Martial Arts Crossover: The Sweeping Monk of Wudang? That's our patriarch!

Zhang Songxi's eyes flickered slightly, and he lowered his voice to ask:

"Senior Brother... Senior Uncle, could it be that you are really cultivating immortality?"

He was meticulous and had already gleaned some clues from the slightest hints. Such heaven-defying power could only be wielded by immortals who could fly and escape from the earth, as recorded in ancient texts.

Song Yuanqiao smiled, neither confirming nor denying, and simply said:

"Whether it's cultivating immortality or martial arts, our senior master will always be our senior master."

"Our martial arts have made rapid progress today, and every style was created by our senior master. This time, he even went to great lengths to refine talismans to protect us."

"Just keep this kindness in your heart."

"Senior Brother is right," Zhang Songxi nodded.

Yu Lianzhou and the others nodded silently, their respect for Lin Daochen having quietly risen to the level of near-faith.

a few days later.

Inside the Imperial Study of the Ming Dynasty Imperial Palace.

Emperor Zhengde and Cao Zhengchun sat on the throne. When they saw Song Yuanqiao and his party enter the hall, they did not see the figure in white robes. Their hearts sank.

"Master Song," Cao Zhengchun tentatively began, his tone tinged with anxiety, "Why hasn't Master Zhang arrived yet?"

Emperor Zhengde's eyes flickered slightly as he stared quietly at Song Yuanqiao.

Song Yuanqiao clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice booming like a bell:

"Your Majesty, my master is still in seclusion at Wudang Mountain and is unable to come in person."

boom--

It was as if a thunderbolt had struck them both.

Zhang Sanfeng...didn't come?!

Emperor Zhengde's expression changed drastically, and Cao Zhengchun's breath caught in his throat.

Finished!

They painstakingly planned for months, with their undercover agents spread throughout the court and the country, all waiting for Zhang Sanfeng, this terrestrial immortal, to make a move and kill the Iron-Blooded Marquis with a single blow!

With the main force absent and the opponent a true grandmaster, who will step in to keep things in check?

"Master Song!" Cao Zhengchun's voice trembled. "This is no child's play! Without Master Zhang's intervention, who could subdue that Iron-Blooded Marquis?!"

Without a peerless expert to oversee things, all previous plans will come to naught, and may even backfire!

Emperor Zhengde spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of accusation:

"Your esteemed senior master personally promised me that Wudang would definitely assist in this battle. Heaven and earth can bear witness to my sincerity. Now, at this crucial moment, Master Zhang has gone into seclusion... This is a breach of faith with me, and also a breach of faith with the world."

Emperor Zhengde's tone was slightly somber, and a hint of displeasure flashed between his brows.

Wudang's actions are far too calculated. They accepted so many treasures and gifts from him, yet they didn't go all out when the time came?

Seeing the emperor's anger, Cao Zhengchun's heart tightened. Before he could speak, Song Yuanqiao had already stepped forward, cupping his hands in a salute, his voice as steady as a mountain:

"Your Majesty, rest assured, Wudang has never gone back on its promises."

"Leave Iron-Blooded Marquis to me."

"If this thief dares to take another step today, he will never return."

As soon as the words were spoken, Emperor Zhengde's eyes lit up, and he blurted out:

"Could it be... that Master Song has already reached the Grandmaster realm?"

Song Yuanqiao gently shook his head:

"I haven't reached the summit yet. But before I left, my senior master bestowed upon me an item. With this divine object, killing Zhu Wushi will be a piece of cake."

"?"

Emperor Zhengde frowned, turned to look at Cao Zhengchun, and asked in his eyes.

Cao Zhengchun silently shook his head—he was also bewildered.

Such a statement was far beyond the understanding of a grandmaster, as if stepping into a legendary mystical realm.

Just then, a guard staggered into the hall, his face pale and his breath rapid:

"Your Majesty, the Iron-Blooded Marquis has led his troops in a surprise attack on the Imperial City. They have breached the outer defenses and are advancing rapidly towards the Divine Martial Gate!"

"What?!"

Emperor Zhengde suddenly stood up, his pupils contracting.

Once Shenwu Gate falls, the palace gates will be wide open!

What alarmed him even more was that the entire plan had fallen apart.

He originally planned to ambush and kill Zhu Wushi at the Dragon Guard Manor, but unexpectedly, Zhu Wushi went straight to the palace!

In an instant, dark clouds swept across his vision. His plan had gone awry.

But pursuing the matter at this point is pointless; the urgent task is to suppress the rebellion!

"Cao Zhengchun! Immediately mobilize the Imperial Guards and the Eastern Depot to blockade the key roads!"

"The rest of you, follow me to meet the enemy!"

Emperor Zhengde stood up and shouted, which made the roof beams tremble slightly.

Immediately, his gaze fell on Song Yuanqiao, his tone low but revealing a desperate gamble:

"Master Song, I entrust the Iron-Blooded Marquis to you."

"If this traitor can be eliminated in this battle, Wudang will henceforth become the state religion, and all sects under heaven will be led by you!"

This is the highest price he can offer.

Song Yuanqiao remained unmoved and calmly replied:

"Your Majesty, rest assured. Wudang always keeps its word."

He gently stroked the talisman with its faint golden patterns hidden in his sleeve, his heart remaining calm.

On that day, a single weakened Nine Heavens Thunder Killing Talisman caused the mountain rocks to shatter and the air waves to surge.

The one in his hand now is a complete true talisman—no matter how strong Zhu Wushi is, he is nothing more than an ant trying to shake a tree in the face of the power of heaven and earth.

The group quickly left the hall and headed straight for the Shenwu Gate.

Upon arriving at the square, the palace gates shattered with a deafening roar, sending up plumes of dust.

Zhu Wushi stood with his hands behind his back, leading his men to break down the door and slowly approach, his imposing aura as deep as an abyss.

"Iron-Blooded Marquis!" Cao Zhengchun roared, pointing at the spot, "You dare to commit treason and rebellion! You deserve to die a thousand deaths!"

Zhu Wushi glanced at him indifferently, a slight sneer playing on his lips:

"A castrated dog raised by the Zhu family dares to speak? Get out of here."

After speaking, he didn't even look at him, but went straight to Emperor Zhengde, his tone carrying a hint of an elder's admonition:

"Houzhao, your talents are mediocre, and you are ill-suited to rule the country. You should abdicate the throne."

"As long as you obediently step back, your royal uncle will grant you a lifetime of wealth and honor, allowing you to live a carefree life as a prince. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Emperor Zhengde let out a cold laugh:

"The Imperial Uncle is indeed benevolent."

"But have you ever considered—even if you seize the throne, if your rule is illegitimate, can you truly hold onto it?"

Zhu ignored it and laughed heartily, looking around arrogantly:

"You don't need to worry about that. All ten generals have already submitted to me; who dares to disobey?"

"You think they're truly loyal to you? Naïve. They've long since secretly pledged allegiance to me and bowed down to you; it's all just an act."

Emperor Zhengde's expression changed drastically.

That's it!

No wonder his game collapsed so badly.

The ten generals... had long been turned against them!

But a cold smile immediately appeared on his lips—

Now that you're here, don't leave.

"Let's do it!"

A sharp shout rang out, followed by a sudden explosion!

Before he could finish speaking, several figures behind Zhu Wushi suddenly sprang up, their fists and palms aimed straight for his life!

Zhu Wushi had anticipated this, and with a swift movement, he easily dodged the combined attack. He then unleashed a series of backhand strikes, the force of which was like a blade, instantly sending the attackers flying, coughing up blood, and crashing heavily against the wall.

"You think I really knew nothing about their secret defection to you? It was all a trap I set to lure you into."

"You're too inexperienced."

He stared coldly at Emperor Zhengde, a mocking smile playing on his lips, his eyes looking down at an ant.

The three who made the move—the top-ranked Earth Agent, the top-ranked Black Agent, and the top-ranked Yellow Agent of the Dragon Guard Manor—were all top-notch fighters. But the moment they considered betraying him, they had already become pawns on Zhu Wushi's chessboard.

Emperor Zhengde's pupils contracted, and his last shred of hope vanished completely. Even this hidden move had been seen through; how could he still dream of turning the tide?

"Who else? Call them all out."

Zhu stood with his hands behind his back, his tone indifferent, as if watching a play whose ending had already been written.

Everything was under control; he didn't believe the emperor could cause any more trouble.

At that moment, Cao Zhengchun suddenly attacked!

In an instant, his true energy exploded, tearing a straight crack in the void, like a chasm stretching across the sky. He unleashed his full power, his killing intent soaring to the heavens!

However, faced with this earth-shattering attack, Zhu Wushi remained unmoved, only uttering two words:

"Ants."

Before the words were finished—

boom!!!

A terrifying aura surged into the sky, the might of a martial arts grandmaster shook all directions, and the heavens and earth changed color!

Before Cao Zhengchun could even get close, Zhu Wushi had already thrown a punch!

boom! ! !

The fist, swift as a dragon, crushed the air, striking Cao Zhengchun squarely in the chest! Cao Zhengchun coughed up blood on the spot, his body flying backward. While still in mid-air, Zhu Wushi raised his hand and grabbed—

Absorption Technique!

In an instant, Cao Zhengchun's lifelong cultivation was drained from his body like a river flowing backward, transforming into the power in Zhu Wushi's palm. When he landed, he was already a withered and broken body, utterly powerless.

Having absorbed the full internal energy of a grandmaster, Zhu Wushi's aura surged, as if a god or demon had descended upon the world. His gaze swept towards Emperor Zhengde, his voice as cold as frost:

Is anyone else here?

Emperor Zhengde gritted his teeth, a hint of despair flashing in his eyes, and then looked at one person:

"Master Song, please lend a hand."

At this moment, his only reliance is Wudang.

Song Yuanqiao stepped forward, his robes fluttering slightly, and clasped his hands in greeting:

"Song Yuanqiao of Wudang greets the Divine Marquis."

Zhu Wushi glanced at him, his expression remaining calm.

He had heard about the Wudang incident before.

"Master Song, today's matter concerns the imperial court and has nothing to do with Wudang. For Master Zhang's sake, you should leave immediately, and I will not make things difficult for you."

His tone was calm, yet it carried an undeniable air of authority.

Song Yuanqiao shook his head, his expression resolute:

"Since Wudang has already promised to protect you, how can we go back on our word? Moreover, the Divine Marquis is plotting rebellion and defying the emperor. It is a matter of righteousness, and Wudang cannot stand idly by."

Zhu Wushi sneered, "Sit idly by? What can you do? Zhang Sanfeng is in seclusion and not present. You few grandmasters dare to contend with me?"

He slowly raised his head, his gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping over the entire room:

"Don't blame me for not warning you—in my eyes, everyone in Wudang, except for Zhang Sanfeng, is nothing but a chicken or a dog."

The difference between grandmasters is not a single move or technique, but an insurmountable chasm.

He had already ascertained that only Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang had reached this level. Now that the old Taoist was in seclusion, who could possibly stop him?

Even if Zhang Sanfeng himself came, what would he have to fear? He possessed the Absorption Technique, and reaching the pinnacle in the future was not a pipe dream.

"Arrogant!"

Yu Lianzhou snorted coldly, his fighting spirit burning like fire, and turned to Song Yuanqiao, saying:

"Senior Brother, spare his life for now, let me first meet this 'Divine Marquis'."

Song Yuanqiao frowned: "Second brother, why bother with all this? We should just kill this man quickly and return to the mountain to report back."

Yu Lianzhou grinned, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit:

"Senior brother, this is an opportunity not to be missed. Perhaps I can capture him without even using the divine talisman bestowed upon me by our senior master!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Wushi, who was watching from the sidelines, was so angry that he laughed instead.

Two grandmasters, how dare they treat him with such contempt? Talking about "taking him down" in front of him? It's utterly absurd!

"You want to kill me?" he said coldly, his voice as icy as ice. "Are you worthy? Come on! Everyone from Wudang, attack me! If I can't kill you all, then I, Zhu Wushi, have lived in vain all these years!"

Song Yuanqiao glanced at him indifferently, as if looking at a dying man:

"Ignorant. With my master's divine talisman in hand, killing you is as easy as crushing an ant."

After saying that, he nodded to Yu Lianzhou: "Go, be careful."

Yu Lianzhou stepped forward in response, his gaze fixed on Zhu Wushi, and let out a long howl:

"Let's fight!"

Before he finished speaking, Yu Lianzhou's Hunyuan Taiji Gong suddenly erupted, his blood and qi surged like a rushing river, and his momentum soared into the sky!

Zhu Wushi's gaze narrowed slightly as he looked at the spirited Yu Lianzhou and spoke calmly:

"As a fellow master, you are far superior to that eunuch Cao Zhengchun."

He paused, then his tone turned icy:

"Unfortunately, it's no use."