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

"Uncle, are you alright?"

Zhang Liang asked with concern.

"Zifang, I'm fine. This time, we owe much to Young Friend Li Bai."

"Otherwise, Zifang, you would have been completely under the control of that Demon Consort."

"I didn't expect this Demon Consort of the Han Dynasty to be even more terrifying than imagined."

Xun Kuang sighed.

"Zifang, this place is not suitable for a long stay. We should leave the Han Dynasty at once."

"The situation in the Han Dynasty is especially complex. It's better not to get entangled in it."

"This... Uncle, I do not intend to leave."

"What? Could it be... you still want to return to that demonic woman?"

"Foolish! Zifang, even if you seek revenge, you can't be in league with that Demon Consort!"

"That woman has no humanity at all. What if..."

Before Xun Kuang could finish, Zhang Liang quickly interrupted him.

"Uncle, there's no 'what if'."

"With Ying Zheng's ambition, it won't be long before he wages war against the Han Dynasty."

"I can use Jiang Yuyan to deal with Ying Zheng."

"The more ruthless Jiang Yuyan is, the more advantageous it is in dealing with Ying Zheng!"

"I have already made up my mind on this matter."

"Please take care, Uncle. I must go now!"

Zhang Liang respectfully saluted Xun Kuang, then nodded to Li Bai.

Without looking back, he went after Jiang Yuyan.

Xun Kuang and Li Bai stood where they were, silent.

"Master Xun, your nephew is truly extraordinary!"

"If he were to enter the Imperial Court of any nation, he would surely be Prime Minister material!"

"He might even have the qualifications to enter the Famous Minister Ranking!"

"Unfortunately, he's blinded by hatred."

Li Bai shook his head, though he didn't feel it was a real loss.

He didn't have a favorable impression of Zhang Liang.

He couldn't agree with Zhang Liang's methods.

They didn't suit his character.

Better not speak too much when views don't align.

"Master Xun, where are you planning to go now?"

"To the Ming Dynasty, to seek an old friend."

"Is it for the Little Sage Manor?"

"If that's the case, then there's no need to go."

"Not long ago, I heard some news."

"The Qin Dynasty's Ying Zheng ordered Marshal Wang Jian to lead an army and suppress the Little Sage Manor."

"Except for Sect Master Fu Nian and his Junior Brother Yan Lu, who escaped, the rest were all slaughtered without exception!"

"Please accept my condolences, Master Xun!"

"What? How could this happen? Why did Ying Zheng move so quickly?"

"Shouldn't he have killed me first?"

"Why would he suddenly turn to attack the Little Sage Manor?"

Li Bai shook his head silently.

Even someone like him, who wasn't well-versed in political matters, knew clearly.

The Qin Emperor Ying Zheng aimed to consolidate all forces within the Qin Dynasty, and then attack the Han Dynasty.

In the future, he even aimed to unify the entire Nine Provinces.

A rebel force like the Little Sage Manor was obviously the first target he had to eliminate.

Though Xun Kuang was not weak, compared to the entire Little Sage Manor, he was negligible.

With the Manor destroyed.

Even if Xun Kuang was left alive, he was just an ordinary Confucian Heavenly Human.

He posed no threat to the Qin Dynasty.

However, speaking of the Ming Dynasty.

A familiar figure flashed through Li Bai's mind.

The Azure Lotus Sword immortal, Su Yi.

The only friend he ever truly considered a kindred spirit.

But when the Golden Ranking was revealed, it turned out that Su Yi was just an avatar of the Ming Emperor.

This was hard for him to accept.

As for the Ming Emperor Zhu Houzhao, he didn't know whether to feel grateful or resentful.

"Eh? The Confucian Immortal Ranking is about to update again."

"Wonder who will make the ranking this time?"

High in the sky, the ranking slightly trembled.

Soon, it attracted everyone's attention.

Lines of mystical characters began to emerge.

==========

[Confucian Immortal Ranking – Rank 5]

[Zhang Danfeng]

[Force: Rogue Cultivator of Ming Dynasty]

[Cultivation: Intermediate Mythical Realm Land Immortal]

[Technique: Nameless Heavenly Book (Dual cultivation of Confucian and Sword Dao, merging Confucian Dao techniques, mysterious secrets, and Nameless Sword Method, created by self)]

[Reward: 5 wisps of Intermediate-Tier Grand Righteous Qi (enhances Confucian Cultivation Techniques), 1 Intermediate-Tier Confucian Skill, 1 Intermediate-Tier Confucian Divine Weapon]

==========

"Zhang Danfeng?"

"Interesting, he's also a dual cultivator of Confucian and Sword Dao?"

"A Renowned Scholar Mad Hero? I like this kind of person!"

Li Bai looked at the ranking, especially the introduction about Zhang Danfeng, and couldn't help but chuckle.

He felt a desire to befriend him.

At the same time, Xun Kuang's eyes narrowed.

Another person from the Ming Dynasty.

This time's Confucian Immortal Ranking was almost completely dominated by the Ming Dynasty.

Unbelievable.

Logically, the Han Dynasty and the Northern Song Dynasty both placed great importance on Confucianism.

Yet no Confucian Immortals from them made the ranking.

Instead, only a bunch of mediocre and useless Confucian scholars appeared.

Not a single Confucian Immortal at the Land Immortal Realm.

Even those with some bit of reputation were absent.

But look at the Ming Dynasty, just from the Sea of Learning alone, they produced several Confucian Immortals.

Not only Xun Kuang, but the other dynasties and kingdoms across the Nine Provinces also pondered the reason behind this.

"Master Xun, do you want to go to the Ming Dynasty?"

"I'll accompany you, how about that?"

"Naturally. It's a great chance for us to discuss our Confucian Dao along the way."

"Last time, our debate wasn't finished. Let's continue this time!"

"Haha, that sounds perfect!"

==========

Ming Imperial Palace.

"Zhang Danfeng?"

"Dark One, do you know where Zhang Danfeng is now?"

"Is he still within the Ming Dynasty?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, he is currently in seclusion, having retired from the Martial World and no longer involving himself in worldly matters."

"However, he often spends time with that man. They seem to be close friends despite the age difference!"

"Your Majesty once instructed me not to disturb them, so I've refrained from sending anyone too close!"

"Now that great changes are coming to the Nine Provinces, these two old fellows can no longer remain hidden."

"It's time they contributed once again to the Ming Dynasty."

"Dark One, immediately send someone to their secluded location and summon them to the palace!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Only... that person is supposedly already dead. If he suddenly appears in the Imperial Court, isn't that inappropriate?"

"What's inappropriate about it?"

"Is Our Majesty still afraid of a few rumors?"

"Besides, back then, our Ming Imperial Family did indeed owe him."

"This time, it's the perfect opportunity to repay that debt."

"Compared to that man's talent, a few mere compensations are nothing!"

"Your Majesty is absolutely right. In my opinion, if he receives a personal summons from Your Majesty, he'll be moved beyond words."

"Enough, no more chatter. Go do your duty."

Waving off the Dark One, Zhu Houzhao narrowed his eyes.

Had it been before, he might not have gone out of his way to recruit those two.

But now, with the Nine Provinces on the verge of great upheaval.

He couldn't feel at ease with such formidable individuals left outside his control.

If they were recruited by another force or dynasty, it would be catastrophic.

Even if such a possibility was tiny, even negligible.

Zhu Houzhao had to guard against it.

Zhang Danfeng was not of Zhu Houzhao's generation.

In terms of age, he was nearly a hundred years old.

But with his Mythical Realm cultivation, his life essence had evolved, and he likely appeared in his prime.

There was no concern about old age.

However, whether by birth or experience, this man had deep ties with the Ming Dynasty.

Had he faced a different Emperor, he would have been met with deep suspicion.

Even thoughts of elimination.

But to Zhu Houzhao, he was a rare talent.

To not make good use of him would be a true waste.

==========

Ming Dynasty Territory.

A certain place resembling a paradise apart from the world.

At this moment, by a stone table with a chessboard.

Two upright figures were playing a game of Go.

One of them appeared middle-aged, with a refined and handsome demeanor.

He wore a faint smile on his lips from time to time.

The other was dressed in simple clothes, looking about forty or fifty years old.

Yet he exuded a strange aura.

Though plainly dressed, his eyes sparkled with light, his body radiated a righteous energy, majestic and dignified, commanding respect without anger.

At the same time, he gave off a mysterious charm.

At first sight, one would feel he was an extraordinary and likable person.

"Danfeng, you've lost again!"

"Hahaha, compared to you, Big Brother, I still have a long way to go!"

"You, after all these years, your temper is still the same, unchanged."

"Also, congratulations, Danfeng, for making it onto the Confucian Immortal Ranking!"

"After decades, your name will once again echo across the Nine Provinces."

"You're teasing me again, Big Brother. For me, making the Confucian Immortal Ranking is more of a burden than an honor."

"In the future, this place will no longer be peaceful."

"However, with your current strength, you'll surely be on the ranking too?"

"And definitely in the top three."

"But I wonder, can you claim the number one spot?"

"Sigh, my heart is already dead. From now on, I only wish to devote myself to the study of Confucian literature."

"Whether I make the ranking or not means nothing to me."

"Still bothered by what happened back then?"

"No. That matter is long behind me."

"I've already let go. Otherwise, with a heart demon, how could I have reached my current Realm and cultivation?"

"Though I have no regrets in my heart or guilt toward Heaven and Earth for what I did back then, it was still a grave offense."

"That outcome was something I long expected."

"If not for you secretly rescuing me with a substitution trick, I would have been buried in the earth long ago."

"These past decades have been a bonus to me."

"I've been able to truly appreciate the beauty of Confucian culture!"

"Big Brother, why deceive yourself?"

"These past decades, you've worried about the Ming Dynasty's affairs every single day!"

"You still can't let go!"

"Eh? Someone's coming!"

"It's that Dark Guard from the Ming Emperor's side."

"Looks like your inclusion in the ranking finally drew the Emperor's attention."

"This must be an attempt to recruit you!"

"Hmph, I'm already thoroughly disappointed in the Ming Dynasty and its Emperor."

"Why would I let myself be recruited?"

"Hehe, Danfeng, I'm afraid with your strength, you may not be able to refuse!"

"This current Emperor is no ordinary Emperor like the ones before him."