Deputy Director of Operations, Source Origin Research Institute

"Your eldest uncle, Chen Qiusheng, Great Grandmaster, nearing the Innate Great Realm."

Hong Tianbao coughed violently and took a sip of the medicinal soup his young apprentice brought him.

"He originally had three disciples, but I killed one of them, leaving two. One of them is named Lu Zheng, so we don't need to worry about him."

"The other one is called Wang Tianlong. He has already reached the Grandmaster level in the spiritual realm; the only thing he lacks is a body as hot as a furnace."

He looked at the frail-looking boy with a complicated expression, neither shocked nor frightened.

When faced with something far beyond imagination, shock and awe seem so pale and powerless, and one doesn't even have the mind to be astonished.

I'm numb.

"Drink slowly," Zhang Fusheng instructed, kicking a piece of wood on the floor.

He said calmly:

"So, my main competitor is this Wang Tianlong?"

"And your second master's eldest disciple, Jin Qiuyue."

The fat old man sighed again:

"The so-called competition."

He gave a brief description, starting with his relationship with his two other senior brothers, and then moving on to his grandmaster Yuan Feidao.

Raising poisonous insects, competing and testing, fighting and killing.

He recounted each event in detail.

Zhang Fusheng, Chen Yuque, and Lin Dongxi listened silently, and they also gained some vague understanding.

"So."

Zhang Fusheng said thoughtfully:

"Next year on February 9th, the day of the competition will be held. Among us grand-disciples, whoever wins will receive the entire inheritance of our master?"

He narrowed his eyes slightly; this entire inheritance probably included the Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron.

The problem now is that someone is secretly spreading rumors about the Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron, and it's foreseeable that Chongyang City will gradually descend into chaos.

So who is the person who is fueling this fire?

This is clearly a case of fishing.

Will it?

Is that the grandmaster?

Hong Tianbao nodded slightly:

"The competition is not about the level of one's cultivation or the strength of one's martial arts—it's about comprehension and talent."

He sighed softly:

"That's why I once had the idea of letting the three of you, along with that child Dali, compete for it."

"After all, in terms of pure cultivation level, you are far behind those few. I mean before."

Zhang Fusheng silently calculated:

"So, both senior brothers and their disciples would think of eliminating other competitors first?"

"That's right."

Hong Tianbao nodded affirmatively:

"Furthermore, your previous plan to lie low will not work—five days from now, all those who wish to participate in the competition must go to your grandmaster to receive instruction."

Zhang Fusheng asked curiously:

Why is that?

"The Great Sun Illuminates Seventy-Two Snow Mountains True Scripture," the fat old man sighed softly, "This true scripture only has cultivation methods but no corresponding killing methods."

"Your grandmaster will pass on the killing technique to you on August 9th, and then assess your progress on February 9th of next year."

"This is a crucial part of the competition."

Zhang Fusheng frowned. Half a year?

That's not a problem.

The problem is that they can no longer hide and conceal themselves, as that will inevitably lead to trouble.

Those two senior masters and their disciples won't let me live in peace.

He dislikes trouble.

Then let's take the initiative.

Hong Tianbao seemed to see the murderous intent flashing in his young apprentice's eyes, unsure whether to feel gratified or sigh.

He paused for a moment, then said:

"Also, in three days, I plan to hold an Apprenticeship Banquet to formally accept you as my disciple."

Zhang Fusheng snapped out of his daze, looked at his master, and asked curiously:

"Master, what is this again?"

"Your two senior sisters and your Eldest Senior Brother have all held Apprenticeship Banquet in Chongyang City."

Hong Tianbao said softly:

"Now that you intend to get involved in this vortex, the Apprenticeship Banquet must be held, and it must be a grand affair."

The fat old man exhaled a breath of stale air:

"I have many old friends, though I've lost contact with most of them now. But out of consideration for our past friendship, if I were to send out a large number of invitations, they, or their disciples or descendants, would be welcome."

"It will most likely come."

Zhang Fusheng understood, and seemed to be deep in thought:

"Since you can't avoid it, why don't you just openly and honestly help me build momentum?"

"The greater their influence and the stronger their reputation, the less likely your two senior uncles are to make a move in secret, since they both have public identities."

Hong Tianbao stood up and placed the White Bone Lotus Seed into Zhang Fusheng's hand.

"My old friends all have respectable identities on the surface, but in reality, they are all followers of a certain religious sect."

He changed the subject and spoke softly:

"Since your mind is made up, I will say no more. Save your life, and if possible, save the lives of your two senior sisters as well."

Zhang Fusheng nodded silently.

"Why did Old Hong contact me after I became his apprentice?"

Golden City.

Golden University.

The old scholar pushed up his glasses, showing some interest:

"Has Old Hong run into some trouble?"

He pondered for a moment, recalling the recent rumor circulating among various religions.

The Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron is located in Chongyang City.

This news is almost certainly unbelievable.

But what if?

The old scholar took off his glasses, placed them on the table, and made a phone call.

"Master, it's me."

"Dongyan," the old scholar said calmly, "You should take your junior brother and head to Chongyang City. Call your senior sister along too."

The refined young man on the other end of the phone was taken aback:

"Chongyang City? Is it because of that recent rumor?"

"Um."

The old scholar nodded slightly.

"While you're at it, attend the banquet where an old friend of mine accepts a disciple. I'll send you the details later."

"Yes, Master," Kong Dongyan replied respectfully.

Similar scenes are playing out in different cities.

The fat old man lowered his pride and contacted one old friend after another.

Ancient Sage Faction, Tianli Faction, East Cult, Myriad Gods Cult

Perhaps it's out of nostalgia.

Or perhaps it was because of that vague, unsubstantiated rumor.

They actually agreed to all of them.

The next day.

After having breakfast with his parents, Zhang Fusheng rushed to the Public Security Bureau.

Upon reaching the Deputy Director's office on the top floor, hot tea was already prepared.

"The newly appointed Golden Councilor and that Old Hu are about to arrive."

Liu Yuan smiled and said:

"I've found out. It's a month-long visit. I plan to launch an operation against Wang Tianlong in seven or eight days at the latest. You'll lead the team, what do you say?"

Zhang Fusheng gently tapped the coffee table, pondered for a moment, and said:

"How far has this operation progressed?"

Liu Yuan responded:

"At least some of Wang Tianlong's influence needs to be eliminated. He himself is untouchable, but the concern now is what if Wang Tianlong personally intervenes?"

Zhang Fusheng raised his eyelids and sized up the smiling middle-aged man.

He said:

"What did the people behind Director Liu say?"

Zhang Fusheng had thought it through very clearly: behind Wang Tianlong were his senior uncle Chen Qiusheng and his accomplice, the Deputy Director He Gaozhuo.

If that's the case, how could Old Liu be fighting alone?

As expected.

Liu Yuan was silent for a moment, then said:

"Mr. Zhang is indeed intelligent; I won't hide it from you."

He spoke frankly:

"I'll listen to Councilor Li."

Zhang Fusheng raised an eyebrow. Councilor Li?

That Golden Councilor from Chongyang City?

That's interesting.

Liu Yuan continued:

"I know you come from a lower-level city, Fusheng, so there are many things you may not know."

He changed 'Mr. Zhang' to 'Fusheng', in a more intimate manner.

"Chongyang City, as one of the seven superior cities of the Golden Province, is also extremely closely connected with the Provincial Government Golden City."

"This seemingly minor change in power has implications that extend far beyond Chongyang City."

Power struggle.

It's another power struggle.

Zhang Fusheng wasn't stupid, but he was still extremely troubled by these things. Although he planned to let Gaotian Association spread out within the vast power network,

But do I really have to face all of this on my own?

He prefers to kill his so-called political enemies with a single blow.

Immediately, Zhang Fusheng waved his hand, too lazy to bother thinking, and said:

"Director Liu, please speak frankly."

Liu Yuan's smile faltered slightly, then he began to narrate:

"Councilor Li can't personally get involved, but he can still shield us from pressure that doesn't belong to our level."

Old Liu is making empty promises again:

"If Fu Sheng performs well, the councilor may well grant you a meeting, especially with Old Hu and the newly appointed Councilor No. 8 scheduled to visit."

"Perhaps, Fusheng, you'll still have a chance to meet with Old Hu and the newly appointed Councilor Zhou, make an appearance, and build a good relationship."

Zhang Fusheng smiled enigmatically:

"My Apprenticeship Banquet is the day after tomorrow, the 8th. Is Director Liu coming?"

"Naturally."

He stood up, smiled, and shook hands with Liu Yuan.

I walked out of the Deputy Director's office.

A towering, imposing man walked past, turned around, sized Zhang Fusheng up and down, and said indifferently:

"You're the new Senior Inspector, Deputy Director of Operations?"

Zhang Fusheng glanced at the other person's shoulder insignia: Level 3 Inspector.

It's likely one of the three Deputy Director — He Gaozhuo?

Seeing that he did not respond, the man's expression turned cold:

"Senior Inspector, why don't you salute your superior?"

His voice was loud, drawing the attention of the security guards and officers hurrying along the floor.

As for the door behind them leading to Liu Yuan's office, there was no sound at all.

Zhang Fusheng paused for a moment, then extended his hand:

"Are you He Gaozhuo, Director He?"

The man raised an eyebrow, sensing the gazes of many eyes. He didn't make things too ugly, snorted, and extended his hand as well.

Two hands clasped together.

'Click!'

He Gaozhuo's originally ashen face instantly turned a deep liver color, and his heart skipped a beat!

He could feel an incredible, almost inexplicable Dali emanating from the seemingly gentle and frail boy holding his hand, along with an extremely vicious and ruthless force!

The Yin Snake Force burrowed into his palm, shattering his palm bones, then his forearm, and finally his upper arm.

He Gaozhuo abruptly pulled his hand away; his right hand was limp and rapidly losing its color.

His face twitched, and he squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth:

"Good."

You are very good.

The towering man fled into his office as if escaping.

Zhang Fusheng shrugged and walked straight to the training area of the building to meet the Enforcement Team that had been assigned to his name.

Nominally, as a Senior Inspector, he is now in charge of three Enforcement Team.

Not only that, he even has his own 'assistant'.

She is a little girl named Lin Changle.

"Help me sign an order to the lower-level city of Longzhou, give Level 2 Pass to someone named Lu Mingzhu, and then have the Longzhou Public Security Bureau bring her to Chongyang Festival."

"Yes."

Lin Changle glanced curiously at the extremely young Senior Inspector, then said:

"By the way, Assistant Manager Zhang."

The little girl said in a clear, crisp voice:

"This afternoon, people from the Source Origin Research Institute are coming to Golden City. Deputy Director He just specifically asked you to be in charge of their reception and security."

"Source Origin Research Institute?"

Zhang Fusheng frowned. What is this thing?

Why does that sound so familiar?

He thought for a moment and then it dawned on him.

Isn't this the place that damned Zhang Xiaoxi went into?

He glanced at He Gaozhuo's office and sneered:

"Reception and security—you're asking me, a Deputy Director of Operations, to handle those?"

The pretty young girl shrank back and whispered:

"Based on previous experience, one Enforcement Team should have sufficed."

"However, it is indeed true that Deputy Director He specifically requested you to go this time, according to the rules."

Lin Changle scratched his head sheepishly and whispered:

"After all, he's the Deputy Director in charge of internal affairs; these are the kinds of things he's in charge of."

Zhang Fusheng glanced at the obviously inexperienced and green young girl, who was probably the assistant that He Gaozhuo had specially chosen for him.

They can't get anything done, and might even cause more trouble.

Zhang Fusheng waved his hand helplessly:

"Alright, I understand. Go and issue the transfer order to Longzhou City."

Lin Changle nodded vigorously and jogged away.

Zhang Fusheng let out a soft breath, his gaze becoming somewhat profound.

Chongyang City is different from Jiangzhou; the high-ranking officials there are not so easy to approach, and it's difficult to deliver the High Heaven Token to them.

In addition, the special materials used to fill many areas make it extremely difficult for divine sense to travel through them.

Getting 'Zhong Shan' to meet those people is quite troublesome—he can only meet them in his true form first and quietly leave his mark.

"Therefore, standing out is essential."

I really need to take down the Public Security Bureau.

The Public Security Bureau holds a significant position in Chongyang City, though not the highest. The Director-General is among the city's top officials.

Before going downstairs, Zhang Fusheng turned around and glanced at the empty director's office.

"Source Origin Research Institute."

He pondered the name, this Research Institute —what was it again?

Since they come from the Provincial Government Golden City, perhaps we could recruit their leader into the Gaotian Association.

This can be seen as leaving a seed in the Golden City beforehand.

Let's go take a look this afternoon.

I wonder if that good-for-nothing Zhang Xiaoxi has actually joined in or not. I'll have to call and ask her later.