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

What are the probabilities?

Since the stars are selected from the Miss Hong Kong pageant, the competition is far more efficient than finding a needle in a haystack.

Chapter 493 Grandmaster Princess Taiping

"Sir, we're here!"

Shen Du Wharf.

By this time, the Zhang family's fleet had already outnumbered over a hundred of Aunt Yu's ships and was following closely behind the Dafu ship.

However, in Zhuxian Town, which was under the control of the Zhang family, Zhang Xiaoshan replenished his supplies again.

The women who were taken aboard the ship felt extremely fortunate about the Zhang family's immense wealth.

Most of them were concubines who had previously relied on powerful men for survival.

Now that we need to be self-sufficient, it's impossible to abandon our old ideas.

The stronger the Zhang family became, the more reassured they felt, like a pillar of stability in the sea.

Five large Fujian-style ships and hundreds of top-class inland transport vessels—this was the Zhang family's strength. Even if they knew nothing about it, they knew that the Zhang family was powerful and influential.

Moreover, the ability to rescue them from the brothel is a testament to their exceptional influence in the Ming Dynasty.

"Disembark and unload the cargo!"

The women who were pulled ashore disembarked naturally, while the cargo consisted of goods from the Dayu ship.

As for the cargo on the Dafu ship, it was cargo from Ghost Street, so it needed to be unloaded at another location.

"Young Master Zhang is quite the ladies' man, bringing so many beauties with him on this one trip eastward?"

A mocking yet jealous voice rang out, and Zhang Xiaoshan looked up to see a rainbow-like figure standing gracefully in the pavilion.

The crimson sunset, like blood, is as delicate and graceful as a swaying willow branch. Golden hairpins adorn her hair, and her black hair dances in the breeze, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

"Your Highness, you flatter me. These are all maids hired by me to serve at the Yingbin Tower."

Moreover, the princess knew their identities; if Zhang didn't intervene, their lives would be ruined. Whether it was because Zhang's restaurant needed high-quality female servants, or because saving a life was considered a great act of merit, Zhang was duty-bound to do so!

Princess Taiping knew that Zhang Xiaoshan was right, but she was just jealous.

Moreover, these women are not innocent little rabbits, but rather big bad wolves.

As the successor to the Empress, she understood these women's psychology all too well, but if she wanted to get close to Zhang Xiaoshan, she had to get past Huang Rong first.

Zhang Xiaoshan is never short of beauties!

As boatloads of beautiful women disembarked, the laborers at the entire dock were dumbfounded.

Zhang Xiaoshan rescued only the concubines and wives of wealthy families, all of whom were dignified and beautiful—qualities that rough men could not resist.

"Rong'er, you are in charge of arranging their accommodations."

"Rest assured, my lord!"

Huang Rong nodded, quite satisfied with Zhang Xiaoshan's 'arrangement'.

She wouldn't feel comfortable if Zhang Xiaoshan personally arranged things for them.

Leaving Xuan Nu, Hong Xiao, and Jiang Xue to assist him, Zhang Xiaoshan led Princess Taiping toward the Third Ghost Street.

The third Ghost Street is located in Mangshan. After its basic construction was completed, it underwent renovation and design, and the mechanisms were changed. Only then was it truly completed.

After all, the previous mechanisms were all quite ordinary.

The mechanisms that Zhang Xiaoshan had modified were all closely guarded secrets.

"This is Ghost Street!"

Previously, Ghost Street was guarded by the Flying Guillotine.

After the craftsmen came out, Zhang Xiaoshan immediately put down the Dragon-Slaying Stone, cutting off all contact with the outside world.

At this moment, as the Dragon-Slaying Stone was slowly lifted by Ghost Three and the Black-Armored Demon God, the entrance to Ghost Street appeared before Princess Taiping.

Even Princess Taiping, out of curiosity, followed Zhang Xiaoshan into Ghost Street.

Inside the dark cave, the surrounding area is a sturdy, wide passageway made of reinforced concrete.

As for the port where Ghost Street unloads its cargo, it is not on the front side.

After all, unloading the goods directly would expose Ghost Street to the public, even though Ghost Street wasn't a secret among those powerful forces.

But in the eyes of ordinary people, Ghost Street is a forbidden place.

Entering the trading area of ​​Ghost Street, you can see the starry night sky above you.

Under those 'starlight' lights, Princess Taiping could clearly see the surrounding shops layered upon each other, like a honeycomb, with at least four or five floors, and at least one shop above. The scale of business in this ghost street far exceeded that of Lin'an Prefecture and Yangzhou.

This is the Zhang family's true grand gesture.

"This is Ghost Street?"

"This is the first level of Ghost Street, which is the area where Ghost Street operates."

The two upper floors also house the private shops of the Nine Gates of Ghost Street, as well as the core area of ​​the Nine Gates.

The lower two floors contain warehouses and secret rooms.

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's introduction, even Princess Taiping was shocked.

Is this really something the Zhang family carved out in just a few months?

Even if it were used as a hidden military cave, it would be more than enough to conceal an army of 100,000, let alone this is only the first level.

If the Zhang family truly built this high-rise from scratch, it would be an absolute marvel of craftsmanship, utterly incredible.

"what is that?"

Looking at the central pillar of Ghost Street, almost all the shops are densely distributed around it.

"The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion!"

Tianji Tower?

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's confirmation, even Princess Taiping couldn't help but gasp.

Sure enough, this is Zhang Xiaoshan's style!

Although the Heavenly Mystery Tower is only one story high, it is actually ten zhang tall. It was under renovation before and was only recently completed.

"So, in other words, I will be the head manager of Tianji Tower from now on?"

Although the imperial princess wielded immense power, Princess Taiping still harbored a possessive streak.

"Crack! Crack!"

Zhang Xiaoshan patted twice, and the Tianji Tower, which was originally dark, suddenly became brightly lit, as if thousands of candles were lit at the same time.

The marble balustrade at the top, which looks like a decoration, is actually ablaze with flames, which spread rapidly across the entire Ghost Street, forming a pattern of decorations that resembles the flowers of the other shore.

In an instant, the originally dark Ghost Street was illuminated as if it were daytime, making it difficult for people's eyes to adjust in a short time.

However, the light gradually dimmed, leaving only the candlelight of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, which guided the way like a lighthouse!

"Was that a will-o'-the-wisp just now?"

"That's good, but it contains some other things that can generate heat through friction."

If someone with malicious intent hides on it, the slightest movement, such as a body or rope touching it, will ignite it.

"So insidious!"

Hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's instructions, it was clear that no one had a way out.

Moreover, will-o'-the-wisps are terrifying; if they splash onto the body, they can be fatal.

"The first and second floors are just the normal Ghost Street operating mode."

The third level is only accessible to the top three families; it is only open to the other nine families when a meeting is held.

"Besides the warehouse and secret room, what other purpose does the area below serve?"

"Gone!"

Zhang Xiaoshan shook his head directly.

Since it has no other purpose, this Ghost Street Trading Center was established entirely to expand Ghost Street's influence, and Zhang Xiaoshan did not intend to use it as his base of operations.

Therefore, Zhang Xiaoshan prioritized speed in construction but didn't put much effort into it.

"I will serve as the head manager of Tianji Tower. What about the other three?"

"Originally, the Buddha should have taken a seat, but since the Buddha is preparing to take charge of the East Mansion, the Zhang family will be in charge here."

Therefore, among the three families above, besides the one from the Demonic Sect, there is another one who is a member of the Buddha's faction.

As for the specifics, the Buddha did not elaborate.

"The man of the Golden-Faced Buddha!"

Princess Taiping was not surprised, but she was curious about who the person the Golden-Faced Buddha had planted.

Inside the Tianji Tower, candlelight blazed brightly.

The layout is unoriginal, no different from a typical inn or restaurant. With its railings, pavilions, and bright red lanterns hanging high, it resembles a brothel.

Only at the very top was an additional pavilion, which served not only as a place to rest but also as a gateway to the second floor.

Entering the second floor through the Tianji Tower, the layout here is no different from the first floor, except that it is much more organized, and can be considered the layout of a high-end venue.

The third level is a hidden and vast space.

First, a round table meeting room can be arranged as the 'headquarters'.

Several stone doors, resembling secret chambers, are visible in the surrounding area. Hidden within are numerous secret passages and chambers, leading to every corner of Ghost Street.

"Is this really a masterpiece that the Zhang family completed in just one year?"

"The princess's information is crystal clear."

Moreover, apart from the Zhang family, no one can replicate this. The combined efforts of several Grandmasters, along with various explosive techniques and the exquisite control involved, are something the princess, having advanced to Grandmaster level, must be intimately familiar with!

"You know that I have broken through to the Grandmaster level?"

Upon hearing the title 'Grandmaster', Princess Taiping immediately looked at Zhang Xiaoshan, her beautiful eyes filled with surprise.

Even the Martial Emperor was unaware that she had broken through to the Grandmaster level.

Although she was Emperor Wu's favorite princess, the power struggles within the empire meant she had to keep a secret from everyone.

"Although the princess concealed her presence, that very concealment is her biggest weakness!"

"Ah~ Waaah..."

Princess Taiping suddenly felt unbalanced, and then she was pulled into Zhang Xiaoshan's arms, followed by a feeling of suffocation.

"asshole!"

After a long while, Princess Taiping regained her breath, and a look of shame and anger flashed in her beautiful eyes.

However, Zhang Xiaoshan could tell from the subtle curve at the corner of her mouth that Princess Taiping was still Princess Taiping, without the slightest sense of unfamiliarity.

This is not a case of possession, but rather a fusion.

There have been changes, but the fundamental consciousness has not been affected much.

"This humble subject is here to congratulate the princess. Congratulations on your breakthrough to Grandmaster."

"Pah! Is this how you celebrate?"

In shame and anger, Princess Taiping turned her head away from Xiuyan, ignoring Zhang Xiaoshan's shamelessness.

"Princess, have you noticed any changes since breaking through to the Grandmaster level?"

"Variety?"

"The cultivation of demonic power in the Dao Heart is ultimately a demonic technique, a deviation from the proper path."

I'm worried that the princess might suffer some aftereffects. Later, I'll try to combine Taoist techniques with the princess's demonic arts. If there are any problems, I can detect them immediately.

Hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's 'concern', even Princess Taiping couldn't help but feel a touch of emotion deep in her heart.