Zhuge Liang's Journey to Dominate the World: Starting from Another World

Hundreds of cavalrymen instantly separated the carriage from the Imperial Guards, forming an ironclad defensive line.

Li Guangling's voice echoed in the wind, each word as heavy as iron and stone, landing with a resounding thud.

The commander of the Imperial Guards turned pale instantly. He understood what Li Guangling's words meant. This was no longer a simple provocation, but a blatant challenge to Empress Wu's authority, and even a questioning of her right to rule the entire Tang Dynasty.

"Li Guangling, do you know what the consequences of your actions today will be?" the Imperial Guard commander roared, but his voice was clearly weak.

On the city tower not far away.

The emperor's brother-in-law, Changsun Wuji, watched everything unfolding below, a strange glint in his eyes. Beside him stood a middle-aged scholar, none other than Du Ruhui, the prime minister of the Tang Dynasty.

Du Ruhui looked at Li Guangling below with a sinister gaze and said to Changsun Wuji, "Lord Changsun, you invited me here just to see this? This Li Guangling is truly a fearless young man!"

Changsun Wuji smiled slightly, shook his head, and said, "How can a tiger father have a dog son?"

"Hmph! Mere bravado! What do you think would happen if I reported him?" Du Ruhui said coldly, a sinister glint in his eyes, as if he wanted to put Li Guangling to death.

"Lord Du, haven't you done enough wicked things? Why are you in such a hurry? Wait and see!" Changsun Wuji chuckled, a sly glint in his eyes.

Du Ruhui's expression changed. "What do you mean by that, Lord Changsun?"

"Once Empress Wu passes away, the Li Tang dynasty will still be the Li Tang dynasty. If you don't want your descendants to be purged, I advise you to do more good deeds!" Changsun Wuji's voice was soft, but it hit Du Ruhui's heart like a heavy hammer, making his heart sink.

Du Ruhui frowned slightly. He naturally knew Changsun Wuji's position. Although both of them were important officials in the court, Changsun Wuji had always held a reserved attitude towards Empress Wu, while Du Ruhui was a staunch supporter of Empress Wu.

He gave Changsun Wuji a deep look and then said, "Lord Changsun, don't forget that Empress Wu is now in charge of the Tang Dynasty."

After Du Ruhui finished speaking, he turned and left...

At the city gate, Li Guangling's carriage drove straight out of the city, followed closely by hundreds of cavalry, their momentum overwhelming.

As Ji Yizhi watched this scene, he couldn't help but feel an indescribable sense of pride, as if he saw the shadow of Prince Li Chengqian of Zhongshan in Li Guangling.

The commander of the Imperial Guards watched the departing figure, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. Empress Wu could not openly kill Li Guangling, after all, it was her decree to release him.

In the end, he turned around and ordered the Imperial Guards to retreat, without continuing the pursuit.

At the same time, dozens of carrier hawks took off from within the imperial city and flew in all directions, quickly spreading the news to every corner of the empire.

……

One month later.

Inside the carriage, Li Muling was still shaken. She clung tightly to Li Guangling's sleeve, as if only in this way could she find a sense of security.

Li Guangling gently patted the back of her hand and comforted her, "Don't be afraid, everything will be alright."

"Young Prince, I'm afraid the journey ahead won't be peaceful!" Ji Yizhi lifted the curtain, looking at the dusty road ahead, his tone tinged with worry.

Li Guangling frowned slightly, his face filled with uncertainty and worry about the future. They had already encountered several waves of enemies, and their hundreds of elite troops had suffered heavy losses.

This may only be the beginning. The further away from the capital, the more unscrupulous those people will become. Moreover, among Empress Wu's henchmen are some cultivators from various sects, who may join the hunt later. For ordinary people, it is like throwing an egg against a rock.

“When the late King was alive, he was kind to the Qinglan Sect in Gele County, and he and Elder Zuo Ci were like brothers. Why don’t you go to the Qinglan Sect and ask them to send a few cultivators to accompany us? That might ensure our safety.” Ji Yizhi took a deep breath and said slowly.

Li Guangling sighed and said, "Now that the late King and Elder Zuo have both passed away, and I have no connection with the Qinglan Sect, I am afraid that my presumptuous trip will cause them displeasure."

Ji Yizhi shook his head and said, "No, the Qinglan Sect will never forget the kindness of the late king. They are a prestigious sect and would not be so heartless. Young prince, please go ahead and you will surely gain something."

"Brother, why don't we give it a try? Maybe things will turn out differently," Li Muling said softly.

Her eyes held a resolute and hopeful light, as if she were encouraging herself and Li Guangling.

Looking at his sister, Li Guangling felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He took a deep breath and decided to follow Ji Yizhi's advice and go to Qinglan Sect to give it a try.

So the carriage turned around and headed towards Gele County.

……

Qinglan Sect.

"Sect Master, two people from the foot of the mountain are requesting an audience. They say they are old friends of Elder Zuo Ci."

Su Zhuo frowned slightly upon hearing the report from his disciple below.

"Take them up the mountain." Su Zhuo's eyes darted around, and after a moment's thought, he gave the order.

A moment later, Li Guangling and Li Muling were brought into the sect's main hall.

Li Guangling looked up and saw a middle-aged man sitting upright in the main seat, facing the cultivator. For no reason, Li Guangling felt a tightness in his heart.

He hurriedly led Li Muling forward to pay their respects, saying, "Greetings, Sect Master."

Su Zhuo nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the two of them before finally settling on Li Guangling. He said calmly, "So you are an old friend of Elder Zuo Ci?"

Li Guangling's heart skipped a beat, and he dared not conceal anything. He respectfully said, "This junior is Li Guangling. My father, Li Chengqian, was an old friend of your clan's Elder Zuo Ci."

"Oh!" Su Zhuo responded, naturally knowing who was below.

Back then, when the Qinglan Sect was driven to the brink of extinction by hostile forces, it was only after Prince Li Chengqian of Zhongshan begged the top sects behind the royal family to intervene that the Qinglan Sect was saved from its predicament. In a sense, he was indeed a great benefactor of the Qinglan Sect.

It was only because Empress Wu later seized power, and the behemoth behind the royal family turned a blind eye and remained ambiguous in its stance.

But everyone knows that this must have been approved by a top sect, otherwise Empress Wu wouldn't have dared to do it.

This is why the other three elders of the sect were unwilling to get involved in this royal struggle.

Su Zhuo, in fact, did not approve of getting too close to the King of Zhongshan, but in the end he could not resist the temptation of the treasure and secretly left the sect with Zuo Ci...

"You two have come from afar, may I ask what brings you here?" Su Zhuo asked bluntly.

Li Guangling glanced at his younger sister, Li Muling, a resolute glint in his eyes, and said without beating around the bush, "Our journey to our fiefdom is long and fraught with danger. I hope your sect will send a few cultivators to accompany us and ensure our safety, out of respect for my father."

Upon hearing this, Su Zhuo pondered for a moment and said, "What you ask of me is no easy matter. However, out of consideration for your father, I can grant your request."

Upon hearing this, Li Guangling was overjoyed and quickly said, "Thank you for your great kindness, Sect Master!"

Then, Su Zhuo summoned Su Yao and whispered a few words in her ear. The latter then left the main hall...