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

Chapter 746 I am the Chosen One
Ruan Wenhui trembled with fear and hurriedly said, "The herb of immortality... the herb of immortality is real! But... but it requires... it requires a human sacrifice to... to be effective..."

"Human sacrifice?!" Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes were filled with shock and anger. "Chang Yu Chun... was he forced into it by you?"

Ruan Wenhui dared not conceal the truth and hurriedly said, "Yes...yes! General Chang's family is all in my hands...I...I forced him to betray you..."

Zhu Xiong Ying felt as if his heart was being torn apart. He finally understood Chang Yu Chun's predicament. It wasn't that he was afraid of death, but that he had to betray himself to protect his family.

"Damn it!" Zhu Xiong Ying roared, kicking Ruan Wen Hui away.

"Your Majesty, please accept my condolences." A eunuch beside him carefully offered his words of comfort.

Zhu Xiong Ying took a deep breath, trying to calm his grief and anger. "Issue my decree: Give Chang Yuchun a grand funeral and posthumously confer upon him the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery! May his family enjoy wealth and honor for generations to come!"

"According to the order!"

After handling Chang Yuchun's funeral arrangements, Zhu Xiong Ying went alone to the depths of the valley. Looking at the lush vegetation before him, he was filled with confusion.

A mountain breeze rustled through the fallen leaves, creating a sound much like Chang Yuchun's dying breaths. Zhu Xiong Ying closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, his eyes were icy cold. Chang Yuchun's death was like a thorn, deeply embedded in his heart. He would never forget this pain, nor would he forget Ruan Wenhui's betrayal.

"Ruan Wenhui, I will make you regret ever being born!" Zhu Xiong Ying's voice was deep and filled with murderous intent.

Upon returning to the palace, Zhu Xiong Ying immediately summoned his ministers and announced the war against Annam.

"Your Majesty, Annam may be small, but its terrain is complex, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider!" the Minister of Revenue said tremblingly.

Zhu Xiong Ying gave him a cold glance: "My mind is made up, no need for further words! I will make Annam pay for its blood debt!"

In the imperial court, no one dared to object. They knew that once this young emperor made a decision, he would never change it.

The army assembled, its banners obscuring the sun. Zhu Xiong Ying, dressed in a dragon robe, stood on a high platform, looking down at the dark mass of troops, his eyes flashing with a cold light.

"Soldiers, General Chang has sacrificed his life for the country, and I am deeply grieved! The barbarians of Annam have betrayed our trust and harmed loyal and virtuous men. I swear I will not be a man if I do not avenge this!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!" The soldiers roared with fervor, raising their weapons.

At Zhu Xiong Ying's command, the army marched in a grand procession toward Annam.

In Thang Long, the capital of Annam, Nguyen Van Huy was terrified upon learning of the Ming invasion. He had hoped to use Chang Yuchun's family to threaten him into betraying the Ming, thus buying time for himself to use the "herb of immortality" to gain eternal life. However, Chang Yuchun's death only enraged Zhu Xiong Ying, provoking the Ming army's fury.

"Quick! Quick! Strengthen the city's defenses! Resist the Ming army!" Nguyen Van Huy commanded frantically, his voice trembling.

However, the Ming army advanced with unstoppable momentum, and the cities of Annam were as fragile as paper, easily breached. Zhu Xiong Ying personally led his troops into battle, achieving resounding victories. He was like a demon from hell, wielding a long sword stained with the blood of his enemies.

In just half a month, the Ming army captured Thang Long City. Nguyen Van Huy was brought before Zhu Xiong Ying, bound hand and foot.

"Zhu Xiong Ying! You...you will die a horrible death! I...I am the chosen one! You...you can't kill me!" Ruan Wenhui screamed hysterically.

Zhu Xiong Ying sneered: "The chosen one of Heaven? I'd like to see what you're capable of!"

He drew his longsword from his waist and pointed it at Nguyen Van Huy: "Speak! Where is the Herb of Immortality!" A sly glint flashed in Nguyen Van Huy's eyes: "Want to know? Then... beg me! Maybe... I'll tell you..."

"You're asking for death!" Zhu Xiong Ying pierced Ruan Wen Hui's chest with his sword.

Ruan Wenhui stared wide-eyed at Zhu Xiong Ying in disbelief, blood gushing from his mouth. He died without understanding why Zhu Xiong Ying had killed him so decisively, without even asking a question.

"The herb of immortality... I... don't need it..." Zhu Xiong Ying said coldly, drawing his longsword, blood dripping from the blade onto the ground.

After conquering Annam, Zhu Xiong Ying did not stop there. He led his army south, conquering and incorporating the surrounding small countries into the territory of the Ming Dynasty.

"Those who offend the majesty of our Great Ming Dynasty, though far away, shall be punished!" This phrase became Zhu Xiong Ying's motto and a nightmare for the surrounding small countries.

After ten years of war, the Ming Dynasty's territory had expanded to an unprecedented size, its national strength had grown, and all nations paid tribute to it. Zhu Xiong Ying's name resounded throughout the world, becoming a legend.

However, behind this splendor, Zhu Xiong Ying's heart grew increasingly empty. Standing atop the Golden Palace, looking down upon his ministers, he felt as if he were on a deserted island.

"Am I... truly invincible?" Zhu Xiong Ying murmured to himself.

"Am I... truly invincible?" Zhu Xiong Ying stood on the throne, gazing indifferently at the courtiers prostrate on the ground, a wave of emptiness washing over him. Ten years of war had pacified Annam and intimidated the surrounding small states; the Ming Dynasty's territory was now vaster than ever before. Yet, this supreme power could not fill the void in his heart.

“Your Majesty,” a shrill voice broke the silence, “an envoy from Japan requests an audience.”

Zhu Xiong Ying didn't even lift his eyelids: "Japanese pirates? What important business could a tiny country like you have?"

"Your Majesty, the Japanese pirates have brought a letter of credence, saying that they wish to offer their princess in marriage to the Ming Dynasty."

"A marriage alliance?" Zhu Xiong Ying sneered. "They're not worthy of it?"

"Your Majesty, although the Japanese pirates are small, their maritime trade has become increasingly rampant in recent years. If we can take this opportunity to bring them into the territory of the Ming Dynasty..." It was Liu Chun, the Minister of War, who spoke, carefully observing Zhu Xiong Ying's expression.

Zhu Xiong Ying was silent for a moment, then a glint of light flashed in his eyes: "Let them in."

The Japanese envoy entered the Golden Palace tremblingly, knelt on the ground, and held his official letter high above his head. Zhu Xiong Ying didn't even glance at it, and asked directly, "Where is your princess?"

The envoy quickly replied, "Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty, the princess of our small country is waiting at the guesthouse, awaiting Your Majesty's summons."

"Announce." Zhu Xiong Ying's voice was icy cold, devoid of any emotion.

A moment later, a woman dressed in a kimono slowly walked into the Golden Palace. She lowered her head, so her face could not be seen, but from her graceful figure and elegant gait, it was clear that she was an absolute beauty.

The woman walked up to Zhu Xiong Ying, knelt down and bowed: "Princess Fujiwara Chiyo of Japan greets His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Xiong Ying looked down at her, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes: "Raise your head."

Fujiwara Chiyo slowly raised her head, revealing a delicate face. Her features were exquisite, her skin as white as snow, and her clear eyes held a hint of barely perceptible sadness.

(End of this chapter)