Martial Arts Crossover: That night, Huang Rong descended from the sky.

Chapter 188: Zhu Houzhao: Appoints Li Ping as the Protector of the Nation's Divine Sword, and R

Grand Secretary Yang Tinghe looked at Li Ping, a gentle smile appearing in his eyes.

This number one martial arts master has been making headlines in the capital these days, and even he has heard of Li Ping's name.

Normally, someone like him would never pay attention to wandering martial arts practitioners, but a calamity struck from the heavens and an extraordinary person descended into the world; no matter how you look at it, the two are connected.

However, in the eyes of the elders who knew the inside story, no matter how strong these extraordinary people were individually, what use were they in the face of that terrifying natural disaster?

But when he saw Kumārajīva's godlike and demonic strike, and Li Ping's aerial attack that resembled that of a legendary sword immortal, he was greatly shocked and realized that he had underestimated these extraordinary figures in the martial world.

Or perhaps they really were celestial beings descended to save the world...

He laughed and said, "Soldier Li is truly a peerless warrior. This time, he has brought glory to our nation. How magnificent!"

As more and more ministers arrived, Zhu Houzhao suddenly used Ding Dian's internal energy to exhale and speak: "This Tatar delegation is ostensibly paying tribute, but in reality, it is plotting an assassination. Their previous unusual activities on the border have further confirmed their wolfish ambitions."

The people of the martial arts world were furious.

Many of them hated corrupt officials, but they hated the invaders even more. Hearing this, they wished they could rush to the border and fight the Tatars for three hundred rounds.

Those who were still alive in the mission knelt down one by one.

"Your Majesty, we were truly unaware of the Tatars' ambitions!"

"Your Majesty, spare my life!"

"Your Majesty, we are willing to surrender! We are willing to surrender!"

Yang Kang also knelt down, trembling. "Luckily I threw myself in time, otherwise..."

Zhu Houzhao looked at Li Ping and smiled, "Minister Li, would you mind letting the world see your divine sword again?"

Li Ping smiled slightly, unleashing his full speed and wiping out the entire delegation as easily as cutting melons and vegetables.

At this point, all 32 points of Creation Breath have been collected!

The ministers were stunned. They had never imagined that such speed and such a divine sword existed in the world.

Is this even human?

Has he become an immortal?

Is this the Sword Immortal?

Zhu Houzhao looked on with great satisfaction: "But you need not worry about the Tatars."

"A day ago, I received the battle report that my great-grandfather and Prince Yangming of Xinjian led 5000 elite troops straight to the Tatar royal court and killed the Mongol prince in battle."

He never called himself Yonda Khan, but continued to call himself the Little Prince of Mongolia, because in his view, the Little Prince of Mongolia was not qualified to be called Khan.

The entire audience erupted in chaos.

"A thousand-mile raid, straight to the royal court!?"

"To emulate the deeds of Marquis Champion, Li Weigong! How magnificent!"

"Your Majesty's military strategy is truly divine!"

"Our Great Ming Dynasty is invincible!"

Whether they were high-ranking officials or wandering martial artists, everyone was excited and their bodies were burning with excitement.

Since the Battle of Tumu, the Ming Dynasty's national strength has been declining. How long has it been since it achieved such a great victory?

This resounding victory is worthy of being recorded in history.

But some astute people muttered to themselves, "Great-grandfather?"

What is this thing?

Zhu Houzhao looked at the cabinet ministers again: Grand Secretary Yang Tinghe, Grand Secretary Liang Chu, Jiang Mian, and Mao Ji: "You have all met Grandfather Taizu before and confirmed his identity, right?"

Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials present were struck dumb. This time, they finally heard it clearly and understood it!

Great-great-grandfather?

There was only one person whom Zhu Houzhao addressed as such.

That is the one who opened the heavens, established the way, created the era, and established the great sage, the supreme god, the benevolent, the righteous, the martial, the outstanding, the virtuous, and the successful Emperor Gao.

Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty!

How is that possible?

But before they could refute him, Zhu Houzhao continued, "Several months ago, an extraordinary person descended from the heavens, as you all surely already know."

"Emperor Taizu also transformed into a shooting star and descended to this world."

"The previous plan to directly attack the Tatar royal court was personally planned and led by our great-grandfather, who returned victorious."

"Now, my days are numbered, so I return the throne to my great-grandfather, and I hope that all of you will do your best to assist him."

Upon hearing this...

Of the eight tigers, three remained: Zhang Yong, Wei Bin, and Gu Dayong. Their knees buckled, and they almost collapsed to the ground.

The three of them fared relatively well among the Eight Tigers, but what about the Ming Taizu?

Your Majesty wants to bring back Emperor Taizu to be emperor?

What was the status of eunuchs during the Hongwu reign?

If that grandpa comes back, won't he skin us alive and stuff us with straw?

Zhang Yongli immediately said, "Your Majesty, you are in the prime of your life..."

Zhu Houzhao cursed, "Peak my ass! Your martial arts are not bad either, can't you see that I'm only holding on because of Minister Ding's internal strength?"

"When Minister Ding's inner strength is exhausted, that will be the time for my death."

Gu Dayong immediately shouted, "Imperial Physician! Imperial Physician!"

Several imperial physicians carrying medicine baskets ran over, panting heavily. Upon seeing Zhu Houzhao's complexion, their expressions changed, and then they began to take Zhu Houzhao's pulse with trembling hands.

Then, one by one, they collapsed to the ground, kowtowing repeatedly.

"It's the five internal organs that are destroyed..."

"I'd only heard of this disease, never seen it before, I never imagined it would happen now..."

"Your Majesty, we've been waiting, we've been waiting..."

Zhu Houzhao looked at them coldly. He had never trusted these imperial physicians. Anyway, he lived in the Leopard Chamber and didn't need them. But this time, his great-grandfather had returned, and he had too few trusted confidants. These people could not be kept.

Then, he ordered the Imperial Guards to take the man away.

Zhang Yong and the others looked at Yang Ting and several cabinet ministers.

On such important matters, these inner court officials dare not offer any opinions, but you must say something. Once that lord returns, your lives will not be easy, will they?

You wouldn't just admit it like that, would you?

Unexpectedly, Yang Tinghe and his companions bowed respectfully, saying, "Your subjects obey the imperial decree!"

They're going crazy! And you're just going to give up like this? Don't you want to live anymore?!

The same applies to some mid-level officials.

Are you kidding me? Who would want to be an official under Zhu Yuanzhang?!

But with several chief ministers giving their full support, how could they dare to oppose it?

For Yang Tinghe and his companions, in the face of this unprecedented catastrophe, only a great ruler like Zhu Yuanzhang could steer the great ship of the Ming Dynasty.

Besides, His Majesty issued the decree in front of the whole world, so how could there be any room for change?

Zhu Houzhao looked at the ashes of the three masters and sighed, "Escort the relics of the three masters back to Shaolin Temple and confer upon them the title of Grand Master Protector of the Nation."

"Shaolin Temple was designated as the 'Guardian Temple of the Nation,' and the construction of a royal Buddhist hall was granted special permission..."

Even if he didn't want to, he had no choice but to reward him handsomely in this situation, otherwise who would be willing to risk their lives for him in the future!

He then looked at Li Ping: "Li Qing, you and Ding Qing saved my life the last time the Tatar assassins tried to kill me."

"This time, you have once again swiftly defeated the Tatar thugs, upholding our national prestige!"

"Your swordsmanship is unparalleled, known throughout the world."

"I know you have no interest in an official career, so I bestow upon you the title of 'Guardian Sword of the Nation' and grant you a thousand taels of gold."

"At this critical moment, if anyone dares to obstruct the return of our great-grandfather to the capital, I beg you to execute him on my behalf."

The officials felt a chill run down their spines. Although this decree could never pass through the cabinet, what if Li Ping, a mere roughneck from the martial world, believed it?

He's so fast, and he can even fly. If he wants to kill someone, who can stop him?

……

"The Guardian Sword of the Nation..."

Ugh!

Li Ping sighed. "That guy Xiao Zhu pulled this trick on me before he died, and I couldn't refuse."

Zhu Houzhao eventually died.

Yang Ting and several cabinet ministers fully complied with Zhu Houzhao's last edict and sent people to escort Zhu Yuanzhang back to the capital as quickly as possible.

During this period, he reduced redundant staff and reformed the finances with almost no resistance.

The officials in the capital were filled with anxiety. Some resigned and fled, some returned the embezzled funds, and others did nothing but wait and see.

Anyway, he was very honest, and Li Ping's "national guardian sword" never had a chance to be drawn.

After Zhu Yuanzhang returned to the capital, surprisingly, he did not make any major moves. He continued to employ Yang Tinghe to carry out his reforms and also heavily relied on Wang Yinyang.

Contrary to Li Ping's expectations, this emperor, who returned to court and slaughtered countless people, seemed to have changed his nature.

But Huang Rong laughed at him for being a political novice, saying that the current Zhu Yuanzhang was not the same as the Zhu Yuanzhang of that time.

How many confidants does he have?

How many troops can he command?

Even if they want to make a big move, they have to wait a while and secure their position first!

However, these matters were no longer relevant to Li Ping, since he was merely a member of the martial arts world.

Then, he opened his control panel...

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