Chapter 285: Zhu Puzhao: Yes, Yu Liancheng is my master

Hulong Hall.

A soul-stirring duel is currently unfolding.

The five of them have already fought from the Hulong Hall out onto the vast drill ground outside.

The Four Great Secret Agents—Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow—are jointly attacking Zhu Wushi alone.

The martial arts of the Four Great Secret Agents go without saying; they are all top-tier First-class Experts in the Edo, and their martial arts are already no less than those of the heads of prominent and righteous sects. What's more, each of them possesses a unique skill that allows them to unleash combat power beyond their own standard at critical moments.

With these four joining forces, even Yu Liancheng would have to spend some effort to defeat them.

Yet Zhu Wushi is very calm and composed, as if he has everything under control.

He slashes out with a palm, cutting into a brilliant and dazzling sword light like a blade. With a "chi" sound, the sword light that filled the sky and earth suddenly trembles and shatters like a mirror.

A figure falls from the void, rolls twice on the ground, kneels on one knee, supports their body with a sword, and vomits a mouthful of blood. On their left shoulder is a gory wound, with flesh and blood turned outward, deep enough to reach the bone.

This was caused by that hand-blade strike from the Divine Marquis.

"How is it possible? He can see through my Phantom Sword?" Duan Tianya's eyes are filled with astonishment.

The "Phantom Sword" is his trump card; except for that one time against Yu Liancheng, it has always been successful and never missed. But facing Zhu Wushi, those thousands of brilliant and dazzling sword lights seem as if they were non-existent.

Hum~ hum~ hum~

A strange trembling sound suddenly comes from the sky. Duan Tianya looks up and sees Shangguan Haitang throwing out the legendary "Rain of Flowers Across the Sky".

Countless shimmering lights flash in the air; every point of light has the power to cut gold and break jade. They are all deadly moves that are dangerous to the world, covering Zhu Wushi like a blanket, faster than lightning.

In Duan Tianya's view, this move "Rain of Flowers Across the Sky" is indeed an unparalleled unique skill. He imagines that even if the Divine Marquis could block it, he would have to be flustered, giving the other two an opportunity.

Yet unexpectedly, as a sharp light flashes in the Divine Marquis's eyes, he rolls his sleeves and flicks them. It is unknown what martial art he used, but he actually shifts all this light toward the position where Guihai Yidao is located.

Guihai Yidao's expression changes slightly. How could he have anticipated this move? He hurriedly waves his long saber, turning it into a sheet of blade light to protect his entire body.

Ding ding ding~

Just as Guihai Yidao barely manages to block the "Rain of Flowers Across the Sky", a palm has already pressed out of thin air, gently landing on his chest.

The seemingly gentle palm carries an unimaginably thick True Qi. As the force is released, Guihai Yidao vomits blood wildly and flies away like a rag doll.

Flying out almost at the same time as him is Shangguan Haitang, though her injuries are lighter than Guihai Yidao's.

After less than fifty rounds of fighting, only Cheng Shifei remains standing among the Four Great Secret Agents.

"Pah, what Three Great Secret Agents; it still has to rely on me, Master Cheng Shifei."

Cheng Shifei secretly spits at Duan Tianya and the other two, a look of determination appearing in his eyes: "The Diamond Indestructible Divine Skill requires consuming a large amount of Internal Force and Qi and Blood; it cannot last long. I must end the battle quickly, otherwise, I, Master Cheng, will be finished here today."

He strikes out with both palms in the air, and as they reach mid-air, they flicker slightly—one becomes ten, ten becomes a hundred, a hundred becomes a thousand... In an instant, he has already used the "Thousand-Hand Tathagata Palm", one of the Seventy-Two Unique Skills, and the palm momentum attacks Zhu Wushi like a fierce tide.

Cheng Shifei's idea is very simple.

He is currently in the Vajra Indestructible Body; not only is he strong, but he can also take a beating.

If he hits Zhu Wushi with one punch, he can cause him serious injury. But if Zhu Wushi hits him with one punch, it is of no great consequence. Therefore, he abandons defense and attacks with all his might, determined to win with one strike.

But Zhu Wushi's movement technique is too brilliant. If the opponent intentionally wants to dodge, he cannot even touch the corner of the opponent's clothes. And this move, "Thousand-Hand Tathagata Palm", can make the opponent have nowhere to hide and nowhere to avoid, forcing them to take his palm techniques that fill the sky head-on.

It can only be said that Cheng Shifei has been an expert for too short a time and lacks combat experience. If it were Duan Tianya or Guihai Yidao, they would never take such a risky move.

Zhu Wushi's intention was to deal with Duan Tianya and the other three first, which is why he didn't tangle with Cheng Shifei earlier, causing him to become arrogant.

With Zhu Wushi's incomparably thick True Qi, any casual punch he throws has the force of ten million jun. Even if Cheng Shifei has the Vajra Indestructible Body, he will have to pay a price for taking one of his punches.

And although the "Thousand-Hand Tathagata Palm" is exquisite in its moves, it disperses the true power, so it may not necessarily break through Zhu Wushi's protective Qi.

However, an even more unexpected situation occurs for the Three Great Secret Agents.

As Cheng Shifei's hundreds and thousands of palms strike down, Zhu Tiedan's figure shatters like a reflection in a mirror or a flower in the water, only to reassemble in an instant and dissolve Cheng Shifei's palm power into nothingness.

"Could this be the 'Meiying Shenggong' of the Xiangxi Siguai?" Shangguan Haitang's pretty face reveals a hint of surprise. Her cultivation is the weakest among the Four Great Secret Agents, but her knowledge is the broadest, and she has recognized the martial art the Divine Marquis is using.

There is a unique skill in the Edo called "Meiying Shenggong". This martial art uses defense as an attack and can dissolve any power into nothingness. And the people who have mastered this divine skill in recent years are the legendary "Xiangxi Siguai".

These four ghosts not only know the Meiying Shenggong but also have superb light-body techniques; they are all top-tier experts.

It is just that they never deal with the Central Plains Martial Arts World. For twenty years, the Eight Great Sects have sent invitations for them to attend the Martial Arts Assembly, but they have never agreed.

When did the Divine Marquis learn "Meiying Shenggong"?

And it looks like he has even practiced this martial art to a very profound realm.

And just as the Three Great Secret Agents are in astonishment, the Iron-Gall Divine Marquis finally makes his move. He brings two fingers together and points them toward Cheng Shifei's chest.

At the moment of the strike, an extremely rigid and hot aura radiates from his fingers, causing the temperature within a radius of ten zhang to rise suddenly, as if in a furnace.

——Pure Yang Finger.

This is the very Pure Yang Finger that caused Gu Santong to be seriously injured and die.

Bang!

This finger points directly at Cheng Shifei's Danzhong Acupoint. This is a major acupoint on the human body, and combined with the Iron-Gall Divine Marquis's overbearing and mellow finger force, even though Cheng Shifei has the Vajra Indestructible Body for protection, he still vomits blood incessantly, falls backward, and the golden light on his body fades rapidly under this strike.

At this point, the four great guards have all been defeated and are seriously injured.

"My martial arts are higher than yours, and I know your martial arts like the back of my hand. Your wanting to defeat me is undoubtedly a pipe dream." The Iron-Gall Divine Marquis stands proudly on the head of the stone dragon in the drill ground, his clothes fluttering, exuding a powerful aura.

It turns out that although Duan Tianya, Guihai Yidao, and Shangguan Haitang have followed Zhu Wushi since they were children, after Zhu Wushi taught them basic skills, he sent them to their respective masters.

After the three of them finished their studies and returned, Zhu Wushi personally tested their martial arts, and he knew their martial arts styles and habits of attacking like the back of his hand. But they knew very little about Zhu Wushi's martial arts cultivation; how could they not be defeated?

As for Cheng Shifei, he is ultimately too young, and he has not yet fully integrated the power passed on to him by Gu Santong.

"I am the true Son of Heaven; those who submit to me will prosper, and those who resist will perish. I am kind-hearted, so I will give you one last chance. If you submit to me, I will spare your lives."

Zhu Wushi spreads his arms as if to embrace the ten thousand miles of mountains and rivers. His whole body's energy is surging, and his entire person exudes a soul-capturing, awe-inspiring dominance, pressing down like a mountain, causing the expressions of Duan Tianya and the others to change again.

"Divine Marquis, stop your wishful thinking; we will never surrender to you." As soon as Duan Tianya says this, it aggravates his internal injuries, and he vomits a mouthful of blood.

"Foster father, don't be obsessed anymore. If you turn back now, we will plead for mercy for you from the Emperor." Shangguan Haitang's brows carry a hint of complexity. Among the three guards, she has the deepest feelings for the Divine Marquis, treating him as both a father and a teacher.

"Pah, you stinking monkey, do whatever you want, kill or slice me." Cheng Shifei, who has always been glib, changes his little hooligan temper and shows a bit of backbone.

As for Guihai Yidao, he remains silent, only gripping his saber handle tightly, calming his breath to heal his wounds, and preparing for one last stand.

"Good, since you are sincerely seeking death, I will fulfill your wish."

A cold chill suddenly leaked from the depths of Zhu Wushi's eyes, which were as deep as an abyss or the sea. Between heaven and earth, it seemed that because of this sentence, the air became filled with a murderous intent that made one shudder.

"Oh? Which clever craftsman made this dragon chair of yours, Divine Marquis? It's actually much more comfortable to sit on than the one I have." Just as Zhu Wushi was about to deal a lethal blow, a clear and rather majestic voice suddenly came from Hulong Hall.

Zhu Wushi's expression changed instantly, and his figure folded as he swept toward Hulong Hall.

The Four Great Secret Agents looked at each other in dismay, for they had already recognized that the voice just now came from the mouth of the current Emperor.

But when did the Emperor come to Hulong Villa, and when did he enter Hulong Hall? They had not noticed at all.

"Not good, the Divine Marquis might be about to make a move on the Emperor." Duan Tianya's expression changed slightly, and he braced his body as he swept toward Hulong Hall, with the other three secret agents following closely behind.

After a short period of adjustment, the four of them had recovered somewhat from their injuries, but if they were to truly face Zhu Wushi, they would be defeated in at most one or two moves.

But no matter what, they could not let the Divine Marquis make a move against the Emperor.

……

Zhu Tiedan stepped into Hulong Hall.

After the previous fierce battle, the entire Hulong Hall was in a mess.

A figure was sitting on the dragon chair, looking down as if from the clouds, his whole body exuding a domineering aura of ruling the world, spreading to the four poles and filling all directions.

"Zhu Tiedan." The man was wearing the imperial crown and robes, naturally carrying majesty: "Why do you not kneel and welcome me when you see me? Although you are the Imperial Uncle, you have lost decorum before the throne and should be punished with a caning."

Although this person spoke only lightly, as soon as the words fell, a vast and immeasurable pressure suddenly pressed down upon Zhu Wushi.

This was the majesty brought by imperial power.

Zhu Wushi's face was as calm as an ancient well, but a ripple appeared in his deep eyes: "Zhu Puzhao, that is not a seat for you to sit in. Get down now; for the sake of the late Emperor, I can still spare your life."

With his martial arts, he could take the Emperor's life at any time, but for some reason, there was always an ominous premonition in his heart, and the current nephew Emperor was not quite the same as usual, making him unwilling to act rashly.

"Hahaha!" Zhu Puzhao, dressed in imperial robes, laughed out loud, his gaze suddenly sinking, his voice carrying an indescribable, bone-chilling coldness: "Zhu Tiedan, you have committed treason and attempted to usurp the throne; this is a grave crime that should be punished by death by a thousand cuts. Now, for the sake of the late Emperor, as long as you exile yourself from the Capital and abolish your martial arts, I might just spare your life."

"Spare my life?" Zhu Wushi sneered: "The Ten Great Generals have already submitted to me, and I control eight or nine out of ten of the world's military power. Yet you say you will spare me?"

"The reason the Ten Great Generals listen to your orders is merely because they have been caught by the handles held by your Hulong Villa."

Zhu Puzhao gave a cold laugh and suddenly took out a file from behind him, on which the words "Iron Seal" were written: "Look at what this is? The secret file of the Great General Tie Qing of Zhongzhou Prefecture. If you—if I were to destroy it, would General Tie still listen to you?"

Zhu Tiedan's expression changed: "How could the file be in your hands?"

Zhu Puzhao said leisurely: "The Heaven Beyond Heaven inherited the foundation of the Demon Sect and is full of experts, among whom there is no lack of theft experts more formidable than the so-called number one thief in the world."

"Demon Sect?" Zhu Tiedan frowned.

Zhu Puzhao shook his head with a sigh: "I already said it is the Heaven Beyond Heaven, why do you still not understand? Or is your brain, Imperial Uncle, not working well enough to remember even these three words?"

Zhu Wushi's tiger-like body suddenly shook, and a divine light shot from his eyes: "What exactly is your relationship with the Demon Sect?"

Zhu Puzhao said indifferently: "The First Heavenly Venerable Yu Liancheng is also known as the 'Heavenly Old Man', and I am the Supreme Ruler, the true Son of Heaven. What relationship do you think we have?"

Zhu Wushi spat out word by word: "So that's how it is. Yu Liancheng is the hidden piece left behind by the late Emperor? Is he your foster father or your master?"

"Oh, so it could be like that?"

Zhu Puzhao was slightly startled, then smiled: "My master is a person from outside the world, like a divine dragon soaring through the sky. Back then, he took me as his disciple and taught me martial arts, but told me not to reveal it easily. Later, in order to break through the Life and Death Mysterious Pass and enter the Heavenly Human Mysterious Realm, my master went into seclusion for more than ten years. When he came out of seclusion again..."

Speaking of this, he suddenly sighed leisurely.

Bang!

A stack of files was placed on the desk.

"The files of the Ten Great Generals are all here. Divine Marquis, you said if I destroy them, would the Ten Great Generals still listen to you?"

Zhu Puzhao placed a volume of files on the desk with an unfathomable smile on his face, one hand pressing lightly on the volume; as long as he exerted his internal energy, he could instantly turn the volume into powder.

Zhu Wushi stood with his hands behind his back, his brows knitting as he said: "I have already memorized the contents of the files in my mind; destroying them is useless."

"Is that so?" Zhu Puzhao laughed, pressed his palm down slightly, and the files of the Ten Great Generals instantly turned into a cloud of powder and drifted away. He smiled calmly: "Since that's the case, I'll just destroy them."

"You are courting death!" Boundless murderous intent shot from Zhu Wushi's eyes. He stamped his toes, and the ground suddenly shattered. He himself soared like an angry dragon, striking out with a palm.

"Don't!" The Four Great Secret Agents also arrived at this moment, but faced with the situation before them, they were helpless. The Divine Marquis had made the first move, his palm force like thunder and lightning; even if they wanted to stop him, it was too late.