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

Chapter 778 Desperados in the Martial World
"I am aware of this, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard is currently conducting a full-scale search." Liu Rufeng's tone was calm, but Zhu Xiong Ying saw a hint of seriousness in his eyes.

"This matter is of utmost importance. We must find the princess as soon as possible, alive or dead!" A cold glint flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes.

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Liu Rufeng accepted the order and left.

Zhu Xiong Ying paced back and forth in his study, his heart filled with anxiety. An Qing was his most beloved younger sister; he had cherished her since childhood, and now she had been kidnapped, her fate unknown. How could he not be worried?
He suddenly remembered that Anqing had mentioned yesterday that he wanted to go to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers. Could it be that the incident happened there?

With this in mind, Zhu Xiong Ying immediately set off for the Imperial Garden.

In the Imperial Garden, a hundred flowers bloomed in vibrant colors, filling the air with their fragrance, yet this did nothing to alleviate Zhu Xiong Ying's anxiety. He carefully observed his surroundings, hoping to find some clues.

Suddenly, his gaze fell upon a peony bush. The soil there appeared to have been disturbed, and some black powder remained.

Zhu Xiong Ying squatted down and carefully examined the black powder. He picked up a little with his finger, held it to his nose, and smelled a strange medicinal odor.

This smell... how come it smells so similar to the lingering smell in the Anqing Palace?
Zhu Xiong Ying was shocked. Could this be the medicine Xiao Tao mentioned that made Princess Anqing fall into a coma?

He immediately ordered people to collect the black powder and send it to the Imperial Hospital for testing.

At the same time, Liu Rufeng also brought back new news.

"Your Highness, I have discovered traces of men in black in an abandoned temple outside the city."

"An abandoned temple?" Zhu Xiong Ying frowned. "Lead the way!"

The group rode their horses at full gallop, heading straight for the deserted temple outside the city.

The dilapidated temple was covered in cobwebs, and a sinister atmosphere emanated from it.

As Zhu Xiong Ying stepped into the temple, a stench of blood mixed with the putrid smell made his stomach churn.

"Your Highness, be careful!" Liu Rufeng grabbed Zhu Xiong Ying and pointed to a pool of blood on the ground. "A fight once took place here."

Zhu Xiong Ying followed the trail of blood and saw several corpses lying in a corner of the temple.

The corpses were tattered and unrecognizable, clearly indicating that they had been dead for some time.

"Who are these people?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked.

"Judging from their clothing, they must be outlaws from the martial arts world," Liu Rufeng replied.

Zhu Xiong Ying looked around, his doubts deepening. Where exactly had Princess Anqing been taken?

Suddenly, he noticed several strange symbols carved on one of the walls of the temple.

These symbols... he seemed to have seen them somewhere before.

He tried hard to recall, and suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him.

Isn't this... the symbol of the legendary "Netherworld Cult"?
The Netherworld Cult is a mysterious and evil organization that is said to possess immense power, even capable of manipulating people's minds.

Could it be that they kidnapped Princess Anqing?

An ominous premonition rose in Zhu Xiong Ying's heart.

He immediately ordered the abandoned temple to be sealed off and sent more people to search for any trace of the Netherworld Cult.

As night fell, the palace was brightly lit, but the tense atmosphere remained undiminished.

Zhu Xiong Ying sat in his study, holding a jade pendant in his hand, the one An Qing had worn since childhood. He stroked the pendant, his heart filled with worry and self-reproach.

If he had noticed the anomaly in Anqing earlier, perhaps this wouldn't have happened.

Just then, Liu Rufeng requested an audience again.

"Your Highness, I have made an important discovery!" Liu Rufeng said gravely. "I have found that the Netherworld Cult has been active frequently near the capital recently, and..."

He paused, his tone growing even heavier, "They seem to be plotting something earth-shattering!"

"What conspiracy?" Zhu Xiong Ying suddenly stood up, a sharp glint in his eyes.

"According to my investigation, the target of the Netherworld Cult seems to be..." Liu Rufeng took a deep breath, "...the Dragon Vein!"

Liu Rufeng's voice was deep and resonant, as if it came from the depths of the earth, each word striking Zhu Xiong Ying's heart. "Dragon Vein!" Zhu Xiong Ying repeated these two words, his eyes flashing with cold light. The Dragon Vein was the foundation of the nation; if it fell into the hands of the Netherworld Sect, the consequences would be unimaginable. He gripped the jade pendant tightly in his hand. The safety of Anqing, the fate of the Ming Dynasty—all weighed heavily on his shoulders, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

"Have you found out their specific plans?" Zhu Xiong Ying's voice was cold, like the chill of winter ice.

Liu Rufeng hesitated for a moment, then said, "According to intelligence, the Netherworld Sect seems to be planning to hold some kind of ceremony at Longshou Mountain on the outskirts of the capital on the night of the full moon three days from now..."

"Dragon Head Mountain?" Zhu Xiong Ying frowned. Dragon Head Mountain was located in the capital region, with a rugged terrain that was easy to defend and difficult to attack. If the Netherworld Sect really chose to make a move there, they must have something to rely on.

"Your Highness, I believe we must take action as soon as possible to stop the Netherworld Cult's conspiracy!" Liu Rufeng said firmly.

A glint flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes. "Send down the order to summon the elite of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Three days later, they will accompany me to Dragon Head Mountain!"

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. On the night of the full moon, Longshou Mountain was shrouded in an eerie moonlight. Zhu Xiong Ying, dressed in a black outfit, followed by hundreds of elite Imperial Guards, silently lay in ambush at the foot of the mountain.

At the summit, flames soared into the sky, and a group of men in black formed a circle, chanting incantations as if performing some kind of ritual. In the center of the magic circle, a woman dressed in red was bound to a stone pillar—it was Princess Anqing.

Zhu Xiong Ying recognized An Qing at a glance, and his heart surged with rage. He drew his long sword from his waist, the blade pointing straight at the mountaintop, and shouted, "Kill!"

At a single command, hundreds of Imperial Guards charged towards the mountaintop like arrows released from a bow. Their battle cries shook the heavens and shattered the mountain's tranquility.

The Netherworld Cult members were clearly prepared, drawing their weapons to fight the Imperial Guards. In an instant, swords clashed and blood flew everywhere.

Zhu Xiong Ying led the charge, like a tiger descending a mountain, his long sword unstoppable. His movements were elusive, each strike precisely piercing the enemy's vitals. Wherever he went, men in black fell to the ground.

"Zhu Xiong Ying, you've finally arrived!" A cold voice came from the crowd.

An old man dressed in a black robe, with a withered face, slowly walked out, holding a black scepter in his hand.

“The Lord of the Underworld!” Zhu Xiong Ying’s eyes were like torches as he stared intently at the old man.

"Hehehe..." The Netherworld Cult Leader laughed sinisterly, "You ruined my plans, today is your death day!"

Having said that, he raised his scepter, and a surge of black energy rushed out, heading straight for Zhu Xiong Ying.

Zhu Xiong Ying snorted coldly, neither dodging nor avoiding, and brandished her long sword. A golden sword aura shot out and collided with the black energy.

boom!
With a loud bang, the two forces canceled each other out, creating a gust of wind that made the surrounding trees rustle.

"You've got some skill, no wonder you dared to ruin my plans!" A hint of surprise flashed in the Netherworld Cult Leader's eyes, followed by a sinister laugh. "But do you think this will stop me? You're too naive!"

(End of this chapter)