Secret Buyer-Chapter 183 - 145: Seizing the Initiative at the Apprenticeship Banquet

Chapter 183: Chapter 145: Seizing the Initiative at the Apprenticeship Banquet

Approaching noon.

The chubby old man adjusted the boy’s collar, wearing a smile as he gently smoothed the creases and said with a smile:

"Today should be a bit more formal."

He led Zhang Fusheng to the mirror, where Zhang Fusheng quietly examined his reflection. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Indeed, clothes make the man just as a saddle makes the horse.

In his basic appearance, the previously scholarly-looking self now appeared much more imposing dressed in the traditional black long robe.

Zhang Fusheng mimicked the pose of placing his hands behind his back, exuding a slight aura of a grandmaster or master.

The chubby old man fastened a cufflink at the wrist, looking Zhang Fusheng up and down with a beaming smile, expressing admiration three times—"Good, good, good!"

His praise was followed by a suddenly solemn expression:

"For this occasion, your senior uncle will surely interfere. He won’t let things go smoothly for you and me."

Zhang Fusheng nodded silently and asked:

"What about the second senior uncle?"

"Him, huh."

Hong Tianbao nodded to the side, and an elder with an immortal demeanor emerged, looked Zhang Fusheng up and down, and praised:

"Indeed, quite handsome."

Zhang Fusheng bowed to the elder:

"Second Senior Uncle."

He felt a bit puzzled as to why the second senior uncle was here.

Hong Tianbao smiled and said:

"Your second senior uncle and I suffered greatly at the hands of Chen Qiusheng, deceived and framed into killing each other’s entire families."

Zhang Fusheng’s eyelid twitched as he looked at the two old folks, fat and thin, chatting and laughing, falling into silence.

Hong Tianbao continued:

"This time, if Chen Qiusheng personally comes, your second senior uncle can hold him off. Chen Qiusheng is likely close to the Innate Realm, only your second senior uncle might intimidate him."

He pursed his lips and smiled:

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

Chen Daoling waved his hand:

"Alright, don’t tease me. Chen Qiusheng is not easy to deal with. Although officially the deputy commander of the Military Department, he’s long overshadowed Zhang Erhe."

After a pause, he continued:

"Besides, although there are master’s restrictions on us not to target each other’s disciples, what if his disciple Wang Tianlong seeks to ’spar’ with your disciple?"

Hong Tianbao’s expression tightened slightly.

Zhang Fusheng curiously asked:

"Second Senior Uncle, isn’t your disciple also participating in the competition? Why are you and my master...?"

He was a bit confused, wondering if they intended to eliminate the senior uncle first and then battle each other?

Chen Daoling seemed to see the thoughts in the young man’s mind, waved his hand:

"The situation between your master and me with Chen Qiusheng is different. Your senior uncle practices the Tathagata Observation, having his disciples revere him like the Tathagata."

"Tianbao practices the Hell Observation, having already transcended life and death, wishing only to leave a legacy in the world."

Zhang Fusheng pondered:

"And what do you practice?"

Chen Daoling shrugged, casually replied:

"The Great Compassionate Observation. All is hopeless, all things suffer; it’s best to maintain one’s integrity, yet my senior disciple thinks of killing me every day—why should I assist her?"

Zhang Fusheng’s eyelid twitched, thinking—was this the correct explanation of the Great Compassionate Observation?

Perhaps this second senior uncle and his disciple had gone astray in their practice... it seemed the senior uncle’s Tathagata Observation had also strayed.

After a pause, Chen Daoling rubbed his brow wearily:

"Chongyang has been increasingly unrestful recently. I even consider applying for a transfer away..."

Hong Tianbao curiously inquired:

"What happened this time?"

"Vice Director of the Investigation Bureau, Lin Yusheng, specifically asked me to investigate a certain area outside the city."

Chen Daoling casually replied:

"There, a patch of stone-grain desert has appeared, with eight kneeling Martial Arts Masters, supposedly a deity has manifested."

Hong Tianbao was shocked, and Zhang Fusheng also widened his eyes.

Lin Yusheng?

He silently memorized the name, immediately realizing this Vice Director of the Investigation Bureau was the original master of the Bridge of Helplessness, that one at the Innate Realm.

The Investigation Bureau...

Zhang Fusheng’s eyes flickered, realizing that he would inevitably be involved in that matter someday.

"Time is about up."

Checking the time on his wristwatch, Hong Tianbao said:

"I’ll go greet the guests. Fusheng, tidy up a bit more—it’s hard to say what kind of calamity today might bring."

"Yes, Master."

Zhang Fusheng watched his master leave, tidying up his attire and chatting casually with the second senior uncle.

The discussion ranged from the Jiangzhou incident to the changes outside the city, and then about Vice Director Lin Yusheng...

After the conversation, Zhang Fusheng gained some insight.

This second senior uncle, a garrison of the Investigation Bureau, didn’t know the truth of the Jiangzhou incident.

Moreover,

according to what the second senior uncle revealed, Lin Yusheng was directly responsible for the Jiangzhou incident.

Zhang Fusheng’s gaze grew profound, deciding not to dwell on these distant matters for now; he had to focus on Chongyang City.

The Sea-Stabilizing Divine Needle Iron and the ancestor master.

"Second Senior Uncle, what kind of person is our ancestor master?"

Zhang Fusheng asked in conclusion.

Chen Daoling contemplated for a while, then slightly shook his head:

"Unfathomable. But your ancestor master’s desire for control is very strong, so when you meet him tomorrow, be cautious."

He sighed gently:

"I’ve long wanted to renounce the Great Compassionate Observation and do a good job at the Investigation Bureau... but alas, alas."

Zhang Fusheng pondered—was the second senior uncle seeking to be a good person?

Outside, the sound of commotion arose, marking the stroke of noon.

After a slight bow to the second senior uncle, Zhang Fusheng finally straightened his collar and stepped out of the back room.

......

The banquet hall was bustling with crowds.

Outside, it was raining.

Zhang Xiaoxi, as usual, shrank into a corner, stuffing food into her mouth while glancing around.

Where was that little brother?

As she daydreamed, she saw the young man from yesterday approaching again, her face fell.