I play the role of Jiajing in Zongwu: What crime have I committed?

Upon hearing this, Shi Tingfeng looked troubled. Zhu Shou's words were tantamount to asking him to hand over the Ironclad Gate's century-old foundation to someone else.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Shou's tone suddenly turned cold.

"Of course, if Sect Leader Shi is unwilling, this Protector will not force him."

"Whatever the Ming Cult wants, we'll just snatch it. Sect Leader Shi should think carefully about whether his weak arms and legs can outmaneuver the Ming Cult."

Upon hearing these words, Shi Tingfeng felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, and couldn't help but ask in a trembling voice.

"Isn't the Ming Cult a righteous sect that acts on behalf of Heaven? How could they... how could they act like this?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Shou let out a contemptuous sneer.

"What is good and what is evil is determined by who has the bigger fist."

"As for such nice words as 'acting on behalf of Heaven,' those are just for fooling the masses. After all these years of navigating the martial world, does Sect Leader Shi really believe in that?"

Upon seeing this, Shi Tingfeng's last shred of hope vanished.

He stood up and bowed respectfully.

"The entire Ironclad Gate is willing to submit to the Ming Cult, and from this day forward, will follow the Ming Cult's lead without question."

Zhu Shou nodded in satisfaction, stepped forward, and personally helped Shi Tingfeng up, speaking affectionately.

"Brother Shi, please rise. From now on, we're family. There's no need for such formalities."

He patted Shi Tingfeng on the shoulder.

"Rest assured, joining the Ming Cult is absolutely the wisest choice your Shi family has made in a century. From now on, who in this Yizhou region will dare to utter a single word of dissent against the Ironclad Gate?"

"Yes, yes, yes, Your Excellency is absolutely right."

Shi Tingfeng bowed and nodded repeatedly.

Zhu Shou suddenly changed the subject, speaking as if casually.

"By the way, I happened to meet Shi Wenjue, the third young master of the Shi family, a few days ago. That child has exceptional talent and is a promising prospect for martial arts!"

"I intend to take him as my disciple and personally instruct him. What do you think, Brother Shi?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Tingfeng's heart skipped a beat, and the smile on his face froze instantly.

How could he not tell?

This is clearly an attempt to take his son hostage!

"this…"

He suppressed his fear and said with a forced smile, "It is too kind of you, Protector, to refuse."

"However, my son has never liked martial arts since childhood, and only wants to pass the imperial examinations. I'm afraid he will have to disappoint your good intentions..."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Shou's smile remained unchanged, but his voice turned colder.

"No problem, I have my methods. I'll make sure he falls in love with martial arts."

"Besides, wouldn't it also put Brother Shi's mind at ease if you trained your son to be successful?"

Seeing that Zhu Shou was still relentless, Shi Tingfeng knew that if he did not agree today, the entire Ironclad Gate would probably suffer.

"Then... I'll leave it to you, Protector."

He managed a weak smile.

"It is my son's good fortune to receive personal guidance from you, sir."

Chapter 218 is your blessing

Soon, Shi Tingfeng sent someone to summon his son, Shi Wenjue, to the scene.

The kid walked in with a displeased look on his face, muttering complaints under his breath.

"Father, I'm reviewing my lessons to prepare for the imperial examinations. Why are you calling me at this hour?"

At this moment, Zhu Houcong was lazily reclining on the balcony outside the Emperor's Room No. 3.

He carried a wine jug in one hand while admiring the view from above.

He tilted his head back and poured the wine directly into his mouth through the spout, his posture carefree and unrestrained.

But when he received Zhu Shou's perspective in his mind, he almost choked to death.

"Cough cough cough!!!"

He stared wide-eyed at the images in his mind, incredulous.

What the hell is this thing?

The chubby young man in front of me was in his early twenties, but he looked like he was in his forties.

Two prominent dark circles were visible on his sallow, round face.

You can tell at a glance that someone often stays up all night playing games.

He controlled Zhu Shou and couldn't help but ask.

"Um... junior student Wa, playing with tiles is bad for your health, you should stop now!"

Uh!

Although Shi Wenjue didn't know what "打瓦" meant, he could guess what it meant by looking at Zhu Shou's barely suppressed laughter.

He quickly retorted, "This is because I stayed up all night studying!"

Zhu Shou nodded repeatedly, with an expression that said, "I understand."

"I see."

Shi Tingfeng, who was standing to the side, also felt somewhat embarrassed.

"Please excuse my son, Protector. He has indeed... uh... overexerted himself."

"I understand, I understand. We're all men, no need for explanations."

Shi Wenjue then realized that he had never seen the person in front of him before.

"Father, who is this?"

"Do not be rude."

Shi Tingfeng immediately rebuked him.

"This is Lord Green-Winged Bat King of the Ming Cult, who specifically wants to take you as his disciple."

"what?"

Shi Wenjue's round face twitched, and he shook his head repeatedly.

"I don't want to learn martial arts; I want to pass the imperial examinations."

Zhu Shou said calmly, "It is your good fortune that I have taken a liking to you; you have no right to refuse."

Shi Wenjue sneered, his face full of disdain. In this vast Yizhou, no one dared to force him, the third young master of the Shi family.

"You should keep this good fortune for your father. There's no way I'll learn martial arts."

Upon hearing this, Shi Tingfeng's expression changed, and he was about to speak, but it was too late.

"hehe!"

Zhu Shou sneered.

The next second, he struck fiercely, punching Shi Tingfeng in the chest.

Shi Tingfeng was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing through several sandalwood tables and chairs before finally slamming heavily onto the beams and pillars in the hall.

"Wow!"

He spat out a mouthful of blood, his face turning deathly pale instantly.

He was stunned by the punch.

Staring wide-eyed at Zhu Shou, his small eyes were filled with great confusion.

It's as if it's saying, "Lord Bat King, I'm your dog!"

Why did you hit me?

"father!!!"

Shi Wenjue then realized what was happening and hurriedly rushed over to help his father up.

He wiped the blood from Shi Tingfeng's mouth with trembling hands, then turned to glare at Zhu Shou.

"What exactly do you want?"

Zhu Shou slowly adjusted his cuffs, his voice eerily calm, as he approached Shi Wenjue.

"I skip around while watching movies, do you think I'd have the patience to coax you, kid?"

Snapped!

Then a hard slap landed on Shi Wenjue's face, knocking him to the ground.

Looking down at him from above.

"You only have one path: follow me."

"If you dare to act like a spoiled brat again, your parents, and even the entire Ironclad Gate, will be executed for you. Don't believe me? Just try it."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell completely silent.

Shi Tingfeng's legs went weak and he almost knelt down.

Shi Wenjue was lying on the ground, half of his face swollen.

He glanced at his dying father, then at Zhu Shou, whose face was filled with murderous intent.

I've finally seen reality clearly.

"I'll go with you, okay? Just don't hurt my family!"

Shi Wenjue said through gritted teeth, his eyes filled with humiliation and hatred.

Let's go!

Zhu Shou flicked his long sleeves, turned around and strode out, leaving behind only a word of advice.

"Brother Shi, you've witnessed my strength. I advise you not to try anything clever, like tipping off Baichuan Academy."

Upon hearing this, Shi Tingfeng trembled and quickly bowed his head and clasped his hands in greeting.

"No, no, the entire Ironclad Gate will certainly follow the Bat King's teachings!"

"Remember, if you dare to disobey, the Ironclad Gate has no reason to exist."

Shi Tingfeng stood frozen in place, staring at Zhu Shou's retreating figure, his face ashen.

Shi Wenjue followed Zhu Shou, his eyes filled with hatred.

He stared intently at Zhu Shou's neck, secretly vowing that one day he would make him pay for his crimes in blood.

On the other side, Zhu Houcong stood on the balcony, overlooking Yizhou City.

A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips.

He saw through the true nature of society in his past life.

Humans have always been sophisticated egoists, and the world is extremely cruel.

The weak eat the strong, the fittest survive.

These eight words are the eternal truth.

There is no such thing as good without a reason in the world, but there is such a thing as bad without a reason.

No one should take themselves too seriously.

So after coming into this world, he never trusted anyone, nor did he ever think that he had any personal charm that could make others willingly risk their lives for him.

He trusted no one but the Heavenly General Pill puppets that he personally controlled.

The Shi family of the Ironclad Gate were merely a pawn on his chessboard.