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

Page 475

The Empire's targeting of Ghost Street is merely due to the fact that this black market is too notorious and completely beyond the Empire's control.

Otherwise, with so many black markets within the empire, why target Ghost Street specifically?

"Forget it, the Zhang family has made great contributions, so it's not unreasonable to grant them a special privilege."

As long as Tianji Tower controls Ghost Street, the Empire will not interfere with Ghost Street unless an Imperial taboo is violated.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Gao breathed a sigh of relief; even though he was in charge of the Luo Wang organization, he didn't want to take action against the Zhang family.

The example of the Bad Commander serves as a cautionary tale. Even if he hadn't yet broken through to the Grandmaster level, he would still be a long way from the level of Zhang Xiaoshan and the Bad Commander.

Moreover, the Zhang family boasts a wealth of experts; below each of them, there are at least three Grandmasters, and numerous peerless masters.

"I heard that Ghost Street can order large quantities of weapons? And the quality is excellent?"

"Your Majesty, it all started with Lady Dongming from the three families on Ghost Street."

Lady Dongming was the daughter of the Demonic Sect's Yin Queen. She later left the Demonic Sect and established the Dongming Sect in the Ryukyu Islands of the East China Sea.

I heard there is a Shang family there who have been blacksmiths for generations. In the past, the weapons of the Dongming Sect were traded directly with the major clans. Later, when they joined Ghost Street, they used the Ghost Street passage.

The servants even learned that the Dongming Sect's forging techniques, after being instructed by someone from the Zhang family, resulted in weapons that were comparable to, or even superior to, the Empire's finest equipment.

In addition, one hundred exquisite weapons are sold annually, all of them divine weapons capable of cutting through iron like mud!

Upon hearing this, Qin Shi Huang narrowed his eyes.

He knew that Ghost Street sold weapons, but he didn't expect the weapons of the Dongming Sect to be so powerful.

Their superior weapons were no less than, and perhaps even better than, the finest weapons in their empire.

With the addition of a hundred divine-level weapons every year, even Qin Shi Huang was surprised, never expecting that Ghost Street truly had a 'deep foundation'.

"Are you serious?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not lie. The assassins of the Net used weapons purchased from Ghost Street."

Furthermore, all the Earth-level assassins acquired their divine weapons from Ghost Street; therefore, what I said earlier was not an exaggeration, but rather the result of comparison.

Qin Shi Huang nodded. No wonder!

This only fueled Qin Shi Huang's curiosity, and he immediately gave the order:

"In that case, go to Ghost Street and order a batch of weapons made to the Imperial Guard's specifications."

In addition, order those one hundred divine weapons as well!

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Gao breathed a sigh of relief. Ghost Street had become valuable, so Ying Zheng would not easily erase it.

"Your Majesty, the Dongming Sect also has a specialty product, which was also recommended by someone from the Zhang family. Perhaps the Empire can order it directly."

"Oh, what is it?"

"Snow salt is now the most important of all flavors in His Majesty's diet!"

Moreover, the refined salt from the Dongming School is of the highest quality, with no off-flavors or impurities, and was previously sold through salt guilds.

I heard that the salt smugglers, out of concern for the Empire's strength, did not support Ghost Street this time, so the Empire can buy it at a high price.

Qin Huangzheng looked even more curious, never expecting that Xueyan also came from the Dongming Sect.

Moreover, Zhao Gao's words and all these things were all guided by someone from the Zhang family, which is why the Dongming Sect achieved these results.

Qin Shi Huang did not reject Zhao Gao's suggestion.

·········Requesting flowers·· 0

After all, snow salt was a tribute item, but the quantity was extremely limited.

Ordering a batch directly from the source would be ideal, at least then we wouldn't have to 'save' money anymore.

"Is that so? Let's go together!"

Furthermore, I would like to make a trip to Peach Blossom Island to meet this Young Master Zhang. Seeing is believing, and I'd like to see his demeanor for myself.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Gao turned and left. He had his own purpose in going to Jiangnan this time.

Besides, with the Zhang family living in seclusion overseas, he also wanted to test Zhang Xiaoshan's attitude. If possible, Luo Wang also intended to infiltrate Ghost Street.

After all, the Luo Wang organization is most aware of the immense interests of Ghost Street.

Even those small fry can earn 100,000 gold coins a year, how could he not be envious?

This is a great opportunity!

As for controlling Ghost Street?

The two major factions of Ghost Street are so powerful that even the Zhang family dares not provoke the Luo Wang, and the Golden-Faced Buddha is no exception.

At least for now, Zhao Gao dares not provoke the two major powers, whose strength is too unfathomable, and it would be of no use to provoke them!

.... ..... 0

When Zhao Gao set off, Wang Jian also received a message.

Upon seeing Qin Shi Huang's decision, Wang Jian breathed a sigh of relief.

He had been sending people to search for a while, but unfortunately, they found no clues.

Even after that last time, these divine weapons seemed to have vanished into thin air, never to reappear.

Keep in mind that there were 50,000 divine soldiers, or even more.

Such a massive number of creatures appeared and disappeared without a trace, clearly indicating that the mechanisms within Ghost Street were not as simple as they had imagined.

However, Ghost Street was heavily guarded, and even though they sent people in to investigate, they found no clues whatsoever.

As for inside the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion?

That's a forbidden area; even top experts never return from there, let alone a group of spies.

···

"The Empire actually allowed Ghost Street to exist? This doesn't seem like anyone's style!"

On Peach Blossom Island.

Zhang Xiaoshan held the intelligence report in his hand, looking surprised.

During this time, he has been keeping a close eye on the situation in Ghost Street and is considering whether to move to a more secluded location.

To his utter astonishment, Qin Shi Huang actually allowed the existence of Ghost Street. This was a complete reversal that left him utterly dumbfounded.

"Young master, isn't it good?"

"It's good, but it feels strange."

Taking the fragrant tea offered by Liu Sheng Piaoxu, Zhang Xiaoshan pondered his next plan.

Ghost Street no longer needs to be relocated, but Zhang Xiaoshan does have plans to move it. In the bustling city, Ghost Street's location is now too conspicuous.

Where was the capital city before? The potential of Ghost Street lies in the darkness beneath the capital!

Without light, the spread of darkness is not a good thing.

Just like Yangzhou's Ghost Street, which has already become a commercial street, the future Lin'an Prefecture will inevitably be the same.

"However, Ghost Street needs to be relocated. Without the advantages of the capital, Ghost Street is no longer suitable for Lin'an Prefecture."

Zhang Xiaoshan leaned against Liu Sheng Piaoxu's legs, pondering the relocation site of Ghost Street.

A place that is secluded, easily accessible, and in an excellent location is not easy to find; at least Zhang Xiaoshan doesn't have a good location for the time being.

Taihu Lake?

Thinking of the Swallow's Nest and the Water Pavilion amidst the vast expanse of misty waters is not impossible.

However, Taihu Lake also has a large flow of people, and if the roads leading in and out are blocked, they become dead ends.

Chapter 550 In the Name of the Unruly Commander—The Destroyer of Qin, Hu

"Why don't you move Ghost Street to an island, young master!"

Upon hearing Liu Sheng Piaoxu's suggestion, Zhang Xiaoshan immediately shook his head.

The island is 'too far' from the mainland. Even if the island is only ten miles away from the mainland, it would take three-quarters of an hour by large ship, let alone small ships.

Moreover, the island's defenses are too weak; once it is besieged by the empire, there will be nowhere to run.

Therefore, Zhang Xiaoshan gave up on overseas opportunities from the very beginning.

Overseas is mainly about secrecy and vastness, while Ghost Street is a place that is secretive to ordinary people but open to underworld forces.

"I'll go to Nanjing in a while."

A place where tigers crouch and dragons coil might be a good choice; like the Ghost Street of Mangshan, being hidden in the mountains is the best option.

By the way, Piaoxu, your Nine Yin Manual should be nearing completion in a while.

After some time, I can go into seclusion to cultivate and strive to reach the perfect realm within a year.

"Piaoxu will certainly not disappoint you, young master!"

At this time, Master Mingchen had already reached the perfect state, but even with the Padmasambhava image and the supreme esoteric teachings, advancing to the Grandmaster level was not something that could be achieved overnight.

As for Huang Rong, Murong Jiu, and Shopkeeper Feng, they are only at the lower ninth level.

One is playful, the other focuses on medicine and poison.

"450"

Shopkeeper Feng's main skill is the Northern Darkness Divine Art, and her Nine Yin Divine Art level was only able to continue to improve thanks to Zhang Xiaoshan.

On the contrary, the two Hu sisters, with Zhang Xiaoshan's help, successfully entered the ninth level of the peerless realm. Coupled with the completion of the Heavenly Crippled Divine Skill, they were no match for ordinary grandmasters.

Next came Ji Yaohua, Bai Feifei, Hongxiao, and Jiangxue, all of whom were at the eighth level of cultivation.

The last one is Li Qinglu, who has just broken through to the pinnacle of her cultivation!

However, after Bai Feifei started practicing the Divine Blade Slash, she made rapid progress at first, but now she has entered a bottleneck.

According to Zhang Xiaoshan's speculation, it was because no blood was drawn!

In particular, the Blood Jade Scimitar is a divine weapon with extremely strong evil properties, so Zhang Xiaoshan wants Bai Feifei to return to the desert and establish the Ghost Palace.

Firstly, Azi's power is in Tianshan, while the desert is a forbidden area, but that doesn't mean the desert is unimportant.

Secondly, the vast resources and numerous buried treasures in the desert allow Bai Feifei to search for treasures when Zhang Xiaoshan goes into seclusion, once she gathers specific information about them.

Thirdly, they sharpen their knives with the blood of desert bandits and other underworld figures.

With the power of the Crescent Moon Blade and the Ghost Palace, the Zhang family will have another trump card.

"We have guests!"

Hearing the dolphin's ultrasonic waves, Zhang Xiaoshan glanced at Hongxiao, who was sketching on the side, and gave the order:

"Hong'er, in a quarter of an hour, lead the guests to the small building downstairs."

"I understand, Master!"

Then Zhang Xiaoshan looked at Huang Rong, who was playing around to the side, and chuckled:

"Rong'er, several imperial envoys have arrived. Prepare a banquet of thirty-six dishes from the Great Harmony Feast for lunch."

"Know it!"

Huang Rong was also helpless, her beautiful eyes showing a coquettish reproach, she had no choice but to get busy right now.

After all, preparing such a feast is not easy.

Fifteen minutes later, a dozen or so distinguished guests disembarked at the dock.

Besides Ghost Street Ghost Yama, Demon Buddha Ding Peng, Ding Peng, Tomb Raider Heavenly Official, and Lady Dongming, there are also the Empire's Ten Great Masters—Moon Goddess, Zhao Gao, Great Young Master of Fate, and the Six Sword Slaves of the Net, as well as the Empire's General Wang Jian and Deputy General Meng Wu.

Although Zhang Xiaoshan was just a commoner, no one could help but feel curiosity and respect for this suddenly appearing 'young master'.

"This humble servant, Hongxiao, greets all distinguished guests!"

Hongxiao bowed respectfully as they waited. Although she was somewhat annoyed by Zhang Xiaoshan's arrogance, no one showed it on their faces.