Golden Ranking Appears, My Empress Turns Out to Be Wu Zhao

Ming Imperial Palace.

"Li Bai, huh?"

"What a pity!"

When it came to this person, Zhu Houzhao's feelings were quite complicated.

Back when he disguised himself as Su Yi and roamed the Nine Provinces, he quickly gained the title of "Azure Lotus Sword Immortal" with the strength of the Land Immortal Realm.

One time, while he was in the Tang Dynasty Territory.

He unexpectedly met Li Bai.

After a round of "dueling poetry", followed by a bout of wine-drinking, the two got along extremely well.

Zhu Houzhao even developed the idea of recruiting Li Bai.

Seeing that his cultivation talent was outstanding, he often gave him pointers on martial arts along the way.

In just a short time, Li Bai's strength improved by leaps and bounds.

Although the title of Azure Lotus Sword Immortal was taken by Zhu Houzhao.

Li Bai himself also earned a new title, Supreme White Sword Immortal.

However.

Just as Zhu Houzhao was preparing to recruit him into the Ming Dynasty, he unexpectedly discovered that Li Bai was actually the son of Li Yuan.

The blood brother of Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin.

This greatly surprised and shocked Zhu Houzhao.

With such a background, how could Zhu Houzhao possibly still recruit him?

Even though he knew Li Bai was not on good terms with Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty.

He still could not recruit him.

And so, it was left at that.

But at the root of it.

Li Bai's current Mythical Realm cultivation.

Could not have been achieved without Zhu Houzhao's guidance back then.

Even Zhu Houzhao himself hadn't expected that the famous poet Li Bai of the previous life, in this world would actually become a member of the Tang Imperial Family.

Truly.

In the world of the Nine Provinces, anything was possible.

Even Wu Zhao, once an Empress of a generation, could become his Empress, what else couldn't change?

Li Bai was a true cultivation genius, and might even reach the God Demon Realm in the future, but unfortunately, their fates were not meant to align.

Still, even so, he could not let Li Bai fall into Li Shimin's hands.

Since peace between Li Shimin and Li Bai was impossible anyway, why not stir things up a bit?

Let them truly become mortal enemies.

Coincidentally, Zhu Houzhao knew a secret, one that would make Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty tremble upon hearing.

With that thought, he immediately formed a plan.

==========

Han Dynasty Territory.

About a hundred miles from the capital.

There was a seemingly "ordinary" small village.

At this moment.

The village was strewn with mangled corpses.

What was shocking.

These were not ordinary villagers or civilians.

Look closely.

Each one of them was brawny and powerful.

Their auras had yet to fully dissipate.

They still carried weapons on their bodies.

Clearly, they were all trained fighters in life.

Their strength was at least at the Grandmaster Realm or Great Grandmaster Realm.

But with so many strong individuals gathered in this village, disguised as ordinary villagers.

What were they planning?

What was their purpose?

At that moment, a team of black-clad guards escorted a young woman dressed in ornate attire into the village.

Beside the woman stood a handsome young man in purple scholar's robes.

"Zhang Liang, your strategy has indeed worked."

"These Stitched Cloth Guard members were all killed by the Heaven Gate."

"You have not disappointed me."

"Liang does not dare to claim credit, only hopes Your Highness will uphold our agreement and release my Uncle."

"From now on, Liang is willing to loyally remain by Your Highness's side."

"Assist Your Highness in accomplishing your great cause."

Jiang Yuyan looked deeply at the young man before her, a trace of wariness flashing in her eyes.

Though his strength didn't concern her, his tactics, even she had to admire them.

Each plan nested within the next.

He had manipulated both the Stitched Cloth Guard watching her and the Heaven Gate.

Even she, had she been in the middle of the scheme, could easily have fallen into the trap.

Fortunately, this man lacked sufficient strength, or his threat level would rise dramatically.

Still, even as things were, Jiang Yuyan was unsure she could fully control him.

Luckily, he had weaknesses.

As long as she kept a firm grip on them, she need not worry about Zhang Liang acting out.

"Fine. This palace agrees. Once we return, I will immediately release Xun Kuang."

"But I will not cure the poison in him."

"Every half a month, I will give you the antidote. You will send it to him."

"As long as you serve me loyally, the antidote will continue to flow without end."

Zhang Liang's eyes narrowed at her words.

As expected.

This Han Dynasty's Demon Consort would never let things go so easily.

Moreover, during their time together, his impression of Jiang Yuyan had grown increasingly grim.

In certain aspects, she was even worse than the tyrant Ying Zheng.

A shadow hung over his heart.

Still, it wasn't all bad.

If he planned well enough, he could use Jiang Yuyan against Ying Zheng and the Qin Dynasty.

If he could stir up conflict between the Han Dynasty and Qin Dynasty, it might be possible.

Ying Zheng was full of ambition. Once he consolidated the Qin Dynasty's power.

He would definitely set his sights on the Han Dynasty.

A war between the Qin Dynasty and the Han Dynasty was inevitable.

In the future, he might yet find his chance.

With that thought, Zhang Liang made up his mind.

Though Jiang Yuyan was a dangerous partner, assisting her was like plotting with a tiger.

But if planned carefully.

He could still achieve his goal.

"Your Highness, what if Liang's life is exchanged for my Uncle's?"

"Your Highness could remove the poison from him and apply it to Liang instead."

"Wouldn't the result be the same?"

"For my life, I would surely do everything in my power to serve you without the slightest slack!"

"Besides, my Uncle is one of the people in the Confucian Immortal Ranking. Treating him like this may be seen as a slight to all Confucian Immortals."

"If word spreads, the rest of the Confucian Immortals might view Your Highness in a bad light."

Still, to save Xun Kuang, Zhang Liang persisted.

He wanted to rescue his Uncle completely.

"Hahaha, what a colossal joke!"

"Confucian Immortals? In my eyes, so-called Confucian Immortals are nothing more than fools who've read themselves stupid!"

"Even if they reach the Land Immortal Realm, what of it? Still trash!"

"Even if they despise me, do you think I care?"

"I, too, detest those hypocritical pretenders!"

"Xun Kuang is like that, and you, Zhang Liang, are no different!"

"You read the Book of Sages every day, yet when it matters, you sacrifice countless lives without blinking, calculating with ease!"

"Where is the Confucian School's righteousness in that?"

"These dead Stitched Cloth Guard may have been my enemies, but were they truly evil?"

"Since you're the one who schemed and led them to death, don't spout your high-minded ideals in front of me. It's disgusting."

Jiang Yuyan mocked Zhang Liang with disdain.

To her now.

The so-called Dao, Confucian, and Buddhist of the Nine Provinces were a joke.

In fact, she harbored deep disgust for them.

Only the Demon Dao resonated with her more and more.

Zhang Liang remained calm at her words.

He was not shaken at all.

He had his own principles and code.

Whether he violated the Confucian Dao, he would judge for himself.

He didn't need Jiang Yuyan to lecture him.

Moreover, she was not qualified to do so.

In terms of willpower, Zhang Liang was no weaker than Jiang Yuyan.

But circumstances were stronger than people.

He had no way to refute Jiang Yuyan now.

If he pushed her too far, and she flew into a rage and killed his Uncle, it would be a disaster.

For the moment, Zhang Liang could only fall silent.

==========

"Hahaha, how interesting. I never expected the esteemed Han Imperial Consort to speak such words."

"Though your logic is twisted, strangely enough, it's refreshing to hear."

At that moment.

A hearty laugh echoed.

Both Jiang Yuyan and Zhang Liang's expressions changed.

Next.

A young man dressed in green, with an ancient sword at his waist and a wine gourd in hand, walked into view.

Laughing as he drank heartily from his gourd.

"Who are you?"

Jiang Yuyan sensed immense danger from this man.

Her expression grew serious.

"Who am I? Heh, I'm precisely the person you just mocked with disdain, a member of the Confucian Immortal Ranking!"

Zhang Liang's eyes narrowed slightly, a glint flashing within.

Among those currently announced on the Confucian Immortal Ranking were two women, two elders, and one mysterious Li Bai.

Seeing how young this man looked.

He clearly wasn't Cai Yong.

That could only mean he was the one from Tang Dynasty, Li Bai.

Not only Zhang Liang, but Jiang Yuyan also recognized him instantly.

"The Supreme White Confucian Sword Immortal, Li Bai?!"

Jiang Yuyan said coldly.

"Back then, they called me the Supreme White Sword Immortal, Supreme White Poet Immortal, and Supreme White Wine Immortal."

"Now, I've become the Supreme White Confucian Sword Immortal?!"

"Looks like this so-called Confucian Immortal Ranking has really made my fame skyrocket!"

"Why have you come before me? Are you here to avenge the dead?"

"Or to kill me in the name of your so-called righteousness?"

Li Bai burst out laughing.

"These days, while traveling across the Nine Provinces, I kept hearing how the Han Imperial Consort Jiang Yuyan was ruthless and cruel, with vicious methods."

"Now that I've met you in person, you're even more terrifying than the rumors said!"

"Your ruthlessness exceeds them by hundreds or thousands of times!"

At this point, Li Bai's expression turned solemn.

A fierce aura surged from his body.

Even Jiang Yuyan felt a jolt of fear.

"Protect Her Highness!"

"Kill him!"

Her loyal guards immediately surrounded Li Bai, striking with lethal intent.

Each strike aimed to kill.

"Judging by the bloodlust around you, it's clear you've all taken many lives."

"Tough luck running into me, die!"

"Ten steps to kill a man!"

"Never walk a thousand miles!"

Li Bai spun his sword, casting a few sword flowers.

In the next moment.

Sharp sword energy burst forth.

Transformed into invisible sword light, piercing through each guard's chest.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

In the blink of an eye.

All of them were dead on the ground.

Not a single one survived.

At the same time.

Li Bai turned into a blur, appearing right in front of Jiang Yuyan.

Before she could react.

His sword pressed against her throat.

"Hand over the antidote!"

"Hmm? You came to save Xun Kuang?"

"Of course. Back when I traveled in the Qin Dynasty, I visited the Little Sage Manor."

"I met Xun Kuang there. We had a good conversation. Now that I see him in trouble, I must help."

"One more time, hand over the full antidote. Or this world will lose one more chaos-bringing Han Imperial Consort."

Jiang Yuyan's face darkened, her eyes sharp.

She took a deep breath.

Then directly pulled out a bottle of pills from her robes.

And threw it over.

"This is the antidote."

"Hmm? I want a permanent cure."

"It is. What I said to Zhang Liang earlier was just a bluff."

"Truly cunning."

Li Bai sheathed his sword and flashed away several hundred meters.

"Uncle!!"

Zhang Liang looked over and saw a familiar figure.

It was indeed Xun Kuang.

Li Bai had rescued him from Jiang Yuyan's secret prison.

He was overjoyed.

Finally, a weight lifted from his heart.

"Well played, Li Bai. This time, I've lost."

"We'll see each other again!"

Jiang Yuyan flicked her sleeve and snorted coldly.

Then turned and flew toward the Han Dynasty imperial palace.

As for Zhang Liang?

Now that Xun Kuang was rescued, how could he possibly continue to serve her?

Besides, this place was dangerous.

Best to leave quickly.

But in her heart, she had already marked Li Bai.

Today's humiliation would be repaid a hundredfold in the future.