Chapter 1257 - 886: The Night Before

Zhang Gaqi, being a member of the Eight Great Clans, naturally knew the depth of their foundations. To overthrow the Eight Great Clans single-handedly was akin to dreaming.

And Zhang Chen?

As a Twelfth Tier powerhouse, the upper limit that this Heaven and Earth could accommodate, would he fear the Eight Great Clans? Regardless of how deep their foundations were, only through competition could superiority be determined.

The power of the Eight Great Clans was vast, but was he a lone man without allies?

Was his martial prowess mere paper?

Although Zhang Gaqi was concerned about him, he received his concern, but he would never agree to retreat.

Zhang Gaqi looked at Zhang Chen’s stubborn appearance and turned to Xie Lingyun: "Leader Xie, you know how deep the foundations of the Eight Great Clans are. Please persuade him."

"Persuade him?" Xie Lingyun raised her head and gave Zhang Chen a glance: "He’s like a stubborn mule. How can I persuade him? You’re his own uncle, and you can’t persuade him. How could I?"

"You should know how deep the foundations of the Eight Great Clans are. Even the Great Victory royal family dares not act rashly. You should persuade him to step back. He’s capable now and can live well anywhere he goes. Why not find a quiet place to marry and have children, and live peacefully for a lifetime? The grudges of older generations, once past, should stay past. Why continue to extend hatred and karma?" Zhang Gaqi looked at Xie Lingyun, thinking she was unreasonable. After all, if Xie Lingyun could help persuade Zhang Chen, there still might be a chance.

Xie Lingyun certainly knew what Zhang Gaqi was thinking. He wanted Zhang Chen to avoid the conflict and walk away from this whirlpool. But she felt Zhang Gaqi didn’t understand Zhang Chen’s character at all.

So Xie Lingyun chuckled, didn’t refute Zhang Gaqi, and lightly said: "No matter what choice he makes, our Xie Family will fully support it, at any cost. Through knife mountains and fiery seas, the Xie Family will accompany him on this journey!"

Upon hearing Xie Lingyun’s words, Zhang Gaqi’s pupils contracted, realizing things had gotten serious. He never expected the friendship between Zhang Chen and Xie Lingyun to be so deep, to the extent of involving the entire Xie Family.

Seeing he couldn’t persuade Xie Lingyun, Zhang Gaqi turned to Zhang Chen, focusing on him: "Zhang Chen, leave! The farther away from Kyoto, the better. Bone and flesh conflict will inevitably become a laughingstock to outsiders."

"Bone and flesh conflict? Where is the conflict? The only thing I know is, if anyone dares to confront me, I’ll kill them! Anyone who uses underhanded tactics against me is not my brother in blood!" Zhang Chen’s voice was icy cold.

Facing Zhang Chen’s emotionless face, Zhang Gaqi couldn’t help but feel a chill. A wave of coldness immediately surged into his heart. Whether it’s the Zhang Family members or the young man before him, neither were those he could persuade.

The atmosphere in the pavilion turned cold. Zhang Chen then poured a cup of tea for Zhang Gaqi to ease the awkward tension: "How are my little brother and sister?"

"They’ve grown up and are doing well in the family. You can go see them if you have time," said Zhang Gaqi.

"If I go to the Zhang Family to visit, will I still have the chance to leave the Zhang Family again?" Zhang Chen suddenly said.

Zhang Gaqi hesitated upon hearing this, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn’t.

Seeing Zhang Gaqi’s embarrassed expression, Zhang Chen chuckled: "It was just a joke, Uncle. Have some tea!"

"If you are willing to give up all disputes and focus on hidden cultivation within the Zhang Family, wealth, and prosperity can still be guaranteed. I can assure you that you can quietly live out your life without interruption from anyone, even deceiving Prince Pingbian," Zhang Gaqi still didn’t give up trying to persuade Zhang Chen.

"Better to die boldly than to live cowardly," Zhang Chen said with a smile.

Zhang Chen’s casual remark already revealed sharpness, causing Zhang Gaqi’s heart to skip. He wanted to continue persuading, but then heard Zhang Chen say: "I, Zhang Chen, scrape for food from the mud, always following one truth: nothing is more important than survival. If someone tries to make me unable to survive, I’ll make sure they can’t survive first."

Although his words were calm, the killing intent between them caused the faces of both Xie Lingyun and Zhang Gaqi to lose color.

In Zhang Chen’s words, they understood only one thing: Rather shatter as jade than endure as tile!

To be so fierce!

Zhang Gaqi left in disappointment, empty-handed. And Zhang Chen watched Zhang Gaqi’s retreating figure, his eyes revealing an elusive nuance.

"Zhang Family is your blood relative, what are you going to do? Are you really going to tear them apart?" Xie Lingyun tentatively asked.

"Tearing them apart means nothing. If necessary, annihilation is not out of the question! If they strike at me, how can they still be considered blood relatives?" Zhang Chen took a sip of tea.

Xie Lingyun’s eyes met Zhang Chen’s. Although his words were aggressive, there was truth in what he said.

Having already attempted to harm Zhang Chen, how could they still be considered blood relatives? Since they’re not blood relatives, then is it wrong to strike back?

"If we join forces, we won’t need to fear the Eight Great Clans. You can rest assured," Xie Lingyun said to Zhang Chen.

Hearing this, Zhang Chen smiled, "I’m not afraid of the Eight Great Clans. If they choose to stand by and watch the feud between me and Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, so be it. However, if they dare to interfere, they can’t blame me for being ruthless! No matter who it is, those who block me will die!"

Zhang Chen’s words were full of murderous intent, leaving Xie Lingyun startled. He then nodded solemnly, "No matter who it is, those who stand in our way face only one destiny: death."

Zhang Chen had settled into the Inspection and Supervision Department, and he could feel a wave beginning to surge through Kyoto.

After seven days, Xie Lingyun arrived at Zhang Chen’s place of rest, his face filled with joy, "We’ve secretly linked up. The Grand Steward has already probed the Human King’s disposition, and tomorrow at the court assembly, we can resolve your troubles in front of the civil and military officials. However, the current Human King has set a condition. If you can meet it, you can be pardoned. If not, you will have to face justice."

"What condition?" Zhang Chen asked, a curious expression on his face.

Xie Lingyun replied, "Wasn’t the Great Victory royal family recruiting talents from Jixia Academy across the world to develop a new world? Now, this development has encountered a major problem. The Great Victory Human King needs you to activate the Zhang Family’s bloodline to suppress a certain anomaly. Only your Zhang Family bloodline can suppress it, yet the Great Victory Human King doesn’t trust the Zhang Clan..."

Xie Lingyun looked at Zhang Chen with his eyes, "Are you willing to agree to the Great Victory Human King’s condition?"

"I have no choice but to agree! However, once the artifact is retrieved, its ownership will depend on our own abilities. As long as I can buy time to establish myself in Kyoto, everyone will have to rely on their own skills. I’m quite curious about the depth of the Great Victory royal family’s heritage!" Zhang Chen said with a smile.

What should he fear? He possesses the Celestial Punishment Eye. In Kyoto, there probably isn’t anyone he can’t kill, right? At worst, he’ll just flip the table eventually!

The Great Victory royal family wants to use him, but he wants to use the Great Victory royal family to glimpse into that newly developed world.

"In that case, tomorrow you will accompany me to attend the early court assembly, where we will debate and silence the officials, as well as observe the methods of all kinds of monsters and demons," Xie Lingyun said, "We need to clearly distinguish who is an enemy and who is a friend."

"Alright!" Zhang Chen nodded in agreement with Xie Lingyun’s words.

At this point, Zhang Chen looked at Xie Lingyun, "There’s one thing that needs to trouble you during tomorrow’s court debate."

"What is it?" Xie Lingyun asked.

"Please bring out the Princess of Pingbian to confront; at the very least, let the Great Victory Human King see the Princess of Pingbian, even if for just a glimpse!" Zhang Chen said earnestly.

Xie Lingyun hesitated, looking at Zhang Chen, puzzled, "What are you trying to do?"

"If we want to debate in court, naturally we cannot lack the representatives from Prince Pingbian’s Mansion," Zhang Chen did not reveal the truth to Xie Lingyun. After all, the truth was too shocking: the Princess of Pingbian was actually possessed by the Fox Spirit, attempting to swallow the Human Race’s Dragon Vein and devour its fortune. If he said this, Xie Lingyun might not help him, as Xie Lingyun would never betray the Human Race, no matter how good their private relationship was. Xie Lingyun would absolutely never betray the Human Race.

"I always feel like you’re hiding something from me." Xie Lingyun’s eyes, clear and distinct, stared at Zhang Chen, filled with suspicion.

"I won’t harm you, that’s certain," Zhang Chen laughed, diverting the topic.

While the two of them talked, in Kyoto at the Zhang Family estate, Gong Chun had already arrived within the Zhang Family estate, standing with Zhang Shenqi.

"I’ve received word; Zhang Chen and the Chai Family have reached an agreement. At tomorrow’s court assembly, the Human King will pardon Zhang Chen’s crimes, allowing him to make amends. The Human King believes that the situation in the Northern Land is irreparable, and he’s chosen another path," Gong Chun said to Zhang Shenqi.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shenqi’s face darkened, "Is this true?"

"You know my Gong Family’s methods. Besides, whether it’s true or not, tomorrow’s court assembly will verify it," Gong Chun replied.

"If Zhang Chen doesn’t die, Prince Pingbian’s Mansion will become uncontrollable, threatening the lives of tens of thousands from the Eight Great Clans in Kyoto!" Zhang Shenqi took a deep breath.

"So I’m wondering, could we eliminate Zhang Chen ahead of time?" Gong Chun looked at Zhang Shenqi.

"How do we eliminate him? He’s hiding within the Inspection and Supervision Department; who dares to attack the Inspection Department?" Zhang Shenqi frowned.

"He’s now hiding in the Inspection Department, we’re helpless against him. But, what if we force him out?" Gong Chun suggested.

"Do you have a way?" Zhang Shenqi was stunned.

"I don’t have a way, but you should have a way," Gong Chun replied with a smile.