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

Chapter 701 A Peerless Master Who Has Been Hidden in the Dark

"What powerful sword energy!" Jiang Huan was startled and quickly swung his sword to block.

With a clang, the sword in Jiang Huan's hand was knocked away by the sword energy, and his tiger's mouth was also cracked, with blood flowing freely.

"Is this all the skill you have? You dare to show off your meager abilities in front of me?" The leader of the Mohist school sneered and once again swung his sword at Jiang Huan.

Jiang Huan quickly dodged, but was still cut on the arm by the sword energy.

"Useless!" Zhu Xiong Ying roared in anger upon seeing this, and charged towards the leader of the Mo family with his sword.

"Overestimating yourself!" The leader of the Mohist school sneered and drew his sword to meet the challenge.

Although Zhu Xiong Ying was seriously injured, his momentum remained undiminished, and his swordsmanship became even more ferocious. He and the leader of the Mohist school clashed once again, their swords flashing and killing intent palpable.

The Imperial Guards also drew their swords and joined the battle, clashing with the subordinates brought by the leader of the Mohist school.

In an instant, shouts of battle shook the heavens, blood and flesh flew everywhere, and the scene was extremely tragic.

The battle between Zhu Xiong Ying and the leader of the Mohist school had entered a fierce stage. Both were fighting with all their might, each move aimed to kill.

With a loud "bang!", Zhu Xiong Ying was struck in the chest by the leader of the Mo family, sent flying backward, and crashed heavily to the ground.

"Your Majesty!" Jiang Huan was shocked upon seeing this and rushed to Zhu Xiong Ying's side.

"Cough cough..." Zhu Xiong Ying coughed up another mouthful of blood, his face as pale as paper.

The leader of the Mohist school walked step by step toward Zhu Xiong Ying, his eyes flashing with murderous intent: "Zhu Xiong Ying, your death is near!"

At this moment, a clear voice suddenly sounded: "Stop!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a woman in white riding a white horse galloping from a distance.

The woman was stunningly beautiful, with an ethereal air, like a celestial being descended to earth.

“Liu…Liu Ran?” Zhu Xiong Ying looked at the woman, his eyes filled with shock and confusion.

Liu Ran approached Zhu Xiong Ying, dismounted, and asked with concern, "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

Zhu Xiong Ying shook his head and said weakly, "I'm fine, why are you here?"

Liu Ran did not answer Zhu Xiong Ying's question. Instead, she turned to look at the leader of the Mohist school and said coldly, "Leader of the Mohist school, you dare to plot against the Emperor. Your crime is unforgivable!"

The leader of the Mohist school looked at Liu Ran, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Who are you?"

Liu Ran gave a cold laugh: "I am Liu Ran, the Empress of the Ming Dynasty!"

"The Empress?" The leader of the Mohist school was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter. "I never expected that the Empress of the Great Ming Dynasty would appear here. It's like finding a needle in a haystack!"

A cold glint flashed in Liu Ran's eyes: "Master of the Mohist School, do not be so arrogant! Today is your death day!"

As soon as she finished speaking, a long sword suddenly appeared in Liu Ran's hand, its blade radiating a chilling light.

"Oh? It seems Her Majesty the Empress is quite the expert." A hint of interest flashed in the eyes of the Mohist leader. "Then let this old man experience Her Majesty's skills!"

Having said that, the leader of the Mohist school swung his sword and attacked Liu Ran.

Liu Ran was not to be outdone and drew her sword to meet the challenge.

The two instantly engaged in battle, their swords flashing and exuding murderous intent.

Surprisingly, Liu Ran's swordsmanship was exceptionally sharp, in no way inferior to that of the leader of the Mohist school.

After several rounds, the leader of the Mohist school gradually found himself at a disadvantage.

"How is this possible?" The leader of the Mohist school was shocked. He never expected that this seemingly weak woman would possess such high martial arts skills.

Just then, the longsword in Liu Ran's hand suddenly transformed into a bolt of lightning, piercing straight for the throat of the Mo family leader...

Liu Ran's sword tip hovered just an inch from the Mo Clan leader's throat. The leader could feel the chill of the sword tip, even smell the scent of death. He froze, not daring to move an inch. The sounds of fighting around them gradually subsided, everyone stunned by this sudden turn of events.

"You...who exactly are you?" The leader of the Mohist school asked, his voice trembling, his eyes filled with fear. He had never imagined that the Empress of the Ming Dynasty was actually a hidden master. Liu Ran chuckled, but her smile carried a hint of coldness: "Leader of the Mohist school, you've schemed everything, but you've overlooked one thing. In this world, martial arts aren't just for men."

With a flick of her wrist, the tip of her sword sliced ​​through the skin of the Mo family leader, and a trickle of blood seeped out.

"Stop!" Zhu Xiong Ying cried weakly. "Ran'er, spare his life."

Liu Ran glanced back at Zhu Xiong Ying, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes, but it quickly returned to its icy tone: "Your Majesty, this man is guilty of heinous crimes and cannot be spared."

"I have my own arrangements," Zhu Xiong Ying insisted.

Liu Ran hesitated for a moment, but ultimately sheathed her longsword.

The leader of the Mohist school had narrowly escaped death, still shaken. He looked at Liu Ran, his eyes filled with resentment, but even more so with fear. He knew that his survival today was purely by chance.

Zhu Xiong Ying forced himself to stand up, walked up to the leader of the Mohist school, and looked down at him: "Leader of the Mohist school, do you really think I don't know about your conspiracy?"

The leader of the Mohist school changed his expression, his eyes flickered, and he dared not look directly into Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes.

Zhu Xiong Ying sneered: "You colluded with the Japanese pirates and plotted a rebellion; the evidence is conclusive. I spare your life out of consideration for your ancestors' merits, but you will not escape punishment. Guards, take him to the imperial prison and keep him under strict guard!"

The Imperial Guards stepped forward, bound the leader of the Mohist school tightly, and took him away.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?" Jiang Huan asked with concern.

Zhu Xiong Ying waved his hand: "I am fine. It's just that these internal injuries will probably take some time to heal."

Liu Ran walked to Zhu Xiong Ying's side and helped him up: "Your Majesty, I will accompany you back to the palace."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded and, supported by Liu Ran, slowly left.

Upon returning to the palace, Zhu Xiong Ying immediately summoned all civil and military officials and publicly revealed the evidence of the Mohist leader's rebellion.

Upon hearing this, all the ministers were shocked and outraged, and they all demanded that the leader of the Mohist school and his followers be severely punished.

Zhu Xiong Ying immediately ordered the execution of the leader of the Mohist school and all his followers, and the confiscation of their property and extermination of their clan.

The news sent shockwaves throughout the country.

The Mohist school, once a glorious sect, was thus destroyed.

And Liu Ran, this mysterious empress, has gradually come into people's view.

Only then did people realize that this seemingly frail woman actually possessed such formidable strength.

Rumors about Liu Ran quickly spread among the people.

Some say she's a fairy descended from heaven, some say she's a peerless martial arts master, and some even say she's a reincarnated demoness...

Various rumors, some true and some false, make it difficult to distinguish between them.

Liu Ran, however, remained completely unconcerned. She continued to silently protect Zhu Xiong Ying and the Ming Dynasty.

……

A month later, Zhu Xiong Ying's injuries were fully healed.

He regained control of the government and began his ambitious expansion plans.

He sent troops to attack neighboring small countries, constantly expanding his territory.

Under his leadership, the Ming Dynasty grew stronger day by day, and the people lived in peace and prosperity.

However, at that moment, unexpected news reached Zhu Xiong Ying's ears...

Liu Ran is pregnant.

(End of this chapter)