In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

···

"The Zhang family has left Wu Tang territory?"

The new Ming emperor, Zhu Shou, looked at Cao Shaoqing, who was reporting, in disbelief.

The Wu Tang Empire suffered such a great loss that it swallowed its irreconcilable hatred.

This was a blood feud involving the extermination of the Wu clan, equivalent to the existence of the Zhu family of the Ming Dynasty. Even if there were still some remaining branches of the Wu family outside, they were actually beyond the third degree of kinship, and Emperor Wu did not pay them any attention.

 …

After all, Emperor Wu still had his own son!

Therefore, the possibility of Wu continuing the imperial throne is close to zero.

"Your Majesty, it's not that Wu Tang doesn't want to, but that it can't!"

Seeing the Emperor's confusion, Cao Shaoqing said with a wary expression:

"The Zhang family has fought their way out of the capital this time. To destroy the Zhang family, it would take almost the entire power of the Wu Tang Empire."

Otherwise, even a million-strong army wouldn't be able to stop the Zhang family's path.

"The Zhang family alone? A million-strong army couldn't wipe them out?"

Zhu Shou looked at Cao Shaoqing with suspicion, but Cao Shaoqing nodded firmly and said:

"Your Majesty knows that a top-tier master possesses the courage of ten thousand men."

Even within the imperial palace, without the obstruction of a master of equal skill, one can freely take what is left, even with heavy guards!

As for the peerless masters, there are many, such as the traitor Zhu Wushi. Back then, in order to surround and kill Zhu Wushi, even the Imperial Guards lost tens of thousands of people.

"If it weren't for the betrayal of Zhu Wushi by the imperial spies back then, killing him would have been incredibly difficult!"

Zhu Shou, recalling how terrifying Zhu Wushi was, also felt a sense of apprehension.

Such terrifying and domineering martial arts were unstoppable even by 100,000 imperial guards. If it weren't for the betrayal of Zhu Wushi by the four secret agents, even if they, along with their vassal kings, stormed into the capital, they might not have been able to capture or kill Zhu Wushi. In that case, there would have been endless troubles.

"The Zhang family has mobilized at least twenty top experts, seven peerless grandmasters, and two great grandmasters this time."

Even one member of the Zhang family has transcended the ordinary Grandmaster realm, reaching the level of Shattering the Void. Add to that three bronze-armored warriors of the same realm, and if a million-strong army cannot wear down the Zhang family, the result will inevitably be a hundred miles of floating corpses and a thousand miles of flowing blood!

Hiss...

Upon hearing this, Zhu Shou looked at Cao Shaoqing in disbelief.

A peerless grandmaster? He has a few top-notch experts under his command, but none of them are peerless grandmasters!

Moreover, the Zhang family possessed seven peerless grandmasters and two great grandmasters at once. With such terrifying power, it's no wonder the Wu Tang Empire didn't act rashly.

"However, the Zhang family is known for making money through harmony and usually keeps a low profile, so perhaps we can try to win them over!"

"Does Minister Cao mean to bring the Zhang family to the capital region?"

"Yes!" Li.

Chapter 545 Zhang Sanfeng Discusses the Dao

"Merit!!"

With Zhang Sanfeng's lightness skill, it would only take him a day and a night to travel from Wudang to Zhuxian Town.

At this time, the Zhang family had not yet set off. They were selecting their trusted confidants to accompany them. Approximately three thousand people were going to the overseas base, and the screening process was extremely rigorous.

Zhang Xiaoshan never expected that Zhang Sanfeng would come not to question him, but to talk about 'merit'!

Zhang Sanfeng was the first person to realize the power of merit.

This ultimate level of Taoism was something even Zhang Xiaoshan couldn't help but marvel at.

Perhaps Zhang Sanfeng was not as good as him and the Bad Commander in terms of martial arts, but in terms of realm, he far surpassed them.

Zhang Xiaoshan's understanding was based on the investigation of things, but because scientific instruments couldn't keep up, his understanding stagnated at the level of his previous perspective.

The Grand Marshal's realm is in Qimen Dunjia, exploring the mysteries of heaven and earth, and reaching the realm of shattering the void;

Zhang Sanfeng's realm was based on the naturalness of the Dao, not on the divination techniques of Qimen Dunjia or the control of heaven and earth, but on the Daoist principle of "non-action".

The three people's understanding was different, so their levels of attainment were naturally incomparable.

Overall, Zhang Xiaoshan's understanding seems profound, ranging from biological genes to the cosmos, but in reality it is all empty rhetoric and grandiose.

After all, he couldn't even afford to make a microscope.

The astronomical telescope that Huang Yaoshi created was only for looking at stars; it couldn't even gather enough data to support the geocentric theory, let alone the heliocentric theory, which would prove the existence of 'stars,' galaxies, and nebulae.

On the contrary, Zhang Sanfeng was able to perceive the existence of merit through the path of 'non-action'.

His level of skill is far beyond Zhang Xiaoshan's!

"Does the young master know about merit?"

Looking at Zhang Xiaoshan's surprised expression, it was not a question about merit.

Zhang Sanfeng's cloudy eyes flashed with a sharp light, confirming his suspicions: Zhang Xiaoshan's lavish acts of charity were indeed for the sake of merit.

However, this is a good thing, at least the merits will keep Zhang Xiaoshan in check, and Zhang Xiaoshan will not act recklessly.

As for his so-called domineering behavior, Zhang Xiaoshan had his reasons and evidence.

At least the major forces in the martial arts world, after learning the reasons behind Zhang Xiaoshan's actions, all admired him greatly.

Zhang Xiaoshan's actions, whether dealing with the threat of Japanese pirates, the promises of Tibetan monks, or the calamities on the border, were all primarily preventative.

"I know, and Zhang used the power of the Dragon Ball to channel his merits into the weapon."

First, it can enhance the power of the weapons; second, it can suppress the evil nature of the weapons. Zhang even enhanced the Dragon Ball.

However, the materials used in divine weapons differ, and so do the limits of merit they can withstand.

"But has the young master ever considered that merit is like fortune? If it is spread out, it may affect the young master's fortune?"

The concept of destiny is extremely vague.

However, when Zhang Sanfeng reached the level of "divine enlightenment," he vaguely sensed that everything was ordained by fate.

The Bad Commander is even more capable of predicting fortune and misfortune, foreseeing the future, and defying fate!

"Thank you for your concern, Master Zhang. I am naturally aware of the concept of merit and good fortune."

However, fate, luck, feng shui, accumulating good deeds, and studying are all important factors. The Zhang family has no shortage of good deeds, and they also invited Master Li Buyi to survey the auspicious site.

But these are ultimately just illusory powers!

No matter how great their merits, without overwhelming power to suppress them, the Zhang family's refusal to submit to the empire's tyranny would have resulted in their extermination.

Therefore, the Zhang family would not believe the saying, "Good people live a peaceful life!"

"Supreme Celestial Venerable!"

Zhang Sanfeng nodded. He was only there to remind Zhang Xiaoshan to be careful about the loss of merit, not to teach Zhang Xiaoshan how to conduct himself in the world.

Therefore, after getting the answer from Zhang Xiaoshan, nothing else happened.

As for the concepts of feng shui, fortune, merit, and blessings, the Zhang family has no shortage of merit, so there is no need to worry about losing it.

At least he didn't believe Zhang Xiaoshan was unaware of the story of "draining the pond to catch all the fish".

Moreover, it's 'fishing', not 'fish'!

"Just now, the old Taoist priest saw that the Zhang family was still replenishing large quantities of supplies at the dock. Could it be that the Zhang family is preparing to go overseas?"

"Ok!"

Zhang Xiaoshan did not deny it; instead, he nodded and explained:

"The Later Zhou Empire has begun its war of unification. According to the prophecy of the Bad Commander, the chaotic world of strife will eventually come to an end."

At this time, the Song Dynasty was on the verge of collapse, and the next target of the Later Zhou should have been the powerful Wu Tang Empire. This was a war of equal strength, and the outcome could not be determined in one or two years.

Therefore, the Zhang family does not intend to remain on the mainland.

It's not too late to return, at least after the war is over.

After all, with war raging, even if the Zhang family is powerful, they are not gods and cannot save everyone. It's best to avoid seeing it and having more to do with it.

"Does the young master have a favorable view of the Later Zhou?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Sanfeng revealed a hint of curiosity.

It can be said that Zhang Xiaoshan's answer was beyond Zhang Sanfeng's expectations.

In contrast, he was more optimistic about the Wu Tang Empire.

Song Que, the Heavenly Blade Master, is a military strategist, and the Song Clan boasts a powerful and well-equipped army; Prince Yan, Luo Yi, is one of the Northern Killing Gods, and his Yan Yun Iron Cavalry is renowned throughout the battlefield; Prince Jin, Li Keyong, was known as the Flying Tiger General in his youth, and although he is now old, his cultivation is still at least at the peerless level, so leading an expedition at this time would not be a problem, not to mention he has the Thirteen Protectors under his command, each one brave and skilled in battle…

In contrast, although the Qin Dynasty also had many famous generals, its military strategists were ultimately too conservative!

"The Wu Tang Empire has too many internal contradictions, and this chaos will inevitably be the trigger."

Moreover, although Empress Wu was a female emperor and possessed the characteristics of a true dragon, she was still not qualified to become the ruler of the Nine Provinces.

I believe she must have seen this point in the Bad Commander's scheme against the Zhang family.

"The Mandate of Heaven is with Zhou!"

"The old Taoist priest and the young master see things differently."

Regardless of who wins or loses, it is the ordinary people who suffer the most; they are the biggest victims of this war!

"The rise and fall of dynasties: when a dynasty rises, the people suffer; when a dynasty falls, the people suffer!"

This was inevitable; being born in a chaotic world was their tragedy.

However, a short, sharp pain is worse than a long, drawn-out one. This time, Zhang's purpose in eliminating the Bad Commander was to dismantle the last 2.0 guarantee of the Wu Tang Empire.

Without the Grand Marshal, the fate of the Wu Tang Dynasty has been reduced by at least 30%!

Hiss... How ruthless!

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan reveal another reason for killing the Bad Commander, even Zhang Sanfeng couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Xiaoshan's motives went beyond revenge; there was another reason behind it.

However, Zhang Xiaoshan's words were so righteous that even Zhang Sanfeng felt that if what Zhang Xiaoshan said was true, it was not impossible!

He wasn't inflexible, not to mention the personal grudges between the Zhang family and the Bad Guy Commander.

If the war could end a year earlier, the suffering of the people could end a year sooner, which would be a great merit.

After all, how many innocent people will die tragically in just one year!

The man-made disasters brought by war are far greater than those brought by natural disasters!

Chapter 546 Taoist Magical Artifacts and the Attack of the Water Ghost

"I'm in debt again!"

Zhang Sanfeng watched as the five large Fujian ships continued eastward, fully loaded with three thousand people and hundreds of thousands of shi of supplies.

After this meeting and discussion with Zhang Xiaoshan, Zhang Xiaoshan personally demonstrated the power of enhancing merit.

The item being enhanced is a magical artifact—the Lightning-Struck Divine Wood Sword!

This is a section of lightning-struck wood left behind after a ten-thousand-year-old sacred tree was struck by lightning; it is exceptionally hard. A master craftsman crafted a ritual artifact from this lightning-struck wood for use in warding off evil spirits and protecting the home!

After all, ordinary peach wood swords wouldn't even meet the Zhang family's standards.

Zhang Xiaoshan collected it out of curiosity.

There are no ghosts or monsters in this world, and it has no effect on evil dragons or strange beasts.

This is not a demon, so why should it fear the power of thunder?

After all, apart from creatures like electric eels that are born with electricity, what creature is not afraid of electricity?

However, this is on the premise that the thing can actually discharge electricity.

After consuming three thousand merits to strengthen it, this magic weapon truly seemed to have been blessed, gaining the ability to enhance lightning attribute techniques.

Although this increase was only a weak current, it didn't have any extraordinary power.

But this is already defying the heavens!