Chapter 1260 - 889: Redemption Through Merit

Zhang Chen’s gaze moved past the crowd, looking towards Zhang Shenqi, revealing an uncontrollable disappointment in his eyes; his so-called family made him extremely disappointed.

Although dozens of officials from the Eight Great Clans stood out at this moment, Zhang Chen was not afraid, merely standing there quietly watching, with an inexplicable look in his eyes: The Eight Great Clans can unite to try to take his life, but does he not have allies too?

Sure enough, as soon as the dozens of officials from the Eight Great Clans kneeled and requested Zhang Chen’s execution, figures emerged from the crowd and began to petition the Great Victory Human King.

Zhou Qiucheng, having already stood out, needed no further mention. At this moment, Xie Lingyun stepped forward, saluted towards the Human King above, and said, "To report, Great King, Zhang Chen has made contributions to the nation; how can he be executed because of Prince Pingbian’s threat? If the Great King executes a meritorious subject due to Prince Pingbian’s threats, it may cause the nation to be ridiculed, and make some believe we fear Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, causing them to become more brazen."

As Xie Lingyun spoke, she cast a cold glance over the people of the Eight Great Clans, making her meaning clear: If the court appeases Prince Pingbian by killing Zhang Chen, what will it do when Prince Pingbian again threatens to kill someone? How will the court be perceived?

Is the court now ineffective?

What authority and cohesion will the court have then?

Precisely because Prince Pingbian uses this as leverage, the court must show its strength and not submit, using thunderous methods to deter the world.

"I second this motion, and beg the Great King to reconsider! If meritorious ministers can be killed at will, who would dare serve the court?" Xie Xuan stood out to agree.

Following the stance of Xie Family’s father and daughter, a group of court officials who were part of their faction also stood out to declare their position, kneeling in a mighty wave.

At this time, Zhong Wubai also stepped out, this newly proven Tenth Tier powerhouse’s body surrounded by multicolored light, saluting the Human King above, "Great King, there are three harms in killing Zhang Chen: First, it would make Prince Pingbian believe he can manipulate the court at will, leading to future madness. Second, it would cause those devotedly serving the court to lose confidence, detrimental to cohesion. Third, it would further fuel the arrogance of some." As Zhong Wubai mentioned the third harm, he glanced at Zhang Shenqi and others.

"Nonsense! Do you understand the importance of Prince Pingbian’s Mansion? If they side with the Demon Race, what will happen? It is the last stronghold of the Human Race in the Northern Land. If it falls, the Northern Land would completely collapse, and our court would lose control and influence over it. Killing Zhang Chen to win over Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, thereby keeping the Northern Land under control, is beneficial without any harm! Sacrificing one Zhang Chen to stabilize the world, why not?" Gong Chun began to refute Zhong Wubai’s words sharply, and indeed made some reasonable points.

"Nonsense, our Great Victory Dynasty suppresses the world with absolute military strength, how can it surrender to mere traitors?" Xie Xuan rebutted, "Prince Pingbian’s treacherous ambitions are known throughout the world, how can we allow him to get what he wishes?"

"Indeed, just a mere Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, a trivial place, is not fit to negotiate with the court. If not for being entangled with the masters of the court, we could have flattened it hundreds of times over." Zhong Wubai also refuted, his voice thundering.

"The court indeed has absolute suppression over Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, but have you considered the covetous Demon Race lurking aside? If Prince Pingbian’s Mansion colludes with the Demon Race, the disaster will be multiplied tenfold; at that time, who will be responsible for such a calamity?" Zhang Shenqi stood, rebutting Zhong Wubai, "Using the least cost to eliminate troubles in their infancy, why wouldn’t the court do so?"

At this moment, the crowd in the court debated fiercely, while Zhang Chen seemed like an outsider, quietly observing.

The court debate made it clear who were enemies and who were friends; the Eight Great Clans seemed intent on annihilating him.

"Enough, stop arguing!" The Great Victory Human King above interrupted the ministers’ quarrels, reproaching them, "In the Golden Hall, how are such noisy disputes suitable?"

He then turned his head to look at Elder Grandmaster Ji Zun, "Elder Grandmaster, what do you think?"

"Although Zhang Chen is guilty, his contributions are immense. He disrupted Prince Pingbian’s plans in the Northern Land, preventing territorial division, and foiling Prince Pingbian’s plots, which constitutes great merit enough to offset his father’s crimes. It would be better for the Great King to pardon Zhang Chen, allowing him to return to Zhang Family’s genealogy, showcasing the fairness and justice of the court, thereby inspiring the patriots. If anyone feels Zhang Chen’s merit isn’t enough, the Great King might as well permit Zhang Chen an opportunity to accomplish more to atone for his transgressions. If he can achieve, the Great King can offer him full pardon; otherwise, if he fails, punish him altogether later." Elder Grandmaster Ji Zun spoke, seemingly achieving a decisive effect, as countless court officials began to express agreement.

Ji Zun, a senior of three dynasties, whose protégés and officials spread throughout the land, occupied the majority of the court. In Zhang Chen’s past life’s old regime, Elder Grandmaster might have been executed due to overpowering authority disturbing the sovereign. But here in the extraordinary world, the court is suppressed by three innate spiritual treasures, thus no matter how formidable Ji Zun becomes, the Great Victory Royal Family fears not his power.

As Elder Grandmaster’s words fell, the Human King’s gaze fell upon Zhang Chen, "Zhang Chen!"

"Present, Your Majesty!" Zhang Chen hurriedly stepped forward and bowed.

"From today forward, your normal status is temporarily restored. You are permitted to return to the Zhang Family lineage. If within three years you can again achieve notable merit, I will absolve your sins entirely. Otherwise, we shall reckon your new and old offenses together." The Great Victory Human King smiled.

Zhang Chen deeply looked at the Great Victory Human King, knowing that this fellow harbored ill intentions, planning to send him back to the Zhang Family and then watch the tigers fight from a distance.

He himself is the Zhang Family’s direct lineage. If he recognizes his ancestors and returns to the sect, the Zhang Family will inevitably be caught in a tumultuous storm internally. If the opposite side subtly fans the flames, they might have a chance to use his hand to completely tear Zhang Family apart.

As long as the Zhang Family is torn apart and perishes in internal strife, spreading to the other seven great clans, then the Great Victory Dynasty can easily clear away this hidden worry.

The small abacus in the Great Victory Emperor’s mind, Zhang Chen could hear the clattering sound of the abacus even through the other’s belly. The Human King’s plan was not only clear to Zhang Chen, but also to the Eight Great Clans. However, this was an open tactic, and no one could dissolve it.

The Great Victory Emperor decisively made a decision, and a wave of debate subsided, leaving only a glimmer of cold light in Zhang Chen’s eyes as he lowered his head to look at his toes without speaking.

The Great Victory Emperor wants to use him? He also wants to use the Great Victory Emperor! In the end, who will emerge victorious against the deer is yet to be known. Zhang Chen is not made of clay, he’s not easy to provoke, as if no one has some help.

The Demon Race’s billion army is his help!

If worse comes to worst, he’ll overturn the chessboard and drag the entire Human Race with him to the end, as for involving the innocent? The righteousness of Human Race’s extinction? Zhang Chen won’t care about that!

Falling on me is the righteousness of the Human Race? Then why don’t you persuade the Chai Family to abdicate and let the virtuous rule? Why doesn’t the Chai Family care about the righteousness of the Human Race and abdicate for the virtuous?

Zhang Chen’s thoughts churned, accompanied by the sound of a bell and chime, and the dukes began to leave the court.

"Let’s go! Let’s return, the most difficult hurdle has finally been resolved." Xie Lingyun came to Zhang Chen’s side, sighed.

Zhang Chen was about to respond, but at this moment a gaze like a sharp sword, carrying deep-rooted hatred, was cast from afar, seemingly wanting to create a gaping hole in Zhang Chen. Sensing the killing intent in that gaze, he slowly lifted his head towards the source of the gaze, only to see Chu Mingyue standing high, staring at him intently.

After meeting Zhang Chen’s gaze, Chu Mingyue made a throat-cutting gesture and then disappeared from the hall.

"The Yellow Heaven Dao’s forces have already begun meddling in the court, isn’t the Great Victory Human King afraid at all?" Zhang Chen raised an eyebrow and asked Xie Lingyun.

"Look at the dukes in the court, which family hasn’t cultivated the Incense Divine Dao? When it comes down to it, everyone is a believer of Yellow Heaven Dao. But even within Yellow Heaven Dao, everyone’s factions differ. You can view the court as the court faction of Yellow Heaven Dao." Xie Lingyun answered the underlying doubt: "Even among royal family members, many believe in Yellow Heaven Dao, cultivating Yellow Heaven Dao’s Divine Spirit Technique, joining Yellow Heaven Dao doesn’t mean siding with Yellow Heaven Dao. The court itself is split into numerous factions, so it’s normal for Yellow Heaven Dao to be divided into various factions too."

Hearing this, Zhang Chen was stunned, he hadn’t thought of interpreting Yellow Heaven Dao from this angle.

Come to think of it, the entire court’s forces joined Yellow Heaven Dao, but has the court ceased being the court? The court’s power splits within Yellow Heaven Dao, and when the time comes, new factions rise within Yellow Heaven Dao, who controls whom is uncertain.

If not for the Great Virtuous Master above suppressing, the court would have already swallowed Yellow Heaven Dao until nothing but bone remains.

The Chai Family possesses three pieces of Twelfth Tier Innate Spiritual Treasures, regardless of the facing force, it holds the absolute advantage, what is the Chai Family afraid of?

"This perspective is indeed novel, I’ve certainly gained insight." Zhang Chen remarked thoughtfully.

"Let’s go, return to discuss the next steps. The real tug of war has just begun." Xie Lingyun said to Zhang Chen: "Do you have any plans?"

"It would be rude not to reciprocate; the Eight Great Clans hate me and wish for my swift removal, naturally I must respond in kind." Zhang Chen said with a smile.

As for how to respond? Let’s start with the Zhang Family, by utilizing his status in the Zhang Family’s direct lineage to further the division within the Zhang Family.