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

Chapter 798 A much larger conspiracy is quietly unfolding.
In the fourth year of the Jianwen Emperor's reign, the Ming Dynasty launched a military campaign against Annam, with Zhu Xiong Ying serving as the commander-in-chief.

Zhu Xiong Ying led his army with unstoppable momentum and quickly conquered the entire territory of Annam.

King Le Quy Ly of Annam was captured and escorted back to the capital.

Zhu Xiong Ying returned in triumph and was commended by Emperor Jianwen.

Emperor Jianwen bestowed upon Zhu Xiong Ying the title of Prince of Yan, granting him a vast amount of land and treasure.

Zhu Xiong Ying became the most sought-after prince in the Ming Dynasty.

……

However, Zhu Xiong Ying's glory did not last long.

In December of the fourth year of the Jianwen reign, Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, launched a rebellion.

Zhu Di was the fourth son of Zhu Yuanzhang and the fourth uncle of Zhu Xiong Ying.

Zhu Di was ambitious and had always coveted the throne.

After Emperor Jianwen ascended the throne, Zhu Di began to secretly recruit soldiers and make preparations.

In December of the fourth year of the Jianwen reign, Zhu Di launched a rebellion under the pretext of "purging the court of corrupt officials."

Zhu Di's army marched south and quickly captured Beijing, Tianjin and other places.

Emperor Jianwen sent troops to resist, but they were all defeated by Zhu Di.

In June of the fifth year of the Jianwen Emperor's reign, Zhu Di's army captured Nanjing, and the Jianwen Emperor disappeared without a trace.

Zhu Di ascended the throne and became the Yongle Emperor.

After Emperor Yongle ascended the throne, he carried out a major purge of the former officials of Emperor Jianwen.

Many of Jianwen's former officials were killed, including Fang Xiaoru.

Zhu Xiong Ying was also imprisoned by the Yongle Emperor and eventually died in despair.

A brilliant talent has fallen.

After Zhu Xiong Ying died, his soul went to the underworld.

In the underworld, he met King Yama.

The King of Hell said to Zhu Xiong Ying, "Zhu Xiong Ying, your lifespan has come to an end, it's time to be reincarnated."

Zhu Xiong Ying said, "King Yama, I don't want to be reincarnated. I want to go back to the human world."

"Return to the human world?" King Yama was taken aback. "Why do you want to return to the human world?"

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes as he gritted his teeth and said, "I want revenge! I want Zhu Di to pay for his crimes in blood!"

"Your Majesty, how can I, Zhu Xiong Ying, let my lifelong reputation end like this?!" Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes widened, his tone filled with unwavering determination. "That Zhu Di stole my throne and killed my father. If I cannot avenge him with my own hands, how can I face my ancestors?!"

The King of Hell stroked his beard, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes: "You certainly have lofty ambitions, but your lifespan has come to an end. Returning to life against the will of Heaven is no easy feat."

"King Yama, you are all-powerful, you must have a way!" Zhu Xiong Ying knelt down with a thud. "As long as I can go back, I will risk my life even if it means being shattered to pieces!"

The King of Hell looked at Zhu Xiong Ying, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly spoke: "There is a way, but..."

"But what? King Yama, please tell me!" Zhu Xiong Ying asked anxiously.

"But this method is extremely dangerous. The slightest mistake will result in your soul being scattered and never to be reincarnated," King Yama said solemnly. "You should think carefully." Zhu Xiong Ying replied without hesitation, "A true man has things he will and will not do! For revenge, I'm willing to risk everything!"

Seeing his determination, Yama stopped trying to dissuade him and said, "Alright, since you insist, I'll help you. I have a 'Return to Life Pill' here. After you take it, you can return to the mortal world. However, the pill's effects will only last for ten years. After ten years, you will return to the underworld again, and then there will be no way to bring you back."

Zhu Xiong Ying took the pill and swallowed it without hesitation. A sharp pain spread throughout her body, and Zhu Xiong Ying felt as if her soul was being torn apart.

"Ah!" Zhu Xiong Ying let out a scream, and everything went black before her eyes, and she lost consciousness.

……

When Zhu Xiong Ying opened her eyes again, she found herself lying on a simple wooden bed.

"Where...where am I?" Zhu Xiong Ying struggled to sit up, looked around, and found herself in a dilapidated thatched hut.

An old woman in tattered clothes came over and asked with concern, "Child, you're awake? How are you feeling?"

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at the old woman, completely bewildered: "Who...who am I? How did I get here?"

The old woman sighed and said, "Child, don't you remember anything? You were rescued from the mountain by a hunter. You were seriously injured and unconscious for many days."

"Up in the mountains?" Zhu Xiong Ying tried hard to recall, but couldn't remember how she got up there.

"Forget it, if you can't remember, don't think about it," the old woman said. "You should rest well, I'll go get you something to eat."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded and lay back down on the bed. He felt a splitting headache and was completely weak.

"What...what happened to me?" Zhu Xiong Ying was filled with doubt. "I clearly remember being in the underworld, where King Yama gave me a resurrection pill that brought me back to the mortal realm. But...but how did I end up like this?"

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Zhu Xiong Ying's mind. He remembered what the King of Hell had said: "This elixir's effects only last for ten years..."

"Ten years!" Zhu Xiong Ying sat up abruptly, a wave of fear washing over her. "That means I only have ten years left!"

Ten years might be a long time for an ordinary person, but for Zhu Xiong Ying, it was far too short. He needed revenge; he needed to reclaim everything that was rightfully his—and all of that required time!
"No, I can't waste any more time!" Zhu Xiong Ying jumped out of bed. "I must recover my strength as soon as possible and then seek revenge on Zhu Di!"

Zhu Xiong Ying stepped out of the thatched hut, took a deep breath, and enjoyed the long-lost fresh air.

"Zhu Di, you just wait!" Zhu Xiong Ying clenched his fists, his eyes burning with hatred. "I will make you pay for this in blood!"

In the days that followed, under the old woman's care, Zhu Xiong Ying gradually recovered. He began practicing martial arts, striving to improve his skills.

He discovered that although his memory was somewhat hazy, the internal energy within his body remained intact. Moreover, he found that his comprehension of martial arts was stronger than before.

"Could this be the side effect of the Rejuvenation Pill?" Zhu Xiong Ying thought to himself. "Although it only grants ten years of lifespan, it brings greater strength in return, so it's worth it!"

In the blink of an eye, three years passed.

Zhu Xiong Ying has fully recovered his strength, even surpassing his former power. He bid farewell to the old woman and embarked on his path of revenge.

He inquired about the news along the way and finally learned that Zhu Di had moved the capital to Beijing and changed his name to the Yongle Emperor.

"Yongle? Hmph, I'd like to see how long you can be happy!" Zhu Xiong Ying sneered and walked towards Beijing.

Unbeknownst to him, as he embarked on his path of revenge, a far greater conspiracy was quietly unfolding...

In Beijing, the majestic Forbidden City shimmered with golden light under the sun. Zhu Di, the current Yongle Emperor, sat on his dragon throne, listening to the reports from his ministers.

"Your Majesty, our scouts report that Zhu Xiong Ying, a remnant of the Jianwen Emperor, has infiltrated the capital," a minister reported tremblingly.

(End of this chapter)