When he said this, everyone's expression changed.
Why?
Shen Lang was still a few thousand miles away. How could he stop Zhu Hongzhu?
In this world, many people could compromise with Shen Lang, but not the Zhu clan.
Most importantly, the beheading of more than ten thousand people and Ning Zheng's arm was Ning Shao's strong stance. It was not only for Shen Lang to see, but more importantly, for the Great Yan Empire to see.
Now that Zhu Hongzhu had stopped him, what would Ning Shao think?
"Hero, please stay in my residence for now." Zhu Hongzhu said to the Black Mirror Division spy.
"Of course."
Zhu Hongzhu turned and walked outside, "I will go and pay my respects to His Majesty."
He put on his hat and walked outside. Zhu Jung quickly caught up and whispered, "Father, what was written in Shen Lang's letter? Is it so important?"
Zhu Hongzhu lowered his head, "Do you still remember Zhu Yao?"
Zhu Jung trembled, "What, what happened to him?"
Of course, Zhu Jung knew this person. When Jiang Li was powerful, Zhu Yao was another egg placed in the Zhu clan's basket.
If Jiang Li won in the future and obtained the world, then Zhu Yao would be the Zhu clan's lifeline.
But to the Great Yan Empire, this was a betrayal. So, after Jiang Li died, the Zhu clan ordered Zhu Yao to kill all the geniuses in Jiang Li's secret academy. The other party did not do anything, so the Zhu clan sent experts to kill Zhu Yao, intending to silence him. But Zhu Yao disappeared.
That day, Ying Guang led his army into the valley where the secret academy was located and burned everyone inside to death.
There were originally more than a thousand geniuses nurtured by Jiang Li, but only a small portion escaped. The rest were burned alive in the valley. Not only that, but almost all the teachers were also burned to death. So, Ying Guang and his son committed many crimes against Jiang Li.
The Zhu clan searched for a long time, but could not find Zhu Yao. They could not help but feel relieved, thinking that he was already dead.
Zhu Jung whispered, "Father, even if Shen Lang found Zhu Yao, what can he do? The Zhu Clan did not leave any letters, and there is no evidence to prove that our Zhu Clan ever wanted to have a foot in both boats. Besides, didn't the royal family also send Xue Yin to Jiang Li's side? "
Zhu Hongzhu said, "How can that be the same? That is the royal family, that is the monarch, and we are the subjects. Let me ask you, what right does our Zhu clan have to send someone to Jiang Li's side? Have we reported this to His Majesty? We are civil officials. Do we have any intelligence network in Great Yan Empire? "
This was the key point. The Zhu Clan didn't have the qualifications to send a spy, but they sent an illegitimate child to Jiang Li's side. This meant that they wanted to have a foot in both boats, this was an opportunistic move.
Zhu Jung thought for a moment and said, "Shen Lang threatened us that if we don't stop the execution, he will reveal Zhu Yao's identity?"
If Shen Lang were to openly announce Zhu Yao's identity at this time, it would not cause any harm to the Zhu Clan on the surface. But the Emperor would definitely hold a grudge, especially at this time. It was a crucial time for the Zhu Clan to fight for the position of Prime Minister.
Two years ago, the Great Yan Empire's new policy was successful. The Minister of State was reorganized into a cabinet. To be conservative, they chose an old subject of virtue and prestige to be the Prime Minister. The Zhu Clan's head would be the Prime Minister in two or three years.
"Master, these few months are crucial. Although the position of Prime Minister is already in the bag, if any scandal were to be exposed at this time, it would immediately be magnified. Our opponents in Yan Capital would not let go of such an opportunity. At that time, the position of Prime Minister would be hard to say." Zhu Hongzhu said, "Compared to that, what do Ning Zheng's arm and the lives of ten thousand people count for?"
Zhu Jung frowned. He naturally knew the severity of this matter, but was this small matter enough to make the Zhu Clan compromise? Wasn't it a little cowardly?
Zhu Hongzhu said, "Don't just think about prestige. Our Zhu Clan is already prestigious enough. His prestige was fake. The power in his hands was real. Moreover, Shen Lang is not only threatening us with Zhu Yao. There is something even more fatal! "
"What is it?" Zhu Jung asked.
Zhu Hongzhu said, "Hongxue's identity."
As soon as this was said, Zhu Jung's expression changed completely. He stood still on the spot.
Zhu Hongxue's status in the Zhu Clan was unparalleled. His martial arts talent was too high. In the future, he would become the Sky-sea Pavilion's second-in-command. This position was even higher than the Prime Minister of the State of Yue.
This was because once Shen Lang was eliminated, the Great Yan Empire and the six transcendent powers would once again seal off the entire Eastern world. The Sky-sea Pavilion and the other six transcendent powers would once again increase their status. Therefore, nothing could happen to Zhu Hongxue.
If Zhu Hongxue's identity was exposed, then whether he could inherit the second-in-command position in the Sky-sea Pavilion in the future would be unknown.
After a long while, Zhu Jung gritted his teeth and said, "Zhu Hongxue is my son. Whoever wants to change this must die!"
Zhu Hongzhu said, "Do you know the reason now? Shen Lang made a deal with us. Before the decisive battle between him and Tianyue City, Ning Yuanxian, Ning Zheng, Bian Xiao, Zhang Chong, and the hundreds of thousands of people who were arrested must not be harmed. "
… …
Inside the palace.
Zhu Hongzhu directly said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this old subject wishes to stop the execution ceremony. If possible, Ning Zheng's arm should not be chopped off. After all, he is your younger brother. This will also show Your Majesty's benevolence."
King Yue Ning Shao was stunned. He looked at Zhu Hongzhu in disbelief. What did this mean? Previously, you had also agreed to this matter. Furthermore, you were extremely appreciative of this point, and felt that we must be sufficiently unyielding toward Shen Lang. Why have you changed your mind now?
"Prime Minister, why?" King Yue Ning Shao asked.
Zhu Hongzhu bowed and said, "This is all for the sake of Your Majesty's wisdom. If Ning Zheng is guilty, after we eliminate Shen Lang, we can punish him. There is no need to chop off his arm now. Also, I feel that it is more justifiable to kill these ten thousand people after we eliminate Shen Lang. "
King Yue Ning Shao looked at Zhu Hongzhu for a long time. He really could not imagine that Zhu Hongzhu would change his mind at such a crucial moment.
"Prime Minister, did Shen Lang find you and threaten you?"
Zhu Hongzhu shook his head and said, "There is no such thing."
Then, he knelt down on both knees and kowtowed. "Your Majesty, please have mercy."
King Yue Ning Shao looked at the trembling Zhu Hongzhu kneeling on the ground. His eyes narrowed and a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Then, he went forward and helped Zhu Hongzhu up. "Having an elder at home is like having a treasure. I still have to listen to the Prime Minister's words."
Then, King Yue Ning Shao issued a decree. "Come, send a decree to the execution grounds. The execution ceremony is over. There will be no more executions!"
… …
On the plaza!
Zhu Jung was facing off against Princess Ning Luo. He was here to stop the execution, but Ning Luo insisted that without the King's decree, it would not be stopped.
"Lord Zhu Jung, if I remember correctly, the State of Yue should still be surnamed Ning, not Zhu."
Zhu Jung bowed and said, "Of course, Princess Royal. I am not here to stop the execution, but to ask the two of you to wait for the palace's decree. "
"Then wait." Princess Royal Ning Luo sneered.
After being disfigured, she wore a silver mask almost all the time. Only her eyes were exposed, making her look especially cold.
And the previous Third Prince Ning Qi, the current Duke of Qi, had not said a word.
He had once shone brightly, especially during the war between Chu and Yue. The stunning talent he had displayed had completely won everyone's admiration. He was even called the most outstanding member of the Ning clan royal family in the last few hundred years.
However, after the destruction of the Xue clan, he seemed to have completely faded into the crowd.
After the new King, Ning Shao, ascended the throne, he still expressed his loyalty and even led an army to destroy the The South Kingdom. In the end, they fought for a few months without any tension. After Zhu Hongxue's ten thousand Blood Soul Army arrived, they easily destroyed the Sand Barbaric Tribe and defeated Prince Jin. Including the Sand Barbaric civilians, they slaughtered nearly a million people and burned thousands of miles of forest.
After returning to the capital, this Duke of Qi did not have any outstanding performance and did not make a single sound.
More than ten thousand prisoners knelt on the ground in an orderly manner. They did not make a sound and their faces were filled with despair.
Most of these people had once followed Ning Zheng and indirectly followed Shen Lang. They were especially Ning Zheng's direct subordinates in the Tianyue Commander's Office.
If it was before, they would have cried out that they were wronged. However, after being imprisoned for two years, they were almost numb.
City Lord Liu Wuyan's entire clan knelt among them. He was actually among the first to be beheaded. For a long time, he was Shen Lang's enemy. He had two crimes.
First, when he saw Shen Lang in Xuanwu City, he moved to the side of the road and bowed deeply.
Second, after Shen Lang fled overseas, Liu Wuyan resigned from his position. He was judged to be resentful, sympathizing and missing Jiang Li.
The sand in the hourglass gradually slid down. It was almost a quarter to the afternoon. At this time, the eunuch sent by King Yue Ning Shao to deliver the edict walked slowly. He was even unhurried.
The last drop of sand in the hourglass had flowed out. Looking at the pendulum clock, it was already a quarter to the afternoon.
"Time's up." Princess Ning Luo said, "Duke of Qi, begin the execution."
Ning Qi trembled and said, "Since Lord Zhu said there would be a new edict, why not wait a little longer?"
Eldest Princess Ning Luo said coldly, "Ning Qi, do you also want to rebel? Do you also sympathize with the remnants of Shen Lang? "
Zhu Jung said loudly, "Eldest Princess, wait a little longer, wait a little longer. The eunuchs from the palace are here. They're here!"
Ning Luo said sternly, "Then we'll wait until they're here!"
Then, she overstepped her authority and grabbed the token in front of Ning Qi. She threw it on the ground and said loudly, "Begin the execution!"
Swoosh swoosh swoosh swoosh …
The first batch of executioners raised their blades. Blood splattered everywhere. Over 300 heads were chopped off.
The spectators instinctively covered their eyes. The entire square was filled with blood. Ning Qi's face twitched as he looked at the blood on the ground in a daze.
At this time, Eldest Princess Ning Luo's gaze was especially fanatical and excited. This kind of slaughter brought her intense stimulation.
Only this kind of slaughter could let him pour out the hatred and anger in his heart. After the South Kingdom was defeated, she became Prince Jin's captive. At that time, she didn't really hate him because the transformed Prince Jin had a very strong and special charm.
Although she didn't say it, she had some kind of fantasy in her heart. Moreover, the relationship between Prince Jin and the State of Yue changed very quickly. They went from enemies to allies. Therefore, it wasn't impossible for the husband and wife to get back together.
However, Prince Jin's Queen disfigured her in order to monopolize Prince Jin. Moreover, she didn't receive any punishment from Prince Jin.
After that, Ning Luo lived in the South Kingdom like an ugly ghost. No one sought justice for her. Prince Jin didn't, Shen Lang didn't, and even her father, Ning Yuanxian didn't.
She started to hate everyone. She hated Prince Jin, she hated Shen Lang, she hated Ning Yuanxian.
Now, her heart was dark and cold. Only the blood of slaughter could slightly arouse her excitement.
"Continue killing, continue killing …" Eldest Princess Ning Luo shouted loudly.
Then, the second batch of executioners swung their blades.
At this time, King Yue's eunuch arrived with a new imperial edict in his hand. It was the imperial edict to stop the execution ceremony.
At this time, he should be shouting for mercy. However, he didn't.
Zhu Jung glared at the eunuch and hissed, "Eunuch Nian."
The eunuch appeared on the execution ground. The second batch of executioners stopped their blades in mid-air, waiting for the arrival of the new imperial edict. They didn't want to kill. These people were innocent.
The executioners wouldn't be guilty if they killed evil people. However, if they killed innocent people, they would accumulate bad karma.
However, the eunuch of Ning Shao coughed and didn't speak. It was as if his throat was uncomfortable.
Eldest Princess Ning Luo said coldly, "What are you waiting for? Continue killing! "
The executioners said softly in their hearts, "Sorry."
Then, they swung their blades down. Another two hundred heads fell to the ground.
At this time, Eunuch Nian finally cleared his throat and said, "His Majesty has decreed to stop the execution ceremony!"
All the executioners let out long sighs of relief. Ning Luo's cold gaze twitched. She wouldn't be satisfied if she couldn't kill ten thousand people. However, she had at least killed five hundred. That was enough to slightly satisfy her cold and dark heart.
Zhu Jung looked at the ground covered in blood and hundreds of heads. Then he looked at Eldest Princess Ning Luo and Eunuch Nian.
King Yue Ning Shao was using this opportunity to show off his power. This eunuch could have reached the execution ground before noon and didn't kill a single person. However, he walked over slowly and announced the edict after killing five hundred people.
Other than Ning Yi, no one in the Ning clan royal family was easy to deal with.
"Eunuch Nian, take care." Zhu Jung cupped his hands towards Eldest Princess Ning Luo and then left.
Ning Qi looked at the heads on the ground. This King Yue Ning Shao had finally bared his fangs.
However, how innocent were these five hundred people? What did they have to do with Shen Lang? The only people who were related to them were those who had worked in the Golden Mountain Pavilion, and those who had cheered Emperor Jiang Li in Sky Yue City.
However, no matter what, they had died for Shen Lang.
Ning Qi had a rather good understanding of Shen Lang. This person was someone who would seek revenge for the smallest grievance. Now that Ning Shao had killed five hundred people, even though they were unrelated to Shen Lang, it would still infuriate him. Hence, Shen Lang would definitely take revenge.
… …
In Zhu Hongzhu's Grand Chancellor Residence, Zhu Jung was furious.
"What is Ning Shao trying to do? He's not just showing off to Shen Lang, he's showing off to us. " Zhu Jung said coldly, "The entire royal court belongs to the Zhu clan. We represent the will of the Great Yan Empire. What is he trying to do?"
Zhu Hongzhu said, "Did Ning Yi stop him? Did he chop off Ning Zheng's arm? "
Zhu Jung said, "He did. He was very dissatisfied, but he was still stopped."
Zhu Hongzhu said, "That's good! As long as Ning Zheng and Zhang Chong are fine, Shen Lang will not take revenge on the Zhu clan. The Zhu clan has tried our best. The massacre was caused by Ning Shao. Next, let Ning Shao experience Shen Lang's crazy revenge. It will be engraved in his heart. "
Zhu Rong said, "Father, in today's matter, Ning Shao went against us, what right does he have?"
Zhu Hongzhu said, "The Tongtian Temple."
Zhu Jung said, "It's true that Ning Shao became a monk in the Tongtian Temple, but the Tongtian Temple used to be very close to Jiang Li. What right does it have to invade the State of Yue? The State of Yue belongs to the Zhu clan and Sky Sea Pavilion. "
The Tongtian Temple was indebted to Emperor Jiang Li. The Great Tribulation Temple was very powerful in the east. It was Emperor Jiang Li who led a huge martial arts army to destroy the Great Tribulation Temple.
During the battle at the Great Tribulation Palace, Emperor Jiang Li killed thousands of the Great Tribulation Temple's top experts. All the Great Tribulation Temple's assets in the east, be it ancient books or other more important assets, fell into the hands of the Tongtian Temple and the Xuankong Temple.
Because of this, Ning Yuanxian sent Ning Shao to the Tongtian Temple to become a monk. It was a transcendent force that was close to Emperor Jiang Li.
However, after Emperor Jiang Li's sudden death, the Tongtian Temple immediately changed their stance. They sent out monk soldiers to help the Great Yan Empire destroy the Great Qian Empire. In a sense, the Tongtian Temple betrayed Jiang Li.
The Xuankong Temple kept a low profile. When the Great Yan Empire destroyed the Great Qian Empire, they did not send out any troops.
Two years ago, when the Great Yan Empire destroyed the Shen Lang Empire, the Tongtian Temple sent out countless experts and an entire fleet. However, the Xuankong Temple only sent a small boat, and no monks showed up.
Zhu Hongzhu said plainly, "The Empire's Empress Dowager went to the Tongtian Temple three times in two years. The Emperor also summoned the Tongtian Temple's monks to the palace to preach."
Zhu Jung understood. The Emperor did not want the Sky-sea Pavilion to be the sole power in the State of Yue. He wanted the Tongtian Temple to balance things out.
The King of Yue, Ning Shao, also saw this. That was why he fought with Zhu Hongzhu at the crucial moment. He killed the so-called remnants of the Shen Lang Empire and beheaded five hundred people.
… …
Zhu Hongzhu secretly summoned the Black Mirror Division's spy again.
"Warrior, we are very sorry. Even though we tried our best to stop them, five hundred people were still killed." Zhu Hongzhu said, "Please make it clear to the Shen Lang Empire. My son, Zhu Jung, went to the execution ground in advance, but still failed to stop Eldest Princess Ning Luo. The eunuch sent by the King was late by fifteen minutes. That's why five hundred people were beheaded. "
The Black Mirror Division spy said, "Ning Shao's eunuch was sure to arrive at the execution ground fifteen minutes late?"
Zhu Jung said, "Yes. And he walked at a leisurely pace."
The Black Mirror Division spy's eyes narrowed. "I understand. This is a provocation to the Emperor."
Zhu Hongzhu said, "We have shown our full sincerity in this transaction. We will continue with this sincerity. Please pass this message to His Excellency Shen Lang. "
The Black Mirror Division spy said slowly, "Lord Zhu Hongzhu, is there nothing you want to pass to me?"
Zhu Hongzhu and Zhu Jung's eyes lit up. They were stunned.
This … this was just a spy planted by the Shen Lang in Tian Yue City. How could he have such foresight and talent?
Zhu Hongzhu fell into silence and hesitation.
The Black Mirror Division spy said, "I have followed the Emperor for a few years. I know his personality very well. Even though these five hundred people have nothing to do with His Majesty Shen Lang, this is Ning Shao's provocation. The Emperor must take revenge. Ten times, a hundred times. I feel that Lord Zhu Hongzhu can make things easier for the Emperor. Otherwise, the Emperor will take his anger out on the Zhu family. "
Zhu Hongzhu thought for a moment. Then, he brought over a map and a pen. He drew a circle on a certain point on the map.
Then, he immediately burned the map.
The Black Mirror Division spy immediately memorized the place Zhu Hongzhu circled on the map. He bowed and said, "I will remember it. I will report to the Emperor now. The Emperor will soon launch an attack on Tian Yue City. But before that, no matter if it is the State of Yue's Supreme Prince Ning Yuanxian, King Ning Zheng, Prime Minister Zhang Chong, Duke Bian Xiao, Li Sun, Li Mu, Li Benefactor, or anyone else, no one can be harmed. If they get hurt, we'll put the blame on the Zhu Clan. "
Zhu Hongzhu said, "We will do our best to complete the deal with Lord Shen Lang, all the way until the final battle."
The Black Mirror Division spy said, "Then we will take our leave!"
Zhu Hongzhu said, "We will send people to escort you out of Tian Yue City. Go to Xuanwu City!"
… … …
Three days later!
The Black Mirror Division spy knelt in front of Shen Lang and reported everything that happened in Tian Yue City.
Shen Lang was furious. He smashed the paperweight in his hand into pieces.
Who would have thought that the Zhu family would compromise on this matter. King Ning Shao would be the one to make a fuss.
This was a provocation. This was a slap to the face of Shen Lang. It was also a slap to the face of the Zhu family.
Zhu Hongzhu had already appeared to stop the execution, but Ning Shao still deliberately killed five hundred people.
Even though these people had nothing to do with Shen Lang, they were at least crowned as the remnants of Shen Lang. So to a certain extent, they were Shen Lang's people. They died for Shen Lang.
Ning Shao executing these people was a show of force to Shen Lang.
The Black Mirror Division spy took out a map and drew a circle at a certain point.
"Where is this?" Shen Lang asked.
"This is the west side of Yan Province. It is a snowy mountain at the border of Chu." The Black Mirror Division spy said, "This place is called the Bird Desolation Mountain. There is a Bird Desolation City on it."
The birds on the mountain were gone. This meant that there were no signs of human habitation in this snowy mountain.
Xue Yin said, "I know this place. The Bird Desolation City used to be a stronghold of the Great Tribulation Temple. After it was captured by His Majesty, it was completely abandoned. Even though it can't compare to the Great Tribulation Temple, it is still a castle on a mountain."
Shen Lang said, "Zhu Hongzhu circled this place. Does this mean that this place is related to the Tong Tian Temple and Ning Shao? Focus on investigating. Did Ning Shao have a woman when he became a monk? Did he have a son? Investigate thoroughly. If it is confirmed that this is a secret stronghold of the Tong Tian Temple and is related to Ning Shao, then annihilate this city! "
"Ning Shao dared to kill five hundred of my people. Then I will return it tenfold, a hundredfold. I will let him know that I, Shen Lang, cannot be provoked."
… …
Note: My sleep yesterday was extremely bad. Today's chapter is late. I will adjust to it tomorrow. I will go to eat and write the second chapter without stopping. Brothers, please give me your monthly votes. Pastries are really fragile.
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