Chapter 735: The Secret Within the Alliance

Zhou Zhaoping and Shao Xin’s management skills are truly no joke.

Two days later, Hui Three Pharmaceutical finally secured their production permit from Hui One’s reluctant drug supervision department.

Once they’d gotten the license, the two hyped things up for three whole days, building anticipation to a fever pitch across all the bases in Hui Three and even Huicheng Base itself. Only then, with everyone watching, did they hold a grand opening ceremony.

They didn’t stop there—on the big day, not only did they invite the Hui Three base chief, the head of the Research Institute, and the directors from various hospitals to attend in person, but they also dropped two bombshell announcements during the ceremony.

First: Fu Tianfeng, a legendary medical expert known by name across the whole country but never seen in public, has actually taken on the role of chief researcher for the pharmaceutical factory!

Second: The very first product off their line is none other than ‘Antifungal No. 3’—just developed by Fu’s own team—and Hui Three Pharmaceutical has been granted the exclusive rights to produce and sell it.

This medicine doesn’t just wipe out advanced Evolved Aspergillus, it can even eliminate super-evolved strains. Even better—the price is only a quarter of current specialized meds!

Before the crowd of workers and onlookers could even process this, Shao Xin lit up the giant screen and started playing congratulatory videos for Hui Three Pharmaceutical’s opening from heavy hitters in the field: the director of the Huaguo Drug Administration, the Hui One, Hui Two, Hui Six base chiefs, and the chairman of Chonglian Group.

And that wasn’t all. That very evening, the national Huaguo News devoted a full thirty seconds to covering Hui Three Pharmaceutical’s open for business!

After their breakthrough with High-Evolution Spinach Seeds X-2, Hui Three Base was once again the talk of the country. The marketing department’s phones rang nonstop that night.

The alliance leaders in Hui Three’s Northern Section One territory were in the same boat—completely overwhelmed.

Why? As soon as Xia Qing called the alliance meeting and everyone sat down, Tang Huai, grinning mischievously, couldn’t help blurting out:

“Did everyone catch the video last night? When Zhou Zhaoping announced Third Brother as Hui Three Pharmaceutical’s chief researcher, Hui One’s crew looked like their jaws and eyeballs were about to hit the floor! Ha!”

Xia Qing just stared in silence…

Yue Haiying was speechless too…

Everyone else: Hang on. Wait. Who?

Seeing the confusion on everyone’s faces, Tang Huai let out a laugh but immediately clamped his mouth shut, realizing he’d just stirred up trouble again.

Before Tang Heng could step in and smooth things over for his brother, Huo Zhun slapped the table and shot out of his seat, practically shaking with excitement. “Third Brother is actually the legendary Fu Tianfeng? I knew it! I knew it!”

…Tang Huai turned stiffly to stare at Xia Qing, who sat at the head of the long table: Wait—they really didn’t know?

Xia Qing raised an eyebrow: You’re totally screwed.

Tang Huai froze, springing to his feet to offer a formal apology.

But before he could even beg everyone to keep quiet, Kuang Qingwei was so excited he almost lost it. “My wound was actually stitched up by Fu himself!”

Tang Huai stammered, “Everyone…”

Shizhong was fired up too. “No wonder the meds Third Brother prescribed basically cured my arthritis!”

Zhu Li was equally thrilled. “Me too! No wonder I recovered so quickly after my injury. Third Brother is the real deal! Sister Qing, being able to pull Third Brother into our alliance is just incredible!”

Tang Huai tried again, “Guys, let me just say—”

Qi Fu chimed in, sounding relieved. “Last year when I got infected by that evolved fungus after being hit by hail, it was Third Brother’s miracle medicine that saved me. Good thing Xia Qing had that medicine!”

Yuan Yan didn’t speak but looked absolutely thrilled.

“Fu himself actually ate the Greenlight Alfalfa I grew, and I’m still raising the chicks bred by Fu! Ahhh—and most importantly, I’m actually allies with Fu! Ahhh!” Zhao Ze couldn’t keep from screeching with excitement.

First-timer Tan Qi joined in, full of youthful enthusiasm. “Our teacher told us that the filter cartridges for our protective masks, plus twenty-three types of antibiotics we use, were all developed by Uncle Fu. He’s a national treasure for Huaguo!”

“Everyone, everyone, stop!” Tang Huai was starting to sweat buckets. “This is strictly internal, alright? If anyone leaks this, Third Brother will blacklist you for sure!”

Before anyone could answer, Tang Huai switched gears in a flash. “Xia Qing, when did you find out who Third Brother really was?”

How did you manage to keep such a big secret from all of us?

Xia Qing replied, completely calm, “Before I became the manager of Hill Fifty.”

Tang Huai couldn’t resist teasing, “That late, huh? You really are out of the loop…”

Tang Heng tugged at his brother’s sleeve, urging him to say less.

But Tang Heng was already too late. Zhu Li—Xia Qing’s die-hard fan—fired back. “So, Brother Huai, when did you find out about Third Brother’s identity? Was it right after we got walkie-talkies and joined the Lords’ channel for the first supply trade?”

On that very first lords’ resource exchange, Tang Huai shipped a slab of spoiled Yellow Lantern Meat to Territory Seven, which ended up getting Territory Two instantly blacklisted by Zhang San.

Even now, a year later, Territory Two still hasn’t managed to escape Zhang San’s blacklist.

Tang Huai just sighed. “As if!”

Zhu Li’s reminder had all the lords cracking up, and even Tang Huai laughed along, totally unfazed.

Huo Zhun and Tan Qi, who’d never heard this gossip before, were soon clued in by Shi Du and joined in the laughter. The meeting was lively and cheerful.

After the excitement died down, Xia Qing reminded everyone to stay cool-headed. “You all know Third Brother’s temper. Since he hasn’t revealed his identity himself, just act like you don’t know. Keep things as they were.”

“Let me add one more thing: any materials you get from trading with Third Brother are for personal use only, not for resale at high prices. If he finds out, he’ll cut you off—doesn’t matter if you’re in the same alliance.”

Tang Huai chimed in, “Seriously, do not spill Third Brother’s secret. If you do, I’m doomed.”

Everyone nodded furiously—ending up on Zhang San’s blacklist is the ultimate nightmare.

Qi Fu changed the subject. “Alright, let’s get to business. First up: at everyone’s request, our alliance leader Xia Qing is going to share her tips for harvesting Green Lantern Spinach Seeds.”

Ordinary Green Lantern Spinach Seeds can also explode when ripe. Xia Qing had already grown two crops and knew the process best, so her explanation was crystal clear.

Everyone tuned in with rapt attention. Tan Qi and Tang Heng, especially, kept their heads down, taking notes as fast as they could.

Once Xia Qing finished sharing her tips and answered everyone’s questions, they moved to the second topic: preparing for the next round of Devastation Rain.

Xia Qing pulled out her laptop. “Next time Devastation Rain hits, wild tung trees are going to burst out of the ground in our territory. There’ll be even more than last time, and the threat level might jump from medium to high. Watch this video from Captain Tan and the others, showing how they cleared out wild tung trees.”