Under one person: I, Zhang Zhiwei, the arrogant Zhang.

"Born in ten years?" Wang Ai was taken aback: "Senior Brother Zhang, how could you predict something like this?"

"More or less," Zhang Zhiwei said casually.

"What has his nephew accomplished?" Wang Ai asked.

“You’ll find out later,” Zhang Zhiwei said. “Push this matter forward. If that person can’t do it, let me know and I’ll go there myself. In short, let’s try to produce this medicine in China this year.”

Wang Ai immediately assured Zhang Zhiwei that she would personally follow up on the matter.

Afterwards, the group discussed some details of the Chongqing matter before taking a break.

The next morning, Zhang Zhiwei sat cross-legged on the balcony of his room, facing the Yangtze River and basking in the rising sun, breathing in the essence of the sun.

He came down the mountain to build an air-raid shelter, but he couldn't neglect his cultivation.

After exhaling the essence of the sun, the faint golden light surrounding his body receded into his body. Zhang Zhiwei stood up, and with a thought, black mist surged around him, transforming into a falcon, and flew towards Tangjiabao.

Meanwhile, in the council hall of Tangjiabao, in front of a magnificent painting depicting the Battle of Diaoyu City.

A lean, tall, one-eyed middle-aged man in a gray robe was having tea and chatting with a stylish old man with a neat Shelby hairstyle, a slightly plump figure, a well-tailored white shirt and black suit, and a kind-looking face with his eyes squinted.

"Senior brother, Gao Yingcai wrote to me last night, saying that Wang Ai had contacted him and invited people from our Tang Clan to participate in an operation codenamed Zhang Mazi," said Tang Bingwen, the head of the Tang Clan.

"Is this chubby kid teaching the Tang Clan how to do things?" Master Tang Jiaren narrowed his eyes, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said with a smile, "Junior Brother never makes mistakes without reason. Since you've asked me, do you want to get involved in this matter? And do you intend for me to be involved?"

“Little Fatty is now Little Celestial Master’s man, so this matter should be Little Celestial Master’s idea, which is why I plan to get involved,” Tang Bingwen said.

Tang Jiaren didn't speak, and lowered his head to drink water.

Tang Bingwen continued, "However, this matter involves a lot of people. I don't trust anyone else. I can only be 100% at ease if my senior brother takes action."

Tang Jiaren put down his teacup, his smiling face turning serious. He neither agreed nor refused, but instead asked:
"What is Zhang Mazi's operation all about?"

Tang Bingwen paused for a moment and said, "Simply put, it's about disguising yourself as a bandit and robbing money from those big landlords and capitalists."

Tang Jiaren was immediately stunned, and it took him a while to come to his senses before he couldn't help but laugh:
"You mean, Little Celestial Master, the future leader of the Taoist sect, is going to disguise himself as a gangster and rob landlords of their money?"

Tang Bingwen said, "It is somewhat absurd. If Wang Ai hadn't said it himself, I would have found it hard to believe."

"This young Taoist master is quite a character; he doesn't play by the rules at all. I'm rather interested in his actions, Zhang Mazi's plan," Tang Jiaren said with a smile.

"Senior brother, won't you feel guilty? If so, I can have Junior Brother Houren help you," Tang Bingwen said.

Tang Houren is Tang Jiaren's younger brother and a master of Dan Shi. He is a member of the team in the battle of the Sky Piercing Cave in the story.

"No need. What psychological burden would I have?" Tang Jiaren said, squinting. "Even the Taoist leader, Little Celestial Master, can disguise himself as a bandit to rob money. How could I, an assassin who kills for money, be unable to save face? What's face worth?"

"Since Senior Brother has agreed, I'm relieved!" Tang Bingwen looked up at the sky. Eagles were flying high above, but he didn't pay attention to them. He continued, "I'll go to Tiantong Steel Plant now to discuss it with Little Celestial Master. Speaking of which, we haven't met since Little Celestial Master came to Yucheng!"

"I'll go with you!" Tang Jiaren said. "I haven't seen the Little Celestial Master since what happened in the Northeast. So much time has passed, I wonder how much his cultivation has improved!"

As they were talking, they decided to set off.

At this moment, high above Tangjiabao, Zhang Zhiwei, transformed into a falcon, was circling.

Zhang Zhiwei had been to Tangjiabao before, but that was more than twenty years ago. He came with his master and even had a few matches with the younger generation of the Tang Clan. It was during that time that he defeated Li Ding.

So many years have passed, but the Tang Clan remains unchanged, just like it was back then.

Looking down from above, the vermilion paint is fine, the architecture is simple and elegant, the roof ridge beasts are soaring, and the buildings are lined up one after another. It is not at all like the legendary Yama Palace, but rather like a fortress that is easy to defend and difficult to attack.

In fact, it is indeed a fortress. It's impossible for a killer sect like the Tang Clan, which has been around for thousands of years, not to have some enemies.

Especially during times of peace and prosperity, which emperor could tolerate them? There were instances of sending troops to besiege and suppress them, but they stubbornly remained standing.

The root cause lies in the high skill level of the Tang Clan members and the treacherous terrain. The saying "The road to Shu is difficult, more difficult than ascending to heaven" is no joke.

On the way up the mountain, there are treacherous passes everywhere, where one man can hold off ten thousand. Without high-tech weapons, it would be useless to send out a large number of soldiers from ancient times. We can only send out experts, but even experts are afraid of Dan Shi!

However, with the acceleration of modernization, especially the emergence of airplanes and cannons, the Tang Clan members vaguely realized that if things continued this way, the Tang Clan might not be able to rest easy as before. Therefore, the Tang Clan leader made a deal with Zhang Zhiwei.

…………

…………

Zhang Zhiwei circled twice above Tangjiabao, then landed at the entrance of Tangjiabao. With a thought, he transformed into human form.

There were no guards at the entrance of Tangjiabao, but there were people patrolling in disguise using illusion barriers.

Today, the people on inspection were Dong Chang and Xu Xin.

The two saw a falcon land at the doorway and didn't pay much attention at first. The Tang Clan was located on a mountain, so it wasn't unusual for birds like sparrows to pass by sometimes. But then, the falcon suddenly transformed into human form, which startled them.

But upon closer inspection, his figure and Taoist robe clearly belong to a young Taoist master!

The two exchanged a glance and immediately jumped out.

"Dong Chang of the Tang Clan!"

"Xu Xin from the Tang Clan!"

"Greetings, Little Celestial Master!"

The two said in unison.

Zhang Zhiwei saw them from the air and said with a smile, "You two, it's been a long time."

"Hehehe, I didn't expect the little celestial master to still remember us!" Xu Xin said, looking flattered.

Dong Chang, being more mature, asked, "Little Celestial Master, have you come to our Tang Clan to see the Sect Leader?"

Zhang Zhiwei nodded.

"I'll take you there right away!" Xu Xin said, then nudged Dong Chang with his elbow: "I'll take the Little Celestial Master, you go ahead and report to the sect leader!"

"You little rascal, you're really cunning!" Dong Chang cursed under his breath, then turned and flew away.

Just as Tang Clan Master and the eldest master stepped out of the main hall and were about to go down the mountain to the Tiantong Steel Plant, Dong Chang rushed over to report that the Little Celestial Master had arrived.

The Tang Clan leader and the eldest master exchanged a glance.

"He actually came in person! This young celestial master is truly unpretentious!" Tang Jiaren said. "In that case, we seem rather impolite!" Tang Bingwen said, "Let's go, let's go and greet him!"

The two sides went in and out, and soon they bumped into each other.

The Tang Clan Elder's one eye flashed as he bowed respectfully, saying, "Your presence, Young Celestial Master, is an honor to our Tang Family Fortress!"

"Master Tang, you're too kind. I apologize for the intrusion and trouble you with this visit!" Zhang Zhiwei returned the greeting with a smile, his attitude amiable.

"It's been many years since we parted ways in the Northeast. Little Celestial Master's cultivation has become even more refined. He has returned to simplicity and is now impeccable!" Tang Jiaren said with a smile.

"Grandpa is still going strong!" Zhang Zhiwei said with a smile.

Tang Jiaren, as the one who comprehended Dan Shi, had an extremely high level of Guan Zizai Mind Method and was extremely skilled at observing the Dharma. He could even see the Dan Shi techniques used by his junior brothers, but he could not see through Zhang Zhiwei's current realm and the strength of his Qi.

He could only vaguely sense a faint, human-shaped aura in front of him. He even felt that Zhang Zhiwei's aura was so weak that it resembled a human-shaped Dan Shi.

This shocked him greatly; how could a person possibly do such a thing?!
Although Tang Clan Master only had one eye, his level of observation was extremely high. He could also vaguely sense the extremely weak Qi aura on Zhang Zhiwei's body. He was just as surprised as Tang Jiaren.

The two who had mastered the art of using Dan Shi to their fullest extent understood the terrifying nature of it.

Suppressing their surprise, the two led Zhang Zhiwei to the main hall, where they sat down as host and guest. Disciples served tea, and after a few pleasantries, Zhang Zhiwei put down his teacup and got down to business.

"Sect Leader Tang, I've come here today to discuss a collaboration with you!"

"Is the 'Zhang Mazi Operation' that the Little Celestial Master is talking about?" Tang Bingwen asked.

"So Master Tang already knew," Zhang Zhiwei said with a smile.

“Gao Yingcai reported to me, including details such as compensation!” Tang Bingwen said.

"What is the Tang Clan Master's idea...?" Zhang Zhiwei asked.

“If even the Little Celestial Master is going all out, what do we have to hold back?” Tang Bingwen said decisively, “This job is our Tang Clan’s!”

"Who does the Tang Clan leader plan to send to lead the team?" Zhang Zhiwei asked.

Tang Bingwen looked at Tang Jiaren.

Tang Jiaren said with a smile, "I'll take this job and make sure it's done perfectly!"

“With the master making a move, I am naturally at ease!” Zhang Zhiwei said with a smile.

Tang Jiaren continued, "Little Celestial Master, is your action this time to confiscate your property and exterminate your entire family, or...?"

“Just confiscate their property, there’s no need to wipe out the whole family!” Zhang Zhiwei grinned. “If necessary, just cripple them. I promised Liu Mang I wouldn’t kill any of his family members.”

Tang Jiaren laughed and said, "Little Celestial Master is truly a man of character!"

Looking at Tang Jiaren's mafia-style hairstyle, Zhang Zhiwei said, "The sir has also left a deep impression on me!"

"Hahaha……"

The two exchanged a smile, and the atmosphere became even more harmonious, as if they had already reached a consensus.

With the business settled, Tang Jiaren stood up and said, "You all continue. I'll go arrange for a lottery to determine the personnel for this operation."

After saying that, he turned and left. Later, Zhang Zhiwei and Tang Menzhang talked about the huge air-raid shelter that was going to be built in Chongqing.

The Tang Clan Master's tone turned somewhat serious: "The Little Celestial Master is building a large air-raid shelter... Is the big one coming soon?"

Zhang Zhiwei nodded: "Soon."

"about how long?"

"I reckon it'll be within the next year or two," Zhang Zhiwei said. "Prepare early to reduce the number of deaths."

"So soon?" the Tang Sect Master asked. "How long will it take to finish?"

"That's hard to say!" Zhang Zhiwei said. "What are Tang Sect Leader's plans?"

The Tang Clan leader gazed at the rugged scenery of Tang Family Fortress outside the window and slowly said:

"I have no plans. In this chaotic world, human life is as worthless as grass. Various forces are vying for power. All that the Tang Clan can do is choose one side and stand firmly on it, and then clash with it. I believe that in the end, we will surely be able to create a peaceful and tranquil era."

"We definitely can!" Zhang Zhiwei nodded confidently.

"I believe so too, but I wonder what that legendary golden age was really like? However, I'm afraid I won't live to see that era," Tang Bingwen sighed.

“I think the Tang Clan leader can see it!” Zhang Zhiwei said with certainty, then changed the subject with a hint of teasing, “But when that day comes, your Tang Clan’s assassin business will probably be in trouble. The new era may not be able to accommodate this ancient profession.”

Upon hearing this, the Tang Sect Master was not discouraged at all; instead, he smiled slightly, a smile that carried a hint of pride and confidence.

"If that day ever comes, so what if the Tang Clan changes professions? Assassination is just a skill; it's a product of the times. If the times no longer need it, will the disciples of the Tang Clan starve to death?"

"Putting everything else aside, with these skills alone, where in the world can't I go? Besides..."

He paused, then pointed in the direction of the Tiantong Steel Plant:
"If we really run out of options, we can still make a living by staying at Little Celestial Master's factory, right? We won't starve, we'll have a way out, and we can easily figure out a new way out."

Zhang Zhiwei laughed heartily: "Master Tang is truly insightful and open-minded."

"Insightful and open-minded?" Tang Sect Master touched his blind eye with a self-deprecating smile. "Actually, I'm not open-minded at all. I'm more stubborn than anyone else. Otherwise, I wouldn't have lost this eye."

"But personal stubbornness is a personal matter. Sitting in this position, which is related to the future of the entire Tang Clan, I can no longer be stubborn."

Zhang Zhiwei nodded: "I understand how you feel, the feeling of bearing a heavy burden, it's like a thousand people are all eagerly awaiting every word you say."

Tang Bingwen wholeheartedly agreed, saying, "Yes, they carry out every order you give without hesitation, even if it means going through fire and water. This trust is too heavy... I cannot, and dare not, betray it."

Zhang Zhiwei's smile faded, and he said seriously, "Sect Leader Tang, you possess great wisdom."

"What great wisdom? It's just being forced into it, something we were compelled to do." The Tang Sect Master waved his hand and then inquired about some details of the air-raid shelter project.

Zhang Zhiwei fully utilized his big mouth and told the Tang Clan leader everything without holding back.

The more Tang Clan leader listened, the more he realized the scale of the project. Worried that Gao Yingcai might not be able to manage the factory, he offered, "To avoid any trouble, I will personally oversee the project during its construction."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhiwei's smile widened: "With a seasoned veteran like you, Master Tang, personally overseeing things, security is absolutely guaranteed!" (End of Chapter)