[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-secret-buyer":3,"chapter-secret-buyer-secret-buyer-chapter-204":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},1759003,2324,"Chapter 204 - 159: A Small Gathering, Mingyue Reappears","secret-buyer-chapter-204",204,"\u003Cp>Demonstration?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather... riot?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the hall exchanged glances, their expressions changing, and then some seemed rather pleased with the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Changle wiped a bead of sweat:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A hundred thousand standing troops, and at least 20,000 have entered the city, staging large-scale demonstrations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All the city’s transport hubs are in paralysis, and the demonstration seems to be evolving into a real riot!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Twelve aerospace ships have entered the city, hovering over the Governance Building.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The eastern part of the city is already experiencing a massive power outage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Governor requests that you see him immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One urgent message after another spilled from her lips as Zhang Fusheng leaned comfortably in his chair, listening quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Qiusheng was said to be the second commander of the Chongyang Military Department, but in reality, the true person in power—the first commander Zhang Erhe—had long since been sidelined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he gets arrested, he won’t leave quietly and will undoubtedly take the opportunity to launch a massive military uprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In general, this riot would end with a calming resolution, where Chen Qiusheng would be invited out to manage the situation and stabilize the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, as someone who was ’wronged,’ ’suffered grievances,’ yet still prioritized the bigger picture and resolved a massive crisis, Chen Qiusheng would naturally be compensated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems Chen Qiusheng is eyeing the seat of the Golden Legislator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knows, if he ends this incident smoothly, he might just increase his chances of becoming a Golden Legislator by several folds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seems to be progressing just as the Master’s prediction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng chuckled lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Changle asked cautiously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now... how should we handle this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng was reviewing the files of the Investigation Bureau personnel arriving in Chongyang City in three days to scrutinize him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Second Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need to manage it, let them stir things up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let the Governance Building become a chaotic pot of porridge, let it stir until Golden City calls to question it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng stood up, stretched his body, and yawned lazily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go secretly meet Zhang Erhe, Old Mr. Zhang, and have him come see me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Changle nodded in a daze:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here to see you? And the Governor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have him meet me at Hu Zhongli, Elder Hu’s place, as for the Governor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng walked briskly out of the hall:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ignore him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Changle swallowed, confused about what this gentleman... really intended to do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly was he planning?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t understand; she only knew...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Change was upon them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Arresting Chen Qiusheng, military revolt, Director General... Zhang Fusheng??\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old lady looked at report after report, visibly shaken, and handed the report to the drunken middle-aged man:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did this Zhang Fusheng become the Director General?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I remember correctly, the Director General of the Public Security Headquarters... should require a Grandmaster, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man still leaned on the windowsill, quietly listening to the noises from the city inside and out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some of the drunkenness on his face dissipated, and after pondering for a moment, he asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you report to the Investigation Bureau?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Granny Jin nodded gently:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Through the Envoy who serves in the Headquarters, we have submitted Zhang Fusheng’s information file.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Someone who escaped from Jiangzhou City, yet altered their identity files...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to the old lady’s words, the middle-aged man nodded thoughtfully:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, the Investigation Bureau’s inspector is coming to Chongyang City?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Granny Jin’s face showed a grave and apprehensive look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inspector.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Investigation Bureau, these out-going inspectors may not have high cultivation, but they often have terrifyingly expansive temporary powers,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>even able to report directly to Headquarters and mobilize Headquarters’ resources!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three major power structures of the Golden Province: the Governor, Legislators, and Investigation Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Investigation Bureau stands above the ’Military Department,’ and is an even larger true violent entity than the Military Department!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Upper Envoy took a sip of his drink, exhaling:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Strange, really strange.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What exactly does Zhang Fusheng want? Has he already become a Grandmaster?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Impossible!\" the old woman exclaimed without thinking, then turned her gaze to the silent Chen Nuanyu:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Chen, are you sure the last time you saw Zhang Fusheng, he was still just a Martial Artist?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Nuanyu pondered for a moment and nodded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, a Martial Artist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Granny Jin understood and looked at the Upper Envoy again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In just a month, this lad could at most enter the realm of a Martial Arts Master, a Grandmaster? Completely impossible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I suspect his ascent to the Directorship is likely related to those old friends of Hong Tianbao?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Upper Envoy rubbed his chin, nodded lightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps, but that’s not important—the news also says Jin Qiuyue was captured by him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" The old woman nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk tsk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Upper Envoy shook his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s quite interesting; our choice seems to be only Zhang Fusheng now... so do we have to protect him during this incident?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Granny Jin froze, her pupils slightly contracting:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems... indeed so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, she covered her forehead:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not just us; Envoy Mingyue’s faction and those who previously supported Jin Qiuyue, like Celestial Spring Envoy’s faction, probably all need to help protect this guy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Upper Envoy’s gaze deepened:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interesting, what exactly does he want to do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forget it, Miss Chen, you should go and approach this old acquaintance of yours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Nuanyu nodded gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distant sound of the demonstration could be heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First District.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A specialized villa near the Governance Building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng stood outside the villa, looked up at the twelve aerospace ships hovering over the Governance Building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main cannons of the aerospace ships were slightly glowing, indicating the weapons system was unlocked—one shot from the main cannon could flatten a range of hills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theoretically, even a Grandmaster standing in the line of fire from an aerospace ship’s main cannon would not be well off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let them riot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The more tumultuous, the better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng knocked on the villa door, then pushed it open and entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sir, please come with me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Servants respectfully guided the young Director General upstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the reception hall, only a handful of people sat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Zhongli, Zhou Muniu, Elder Yu, and a middle-aged man frowning deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing footsteps, everyone turned their gaze to the young man, surprise showing on both Elder Yu and the middle-aged woman’s faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Yu blinked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are... young Zhang?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She certainly remembered the young man who once saved her life, though she clearly did not know Zhang Fusheng was now the Director General.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor did she know that the city’s riots were closely connected to this young individual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other middle-aged man also sized up Zhang Fusheng, suddenly slapping his forehead:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhang Fusheng, is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded slightly and looked at Hu Zhongli:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Hu, is this who you’ve been waiting for? This youngster causing unrest across the city?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Elder Yu, the middle-aged man seemed to know some specific details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Yu, and...Legislator Li?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng greeted with a smile and then slowly took a seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man was none other than the Golden Legislator of Chongyang City, Li Guoquan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guoquan glanced at him, then turned his gaze back to Hu Zhongli, somewhat bluntly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Hu, why have you called us here? What exactly is going on?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, he said in a deep voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are a whole bunch of messes waiting for me to address, and if today’s matter goes wrong, even I might lose my position!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Calm down, calm down,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Zhongli said leisurely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guoquan could no longer hold his temper:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Hu, have you really gone senile? At a time like this, you want me to calm down?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stormed with anger:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m leaving; I need to go suppress this riot...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man made a motion to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, just as he stood up and took two steps,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a great force descended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was forcefully pressed back onto the sofa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guoquan’s expression changed drastically, staring at Hu Zhongli in shock:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You... have broken through to the Innate Realm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Yu slightly raised an eyebrow, while Zhang Fusheng continued to smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Zhongli nodded calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just broke through.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guoquan’s eyelid twitched:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Hu, did you consume a life-extending celestial medicine?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Zhongli stated calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s only that the Celestial Venerate’s envoy granted me an extension of thirty years, adding fifteen years of contemplation training of the past, that’s all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestial Venerate’s envoy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Yu and Li Guoquan froze for a moment, who is this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestial Venerate...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing that came to mind for both was some Evil God.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Zhongli gently tapped the table:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Celestial Venerate, as one who sits atop the heavenly heights, is the Great Compassionate, the Great Majestic, the Great Ancient.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Celestial Venerate’s envoy, you two have already seen — he is the true self of the one who questioned the heavens that day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He is also called a True Man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Yu’s pupils contracted, and Li Guoquan straightened up suddenly, his breathing becoming rapid:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"High Heaven... Association?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recently, the name of High Heaven has been widely spread,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>especially within Chongyang City, after rumors emerged of someone trading with High Heaven. Others might not know,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but as the Golden Legislator of Chongyang, Li Guoquan naturally knew that all those rumors were true!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some lost disease, some shed the past cultivation, some inexplicably gained longevity—without having taken any life-extending medicine!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinary citizens may not pay much attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for those truly in power, the weight of the words High Heaven grows ever heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Governor’s Mansion even called to inquire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Zhongli picked up his teacup and gently sipped:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, High Heaven, the High Heaven Association.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression remained calm:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am a member of the High Heaven Association—not only me, but this young friend Zhang is as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guoquan suddenly turned his gaze to the smiling young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He licked his dry lips:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve received word that a senior examiner from the Investigation Bureau is coming, one to scrutinize this... Little Friend Zhang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The other reason is to investigate whether the High Heaven Association exists, whether those trades... are true!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guoquan looked intently at Hu Zhongli, probing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Hu, does your candidness mean...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Zhongli nodded, speaking calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The esteemed envoy permits you two to join the High Heaven Association.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder woman looked around, and Li Guoquan breathed heavily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where... is he?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Zhongli smilingly shook his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not yet arrived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guoquan again quickly turned to him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard that in the High Heaven Association, what is practiced is... [Heaven-Interchangeable Tao]?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Hu, you gained longevity and what they call the past of contemplation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what did you lose?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Yu also turned his gaze to Hu Zhongli.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latter lifted his eyelids, looking at the silent three-eyed boy, and replied quietly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I sold my position as Golden Legislator.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Yu and Li Guoquan simultaneously turned their gaze to Zhou Muniu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latter opened his eyes at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, beyond description high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet seemed above infinity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond thought, beyond imagination, beyond the limit of what the mind could touch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The quietly listening Director Zhang, at some point, lowered his eyelids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three-eyed boy sighed lightly and snapped his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Awaken.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contract quivered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A certain altered, obscured, and dust-swept sealed history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The restrictions lifted for Li Guoquan and Elder Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the time after Hu Zhongli had sold his power, the era that was changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The majestic sound resonated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guoquan and the elder woman, at some point, were already prostrated on the ground, worshiping the three-eyed boy, or rather...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worshipping the colossal shadow reflected above him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the elder who called himself the True Man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guoquan’s forehead flowed with sweat, the conflicting memories collided in his mind, the divergent histories unfolded in his cognition,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he raised his head, prying into the colossal shadow, prying into the envoy from above the High Heaven, like a soulful insight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"High Heaven above... Celestial Venerate above!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Golden Legislator thus spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The colossal shadow suddenly sighed in compassion and vanished; the Director Zhang, quietly sitting on the sofa, raised his eyelids, looked sideways out the window, calmly sensing the faraway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s the waiting area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the waiting area, the Plague Ghost was caught by a delicate hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a woman like one walking out of a painting, a point of vermillion between her brows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Mingyue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Searched all over, finding nowhere...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng softly murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>",2100,"2026-06-08T09:33:25.351Z",1,"novelbin.me","879ed2eb34bdc18eec8d69ba8d44d49bc68f4b73199a93277bcce3dd025efb4d","secret-buyer-chapter-205","secret-buyer-chapter-203",547,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsecret-buyer-cover.jpg"]