Martial Arts Crossover: Me, the Immortal Venerable, Opens a Pawnshop in the Martial Arts World

"Even though Guo Jing is incredibly skilled, he's still ranked behind the other two. How can he possibly stop this fated battle?"

Inside the Ming Dynasty palace, Zhu Houzhao gazed at Ye Gucheng's life story displayed on the Heavenly Ranking, and the last glimmer of hope in his heart vanished.

Two grandmasters!

Moreover, they are all beings who are superior to Guo Juxia, yet they want to clash on the very grounds of his Zhu Family Imperial City!

His face was pale, and his eyes blazed with anger, but it was quickly replaced by a sense of powerlessness, and finally turned into a deep sense of dejection.

As the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, how could he tolerate the Forbidden City, which symbolized imperial authority and dignity, being reduced to a place for martial arts contests?

However, when his opponents are two peerless swordsmen who have reached the level of grandmasters, he would never dare to easily break off relations unless absolutely necessary!

If he fails to kill them, and if these two were to infiltrate the palace to assassinate him in the future—besides Guo Juxia, who in the world could protect him?

"Could it be...?"

"Am I simply supposed to watch helplessly as these two lawless individuals duel on the very grounds of my palace?"

"And perhaps, all I can do is evacuate the palace servants in advance?"

With a wry smile, Zhu Houzhao slowly slumped back onto the dragon throne, his back slightly bent, as if weighed down by a thousand pounds.

"His Majesty!"

"If we mobilize the three major powers—the Six Doors, the Eastern Depot, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard—to create a tight net, and then have me personally oversee the operation, we might be able to capture them!"

Seeing the emperor's dejected expression, Cao Zhengchun hurriedly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and offered his advice.

Although he has not reached the level of a grandmaster, he is a renowned veteran half-step grandmaster. He has only lost his luster recently because he has been overshadowed by Yang Guo.

Zhu Houzhao gave him a cold glance and asked in return:

"At all costs, we might actually be able to trap them..."

"But who are they? If they sense an ambush, would they still keep the appointment?"

"If we forcibly interrupt the duel and anger these two master swordsmen, can the entire Ming Dynasty bear their retaliation?"

"this……"

Cao Zhengchun was speechless; his lips moved slightly, but he ultimately had no words to say.

yes……

How keen are the perceptions of a master?

Even if thousands of troops are hidden in the shadows, they cannot escape his keen perception.

If he really angered those two and they attacked together, not only would he not be able to protect the emperor, but he himself would probably not escape death!

"Alas... If only my Great Ming Dynasty could have one more master who ranks among the top in the Nine Provinces Heavenly Rankings and is loyal to the court..."

"If Guo Bujing were still in the capital, how could I be so helpless?"

After a long silence, Zhu Houzhao leaned back in his chair, sighed softly, and whispered like the wind.

Cao Zhengchun and a group of high-ranking officials from the Eastern Depot, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Six Doors all lowered their heads and remained silent upon hearing this.

The Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking has only thirty seats.

Of the seven great dynasties in the world, countless small kingdoms and sects stood side by side, and the Ming Dynasty managed to occupy three of them, which was unprecedented and unparalleled.

It should be noted that prior to this, the Ming Dynasty did not even have a single publicly acknowledged Grandmaster...

Now, three of them have emerged at once, far surpassing the apparent combat strength of any dynasty!

Rumbling--

The sky trembled, and golden light suddenly burst forth.

The Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking, suspended high in the void, once again circulates, its light never ceasing.

Zhu Houzhao suppressed his disappointment for the time being, raised his head again, and gazed at the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking that floated in the sky.

However, in the next instant, when he saw the name that appeared on the list, his body suddenly stiffened, his pupils contracted sharply like pinpoints, and his eyes were filled with shock and disbelief!

[Ranked 25th on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking! Zhu Wushi, the Iron-Blooded Marquis of the Great Ming Dynasty's Dragon Guard Manor!]

Deep within the Dragon Guardian Manor, the stone door to the secret chamber slowly opened, and Zhu Wushi emerged with his hands behind his back. His robes remained unmoved, yet his aura was as deep and boundless as the ocean.

His expression was solemn. His gaze swept over the four secret agents of Heaven, Earth, Xuan, and Huang standing before him, and he asked in a deep voice:

"Have all the orders been relayed?"

Shangguan Haitang stepped forward, clasped her hands in a fist salute, and replied, "Rest assured, Divine Marquis, all ten generals have agreed that they will raise their troops precisely on time tonight when the moon is full!"

Guihai Yidao followed up by adding, "The palace guards, the Six Doors, the Eastern Depot, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and other forces have all been properly deployed."

"We await only your command, and the world will be turned upside down, and the fate of the Ming Dynasty will be rewritten!"

"Um……"

Zhu Wushi nodded slightly. After listening to the two reports, his expression softened a little, but a cold light still lingered deep in his eyes, and the dark clouds did not dissipate.

"Good nephew... don't blame your royal uncle for being heartless."

"Under your rule, the Forbidden City has been reduced to a battleground for swordsmen from all walks of life. Where is the propriety and law? Where is the moral order?"

"Moreover, this Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking..."

As he whispered, he looked up at the swirling golden scrolls in the sky, his voice growing softer.

"The mystery is unfathomable, seemingly connected to the will of Heaven. To others, it may be an opportunity for rapid advancement; but to me... all my past secrets will be exposed."

"Fine, don't blame your royal uncle for not giving you a moment's peace."

"Click—"

At that very moment, as the daily rankings turned another page and the new names appeared, Zhu Wushi, who was still pondering, suddenly clenched his knuckles, his knuckles cracking like popping beans!

Without further hesitation, he turned abruptly and shouted sharply:

"One cut! Begonia!"

"Immediately contact the Ten Generals, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Six Doors, and the Eastern Depot—all their forces!"

"The entire army is mobilized, heading straight for the Forbidden City; tonight we will secure the world!"

In the imperial garden of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Shimin smiled, took a sip of the tribute tea, and said leisurely:

"Imperial Preceptor, tell me, is the Ming Dynasty blessed with too much good fortune, or is it destined for too much calamity?"

"The Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking has only revealed five people so far, and three of them are actually from the Ming Dynasty."

"Three grandmasters in one country—unprecedented in history! Is this not a magnificent event?"

Yuan Tiangang chuckled and agreed, "In my opinion, it's more likely to be bad luck."

"The two sword masters fought to the death at the top of the Forbidden City. Regardless of the outcome, Zhu Houzhao lost all face."

"This Guo the Hero has really taken the blame for his master's huge mistake, hahaha."

Li Shimin's smile deepened upon hearing this.

The seven great dynasties of the world each had their own strengths and weaknesses. Although there were few major wars due to the existence of numerous small states, the competition behind the scenes never ceased.

The Ming Dynasty now boasts three top experts on the Heavenly Ranking, a feat unprecedented in history!

But rather...

The two masters stood facing each other, neither willing to yield.

This situation is unique in the world!

Just as he was secretly pleased, his gaze fell upon the Heavenly Ranking again. Upon seeing the latest rankings, he suddenly spat out the tea in his mouth—

"puff!"

Yuan Tiangang's smile froze instantly, his eyes narrowed, and his face was full of astonishment.

"The Iron-Blooded Marquis of the Ming Dynasty—Zhu Wushi?"

"This person is also a grandmaster? And ranked above Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng?"

Li Shimin hurriedly wiped the water stains off his dragon robe, his expression one of shock.

"Absurd! Could there be an error in this Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking?"

"Guo Juxia, Ximen Chuixue, Ye Gucheng, and now Zhu Wushi... In just a short time, six people have made the list, and four of them are from the Ming Dynasty?"

The Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking gathers heroes from all over the world; those who make it onto the list are all the strongest in the world!

In the past, the Ming Dynasty had always been unremarkable and had no presence among the seven kingdoms.

But now, a series of masters have emerged, their brilliance surpassing that of all other nations!

"So that's how it is..."

Yuan Tiangang shook his head with a wry smile, his earlier teasing intent long gone.

"Perhaps the Ming Dynasty is truly... blessed with great fortune."

"Even if two grandmasters disrespect the imperial court, with just Guo Jing and Zhu Wushi, the Ming Dynasty's dominance on the Heavenly Ranking is already far ahead of the rest of the world!"

"The master of Dragon Guard Manor is Zhu Wushi, the Iron-Blooded Marquis..."

"This person is no ordinary individual!"

"Even my father spoke of him with great respect."

Outside Yong'an Pawnshop, the young master casually waved his folding fan, speaking in a relaxed tone.

A group of martial arts practitioners beside him nodded, their expressions solemn.

"Furong, now that the Divine Marquis has intervened, even if Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng join forces, your father is absolutely safe!"

Lu Xiucai gently patted Guo Furong's shoulder and back, offering words of comfort.

Ever since learning that Ye Gucheng was also a grandmaster, Guo Furong had been worried, fearing that her father would be in danger.

She knew Guo Juxia's personality all too well.

He will definitely not stand idly by in this duel between Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng.

Even though she believed her father was highly skilled in martial arts, the thought of facing two top masters at the same time still made her uneasy and unable to eat or sleep.

Fortunately——

Now that the Iron-Blooded Marquis has appeared on the Heavenly Ranking, his strength is even greater than those two!

With Zhu Wushi in charge, and Guo Juxia and Zhu Houzhao's large army, the situation was already as stable as Mount Tai.

Thinking of this, the heavy stone in Guo Furong's heart finally slowly settled down.

"Royal Uncle!"

"It's my royal uncle who's on the list!"

"Heaven has not forsaken our Great Ming!"

Deep within the Forbidden City, Zhu Houzhao, who had been frowning, was so excited when he saw Zhu Wushi's name prominently listed on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking that he jumped up and exclaimed in surprise.

He completely disregarded imperial decorum and was unconcerned about the attendants standing around him.

What is a surprise?

This is the real surprise!

Just moments before, he was filled with worry, fearing that the battle between Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng would trigger a massive upheaval.

There was concern that the only reliable master in the court, Guo Juxia, was not in the capital.

He even secretly prayed that the Heavenly Ranking would produce another master loyal to the Ming Dynasty.

result……

In the blink of an eye, my wish came true!

The twenty-fifth ranked person on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking is none other than a Grandmaster from the Great Ming Dynasty!

More importantly, this divine marquis was not an ordinary official, but a close relative whom Zhu Houzhao truly trusted!

In an instant, Zhu Houzhao straightened his back, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, and immediately gave the order:

"Quickly! Summon my imperial uncle to the palace at once!"

"Today we must drink with our Imperial Uncle for three days to celebrate this grand occasion!"

It wasn't just Zhu Houzhao.

At this moment, whether it was high-ranking officials in the court or Guo Juxia and others, they all breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Zhu Wushi's name.

Even the oppressive atmosphere in the air was cleared away.

Although Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng disobeyed the emperor's orders and acted arrogantly and independently...

But the Ming Dynasty still possessed the power to awe the world!

Inside the Xianyang Palace of the Qin Dynasty.

"This Zhu Houzhao..."

"His talent for governing the country is mediocre, but his luck... is truly enviable."

Ying Zheng stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze cold and stern. Even as the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking surged, his expression remained unchanged.

But the slight fluctuation in his words betrayed his true feelings—

Even the Ancestral Dragon, who commanded the six directions and shook the eight wastelands, could not remain completely at peace.

after all……

He ruled over a vast empire, but after Gai Nie left, he had no truly loyal and devoted master to employ.

Zhu Houzhao, whom he considered an incompetent ruler, had two trusted and capable advisors who could be relied upon for life!

Not just Qin Shi Huang.

At this moment, in the imperial palace of the Song Dynasty, the imperial hall of the Sui Dynasty… the monarchs of various countries almost simultaneously cursed inwardly:

"Zhu Houzhao is incredibly lucky!"

Across the land, turmoil rises once more, shaking the people.

"Since its inception, the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking has only produced six individuals, four of whom are from the Ming Dynasty… This is not merely glorious; it's practically unparalleled dominance!"