Taking the Initiative at the Apprenticeship Banquet

It was close to noon.

The plump old man straightened the boy's clothes, a smile on his face, gently smoothing out the wrinkles, and said with a smile:

"Today we should be more formal."

He pulled Zhang Fusheng to the mirror, where Zhang Fusheng quietly examined himself.

Indeed, clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse.

In its basic form, the originally gentle and weak-looking self actually looks quite heroic when dressed in this ancient-style black robe.

Zhang Fusheng imitated this, putting his hands behind his back, and he did indeed have the air of a master or grandmaster.

The fat old man fastened a cufflink to his wrist, looked his apprentice up and down, and smiled broadly, sighing three times, "Good, good, good!"

He exclaimed in admiration, then his expression turned solemn:

"This time, as your master, I'm building momentum for you. Your eldest uncle will definitely interfere and won't let things go smoothly for you and me."

Zhang Fusheng nodded silently and asked:

"What about Second Master Uncle?"

"Him."

Hong Tianbao nodded to the side, and an old man with a venerable air stepped forward, looked Zhang Fusheng up and down, and praised him:

"Indeed handsome."

Zhang Fusheng bowed to the old man.

"Second Uncle-Master."

He was somewhat puzzled; why was his second martial uncle here?

Hong Tianbao smiled and said:

"Your second master's uncle and I were terribly wronged by Chen Qiusheng back then. He misled and framed us, which led to us killing each other's entire families."

Zhang Fusheng's eyelids twitched. He looked at the two old men, one fat and one thin, who were chatting and laughing, and fell silent.

Hong Tianbao continued:

"If Chen Qiusheng had come to attack in person this time, your second senior uncle could have stopped him. But Chen Qiusheng is probably very close to the Innate Great Realm. Only your second senior uncle can scare him."

He pursed his lips and smiled:

"After all, your second senior uncle is the head of the Chongyang Investigation Bureau, the guardian."

Chen Daoling waved his hand:

"Alright, stop teasing me. Chen Qiusheng isn't someone to be trifled with. He claims to be the deputy commander of the military, but he's already sidelined Zhang Erhe."

After pausing for a moment, he continued:

"Furthermore, although we are forbidden by our master to attack another person's disciple, what if his disciple, Wang Tianlong, comes to 'spar' with your disciple?"

Hong Tianbao's expression tightened slightly.

Zhang Fusheng asked curiously:

"Second Master Uncle, aren't your disciples also going to participate in the competition? Why are you talking to my master like this?"

He was somewhat confused. Could it be that they wanted to join forces to eliminate their eldest master and then fight each other to see who was better?

Chen Daoling seemed to see through the boy's thoughts and waved his hand:

"Your master and I are in a different situation than Chen Qiusheng. Your eldest uncle practices the Tathagata Meditation and has his disciples worship him as if he were the Tathagata."

"Tianbao practices the Hell Meditation, having long since transcended life and death, only wishing to leave his legacy in the mortal world."

Zhang Fusheng seemed lost in thought:

What are you fixing?

Chen Daoling shrugged and said casually:

"Great Compassion Meditation, all worlds are hopeless, all things are in peril, only oneself remains virtuous. My eldest disciple thinks about killing her master all day long, why should I help her?"

Zhang Fusheng's eyelid twitched. Is this how Great Compassion Meditation is explained?

This second senior brother and his disciple, it seems they've gone astray in their practice. The eldest senior brother's Tathagata Meditation also appears to have gone astray.

After pausing for a moment, Chen Daoling rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache.

"The Double Ninth Festival has become increasingly turbulent lately, and I'm even considering applying for a transfer."

Hong Tianbao asked curiously:

"What happened this time?"

"Lin Yusheng, the deputy director of the General Administration, specifically asked me to conduct an investigation in a certain area outside the city."

Chen Daoling replied casually:

"A stretch of stony desert has appeared there, and eight Martial Arts Master kneeling dead. It seems a deity has appeared."

Hong Tianbao was shocked, and Zhang Fusheng's eyes widened as well.

Lin Yusheng?

He silently memorized the name and immediately realized that the deputy director of the Investigation Bureau was the original owner of the Helplessness Bridge, the one who had reached the Innate Great Realm.

Investigation Bureau

Zhang Fusheng's eyes gleamed; he knew he would have to get involved sooner or later.

"It's almost time."

Hong Tianbao glanced at his watch and said:

"I'll go greet the guests. Fusheng, you tidy up a bit more; who knows what kind of calamity awaits us today."

"Yes, Master."

Zhang Fusheng watched his master leave, tidying his clothes as he chatted casually with his second senior uncle.

The conversation started with the Jiangzhou incident, then moved on to the changes outside the city, and finally to Deputy Director Lin Yusheng.

After some discussion, Zhang Fusheng had a better understanding of the situation.

My second uncle, a high-ranking official in the Investigation Bureau, was unaware of the truth behind the Jiangzhou incident.

Even,

According to my second senior uncle, Lin Yusheng was directly in charge of the Jiangzhou incident.

Zhang Fusheng's gaze became somewhat profound. He decided to set aside these distant thoughts for the time being and focus on Chongyang City.

Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron, and his master.

"Second Master Uncle, what kind of person was Grandmaster?"

Zhang Fusheng asked the final question.

Chen Daoling pondered for a long time, then shook his head slightly:

"I can't see through him, I can't figure him out, but your grandmaster has a very strong desire for control. You'd better be careful when you see him tomorrow."

He sighed softly:

"I've long wanted to abandon my Great Compassion Meditation and do a good job in the Investigation Bureau. What a pity, what a pity."

Zhang Fusheng seemed to be deep in thought. "Second Uncle, is he trying to be a good person?"

A commotion arose outside; it was exactly twelve o'clock.

After bowing slightly to his second senior uncle, Zhang Fusheng straightened his clothes and walked out of the back room.

The banquet hall was bustling with people.

It's raining outside.

As always, Zhang Xiaoxi huddled in the corner, stuffing food into her mouth while looking around.

Where's my little brother?

Lost in thought, she saw the young man from yesterday walking towards her again, and her face fell.

Zhang Tianming smiled and spoke:

"Ms. Zhang, we meet again. Where is your friend from yesterday?"

"I don't know, maybe it's raining and there's traffic."

Zhang Tianming chuckled and shook his head.

"A deputy commander of the Public Security Bureau is equipped with hovercraft, so how could he be stuck in traffic?"

"Assistant? What assistant?"

Zhang Xiaoxi looked at the young man suspiciously:

"You investigated him?"

Zhang Tianming maintained his polite smile.

"It wasn't really an investigation; I just casually asked the people below."

Zhang Xiaoxi chuckled, too lazy to bother with this strange young man, feeling that he had ill intentions.

Unsolicited kindness is either a sign of ulterior motives or theft!

Zhang Tianming didn't seem to mind Miss Zhang's aloofness and sat down beside her, behaving warmly.

"Miss Zhang, I heard that the Research Institute is here this time to investigate the Dimensional Convergence Point, as is their usual practice. May I ask?"

"You want to pry into the Research Institute's secrets too?" A voice rang out, and Chen Qingxue walked over, glaring at the young man without any politeness.

"Zhang Tianming, right? I've investigated you. You're Zhang Erhe's son. Your father's been having some trouble lately, and you still have time to fool around outside?"

Zhang Tianming's smile froze, and he lowered his eyelids.

"This must be Miss Chen from the Research Institute? I have no idea how I offended her."

"Give me a break!"

Chen Qingxue spoke with disdain:

"You think you can fool me like that kid Xiao west? Do you think I don't know your local tricks? What, trying to use those sugar-coated bullets again?"

She held her head high, her neck long and slender, seemingly unconcerned about the other person's father's status, and said with a sneer:

"Trying to find out information about the Dimensional Convergence Point and then use it to befriend someone at the Innate Great Realm? Isn't that a rather low-level tactic?"

Zhang Tianming's expression stiffened, he chuckled dryly twice, and silently retreated.

Zhang Xiaoxi was still a little confused and was about to ask a question.

"His personality is as straightforward as ever." A soft voice came from behind, and Zhang Xiaoxi and Chen Qingxue turned to look.

Just then, a man and a woman walked by, both exuding a refined and scholarly air.

Chen Qingxue's expression turned solemn, and she quickly bowed:

"Dean Shen."

After pausing for a moment, she kicked Zhang Xiaoxi and quickly introduced:

"Xiao Xi, this is Dean Shen from Golden University!"

The relationship between Golden University and the Source Origin Research Institute is complex, with the institute located within Golden University.

Zhang Xiaoxi jumped off the stool in a panic:

"Dean Shen!"

"No need to be so formal." Shen Baobao nodded slightly. "Please give my regards to Elder Yu."

The two women bowed again.

The Research Institute can disregard local Great Grandmaster, but it does pay attention to the high-level figures within the related system.

Then one can no longer remain detached from worldly affairs.

To put it bluntly, all the expenses of the Research Institute are covered by Golden University; in a sense, Golden University is the Research Institute's bread and butter.

Chen Qingxue asked curiously at this moment:

"Dean Shen, I saw you yesterday. I didn't expect you to be here for this banquet. Who exactly is the host?"

"It's an old friend of my teacher," Shen Baobao replied casually. "I'm here on behalf of my teacher."

Chen Qingxue's expression changed again. Dean Shen's teacher?

She glanced around the banquet hall, where she could see the governor of a higher-level city and the head of a Divine Net conglomerate spanning the entire province.

She exclaimed in amazement:

"Could the host of this banquet be an Innate Great Realm?"

"No, that's not it," Shen Baobao replied casually. "Old Master Hong's cultivation level isn't actually that high, but he has been kind to many people."

After a moment, she sighed:

"If Old Master Hong hadn't suffered such a terrible misfortune back then, he might very well be Innate Great Realm by now."

Chen Qingxue swallowed.

Zhang Xiaoxi, who had been listening quietly, suddenly brightened up and waved her hand vigorously:

"Fusheng! Over here!"

Chen Qingxue looked over and saw Xiao Xi's friend, who worked at the Public Security Bureau, walking over.

She frowned slightly, wanting to remind Zhang Xiaoxi that it would be better to be more composed in front of a senior like Dean Shen. But it was too late.

A young man dressed in a long, dark black robe strode over, and Zhang Xiaoxi excitedly introduced him:

"Quick, quick, let me introduce you. This is Shen from Golden University."

Before she could finish speaking, she saw her younger cousin nod to Dean Shen:

"Senior Sister Shen, I'm so sorry for the unexpected departure last night."

Ha??

Both Zhang Xiaoxi and Chen Qingxue looked bewildered.

Shen Baobao and Kong Dongyan stared at Zhang Fusheng, the former smiling:

"Since there's nothing seriously wrong, that's naturally good news. It's just a pity that I wanted to have a long talk with you."

There will be an opportunity.

Zhang Fusheng nodded cheerfully, glanced at the dumbfounded Zhang Xiaoxi, and asked in confusion:

What's with that expression?

"No, it's nothing." Zhang Xiaoxi snapped out of her daze, her gaze towards her younger cousin somewhat strange, and couldn't help but ask:

How do you know Dean Shen?

"It's a long story."

Zhang Fusheng smiled and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Shen Baobao:

"However, since Senior Sister Shen has come to attend this banquet, it seems she might have some connection with my master."

"Your master?"

Shen Baobao was surprised:

"You mean Old Master Hong?"

"That's right," Zhang Fusheng readily agreed, while his younger cousin, standing beside him, was even more bewildered. "Is this your Apprenticeship Banquet?!"

"Ah!"

Zhang Fusheng glared at the startled Zhang Xiaoxi, then suddenly turned his gaze to the outside of the banquet hall, his expression hardening.

"Third junior brother, why haven't I received an invitation to such an important event as accepting disciples? Do you really not welcome your Eldest Senior Brother like this?"

The aged voice echoed in the banquet hall, drawing the attention of guests from various cities.

An elderly man dressed in martial arts clothes walked into the hall with his hands behind his back, seemingly unconcerned about these so-called "big shots" from all over the country.

He gazed at the crowd parting, at the portly old man slowly emerging, and smiled:

"Where is the little fellow who's supposed to become my disciple today? Why hasn't he come to pay his respects to his senior master?"

Hong Tianbao's face was ashen as he squinted at Chen Qiusheng:

"Eldest Senior Brother, your uninvited arrival is rather impolite."

"Polite?"

Chen Qiusheng laughed loudly, displaying an unbridled arrogance:

"Junior Brother Hong, when you killed my wife and daughters, and murdered my parents, you didn't say a word about manners."

A slight silence fell over the banquet hall.

Hong Tianbao's expression was rather unpleasant. This old bastard was really here to cause trouble.

But

He was puzzled. Among the guests in the banquet hall were many Great Grandmaster. Had Chen Qiusheng gone mad, choosing this moment to cause trouble?

In silence.

Hong Tianbao suddenly asked:

Where is your apprentice?

"On the way here," Chen Qiusheng raised his eyelids and stared at Hong Tianbao, "I have a suggestion. When my apprentice arrives, why don't we have a sparring match?"

"By the way."

"Shall we spar again?"

He grinned, his gaze deep and mysterious.

"Perfect, let your senior brother test your hands and see if you've changed after all these years."

"Is it really ruined?"

Anger was visible on the faces of some guests in the banquet hall, Hong Tianbao's face was ashen, Zhang Fusheng in the corner lowered his eyelids slightly.

"He won't come." He muttered to himself, turned his head to look at the continuous drizzle outside the banquet hall, and smiled silently.

Far, far away.

A series of figures shrouded in black walked silently in the heavy rain.