Hunting Ground! Imparting the Dao!

Never a third time.

Chu Yang had already given them enough chances. These Jianghu people only had eyes for pills.

Since they loved courting death, then they could go die!

The warships capsized, sending countless people plunging into the sea. Before long, vast swathes of blood spread across the water.

"Hehe, the Emperor, if you stop now and leave, I guarantee I won’t harm the remaining humans. But if you fail to appreciate my kindness…"

Old Ape looked toward the Qi Family Army and threatened, "Those loyal soldiers of yours may not survive!"

"You old beast, what arrogant nonsense!" Qi Jiguang looked up with a cold laugh. "My Ming Dynasty soldiers do not fear death. If you have the ability, come and try!"

Deputy General Chen Dacheng drew his blade and roared, "This subordinate is willing to fight to the death alongside Your Majesty!"

The roars from nearly a thousand warships rose and fell, shaking heaven and earth.

"Fight to the death!"

"Fight to the death!"

One call brought a hundred responses!

The blood and qi of hundreds of thousands of soldiers gathered, transforming into a blood-red dragon that tore through the clouds.

An unspoken pressure weighed upon the Mountain-Moving Giant Ape’s shoulders like a mountain. No matter how great his divine abilities were, he could not carry away the spirit and resolve of the three armies.

"How dare you!"

Old Ape’s aura turned incomparably violent as he raised the Meteorite Iron Staff and smashed it down.

"Banshō Ten’in."

The massive Meteorite Iron Staff was caught by an inexplicable force of attraction. No matter how Old Ape exerted himself, it would not move in the slightest.

He turned to Chu Yang, his savage eyes bloodshot. The next instant, he abandoned the Meteorite Iron Staff without hesitation and threw a punch at Chu Yang.

"Stubborn fool. Then go die!"

Within the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom, among the three Demon Emperors and twelve Demon Kings, the Mountain-Moving Giant Ape was unquestionably the strongest in raw strength. Even the other Demon Emperors and Demon Kings combined were no match for him.

As Old Ape unleashed his full-power strike, the surging shockwaves caused the surrounding space to peel away layer by layer like bark.

Demonic corruption flowed recklessly through his body along with his demon power. Before long, he would be completely demonized. Even so, Old Ape was willing to risk his life to kill the human emperor before him with everything he had.

He was fighting for his life—not only for himself, but for the hundreds of millions of demons.

Chu Yang also threw a punch. The Five Worldly Extinctions—five forms in one punch, containing Five Spirit Power: wind, fire, thunder, earth, and water.

Nine Heavens Mystic Wind.

Heavenly Fire Burns the Plains.

Formless Shocking Thunder.

Overturning Mountains and Seas.

Wind, Snow, and Icy Sky.

Driving the Five Worldly Extinctions with Hundred Dragons Hundred Elephants Power, Chu Yang’s strength surged to its peak alongside the heavenly phenomena.

A thoroughly exhilarating punch.

Compared to the Mountain-Moving Giant Ape, Chu Yang was as tiny as a grain of rice. Yet the force and edge of his fist shone like the sun and moon, illuminating the world.

The two fists collided.

Surging shockwaves overturned the sea as a heaven-shaking boom erupted.

The Qi Family Army’s thousand warships were nearly capsized, blasted hundreds of meters away by the shockwave.

The sea below seemed to have been violently pressed down by something, revealing a semicircular vacuum half a li wide. Countless Sea Clan members were crushed into powder by an invisible force.

When the waves finally calmed, Qi Jiguang and the countless soldiers standing on the decks stared intently into the sky.

Everyone’s bodies jolted!

The Mountain-Moving Giant Ape, which had towered between heaven and earth, now had only half a body left. Everything above its waist had vanished.

Mountain-Moving Giant Ape.

Dead!

"Old Monkey!"

Kun Peng, who was being firmly suppressed by the light of the sun and moon, let out a mournful cry. Terror filled his heart. In terms of strength, the Mountain-Moving Giant Ape had been the strongest of the three Demon Emperors, yet he had been beaten to death with a single punch.

This Ming Dynasty emperor was a born monster. No one could match him unless the demon race’s supreme ruler appeared here in perfect condition.

With tears in his eyes, Kun Peng let out a wail!

Then he gave up resisting and allowed the sun and moon’s light to grind him away. Flesh and blood rained down from the sky.

Chu Yang flicked his sleeve, and a powerful suction drew in Kun Peng’s flesh and blood, followed by the Mountain-Moving Giant Ape’s remaining half-corpse and the Meteorite Iron Staff.

Qi Jiguang and the soldiers stared wide-eyed. What they had just witnessed was beyond belief, something that could not be explained by martial arts at all.

In truth, none of Chu Yang’s methods since he began fighting could be explained through martial arts. In everyone’s eyes, he seemed more like an immortal god than an emperor.

This move, "Universe in the Sleeves," had been created by Chu Yang using the Undetectable Extension Charm and Banshō Ten’in as a foundation, then fusing them with other magical abilities.

It was far inferior to the original version, but it suited him well for now and its effects were not bad. If he refined it further in the future, it might even be useful against powerful opponents.

With Kun Peng and the Mountain-Moving Giant Ape dead, the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox immediately surrendered. She transformed into human form and sat limply by the shore, looking pitiful and delicate.

She could not keep fighting. Whether she could win or not was beside the point—she was already close to being unable to suppress the demonic corruption within her. If she continued, she would die either way.

If she turned into a demon, the demon descendants on the island would immediately be infected as well. Everything they had worked so hard for would be wasted.

"This humble one is willing to accept execution. I only beg the Emperor to leave some bloodline behind for my demon race. Please do not exterminate us completely!"

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox trembled as she pleaded tearfully.

Chu Yang shook his head indifferently. "You have no right to negotiate with me. If you refuse to accept it, you may return to your original form and fight me."

"If you can take one punch from me without dying, I’ll spare the demon race."

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox’s face turned pale. With a bitter smile, she said, "Even Old Monkey could not endure one punch from you. How could this humble one possibly manage it? I beg Your Majesty for mercy."

"The human race now has alchemy. If the demon race is exterminated, what will be used to make pills?"

"Please reconsider, Your Majesty."

Chu Yang smiled faintly. "You want me to turn this island into a ranch and raise those demons in captivity as medicinal ingredients?"

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox shuddered violently, lowered her head, and began to sob. "The cycle of heaven is just, and karmic retribution never fails. For the past several decades, the demon race has treated humans as food. It is time to repay that debt."

Chu Yang caught the implication in her words and stared at her coldly. "You mean that one day, the human race will also repay its blood debt, becoming food once again and part of the cycle?"

A large hand pressed down on the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox’s head. Her heart and soul trembled, and she closed her eyes, thinking she was about to die.

Terrified out of her wits and mentally shaken, the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox was easily planted with a Demon Seed by Chu Yang. She herself felt little difference until his hand left the top of her head.

The corners of Chu Yang’s mouth rose as he said with a faint smile, "I’m afraid that possibility no longer exists."

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox did not understand what he meant, but unease continued to linger in her heart.

"Leave none of the million Spirit Demons or the Japanese on the island alive."

After saying that, Chu Yang turned and left, returning to the Dragon Boat.

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox knelt and kowtowed, her expression respectful.

Qi Jiguang came forward. Seeing that Chu Yang had not killed the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, he asked in confusion, "Your Majesty?"

Chu Yang smiled. "That fox demon said something right. For the past several decades, the demon race has treated humans as food. It’s time for them to repay the debt. Killing them all so easily would be letting them off too lightly."

"They must let their descendants live forever in the terror inflicted by humans, just as the southern people did for the past several decades."

"Only then will the hatred in my heart be eased."

Chu Yang and Qi Jiguang looked toward the island together.

"From this day onward, Japan shall be the Ming Dynasty’s hunting ground, for generation after generation."

With two dead and one wounded among the three Demon Emperors, the war came to an end.

The Qi Family Army remained stationed at Wanglong City, while Qi Jiguang accompanied Chu Yang back to the capital.

The victory shook the world.

The people lined the streets to welcome them.

In contrast, the Jianghu sects were plunged into grief. Nearly every household was dressed in mourning white.

The Mountain-Moving Giant Ape’s single strike had broken the succession of the entire Jianghu. Those who had dared to go to Wanglong City for a share of the spoils had all been top Jianghu sects. Small sects had not even possessed the courage to go.

Among those famous sects, from sect leaders and elders down to elite disciples, most had been buried at sea.

They were now all suffering from a lack of successors, while the smaller sects were flourishing instead.

The timing was perfect. After Chu Yang returned to the capital, he ordered Zheng Dongliu to consolidate the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s power and make a tour through the Jianghu to establish rules.

From now on, founding a sect required approval from the Imperial Court. Even candidates succeeding to the position of Sect Leader had to make a trip to the capital.

As pills continued to spread, there would be more and more Grandmaster-level experts in the future. Even Grandmasters would spring up like mushrooms after rain. Sect management had to become stricter.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard’s burden would grow heavier in the future, and it needed to recruit more experts from among the people.

At this thought, Chu Yang felt it would be better to crush the Jianghu with cavalry now and wipe out these mountain sects, saving himself trouble in managing them later.

When Zheng Dongliu learned of Chu Yang’s idea, he hurriedly tried to dissuade him. The rebellion had only recently been quelled, and the people had finally enjoyed a few peaceful days. It would be best not to stir up such a great conflict.

Besides, given the current situation, every sect in the world was awed by Chu Yang’s might and lived at his mercy. They spent every day terrified and treading on thin ice. Forget harboring disloyal thoughts—they were too frightened even to live in peace.

After hearing this, Chu Yang abandoned the notion of crushing the Jianghu with cavalry.

In the blink of an eye, more than half a month passed. Good news came from the northern frontier: the demon race’s remaining three Demon Kings had also been executed.

Zhuge Zhengwo, Gu Santong, and Guo Bu Jing each killed one.

Guo Bu Jing broke through during his one-on-one battle with a Demon King, becoming the fourth expert in the Imperial Court to advance to Grandmaster.

The demon race was utterly defeated. Most were slaughtered by the army, while only a small number fled into the Extreme North Land, where the weather was extremely cold and unsuitable for deep pursuit.

The end of the northern war meant the war between humans and demons had come to a complete conclusion.

Now, only demons remained…

Imperial Study.

"Does Your Majesty truly intend to risk danger alone?!"

"This minister absolutely cannot permit it! If Your Majesty insists on going, then have this old minister dragged out and beheaded first!"

Zhuge Zhengwo, who had returned from the border, Zheng Dongliu, and the others stood in the hall confronting Chu Yang.

The realm had already been pacified. Chu Yang had summoned everyone to give instructions regarding state affairs, intending to search for the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom alone. This immediately drew fierce opposition.

Zheng Dongliu was the most agitated. Peace had only just returned to the realm. If anything happened to Chu Yang, there might be another bloody storm. How could he watch Chu Yang act recklessly?!

The steady and prudent Zhuge Zhengwo also disagreed. "The Divine Marquis Manor has already sent people to search for the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom. We simply have no news yet. If Your Majesty is anxious, Brother Gu and I can intervene personally. I beg Your Majesty to reconsider."

Guo Bu Jing clasped his fists. "This minister can go as well. If Six Doors and the Divine Marquis Manor work together, we should be able to uncover some clues. Your Majesty must not put yourself in danger."

Among the civil officials, Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui stood to one side, glaring at Chu Yang with wide eyes. Hai Rui stood beside a pillar, ready to ram his head into it at the slightest disagreement to threaten Chu Yang.

"A son of wealth does not sit beneath an overhanging hall, much less the true dragon Son of Heaven?"

Hai Rui glared furiously, his head less than a foot from the pillar.

"I’ve already killed dragons." Chu Yang frowned and said with considerable displeasure, "Remember to change that next time, or I’ll have your mouth slapped."

Hai Rui was startled, then became somewhat embarrassed. He bowed and said, "This minister misspoke. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness."

Chu Yang looked around and said coldly, "Also, I do not like the title Son of Heaven. Remember to change it in the future, from the Imperial Court to the common people."

Zhang Juzheng shook his head with a bitter smile. This emperor truly stood apart from the rest. He neither liked calling himself "I" in the imperial manner nor being called Son of Heaven. He had quite a few strange rules.

Yet beyond that, there was very little he cared about. He paid no attention to tedious formalities, preferred simplicity, and valued only efficiency in all things.

The people below followed the example set above.

The atmosphere within the Imperial Court was changing as well. From the Grand Secretariat onward, all officials now valued only efficiency in their work. Everyone selectively cast aside trivial details.

Whenever Zhang Juzheng thought about the changes in the Imperial Court’s atmosphere, he felt deeply gratified. Once upon a time, such a sight could only have appeared in his dreams.

"Finding the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom is of great importance. Before dying, the three Demon Emperors mentioned the existence of the demon race’s supreme ruler. I suspect it is connected to the source of the demons."

Chu Yang spoke candidly. "This matter has far-reaching consequences. You cannot handle it. No number of Grandmasters would be enough. I must go personally."

At the mention of the demon race’s supreme ruler, everyone fell silent.

The Demon Emperors were already beings beyond their reach, much less the demon race’s supreme ruler.

Zhuge Zhengwo clasped his fists and sighed deeply. "This old minister is ashamed that he cannot lend Your Majesty even a little aid…"

Chu Yang waved a hand. "Human strength has limits. There is nothing to be ashamed of. No matter how powerful the demon race is, it has become old history. Now is the time for the human race to rise."

Guo Bu Jing nodded. "Please rest assured, Your Majesty. We will do our utmost to break through to the Grandmaster realm, follow in Your Majesty’s footsteps, and clear the way for the human race."

At the mention of clearing the way, Zhuge Zhengwo’s face filled with bitterness. He had remained in the Grandmaster realm for a long time, yet had never seen where the path ahead lay.

He looked at Chu Yang hopefully. "May I ask, Your Majesty, how should one walk the path ahead?"

Chu Yang did not answer. Instead, he demonstrated Tai Chi Fist for everyone. Of all the martial arts he had studied, Tai Chi was the one he had cultivated most deeply. It complemented Source Breathing and could be considered the foundation of his martial arts.

The intent of Tai Chi Fist pointed directly toward the Great Dao. It was broad and profound.

After watching it, everyone was entranced. Even Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui, who knew nothing of martial arts, were completely absorbed.

The intent behind this fist contained the mysteries of heaven and earth, with endless meaning, stirring something within their hearts.

"To enter the Dao through martial arts, learning martial arts is cultivating the Dao. While excavating the body’s potential, one must also seek the true meaning of martial arts."

Chu Yang smiled. "If you do not understand, begin with my Tai Chi Fist. Feel what the Dao is, then seek out where your own martial path lies."

Zhuge Zhengwo clasped his fists. "Please instruct us, Your Majesty."

Chu Yang continued demonstrating martial arts for them, explaining the Dao that was profound and profound again.

Until the sun set beyond the western mountains.

This imparting of the Dao gradually came to an end.

Everyone in the Imperial Study had gained something. As for whether they could use it to break through, that depended on their own fate.

Chu Yang’s path was not truly the same as theirs. He did not wish to interfere too much, just as he did not wish to interfere with the Firearm Battalion’s development.

Different worlds bore different fruits. That was what he needed.

The day after imparting the Dao, Chu Yang left the capital alone.

To search for traces of the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom.