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

Chapter 736 Cult Leader, the Emperor Has Arrived!
Zhu Xiong Ying looked at her pale face, a hint of heartache flashing in her eyes.

He turned to look at the man in purple robes, "Where is the leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect?"

The man in purple robes quickly replied, "Your Majesty, the sect leader is currently in seclusion for cultivation."

Zhu Xiong Ying sneered, "Secluded cultivation? I think he's hiding and too afraid to see me!"

The man in the purple robe dared not speak, keeping his head down and not daring to breathe.

Zhu Xiong Ying then said, "Take me to see him!"

"Yes!" the purple-robed man quickly replied.

He led Zhu Xiong Ying and Xu Miao Yun to the place where the cult leader was in seclusion.

The man in purple robes stepped forward and knocked on the door. "Master, the Emperor has arrived!"

An aged voice came from inside, "Come in."

The man in the purple robe pushed open the door, and Zhu Xiong Ying and Xu Miao Yun went inside.

The room was dimly lit and filled with a faint medicinal scent.

An elderly man with white hair sat cross-legged on a futon, closing his eyes to rest.

He heard footsteps, slowly opened his eyes, and looked at the person who was approaching.

When he saw Zhu Xiong Ying, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. "Why has the Emperor come?"

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at him coldly, "I've come here, naturally to ask you why you oppose the court!"

The leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect sneered, "When has my Heavenly Demon Sect ever opposed the imperial court?"

Zhu Xiong Ying sneered, "Stop playing dumb! The evidence is irrefutable that you colluded with the Japanese pirates and plotted a rebellion!"

The leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect's expression changed drastically. "You...you're talking nonsense!"

A murderous glint flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes. "I never speak nonsense! Guards, seize the leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect!"

The guards outside immediately rushed in and surrounded the leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

The leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect's expression changed drastically; he knew he was doomed today.

He suddenly threw his head back and laughed loudly, "Hahahaha... The victor is king, the loser is villain, I have nothing to say! It's just a pity that the great cause of my Heavenly Demon Sect is about to be destroyed in an instant!"

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at him coldly, "Do you think the Heavenly Demon Sect will be finished just because you're dead? Let me tell you, the Heavenly Demon Sect will be wiped out of this world today!"

The leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect turned pale; he knew that Zhu Xiong Ying meant what he said.

He suddenly looked at Xu Miaoyun, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes, "It's all because of you, you bitch! If it weren't for you, my Heavenly Demon Sect wouldn't have fallen to this state!"

Xu Miaoyun sneered, "You have committed numerous evils and deserve your fate! Today is your death day!"

The leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect roared and suddenly lunged at Xu Miaoyun.

He fought desperately, wanting to drag Xu Miaoyun down with him.

Xu Miaoyun was prepared and dodged his attack by turning to the side.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes flashed with a cold light, and he struck the chest of the Heavenly Demon Sect leader with a palm.

The leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect coughed up a mouthful of blood, collapsed to the ground, and died.

Zhu Xiong Ying withdrew his hand and coldly glanced at the surrounding Heavenly Demon Cult members. "Why don't you all surrender at once!"

Upon seeing their leader dead, the members of the Heavenly Demon Cult lost their will to fight and knelt down to surrender.

Zhu Xiong Ying ordered the Heavenly Demon Sect's headquarters to be razed to the ground and all Heavenly Demon Sect members to be executed.

Thus, the Heavenly Demon Sect was completely destroyed.

Looking at everything before her, Xu Miaoyun was filled with emotion. Although her journey had been fraught with danger, she had finally completed her mission.

She turned to look at Zhu Xiong Ying, her eyes filled with gratitude.

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at her and smiled slightly, "You did very well."

He reached out and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

Xu Miaoyun nestled in his arms, feeling his warmth, and a sense of peace settled in her heart.

Suddenly, she felt something strange. Looking down, she saw that Zhu Xiong Ying's hand was wandering over her body.

Her face flushed red, and she quickly pushed him away, "Your Majesty, you..."

Looking at her shy expression, Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes flashed with a hint of amusement. "What? Can't I even hug you?"

Xu Miaoyun lowered her head, not daring to look at him, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty dares not."

Zhu Xiong Ying laughed heartily and pulled her into his arms again, "I am the emperor, I can do whatever I want!"

As he spoke, he kissed her lips.

Xu Miaoyun struggled to push him away, but he was too strong and she couldn't break free.

She gradually gave up resisting, closed her eyes, and responded to his kiss.

Springtime was in full bloom inside the palace...

The next day, Zhu Xiong Ying took Xu Miao Yun back to the capital.

He appointed Xu Miaoyun as Empress and announced it to the world.

When the news spread, the whole country rejoiced.

However, in the shadows, a pair of cold, sinister eyes were watching all of this...

Xu Miaoyun's compliance surprised Zhu Xiong Ying, and it only fueled his desire to conquer her. Like a wild beast, he seized her breath, whispering flirtatious teasing words in her ear: "Your Majesty, how do you feel?"

Xu Miaoyun was filled with shame and indignation, yet powerless to resist. She knew that from the moment she stepped into this deep palace, she was destined to be the emperor's plaything. She bit her lower lip tightly, trying not to let a single moan escape, but the trembling of her body betrayed her.

Zhu Xiong Ying noticed her resistance, smiled wickedly, and became even more unrestrained in his actions: "What, is Your Majesty playing hard to get?"

Xu Miaoyun suddenly opened her eyes, a cold glint in them. She pushed Zhu Xiong Ying away and said in an icy tone, "Your Majesty, please have some self-respect!"

Zhu Xiong Ying was taken aback by the push, then burst into laughter: "Self-respect? Your Majesty, are you talking to me about self-respect? In this harem, who dares to disrespect me?"

Xu Miaoyun stood up, straightened her disheveled clothes, and said coldly, "If Your Majesty wishes to force me, I have nothing to say. But is Your Majesty not afraid of my revenge in the future?"

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at her with great interest, his eyes full of amusement: "Revenge? How does Your Majesty intend to retaliate against me? By poisoning me? Or by conspiring with foreign officials to rebel?"

"Your Majesty is overthinking it," Xu Miaoyun said with a faint smile. "I am but a weak woman, how could I possibly have such abilities? However, my elder brother is a powerful general who commands a large army..."

Zhu Xiong Ying's smile gradually faded, and his eyes turned gloomy. Xu Miao Yun's elder brother, Xu Da, was a founding hero of the Ming Dynasty and held military power, making him a real threat.

"Is Your Majesty threatening me?" Zhu Xiong Ying's voice was icy cold.

"I dare not," Xu Miaoyun bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, I am merely reminding you that some things, if done too far, will only backfire."

The two faced off, the atmosphere tense and on the verge of conflict. After a long while, Zhu Xiong Ying suddenly burst into laughter: "Good! Well done, Xu Miao Yun! I'd like to see just how capable you really are!" He turned abruptly, flicked his sleeves, and left, leaving Xu Miao Yun alone in the empty palace.

She knew that the war had just begun.

In the days that followed, Zhu Xiong Ying's attitude towards Xu Miao Yun underwent a subtle change. He no longer forced her; instead, he showed her great care and concern. People in the palace said that the Emperor's favor towards the new Empress was the envy of everyone.

But Xu Miaoyun knew that this was merely the calm before the storm. Zhu Xiong Ying's gentleness was like poison coated in sugar, making her even more wary.

(End of this chapter)