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

Chapter 703 Burning with a Mad Flame

He looked around; the Western Depot's agents seemed to be multiplying with each killing, as if they were inexhaustible. Meanwhile, his own guards were dwindling in number.

"Your Majesty...breaking out...is the most important thing..." Jiang Huan said weakly, "As long as we're alive, we can always rebuild..."

"What I want is not Qingshan!" Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes burned with a mad flame. "What I want is Yu Huatian's life! It's to avenge Ran'er and the child!"

He shoved Jiang Huan to the guards behind him, shouting, "Protect him!"

Having said that, Zhu Xiong Ying charged into the enemy ranks like a tiger descending a mountain. The sword in his hand transformed into arcs of death, leaving corpses strewn everywhere it went.

"Yu Huatian! You cowardly rat who hides his head and tail! If you have the guts, come out and fight me!"

His voice, filled with anger and despair, echoed in the night sky.

Finally, after killing dozens of West Depot agents, a figure slowly emerged from the depths of the palace.

The man was dressed in white, with a handsome face and cold eyes; he was none other than Yu Huatian, the supervisor of the Western Depot.

"Your Majesty, how have you been?" Yu Huatian's voice carried a hint of mockery, as if he were laughing at Zhu Xiong Ying's impotent rage.

"Yu Huatian! You killed Ran'er! You killed my child! I will tear you to pieces!" Zhu Xiong Ying roared, drawing his sword and charging forward.

"Your Majesty, why be so angry?" Yu Huatian smiled lightly, and with a flash, he dodged Zhu Xiong Ying's attack.

"You think you can hurt me with your mediocre skills?" Yu Huatian's voice was full of disdain.

"Whether my kung fu is mediocre or not, you'll find out if you try!" Zhu Xiong Ying attacked again, his moves fierce and filled with boundless rage.

The two exchanged blows in front of the palace, their swords flashing and killing intent palpable.

Although Zhu Xiong Ying was unparalleled in martial arts, he was overwhelmed with grief and his mind was in turmoil, making it difficult for him to unleash his full strength. Yu Hua Tian, ​​on the other hand, was calm and composed, his every move deadly, and he gradually gained the upper hand.

"Your Majesty, you are too fixated on the past and cannot see the future clearly," Yu Huatian said while dodging Zhu Xiong Ying's attacks. "Do you really think you can control everything?"

"I don't need to control everything!" Zhu Xiong Ying roared. "I only want you dead!"

"Unfortunately, you can't kill me." Yu Huatian sneered, and his figure flashed again, appearing behind Zhu Xiong Ying.

The sharp blade in his hand was pointed directly at Zhu Xiong Ying's back.

"Go to hell, Your Majesty."

Just at this critical moment, a figure suddenly descended from the sky and stood behind Zhu Xiong Ying.

"clang!"

With a crisp metallic clang, Yu Huatian's blade was blocked.

The newcomer was a burly man with a rugged face. He wore a tattered monk's robe, carried a steel staff, and had a sharp gaze and imposing presence.

"You audacious madman, how dare you commit violence in the palace!" the man roared, brandishing his staff as he attacked Yu Huatian.

Caught off guard, Yu Huatian was forced to retreat repeatedly.

"Who are you?" Yu Huatian steadied himself and asked coldly.

"This old monk is Abbot Du'e of Shaolin Temple!"

The appearance of Master Du'e completely changed the course of the battle. He was highly skilled in martial arts, and with each swing of his staff, he created a powerful and overwhelming force, leaving Yu Huatian breathless.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Xiong Ying was overjoyed and immediately joined the battle, working together with Master Du'e to besiege Yu Huatian.

Outnumbered, Yu Huatian gradually fell into a disadvantageous position. "Damn it!" Yu Huatian cursed inwardly, knowing that he could not win today, so he feinted an attack and turned to flee.

"Trying to escape? Not so easy!" Master Du'e roared, brandishing his staff, and gave chase.

Zhu Xiong Ying followed closely behind, determined to kill Yu Huatian here.

The three chased each other all the way from the palace to the imperial garden, and then from the imperial garden to the city wall.

Yu Huatian was seriously injured and was at his last gasp.

"Your Majesty, we will avenge today's humiliation another day!" After saying this, Yu Huatian leaped off the city wall...

Just as Zhu Xiong Ying was about to jump down to give chase, Master Du'e grabbed him, saying, "Your Majesty, do not pursue a desperate enemy! This man is cunning and treacherous; we must not be careless!"

Zhu Xiong Ying stood on the city wall, watching Yu Huatian disappear into the night, his heart filled with resentment and anger.

"Ran'er... my child... I will definitely avenge you..."

Suddenly, Zhu Xiong Ying felt a darkness before her eyes, her body swayed, and she fainted...

When he woke up, he found himself lying on his bed in the palace.

"Your Majesty, you're awake!" A familiar voice rang out; it was Jiang Huan.

"Jiang Huan, how long have I been unconscious?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked.

"Your Majesty, you have been unconscious for three days and three nights," Jiang Huan replied.

“Three days and three nights…” Zhu Xiong Ying murmured to herself, the images of Liu Ran and the child’s voices and smiles flashing through her mind, and a sharp pain shot through her heart.

"Has Yu Huatian been caught?"

Jiang Huan shook his head: "No, Yu Huatian disappeared after jumping off the city wall. I have sent people to search everywhere, but there is still no news of him."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying became even more furious.

He sat up abruptly and grabbed Jiang Huan by the collar: "I don't care! I want to see him alive or dead! I must find him and avenge Ran'er and the child!"

Just then, a commotion arose outside the palace...

A flurry of footsteps sounded outside the palace, followed by a shrill voice: "Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened! The Eastern Barbarians have attacked!"

Zhu Xiong Ying shouted angrily, "What?!" He shoved Jiang Huan aside and strode out of the palace.

A eunuch stumbled in, knelt down, and trembled as he said, "Your Majesty, the Eastern Barbarian army has suddenly invaded! The border is in dire need of help! Urgent report from 800 li away!"

Zhu Xiong Ying snatched the battle report, unfolded it, and his face immediately turned ashen.

The Eastern Barbarians, the Ming Dynasty's long-standing enemy, actually took advantage of his grief over the recent loss of his beloved concubine and launched a brazen invasion!
"Outrageous!" Zhu Xiong Ying roared, slamming the battle report to the ground. "Do these barbarians really think I'm a pushover?!"

Jiang Huan quickly stepped forward, picked up the battle report, and whispered, "Your Majesty, please calm down and take care of your health. The Eastern Barbarians' invasion must have been premeditated. I urge Your Majesty to think twice before acting."

"Think twice? I want them to pay for their crimes in blood!" Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes were bloodshot, and a chilling killing intent emanated from him.

"Summon the officials! I am going to personally lead the army!"

"Your Majesty!" Jiang Huan and the other ministers knelt down one after another. "Absolutely not! Your Majesty is unwell, how can you take such a risk? Besides, the court cannot be without a ruler for even a day!"

"My mind is made up, no need for further words!" Zhu Xiong Ying waved his hand, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "Those barbarians from the East, daring to offend my Great Ming, I will let them know that they cannot withstand my wrath!"

(End of this chapter)