace maids and eunuchs stood in front of it, bowing their heads and clasping their hands, looking respectful.

At this moment, Hongxiu suddenly asked, "Commander Leng, is someone coming? There's a lot of gongs and drums."

(End of this chapter)