Chapter 1258 - 887: Entering the Palace

"If I had a way, I wouldn’t be standing here discussing it with you now," Zhang Shenqi remarked.

Upon hearing Zhang Shenqi’s words, Gong Chun said, "Really? I heard that Zhang Chen’s younger brother and sister are being raised in the inner residence of the Zhang Family. If we use his brother and sister as bait, we can force him out. As long as he steps out of the Inspection and Supervision Department, we can kill him on the spot, and then all matters will be sorted, and all troubles will be gone."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shenqi’s expression changed instantly, he refused without a second thought: "No way! Absolutely not! If you have the ability to kill Zhang Chen, I will never stop you. Or if you can abduct those two children from the mansion, I can secretly open a convenient door and assist you. But to ask me to actively bind those two children as a trap, that’s absolutely impossible. Who knows how many elders of the Zhang Family are secretly watching. If I do this, how will I manage the Zhang Family in the future? Who in the Zhang Family will obey me then?"

Those who act as Patriarchs adhere to a principle of fairness and legitimacy, so that the people below will be genuinely convinced, otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to hold this position.

"Then cooperate with me to lure the people out: isn’t it easy to deceive those two children out? Just send a false letter in the name of Zhang Chen saying that Zhang Chen was persecuted by us and has turned against the Zhang Family, then instruct them to leave the Zhang Family, and give them an address to wait at, wouldn’t the matter be settled? They would definitely sneak out of the Zhang Family then," Gong Chun said with triumph.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shenqi raised his eyebrows: "Time-wise, I fear it might be too late."

"Even if we act after the court meeting, it will work. At that time, forcing Zhang Chen into the trap, within the royal city where Ten Thousand Techniques are prohibited, Zhang Chen will surely die if he leaves the Inspection and Supervision Department. We have plenty of means to kill him," Gong Chun replied.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shenqi nodded, "Alright! I’ll tell you about the residence of those siblings, you mustn’t get it wrong."

The two of them murmured in conspiracy, then Zhang Shenqi led Gong Chun through the pavilions and waterside gazebos of the Zhang Family, familiarizing themselves continuously with the layout of the Zhang Family.

Time flew by, and a night passed quickly.

While countless thoughts flowed through Zhang Chen’s mind, the sky had already turned pale. Xie Lingyun appeared behind Zhang Chen, "Zhang Chen, it’s time to attend the court!"

Xie Lingyun called out to Zhang Chen, who opened the door and walked out, seeing Xie Lingyun standing before a carriage, with Xie Xuan also standing behind Xie Lingyun.

"When did the Great Leader return?" Zhang Chen descended the stairs, looking at Xie Xuan, and inquired.

Upon hearing this, Xie Xuan smiled lightly, "I’ve heard about your situation; how could such a great matter proceed without me? One more person means more strength."

Xie Xuan knew of Zhang Chen’s abilities and was inclined to foster a good relationship with Zhang Chen.

Seeing this, Zhang Chen smiled softly, "How far is it from here to the royal palace?"

"It takes an hour’s time," Xie Lingyun said.

"Leader Xie, how about making a breakthrough before entering the palace? If you breakthrough in front of the palace gates, having two people achieve the Tenth Tier together, it will be even more awe-inspiring to all," Zhang Chen took out a jade bottle from his sleeve and handed it over.

Regarding Zhang Chen’s pills, Xie Xuan had heard about them from Xie Lingyun long ago. Now that he truly saw the Spirit Medicine appear before him, Xie Xuan couldn’t help but tremble, "Zhang, no more words need be said, in future if there is any instruction, I Xie Xuan will never refuse."

Xie Xuan took the pill and directly entered the carriage, while Zhang Chen and Xie Lingyun exchanged a glance and boarded another carriage.

As the carriage moved, a colorful rainbow shot from within Xie Xuan’s carriage straight to the sky, startling countless passersby, drawing the gaze of numerous dignitaries, and for a time, everyone was discussing it. The news that Xie Xuan was about to break through to the Tenth Tier spread like a storm.

Having two people reach the Tenth Tier in the same family, what kind of honor is this? What kind of fate is this? How could this not be amazing?

It must be noted this is not the world of the Divine Dao, but rather the Tenth Tier in cultivation.

The Divine Dao has numerous limitations, even an Eleventh Tier in the Divine Dao cannot surpass the shock of a Tenth Tier on the path of cultivation in the minds of the people.

When the carriage arrived at the royal palace, the divine light reached its peak, and Xie Xuan had successfully crossed into the Tenth Tier, drawing countless dignitaries gathered at the palace to come forward to curry favor.

"If the Zhang Family knew you had such ability, I wonder if they would regret treating you this way," Xie Lingyun looked through the carriage crevice at the dignitaries flattering around Xie Xuan’s carriage, and remarked with emotion.

"The Zhang Family has been passed down for generations; would they care to take notice of me?" Zhang Chen chuckled playfully, "But you and your father should still be a bit cautious, father and daughter both breaking through to the Tenth Tier might cause others to secretly probe into the secrets, which may bring trouble to you."

"So what?" Xie Lingyun smirked disdainfully, her voice full of mockery: "Everyone knows how desirable the throne is, but as long as the Human King sits there, who dares to seize it?"

"Later, there will be inner servants guiding you into the imperial palace to wait. Do not cause any trouble, just follow them obediently," Xie Lingyun said.

Zhang Chen nodded, his attention at this moment focused on the Dragon Qi of the Great Victory royal family. As he gradually approached the royal family, he could feel his Primordial Spirit bearing down like a mountain, seemingly suppressed. However, his Authority of the Five Elements could still be mobilized, not hindering him from using Divine Techniques. Even if something unexpected happened in the palace, he would still have the chance to resist.

While the two were discussing, the archway opened, and palace attendants welcomed the full court of ministers to an audience. Xie Family father and daughter were enveloped in colorful brilliance, standing together and drawing exceptional attention, making everyone stare intently.

As for Zhang Chen, a palace attendant led him quietly to a side hall of the court meeting, a mere wall away from the main hall. Zhang Chen stood by the window paper, able to take in the sight of the neighboring main hall’s ministers.

Zhang Chen saw Elder Grandmaster Ji Zun, standing in the first row on the left, clad in golden armor, standing with closed eyes, ignoring everyone around.

Looking again at the Xie Family father and daughter, they were like a pair of colorful lanterns, standing at the forefront on the left, roughly within the top twenty positions.

Then there was Zhou Qiucheng, positioned further back on the left. After all, he was merely an academy teacher, granted the right to present in court but not truly part of the royal court.

Zhang Chen knew that everything had been settled a few days ago between the Human King and the Xie Family father and daughter. Today’s court was merely a formality.

With three loud cannon blasts from outside, a burly, stern-faced man wearing a black robe embroidered with various Divine Beasts, exuding boundless authority, walked in from outside.

As the man passed, the ministers knelt to the ground, bowing and saluting to him.

"We pay respects to the Great King!" The ministers bowed their heads, except for the Elder Grandmaster and the Xie Family father and daughter who remained still.

The Elder Grandmaster did not bow because of his high status as the current Emperor’s teacher, and the Xie Family father and daughter did not because they both had stepped into the Tenth Tier, becoming extraordinary individuals.

"Be at ease," the Human King said authoritatively, upon which the ministers rose.

The Human King sat high and glanced at the Xie Family father and daughter, complimenting, "A family of practitioners, father and daughter both Tenth Tier, a great story for our Great Victory Dynasty, proving our dynasty’s prosperity."

"Transmit the decree, granting Xie Family the Water Pavilion Mountain Villa, allowing Xie Family to gather incense there, granting Xie Family the right to collect incense from all over the world," the Human King said.

Xie Xuan and Xie Lingyun hurriedly stepped forward, bowing in gratitude: "We thank the Great King!"

Though it seemed like a casual grant of the right to collect incense, it was a privilege reserved for the Great Victory royal family, an immense fortune indeed.

"Has Xie Lingyun been promised in marriage? One of my sons, the third in line, is both talented and virtuous, with the potential to rule, a suitable match," the Human King said, casting a fervent gaze at Xie Lingyun. Xie Lingyun, not yet thirty, had already achieved the Tenth Tier—a remarkable talent. If she could be tied to the royal family, they would have another Sea Calming Force.

And Xie Xuan had only this one daughter. If Xie Lingyun could join the royal family, Xie Xuan would naturally be firmly bound to it as well.

Xie Lingyun stepped forward upon hearing this and bowed to the Human King: "This subject seeks only the Great Dao for immortality, uninterested in romantic affairs, I beg the Great King’s pardon."

The Human King nodded upon hearing this: "Leader Xie’s current fortune is also related to a pure heart for the Dao. Since your heart is only for cultivation, I shall not force you."

After the Xie Family father and daughter expressed their thanks, they returned to their positions.

At this point, the ministers began presenting matters, and after half a day, with noon approaching and reports dwindling, a high-pitched voice was heard: "If there are matters to report, report them; if not, court is adjourned."

Zhang Chen looked in the direction of the voice, startled to see Chu Mingyue, dressed as a eunuch, standing beside the current Human King in the role of a close Grand Steward.

"His cultivation has advanced again," Zhang Chen thought as he looked at Chu Mingyue. He noted the rapid progress of his aura but wasn’t concerned. Unless the other’s cultivation reached the Twelfth Tier, they wouldn’t warrant Zhang Chen’s attention; ordinary strongmen didn’t deserve his regard.

"Great King, I have a matter to present," Gong Chun stepped out from behind the line of ministers, saluting the current Human King above.

"What is it?" replied the Great Victory Human King.

"I heard that Zhang Kecheng’s son, Zhang Chen, secretly defied the imperial decree, returned to Kyoto from the Northern Land, and was taken into the Inspection and Supervision Department by Leader Xie. I ask Your Majesty to sentence him to Soul Extraction and Refining and quartering to serve as a warning," Gong Chun respectfully saluted.

Upon hearing these words, the court ministers fell into silent stillness; no one spoke up, for everyone was aware, to varying extents, of the rumors.

"Is this true?" The Great Victory Human King turned to the Xie Family father and daughter, questioning them.