Chapter 1261 - 890: Dust Settles

Zhang Chen was never one to swallow his anger. Since the other party wanted him dead, Zhang Chen would naturally find every way possible to retaliate.

This feud must be avenged, or I swear not to be a human!

"Now is not the time to fight the Eight Great Clans. You should first enter the Academy, remove the shackles on yourself, completely change your identity, clear all charges, and become a normal person. Only then can you truly act freely. As long as you still bear charges, even if you return to the Zhang Family, those willing to support you will have reservations..." Xie Lingyun observed coldly from the side, clearly understanding Zhang Chen’s objective.

"The patriarch of the Zhang Family wants me dead. I must retaliate and show them my methods. I need to cause trouble for the Zhang Family, plunge them into chaos so they have no time to seek trouble with me." A cold gleam appeared in Zhang Chen’s eyes.

He had already calculated in his heart—find an opportunity to steal the Zhang Family’s Book of Life and Death. Without this supreme treasure, their greatest confidence would be lost, and internal chaos would be inevitable, leaving them no time to trouble him.

For others, stealing the Book of Life and Death would be incredibly difficult, but not for Zhang Chen, who possessed an Invisibility Talisman. By consuming two Peaches of Immortality, he could elevate the Invisibility Talisman to surpass the Twelfth Tier of Law Level, making infiltrating the Zhang Family as easy as entering an uninhabited land.

"The Zhang Family is not to be trifled with, nor are the Eight Great Clans. I advise you to enter the Academy first, accumulate your foundation, and wait for the right opportunity as the best choice," Xie Lingyun said, eyes full of concern, obviously apprehensive of the Zhang Family.

Zhang Chen glanced at Xie Lingyun: "I have my limits, I won’t act rashly."

Zhang Chen was no fool; he would not take reckless action. He already had a plan in mind.

Just as the two were about to leave the Imperial Palace, a figure blocked Zhang Chen’s way: "Young Brother Zhang, the Inspection and Supervision Department is not a place to live. It gathers the most vicious people from all over the world, detaining the most malicious and bizarre, unsuitable for life. Why not come home with me? I’ve already prepared a house for you years ago and have been waiting. Moreover, even though Xie’s family has leaders in the department, they can’t cover the whole sky. If you stay long there, it might bring trouble upon them. Better come back to the Zhong Family with me."

The carriage halted, Zhang Chen lifted the curtain, and the one blocking the way was Elder Zhong, Zhong Wubai.

Zhong Wubai’s earnest words touched Zhang Chen, and the other party was right. He was an outsider, not part of the Inspection and Supervision Department. Although the Xie family father and daughter were among the leaders, they weren’t the main ones. Living there was inconvenient.

"It would be unkind of me not to accept Elder Zhong’s warm invitation." Zhang Chen smiled on the carriage, then turned to look at Xie Lingyun, taking out a jade bottle from his sleeve and tossing it to her:

"This elixir is for Leader Xie Xuan."

"The Xie Family has a house in Kyoto; although you can’t stay at the Inspection and Supervision Department forever, you don’t have to live with the Zhong Family. Just live at my home." Xie Lingyun took the bottle and said to Zhang Chen.

Zhang Chen smiled at her words: "The Inspection and Supervision Department is full of people, experts abound, and many imperial methods are arranged. For certain matters, I need to be cautious not to arouse the suspicion of the department’s members."

The Inspection and Supervision Department is the Great Victory Dynasty’s tool for maintaining control, and Zhang Chen believed there must be unknown methods within. Carelessly revealing anything would spell big trouble.

"I won’t advise you further; the department is indeed full of eyes. However, for future matters, avoid rash actions; we need to deliberate together. Remember, future struggles are not solo endeavors. We are a collective, one for all and all for one," Xie Lingyun said solemnly to Zhang Chen.

Zhang Chen nodded at her words, then jumped down from the carriage and looked mischievously at Zhong Wubai: "Elder Zhong, I’ll be in your care now."

"We’re all family, don’t mention trouble. Come on, get in the carriage with me." Zhong Wubai said with a broad smile.

Had Zhang Chen thought about purchasing his own property in Kyoto? He had, but buying his own property would bring endless hassles and prying eyes, always under surveillance, hindering his actions. Relying on the home of the powerful could shield him from some storms.

Zhang Chen got into the carriage with Zhong Wubai, who said, "I’ve already prepared a banquet at home; we must drink heartily."

"Elder Zhong, don’t be too formal; if we’re family, being overly courteous is like treating me as an outsider," Zhang Chen replied.

At his words, Elder Zhong nodded, then Zhong Wubai asked: "What are your plans next?"

"I heard there’s Great Creation in the Academy, so naturally, my first step is to find a way to join it," Zhang Chen said.

"There is indeed a Great Creation within the Academy, and the future direction of the world is decided by the Academy. Your choice to join it is a good one. Zhong Xiang is already there, and since you are new, I will inform her to take care of you," said Zhong Wubai, who also intended to bring Zhang Chen and Zhong Xiang together, thinking they were a perfect match.

"By the way, how is Zhong Xiang now?" Zhang Chen asked. Honestly, he hadn’t seen Zhong Xiang in some time and missed her a bit, especially the fact that her figure was really smooth and fair.

"Zhong Xiang is in seclusion at the Academy. I had intended to summon her back to welcome you, but there seems to be a significant discovery at the Academy, so she could not leave," replied Zhong Wubai, glancing at Zhang Chen. He didn’t bother to correct the ’brother’ called out by Zhang Chen, finding a bit of twisted amusement in himself, looking forward to Zhang Chen’s reaction once he discovered Zhong Xiang’s true identity.

"That’s unfortunate. I heard someone say that Zhong Xiang seems to be entangled with a strange flame, and I thought I could help him. A few years ago, I acquired a treasure specifically to restrain all flames in Heaven and Earth," Zhang Chen said with some regret.

"Really, such a treasure exists? On behalf of Zhong Xiang, this old man thanks you!" said Zhong Wubai. "You’ll enter the Academy in the future, and you will surely meet. By then, please lend him a helping hand."

Hearing Zhong Wubai’s words, Zhang Chen nodded. "Zhong Xiang and I are good brothers. His matters are my matters, his troubles are my troubles. I will, of course, spare no effort to help him. Rest assured, whatever fire is entangling Zhong Xiang is a mere trifle for me."

Zhang Chen confidently guaranteed, being in possession of the Authority of the Five Elements, to him, any fire was just ’small calamity’.

The carriage swayed gently, just exiting the palace’s gate, when a figure blocked Zhong Wubai’s carriage. The coachman had no choice but to pull the reins to stop, turning back to say, "Sir, Fourth Master of the Zhang Family has stopped the carriage."

Zhong Wubai lifted the curtain and saw Zhang Gaqi blocking the road for his carriage.

"Zhang Gaqi, why do you block my way?" Zhong Wubai said sternly.

"Pardon me, Elder, I would like to have a word with my nephew," Zhang Gaqi said to the Elder Grandmaster, his eyes turning toward Zhang Chen, full of complex and hard-to-read emotions.

Zhang Chen looked at Zhang Gaqi, and behind him was another figure, the current Zhang Family patriarch, Zhang Shenqi.

"Chen’Er, can you come down for a moment? After all, this is a family matter; it’s inappropriate to let outsiders see and make a joke out of it," Zhang Gaqi said gently.

"I have nothing to say. Fourth Uncle, please step aside. I will visit the Zhang Family in person in a few days when I’m ready. We can discuss anything then," Zhang Chen directly refused Zhang Gaqi.

"Can’t spare just a few words?" Zhang Gaqi’s eyes showed a hint of pleading.

Hearing this, Zhang Chen shook his head, glanced at Zhang Shenqi standing coldly behind, shook his head again, and then let down the curtain. "Continue on our way, let us not delay our journey."

"Did you hear that, Zhang Gaqi? Move out of the way quickly, let us not be delayed," Zhong Wubai on the carriage said with a mocking tone. "In a few days, when Zhang Chen comes back to recognize his ancestry, there’ll be time for conversation then."

The carriage drove around Zhang Gaqi, slowly moving off into the distance. Zhang Gaqi watched the carriage moving away, quickly chasing after, shouting loudly, "Zhang Chen, you cannot return to the Zhang Family to recognize your ancestry. If you do, it will lead to internal chaos in the Zhang Family!"

If Zhang Chen returns to acknowledge his ancestry, what position will that leave for Zhang Shenqi?

It is known that Zhang Chen’s lineage is the legitimate one from the Kyoto Zhang Family!

His father Zhang Kecheng was once exceptionally talented, admired by many elders in the family, and even when Zhang Kecheng was exiled, it was for the future of the Zhang Family. Zhang Kecheng had many loyal followers within the Zhang Family, and if Zhang Chen returns, those people would surely be restless, pondering helping Zhang Chen reclaim the rightful position.

At that time, a bloody internal conflict is likely to erupt, so he needs to prevent Zhang Chen’s return to the Zhang Family.

Previously, he hoped Zhang Chen would return, as Zhang Chen was nameless and had no status, so even if he returned, he couldn’t covet the position of patriarch. Now, if Zhang Chen returns, those elders will certainly become restless, wanting to overthrow Zhang Shenqi.

It should be known that Zhang Shenqi’s actions to rise to power were disgraceful, effectively a betrayal to the Zhang Family when the inside story was unknown to those at the time, who unwittingly appointed Zhang Shenqi. Later, the Great Victory Dynasty, aiming to split the Zhang Family, secretly leaked news of Zhang Shenqi’s betrayal, causing rampant discontent among many elders within the Zhang Family, so Zhang Chen absolutely cannot be allowed to return alive.