[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-secret-buyer":3,"chapter-secret-buyer-secret-buyer-chapter-184":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Secret Buyer",{"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},1758866,2324,"Chapter 184 - 145: Seizing the Initiative at the Apprenticeship Banquet","secret-buyer-chapter-184",184,"\u003Cp>Zhang Tianming smiled and began to speak:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Zhang, we meet again... Where’s that friend of yours from yesterday?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know, maybe it’s the rain and traffic jam.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Tianming shook his head with a laugh:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The assistant of the Public Security Headquarters is equipped with a hovercar, how could there be a traffic jam?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Assistant? What assistant?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xiaoxi looked at the young man suspiciously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you investigating him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Tianming still maintained a polite smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not really an investigation, just casually asked some people below.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xiaoxi chuckled slightly, too lazy to pay attention to this inexplicable young man, feeling that he bore ill intentions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When someone is suddenly nice, they are either a traitor or a thief!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Tianming didn’t mind Miss Zhang’s distance, sitting beside her with a warm demeanor:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Zhang, I heard the institute came this time to routinely investigate the dimensional overlap point, I wonder...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you trying to pry into the institute’s secrets as well?\" A voice interrupted, as Chen Qingxue approached, glaring unceremoniously at the young man:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhang Tianming, right? I’ve checked on you, the son of Zhang Erhe. Your father’s situation hasn’t been very good lately, and you still have time to fool around outside?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smile on Zhang Tianming’s face stiffened, his eyelids drooping:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This must be Miss Chen from the institute, right? I wasn’t aware I had offended Miss Chen...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cut it out!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Qingxue spoke disdainfully:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you trying to deceive me like that Xiaoxi kid? Do you think I’m unaware of your local tricks? So you’re trying to use sugar-coated bullets again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lifted her head, with a slender neck, seemingly not caring at all about the other party’s father’s status, saying with a pout:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You want to gather information on the dimensional overlap point and use it to ingratiate yourself with the Innate Realm? Isn’t that a bit too low-level?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Tianming’s expression stiffened, he chuckled awkwardly twice, and quietly retreated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xiaoxi was still a bit confused, just as she was about to ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your personality is as straightforward as ever.\" A soft voice came, and Zhang Xiaoxi and Chen Qingxue glanced to the side,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>to see a man and a woman walking towards them, both exuding a very scholarly aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Qingxue’s expression became serious, quickly making a respectful gesture:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dean Shen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, she nudged Zhang Xiaoxi with a kick and quickly introduced:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xiaoxi, this is Dean Shen from Golden University!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The relationship between Golden University and the Source Point Research Institute is intricate, as the institute is located within Golden University.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xiaoxi hurriedly jumped off the stool:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dean Shen!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need to be so formal.\" Shen Baobao nodded slightly: \"Please send my regards to Elder Yu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two women made their salutations again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The institute could disregard the local Great Sect’s grandmasters, but couldn’t remain aloof when dealing with the upper echelons within the affiliated system...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To put it bluntly, all the expenses of the institute are funded by Golden University, in some sense, Golden University is the institute’s bread and butter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Qingxue curiously asked at this point:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dean Shen, I saw you yesterday, didn’t expect you to attend this banquet... Who exactly is the host of this banquet?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"An old friend of my teacher’s.\" Shen Baobao replied casually: \"I am attending in my teacher’s place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Qingxue’s expression changed again, Dean Shen’s teacher?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She surveyed the banquet hall, spotting a governor from an upper-level city, a leader of a province-spanning Divine Net Group...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She exclaimed in surprise:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could the host of this banquet possibly be a reclusive Innate Realm cultivator?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s not the case.\" Shen Baobao replied nonchalantly: \"Elder Hong’s cultivation isn’t actually high, but he has helped many in his time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, she sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Elder Hong hadn’t suffered a tremendous calamity back then, maybe he might have been an Innate Realm cultivator by now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Qingxue swallowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Zhang Xiaoxi, who was listening silently, brightened up and waved vigorously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fusheng! Over here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Qingxue looked over, seeing Xiaoxi’s friend from the Public Security Headquarters approaching,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She frowned slightly, wanting to remind Zhang Xiaoxi to be more composed in front of such seniors as Dean Shen... but it was already too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man, dressed in a black long coat, walked over, and Zhang Xiaoxi excitedly began introducing him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hurry, let me introduce, this is Golden University’s Shen...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before she could finish, she saw her little cousin nod to Dean Shen:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Sister Shen, I ran into some trouble last night and left without notice, truly sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh??\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Zhang Xiaoxi and Chen Qingxue looked bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Baobao and Kong Dongyan both looked at Zhang Fusheng, the former smiling:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As long as you’re alright, that’s a good thing. It’s just a shame I wanted to have a long chat with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There will be opportunities.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng nodded with a grin, glanced at the dumbfounded Zhang Xiaoxi, and asked in confusion:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s with your expression?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing, nothing.\" Zhang Xiaoxi came back to her senses, her gaze at her little cousin was a bit strange, she couldn’t help but ask:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How do you know Dean Shen?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s a long story.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng smiled and cupped his hands toward Shen Baobao:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since Senior Sister Shen is attending this banquet, it seems you might have some connection with my master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your master?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Baobao was surprised:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you saying..... Elder Hong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly.\" Zhang Fusheng calmly affirmed, while his little cousin was even more confused now: \"Is this your master’s banquet?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng glared at the startled Zhang Xiaoxi, his eyes suddenly focused on something outside the banquet hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Third junior brother, how is it that such an important event as taking a disciple hasn’t even sent an invitation my way? Am I so disregarded as your senior brother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The raspy voice echoed through the banquet hall, causing guests from various cities to turn their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An elder dressed in training clothes walked into the hall with his hands behind his back, seemingly not caring about these so-called ’important figures’ from all over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at the crowd parting, watching as a slow and steady old man walked out, smiling:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where is the little one to be accepted as a disciple today? Why hasn’t he come to greet me, the elder brother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Tianbao’s face was as calm as ever, squinting at Chen Qiusheng:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior brother coming uninvited is somewhat impolite.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Polite?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Qiusheng laughed loudly, displaying a wanton attitude:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Junior Brother Hong, when you killed my wife and daughter, murdered my parents, did you ever speak of politeness?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The banquet was momentarily silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Tianbao’s expression turned somewhat unsightly, this old bastard was really here to cause trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was puzzled, among the guests in the hall were no shortage of grandmasters, was Chen Qiusheng insane to choose this moment to cause trouble?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Tianbao suddenly asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where’s your disciple?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On the way.\" Chen Qiusheng raised his eyelids, staring at Hong Tianbao: \"I have a proposal, when my disciple arrives, why not have a little spar with yours?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And while we’re at it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shall we have another spar?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grinned, his gaze chilling:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just right, let me test your skills, see if after all these years, you are...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Truly crippled?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some guests in the hall showed anger on their faces, Hong Tianbao remained calm as ever, while in the corner, Zhang Fusheng slightly lowered his eyelids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He won’t be coming.\" He thought to himself, turning his head to look at the drizzling rain outside the banquet hall, and silently smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Figures cloaked in black silently walked in the heavy rain.\u003C\u002Fp>",1283,"2026-06-08T09:33:25.352Z",1,"novelbin.me","609226283147956266839fc2623fd7636422b4a99e8453f57ce21a2a0f8350a1","secret-buyer-chapter-384","secret-buyer-chapter-383",547,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsecret-buyer-cover.jpg"]