Chapter 267

Beside him stood a eunuch with a pale, beardless face, a sinister gaze, and a magnificent python robe, bowing respectfully.

It was none other than the infamous Director of the Eastern Depot, who held immense power over the court and was the most trusted confidant of the current Emperor—Wei Zhongxian.

He was now bowing his head humbly, carefully reporting to Zhu Houzhao the latest intelligence regarding the battle at Bright Peak.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, according to the secret report returned by the Jinyiwei."

"That Iron-Blooded Divine Marquis Zhu Wushi, along with his hundred thousand Divine Machine Army troops, has indeed... indeed been completely annihilated at Bright Peak."

Wei Zhongxian's voice carried a hint of barely detectable... schadenfreude?

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houzhao's hand, which was reviewing memorials, paused slightly.

He slowly raised his head, and a glint of sharp light flashed within those deep eyes.

"Oh? My Imperial Uncle... is dead?"

His tone was so flat that no trace of joy or anger could be detected.

It was as if the one who died was merely a stranger with no connection to him at all.

Wei Zhongxian immediately bowed and said, "Replying to Your Majesty, it is absolutely true."

"It is said that he was instantly crushed to death by the Dragon Lord of Taohuadao, with both body and spirit destroyed."

"Even that Jin Dan of a Mortal Immortal, which was so hard to condense, was... was swallowed by that demon dragon."

"Dragon Lord?" A strange curve formed at the corner of Zhu Houzhao's mouth, and a look of amusement flashed in his eyes.

"That is indeed interesting."

"My Imperial Uncle, who boasted of being invincible under heaven and was full of ambition, never expected... to ultimately fall at the hands of a loach."

He paused, then asked again, "Is that Dragon Lord truly as powerful as rumored? Can he easily crush even a Mortal Immortal?"

Wei Zhongxian immediately replied, "Replying to Your Majesty, according to the returned intelligence, the strength of that Dragon Lord is indeed unfathomable, far surpassing ordinary Mortal Immortals."

"Not only is his physical body incredibly strong, but he can also speak human language and wield various unimaginable supernatural powers and demonic arts."

"Even the True Person Zhang Sanfeng of the Wu Dangpai had to bow his head and submit before him, offering the 'Taoist Fist Classic' just to escape."

"Oh? Even Zhang Sanfeng..." Upon hearing this, a look of surprise flashed in Zhu Houzhao's eyes.

He held Zhang Sanfeng's strength in quite high regard.

A being capable of making Zhang Sanfeng choose to retreat indeed possessed strength that could not be underestimated.

"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, with Zhu Wushi dead, this is actually a good thing for us," Wei Zhongxian said tentatively, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes.

"At the very least, there is one less major hidden threat to your Imperial power on the court."

"As for that Dragon Lord... although his strength is formidable, he is after all a demon creature, and is far away in the Eastern Sea, so he temporarily poses no threat to our Great Ming Jiangshan."

"Why don't we... put this matter aside for now and wait and see?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houzhao pondered for a moment, nodded, and said:

"Hmm, what you say makes sense."

"Although Zhu Wushi deserved to die, he was after all a member of the royal clan, my Imperial Uncle."

"If he died at the hands of a demon dragon and I did nothing, I would find it difficult to explain to the subjects of the world."

He paused, and a barely detectable cold smile flashed in his eyes:

"Very well, draft an Imperial Decree for me to proclaim to the world."

"Say that the demonic people of the Mo Sect at Bright Peak conspired with the demon dragon of the Eastern Sea to disrupt the Wu Lin, harm loyal subjects, and commit crimes that cannot be pardoned."

"Order all the Gedamen Sects across the land, as well as those with ambition, to jointly campaign, Jiaomieming Sect, and slay the demon dragon."

"Whoever succeeds shall be rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold, enfeoffed as a Marquis of Ten Thousand Households, and personally granted a golden plaque titled 'Wu Lin Alliance Leader'!"

"However..." He shifted his tone, a mocking curve forming at the corner of his mouth, "this bounty notice need not mention the name of that Dragon Lord, nor specify his exact strength."

"I want to see how many death-defying fools there are under heaven who, for the sake of such empty fame and heavy profit, will provoke that demon dragon that eats people without spitting out bones."

He intended to borrow a knife to kill, using those so-called heroes of the Jianghu to test Brother Ning Chuan's true strength.

At the same time, it would also demonstrate the "majesty" of our Great Ming royal family.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Upon hearing this, a look of admiration flashed in Wei Zhongxian's eyes, and he immediately bowed to accept the order.

He knew that this Emperor Your Majesty, who seemed obsessed with cultivating the Dao, possessed a depth of scheming and ruthlessness in his methods that was in no way inferior to any emperor of great ambition and strategy!

At the same time, in the distant Mongol Yuan Empire, inside the Jin Bihuihuang Golden Great Tent.

Genghis Khan, a generation's prodigy who swept across the Eurasian continent, sat upon the Golden Throne symbolizing supreme power.

Below him stood several figures with powerful auras and solemn expressions, bowing respectfully.

They were the National Protector Monk of the Mongol Yuan Empire, the number one expert of the Mi Sect, Baspa.

And the Princess Shao Min, Zhao Min, who had just fled in disgrace from Bright Peak but still could not hide her stunning beauty and extraordinary wisdom.

In addition, there were several Mongol Guardian Experts dressed in strange attire with equally unfathomable auras, such as the master of the Xuan Ming Two Elders, Baishun Daoren, and Meng Meng Chixing, who specialized in mental Secret Techniques.

Genghis Khan's eyes, sharp as a hawk's, slowly swept over the crowd below, and he spoke in a low and majestic voice:

"Regarding that black Dragon Lord of Taohuadao in the Eastern Sea, and everything that happened at Bright Peak, I assume you all already know."

"Speak, what are your opinions?"

Baspa clasped his hands together, chanted a Buddhist name, and said in a peaceful voice:

"Reporting to the Khan, that black Dragon Lord possesses unfathomable strength, far beyond that of ordinary Mortal Immortals."

"The various supernatural powers and methods he displayed are nearly akin to the legendary gods and demons."

"If we were to fight him head-on, even if we exerted all our strength, we would hardly gain any advantage and might even suffer heavy losses."

Although he himself was a being at the Mortal Immortal level, after hearing of Brother Ning Chuan's earth-shattering and heaven-destroying terrifying feats, he had to admit that he was likely not his match.

Zhao Min also stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Khan, I believe that although the Dragon Lord of Taohuadao is powerful and acts domineeringly,"

"he is not someone who is unreasonable."

"I previously had brief contact with him and reached a certain... understanding."

She skillfully concealed the fact that she had been completely controlled by Ning Chuan's dragon blood.

"I believe that if we can demonstrate sufficient sincerity and goodwill, perhaps... we may have a chance to win him over and turn him to the service of our Great Yuan."

In her heart, she felt secret joy and pride—her master was truly awe-inspiring, even the Great Khan and Ba Shiba feared him!

Upon hearing this, Genghis Khan slightly raised his brow, a glint of interest flashing in his eyes.

"Oh? Win him over?" He paused, then said: "Minmin, you are always resourceful. If you say this, you must already have some plan."

"Then I entrust this matter entirely to you."

"I don't care what methods you use—whether coercion or bribery—I want only one outcome—"

"Make that dragon our Great Yuan Empire's sharpest claw and fang! Help our Great Yuan crush the Central Plains and unify the world!"

His voice brimmed with undeniable dominance and immense ambition!

After a pause, he turned to Zhao Min, his tone softening slightly but carrying an air of irrevocable command:

"Yet, Minmin, you are no longer young. It is time you considered your lifelong marriage."

"The betrothal I arranged for you and Tuirel's boy—now is the time to proceed with it."

"After your wedding, I shall entrust Tuirel with full authority to conquer the Southern Song."

He was using the betrothal to further pressure and control Zhao Min.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Min's heart sank sharply; a faint, almost imperceptible resistance and bitterness flashed across her lovely face.

But she knew she had no room to resist before the Great Khan.

She forced a smile and bowed deeply: "Your servant... obeys."

Yet within, she was already plotting how to escape this unwanted marriage—and how best to fulfill her master's orders.

Meanwhile, far away in Great Song, in the heartland of the Central Plains, Songshan Shaolin Temple.

Inside the ancient and solemn Mahavira Hall, the atmosphere was solemn and filled with grief and outrage.

Hundreds of Shaolin monks, clad in saffron robes, gathered here, their faces heavy with sorrow and fury.

Before them sat dozens of elderly monks, their qi profound and their countenances stern.

They were the current rulers of Shaolin Temple—Abbot Xuan Ci, along with the abbots of the Dharma Hall, Luo Han Hall, and Precept Hall.

They had just received the devastating news from the Great Ming Shaolin branch.

They learned of the horrific outcome of the Battle of Bright Top—and that thousands of Great Ming Shaolin monks, along with three Shen Seng of the Du lineage who had been in seclusion for years, had all been slaughtered by the demon dragon of Taohuadao's Long Zhao!

"Amitabha!"

Abbot Xuan Ci slammed his prayer beads onto the ground with force; his face, always gentle and serene, now blazed with uncontrollable rage and grief!

"Unthinkable! That demon dragon of Taohuadao dares to be so heartless, slaughtering innocents and murdering our Fomen disciples!"