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

"Zhuge Kongming? So you are the immortal master. My apologies for my lack of respect!" Qu Qianchou cupped his hands towards Kongming, but clearly showed little respect.

After all, in his eyes, Kongming was just an accompanying immortal master. He had the Jade Cauldron Sect backing him up and was surrounded by experts, so he didn't need to be afraid of a mere young immortal master who hadn't even grown up yet.

Then, changing the subject, he looked at Kongming and asked, "Was that letter written by the Immortal Master Zhuge?"

"Exactly! I wonder what General Qu thinks?" Kongming remained calm and composed, his voice steady.

Facing Qu Qianchou's scrutiny, he showed no fear or nervousness whatsoever, as he was all too familiar with such matters in his previous life.

Qu Qianchou frowned slightly. He hadn't expected this young immortal master to be so direct, so quick to propose grand schemes. This made him unsure of Kongming's background, and he wasn't sure if the Jade Cauldron Sect could suppress the sect of the person before him.

"I wonder which school or sect Master Zhuge belongs to?"

Kongming sneered inwardly; how could he not understand Qu Qianchou's probing intent?

"I am a disciple of the Qinglan Sect. Because my master, Zuo Ci, had a past relationship with the Prince of Zhongshan, I was sent by the sect leader to serve as the prince's attendant immortal master."

"Oh! I see." Qu Qianchou nodded, then whispered a few words in the ear of a guard, who then left the main hall.

He had heard of Qinglan Sect, but its strength was far inferior to that of Yuding Sect. If what Kongming said was true, then he naturally had no need to be wary of the power behind Li Guangling.

"What does Master Zhuge mean?" Qu Qianchou asked again, his eyes blazing as he tried to read something from Kongming's expression.

Kongming smiled slightly, gently waving his feather fan, and said, "General Qu, in these chaotic times, heroes are emerging in great numbers, making it an excellent opportunity to make a name for yourself. I observe that Fengling Pass under General Qu's command is well-equipped with strong troops and enjoys popular support; it has the potential to become a rising star!"

These outrageous words made Li Guangling's eyelids twitch. He did want to rebel against Empress Wu, but he never thought of overthrowing the Tang Dynasty.

Now, An Tingjing, who controls three prefectures in the north of the Tang Dynasty, has proclaimed himself Prince An. With other countries eyeing him covetously, these things have kept him up at night.

He was only focused on preserving his ancestors' legacy, and secretly thought to himself that he shouldn't have trusted Kongming so easily.

Upon hearing this, Qu Qianchou's eyes flashed with a sharp light, but he quickly concealed it. He immediately ordered his men to escort Li Guangling, Li Muling, and Ji Yizhi away and arrange for them to rest at the post station.

"Master Zhuge, let's not beat around the bush. With your current strength, it seems your influence is somewhat insufficient!" Qu Qianchou's voice revealed a hint of coldness, clearly wanting Kongming to explain the short letter he had written to him.

The letter that Kongming wrote to him back then contained only eight characters: "Righteous and legitimate, plotting to conquer the world."

Kongming smiled and shook his head. He knew Qu Qianchou's doubts and dissatisfaction, but that was exactly what he wanted.

He gently shook his feather fan and said, "Now that Empress Wu has usurped power, the situation in the Tang Dynasty is unstable. At the same time, we are beset by internal and external troubles. As a member of the Li Tang imperial family, Li Guangling can rightfully lead his troops to punish her. As for General Qu, he is stationed at Fengling Pass and commands a large army. This is the perfect opportunity for him to make a name for himself in history."

"Hahaha... You've got a good plan, but what benefit do I get from this?"

Qu Qianchou laughed in fury, his eyes filled with undisguised killing intent. So this was asking him to fight for someone else? How could he agree to that?

Kongming smiled slightly, unperturbed. He gently waved his feather fan, like a ruler in control of the winds and clouds: "General Qu, you are a smart man. Haven't you heard of 'holding the emperor hostage to command the princes'? As long as you firmly control Li Guangling, you will still be the one to take over the world! Isn't it just a matter of your word when to depose and install the emperor?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Qu Qianchou's eyes. He was a smart man who knew how to find opportunities in chaotic times.

Kongming's words were reasonable. He held a large army and was indeed qualified to contend for the Central Plains. As a member of the Li Tang imperial family, Li Guangling had a legitimate reason to attack Empress Wu. At that time, all the warlords would respond, which was indeed the best strategy.

"I've heard that General Qu has a daughter. Why not betroth her to Li Guangling? That way, you'll be father-in-law and son-in-law, and he'll naturally obey you. You can simply manipulate things from behind the scenes and reap the benefits. Once the world is at peace, you can find an opportunity to take his place. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?" Kongming continued, a cunning glint in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Qu Qianchou felt as if a new door had been opened; he had never expected Kongming to make such a suggestion.

Indeed, marrying his daughter to Li Guangling was undoubtedly the best solution; such a plan was simply too perfect.

A glint of light flashed in Qu Qianchou's eyes as he pondered Kongming's words. He took a deep breath and said, "Master Zhuge, what you said makes some sense, but it seems to be missing something!"

"General Qu must have heard about the Jade Void Seal reappearing in the world a few years ago, right?"

Upon hearing this, Qu Qianchou's pupils suddenly contracted. He had naturally heard about the Jade Void Seal, after all, it was a founding treasure of the nation.

Whoever can master it is tantamount to gaining the approval of many cultivation forces. This has been the rule for tens of thousands of years, and even the top cultivation forces have not dared to break this rule.

However, the Jade Void Seal has not appeared since the fall of the Qing Dynasty, and rumors about it only resurfaced a few years ago.

Qu Qianchou suppressed his excitement and quickly asked, "Master Zhuge, do you perhaps know the whereabouts of the Jade Void Seal?"

"Why do you think Prince Li Chengqian of Zhongshan met such a tragic end?" Kongming asked with a mysterious smile.

"Could it be that he really obtained this item?" Qu Qianchou narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Kongming.

After all, there were rumors back then that Li Chengqian wanted to use the Jade Void Seal to suppress the fate of the dynasty and restore the Li Tang dynasty, but Empress Wu saw through his scheme and he ended up with his family destroyed and his life ruined.

"It is true!" Kongming glanced at Qu Qianchou indifferently.

"Master Zhuge, do you mean the Jade Void Seal is now in Li Guangling's hands?" Qu Qianchou's voice trembled slightly; he could hardly contain his excitement.

"General Qu, if this item is truly in Li Guangling's hands, do you think Empress Wu will let him go?"

Kongming's words instantly brought Qu Qianchou to his senses. The Jade Void Seal, as the founding treasure of the dynasty, symbolized the legitimacy of imperial power. If it were truly in Li Guangling's hands, it would undoubtedly be a huge challenge to Empress Wu's imperial authority. How could Empress Wu possibly sit idly by?

"Master Zhuge, stop beating around the bush. We martial artists don't like this kind of roundabout way of speaking. Just say it directly!" Qu Qianchou could no longer contain his desire and urged him immediately.

Kongming smiled lightly, stroked the feather fan in his hand, and then made up a story: "Because the Jade Void Seal appeared at an inopportune time, the King of Zhongshan was not fully prepared for the uprising. Knowing that Empress Wu would definitely make trouble, he entrusted the Jade Void Seal to one of his confidants. Now, only his son Li Guangling can find this person."