The Ming Dynasty: The Iron-Blooded Martial Emperor, Who Slaughtered the World

Chapter 61: Clues Point Directly to the Dragon Guard Manor!

Zhu Houzhao narrowed his eyes, his mind racing.

The White Lotus Sect is a catch-all term; anything can be put into it.

The White Lotus Sect was responsible for the last assassination attempt on Zhu Houzhao at Cining Palace, and it was the same sect that attempted to assassinate him again during this palace fire.

However, Zhu Houzhao was very clear that these two assassination attempts could not possibly have been orchestrated by the same group of people.

Empress Dowager Zhang and Empress Dowager Wang have both passed away, and Zhu Houzhao has eradicated the most powerful force of the maternal relatives. The maternal relatives have long since lost the ability to resist.

The person who assassinated him this time must be another force behind the scenes, only this time using the name of the White Lotus Sect.

Such a White Lotus sect can never be eradicated.

"You Imperial Guards only found out about the White Lotus Sect?!"

Zhu Houzhao looked at Shen Lian with displeasure: "Continue the investigation for me. Find out the specific people involved. Don't try to fob me off with some 'White Lotus Sect' nonsense!"

After Shen Lian discovered the White Lotus Sect, he originally intended to tell Zhu Houzhao the news as soon as possible, so as to leave a good impression on Zhu Houzhao.

Unexpectedly, his rash response led to him being reprimanded by Zhu Houzhao.

Feeling both ashamed and guilty, Shen Lian quickly replied, "It was Your Majesty who was rash."

"Go down and continue the investigation."

"Yes, Your Majesty. This humble servant takes his leave."

Shen Lian was indeed not as shrewd as Cao Zhengchun or as meticulous as Yu Huatian in handling cases, but he was loyal, young, and willing to risk his life.

After being reprimanded by Zhu Houzhao, Shen Lian returned to the Northern Garrison and began investigating with all his might.

After several days of effort, he actually discovered a clue.

And this clue points directly to the Dragon Guard Manor!

……

Not only did the Embroidered Uniform Guard trace the Dragon Guard Manor, but the Six Doors also followed the strange martial arts and found clues in the martial arts world.

Based on the performance of that strange martial art, the Four Great Constables conducted numerous investigations in the martial arts world and finally identified the name of the martial art.

"Phantom Technique!"

Inside the Divine Constable's Mansion, the Four Great Constables sat before Zhuge Zhengwo, reporting on the clues they had uncovered over the past few days.

Zhuge Zhengwo frowned, clearly he had never heard of the Phantom Divine Skill either.

"Phantom Shadow Divine Skill, what kind of skill is that?"

Wuqing explained, "Uncle, this martial art has a unique ability to neutralize internal force; any internal force attack is ineffective against it."

"If you attack one by one, the Phantom Divine Skill can only be considered a first-rate martial art in the martial arts world."

"But when the four of them are together, they use their combined power of the Phantom Divine Skill to neutralize the opponent's internal energy, making any master of internal energy helpless when facing them."

Leng Xue added, "This martial art requires an extremely high level of coordination between the people using their combined power, so basically no one can master it."

"And now, the only people in the martial arts world who have mastered the Phantom Divine Skill are the historically mysterious Four Ghosts of Western Hunan."

"The Four Ghosts of Western Hunan?"

Zhuge Zhengwo's brows furrowed even deeper: "And who are these four people?"

Following Leng Xue's words, Zhui Ming introduced the four people to Zhuge Zhengwo.

"The origins of the four men are unknown. All that is known is that they are four brothers from the same mother in western Hunan. The four of them are inseparable from the weight on the scale, and every time they appear, they always move forward and backward together."

"These four ghosts of western Hunan are known for their elusive nature, rarely appearing in the martial arts world."

"The last time I saw him was when I was protecting Wan Sanqian, the patron of the number one manor in the world."

"The Number One Estate Under Heaven!"

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Zhengwo's expression changed drastically. The thing he feared most had finally happened.

The Number One Manor Under Heaven was originally founded by Wan Sanqian, the richest merchant in the world. Later, Wan Sanqian donated the Number One Manor Under Heaven to Zhu Wushi, the Iron-Blooded Marquis.

Zhu Wushi then entrusted the management of the Number One Manor in the World to Shangguan Haitang, who was tasked with recruiting extraordinary individuals from the martial arts world.

Therefore, the number one manor in the world is actually jointly controlled by Shangguan Haitang and Wan Sanqian, except that Shangguan Haitang is in the open while Wan Sanqian is in the dark.

At the same time, Wan Sanqian was also very infatuated with Shangguan Haitang. He was obedient to Shangguan Haitang and pursued her relentlessly, spending a fortune on her without batting an eye.

However, Shangguan Haitang was so bothered by Wan Sanqian's pursuit that she didn't even give him a second glance.

What is now certain is that the four assassins who attempted to assassinate Zhu Houzhao were, without a doubt, the Four Devils of Western Hunan.

The Four Ghosts of Xiangxi are also the bodyguards of Wan Sanqian, the patron of the Number One Manor in the World, whose owner is Shangguan Haitang.

Furthermore, both the Number One Manor Under Heaven and Shangguan Haitang belong to the Dragon Guard Manor, and the master of the Dragon Guard Manor is none other than the Iron-Blooded Marquis Zhu Wushi!

So who exactly orchestrated this assassination attempt?!

Is it Wan Sanqian, Shangguan Haitang, or Zhu Wushi?!

The more Zhuge Zhengwo thought about it, the more terrified he felt, as if he had fallen into an ice cellar and his whole body was cold.

Zhu Wushi had been running the Dragon Guard Manor for many years, and his influence had spread throughout the Ming Dynasty, from the martial arts world to the imperial court and the border troops, with his pawns planted everywhere.

If Zhu Wushi truly harbors rebellious intentions, it will be another bloody storm that will affect the entire country.

"Quick, get me some paper and a pen!"

Zhuge Zhengwo stopped thinking about those issues. His most important task now was to report the matter to Zhu Houzhao!

All matters will be decided by Zhu Houzhao himself!

"Yes, Uncle."

Iron Hand brought over paper and pen, and Zhuge Zheng wrote down all the intelligence gathered by the Four Great Constables on the paper, then checked it repeatedly.

After confirming that everything was correct, Zhuge Zhengwo, carrying the letter, rushed to the palace that very night!

……

Forbidden City.

Cining Palace.

Liu Jin entered the palace and bowed respectfully to Zhu Houzhao's ear, whispering, "Your Majesty, Zhuge Zhengwo from the Six Doors requests an audience."

Although Zhu Houzhao bestowed upon Liu Jin a four-clawed python robe, Liu Jin is now unusually low-key and has never worn the python robe, still wearing his official robes.

"Let him in."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhu Houzhao had already guessed that Zhuge Zhengwo's visit this time must be because he had already found out something.

He picked up the warm ginseng tea beside him and took a sip beforehand.

Soon, Zhuge Zhengwo came before Zhu Houzhao and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."

"No need for formalities. Did you find out something?"

"Your Majesty, after investigation, the Six Doors have confirmed that the people who attacked Your Majesty that night were known as the Four Devils of Xiangxi."

"The Four Ghosts of Xiangxi are the personal bodyguards of Wan Sanqian, the richest manor owner in the world."

"Ten thousand three thousand, the number one manor in the world."

Even though Zhu Houzhao had made extensive preparations, his expression turned serious upon hearing those two words.

Behind the title of "Number One Manor Under Heaven" are the figures of Shangguan Haitang and Zhu Wushi.

Zhu Wushi is his imperial uncle, and Shangguan Haitang is his woman.

Which of these two people actually wanted him dead?!

"Whose order is this?"

The meaning behind Zhu Houzhao's words was self-evident.

"Your Majesty, I am unaware of this. Please take a look."

Zhuge Zheng took out the secret letter containing detailed information from his bosom and held it above his head.

At this moment, Liu Jin entered again to report: "Your Majesty, Shen Lian, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, requests an audience!"