Secret Buyer-Chapter 228 - 175: High-class Cui Family, Plague Ghost on the Move!
To prevent potential Cultist attacks and to ensure the safety of the Headquarter’s Imperial Envoy,
Lin Shiquan has been placed under ’care’ once more.
Because more important matters need to be addressed.
"What is the so-called high-class Cui Family?"
During the three-person meeting, Zhang Fusheng sat at the end of the round table, frowned, and knocked on the meeting table:
"What kind of force is this?"
"Simply put, a high-status family," Chen Daoling briefly explained: "You can think of it as an aristocratic family."
"Are they powerful?"
"To be called a high-class family means there is at least one old monster at the Innate Level in the family."
Innate level...
Zhang Fusheng’s expression slightly relaxed, saying it was humble would be unfair.
But to say they are lofty and noble?
It’s not enough to make him look up to them.
In a way, he himself is almost an Innate Realm.
"However, this Cui Family is a bit different," Zhao Wenting spoke steadily: "The Cui Family is considered a branch of the Qinghe Province Cui Clan."
"The Qinghe Cui Clan is considered a truly prestigious family, with figures in the Divine Spirit Domain in the family—but of course, they have little to do with us, the Qinghe Cui Clan looks down on the Cui Family in the Golden Province."
After pausing a bit, he continued:
"But in our high-class Cui Family, there is an old Celestial Being, but he has been critically ill for many years, with injuries that won’t heal, spending over ninety percent of the time in slumber."
"Recently, there are even rumors that the old Celestial Being of the Cui Family, only a little over a thousand years old, is nearing the end of his life."
Zhang Fusheng raised an eyebrow.
A Grandmaster has a life span of three hundred years, an Innate only about eight hundred years, and upon reaching Celestial Human, the life span suddenly extends by five thousand years.
Just a little over a thousand years old, yet near the end of life?
It seems the injury is quite severe indeed.
After pondering a moment, he said:
"So what exactly does this so-called Cui Family want to do?"
A moment ago, there was a report that the high-class Cui Family in Golden City called, saying they will be visiting soon.
Chen Daoling shrugged:
"What else could it be? Picking the peach, in a way, the tentacles of these high-status families reach deeper than even the Governor."
He paused for a moment, his expression slightly serious:
"While I can temporarily blindfold the Headquarter by using the garrison status, it’s impossible to fool these high-status families, the Cui Family must know about the special circumstances of Chongyang City and wants to get a share of the pie."
While he spoke, both Chen Daoling and Zhao Wenting cast their gazes towards Zhang Fusheng, who then asked:
"Director Zhang, what do you think about this? Should we give them a piece of the cake?"
Though Zhang Fusheng appears on the surface to be just a Grandmaster igniting the furnace fire of the body, the two of them dare not underestimate him in the slightest.
The reason is simple.
As fellow members of the High Heaven Association, this Director Zhang is valued by the True Man.
In fact, even Elder Hu has to treat this physical Grandmaster with courtesy.
Zhang Fusheng said without hesitation:
"It’s the same as always, even though the True Man hasn’t explicitly said it, we below must prepare for everything—Chongyang can only be the Chongyang of the High Heaven Association."
"This concerns me, concerns you and him, concerns the interests of everyone."
Under the dim light, appearing not too old, could be called a young man or a teenager, Zhang Fusheng has a distinct aura of authority.
Facing Zhang Wenting and Chen Daoling, who both hold positions higher than him in the decision-making group of three, yet here he decides, concluding:
"If the Cui Family comes with sincerity, we can accept them into the High Heaven Association."
"This is inherently the purpose of the High Heaven Association."
"But if they decide to pick fruits? Then we strike them out."
Zhao Wenting and Chen Daoling silently nodded, the latter offering a reminder:
"There are quite a few high-status families in the Golden Province, but have you thought about why only the Cui Family wants a share of the chaos in Chongyang?"
Zhang Fusheng casually threw a piece of calming tea into his mouth, chewing and swallowing, the bit of malice that could cloud the mind dissipating with it.
He calmly said:
"Because the old Celestial Being of the Cui Family is about to die of old age."
"A high-class family with a Celestial Being is vastly different from one without a Celestial Being, perhaps more than I had imagined..."
Pausing another moment, Zhang Fusheng stood up, buttoned his coat, and said placidly:
"The Cui Family wants to make a last profit before the old Celestial Being dies—after all, a Celestial Being with little life left, daring to risk it all, is someone no one wants to provoke."
"Such an old Celestial Being fully has the ability to drag a few others down before dying, right?"
Zhao Wenting and Chen Daoling exchanged a glance, the latter expressing admiration:
"I didn’t expect you to see things so clearly, I thought your vision would be limited by this."
Zhang Fusheng chuckled lightly, did not reply, nodded slightly, then pushed the door open and left the large conference room.
He glanced at the Martial Arts Master standing guard outside the conference room and ordered:
"Bring Lin Shiquan to see me tonight."
"Yes, Director Zhang."
The Martial Arts Master, who has an extremely high status and could be called a big shot outside, lowered his head to the young man.
......
First District, Villa.
The exalted Director General is playing rock-paper-scissors with Zhang Xiaoxi.
"I won again."
Zhang Fusheng sat upright, smilingly said:
"You’ve already lost twelve times in a row. You should go wash the dishes, shouldn’t you? What, still thinking of being a sore loser?"
"I don’t care, last round!"
Zhang Xiaoxi acted shamelessly again, puffing her cheeks:
"Come on, one last round to decide the winner, loser washes the dishes!"
"Alright."
Zhang Fusheng gazed at the little cousin, observing every exact muscle use on her body,
When Zhang Xiaoxi ’threw’, he had already perceived her exact move.
"Paper covers rock."
Zhang Fusheng smilingly said:
"You lost again, go wash the dishes!"
Zhang Xiaoxi howled in discontent and went towards the kitchen, while Zhang Wentao and Zhou Guifang chuckled.
Old Zhang shook his head:
"You, you, can’t you just let Xiaoxi win a bit?"
"Let her win?"
Zhang Fusheng glanced sideways and snorted:
"That’s absolutely impossible."
He lounged lazily on the sofa, stretched a bit, leisurely, relaxed, at ease, calm.
Here, he is Zhang Fusheng.
Not some Director General, not the Great Celestial Venerate or anything like that.
At this point, Zhang Fusheng felt he was still a person—rather than someone always calculating and if it didn’t work out, being the brute who’d just punch the other’s head in.
"Like this.....isn’t too bad."
As the thought emerged, he immediately denied it, a sense of vigilance arose in his heart.
How can I slack off?
How dare I slack off?
I still can’t even punch an Innate or Celestial to death with a single blow!
I’m still... too weak!
Zhang Fusheng slightly closed his eyes, then opened them, looking at his parents who were leaning together, eating sunflower seeds and watching TV.
In this absurd and crazy world, a peaceful life requires enough strength to protect it.
Speaking of which... what was my original intention?
I remember now.
I want to practice martial arts, I want to become stronger.
It’s the same now.
Thoughts flickered, his mind became clear, all distracting thoughts disappeared.
He continued to lazily sink into the sofa, listening to his parents’ chatter, and the sound of Zhang Xiaoxi angrily washing dishes in the kitchen.
How nice.
’Ring ring ring!’
The landline phone in the living room, which was almost just for decoration, suddenly rang.
"I’ll get it."
Zhang Fusheng stood up, walked over, and casually picked up the phone:
"Hello?"
On the other end, a young woman’s voice came through:
"Is this Zhang Fusheng?"
Zhang Fusheng frowned; nowadays, not many dared to speak to him in such a manner.
Even Old Hu would politely call him Director Zhang.
He calmly said:
"And you are?"
"My last name is Cui, from the Cui family."
The woman on the phone spoke with a haughty tone:
"I called Zhao Wenting and Chen Daoling first, they said you’d make the final decision... quite impressive."
Zhang Fusheng’s expression darkened.
How long had it been since they moved?
Even he didn’t know the number for this landline, yet a high-class Cui Family far in Golden City had called?
"What’s the matter?"
His tone turned a bit cold.
The woman on the other end seemed slightly displeased, but remained patient:
"Let’s talk about the handover. A month from now, when the Chongyang riots have completely subsided, we’ll come by, and by then, let’s quickly complete the handover."
Zhang Fusheng furrowed his brows:
"What handover?"
The woman on the phone laughed:
"A job handover, of course. Chen Daoling’s position stays put; you and Zhao Wenting will do a job handover at that time. Naturally, our Cui family will not treat you two unfairly."
The woman continued unilaterally, as if it were all a matter of course:
"By then, you both will receive tribute treatment, and your whole family can reside in Golden City. Additionally, there will be a ten-year supply of resources without conditions... it’s settled then."
Zhang Fusheng remained silent.
He was not angry, just speechless, hence the silence.
"Where is he?" the woman asked with a frown.
Zhang Fusheng took a breath and patiently asked:
"What’s your name?"
"Cui Qingyi."
The woman replied indifferently:
"Also, use honorifics, I don’t want to remind you again..."
Before she could finish, Zhang Fusheng hung up the phone and dialed Hu Zhongli.
"Elder Hu, has the high-class Cui family gone mad?"
On the other end, Hu Zhongli chuckled wryly:
"Wenting just mentioned it to me. You don’t have to mind it too much, and temporarily avoid clashing with them. Wait until that Old Celestial Being is no more..."
Zhang Fusheng shook his head, exchanged a few casual remarks with Hu Zhongli, and hung up the phone again.
"Fusheng, what happened?" his father asked at this time.
"Nothing, just matters from the Headquarters."
Zhang Fusheng casually replied, walked to the side room, pondered for a moment, and this time called Chen Daoling.
"Second Uncle Master." He said calmly: "I need information on someone."
"Who?"
"Cui Qingyi."
On the other end, Chen Daoling sounded surprised but agreed readily:
"No problem, I’ll have friends from the Headquarter send over the information, hang on."
A few minutes later, Zhang Fusheng received a file on his phone.
He looked it over briefly; Cui Qingyi, a prodigy of the Cui family, had remarkable talent and immense resources backing her.
At just thirty-three, she had already ignited the furnace fire of her physical body, making her an undisputed Martial Arts Grandmaster.
She resided in Golden City.
Zhang Fusheng’s expression remained calm as he slightly closed his eyes.
Meanwhile,
In the waiting area, deep in the Great Wilderness,
The blood-colored Plague Ghost lifted its head, stood up, and thirty-one Grim Skeletons at the Grandmaster level, also stood.
They donned black robes and hoods, their forms hidden in shadows, stepping towards the waiting area.
Thus, in Chongyang City,
"Elder Hu, I’d like to borrow a route to Golden City to smuggle some people over."
"Alright, I’ll make the arrangements."
"Thank you, Elder Hu."
"Between us, there’s no need to thank. However... try not to make too much commotion."
"I understand."
Zhang Fusheng expressionlessly hung up the phone, returned to the sofa, and sank back into it comfortably.
Zhang Xiaoxi, finished with the dishes and in a huff, stormed out of the kitchen, only to get more annoyed seeing her younger cousin leisurely lounging.
She plopped onto the sofa, shifted left and right, seemingly uncomfortable,
and then lay on her back on the sofa, her small feet kicking at Zhang Fusheng.
"Are you going mad?"
Zhang Fusheng lifted her up, knocking three big bumps on her head.
Zhang Xiaoxi wailed.
As they played around, Zhang Fusheng’s gaze grew deeply contemplative.
Cui Family...
Originally, he thought they could cooperate, bringing them into the High Heaven Association.
What a pity.
In his mind, sensing far away, in the waiting area, led by the Plague Ghost, thirty-one Grandmaster-level skeletons had entered the core of the waiting area.
The black-robed individuals had started ’smuggling.’
The Cui Family still has an Old Celestial Being, temporarily beyond his ability to contend with, and now, he needs time.
He could only let the Cui Family descend into chaos first.
"Plague Ghost... let’s see what you’re capable of."
Zhang Fusheng let go, and Zhang Xiaoxi plopped back onto the ground with a cry, then charged again, baring her teeth and brandishing her claws.
