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

"Fellow Daoist Zhuge, what a spirit you possess!"

Wu Guanqing cupped his hands in greeting to Kongming, then used magic to evaporate the moisture from his body. Without leaving a trace, he put away the gold notes and dashed down the mountain...

"Zhuge brat, are you out of your mind? He came to kill you, and you...you even gave him 500,000 gold notes and let him go..."

After Wu Guanqing left, Zhu Ganglie finally couldn't help but start complaining.

“What do you know, you idiot? Today I’m giving him 500,000 gold notes, and in the future he will bring me 50 million, 500 million…” Kongming glared at Zhu Ganglie and said.

"I don't care, I, Old Pig, want it too! Look at me... I'm as skinny as a monkey, you have to make it up to me..."

Kongming smiled, patted Zhu Bajie's head with his feather fan, and said, "You're my brother, how come you're starting to act like an outsider..."

Just then, the door to the secret room suddenly exploded open.

The overflowing internal energy caused the surrounding stone walls to crack and dust to fly everywhere.

"Zilong has broken through!"

Kongming's eyes lit up, and his voice was filled with excitement as he quickly rushed toward the entrance to the smoke-filled secret chamber.

"What a strong aura!"

Even with Zhu Bajie's formidable physique, comparable to Vajra, he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine at this power.

Kongming knew that once Zhao Yun successfully entered the third realm of martial arts—the power to break ten thousand pounds—his strength would undergo a qualitative leap.

He was able to kill ordinary early-stage Golden Core cultivators when he was in the second realm, and now he probably has the strength to rival late-stage Golden Core cultivators.

As the smoke and dust dissipated, Zhao Yun's figure slowly appeared in the center of the secret chamber, surrounded by a faint golden light, which was the manifestation of his internal energy being released outwards, like a true dragon encircling him, exuding a majestic aura.

He opened his eyes, and an indescribable majesty and power emanated from his body, which startled even Kongming.

"With force that can break ten thousand pounds!" Zhao Yun clenched his hands and whispered. Though his voice was soft, it contained an overwhelming momentum.

He slowly stood up, each step he took seemed to weigh a thousand pounds, yet he was as light as a swallow, displaying the ultimate beauty of martial arts.

Kongming and Zhu Ganglie quickly stepped forward, their faces beaming with undisguised joy.

"Congratulations, Zilong, on another step forward in your martial arts!" Kongming said with a smile, waving his feather fan, his eyes full of admiration.

"Brother Zilong, this is amazing! I, Old Pig, am your savior. From now on, I'll rely on you to protect me. Let's see which fool dares to challenge my authority!"

Zhu Ganglie said cheerfully, glancing at Kongming beside him from time to time.

This caused both of them to burst into laughter. Although his words were joking, they also revealed his affirmation and trust in Zhao Yun's abilities...

"Before, due to my low strength, I was unable to assist the Prime Minister. This time, I have been poisoned, causing the Prime Minister great worry. I feel very guilty!" Zhao Yun bowed deeply to Kongming and said in a deep voice.

Kongming shook his feather fan and stared at Zhao Yun solemnly, saying, "Zilong, you flatter me. You have already done what you were supposed to do in your previous life. In this life, there is no distinction between us, only brotherhood. Do you understand?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yun felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He knew that although Kongming was unparalleled in wisdom and strategy, he was also a person who valued loyalty and righteousness.

In his previous life, to repay the late emperor's kindness, he devoted his entire life to the cause, working tirelessly until his death, becoming a model for future generations.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yun nodded, then suddenly bowed deeply, his eyes flashing with unwavering determination: "Your words, Prime Minister, I will remember. In this life and the next, I swear to stand with you, Prime Minister!"

This bow signifies a vow of unwavering loyalty and camaraderie, an inevitable bond forged in times of hardship and shared destiny.

This bow, unwavering in life and death, is witnessed by Heaven and Earth, and the sun and moon bear witness to my noble sentiments…

Kongming hurriedly helped Zhao Yun up. Their eyes met in the air, and their tacit understanding and trust remained unchanged despite the passage of time.

"Hey! You two grown men always pull this stunt, and I, Old Pig, am right here. No wonder Li Guangling is suspicious..."

Chang'an City, the Prime Minister's Residence.

"Does your sect have to give us an explanation?" The two sect leaders of the Five Poisons Sect and the Great Evolution Sect said with grim faces.

“Fellow Daoists, Wu Guanqing is definitely not that kind of person. Perhaps there is some misunderstanding!” Qin Yizhou, the sect master of Ju Kui Sect, explained.

"A misunderstanding? According to intelligence reports from the front lines, immediately after your sect's elder met with Zhuge Kongming alone, someone killed the elders of both our sects and hung their heads on the city gate. Do you think this is a misunderstanding?" the leader of the Five Poisons Sect questioned sternly.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yizhou's expression turned solemn. He knew that if this matter was not handled properly, it would not only involve the grudges between the three sects, but could also lead to Du Ruhui's distrust of the entire Ju Kui Sect.

"Our Ju Kui Sect has never tolerated rebels. As long as Wu Guanqing is alive and within the territory of the Great Tang Dynasty, I will capture him and hand him over to you two fellow Daoists. What do you think?"

"Hmph, Fellow Daoist Qin makes it sound so easy. How can you guarantee you won't go against his word?" The sect leader of the Dayan Sect spoke in an unfriendly tone, clearly not wanting to let the matter pass by so easily.

"Wu Guanqing failed in this mission. Regardless of whether he is alive or not, I will immediately issue a sect-wide kill order. You two fellow Daoists may also join in!" Qin Yizhou said in a deep voice in order to clear the entire sect of its unjust accusations.

"When will this argument between the three of you end?" Du Ruhui asked in a low voice, rubbing his temples.

Although Du Ruhui's voice was not loud, it instantly eased the tense atmosphere.

He slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping between the sect leaders of the Five Poisons Sect, the Great Evolution Sect, and the Ju Kui Sect, finally settling on Qin Yizhou. His tone carried a hint of deeper meaning: "Sect Leader Qin, while I certainly believe in your character, if Wu Guanqing's actions are true, he should be severely punished without exception."

"However," Du Ruhui changed the subject, continuing, "I hope the three sect leaders will put aside their prejudices for now and not fall for the instigation of those with ulterior motives!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Yizhou secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly cupped his hands, saying, "What the Prime Minister says is absolutely right."

The leaders of the Five Poisons Sect and the Great Evolution Sect exchanged a glance. Although they were unwilling, they knew that Du Ruhui's words made sense, and the annual tribute given to them by the Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty was not a small amount. So they both nodded in agreement.

"Also, when did Zhuge Liang acquire such a powerful general? Have the three of you heard of it?" Du Ruhui glanced at the three men with a meaningful look. The intelligence network had been making mistakes lately, which greatly displeased Du Ruhui.

"I've heard of this person before. He used to be a subordinate of Qu Qianchou, the general of Fengling Pass, but for some reason, he joined Zhuge Liang's camp," Qin Yizhou replied.

"Hmph! No matter how powerful this person is, once he falls victim to the Five Poisons Sect's unique secret technique, he is doomed!"

"You three go back and make preparations. I will soon report to Empress Wu that I will not be able to eat or sleep in peace until Li Guangling is eliminated!"

Du Ruhui's face darkened, and he said sternly...