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

Chapter 193 The Gilded Cauldron

An Lushan took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He stared intently at Kongming, a ruthless glint in his eyes: "You've tricked me into this scheme, what exactly do you want? It seems we've never met before, we have no grudge against each other, why are you treating me like this?"

Kongming remained calm, meeting An Lushan's gaze with composure, and said unhurriedly, "I never shy away from strategic planning, whether I know someone or not!"

"you……"

An Lushan was so angry that the veins on his forehead bulged. His initial plan was to find the person who had set up the scheme in the Eastern Palace, take the initiative, and then seize the opportunity to disrupt the Yuan Dynasty and reap the benefits.

But from the very beginning, you become a pawn on someone else's chessboard.

His fists clenched so tightly they cracked, his knuckles turning white from the force, and the murderous intent in his eyes was almost bursting forth: "Well done, Zhuge Liang! I never imagined that this little Eastern Palace would hide someone like you!"

Kongming, however, seemed oblivious and waved to Temujin, saying, "Please excuse yourself, Your Highness!"

Temujin hesitated, and couldn't help but feel some suspicion towards Zhuge Liang.

Such a person actually submitted to his Eastern Palace. Was he also just a pawn of this Mr. Zhuge? Was there some hidden secret he didn't know about? But now that he was already on board, he really didn't have a better idea. After weighing the options carefully, he slowly got up and left the reception hall with some unease.

An Lushan also gave a wink to several of his accompanying cultivators. They understood and quietly retreated outside the hall, standing guard at the door to ensure that no one would eavesdrop.

After doing all this, An Lushan turned his gaze back to Kongming, his eyes filled with scrutiny and wariness.

"Tell me, what kind of force is behind you!"

An Lushan's voice was deep and cold, like a piece of cold iron. He did not believe that the other party, a mere Golden Core cultivator, would dare to plot against the three major sects of the Great Yuan Dynasty.

"Hehe... Prince An is exceptionally intelligent. I think you already have the answer in your heart!" Kongming did not answer directly, but a mysterious smile appeared on his lips.

"Blood Drop Pavilion? You really are one of them!" An Lushan's gaze was as sharp as a hawk's as he stared intently at Kongming.

This force is cunning and ruthless, always willing to use any means to achieve its goals, which An Lushan had long been wary of.

However, Kongming remained noncommittal, calmly setting down his teacup with a crisp sound that broke the tense silence in the hall.

"Prince An, are you surprised?"

After receiving Kongming's tacit approval, An Lushan's pupils contracted sharply, his eyes filled with vigilance. "Your esteemed sect's strength has already reached its peak. Surely it's not just about simply replacing a certain faction of the Great Yuan!"

Hahaha……

Kongming threw his head back and laughed loudly, the laughter echoing in the hall before gradually subsiding after a long time.

He stared intently at An Lushan, a glint of determination in his eyes. "To think you can replace a faction in the Great Yuan is child's play. How could that satisfy the appetite of my Blood Drop Pavilion?"

"You...you want to restore the Yuan Dynasty?"

An Lushan stared wide-eyed at Kongming.

Back then, the Blood Drop Pavilion came to the An Clan's three states in order to obtain the Jade Void Seal. The entire Biyou Sect was intimidated by this force, let alone him, a mere mortal.

He had guessed the origins of the Blood Drop Pavilion from the beginning, and as his experience grew, he could almost conclude that this force was a remnant of the Great Qian Kingdom.

Even the higher-ups in the cultivation world of various countries have become aware of this, but as long as Blood Drop Pavilion doesn't do anything excessive, no one wants to provoke this trouble in the shadows.

Moreover, the Blood Drop Pavilion acts mysteriously, and its location is unknown. If things go wrong, it could cause a great shock to the cultivation world of this country...

Back then, various countries divided up the Great Qian Kingdom. Later, to prevent the Great Qian Kingdom from making a comeback, they even formulated a convention. However, as time went by, this convention gradually became a mere formality under the impact of interests, and all parties chose to protect themselves.

As long as you don't bother me, I won't bother with you...

The smile on Kongming's face faded, replaced by a cold expression. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed firmly on An Lushan.

"Young Master An, Emperor Ming is a man of great talent and ambition. His sending you to the Great Yuan Dynasty this time must not be a simple exchange, right?"

An Lushan's heart skipped a beat, but he forced himself to remain calm and sneered, "Mr. Zhuge, you're overthinking things. His Majesty the Emperor only hopes to enhance the friendship between our two countries and promote exchanges between the cultivation world. What other deeper meaning could there be?"

"really?"

Kongming raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at An Lushan with a half-smile, and said, "In the cultivation world, the strong prey on the weak. Countries fight openly and secretly for resources and spheres of influence, but no one can break the existing pattern. However, now... the opportunity is right in front of you. You have now surrendered to the Ming Dynasty. Don't you want to give the Ming Emperor a pledge of loyalty?"

An Lushan inwardly cursed the man before him for his cunning and manipulation of human nature. Regardless of whether his allegiance to the Ming Dynasty was genuine or whether he intended to utilize its power, he ultimately needed to obtain supreme authority…

An Lushan narrowed his eyes, revealing deep apprehension. After a moment of silence, he spoke, "I wonder if your esteemed residence has recovered the items it lost?"

"No!" Kongming answered succinctly and decisively, his gaze fixed directly on An Lushan, showing no sign of feigning sincerity.

"Then how will you gain recognition? Don't anger the ancient clans and end up with nothing!" An Lushan looked directly at Kongming and asked tentatively.

"Hehehe! That's why I want to cooperate with you!" Kongming said calmly.

"Why do you say that?" An Lushan asked warily.

Kongming gently picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then said, "Even without Prince An, there would be Prince Wang, Prince Li, or I could even skip you all and go directly to Emperor Ming. I believe he would be tempted. Now it's up to you to decide!"

Upon hearing this, An Lushan's eyes narrowed. Back when he had surrendered to the Ming Dynasty, he had mentioned the Blood Drop Pavilion to Zhu Song, but Zhu Song had shown a different, deeper meaning.

At that time, he sensed that the Ming Emperor might intend to borrow the power of the Blood Drop Pavilion, but the person in front of him was able to predict it with remarkable accuracy.

An Lushan remained silent for a long time, his mind in turmoil.

He knew that Kongming's words were true, but if he could control the occurrence of this event, the significance would be different, and he would rise rapidly in the Ming Dynasty.

He gritted his teeth and asked, "You've asked me to cooperate, what do you need me to do?"

"Hahaha... Prince An is indeed a man among men, decisive in his actions! I am quite interested in the gilded tripod of the Ming Dynasty and would like to borrow it for a look!" Kongming said without any politeness.

Lu Bu among men?

An Lushan couldn't tell whether Kongming was praising or belittling him. If he knew that Kongming was implying he was a "slave of three surnames," he might have flew into a rage on the spot...