432: They faced off head-on, each displaying their unique abilities.

"Now, you'd better quickly issue an edict abdicating the throne to me. That would make things easier for both of us. Otherwise, don't blame me for not showing any mercy." Zhu Rui revealed a sinister smile as he looked at The Emperor.

"Heh... It seems the reason Chief Eunuch Cao didn't come today was also part of your design, Uncle?"

"However, Uncle, you don't really think I have no backup plan, do you?" The Emperor looked at Zhu Rui with a mocking expression.

"Oh? I would truly like to see what backup plan you have!"

"Since you are unwilling, then I will have to take action myself."

"Go! If he dares not issue the abdication edict, then kill him. At that time, I refuse to believe that after killing all these defiant people, I still cannot become The Emperor." Zhu Rui's emotions were already somewhat out of control.

Although his plan was flawless, if the Imperial Guards outside noticed something was wrong, they would definitely return to provide support.

When that time came, things would become troublesome.

Therefore, what was needed now was to cut the Gordian knot swiftly.

"Your Majesty, since you are unwilling, then I must offend." Shangguan Jinhong looked at The Emperor with a mocking expression.

Looking at Shangguan Jinhong, The Emperor's expression remained calm. He knew this man was the leader of the Money Gang. Daring to call it the 'Money Gang' showed just how wealthy he was.

If that was the case, then there was a reason to take down the Money Gang, which would allow the state treasury to be replenished.

"Leader of the Money Gang, Shangguan Jinhong, ranked second on the Hundred Knowledgeable's Weapon Ranking. Weapon: Mother-Child Dragon-Phoenix Rings. Strength: Great Grandmaster Late Stage." The Emperor calmly stated Shangguan Jinhong's identity information.

The smile on Shangguan Jinhong's face froze. He hadn't expected The Emperor to know his information so clearly.

It seemed this young emperor before him was not as useless as he appeared on the surface.

However, the arrow was already on the bowstring and had to be released. As long as they successfully captured The Emperor, the matter would be settled.

"Heh, given the current situation, since Your Majesty knows about me, I cannot let you live."

"Otherwise, there would be no place for me in this vast world." Shangguan Jinhong looked at The Emperor with a cold sneer.

"Since that's the case, then make your move." The Emperor said coldly.

Shangguan Jinhong was stunned for a moment, then his expression turned ferocious and cold. With a shake of his arms, the two golden rings under his arms instantly flew out, striking directly at the heart of the Ming Emperor, The Emperor.

If this strike hit, The Emperor would be dead or crippled.

However, facing Shangguan Jinhong's attack, The Emperor showed no intention of dodging. In fact, he couldn't dodge it.

At this critical moment, a figure instantly appeared before the Ming Emperor, The Emperor, and caught the golden rings with both hands.

The appearance of this person immediately caused Shangguan Jinhong's expression to change. His aura erupted violently as he watched the newcomer with full alertness.

When he clearly saw who had arrived, Shangguan Jinhong's face turned ugly.

"Lu Xiaofeng, why are you here?"

That's right, the newcomer was none other than Four Eyebrows, Lu Xiaofeng.

The move he had just used was his famous unique skill, the Lingxi Finger.

His Lingxi Finger was said to be capable of catching all weapons under heaven. Now it seemed the claim was not false.

However, this also depended on the opponent's strength. If the opponent's strength far exceeded his, even with the Lingxi Finger, he wouldn't be able to catch it.

"Wow, what a lively gathering, so many people here."

"What are you all doing? Shangguan Jinhong? Prince Ning Zhu Rui, Hundred Knowledgeable? Jiang The Crane Diverter."

"Prince Ning, don't you know that you cannot enter the capital without a summons?"

"You appearing with so many people like this, can I assume you are planning a rebellion?" Lu Xiaofeng looked at Zhu Rui with a surprised expression.

After Lu Xiaofeng finished speaking, he remembered this was the imperial palace and quickly turned to look at the Ming Emperor, The Emperor.

"Lu Xiaofeng pays his respects to Your Majesty."

The Emperor nodded.

"Lu Xiaofeng, if you had been a step later, I would have been separated from my head." The Emperor gave Lu Xiaofeng a cold glance.

Lu Xiaofeng immediately felt somewhat awkward, instinctively stroking his beard.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. You know, there were quite a few matters today, and I was delayed on the road. Fortunately, it was a close call, but I managed to arrive in time." Lu Xiaofeng looked at The Emperor awkwardly.

No one had expected Lu Xiaofeng to appear at this moment. However, judging by the reactions of The Emperor and Lu Xiaofeng, it seemed they had known they were coming beforehand.

They had just been delayed by some matters.

However, with only Lu Xiaofeng present now, he couldn't possibly be a match for so many Masters.

"Hmph, Lu Xiaofeng, you don't think you alone can deal with all my people, do you?" Zhu Rui sneered.

"Your Highness, we must not be careless. Everyone in the Jianghu knows that where Lu Xiaofeng appears, there will inevitably be two others: Hua Manlou and West Gate Blowing Snow."

"Currently, West Gate Blowing Snow and Night Solitary City are dueling, so they shouldn't appear here. But Hua Manlou should be present."

"Now Lu Xiaofeng is here, but Hua Manlou hasn't appeared. This is somewhat abnormal. We still need to be careful." Shangguan Jinhong spoke up to remind them.

"Hmph, Shangguan Jinhong, I think you're scared, aren't you?"

"If Hua Manlou had arrived, he wouldn't be hiding on the sidelines."

"Now, act immediately. Kill anyone who dares to obstruct us." Zhu Rui said coldly.

Shangguan Jinhong's face turned ugly, but there was nothing he could do.

Now they could only take action.

"Lu Xiaofeng, since you insist on interfering in this matter, I can only kill you."

"I also want to know whether your Lingxi Finger is more formidable or my Dragon-Phoenix Twin Rings are." Shangguan Jinhong snorted coldly and immediately attacked with his Dragon-Phoenix Twin Rings.

Lu Xiaofeng didn't hold back either. His figure instantly transformed into an afterimage as he charged towards Shangguan Jinhong.

"Zhu Houzhao, now your only rescuer is Lu Xiaofeng. Next, I want to see who else can come to save you."

"Take action, kill him." Zhu Rui ordered coldly.

Following Zhu Rui's command, a man holding an iron flute charged towards The Emperor.

This was the famous Mister Iron Flute of the Martial World, a Grandmaster Realm expert. His weapon was the iron flute in his hand. His arrival was often heralded by the sound of his flute before he was seen.

Very few people knew that hidden within this iron flute were concealed weapons. This was the Mister Iron Flute's trump card, not to be used unless absolutely necessary.

Because all those who had seen him use the concealed weapons within his iron flute were already dead.

Facing the Mister Iron Flute's attack, The Emperor remained seated steadily on the dragon throne, showing no intention of evading.

Just as the Mister Iron Flute's flute reached The Emperor's face, a smug smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

As long as he killed The Emperor, once Prince Ning ascended the throne, his own status and position would rise accordingly. He might even be enfeoffed as a prince—this was the promise Prince Ning had made to them earlier.

At that moment, a sound of something cutting through the air rang out. It arrived later but struck first, directly knocking the iron flute from the Mister Iron Flute's hand.

"Hmph..."

The Mister Iron Flute groaned, clutching his wrist as he was sent flying back to Prince Ning's side.

On the imperial desk, a Flying Dagger was embedded. Then, a figure dressed in white, elegant and handsome, walked out from behind the screen at The Emperor's back.

Seeing the newcomer, the Mister Iron Flute's face changed dramatically.