Chapter 11

"Your Majesty need not worry too much; when Master Zhang's birthday arrives, personally visit and invite him—such great sincerity, he surely will not refuse."

"At that time, once you win over Master Zhang, you can leverage his influence to reclaim all power."

"Then, unleash your grand ambitions and fulfill your heart's aspirations!"

In the corner.

A eunuch with a ashen face, looking as if he were on the verge of death, spoke slowly to comfort him.

No sooner had he finished speaking than he could not help but cough several times.

Seeing this, Zhu Houzhao immediately asked with concern.

"Old Wei, are you alright?"

"Cough… cough… Your Majesty, rest assured, I'm not dead yet, cough… cough… cough…"

Wei Jinzhang waved his hand, speaking as he coughed.

Yet his expression made it clear he was far from well.

Zhu Houzhao frowned, then finally voiced the doubt long buried in his heart.

"Old Wei, tell me truthfully—what is the true state of your injury?"

At these words.

Wei Jinzhang froze.

Even his coughing stopped instantly.

His face shifted through expressions of shock and doubt for a long while.

Long silence.

Then he let out a faint sigh, a bitter smile appearing on his face.

"This injury was inflicted upon me twenty years ago by a master clad in black robes."

"It damaged my five viscera and six bowels, and since I could never expel that internal force, I've had to expend most of my own to suppress it."

"That is why I did not intervene to help you deal with Zhu Wushi."

"If I were to act now, Zhu Wushi would not yet be subdued before I myself passed away."

"Then your safety…"

Before he could finish, Zhu Houzhao raised his hand to cut him off.

"I understand. No need to explain."

"More than that, I want to know who exactly injured you."

"Once I fully control the Great Ming, I will avenge you!"

As he spoke, a deep killing intent flashed in Zhu Houzhao's eyes.

He also blamed this very person for his own humiliating predicament!

If that man had not injured Wei Jinzhang.

Why would I fear a mere Iron Shield Divine Marquis?!

If that man had not injured Wei Jinzhang.

How could I have fallen into such a humiliating situation?!

Yet.

Hearing this.

Wei Jinzhang did not rejoice—he turned pale and urgently spoke up.

"Your Majesty, watch your words!"

"Forget revenge. As long as Your Majesty takes control of the Great Ming and governs with diligence, I shall die without regret!"

Zhu Houzhao's expression stiffened slightly.

His tone grew distinctly displeased.

"What do you mean, Minister? Do you think I am the kind to betray loyal subjects?!"

"Your Majesty, do not be angry—I do not doubt you, but…"

Wei Jinzhang smiled bitterly, his face full of unspoken words.

"But what?" Zhu Houzhao asked.

"Your Majesty, do you know how many moves that man used to subdue me?"

A wave of helplessness passed through him.

Before Zhu Houzhao could answer, Wei Jinzhang, face twisted in sorrow, raised one finger.

"One move."

"No—accurately speaking, one instant!"

"I didn't even see how he struck or how he left."

"In an instant, I was bearing a heavy burden!"

"Most importantly, I felt he didn't use his full strength."

"He may not have used even one-tenth of his power!!"

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Zhu Houzhao was stunned.

Had he not known this man would never lie about something like this, he would have thought he was joking!

Others might not know, but he knew well.

Wei Jinzhang had already broken through to mid-stage Celestial Immortal thirty or forty years ago.

This cultivation realm, across the Nine Provinces, was undeniably among the absolute top tier.

But now it says he isn't even a match for a single opponent!

This... this...

For a moment.

Shock, horror, disbelief.

All these negative emotions flooded Zhu Houzhao's heart at once.

That profound shock striking straight to the soul.

Left him frozen in place, unable to recover for a long time!

"From Dao to Wu Gong, through Wu Gong back to Dao—no wonder he created the Nine Yin Scripture."

"Compared to him, I've sunk to a lower level, even fighting and dying over borrowed wisdom."

On Taohuadao.

Huang Yaoshi, known as one of the Five Greats—the Eastern Heretic.

After seeing the Heavenly Dao Golden List's description,

He couldn't help but scoff at himself twice.

A faint hue of shame appeared on his face.

In terms of talent and genius, the proud and arrogant man asked himself if he was inferior to anyone.

Otherwise, he would never have created the various Wu Gong of Taohuadao.

Unfortunately, he never delved deeper to create something even more extraordinary.

Instead, he fought against the other four Greats to seize the Nine Yin Scripture.

And earned the title of one of the Five Greats.

Now, looking back,

It was all just a joke.

The true strong had long since forged their own path.

Yet I, though I had already taken the first step, wandered blindly, unaware.

Instead, I sought outside myself.

Wasting countless hours!

Once he understood all this,

Huang Yaoshi adjusted his mindset.

A glint of resolve flashed in his eyes.