Chapter 1245 - 874: Identity Issues

Zhong Xiang’s grandfather Zhong Wubai was of course familiar to Zhang Chen, after all, it was under his guidance that Elder Zhong was able to break through.

A trace of inexplicable emotion appeared in Zhang Chen’s eyes: "Elder Zhong is willing to stand with me?"

"Not only is he standing with you, but he is also fully supporting you, even to the point of angrily rebuking the Northern Land envoys in the court, personally debating with the Eight Great Clans. Everyone thinks he’s gone mad!" Xie Lingyun said.

Zhang Chen remained silent for a long time after hearing this, then sighed quietly: "It seems I must choose a day to visit Elder Zhong."

"Not only should you visit, but you should also bring a substantial gift with you," Xie Lingyun added.

Upon hearing Xie Lingyun’s words, Zhang Chen nodded: "That’s appropriate!"

"What matters most to you now is resolving your identity issue. Your identity is your fatal flaw. Only by resolving this can you move freely in Kyoto," Xie Lingyun said to Zhang Chen.

"I certainly know my identity is a major problem, but how to resolve this, I must ask you for guidance, sister," Zhang Chen replied.

Xie Lingyun smiled bitterly upon hearing this: "I have been thinking for you for many years, yet I have not found a solution."

"What exactly happened back then? Why was my father demoted?" Zhang Chen asked, needing to know all the clues to find a way to deal with it.

Xie Lingyun hesitated to speak at first, then after a long pause said: "This is not the place to discuss it. Come with me to the Inspection and Supervision Department for a better discussion."

The two made their way to the Inspection and Supervision Department, whose grand edifice seemed like a palace from later generations, with guards posted every few paces, an aura of terrifying Qi Mechanism lurking.

Within a ten-mile radius of the Inspection and Supervision Department, only the families of the officials lived there; ordinary households dared not reside nearby.

The carriage drove all the way into the Inspection and Supervision Department, to the back courtyard, where the artificial hills and pavilions were uniquely arranged, without any hint of the rumored severity.

In the pavilions, maidservants were bustling about with their duties.

Xie Lingyun got off the carriage: "Come with me!"

The two walked through the pavilions, with Xie Lingyun leading the way, her back to Zhang Chen: "My father originally wanted to personally welcome you today, but had urgent matters to attend to, and left Kyoto this morning."

"The tasks of the Inspection and Supervision Department are critical, we are all family, there’s no need for formalities. Besides, I should personally visit Lord Xie, it’s not right to expect him to wait for me," Zhang Chen quickly added.

Xie Lingyun covered her mouth, chuckling at Zhang Chen’s earnest demeanor: "You’re just as formal as before, no change at all. We are family, there’s no need for such formalities."

With that, Xie Lingyun opened the door to a secret chamber and led Zhang Chen through a long corridor, guarded by numerous martial artists with vigorous Qi Blood, all the way into a secret room.

Inside the secret room were rows of bookshelves filled with countless books. Xie Lingyun casually pulled a scroll from the shelf and handed it to Zhang Chen: "This secret scroll is the ultimate secret scroll of the Inspection and Supervision Department. If not for both my father and I advancing to Yang God True Masters, it would be nearly impossible to retrieve this from the department’s secret vault."

Taking the scroll, Zhang Chen listened as Xie Lingyun explained: "The incident involving your father was an earth-shattering secret. The Eight Great Clans colluded with Prince Pingbian and occupied the Northern Land’s Dragon Vein, long harboring rebellion intentions. The Emperor was deeply wary of the Eight Great Clans, but they had supported Prince Pingbian in the Northern Land. He controlled the White Bone Great Wall, secretly colluded with the Demon Race, and even the court could do nothing against him. Plus, the Dragon Qi gathered at Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, preventing court experts from assassination attempts."

"The Eight Great Clans are no pushovers. Knowing the Human King harbored killing intent against them, your father used the Zhang Family’s Secret Treasure Book of Life and Death to alter fate, cutting short the former Crown Prince’s life. His body was then manipulated by the Shen Family’s Human Reincarnation, attempting to be reborn as a royal offspring, to seize the Great Victory Dynasty on such a chance. Unfortunately, your father failed. He calculated everything but didn’t anticipate a traitor from the Zhang Family. That person thought your father’s actions wouldn’t succeed and would implicate the Eight Great Clans if it failed, provoking a rift with the Royal Family. So, he directly informed the Royal Family," Xie Lingyun sighed softly.

"Such ruthless methods!" Zhang Chen looked at the scroll in his hand, expressionless: "Why did he inform? Would the Eight Great Clans not act and allow the Great Victory Royal Family to gradually settle scores with them?"

"Because the other side believes your father’s chances of victory were slim and needed to buy time for the ancestor of Prince Pingbian’s Mansion to prepare for Dragon Transformation. Once the ancestor transforms to a Twelfth Tier powerhouse, the Eight Great Clans would have the strength to stand alongside the Chai Family. Thus, your father was a pawn they sacrificed," Xie Lingyun said, turning to look at Zhang Chen: "Furthermore, to ease relations with the Eight Great Clans and fearing they might let the Demon Race in, the Emperor chose to only punish your father’s lineage, merely opting for exile to appease the Eight Great Clans and buy time for the Great Victory Royal Family."

"After reaching the Northern Land, your father was killed by Prince Pingbian’s treachery. Prince Pingbian intended to rebel and, fearing the repercussions if he failed, placed Zhang Xiaohua by your side to substitute you. If he failed in his rebellion, Zhang Xiaohua could take your place and continue living among the Eight Great Clans in Kyoto," Xie Lingyun said.

Zhang Chen sneered upon hearing this, "Then he has miscalculated. If Prince Pingbian’s rebellion fails, the Eight Great Clans will face a crisis of life and death, inevitably leading to the Great Victory Emperor’s reckoning. Even if Zhang Xiaohua is sent to Kyoto, it’s only a matter of time before the reckoning catches up to her."

"You’re wrong; the Eight Great Clans are not that simple. The Zhang Family holds the Book of Life and Death, with the name of the Human King among them. Also, your Zhang Family’s Human Reincarnation is something the Great Victory Royal Family fears. Heaven knows how many old figures, through Human Reincarnation, have been reborn and hidden throughout the world and its major families. Uprooting the Eight Great Clans is not a simple task."

Zhang Chen flipped through the documents in his hand, countless thoughts swirling in his mind as he quickly deduced all the clues, never expecting that the Human Reincarnation would be with the Zhang Family, along with the legendary Book of Life and Death.

"I am determined to obtain the Human Reincarnation!" Zhang Chen muttered to himself.

Of course, he also speculated about the situation. In the past, the destruction of the Six Paths of Reincarnation likely wasn’t just the Ancient Gods suppressing their lifespan but to disrupt the cycle of heaven and earth, causing the Great Thousand Worlds to collapse quickly, allowing escape from within.

"The splitting of the Six Paths of Reincarnation must have had those old ones pulling strings behind the scenes." Zhang Chen mused.

Just as countless thoughts crossed Zhang Chen’s mind, Xie Lingyun said, "This makes your current position rather delicate, as a critical node in the power struggle between the court and the Zhang Family."

Zhang Chen was well aware of his current predicament, bearing an irreconcilable feud with Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, as Prince Pingbian desired to kill him quickly. Furthermore, Zhang Chen’s actions thwarted the grand plans of the Eight Great Clans, filling countless people with hatred for him.

Of course, there were also people inside the Zhang Family supporting Zhang Chen, primarily due to the connections his father once had.

In the past, Zhang Chen’s father bet everything for the family, boldly opposing the Great Victory Court, gaining many people’s favor, who still leaned towards Zhang Chen. As for Zhang Chen’s actions ruining Prince Pingbian’s mansion’s plans? Everyone isn’t a fool; how could it be fair if only others are allowed to kill but not face retaliation? If Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, entrenched in the Northern Land for countless years, couldn’t deal with an isolated child, what are they if not incompetent?

"Someone like your fourth uncle, Zhang Gaqi, had the best relationship with your father back then; he is someone you can trust," Xie Lingyun said.

Hearing this, Zhang Chen remained silent, carefully dissecting the intricacies in Xie Lingyun’s words before speaking after a long pause, "Who betrayed my father back then?"

"The current patriarch of the Zhang Family!" Xie Lingyun replied.

"He betrayed my father, essentially pledging allegiance to the Great Victory Royal Family. Wouldn’t that make him a confidant of the Great Victory Royal Family, earning their favor?" Zhang Chen inquired.

Xie Lingyun smiled at his words, "What do you think?"

Zhang Chen suddenly understood that the Eight Great Clans had become a thorn in the royal family’s side. The only reason for the lack of reckoning so far was the Great Victory Royal Family’s inability to find a suitable opportunity.

With the Demon Race invading from the outside and the Eight Great Clans causing chaos within, the whole world was in turmoil, and the Great Victory Royal Family dared not act recklessly.

"Certainly, on the surface, the Great Victory Royal Family appears to be drawing closer to the Eight Great Clans. They even agreed to Zhang Gaoqiu’s marriage with seemingly no hesitation. However, the Chai Family’s royal ambitions were clear to anyone with keen eyes. Once the Demon Race menace is resolved, it will be time for the Great Victory Royal Family to reckon with the Eight Great Clans," Xie Lingyun continued, a peculiar tone in his voice:

"Some even speculate that the Demon Race’s invasion is partially connected to the Eight Great Clans, with hidden collusion."

Zhang Chen was stunned, then closed the book in his hands, a look of disbelief in his eyes, "Is there evidence?"

"Isn’t Prince Pingbian the best evidence? He’s already colluding with the Demon Race," Xie Lingyun replied.

Zhang Chen remained silent for a long time before taking a deep breath, "I never imagined that the Eight Great Clans would become a cancer for our Human Race. The blood debts of billions in this world have a share of their contribution. I am ashamed to be associated with such scum! It’s simply a disgrace to our Human Race!"

A surge of anger rose within Zhang Chen! Having such disgraceful clansmen was a complete and utter humiliation!