Chapter 252 - Rank 5, Jiang Yuyan Goes Crazy Again, Is This an Immortal Technique?

[Renowned Minister Ranking – Rank 5]

[Zhuge Liang]

[Nation: Vast Sea Dynasty]

[Potential: Capable of becoming a Top Prime Minister of the Nine Provinces]

[Governance Capability Rating: Five Stars]

[Strength: First-Rate]

[Reward: 1x Ultimate-Tier Civil Minister Skill Card, 1x Ultimate-Tier Spiritual Power Enhancement Card, +10% National Fortune]

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Zhuge Liang?

Another person she had never heard of?

To rank 5th on the Renowned Minister Ranking was no small feat.

Moreover, he was a renowned minister of the Vast Sea Dynasty.

This Vast Sea Dynasty was becoming increasingly terrifying.

Just how many hidden aces did this dynasty have?

She wondered if that fellow's Ming Dynasty could really compete.

Shi Qingxuan knew very well how formidable Zhu Houzhao was.

But overall, the Vast Sea Dynasty was not inferior to the Ming Dynasty, perhaps even superior.

If the Ming Dynasty ever went to war with the Vast Sea Dynasty, that fellow might really be in danger.

Shi Qingxuan, for once, felt concern for Zhu Houzhao's future.

Ever since the Golden Ranking appeared, the hidden depth of the Vast Sea Dynasty had shocked her.

Even though she wasn't usually focused on current affairs, she could still imagine how terrifying they were.

She didn't know whether Feng'er and Yu'er being drawn into this struggle between dynasties was a blessing or a curse.

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Ming Imperial Palace.

Zhu Houzhao frowned as he looked at the ranking.

Zhuge Liang only ranked 5th?

Impossible!

With what he knew about this man, maybe Rank 1 was too ambitious, but making it into the top three should have been effortless.

Back then, he had gone through considerable trouble just to recruit Zhuge Liang into the Vast Sea Dynasty.

At first, Zhuge Liang had fiercely resisted.

Only after some time and work did he begin to adapt.

Compared to Xiao He, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and others, he was much more difficult to handle.

Zhu Houzhao had placed great hopes on Zhuge Liang.

But thinking about how Zhuge Liang was still young and hadn't reached his peak, getting Rank 5 was already quite good.

Once he reached his prime, his ranking would definitely rise.

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Han Dynasty.

Imperial Harem, Jiang Yuyan Palace.

"Reporting to Your Highness, these are all the intelligence reports on Zhuge Liang!"

"Unexpectedly, this Zhuge Liang was originally from the Han Dynasty. He vanished several years ago, and no one imagined he would become a renowned minister of the Vast Sea Dynasty!"

"That Vast Sea Dynasty is truly something else. They've stolen all of the Han Dynasty's talent."

Lately, through investigations into the renowned ministers and marshals of the Vast Sea Dynasty, they were shocked to discover that most of them originally came from other dynasties.

They had been unintentionally recognized by the Vast Sea Emperor and then recruited.

It was exactly because of these talents that the Vast Sea Dynasty had grown so powerful.

If only she had such talents under her command, what great ambitions couldn't she realize?

No. She couldn't wait any longer.

She had to learn from the Vast Sea Emperor, gathering geniuses, renowned ministers, and renowned marshals from all across the Nine Provinces.

Train them secretly.

In the future, once the time came for major moves, they would have unimaginable impact.

Jiang Yuyan realized she could completely copy the rise of the Vast Sea Dynasty.

First step, secretly recruit talents.

As for herself, she only needed to keep increasing her strength until she could become unmatched across the Nine Provinces.

"You're well-informed on matters of the Nine Provinces."

"Have you ever heard of any talented individuals who haven't yet been valued by the dynasties?"

"Like Zhuge Liang, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, for example."

"Or maybe talents like Han Xin, Yue Fei, those yet to be discovered?"

"Your Highness, I have indeed gathered quite a few names."

"Setting aside the others for now, even within our Han Dynasty, there are many great talents suppressed by noble clans."

"Now they all live in seclusion in the countryside, with no way to put their talents to use!"

"Oh? Let's hear it."

"I hope you're not talking about those useless officials on the Imperial Court."

Jiang Yuyan said coldly.

"Your Highness, here is the talent ranking I've prepared."

"Some have already been secretly vetted by me and confirmed to be extraordinary."

"They're currently hidden away in the countryside. Of course, a few also come from aristocratic families."

"Whether they can be used still depends on Your Highness's own judgment."

"If Your Highness requires it, I can continue to investigate other dynasties for great talents as well!"

Jiang Yuyan took the ranking, gave it a glance, and couldn't help but smile.

"Very good. You've done well. I'm quite satisfied."

"Keep investigating and find out everything about them."

"I'll let you know which ones are useful!"

She spoke as she began to study the ranking closely.

"Sima Yi? Cao Cao? Yuan Shao? Yuan Shu?"

"Zhang Zhao? Xun You..."

Jiang Yuyan furrowed her brow. Many of them were from noble families.

While their talents were evident, could they truly be loyal to her?

It didn't matter.

Whether they could be used or not, she would capture them first.

If they could be used, great.

If not, then she would kill them.

She absolutely could not allow them to fall into enemy hands.

A cold gleam flashed in Jiang Yuyan's eyes.

Anyone who could be used by her was a great talent.

If they couldn't be used, no matter how talented, what was the point?

On the contrary, they could become future threats.

"Make contact with these people in secret. See if they're willing."

"If not, just kidnap them and lock them up."

"But no one can find out. Understood?"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"I will ensure Your Highness is pleased!"

The trusted aide replied with confidence.

He had already anticipated this reaction from Jiang Yuyan when he submitted the plan.

In fact, he had prepared dozens of contingency plans in advance.

To serve a ruthless woman like Jiang Yuyan, anyone lacking ability would have been devoured long ago.

That this man was still alive, and increasingly valued, spoke volumes about his skill.

He could quickly fill in anything even Jiang Yuyan hadn't considered.

It was precisely because of his assistance that Jiang Yuyan could act with such efficiency.

"For now, don't worry about the others. First, bring in Zhuge Liang's elder brother, Zhuge Jin. He may prove useful later."

"And this person's abilities are not insignificant."

"If we can truly win him over, all the better."

"Also, head to the other dynasties. For any renowned ministers or marshals on the ranking, capture the important people around them too."

"Your Highness, wouldn't that provoke public outrage?"

"Act in the shadows. Let no trace be found."

The trusted aide trembled slightly.

He had underestimated Jiang Yuyan's daring.

If they were discovered, she would become the enemy of all.

They would rise against her together.

The consequences would be catastrophic.

This matter had to be handled with extreme caution.

Only the most loyal deathsworn cultivators could be assigned to such tasks.

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Former Southern Song Dynasty Territory.

Yue Fei Military Tent.

At the moment, Yue Fei was discussing something with a refined young man holding a feather fan.

"Advisor, what strategy could we use to completely annihilate the Yuan Army?"

"Best case scenario, we wipe out Temujin here and now. That would maximize the outcome!"

Yue Fei looked at the young man beside him with anticipation.

"Marshal Yue, please be patient."

"Our current priority is to eliminate this army of Temujin first."

"You eat a meal one bite at a time."

"Once this army is gone, at the very least, all of the Southern Song Dynasty will fall under Vast Sea Dynasty control."

"And the Yuan Dynasty will no longer be able to invade this region."

"Only after this army is handled can we properly plan for Temujin himself."

"You're right. I suppose I've been a bit hasty."

"But now, Temujin seems frightened. He's acting more cautiously than before."

"We may win small skirmishes, but a major victory in the short term is unlikely."

"The longer this drags on, the worse it is for us."

"Advisor, do you have any ideas?"

Yue Fei wasn't without strategies.

To become one of the renowned marshals of the Nine Provinces was no small feat.

He simply wanted to see the true capabilities of the man beside him, ranked 5th on the Renowned Minister Ranking.

That way, he could better arrange his overall war plans.

"Marshal, I was fortunate enough to be selected in the Renowned Minister Ranking not long ago."

"Heaven Dao Reward granted me an Ultimate-Tier Civil Minister Skill. Just the time to try it out!"

"Come, let's head outside the camp."

Zhuge Liang chuckled and led Yue Fei outside the tent.

He looked into the distance where the enemy camp was tightly guarded.

Zhuge Liang softly chanted incantations.

He gently waved the feather fan in his hand.

A mysterious rhythm radiated outward.

Yue Fei stood stunned.

Boom!

In the sky above the enemy camp.

Suddenly, thunder rumbled and lightning flashed.

Dark clouds gathered.

A fierce wind began to howl.

"What is this..."

Yue Fei was utterly shocked.

Was this some kind of Immortal Technique?

Has Advisor Zhuge reached the God Demon Realm?

Only in such a cultivation realm could one so easily control the weather!

Yet even God Demon cultivators couldn't manipulate it with such ease.

As he pondered this.

Fat raindrops began falling in torrents.

In an instant, a heavy storm poured down.

It completely engulfed Temujin Military Camp.

Meanwhile, their own camp remained completely unaffected.

Watching Zhuge Liang's calm expression, as though he had done something insignificant, Yue Fei could no longer contain his curiosity and asked.

"Advisor, have you already reached the God Demon Realm?"

"No. This is a Civil Minister Skill from Heaven Dao Reward!"

"Summon Wind and Rain!"

"I just tested it a bit, and it worked quite well!"

"Worthy of being the Heaven Dao Reward."

Zhuge Liang gently waved his fan with an air of transcendence.

If Yue Fei hadn't witnessed it himself, he would have mistaken him for a charlatan.

Summon Wind and Rain!

Perhaps it had limited use in duels between cultivators.

But in other areas, especially war or agriculture, it could play a vital role.

If a drought ever occurred in the territory, Zhuge Liang's abilities would be invaluable.

Even greater than that of a God Demon Realm cultivator.

Those cultivators still needed to expend true energy to invoke celestial phenomena.

But Zhuge Liang?

A gentle wave of the fan, and rain fell.

Another wave, and the rain stopped.

It was absolutely an immortal art.

"Marshal, it won't be long before Temujin Military Camp is flooded. They won't last much longer."

"Let's prepare to catch them like fish in a barrel!"

"There's a good chance we can even capture Temujin alive!"

"Advisor, leave the rest to me."

Yue Fei's face lit up with excitement as he returned to the command tent, summoned his officers, and issued orders.

Soon, the entire army moved into action.