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

Chapter 780 Colluding with Outsiders
Just as the dagger was about to pierce Zhu Xiong Ying, a golden light flashed, and the dagger was knocked away.

"Who is it?!" Emperor Jianwen was shocked.

Suddenly, an elderly man dressed in white, with an air of otherworldly wisdom, appeared before Zhu Xiong Ying.

"I am Zhang Sanfeng," the old man stroked his beard and said calmly, "I am ordered to protect His Highness the Imperial Grandson."

Emperor Jianwen's expression changed drastically. Zhang Sanfeng! The greatest martial arts master in the world! What could he be doing here?

"You...you actually colluded with outsiders!" Emperor Jianwen pointed at Zhu Xiong Ying and roared.

"Collusion?" Zhu Xiong Ying sneered. "You're the one colluding with outsiders! You colluded with the Japanese pirates, plotting a rebellion. The evidence is irrefutable. Do you still want to deny it?"

"You...you're spouting nonsense!" Emperor Jianwen's face turned pale; he knew he was finished.

"Men, seize Emperor Jianwen!" Zhu Xiong Ying gave the order, and the guards rushed forward and subdued Emperor Jianwen.

Emperor Jianwen was taken away, and the Fengtian Hall was silent.

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Zhang Sanfeng and said gratefully, "Thank you for saving me, Master."

Zhang Sanfeng smiled slightly, "Your Highness, there's no need to be so polite. This is what I should do."

"Why would a real person appear here?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked curiously.

“I have been traveling around and heard that Emperor Jianwen intends to rebel, so I have come to assist Your Highness,” Zhang Sanfeng said.

Zhu Xiong Ying was secretly delighted. It seemed that even Heaven was on his side!
“Master,” Zhu Xiong Ying suddenly thought of something and asked, “do you know the origins of the Japanese pirates that Emperor Jianwen colluded with?”

Zhang Sanfeng stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and said, "As far as I know, these Japanese pirates seem to be connected with a mysterious organization..."

"What organization?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked hurriedly.

Zhang Sanfeng raised his head, gazing intently into the distance, and slowly uttered four words:

"The Netherworld Cult!"

"The Netherworld Cult?" Zhu Xiong Ying repeated the three words, his brows furrowed. He had never heard of this organization before, but judging from Zhang Sanfeng's solemn expression, it was definitely not a simple one.

“That’s right,” Zhang Sanfeng nodded. “The Netherworld Cult is an extremely mysterious organization. They are secretive and ruthless. It is said that their influence is spread throughout the world, and they even have spies in the imperial court.”

Zhu Xiong Ying was startled. If what Zhang Sanfeng said was true, then the power of the Netherworld Sect was terrifying!

"Does the True Man know where the headquarters of the Netherworld Cult is located?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked.

Zhang Sanfeng shook his head. "I don't know either. The Netherworld Sect's whereabouts are unpredictable, and no one knows their headquarters."

Zhu Xiong Ying was somewhat disappointed, but he also knew that the headquarters of such a mysterious organization was not so easy to find.

“However,” Zhang Sanfeng paused, then continued, “I have heard that the leader of the Netherworld Sect is proficient in the art of divination and escape. Perhaps we can find their whereabouts by starting with that.”

"Qimen Dunjia?" Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes lit up. He remembered that he had once obtained an ancient book on Qimen Dunjia, and perhaps he could find some clues in it.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master!" Zhu Xiong Ying said gratefully.

“Your Highness, there’s no need for you to be so polite,” Zhang Sanfeng smiled slightly. “I still need to continue my travels, so I won’t stay here any longer.”

After saying that, Zhang Sanfeng vanished from the Fengtian Hall in a flash.

Zhu Xiong Ying gazed in the direction Zhang Sanfeng had disappeared, his heart filled with admiration. Truly worthy of being called the world's greatest martial artist, appearing and disappearing without a trace, a truly awe-inspiring feat.

Upon returning to his study, he immediately ordered someone to fetch the ancient book on Qimen Dunjia.

He obtained this ancient book by chance, but had never had time to study it. Now it has finally come in handy.

He opened the ancient book and began to study it carefully.

Ancient books recorded various formations and secret techniques of Qimen Dunjia, which dazzled Zhu Xiong Ying.

It took him an entire day to roughly browse through the ancient books. Although he didn't find any direct clues about the Netherworld Cult, he did discover an interesting formation—the "Universe Shifting Formation."

This formation can instantly teleport people or objects thousands of miles away without leaving any trace.

If we could master this formation, wouldn't we be able to come and go as we please, going wherever we want?
Zhu Xiong Ying was overjoyed and immediately began to study the formation.

The setup of the "Universe Shifting Array" is extremely complex and requires various rare materials.

Fortunately, as a grandson of the emperor, it was not difficult for Zhu Xiong Ying to obtain these materials.

He ordered his men to collect all the necessary materials, and then began to set up the formation according to the records in the ancient books.

Setting up an array is an extremely time-consuming and energy-intensive process. Zhu Xiong Ying worked for three days and three nights to complete the array.

He stood in the center of the formation, took a deep breath, and activated the formation.

A vortex appeared in the center of the formation, emitting a dazzling light.

Zhu Xiong Ying jumped into the whirlpool without hesitation.

The next moment, he appeared in an unfamiliar place.

This is a desolate mountain wilderness, surrounded by dense forests, with no trace of human activity in sight.

"Is this the effect of the 'Universe Shifting Array'?" Zhu Xiong Ying sighed inwardly. Truly amazing!
He looked around, trying to figure out where he was now.

Suddenly, he heard the sounds of fighting coming from afar.

A thought struck him, and he quickly walked toward the direction from which the fighting sounds were coming.

As he walked through a grove of trees, he saw a group of men in black attacking a woman in white.

Although the woman in white was highly skilled in martial arts, she was outnumbered and had already suffered multiple injuries.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Xiong Ying did not hesitate to lend a helping hand.

He flashed into the crowd of men in black, punching and kicking them one by one until they were knocked to the ground.

The men in black were caught off guard by this unexpected turn of events, and chaos ensued.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, the woman in white recovered and fought alongside Zhu Xiong Ying, defeating all the men in black.

Seeing that things were not going well, the men in black fled in panic.

"Thank you for saving me, young master!" the woman in white said gratefully.

Only then did Zhu Xiong Ying get a clear look at the woman in white.

Her skin was as white as snow, and her features were exquisite; she was like a fairy descended from heaven, stunning everyone.

“You’re too kind, young lady,” Zhu Xiong Ying smiled slightly. “It is our duty to help those in need.”

The woman in white smiled slightly. "My name is Liu Ruyan. May I ask your honorable name, sir?"

"My name is Zhu..." Zhu Xiong Ying was about to say his name when he suddenly realized that he was in a dangerous situation and it was best not to reveal his identity.

So he changed his address and said, "My name is Zhu Gongzi."

Liu Ruyan chuckled, "Young Master is truly witty."

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled but didn't say anything.

He thought to himself, "Liu Ruyan's martial arts are so high, could she also be related to the Netherworld Sect?"
"Young master, may I speak with you in private?" Liu Ruyan suddenly asked.

Zhu Xiong Ying's heart skipped a beat. Could she really be related to the Netherworld Cult?
He nodded. "Please, young lady."

(End of this chapter)