[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-dimensional-demon-god-s-chat-group":3,"chapter-the-dimensional-demon-god-s-chat-group-the-dimensional-demon-god-s-chat-group-chapter-108":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Dimensional Demon God's Chat Group",{"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},2277675,4455,"Chapter 108: The Surveillance Bureau and Chen Pingping","the-dimensional-demon-god-s-chat-group-chapter-108",108,"\u003Cp>“All of this was discovered by Chen Pingping?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In just half a day… he’s this powerful?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t underestimate the Surveillance Bureau.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Jian glanced at Fan Xian: “According to Chen Pingping, the Surveillance Bureau long suspected the Zui Xian Restaurant was compromised. They kept it alive because the Northern Border War was still ongoing—they wanted to use it to transmit false intelligence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But no one expected these Bei Qi covert agents would be so insane as to attempt an assassination in broad daylight!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xian shook his head: “I’ve only been in the capital a short while and haven’t made a name for myself. Bei Qi has no reason to assassinate me without cause.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Jian sighed lightly: “I know that, which is why I suspect someone in the capital is colluding with Bei Qi—and their goal is clearly to prevent you from taking over the Inner Treasury.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the Inner Treasury’s financial authority touches too many interests. Officials across the court, even members of the imperial family, all have motives to act.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Without more evidence, even I cannot uncover who is colluding with Bei Qi…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xian feigned deep thought, then looked up: “Since you have no leads, I’ll handle it myself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Jian frowned and shook his head: “I know you have three Ninth Rank guards, but in the capital, Ninth Rank isn’t invincible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was true—Fan Jian’s own Tiger Guards were the best example.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These Tiger Guards averaged only Eighth Rank, yet they employed a seven-man encirclement tactic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the original story, seven Tiger Guards could directly confront Hai Tang Duoduo, a Ninth Rank Upper, proving their formidable strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Fan Xian’s true advantage wasn’t those three guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Training them was merely for future convenience. His real backing was Lin Yu, the chat group, and his own current Qi Cultivation, Third Layer!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xian smiled faintly: “Don’t worry, Father. I know what I’m doing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Jian gazed at him deeply, then said: “Since this involves Bei Qi, it’s a matter of state. I cannot openly intervene in the investigation—only assist covertly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you truly want to investigate, find a time to meet Chen Pingping.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xian had been waiting for those words. He immediately bowed with a smile and turned to leave the study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, Fang Da is right here in our custody. If we turn him, we can extract the mastermind’s identity at any time. Why hide such vital information from the Master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Nie Kang’s question, Fan Xian glanced at him and shook his head: “My father is upright, stubborn, nearly foolishly loyal. His men obey him utterly, but ultimately, they are the Emperor’s personal troops.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t discuss this with him—I must go to Chen Pingping…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Lin Yu and whispered: “Brother, I’ve sent Fu Hao and Wu Ge to capture Si Lili overnight. Wu Zhu is shadowing them. Tomorrow’s visit to the Surveillance Bureau—I’ll need you to come with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Yu smiled: “I’ve been wanting to meet the famed Chen Pingping.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, before dawn, Fan Xian and Lin Yu arrived at the Surveillance Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire capital still lay shrouded in darkness—a vast, ink-black expanse dotted with scattered brilliant lights, the most prominent being the Nightflow River, followed by Wunong Alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The darkest spot in that darkness, however, was the Surveillance Bureau—the place every official in the capital feared like a tiger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Directly under the Emperor’s command, the Surveillance Bureau was his most trusted intelligence agency; though low in rank, its power was immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At dawn, shadows moved constantly within the Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they saw Fan Xian and Lin Yu arrive, the personnel grew wary and stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But upon seeing Fan Xian’s badge, they quickly looked away and resumed their duties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That badge had been given to Fan Xian by his former master, Fei Jie. Whoever held it was a Surveillance Bureau Inspector.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Inspector was a unique position outside the Bureau’s eight divisions, answering only to the Director, equal in rank to the heads of the Eight Departments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This extraordinary status existed because the Inspector position was originally created by Ye Qingmei for Wu Zhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhu was not only Ye Qingmei’s longest-serving servant but also a being rivaling a Grand Master. His loyalty and power made him impossible to treat casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Wu Zhu vanished, the Inspector position remained vacant for years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when Fan Xian arrived last time did the entire Bureau realize they now had an Inspector.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this Inspector badge, the two passed through the complex of greenish-gray stone buildings without hindrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they walked down a dark corridor, Lin Yu suddenly stopped and glanced at the shadowed corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xian sensed the presence too and said calmly: “Come out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After silent stillness, a black-clad man wearing a mask stepped from the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Yu studied him, intrigued: “You’re Shadow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shadow said nothing, only gazed calmly at Fan Xian: “Follow me. The Director is waiting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xian raised an eyebrow: “He knew I’d come?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shadow glanced at him: “The Director thought you’d come last night…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xian fell silent, then chuckled: “Then it’s my fault—I’ve kept the Director waiting all night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward toward the corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shadow blocked his path, glancing at Lin Yu behind him: “You may go. He cannot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xian frowned, about to speak—when Lin Yu stepped past him without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shadow ignored Lin Yu entirely, his gaze fixed on the empty air behind Fan Xian, as if someone still stood there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xian smiled inwardly, then said lightly: “Fine. I’ll go alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward again. This time, Shadow didn’t stop him—he led the way ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking the long corridor, Fan Xian glanced around curiously: on the left, seven or eight candleholders were evenly spaced; on the right, a solid black brick wall, with only a slanted ventilation groove at its very top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the corridor’s midpoint, Shadow suddenly halted, raised his hand, and pressed a black brick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, the black wall beside them opened silently, revealing a narrow, faintly lit crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shadow turned to Fan Xian, expression calm: “Go in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Fan Xian entered the hidden chamber, Shadow pressed another brick behind him, sealing the secret door shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Yu paid it no mind, instead studying the surroundings with interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chamber’s interior was stark: only a desk and a chair, no decorations whatsoever. Clearly not a daily workspace—it had been specially activated by Chen Pingping for this meeting with Fan Xian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the desk, an elderly man with a smooth, beardless face lay asleep in a wheelchair, covered by a blanket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xian stood before the desk, his expression complex as he gazed at the old man in his black official robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since hearing of Chen Pingping’s past and future deeds, he had long wished to meet this greatest admirer of Ye Qingmei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had imagined their first meeting—but never like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dim hidden chamber, sealed door, a sleeping, defenseless old man…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such utter vulnerability revealed how deeply he trusted Fan Xian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This trust wasn’t absolute—but carried a wry, almost playful: “If I die in your hands, so be it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Fan Xian would never have understood. But the current Fan Xian, aware of fate, could now comprehend this old man’s extraordinary affection for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, Fan Xian whispered: “Director… Director!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his soft call, the old man in the wheelchair stirred awake, blinking at Fan Xian with momentary confusion, then his eyes gradually cleared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Pingping’s lips curled slightly, smiling warmly: “Why not light a candle?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xian fell silent a moment, then whispered: “My cultivation allows me to see in darkness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he picked up the desk’s fire-starter and lit the candle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Flick!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flame leapt up, illuminating the chamber—and revealing the other person behind Fan Xian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Chen Pingping saw the white-robed youth, his pupils contracted sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the next instant, he calmed, sighing softly: “Shadow is one of my most capable subordinates. When you take over the Bureau, he’ll serve you too—so… don’t kill him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Yu smiled: “Don’t worry. He’s not dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Pingping nodded, studying Lin Yu, then suddenly said: “You must be Master Lin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Yu raised an eyebrow, amused: “Director, your reach truly is vast. I only arrived in the capital yesterday—and yet the Surveillance Bureau already knows.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, you flatter me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Pingping shook his head softly: “The Surveillance Bureau, by imperial decree, monitors the realm. Every noble, every official in the capital has our eyes within their households—everyone knows this. Even the Fan household.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And yesterday, Fan Xian hosted a banquet for you, openly, with no concealment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the Surveillance Bureau couldn’t find out about that, we might as well shut down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, Chen Pingping paused, glancing at Lin Yu: “But Master, your methods are impressive. Despite our control over the capital and beyond, we could only trace you to the Fan household.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for your identity, origin, when you entered the capital, or when you befriended Fan Xian…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have no leads at all…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Yu smiled: “Is it truly no leads—or did you simply choose not to look?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Pingping froze, then smiled lightly: “True. Yesterday was busy—I didn’t investigate specifically. But Fan Xian himself admitted in his home that you’re an old acquaintance from Danzhou. That should be correct, yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Yu replied calmly: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Pingping’s smile vanished. His right hand stroked the armrest of his wheelchair, voice calm: “Then it’s strange…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Apart from the time spent with Wu Zhu, every move Fan Xian makes in Danzhou is reported to me by the Surveillance Bureau.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yet among all these reports, there is not a single word about you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am deeply puzzled... Young Master Lin, who are you really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1639,"2026-06-20T00:29:28.871Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5598cb5a18d9d914879cc125decf15a170cc8fa4bbcf1e7736a466004ffb5bbc","the-dimensional-demon-god-s-chat-group-chapter-109","the-dimensional-demon-god-s-chat-group-chapter-107",206,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-dimensional-demon-god-s-chat-group-cover.jpg"]