The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 699 A fierce battle ensues.
Ye Qingzhou took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He looked at Zhu Xiong Ying and said, word by word, "Your subject will never yield!"

Zhu Xiong Ying's smile vanished, replaced by boundless killing intent: "Since that's the case, then don't blame me for being impolite!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a shout of battle suddenly came from outside the cave.

Immediately afterwards, a group of men in black rushed in and surrounded Ye Qingzhou.

"Ye Qingzhou, do you think you can escape my grasp on your own?" Zhu Xiong Ying sneered.

Ye Qingzhou drew his sword, his eyes resolute: "The outcome is still uncertain!"

He swung his sword at the nearest man in black, and a fierce battle ensued.

Ye Qingzhou was highly skilled in martial arts, able to fight ten opponents at once without being at a disadvantage.

However, the men in black kept pouring into the cave, and Ye Qingzhou gradually felt overwhelmed.

"Ye Qingzhou, surrender!" Zhu Xiong Ying stood aside, coldly observing everything.

Ye Qingzhou had several wounds on his body, and his clothes were stained with blood, but he still did not give up the fight.

He swung his sword and cut down a man in black, then suddenly turned and charged toward Zhu Xiong Ying.

"Your Majesty! Today, it's either you or me who dies!"

A hint of panic flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes; he hadn't expected Ye Qing Zhou to be so desperate.

He quickly retreated to avoid Ye Qingzhou's attack.

However, Ye Qingzhou was too fast; he stabbed Zhu Xiong Ying in the shoulder with his sword.

"Ah!" Zhu Xiong Ying screamed and collapsed to the ground, clutching her shoulder.

Ye Qingzhou pointed his sword at Zhu Xiong Ying and shouted sharply, "Your Majesty, what else do you have to say?"

Zhu Xiong Ying's face was pale, and her eyes were filled with fear.

Just then, a man in black suddenly attacked Ye Qingzhou from behind, piercing his heart with a sword.

Ye Qingzhou stared wide-eyed at what was happening before her in disbelief.

He slowly turned around and saw a familiar figure.

"It's you……"

The man in black removed his mask, revealing a handsome face.

"Liu...Liu Ran..."

Blood gushed from Ye Qingzhou's mouth, and his body slowly collapsed.

Liu Ran walked to Zhu Xiong Ying's side, helped him up, and said softly, "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Ye Qing Zhou lying in a pool of blood, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.

"Get rid of him..."

……

The next day, news spread that Ye Qingzhou, the Duke of Protectorate, had rebelled and was killed on the spot.

The entire court was shocked.

However, no one knows what kind of conspiracy lies hidden behind all of this...

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in the borderlands, a man dressed in white stood atop a high mountain, gazing into the distance.

His eyes were deep and cold, as if they held endless secrets.

"Ye Qingzhou... in the end... you still couldn't escape this calamity..."

He sighed softly, turned, and disappeared into the vast night...

A man in white stood atop the mountain, his hands clasped behind his back. The night wind whistled, causing his robes to flutter, making him appear like a banished immortal. However, beneath his ethereal appearance lay a pair of eyes as cold as blades.

"Ye Qingzhou, Ye Qingzhou, what do you think you are, worthy of being called my opponent?" he murmured, his tone full of disdain and mockery. "Like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, you are overestimating yourself."

He was none other than the Ming Dynasty Emperor, Zhu Xiong Ying.

Ye Qingzhou's death was nothing more than a discarded pawn to him. A self-righteous loyal minister, a fool who dared to challenge imperial power.

"Hmph, next..." A cold glint flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes, and a cruel smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

He turned and went down the mountain, his figure gradually disappearing into the night.

Meanwhile, inside the palace, Zhu Xiong Ying was sitting on the dragon throne, listening to Liu Ran's report.

"Your Majesty, Ye Qingzhou's remaining followers have all been wiped out," Liu Ran said respectfully, bowing her head.

"Very good." Zhu Xiong Ying nodded in satisfaction. "You did a good job." "It is my honor to share the Emperor's burdens." Liu Ran raised her head, revealing a delicate face, her eyes filled with tenderness and affection.

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Liu Ran, a strange light flashing in his eyes. This woman was meticulous and ruthless; she was a rare talent.

"I'm tired, you may leave." Zhu Xiong Ying waved his hand, signaling Liu Ran to step down.

Liu Ran bowed slightly, then turned and left.

Zhu Xiong Ying watched Liu Ran's retreating figure, a playful smile flashing in his eyes.

"Ye Qingzhou, you would never have imagined, even in your dying moments, that the person who killed you was the one you trusted most..."

……

Three days later, Zhu Xiong Ying ordered that Ye Qingzhou be posthumously granted the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness and be given a grand funeral.

The imperial edict caused an uproar throughout the court.

Ye Qingzhou, who was previously labeled as a rebel, has now transformed into a loyal and righteous man. The speed of this transformation is astonishing.

The court officials were all speculating about what the emperor was really up to.

However, no one dared to stand up and question the emperor's decision.

Zhu Xiong Ying sat on the dragon throne, looking at the court officials below who were discussing amongst themselves, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

"A bunch of fools! How could you possibly guess what I'm thinking?"

He stood up, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and said in an icy tone, "Although Ye Qingzhou is a traitor, his crime does not warrant death. Considering his past merits, I hereby grant him a grand funeral to demonstrate the Emperor's boundless grace."

The court officials immediately knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded in satisfaction and turned to leave.

……

Late at night, Zhu Xiong Ying came alone to Ye Qing Zhou's grave.

He looked at Ye Qingzhou's name on the tombstone, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

"Ye Qingzhou, do you think I'll let you go just because you're dead?" he said in a low voice. "You're wrong. You'll never escape my grasp."

He pulled a dagger from his pocket and plunged it fiercely into the tombstone.

"I will ensure you are never reincarnated!"

……

Meanwhile, beyond the Great Wall, a man in white stood atop a mountain, looking up at the sky and letting out a long howl.

"Zhu Xiong Ying! You'll die a horrible death!"

His voice, filled with anger and hatred, echoed for a long time in the night sky.

……

Several days later, news came from beyond the Great Wall that a mysterious army had suddenly appeared, conquering cities and seizing territories with unstoppable momentum.

This army was well-trained and well-equipped, and their leader was a white-clad man with unparalleled martial arts skills.

When the news reached the capital, Zhu Xiong Ying was furious.

"Who is it? Who dares to challenge my authority?"

He immediately ordered the mobilization of a large army to quell the rebellion beyond the Great Wall.

A war is about to break out.

……

On the frontier, two armies faced each other.

Zhu Xiong Ying, dressed in a dragon robe, stood at the front of the army, his eyes piercing and his aura imposing.

The man in white rode a white horse, standing proudly and without the slightest fear.

"Are you Zhu Xiong Ying?" the man in white asked coldly.

"It is indeed I," Zhu Xiong Ying replied proudly.

"Ye Qingzhou was my brother." The white-clad man's eyes burned with hatred. "You killed him, and I'll make you pay with your life!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying burst into laughter.

(End of this chapter)