I Stand Above Those in Power

Liu Yuan, the Deputy Director, acted even faster than Zhang Fusheng had imagined.

When Old Man Zhou from the Black Market finished cleaning up the outside...

My new identity file has been created perfectly.

"Zhang Fusheng, male, 25 years old, Senior Inspector of the Chongyang City Public Security Bureau, previously had seven years of undercover work experience."

They arranged entirely new identity profiles and registration on the Divine Net, which is fine.

Zhang Fusheng hadn't expected to be given the title of Senior Inspector so directly.

Back in Jiangzhou City, a Deputy Director of the General Administration was considered Senior Inspector.

As for the supervisory level above inspector?

The three levels, low, medium, and high, or levels 3, 2, and 1, correspond to the Martial Arts Master to Great Grandmaster level.

"Is Director Liu a grandmaster?"

"A quasi-Grandmaster." The old steward lowered his head, carefully examining the young man before him. "To reach the Grandmaster level, besides the physical forging process, a spiritual realm at the Minor Perfection level is also required."

"The master's deficiency lies in his spiritual realm."

"I see." Zhang Fusheng nodded with a smile, flipping through the Black Market's goods list while asking about the general situation in Chongyang City.

It can only be said that it truly lives up to its reputation as one of only seven medium-sized cities at the higher level in the Golden Province.

Chongyang City has a population of over 40 million.

It is nearly the size of ten Jiangzhou City.

It is home to more than thirty spaceships, and also has an 'Investigation Branch' —there is no Investigation Bureau in lower-level cities.

"So, there are a total of four Great Grandmaster in the city?"

Zhang Fusheng casually said:

"Governor, Investigation Bureau Commander, Golden Councilor, Military Commander."

The old butler nodded:

"That's the official figure, but there are actually more."

"Of course there are more," Zhang Fusheng said thoughtfully, referring to his grandmaster, Yuan Feidao.

He seriously suspected that the other party was more than just Great Grandmaster.

"What is this 'Golden Councilor'?"

"Members of the Provincial Council limit the governor's power."

The old butler explained everything in great detail:

"They're called Great Grandmaster, but each of the Golden Councilor has served for over a century. They were Great Grandmaster a hundred years ago, and now they might have already become Innate Person."

"There are eight in total, one from each of the higher-level cities, plus one in the Waiting Area. All laws and regulations within the Golden Province must be passed by the council; the governor cannot interfere."

"Eight? Doesn't the Provincial Government have any?"

"No, the governor lives in the Provincial Government Golden City. Even if there are councilors, they would be too easily controlled."

Zhang Fusheng roughly understood.

His concern for power structures naturally stems from his intentions. While great power ultimately resides within the self, checks and balances still exist.

My greatest advantage is the Contract Book, the Gaotian Association!

Power can be a manifestation of violence, or it can be the control of resources. Going it alone is always the worst option for oneself.

Zhang Fusheng quietly popped a Calming Tea into his mouth and chewed it silently.

"I control the Gaotian Association and its resource allocation. To convert that into real power, all I need is..."

"Let more people join the Gaotian Association."

"For example, a certain Golden Councilor."

As his thoughts wandered, Zhang Fusheng looked towards the Waiting Area in the distance, where a Golden Councilor was located.

Great Grandmaster, and there's even a certain probability that they've never even encountered the [Innate Great Realm].

Zhang Fusheng paused slightly as he flipped through the Black Market commodity brochure, his finger pointing to one of the items.

"Old Zhou," he asked with a smile, "A Natural Great Medicine. How much should I pay for it?"

The old man holding his pipe stared at the mysterious young man. Although he was a Martial Arts Master,

But how do you expect to wipe out those hunter teams from before?

No one can be faster than this boy.

After thinking for a moment, the old man slammed his pipe on the table and said:

"The Black Market has always been about bartering, but it also collects souls. As for this Earth Element Great Medicine, it's worth three thousand false souls."

There are two types of souls: false souls and true souls. The former comes from the Federation's breeding planet, while the latter is the soul of True Person.

Of course, Zhang Fusheng estimated that there should be another level above the true soul—the complete soul.

Three thousand false souls, which I cannot produce myself.

He closed his eyes and fell into deep thought.

The third second of contemplation.

"But."

Old Man Zhou suddenly spoke:

"Since Mr. Zhang has cleared away some of those troublesome insects for me, consider this Earth Element Great Medicine my gift to you."

As he spoke, a bead of sweat appeared on his forehead—he had clearly sensed murderous intent just now!

Damn it, this guy's trying to kill and rob!

Zhang Fusheng opened his eyes, a smile spreading across his face. He stepped forward, gave the old man a warm hug, and said with utmost sincerity:

"Old Zhou, this gift is far too precious, but since you have already asked, I dare not refuse."

He solemnly said:

"From now on, Old Zhou's affairs are my affairs, and Old Zhou's troubles are my troubles. No matter what happens, Old Zhou, just give me your orders!"

Old Man Zhou chuckled in agreement, but inwardly he was already cursing.

Damn it, you're all talk and no action. If you're so kind, at least leave your contact information!

You bastard!

The old man carefully took out a wooden box and handed it to the boy:

"Earth Element Great Medicine are best taken with some food for optimal effect. There are people in the Waiting Area who can prepare food."

"Thank you very much, Old Zhou." Zhang Fusheng smiled broadly, and the two, one old and one young, chatted about everything under the sun, like old friends reunited.

In the end, Old Man Zhou became serious and gave the young man a second dose of Earth Element Great Medicine. The young man didn't hesitate and patted his chest, wanting to become sworn brothers with the old man.

In the end, they didn't become sworn brothers.

Liu Cuihua whispered:

"Uncle Wang, when did their relationship become so good?"

The old butler's lips trembled, and he glanced at the young lady with a complicated expression, but said nothing.

The young lady seems to have lost her mind.

Oh.

He's always been pretty clueless.

"Old Zhou," Zhang Fusheng, his eyes brimming with tears, grasping the old man's hand, "This parting today, I don't know when we'll meet again!"

The old man, his eyes also brimming with tears, sighed:

"Brother Zhang and I hit it off immediately, but unfortunately, all good things must come to an end."

"Old Zhou, take care!"

"Brother Zhang, have a safe journey!"

Zhang Fusheng, along with the old housekeeper and Liu Cuihua, turned and left, turning back every few steps. Old Man Zhou, with tears in his eyes, puffed on his pipe and waved his hand high.

Until the three people were far away.

The old man's eyes were still brimming with tears.

He was truly heartbroken to tears over the two doses of Natural Great Medicine.

"That old guy is no simpleton."

As they approached the Waiting Area, far from the Black Market, Zhang Fusheng casually remarked:

"That's decisive enough."

"You're right." The old butler spoke cautiously, "To be able to operate a Black Market outside the Waiting Area, their strength is questionable, but the connections behind them must be incredibly complex."

Zhang Fusheng nodded slightly, weighing the two wooden boxes in his hand, feeling extremely pleased.

We've arrived at the Waiting Area.

As a transit hub in the Golden Province, the Waiting Area has a sparse permanent population but a large flow of people.

It's quite similar to Macau in my past life.

All kinds of facilities and buildings are available. There are ten airports in the middle level, and in the very center of the Waiting Area, there is a skyscraper that pierces the clouds.

"The Council Building."

The old butler explained softly:

"Whenever the provincial Gold Council convenes, the other seven Golden Councilor gather here."

"The reason why the Council Building is not located in the Golden City is also to prevent the governor from interfering excessively in parliamentary affairs."

The old butler paused slightly:

"Speaking of which, this Eighth Councilor in the Waiting Area has recently issued quite a few bounty notices."

"A bounty?" Zhang Fusheng asked with great interest, "What's the reward?"

"We're looking to purchase rare and precious medicines for prolonging life." The old butler shrugged. "I don't know if it's for myself or for the younger generation of the councilor's Lineage."

"To prolong life."

Zhang Fusheng seemed to be deep in thought. If he remembered correctly, he still had thirty years of life left unused.

He glanced at the countless hovercars in the sky. Hovercars were rare in Jiangzhou City, but they were everywhere here.

Following the butler's instructions, after buying cell phones and getting SIM cards, the three checked into a large hotel located in the middle of the Waiting Area.

The prices are shockingly high; two adjacent suites, 1201 and 1202, cost an outrageous 200,000 yuan per night.

"The most expensive thing in the Waiting Area is accommodation," the old butler said with a wry smile. "So many people go to rest in the wilderness outside the Waiting Area."

Zhang Fusheng smiled, but didn't say much. He chatted casually with the old man and the young man for a few minutes before entering apartment 1202.

He quickly realized why the room was so expensive.

"It can actually block Mental Intent??"

Zhang Fusheng was astonished, but it wasn't that he completely blocked it; the interior of the wall used a special material that could resonate with Mental Intent.

He merely attempted to make initial contact with the wall using his Mental Intent, and the special material inside emitted a vibrating sound!

Although it can force its way through the material barrier, the trembling sound will become extremely sharp.

"Yes."

Zhang Fusheng understood that, as transit hubs, these hotels frequently hosted Grandmasters and Great Grandmaster.

Such materials can protect the privacy of guests very well—any attempt to spy with one's mind will definitely be detected.

"Tsk tsk."

Sitting in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the extremely bustling Waiting Area, Zhang Fusheng silently played with his phone.

"Master's phone call"

Although he had never memorized his master's phone number, he could find out immediately just by looking at the Gate of the Past.

But it's meaningless.

Zhang Fusheng hasn't decided yet what to do with his Second Senior Sister, whether he should bring her back to life.

"My Second Senior Sister is now my Subordinate Soul. Even though she has her own independent consciousness, she is still completely under my control."

Zhang Fusheng closed his eyes in deep thought. A martial artist at the Twelve Refinements of cultivation would naturally be a figure at the very top of the pyramid in a lower-level city.

Even in higher-level cities, he held a very high status, and most importantly, he didn't want his master to have any prejudice against him.

Even if it's for the sake of the Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron a metaphor for a strong and reliable relationship), it's best not to damage the bond between master and disciple.

"Golden Councilor."

He connected to the Divine Net and searched for information about this "Golden Councilor": Hu Zhongli, who served as Golden Councilor 137 years ago.

They occupied the Waiting Area for 137 years.

"For over a hundred years, if I remember correctly, the lifespan of a Grandmaster and Great Grandmaster is the same; under normal circumstances, they will die at around two hundred years old."

"If this Golden Councilor doesn't break through to become Innate Person, he's probably nearing the end of his life."

Zhang Fusheng frowned slightly; he did not intend to meet Golden Councilor directly in his capacity as Zhong Shan.

Because the other party might be at the Innate Great Realm, and he knew absolutely nothing about people at that level.

Only one more High Heaven Token can be manufactured.

"As time goes on, the number of members in the Above High Heaven will definitely increase."

Zhang Fusheng quickly made a plan:

"We need to establish a 'tiered' system. The Celestial Venerable isn't someone anyone can meet, and the Gaotian Association should also present a pyramid structure."

This isn't difficult to handle. Once a rule is set for each person to contribute one seat, Old Shi and the others will naturally develop their own 'downlines'.

The question now is whether or not to directly bring Hu Zhongli, this Golden Councilor, into the Gaotian Association?

"The resources he controls are many times greater than those of Old Shi. What if he tries to trade me for something I don't have?"

"It's easy to expose their true intentions."

Zhang Fusheng made the final decision:

"The Gaotian Association shouldn't be joined too easily."

"The upper-class seat is personally invited by Zhong Shan and has the power to recruit lower-class seats."

"Those who sit below will not enter the Above High Heaven; they remain members of the Gaotian Association, but they do not belong to the Above High Heaven."

The five seats from the past, distributed among Daoism and Buddhist Sect, can be preserved to Great Limit the information from these two sects.

But any further appointments must be approached with utmost caution.

"I need to intentionally distinguish between 'Above High Heaven' and 'the Gaotian Association Assembly.' The former allows direct access to the Celestial Venerable, while the latter is hidden beneath the bustling city and amidst the mortal Mortal World."

Zhang Fusheng's eyes shone brightly. He realized that becoming stronger on his own wasn't impossible, but the risks were too great.

As things progress in the Above High Heaven, Old Shi and his followers will also advance. Huang Qiuxian, Chen Nuanyu, and Du Mingsheng in their respective sects' ranks.

Furthermore, if they develop "lower-level" members within their respective sects, after a period of time, they will form huge interest groups within the sects!

At the heart of an interest group are those who wield power.

And he himself will be the core of these 'power holders'.

As for Buddhist disciples?

Well, that guy's already in a very high position.

Having finalized the future development path of Above High Heaven and Gaotian Association, Zhang Fusheng already had a complete plan in mind.

Golden Councilor, Hu Zhongli.

Zhang Fusheng silently recited the name in his mind. He didn't know how much power a congressman wielded, but surely he could have some influence over the Investigation Bureau?

Perhaps they are even mutually restraining forces.

As Zhang Fusheng perused the information on the Divine Net, he became increasingly certain of this possibility and gained a vague understanding of the organizational structure within the Golden Province.

Governor, Parliament, Investigation Bureau.

"The Governor is most likely aware of the Investigation Bureau's operations in Jiangzhou, and the two sides may even be in cahoots. Does the Golden Council know about this?"

Zhang Fusheng let out a sigh of relief. He didn't rush to contact Hu Zhongli; he needed to stay here for another three days.

What I need to do now is to become Martial Arts Master, and...

It sensed that it was a 'Human Treasure' obtained through a transaction in the Contract Book.

A faint smile appeared on Zhang Fusheng's face.

We still need to give this dear Eldest Senior Brother a good dressing down.