In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

They've been friends for over a decade, so Zhang Xiaoshan doesn't need to call him a kid.

Moreover, Zhang Xiaoshan waved his hand and invited the two of them, along with several famous and renowned constables, to board the ship.

This was also the first time that Zhuge Zhengwo and Hengdao were invited onto the ship by Zhang Xiaoshan.

Two years have passed since I last saw it. Looking at the still luxurious and magnificent fishing boat, the gorgeous and exquisite deck, and the modern and minimalist cabin hall, I couldn't help but sigh.

Even after leaving Lin'an Prefecture, the Zhang family remains the same Zhang family.

Moreover, compared to that, the Zhang family's arrangements in Lin'an Prefecture were made only ten years ago.

For other forces, ten years naturally brought little change.

But for the rapidly expanding Zhang family, both the accumulated resources and the various talents under their command change every year.

Just like in the Wu Tang Empire, the Zhang family's master-level architects supervised the construction of the magnificent and modern Empire State Building, and at the same time, they were promoted to the level of grandmaster craftsmen.

This is the pinnacle of an industry!

"Young Master Zhang, is your purpose in coming to stay in Jiangnan?"

Zhuge Zhengwo vaguely guessed Zhang Xiaoshan's purpose.

After all, maritime transport was an extremely important route for the Zhang family, and it was naturally difficult to control the golden route of maritime transport in the Wu Tang Empire. Therefore, the best cargo base was still Lin'an Prefecture.

With the Zhang family's shops in Lin'an Prefecture now back in business and the Red Mansion nearly completed, reopening is only a matter of time.

His only question was that the Zhang family hadn't taken any other action besides this.

"Indeed, Mr. Zhang has come here this time to reopen the Zhang family's market in Lin'an Prefecture."

However, it was just a market in Lin'an Prefecture.

While the situation in Jiangnan appears stable, numerous hidden dangers lurk beneath the surface, as Zhang needs to elaborate on.

"Young Master, be careful with your words!"

Zhang Xiaoshan shook his head and didn't say anything more, but his words had already given the two of them the answer.

The reason the Zhang family didn't return was ultimately because they didn't have a good view of the Song Dynasty.

The Zhang family can simply abandon Lin'an Prefecture; even if there is a real imperial war, they will not suffer any losses.

But the situation is different in certain areas; when rebels cause trouble, there is absolutely no guarantee of safety.

"Young Master Zhang, there is still one thing I don't understand: why does the Zhang family want to establish roots in the capital?"

"The capital is safe and sound, and the Wu Tang Empire is dominated by powerful families!"

In contrast, whether in the Song or Ming dynasties, the status of merchants was self-evident, and the Zhang family had absolutely no chance of entering high society.

Even the Divine Marquis and Lord Hengdao were, in the eyes of those scholars, nothing more than warriors.

The Zhang family's strength and prestige placed them among the upper-class families of the Wu Tang Dynasty.

However, in the Ming and Song dynasties, without the possibility of being granted a noble title, the status of a merchant was, as one can imagine, quite ordinary, no matter how high their reputation.

····

At night, Zhang Xiaoshan brought two girls to Ghost Street.

He handed Lu Wushuang over to the Sun Moon Cult members stationed on Ghost Street, instructing them to take her back and train her.

Cheng Ying stayed on Ghost Street, where she was initially looked after by Granny Cuiming. Later, people from the Yihua Palace would take her away. Zhang Xiaoshan had put a lot of thought into this arrangement.

After all, these were two little girls who had nothing to do with him. If it weren't for their pitiful state, Zhang Xiaoshan would have done more than enough by simply handing them over to any family to raise.

Moreover, Zhang Xiaoshan, based on their personalities, entrusted them to different factions for upbringing.

To outsiders, these were all favors from the Zhang family.

"Son!"

Inside the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, Zhang Xiaoshan looked at the assembled forces of the Nine Gates.

Apart from Madam Dongming, who went back to seclusion to consolidate her cultivation, and Lei Laowu, who was also elusive, almost all the major forces of Ghost Street had arrived.

Everyone was already used to Lei Laowu.

He appears and disappears mysteriously, digs up graves and tombs, and has no interest in anything else.

Ghost Street was merely a channel for disposing of stolen goods from the four factions of tomb raiders, with Lei Laowu serving as the chief leader.

Moreover, if they have any information about a large tomb, they can also get a lot of funerary artifacts as a reward from Lei Laowu.

At this moment, around the round table were the Eagle King, Granny Gongsun, the Snake King of Jiangdong...

Zhang Xiaoshan's brief mention also revealed the Zhang family's future plans and the preferential treatment offered to everyone when purchasing goods.

For most people:

The Zhang family released water, and everyone got rich.

It's important to understand that this isn't just a cost issue; even at market price, they consider it merely the cost price.

As long as the Zhang family is willing to allocate resources to them.

"Furthermore, these benefits are not given away for free."

If the Zhang family ever needs your help in the future, you should not refuse to do so within your capabilities.

If you refuse, you will inevitably face retaliation from the Zhang family.

Depending on the circumstances, at best they'll have to give back the profits they previously gained; at worst... I think Zhang Mouming doesn't need to elaborate!

The previously excited crowd suddenly felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over them, and they calmed down.

As expected, there's no such thing as a free lunch; the Zhang family had conditions.

"Moreover, Mr. Zhang is making his ugly point clear from the outset."

Don't be naive to think that one person can take responsibility for everything if they can't repay the debt.

Similarly, the Zhang family will not force you to do anything beyond your capabilities, or force you to rebel. We are allies and partners 2.0, not subordinates.

Everything is predicated on the premise of self-interest.

If it exceeds your capabilities, or if you do not wish to do it, it would be suspected of coercion.

Even if the agreement is violated, at most, the previously gained profits will be forfeited.

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in understanding.

The breachers Zhang Xiaoshan referred to are those who take the benefits but have no intention of doing the work.

This is commonly known as "crossing the river and then dismantling the bridge"!

In this way, even if the Zhang family wiped out the entire Zhang family, no one would say anything; at most, they would be accused of being domineering.

In the world of martial arts, everyone has a few lives on their hands.

"I'll understand later!"

Knowing the Zhang family's conditions actually put everyone at ease.

However, some people realized that this was the first step in the Zhang family's gradual encroachment and annexation of them.

Even knowing the potential danger, they would still rush forward without hesitation.

This is what makes the Zhang family so terrifying.

Everyone thinks they can gracefully retire from the limelight, or stay true to themselves and not be corrupted and swallowed up by the Zhang family, but is that even possible?

The Zhang family's merger was neither a forced takeover nor a fraudulent business partnership.

It's not corruption of self-interest!

By the time they realized what was happening, it was too late.

Chapter 406 The Ancient Sword Soul's Request: Rising Star Ding Peng

"Mr. Gu, this way please!"

Ancient Sword Soul followed Ghost Yama to another secret room.

This was the first time he had left the cage that had imprisoned him for nearly two years since arriving at Ghost Street, and he didn't know Zhang Xiaoshan's purpose.

Is it about to reveal its true colors?

Inside the secret chamber, Gu Jianhun also saw that familiar nine-foot figure!

Opposite them sat two formidable experts: a burly monk and a young man dressed in tight black clothes with a cold expression.

Even Gu Jianhun looked curious, wondering why Zhang Xiaoshan had summoned him here.

"Senior Gu, it's been a long time!"

"It has indeed been a long time. What? Ready to make a move?"

Seeing that Gu Jianhun seemed to have misunderstood something, Zhang Xiaoshan shook his head and chuckled, explaining at the same time:

"This is Master Xingyin, who has been practicing the Wedding Dress Divine Skill for nearly six years, making him the one with the longest cultivation time."

This is the candidate chosen by Zhang, a rising star in the martial arts world—Ding Peng, a martial arts prodigy!

"Wedding Dress Divine Skill!"

"Interesting. You wanted me to witness this transfer of power? I never expected to have such an honor."

Gu Jianhun looked at Xingyin and Ding Peng with curiosity!

He understood the sexual connotations, but what about Ding Peng?

It's no small feat that a mere upstart could command such a massive investment from Zhang Xiaoshan.

Even Ghost Yama didn't understand, because Ding Peng was a rising star in the martial arts world, and he was someone Zhang Xiaoshan had sent to find him.

But fundamentally, Ding Peng's background is nothing special.

This is also the effect Zhang Xiaoshan wanted.

Because there was no prior relationship between them, and he knew them very well, this was the only way he could ensure that he wouldn't be taken advantage of.

This isn't because he has paranoia, but because of this world, this entire society—

It's easy to hide from open guns, but hard to guard against hidden arrows!

Especially now that the Zhang family has reached this point, there are too many people watching them, and too many people wanting to scheme against them.

Of the hundred steps he takes, ninety-nine may be within someone else's calculations.

He always hired people he knew well, people with "clean backgrounds".

Because he knew that there weren't many trustworthy people in the martial arts world.

Those 'protagonists' are either saintly figures or have their own ideas, making them difficult to control.

The best assassins are those who are obsessed with martial arts, and Ding Peng is Zhang Xiaoshan's choice!

"Master of Sexual Sound, let's begin!"

"Yes, son."

Xingyin glanced at Ding Peng to the side; after the past two days of guidance, he had also discovered that Ding Peng was a martial arts prodigy.

Moreover, Ding Peng was Zhang Xiaoshan's chosen successor, so naturally he had no significance.

From the moment he joined the Blood Droplets, he had already sold his life to the Zhang family.

Moreover, the Zhang family did not disappoint him, allowing his strength to improve rapidly. Even before practicing the Wedding Dress Divine Skill, his martial arts had already reached the unparalleled realm.

At this time, after six years of cultivating the Wedding Dress Divine Skill, he was not afraid of the pain of being cut by knives in his meridians. He went against the current and his power reached the peak of unparalleled skill.

Once one breaks through the impasse and rebuilds, there is a high probability that one will break through to the Grandmaster level.

Ding Peng also looked nervous, with disbelief in his eyes, as if he were in a dream.

He had surely heard of the controversy surrounding the "Wedding Dress Divine Skill."

She never imagined that she would have such a wonderful encounter and become a beneficiary of the Wedding Dress Divine Skill.

Moreover, according to Zhang Xiaoshan's introduction, Xingyin has been practicing the Wedding Dress Divine Skill for six years, and her internal strength is so profound that she is on the verge of breaking through to the Grandmaster level.

He will now fully inherit the power of Xingyin at this moment.

Keep in mind that this was a vast internal force nearly at the Grandmaster level, and all he had given up was killing people to serve the Zhang family.