Chapter 204 - Duel Between Rivals, Zhu Houzhao Shows Superior Skill, Ranking Updated

Ming Dynasty Territory.

At the foot of a mountain.

Two figures stood opposite each other, their auras powerful and overwhelming.

"Junbao!"

"Tianbao!"

"Zhang Sanfeng!"

"Dong Tianbao!"

"Tianbao, you cannot continue down this wrong path!"

"Come back to Wudang Sect with me. I can guarantee your life!"

"Are fame and wealth in the mortal world really that important to you?"

"With your talent and potential, you should be pursuing the pinnacle of martial arts instead!"

"Isn't the God Demon Realm more important than those so-called riches and status?"

Zhang Sanfeng looked at the figure in front of him, someone both familiar and now so foreign, trying to persuade him.

"Hahaha, Junbao, Zhang Junbao, Zhang Sanfeng, all these years and you still haven't changed!"

"Since you haven't changed, how could I?"

"Since you've come looking for me today, then let's fight once more!"

"I lost to you once back then. This time, I will not lose again."

Seeing Zhang Sanfeng, Dong Tianbao erupted with fury.

He even momentarily set aside his grudge against the Ming Dynasty.

Over the years, Zhang Sanfeng, or rather, Zhang Junbao, had nearly become a demon haunting his heart.

Only by eliminating this inner demon could he grow stronger.

Only by killing Zhang Junbao could he achieve the God Demon Realm.

At that point, what would be beyond his reach?

Even in front of Temujin, he would have nothing to fear.

"Tianbao, in order to save your life, I will have to offend you."

Zhang Sanfeng said solemnly.

Only he knew that if he could not subdue Dong Tianbao this time, then the Ming Dynasty's top cultivators would take action personally.

The only path awaiting Dong Tianbao would be death.

Let alone the fact that a God Demon Realm cultivator was watching him in secret.

Even the Mythical Realm masters were not someone Dong Tianbao could contend with.

In truth, to the Ming Dynasty, Dong Tianbao was nothing more than a minor figure.

Yet this man had repeatedly stirred trouble within Ming Dynasty Territory.

Instigating rebels and traitors.

He even attempted to assassinate important ministers of the Ming Dynasty. That crossed a fundamental line.

If not for the fact that he still had a sliver of sentiment, he would've been executed long ago.

Zhang Sanfeng couldn't bear to see his childhood brother die so miserably.

So he had to act himself.

"Junbao, I've trained for decades for this moment!"

"Today, we will determine victory and death!"

Dong Tianbao roared in rage.

Then, he charged forward.

His power was immense and his speed rapid.

His momentum was terrifying.

Boom!

His fist struck out, causing a sonic boom.

Facing such a deadly blow, Zhang Sanfeng remained calm and emotionless. He spread his hands and assumed the stance of Taiji.

Taiji.

Softness overcoming hardness.

Slowness countering speed.

A mysterious aura instantly surrounded Zhang Sanfeng.

The terrifying force seemed to hit a ball of cotton, completely neutralized.

"This is your Taiji Profound Exercise?"

"Too bad, it's useless against me!"

Dong Tianbao closed in swiftly.

In an instant, he reached Zhang Sanfeng and launched a deadly strike.

He wanted to kill Zhang Sanfeng.

To destroy the demon haunting his heart.

A strong sense of danger rose in Zhang Sanfeng's mind, and he moved accordingly.

He gently shifted his hands and used an incomprehensible technique to dissolve the attack.

In the next instant.

A soft palm landed directly on Dong Tianbao's chest.

With a loud thud.

Dong Tianbao spat out blood and was knocked back.

Before he could react.

Zhang Sanfeng approached once more, and Dong Tianbao, like a puppet, could not control his body at all.

No matter how he tried to gather strength.

Zhang Sanfeng would dissolve it in an instant.

In front of Zhang Sanfeng, he had no ability to resist.

Thud, thud, thud, thud!!

Each palm strike caused Dong Tianbao to vomit blood.

After several strikes in a row.

Dong Tianbao's aura dropped drastically.

His body also became weak and lifeless.

With a light push.

Dong Tianbao was sent crashing to the ground.

A deep pit was formed.

Dong Tianbao lay in the pit. If not for his shallow breathing, one would think he was dead.

"Junbao, why are you so strong?"

"Why did I lose so quickly?"

"We're in the same realm, yet I couldn't even take three of your moves."

"Why?"

"I'm not willing to accept this, I'm not!"

Dong Tianbao screamed with the last of his strength.

This defeat was even more humiliating than the one years ago.

He had always believed he was far more talented than Zhang Sanfeng. How could he accept this?

"Zhang Junbao, kill me. Don't pretend to be so kind!"

Zhang Sanfeng opened his mouth, wanting to say something.

In the end, he shook his head and said nothing.

"Dao Brother!"

At that moment, Zhang Yuchu emerged from the shadows.

"Thank you, Dao Brother, for letting me act. This way, his life can be preserved."

"This is a reward from His Majesty for you and Wudang Sect for defending against the Yuan Dynasty all these years!"

"His Majesty knows you care not for wealth or fame, so he uses Dong Tianbao's life as your reward!"

"Thank you for His Majesty's generous gift. I am deeply grateful."

"However, Dao Brother, you must keep a close watch on him. If he reemerges and threatens the Ming Dynasty again, he will have no second chance."

"I will keep a close watch on him."

"Both His Majesty and I have full trust in your character."

==========

Ming Imperial Palace.

"Is everything resolved?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Dong Tianbao has been taken back to Wudang Sect by Zhang Sanfeng and is under strict watch."

"For the time being, he should no longer be a threat."

Facing Zhu Houzhao's question, the returning Zhang Yuchu quickly reported.

"However, Your Majesty, there is something I do not understand."

"Oh? Speak your mind."

"For the crimes Dong Tianbao committed, even killing him ten times would be letting him off lightly."

"Why spare his life?"

"Is it just because of Zhang Sanfeng?"

"He may be capable, but doesn't seem to be someone Your Majesty values highly."

Zhang Yuchu asked curiously.

"From beginning to end, Dong Tianbao has been a chess piece in my hand."

"In fact, every step he took was within my expectations."

"Those ambitious traitors he incited, even the deeper-hidden White Lotus Cult, were all secretly guided by my Dark Guard."

"Their presence has long threatened the internal stability of the Ming Dynasty."

"But to eliminate them, I lacked a proper reason."

"And now, I've delivered that reason right to them through Dong Tianbao's hand."

"National Master, sometimes, tools are not just generals and ministers. Even enemies can be used for one's own purpose!"

"Dong Tianbao is one. Zhang Sanfeng is another."

Zhu Houzhao said calmly.

Zhang Yuchu was shocked.

So this was His Majesty's way of using people?

It turned out that from the beginning, although Dong Tianbao appeared to work for Temujin, he had unknowingly been used by the Emperor.

Achieving the exact result His Majesty desired.

And even after being used, he was none the wiser.

Truly impressive!

It seemed that in His Majesty's eyes, the entire world was a chessboard.

Every piece on the board, black or white, could be used by him.

Even someone as powerful as Zhang Yuchu felt a deep sense of awe.

Zhu Houzhao, naturally aware of Zhang Yuchu's thoughts, did not mind.

"Your Majesty, what about Zhang Sanfeng?"

"Zhang Sanfeng? Haha, in the future, he will eventually submit under my command."

"He is a talented individual."

"His fate has already been decided."

Zhu Houzhao smiled mysteriously.

Even Dong Tianbao might become one of his subordinates in the future.

If used properly, he could play a significant role.

To Zhu Houzhao, some talents in the world were dispensable, to be gained or abandoned.

But others were essential.

No matter how they responded, their fate would be submission.

The only difference was how much effort it would take.

Zhang Sanfeng was one of those essential talents.

While Dong Tianbao was optional.

It all depended on his mood.

Even the current Rank 8 Marshal Li Ji on the Renowned Marshal Ranking was considered optional in Zhu Houzhao's eyes.

In contrast, Li Jing was someone he was determined to obtain.

==========

Temujin Imperial Tent.

"That useless Dong Tianbao actually failed so quickly?"

"And he caused my Golden Wolf Hall such heavy losses!"

Looking at the secret report on Dong Tianbao, Temujin was furious.

Had he known Dong Tianbao was so useless, he never would have entrusted Golden Wolf Hall to him.

"Khan, I've learned that Dong Tianbao is now being held at Wudang Sect by Zhang Sanfeng. Should we go rescue him?"

"Rescue? How?"

"Zhang Sanfeng's strength is not to be underestimated."

"And now that he has helped the Ming Dynasty capture Dong Tianbao, what if he chooses to serve Zhu Houzhao?"

"Then my elite cultivators might fall into another trap."

"Dong Tianbao may be strong, but his flaws are far too great. Even if he returns, I do not plan to reuse him."

"It seems I must find a new candidate."

"Right, what about the Shaman Grand Priest?"

"What was his response?"

"Is he willing to serve under me?"

"If he agrees, I will hand over Golden Wolf Hall to him!"

The Shaman Cult on the grasslands was a powerful force.

Especially the Shaman Grand Priest, whose strength was immense, even feared by the National Master Phagpa.

With the Shaman Cult on his side, Temujin's power would grow significantly.

"Khan, the Shaman Grand Priest has agreed to join, but he has a few conditions."

"As long as they do not violate my bottom line, all conditions will be granted!"

"Have him come see me immediately!"

"Yes, Khan. I will deliver your order!"

"By the way, why has our invasion of the Song Dynasty slowed recently? Is something wrong?"

"Khan, it is still because of Guo Jing!"

"After the fall of Xiangyang, Guo Jing fled south and formed a powerful military force."

"He constantly clashes with our Yuan Dynasty forces, causing heavy losses."

"Marshal Muqali was nearly killed by Guo Jing!"

"What? Impossible! Muqali has the potential to make the Renowned Marshal Ranking. How could Guo Jing defeat him?"

"Khan, this is absolutely true. I dare not hide anything."

"Moreover, many of our spies in the Southern Song Dynasty have also been eliminated!"

"Spies?"

"Yes, the ones planted by National Master Phagpa. That rebel army led by Long Zunyi!"

"Most of their high-ranking members were secretly controlled by the National Master."

"But recently, they were all wiped out by the Anti-Yuan Force led by Qi Bixiao."

"Even the leader Long Zunyi died in the resulting purge."

"Now, the entire rebel army is under Qi Bixiao's control."

"She is a staunch opponent of the Yuan Dynasty."

"She has already formed an alliance with Guo Jing's forces to resist our invasion!"

"Unforgivable! It seems this matter will need the National Master's personal attention. Speaking of which, where is he? I haven't seen him for days."

"Khan, he is currently with the Demon Master Pang Ban. It appears they are planning something big!"

"Summon him to see me at once!"

"Hmm? The ranking has been updated again!!"

==========

At that moment, the Renowned Marshal Ranking in the sky glowed with brilliance.

The seventh name appeared.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

List of Characters:

Number One Under Heaven ( 天下第一 )

・Zhu Houzhao ( 朱厚照 ) — Emperor of Ming Dynasty

Historical

・Zhang Yuchu ( 张宇初 ) — National Master of Ming Dynasty

Legend of the Condor Heroes ( 射雕英雄传 )

・Temujin ( 铁木真 ) — Emperor of Yuan Dynasty

Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber ( 倚天屠龙记 )

・Zhang Sanfeng ( 张三丰 ) — Founder of Wudang Sect

Tai Chi Master ( 太极张三丰 )

・Dong Tianbao ( 董天宝 ) — Hall Master of Golden Wolf Hall