Chapter 029 The Rhythm of Darkness Descends

Beihai Blue Mountain International, within the immense eight-hundred-meter garden.

Zhang Hao's brow furrowed slightly as he studied the data in his hands. Last night's "Journey to the West" had achieved a remarkable 17% listenership!

Just a few days ago, Hao Yi and the eight brothers perished in battle, leaving only Le Xiaotian alive. The highest authority at Lotus had reached out to him.

After a brief suppression, Le Xiaotian managed to sell tickets at ten times their usual price and successfully secured a residency at Nine Phoenix.

Now, he had performed yet another miracle.

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Hao smiled. "Heh, it's getting more and more interesting."

A group of twenty-some enforcers waiting nearby asked, "Brother Hao, how did things go last night?"

Zhang Hao said nothing, merely handed them the documents.

When the enforcers saw the numbers, they were stunned. Last night's program had been excellent, but Le Xiaotian was the first to defy Brother Hao and survive.

What now?

The enforcers, uncertain how to proceed, looked bewildered. At last, Zhang Hao's trusted lieutenant spoke up, "Brother Hao, what should we do now? At this rate, it'll get harder and harder to deal with Le Xiaotian."

Seated leisurely at the garden's dining table, drinking wine, smoking cigars, and basking in the warm sunlight, Zhang Hao laughed. "Haha, as I said, no one has ever dared refuse my generous offer. Le Xiaotian is intriguing, but my rules cannot be broken."

Just as the enforcers understood that a storm was about to descend upon Beihai, the rumble of engines drew their attention.

A convoy of luxury vehicles rolled down the estate's concrete drive—military vehicles.

As the cars parked and men in uniform stepped out, Zhang Hao's eyes narrowed. Rising to greet them, he signaled his men to stay calm.

Approaching the table, Ying stretched out his hand. "Brother Hao."

Zhang Hao grasped it firmly. "General Ying, you flatter this junior. Please, have a seat."

Hearing their leader address him thus, the enforcers exchanged startled glances. Could this be the famed, fiercely principled General Ying of Fama? After all, generals named Ying were rare.

But if it was truly him, why had he come to see Brother Hao?

Zhang Hao was also a bit surprised by Ying's visit. As he waited for his men to serve tea, he pondered silently.

But Ying wasted no time on pleasantries, diving straight into the matter. "Brother Hao, is your offer of a hundred thousand still valid?"

Zhang Hao stared into Ying's eyes for several seconds, then smiled. "General Ying, you are indeed straightforward. Tell me, what do you need? If there's anything I can do, I promise to give it my best."

Zhang Hao—a renowned figure in Beihai, often called its foremost shadow star. In Leqiu, whoever controls the world of celebrities controls the world itself. For his plan to succeed, he needed Zhang Hao.

Thinking this, Ying laid out his point. "Brother Hao, you are too modest. In Beihai, your name is known to all. Since you're interested, I'll get straight to it. We share a common enemy: Le Xiaotian. I came today to discuss cooperation."

Zhang Hao paused, taking a long drag on his cigar.

After a couple more puffs, he smiled. "General Ying, you are a star of Fama's military. I can't fathom why, with my notorious reputation, you'd seek my help. Don't you wish to serve Fama any longer?"

Staring directly at Zhang Hao, Ying asked, "Brother Hao, what do you believe is the prerequisite for defending the nation?"

Downing a glass of red wine, Zhang Hao reclined in his chair, looking unconcerned. "Power, fame, and glory."

The scene grew quiet as Ying lit a cigarette.

After a deep inhale, his face grew wistful. "Twenty years ago, I thought so too. But ten days ago, after my brother was assassinated, I realized: the nation's defense begins with a country worth protecting. If the nation targets my family, why should I serve it?"

Sensing the direction of the conversation, Zhang Hao probed, "A state itself is neither right nor wrong; it depends on whom its rulers serve. Was your brother eliminated by political parasites?"

Exhaling slowly, Ying began to explain his reason for coming.

After a lengthy account, Zhang Hao and his enforcers understood the situation.

It began more than ten days ago, when Le Xiaotian hosted "Le Xiaotian's Request Show" at Lotus Television.

Beihai's Lotus Television and Capital's Blue Cang Television were both heavyweights in Fama, entangled in complex power struggles with formidable resources.

For years, they had vied openly and covertly for the title of Fama's top television station. In recent years, the conflict had intensified, centered on the coveted position of singer-host.

To undermine Lotus Television, Blue Cang resorted to dirty tactics.

First, they pushed out the emotionally unstable Dr. Chen Fang. After Le Xiaotian resolved that issue, Ying Dengyuan entered the fray.

Yet, his "the moon is fullest on the sixteenth" failed to block Le Xiaotian's rise.

Afterward, relying on his elder brother Ying—an influential figure in Fama—Ying Dengyuan demanded payment from the Capital elite behind Blue Cang.

Having failed, he still sought compensation; the Capital's powerful figures refused.

When Ying Dengyuan threatened to expose their dealings unless paid, the situation escalated.

In Fama's political circles, the cardinal rule was never to get caught.

Whose hands are truly clean? Faced with Ying Dengyuan's blackmail, Blue Cang's high command ultimately had him killed.

After Ying Dengyuan's death, the matter did not end. News eventually reached Ying.

Though Ying Dengyuan was always more trouble than help, to Ying, he was his only brother in Leqiu.

Angry, Ying discovered that many of his longtime comrades had suffered similar tragedies.

Soldiers fought and died abroad, while their families were tormented or murdered by insiders at home. After all, the political stars played the dirtiest games—masters among masters.

In a flash, enraged and resolute, Ying called his followers and chose iron-handed measures.

For Fama to move toward the light, the Capital's elite must be purged—they are the cancer of politics!

To oppose them, he needed a grand operation, something that would make an impact.

Ultimately, Ying chose Beihai and its premier shadow star, Zhang Hao, who shared a common enemy in Le Xiaotian.

Now, fully understanding the reasons and events, Zhang Hao stood, cigar clenched between his teeth, and extended his hand. "Heh, General Ying, let us defend Fama in our own way. May our cooperation be successful."