Chapter 35: The Ambition of Zhu Wushi, the Protagonist Delivered to His Doorstep

Leaving the Tiance Mansion, Zhu Wushi’s mind was still reeling from speculations and conclusions capable of overturning the Great Ming Dynasty.

Although the foundations of the Ming royal family had been squandered during the reign of Emperor Yingzong, some remnants remained, and the subsequent accumulations during the Chenghua and Hongzhi eras had managed to restore a semblance of strength. While not at their peak, Zhu Wushi knew the Ming Dynasty had not yet reached the point of being a hollow shell. Otherwise, he would have acted long ago.

"It is a pity that the Emperor, for all his calculations, missed a single move."

"With the assistance of Zhang Zhenren, even if..." Zhu Wushi could not help but shake his head. No matter how brilliant the conspiracies between the Mongol Yuan and Zhu Houzhao were, they could never have imagined that a Zhang Sanfeng stood by Prince Su’s side. A Zhu Jinzhen, whose power rivaled three terrestrial immortals, combined with the martial arts legend Zhang Sanfeng—even if Zhu Houzhao were to mobilize every expert in the Ming and all the forces of the Mongol Yuan, Zhu Wushi believed it would ultimately end in failure. The chances of success were negligible.

The visit to Tiance Mansion had given Zhu Wushi a true glimpse of what an invincible army looked like.

"What exactly is the secret of Prince Su?"

"So many Diamond-realm and Zhixuan grandmasters could not possibly have been cultivated in a day."

"Since the bloody battles of the past, Tiance Mansion has been continuously replenishing its losses. Logically, they should have grown weaker. Why, in just a few short years, has their strength expanded to this extent?"

"It is unfathomable!"

Zhu Wushi looked back at the majestic Tiance Mansion, his curiosity and desire to probe stronger than ever. He knew this was undoubtedly the handiwork of Prince Su, Zhu Jinzhen. But knowing how he achieved it was what he craved most.

"If I could discover the secret of Prince Su’s mansion and master the method for raising such a powerful army, my own hands would be enough to stabilize the Ming Empire, perhaps even sweep across the world, pacify the four seas, and bring all under heaven to their knees!" A fierce ambition sprouted in Zhu Wushi’s heart.

The intelligence network of the Dragon Protection Villa was arguably the best in the Ming Dynasty. Apart from the Eastern Depot, the Imperial Guards, and the ubiquitous Azure Dragon Society of the martial world, no other organization could compare. A saying had long circulated through the court and the pugilistic circles: there was nothing in this world that the Iron-Gall God of War wanted to know—or didn't want to know—that he could not uncover.

Yet, regarding everything within the Prince Su Mansion, Zhu Wushi could find nothing.

"Whatever the cost, I must know how Prince Su managed this!" Zhu Wushi took one last deep look at Tiance Mansion, secretly making up his mind before striding away.

...

After Zhu Wushi departed, Li Cheng'en began his report on the day's recruitment at Tiance.

"Your Highness, several unusual individuals participated in today’s selection."

"I was uncertain how to handle them and wish to seek your decision."

"Oh?" Zhu Jinzhen looked at Li Cheng'en in surprise. What kind of identities could trouble his Grand Commander of Tiance?

"One is Dugu Feng, the apple of the eye of the Dugu Clan, one of the four great clans of the Great Sui. She arrived at Jiayu Pass yesterday. For some unknown reason, she suddenly expressed a desire to join the army and specifically requested to join the Soaring Dragon Cavalry."

"Dugu Feng? She wants to join the Soaring Dragon Cavalry?"

"Yes." Cao Xueyang took over the conversation. "After I learned of her background, I questioned her closely, but she firmly insisted that I treat her as any other woman enlisting in the army."

"Dugu Feng, the four great clans?" Zhu Jinzhen’s eyes flickered. While his influence had radiated to neighboring countries over the years, it remained limited. The Great Song Dynasty lay between the Great Sui and the Ming, making it difficult for him to reach that far. Dugu Feng’s arrival might be a good opportunity. However, this proud little phoenix from the Dugu Clan would need some careful discipline.

"Accept her. Since she passed the selection, as long as she does not betray Tiance, treat her like everyone else."

"Understood."

"Who else?" Zhu Jinzhen looked at Li Cheng'en.

"There is also a young man." Li Cheng'en seemed to find it somewhat absurd. "He says his name is 'Dog-sh*t.' He is not from Shaanxi, but was brought there by a man named Xie Yanke, seemingly on his way to the frontier. Because Xie Yanke encountered powerful enemies along the way, they were separated, and he ended up here."

"Hearing that joining Tiance Mansion was a good way to make a living, he participated in the selection."

"The soldiers have probed him and generally agree that unless he is a master of deep deception, he is as pure as an innocent child. He can be accepted."

"Dog-sh*t?" Zhu Jinzhen’s mouth twitched. The name was far too suggestive, especially with the mention of Xie Yanke. He didn't even need to think to know who this 'Dog-sh*t' was.

"Accept him."

A protagonist delivered to his doorstep—it would be a waste not to take him. Shi Potian might not be a natural military commander, but he could certainly become a fierce warrior in the ranks. If he could accidentally master something as profound as the *Tai Xuan Jing*, his natural talent was not to be underestimated. With the right training, he could become another Heavenly Phenomenon Grandmaster, or perhaps even a terrestrial immortal.

"Understood."

Li Cheng'en caught the implication in his Highness's voice. Though surprised, he nodded and continued, "There is one more, named Lin Pingzhi. He was the young master of the Fuwei Escort Agency in Fuzhou. Due to a family tragedy, the agency was wiped out overnight, and he was abducted by the 'Camel of the North' Mu Gaofeng, eventually drifting to Jiayu Pass."

"Mu Gaofeng had blood on his hands and had never entered Shaanxi before. Once discovered, the soldiers of the Cangyun army executed him on the spot. After verification, it was confirmed that Lin Pingzhi had no connection to Mu Gaofeng, and his account was accurate."

"Oh? Since his background is clean and he wants to join Tiance Mansion, why the hesitation?" Zhu Jinzhen asked curiously.

Li Cheng'en sighed helplessly. "Your Highness, if Lin Pingzhi wanted to join Tiance Mansion, I would not be troubled. But although he participated in the selection, he actually intends to join the Great Snow Dragon Cavalry."

"He wants to join the Great Snow Dragon Cavalry?" Zhu Jinzhen’s eyes flashed. Recalling Li Cheng'en’s earlier report and Lin Pingzhi's background, it didn't seem strange at all. The Great Snow Dragon Cavalry was composed of miserable souls or those carrying deep blood feuds. The threshold for entry was neither high nor low; in the parlance of his past life, as long as one's parents were "offered to the heavens," one could basically join. And they would certainly be utilized and nurtured well.

Just as Li Cheng'en expected Zhu Jinzhen to agree and let the Dragon Cavalry take Lin Pingzhi, he heard Zhu Jinzhen’s cold voice: "Interesting. Is this a probe, or a conspiracy?"

The commoners in Shaanxi, as well as the provincial administration and military commissions, knew that Prince Su’s mansion possessed this band of 'Blood Dragon Cavalry' that not even the King of Hell could reclaim. But such information should never have been known to a young escort agency master who had spent his life in southern Fujian.

Moreover, if Mu Gaofeng had abducted Lin Pingzhi, his goal must have been the *Bixie Sword Manual*. Why run all the way to Shaanxi?