[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-dimension-park-i-am-the-summoning-apostle":3,"chapter-dimension-park-i-am-the-summoning-apostle-dimension-park-i-am-the-summoning-apostle-chapter-183":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Dimension Park: I Am the Summoning Apostle",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2279200,4458,"Chapter 183: The Reluctant Opportunist","dimension-park-i-am-the-summoning-apostle-chapter-183",183,"\u003Cp>Li Yutang was a renowned merchant in Lin Yuan City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His largest business operated three mines and had once maintained close ties with the White Tiger Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But lately, his days had not been easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Jia Simou’s downfall and the White Tiger Hall’s destruction, he had become a thorn in their side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it had all happened too quickly; by the time Li Yutang realized what was happening, it was already too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, he had an advantage: his late father had been a classmate of Ma Yunfeng’s in private school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, leveraging that connection, he planned to swiftly shift his status and allegiance to secure his survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Navigating both sides, bribing up and down—that was his method of holding his ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yutang was a juren, held a nominal official title, and his family was one of the great clans of Lin Yuan City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never failed to offer regular gifts to Jia Simou and others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Simou and his kind were greedy, but they dared not drive Lin Yuan’s great clans to the brink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These great clans had operated in Lin Yuan for generations, with networks extending far beyond the city—even into the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If pushed too far, they would fight to the death, and Jia Simou would suffer dearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better to cooperate and expand the pie together—easy, efficient, and profitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings, Elder Master, Young Master Chu.” As soon as Li Yutang arrived, he bowed to Ma Yunfeng, then greeted Chu Danqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you eaten breakfast? Come, join us.” Ma Yunfeng invited again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Li Yutang was no fool—he knew how to be polite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve already eaten,” Li Yutang replied respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sit.” Ma Yunfeng gestured to an empty seat, then continued: “I understand your purpose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The mines have been your Li family’s private property since the founding emperor’s time—the court will not touch them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the accounts must still be audited.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you make up the back taxes from past years, I’ll turn a blind eye.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Yunfeng knew who his enemies were, who to court, and who to eliminate—he carried a list in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yutang could be killed—or spared; if he showed good faith and cooperated, sparing him was no great loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Elder Master, thank you!” Li Yutang hurried to say, his words blunt, his heart finally easing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had feared Ma Yunfeng would dance around the issue with vague words—that would have been deadly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hear you also sold iron ore alongside the Black Tortoise Gate,” Ma Yunfeng suddenly changed tone and demanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder Master, you misunderstand,” Li Yutang’s heart pounded—he knew this was Ma Yunfeng’s move to eliminate Lin Yuan’s last remaining nuisance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Tortoise Gate was involved in mining, but also controlled forestry, fishing, and more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Black Tortoise Gate bullied me—they forced me to sell my family’s iron ore at less than one-tenth the market price,” Li Yutang said bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The facts were true; he wasn’t afraid of the audit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t forced purchase—he sold at low prices to transfer profit as tribute, to ensure his Li family’s safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Refusing would only invite worse harassment later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The profit flowed through the Black Tortoise Gate, then laundered into Jia Simou’s hands—efficient, two birds with one stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yutang was grateful Jia Simou used this method—it allowed him to escape cleanly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Yunfeng, seasoned in office, understood the game perfectly—he simply chose not to pursue it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see. Then the Black Tortoise Gate must be eliminated,” Ma Yunfeng readily agreed, recognizing Li Yutang’s cooperation: “But recently, I must pilot reforms for the Emperor here in Lin Yuan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m stretched too thin—I need your assistance, Master Li.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Yutang’s heart sank—he knew he was being asked to pay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder Master, command me as you will,” Li Yutang could only agree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I admit my own incompetence—money troubles even heroes,” Ma Yunfeng sighed: “Other matters are manageable, but I lack land and silver for the school.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I ask you, Master Li, to assist me—host a banquet tonight, invite the wealthy clans. I need their donations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Li Yutang fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Yunfeng wanted more than he’d imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just land—he intended to strike at every wealthy clan in Lin Yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse, he was using Li Yutang’s name to do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Agree, and he’d be bound to Ma Yunfeng’s faction—forced to join.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Refuse, and when Ma Yunfeng moved against the Black Tortoise Gate, he’d be caught too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, for Lin Yuan’s wealthy clans, there was a silver lining: if they paid up obediently, they’d be spared Ma Yunfeng’s purge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder Master, no need for formalities—we’re family,” Li Yutang smiled: “I’ll invite everyone tonight. Don’t you dare break your word.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His family’s lives outweighed his reputation in Lin Yuan—no contest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, Ma Yunfeng had already won; switching sides wasn’t a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good,” Ma Yunfeng, satisfied, turned back to the Black Tortoise Gate: “Have Young Master Chu accompany you back to retrieve the ledgers and lists. What do you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Danqing understood—Ma Yunfeng meant to strike the Black Tortoise Gate the moment they had the evidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Secure the proof first; the formalities could follow later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll be honored to accompany Young Master Chu,” Li Yutang had no objection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Danqing said nothing—it was no hardship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was more focused on how to eliminate the Black Tortoise Gate next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go—this must be swift,” Chu Danqing said, rising immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yutang had hoped to bond further with Ma Yunfeng, but with Chu Danqing’s urgency, he could only take his leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way to the Li residence, Li Yutang ordered servants to bring out a large chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, he’d prepared it in advance—waiting to hand it over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet no quest had triggered—evidently, the difficulty was too low to reach A-rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Danqing loaded the chest onto the cart and prepared to leave—he was eager to destroy the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the servants carried the chest to the gate, they noticed an arrow embedded in the Li family’s front door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There had been no arrow when Chu Danqing entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And tied to the arrow’s tail was a letter and a silk ribbon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Li, trouble has come,” Chu Danqing pulled the arrow free and handed it to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d never seen this before, but he recognized it as a kidnapping ransom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t read the letter—it was private.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yutang’s face turned ashen; he tore it open, scanned it, and nearly collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He staggered backward two steps; Chu Danqing caught him instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Chu, please save my daughter—I—I—” Li Yutang trembled as he handed the letter to Chu Danqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Danqing had Da Bao hold Li Yutang steady, then opened the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was indeed a ransom note: his only daughter had been taken; they demanded three thousand gold pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It specified the time and location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Send someone to verify whether your daughter was truly kidnapped—or if this is a fraud,” Chu Danqing said, skeptical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was too convenient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because it happened to coincide with his presence—but because Li Yutang had just defected, and now his daughter was taken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It reeked of a warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His first suspect: Hong Chengyue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who benefited most? That was the prime suspect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yutang, hearing this, immediately sent men to investigate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This ribbon—my daughter’s favorite. She always carried it,” Li Yutang said, recognizing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a servant returned: the young lady was missing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confirmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Danqing thought a moment, then took the ribbon and had Da Bao sniff it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Follow the scent,” Chu Danqing said, then turned to Li Yutang: “Take this to Ma Xiang. I’ll find your daughter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he’d defected, Li Yutang had cooperated fully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helping him was no great burden for Chu Danqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yutang bowed repeatedly: “I’ll escort it myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that promise, Chu Danqing felt reassured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Bao sniffed the scent, locked onto the trail, and Chu Danqing followed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ribbon carried not only the daughter’s scent, but also the archer’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The culprit had fled—but Da Bao’s nose was no ordinary tool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lingering scent formed a trail leading out of the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This… is toward the Black Tortoise Gate?” Chu Danqing was surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d assumed it was Hong Chengyue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t they plan to flee?” Chu Danqing wondered. Logically, they should have been quietly packing gold and valuables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not drawing attention to themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lin Yuan City, three of the four gangs had been wiped out by Chu Danqing; even the master of Xuanwu Gate, no matter how foolish, knew he was next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Added to that, Jia Simou had been captured; they had already planned to flee last night, but were too terrified by Chu Danqing’s destruction of Zhujue Tower to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could this be someone deliberately using me as a blade to kill?” Chu Danqing thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget it. I’m here already—let’s go through the motions before killing them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuanwu Gate’s deeds were truly heinous: they trafficked people through Zhujue Tower to serve as miners, lumberjacks, and more—each year, more died under their rule than under any other gang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These trafficked victims ate the worst rations, performed the hardest labor, and received no wages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to the extreme work intensity and horrific conditions, their death rate remained alarmingly high; it felt unnatural if one or two didn’t die each day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Danqing had verified all of this, so slaughtering them all left not the slightest moral flaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for legal procedures? Chu Danqing had no time for that. When doing good, one must be flexible—otherwise, the wicked will exploit your rigidity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a clean official: you must be more cunning, more ruthless than the corrupt ones—or how will you ever defeat them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Da Bao, go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, give them a warning,” Chu Danqing said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1621,"2026-06-20T00:54:40.605Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e0237293f1509cfbf45e09797c4b4cd7aaa660974a14c53e23f9ca2c8c9bf731","dimension-park-i-am-the-summoning-apostle-chapter-184","dimension-park-i-am-the-summoning-apostle-chapter-182",305,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdimension-park-i-am-the-summoning-apostle-cover.jpg"]