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

Chapter 779 The Power of Royal Bloodline
He raised his scepter again, chanting incantations. An even more powerful black energy surged forth, transforming into a giant black python that opened its blood-red maw and lunged at Zhu Xiong Ying.

Seeing this, Zhu Xiong Ying dared not be careless. He quickly circulated his inner energy, and the long sword in his hand shone brightly, transforming into a golden dragon to meet the black python.

Two giant dragons intertwined in the air, emitting deafening roars.

"Hahaha... Zhu Xiong Ying, what do you think you are? You are just a mortal, how can you possibly contend with me?" The Netherworld Cult Leader laughed arrogantly.

Zhu Xiong Ying ignored his taunts and silently gathered his strength. He knew that this battle concerned the fate of the Ming Dynasty, and he absolutely could not afford to lose!
Suddenly, he felt a powerful force surging from within him—the power of the royal bloodline!

He suddenly opened his eyes, which burst forth with golden light. The long sword in his hand emitted a clear dragon's roar, and the golden light surged, instantly engulfing the black python.

"This...how is this possible?!" The Netherworld Cult Leader stared at the scene in disbelief, his eyes filled with fear.

Zhu Xiong Ying gave him no chance to catch his breath. In a flash, she appeared in front of him and thrust her long sword straight at his heart.

The Lord of the Underworld wanted to dodge, but it was too late.

puff!

The sound of a sword piercing flesh rang out, and the Netherworld Cult Master stared wide-eyed at the longsword that had pierced his chest in disbelief.

"You..." He managed to utter a single word before collapsing to the ground, dead.

With the death of the Netherworld Cult Leader, the surrounding men in black lost their will to fight and scattered in all directions.

Zhu Xiong Ying ignored the fleeing men in black and quickly walked to Princess Anqing's side, untying the ropes binding her.

"Royal brother..." Princess Anqing called out weakly before fainting.

Zhu Xiong Ying quickly picked up An Qing and took her back to the palace.

The imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital treated Princess Anqing overnight and finally woke her from her coma the next morning.

When Princess Anqing woke up, the first thing she saw was Zhu Xiong Ying guarding her bedside.

"Royal brother..." she called out weakly, her eyes filled with gratitude.

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled gently, "It's alright, everything is over."

He reached out and patted Anqing's head, his heart filled with relief. Fortunately, he arrived in time, thwarted the Netherworld Cult's plot, and rescued Anqing.

However, Zhu Xiong Ying felt a vague unease. Although the Netherworld Cult had been wiped out, what exactly was their purpose?
He always felt that there was a bigger conspiracy hidden behind this...

At this moment, there was a rush of footsteps outside the door.

"Your Highness, someone is requesting an audience outside the palace gates. They say..." The visitor hesitated, then stopped.

"Who is he?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked.

"It is said...it is said..." the person stammered, seemingly finding it difficult to speak.

"Speak!" Zhu Xiong Ying said impatiently.

"They say they are... an envoy of the Jianwen Emperor!"

"An envoy from the Jianwen Emperor?" Zhu Xiong Ying frowned, a surge of anger rising in his chest. The Jianwen Emperor, his uncle, the enemy who had seized his throne and caused the destruction of his family! And now, he dared to send someone?
"Get him out of here!" Zhu Xiong Ying shouted angrily.

"Your Highness, please calm down," the messenger said hastily. "The messenger said he has something important to report to Your Highness, concerning the safety of the Ming Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying calmed down. The safety of the Ming Dynasty was at stake? Could there be any greater threat than the restoration of the Jianwen Emperor?
He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Let him in."

A moment later, a man dressed in gray clothes and wearing a straw hat was brought in. He kept his head down, so his face could not be seen.

"Are you an envoy of Emperor Jianwen?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked coldly.

The man in gray raised his head, revealing a handsome face. He was none other than Zheng He, the personal eunuch of Emperor Jianwen, who had been released by Zhu Xiong Ying during the Jingnan Campaign and had miraculously survived.

"This servant, Zheng He, greets Your Highness, the Imperial Grandson." Zheng He bowed respectfully. Seeing Zheng He, Zhu Xiong Ying felt a mix of emotions. Years ago, he had let Zheng He go out of pity, but now, he had returned.

"What are you doing here?" Zhu Xiong asked in an icy tone.

"This servant has come on the orders of Emperor Jianwen to sue for peace with Your Highness," Zheng He said, bowing his head and speaking humbly.

"Seek peace?" Zhu Xiong Ying sneered. "He still has the nerve to seek peace? He usurped my throne and murdered my father and brothers. This enmity is irreconcilable!"

“Your Highness,” Zheng He raised his head, his eyes filled with pleading, “Emperor Jianwen has realized his mistake. He is willing to abdicate and return the throne to Your Highness, only asking that Your Highness spare his life.”

Zhu Xiong Ying's heart skipped a beat. Abdicate? Return the throne to him? This was something he hadn't expected.

"Is he really willing to step down?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked.

“Absolutely true!” Zheng He quickly replied, “Emperor Jianwen has already written his abdication edict, and it is only waiting for Your Highness’s approval before it can be announced to the world.”

Zhu Xiong Ying pondered for a moment and said, "Bring me the imperial edict to see."

Zheng He quickly took out a roll of yellow silk from his bosom and handed it to Zhu Xiong Ying.

Zhu Xiong Ying unfolded the yellow silk and read it carefully. In the edict, Emperor Jianwen admitted his mistakes, expressed his willingness to abdicate, return the throne to Zhu Xiong Ying, and asked Zhu Xiong Ying to forgive his sins.

After reading the edict, Zhu Xiong Ying sneered inwardly. Emperor Jianwen, you've finally met your match!

“Alright, I grant your request,” Zhu Xiong Ying threw the edict on the table. “Tell Emperor Jianwen to hold his abdication ceremony in the Fengtian Hall three days from now.”

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Zheng He kowtowed in gratitude, overjoyed.

After Zheng He left, Zhu Xiong Ying fell into deep thought. Would Emperor Jianwen really abdicate willingly? He had a feeling that things weren't that simple.

He decided to investigate secretly to see what tricks Emperor Jianwen was playing.

Three days later, at the Fengtian Hall.

All the civil and military officials gathered together, awaiting the arrival of Emperor Jianwen.

Zhu Xiong Ying, dressed in a dragon robe, sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over the crowd with majesty.

Time passed slowly, but Emperor Jianwen still hadn't appeared.

"Why hasn't Emperor Jianwen arrived yet?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked impatiently.

Just then, a commotion arose outside the door.

"The Jianwen Emperor has arrived!"

Everyone turned to look at the palace gate.

Emperor Jianwen, dressed in a dragon robe and surrounded by a group of guards, slowly walked into the main hall.

His face was pale, and his eyes were filled with resentment and bitterness.

"Emperor Jianwen, why are you late?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked coldly.

“Nephew,” Emperor Jianwen raised his head, his gaze coldly fixed on Zhu Xiong Ying, “I have not come here today to abdicate, but to…”

He paused, a glint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes, "I've come to take your life!"

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly pulled a dagger from his sleeve and stabbed at Zhu Xiong Ying!

It all happened so fast that no one had time to react.

(End of this chapter)