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

Chapter 823 Falling into Kagesa's Trick

A cold smile crept across his lips as he muttered to himself, "Zhu Xiong Ying, do you really think you've won? This game has only just begun!"

The masked man, named Kagesa, was the leader of a hidden ninja organization in Japan. He watched Zhu Xiong Ying's departing figure, a cold glint in his eyes. He knew Zhu Xiong Ying's strength, but also understood that Zhu Xiong Ying's arrogance and hubris would eventually become his fatal weakness.

Yingzuo returned to the organization's secret base and summoned all members. "Zhu Xiong Ying has taken the bait. Our plan can begin." His voice was low and hoarse, carrying a hint of cold killing intent.

"Leader, are we really going to go against the Celestial Venerable?" a young ninja asked with some worry. "The Celestial Venerable's strength is unfathomable, what about us..."

Yingzu snorted coldly, interrupting him. "Celestial Venerable? Hmph, nothing but a fame-seeking charlatan! If he truly possessed such ability, why would he need to hide?"

“But…” The young ninja wanted to say something, but was stopped by a cold look from Kagesa.

"No need for further words! Execute the order!" Kagesa said without room for argument.

"Yes!" the ninjas replied in unison.

……

In the blink of an eye, three months passed.

As agreed, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu handed over all the pirates of Wa (Japan) to Zhu Xiong Ying for disposal, and sent his most beautiful daughter to the Ming Dynasty palace.

Zhu Xiong Ying was very satisfied with Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's "cooperation". He was immersed in the joy of victory and did not realize that danger was approaching step by step.

One day, Zhu Xiong Ying was admiring the flowers in the Imperial Garden when suddenly a eunuch rushed over.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! An envoy from Japan requests an audience, saying he has something extremely urgent to report!"

Zhu Xiong Ying frowned, somewhat displeased. This Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, he's never going to stop! Things had only been quiet for a few days, what's going on now?

"Let him in!"

Before long, a Japanese envoy dressed in a kimono walked in tremblingly.

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming!" The envoy knelt on the ground, trembling all over.

"What's the matter that you're so panicked?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked impatiently.

"Your Majesty, a mysterious force has suddenly appeared within our borders. They are burning, killing, looting, and committing all sorts of atrocities, and have already captured several of our cities! Our country is powerless to resist, and we earnestly request Your Majesty to send troops to our aid!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying sneered inwardly. It seems Ashikaga Yoshimitsu is truly useless! He can't even handle such a small matter!
"I understand. Go back and tell Ashikaga Yoshimitsu that I will send troops to support you!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!" The envoy withdrew with profuse thanks.

Zhu Xiong Ying watched the envoy's departing figure, a disdainful smile appearing on his lips. "Japan, what a tiny place, nothing to worry about!"

Little did he know that all of this was a conspiracy meticulously planned by Yingzuo.

During these three months, Kagesa secretly developed his power, recruited a group of desperados, and created chaos in Japan in the name of the Celestial Venerable.

His only goal was to lure Zhu Xiong Ying into sending troops to Japan, and then wipe them out in one fell swoop!
……

Zhu Xiong Ying led his army and marched into Japan in a grand procession.

Along the way, he was invincible and unstoppable, and soon captured several cities.

Zhu Xiong Ying's arrogance and conceit also swelled to the extreme.

"It seems the Japanese are nothing special after all!" Zhu Xiong Ying stood atop the city wall, looking down at the routed Japanese soldiers, and said smugly. "Your Majesty, we must not underestimate the enemy!" Xu Da advised from the side, "The Japanese terrain is complex, easy to defend and difficult to attack. We should be cautious!"

"Xu Da, you're too cautious!" Zhu Xiong Ying said dismissively. "My cultivation is unparalleled in the world. What is the mere Japanese nation worth mentioning?"

Xu Da wanted to persuade him further, but Zhu Xiong Ying waved him off. "No need for further words! My mind is made up!"

That night, Zhu Xiong Ying's army was stationed in a valley.

It's late at night and everything is silent.

Suddenly, a deafening battle cry erupted!
Countless ninjas dressed in black night clothes surged in from all directions like ghosts, surrounding Zhu Xiong Ying's large army!
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

Zhu Xiong Ying's army was immediately thrown into chaos.

Zhu Xiong Ying was also awakened by the sudden attack. He quickly put on his armor and rushed out of the tent.

All he could see were countless dark ninjas, surging towards his army like a tidal wave across the mountains and plains!

"What's going on? Where did these ninjas come from?" Zhu Xiong Ying's expression changed drastically.

"Your Majesty, we've fallen into a trap!" Xu Da said anxiously. "This is a trap set by the Japanese!"

Zhu Xiong Ying then realized that she had fallen into Ying Zuo's trap!

He was filled with regret, but it was too late!
"Kill! Leave no one alive!" Yingzuo's voice, like a demon from hell, echoed through the valley.

Countless ninjas, like hungry wolves, pounced on Zhu Xiong Ying's army...

A bloody battle has begun!

Although Zhu Xiong Ying was highly skilled, he was outnumbered and gradually lost ground.

He was surrounded and attacked by several powerful ninjas, and was in grave danger.

Just then, an old man dressed in a Taoist robe, with an air of otherworldly wisdom, appeared in front of him.

"Yuanshi Tianzun?" Zhu Xiong Ying looked at the old man who had suddenly appeared, and a glimmer of hope ignited in his heart.

However, the old man ignored him and turned to walk away, muttering to himself, "This humble Taoist is merely passing by..."

"Yuanshi Tianzun?" Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes widened in disbelief, a glimmer of absurd hope rising in his heart like a drowning man grasping at a straw. This old fellow, finally willing to make a move?

However, the old man merely glanced at him, a hint of amusement in his eyes, as if he were looking at a struggling ant. He stroked his white beard and spoke slowly, his voice booming like a great bell, echoing through the valley: "Young man, don't be so hot-tempered. This humble Taoist is merely passing by..."

"Just passing by?" Zhu Xiong Ying was so angry he almost vomited blood. This old guy was clearly playing him for a fool! Seeing the ninjas closing in, he roared, his whole body radiating golden light, like a god descending to earth.

"Since you refuse to help, then I will do it myself!"

He brandished his longsword, its blade flashing, instantly slaying several ninjas. However, these ninjas, fearless and relentless, surged forward like a tidal wave.

"Hahaha, Zhu Xiong Ying, you finally fell for my trap!" Ying Zuo's voice came from afar, tinged with smugness.

Zhu Xiong Ying looked in the direction of the sound and saw Ying Zuo standing on the mountaintop, with a man dressed in black standing beside him. The man was burly, with a cold face, and exuded a powerful aura.

"This is..." Zhu Xiong Ying was startled and felt a vague sense of unease.

(End of this chapter)