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

[Advisor Ranking – Rank 6]

[Zhang Liang]

[Nation: Han Dynasty]

[Potential: Top Advisor of Nine Provinces]

[Strategy Rating: Five Stars]

[Strength: First-Rate]

[Reward: 1x Low-Tier Advisor Skill Card, 1x Spiritual Power Enhancement Card, +5% National Fortune]

==========

Jiang Yuyan's eyes gleamed with joy as she looked at the ranking.

The talent she had set her sights on had indeed made it onto the Advisor Ranking!

After spending the past few days together, she had already sensed Zhang Liang's extraordinary nature.

However, due to his lack of achievements and the fact that he had been chased by Ying Zheng, his current ranking was somewhat low.

If, in the future, he could wholeheartedly assist her in establishing a grand undertaking, his position on the Advisor Ranking would undoubtedly rise a few places.

At the same time, Sima Yi beside her also looked at Zhang Liang with a hint of surprise.

His wariness grew even stronger.

With such a formidable rival, it would be difficult for him to escape from the hands of the Demon Consort in the future.

This guy... is actually ranked higher than me?!!

Amidst his apprehension, a desire to compete also rose within him.

He wanted to have a good contest with Zhang Liang.

To see if the man truly deserved to stand on equal footing with him on the Advisor Ranking.

Likewise, Zhang Liang looked up at the ranking in the sky, not with the slightest hint of joy, but with a heavy heart instead.

Given his current situation, being on the Advisor Ranking was actually a major disadvantage.

He wanted to remain low-key.

Otherwise, he'd be watched closely by Jiang Yuyan and even the tyrant Ying Zheng.

If that happened, it would be much harder to carry out his plans.

==========

Ming Imperial Palace.

"Zhang Liang, huh?"

Zhu Houzhao murmured to himself.

Back when he traveled in the Qin Dynasty, he had stayed in the Han Kingdom for quite a long time.

It was during that period that he met Wei Zhuang, Hong Lian, Zi Nu, Yan Lingji, and other women.

Naturally, Zhang Liang was among them.

But at the time, his LSP tendencies kicked in.

His attention was entirely focused on Zi Nu and the other beauties.

How could he have paid any attention to a few men?

No matter how talented they were, Zhu Houzhao had cast them out of his mind.

It was only later, after successfully courting several of the women, that he came to his senses.

Only then did he realize, too late, that he had not only missed out on Zhang Liang but also the great talent Han Fei.

After the fall of the Han Kingdom, Zhang Liang became obsessed with revenge.

So Zhu Houzhao gave up on trying to recruit him.

It could only be said that this future legendary advisor was not fated to serve under him.

There was some regret, yes, but not enough to call it remorse.

Had Zhang Liang been under his command and received proper cultivation, his ranking on the Advisor Ranking might have far surpassed the current one.

And he wouldn't be like a stray dog now, always being chased by Ying Zheng.

At present, Zhu Houzhao already had many capable advisors under his command.

He did not lack a Zhang Liang.

Moreover, they had already matured, and in comparison to Zhang Liang, they were more than his equal.

Be it in strategy or in strength, Zhang Liang could not compare.

According to reports from his spies.

That guy had now gone to serve under Jiang Yuyan.

Who knows what schemes he was planning.

Shaking his head, Zhu Houzhao no longer paid attention to Zhang Liang or Jiang Yuyan.

The Han Dynasty was far too distant from the Ming Dynasty.

Right now wasn't the right time for Zhu Houzhao to focus on the Han Dynasty.

His current primary target was the Yuan Dynasty.

Next was the Northern Song Dynasty.

He had even temporarily set aside the Tang Dynasty and Sui Dynasty.

Having already stirred up enough chaos in the Yuan Dynasty and Song Dynasty territories.

If he also got entangled with the Tang Dynasty and Sui Dynasty, it might truly spark something big.

"Your Majesty, a secret report from the Yuan Dynasty!"

Just then, a Dark Guard came to report.

"What is it?"

"This is a confidential message from Lord Pang Tong. The place Your Majesty has been searching for has already been located by Lord Pang Tong."

"However, it seems that powerful enemies are hidden there."

"They are likely in the Mythical Realm, or possibly even the God Demon Realm!"

"Awaiting Your Majesty's orders!"

"Reply to Pang Tong. Tell him to continue overseeing matters in the Yuan Dynasty Territory."

"As for the Dragon Vein Land, tell him not to interfere. I will personally handle this matter!"

"As you command, Your Majesty."

==========

Qin Imperial Palace.

"Zhang Liang? I remember this man!"

"He used to follow Han Fei. Later, he devoted himself to resisting the Qin Dynasty and even attempted to assassinate me multiple times!"

"What? He's not dead yet?"

Ying Zheng quickly recalled.

His tone held clear displeasure.

One Fan Zeng had escaped.

The remnants of the Xiang Clan were also still at large.

Now another famed advisor from the Nine Provinces had slipped through.

Judging by his actions, he had joined the Han Dynasty, intending to use their power to oppose him?

Ying Zheng's killing intent toward Zhang Liang surged to the extreme.

"Your Majesty, this man has now become the subordinate of the Demon Consort. He may become a serious threat to the Qin Dynasty in the future."

"Recently, I specifically investigated the experiences of the Demon Consort."

"As a result, I discovered something very alarming."

"This woman is growing at a terrifying rate, especially with her Spirit Devouring Demon Exercise. It's simply unbelievable."

"She can not only absorb the power of other cultivators to increase her own strength, but also improve her innate talent, comprehension, and foundation."

"If she continues at this rate and is given enough time, it is not impossible for her to reach the God Demon Realm."

"Most critically, her growth is fast, and her temperament and willpower are equally terrifying."

"Her cruelty and bloodthirst exceed even that of some Demon Gates in the Nine Provinces."

"In fact, even those in the Demon Gates often have someone, or something, they care about."

"But this enchantress of the Han Dynasty seems inhuman. There is no one she holds dear."

"She is a truly heartless person. No, 'true demon' would be a more fitting description."

"Perhaps Zhang Liang joined her precisely because he values this trait."

"It may be a case of seeking the tiger's aid to deal with another predator."

"Or perhaps, dancing with a demon, but he's willing to do so just to oppose the Qin Dynasty."

"The Demon Consort must be closely watched, and this Zhang Liang must be taken seriously."

Shang Yang's face was solemn.

Initially, he hadn't paid much attention to Zhang Liang, but as more intelligence came in.

His vigilance toward this man grew deeper and deeper.

If they let down their guard, they might truly suffer a major setback at Zhang Liang's hands.

Perhaps not a fatal blow to the Qin Dynasty, but certainly enough to hinder its progress significantly.

It could even cause the Qin Dynasty to fall behind in the race to unify the Nine Provinces.

"Then eliminate him at all costs!"

"A mere Zhang Liang, mobilizes the Net Trap, the Shadow Secret Guard, and the Black Ice Platform. If even all of you can't take care of him, what use are you?"

"If that Demon Consort doesn't know what's good for her, then eliminate her too."

"A lowly woman dares to oppose the Qin Dynasty?"

Ying Zheng's face was icy cold, and his words were filled with murderous intent.

At the same time, he was deeply dissatisfied with his subordinates' performance.

A threat like Zhang Liang should've been eliminated long ago, without needing his personal attention.

So many years had passed, and yet Zhang Liang was still at large.

Useless.

He couldn't possibly handle everything himself.

==========

Han Dynasty.

Roughly a hundred miles south of Luoyang City, in a medium-sized city.

A brutal battle was currently raging.

Especially in the eastern part of the city, in front of a massive mansion.

Two groups of about a hundred people clashed, unleashing terrifying auras.

Every one of them had the cultivation of a Grandmaster or Great Grandmaster.

Several of the leading captains had even reached the Half-Step Heavenly Human Realm.

Each move and technique they exchanged created waves of terrifying energy.

Resulting in unimaginable destruction.

Large sections of the surrounding houses collapsed.

Some frail civilians were instantly killed by the shockwaves, without any chance to resist.

They died unjustly.

As the battle continued, the destructive force spread across the entire eastern city district.

Casualties were enormous.

The wails of the dying echoed across the city, heart-wrenching to hear, gut-wrenching to witness.

And on a high vantage point roughly a kilometer from the eastern district.

Jiang Yuyan stood silently with Zhang Liang and Sima Yi, all three watching the tragic scene in silence.

Zhang Liang's face was particularly grim.

In contrast, Jiang Yuyan and Sima Yi remained calm and indifferent.

They showed little concern.

"Your Highness, isn't this going too far?"

"Our target is just the Heaven Gate and the Stitched Cloth Guard. There's no need to involve so many innocent civilians!"

Zhang Liang was clearly unable to accept this.

The schemes laid out by Jiang Yuyan and Sima Yi could only be described as utterly ruthless.

Even when he had loathed and despised the tyrant Ying Zheng.

He had never once considered harming ordinary civilians.

Not even the citizens of the Qin Dynasty.

His hatred was reserved for Ying Zheng alone, and for the state of the Qin Dynasty.

But now, Jiang Yuyan and Sima Yi's actions.

Made Zhang Liang question whether he had made the right decision.

Whether allying with Jiang Yuyan had been a serious miscalculation.

At the same time, he began to feel wary of and disgusted by Sima Yi.

This bloody conflict had been orchestrated by Sima Yi.

In order to complete the "task" Jiang Yuyan had given him.

Sima Yi had thrown all caution to the wind.

He had shown zero concern for the lives of innocent people.

"Zifang, the people fighting now are all below the Land Immortal Realm."

"The Heavenly Human Realm cultivators, and even those in the Mythical Realm, haven't even entered the fray yet."

"If Land Immortals join the battle, the destruction will be far worse than what you're seeing now."

Sima Yi shook his head and sighed, feigning sympathy.

"Mister Zhongda, aren't you a citizen of the Han Dynasty? With so many innocent civilians dragged into this and killed, don't you feel anything?"

"For Her Highness's grand cause, a few sacrifices are unfortunately necessary."

"Oh? Zifang, you're a citizen of the Qin Dynasty, yet you pity the civilians of my Han Dynasty?"

"Zifang, you're truly... merciful!"

Sima Yi's tone was thick with mockery.

Zhang Liang frowned slightly at his words.

But rather than reacting to the sarcasm, he used this moment to further understand Sima Yi's nature.

And beside them, Jiang Yuyan watched Zhang Liang and Sima Yi argue, a satisfied curve playing on her lips.

Thanks to this scheme, these two men would likely never be able to unite.

Their values were as different as heaven and earth, completely irreconcilable.

Their natures were incompatible.

Still, precisely because they were incompatible, she could feel more at ease.

She wouldn't have to worry about being schemed against by the two of them working together.

Although she possessed the means to decide their lives and deaths, she still had to remain cautious and guarded.