Chapter 1264 - 893: Visiting the Zhang Family

The current Zhang Chen is highly noticeable, and if he were to leave the Zhong Family’s mansion, it’s uncertain how many people he would attract, so it’s better for him to temporarily stay at the Zhong Family and cultivate.

"The matters with the Academy still need to be handled promptly; when are you planning to go?" Zhong Wubai asked again.

Upon hearing Zhong Wubai’s question, Zhang Chen smiled: "I’ll first find something for the Eight Great Clans to do, holding up their energy so I can go to the Academy to study. Otherwise, if I go to the Academy, they’ll constantly trouble me, which would be quite bothersome."

"It’s good that you have a plan." After hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Zhong Wubai knew that the other party had already made a plan, so he nodded to him, finished breakfast, and went to the government office to handle affairs.

Zhang Chen stayed in the Zhong Family for three days. On the third day, all the Qi Mechanism around him was completely restrained, making him look like an ordinary mortal standing there.

On a misty morning with light rain, Zhang Chen held an oil paper umbrella and leisurely walked out of the Zhong Mansion, intending to head towards the Zhang Family. However, before he could walk a hundred meters, he saw a figure already blocking his path.

"Have you been waiting here for me all along?" Zhang Chen stopped his steps and curiously looked at the newcomer.

"Indeed!" Zhang Gaqi replied: "If I hadn’t been waiting here, I wouldn’t have been able to catch you right as you step out."

"What if I don’t come out for a month?" Zhang Chen asked.

"Then I would wait for a month." Zhang Gaqi said, holding an oil paper umbrella, quietly standing opposite Zhang Chen.

"I must go to the Zhang Family." Zhang Chen responded: "Not only to awaken the Zhang Family bloodline but also because Zhang Fei and Zhang Tuowei are still in the Zhang Family. Besides, as a member of the Zhang Family, it’s only right to acknowledge my ancestors."

"You’re not wrong, but you have to see the situation now. If you return to the Zhang Family, it will be torn apart. Some will want to push you as the new generation patriarch, leading to internal conflicts in the Zhang Family, giving the Great Victory royal family an opportunity." Zhang Gaqi looked at Zhang Chen, his voice full of seriousness: "You probably don’t know how influential your reputation is now. Although you disrupted Prince Pingbian’s plans in the Northern Land, causing countless people in the Zhang Family to hate you, many also acknowledged your capability. Your solo twist in the Northern Land, overturning Prince Pingbian’s scheme, made countless people think you’re impressive, even more so than your father, as they see you as the one who could lead the Zhang Family to rise and overthrow the Great Victory royal family, elevating the Zhang Family to the pinnacle of the world."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen glanced at Zhang Gaqi, with a hint of surprise in his eyes. He hadn’t expected to have such a significant influence within the Zhang Family.

However, he had to admit, those old antiques in the Zhang Family indeed had astute insight, recognizing his value.

Perhaps noticing the slight pride in Zhang Chen’s eyes, Zhang Gaqi said rather helplessly: "But many want to maintain Zhang Family’s stability by planning to kill you."

"If others want to kill me, that’s their business. I still have to fight back; I can’t just stand still and let myself be killed." Zhang Chen slowly stepped forward towards Zhang Gaqi:

"So, are you trying to block my path?"

"Your return to the Zhang Family to acknowledge your ancestors is the Human King’s decision; how dare I stop you? I only want to speak with you before you reach the Zhang Family, analyze the Zhang Family’s situation with you." Zhang Gaqi replied, his voice tinged with bitterness.

"You don’t need to tell me much; I understand the big picture. There’s no benefit in speaking too many truths; I just want to retrieve what’s mine." Zhang Chen walked past Zhang Gaqi, disappearing into the heavy mist and rain.

Watching Zhang Chen’s departing figure, Zhang Gaqi quickly drove a carriage and caught up: "Get in, I’ll take you back, so you can avoid some trouble, saving you the conflict with those Zhang Family juniors."

Zhang Chen looked at Zhang Gaqi, eventually stepping into the carriage, disappearing into the misty rain with Zhang Gaqi.

As one of the Eight Great Clans, the Zhang Family occupied an entire street in the bustling Kyoto, a realm of power and wealth.

"Every clan among the Eight Great Clans in Kyoto occupies a street, essentially becoming each family’s private land, beyond even the reach of the law." Zhang Gaqi drove the carriage, observing the prosperous scenes on both sides, introducing to Zhang Chen.

"This is also the glorious testament of the Zhang Family’s ancestors over generations; it’s through the effort of successive generations that we’ve gained such enormous territories. The Eight Great Clans share the same lineage, and all disciples and members united as one, only then can we maintain such a vast estate. Why can our Zhang Family gain prominence in Kyoto? Because of unity!" Zhang Gaqi waved the whip, speaking to Zhang Chen.

"But this supposedly united Zhang Family sold out my father, forcing us to live a primitive and precarious life in the Northern Land; isn’t that laughable?" Zhang Chen replied to Zhang Gaqi.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Gaqi fell into silence, speaking only after a while: "This time was just an accident; after all, even though we’re family, there are times we don’t agree."

"Really? Can disagreement justify betraying one’s kin?" Zhang Chen coldly replied.

Zhang Gaqi said nothing further, lowering his head as he continued to drive the carriage, his face showing traces of sorrow.

The carriage passed through a few streets and arrived at the Zhang Family residence. Looking at the towering gates, it was even more impressive than the Zhong Family’s. In front of the gate, more than a dozen samurai in golden armor stood proudly, guarding the Zhang Family’s residence.

"They’ve all cultivated their Qi blood; the Zhang Family truly deserves their reputation as a local noble clan, quite extravagant indeed." Zhang Chen observed the spirited guards, his expression involuntarily showing surprise.

Martial artists who have cultivated Qi blood would be considered top-notch almost anywhere, yet in the Zhang Family, they were only gatekeepers.

"The Zhang Family, with its legacy spanning hundreds of thousands of years as an Ancient Race, naturally has deep foundations," Zhang Gaqi explained.

"Is this really my Zhang Family? I’m becoming more and more intrigued." Zhang Chen said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Gaqi’s mouth twitched, momentarily at a loss for words. He simply stopped the carriage and helped Zhang Chen down from it, and the two entered the Zhang Family through a side entrance.

As for the main gate?

The main gate is usually closed and only opens for major events like receiving an imperial decree, so it wasn’t Zhang Gaqi intentionally slighting Zhang Chen.

Zhang Gaqi led Zhang Chen through various doors, pavilions, and water pavilions, when suddenly a figure appeared ahead, blocking their path. The person barring the way was Zhang Shenqi.

"Second Brother!" Zhang Gaqi called out upon seeing Zhang Shenqi.

Zhang Shenqi’s gaze shifted towards Zhang Chen, his eyes showing a complex, difficult-to-interpret expression. After a long while, he sighed softly, "I didn’t expect you would come after all."

"This is my home, and even the current Human King says this is my home. Do you have an issue with the Human King’s words?" Zhang Chen inquired.

Zhang Shenqi shook his head, "Sharp-tongued indeed, not at all like your father who possessed the gentle demeanor of a gentleman."

"The gentle gentleman was long harmed to death by a vile person." Zhang Chen grinned, his words immediately making the atmosphere tense.

However, considering Zhang Shenqi’s attempt to have the Human King kill him in the court, the face-off is openly acknowledged, so Zhang Chen naturally had no need to hold back.

"Zhang Chen, do not speak nonsense! This is your second uncle, Zhang Shenqi. Why not quickly salute him?" Zhang Gaqi intervened to mitigate the situation as he noticed Zhang Shenqi’s expression stiffen.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen grinned, "Second Uncle is a magnanimous person. I’m just a kid and cannot speak properly; surely, Second Uncle wouldn’t blame me. After all, how would a gentle gentleman argue with a child?"

Zhang Shenqi’s smile became even more rigid, rendering him speechless, a look of embarrassment on his face. Beside him, Zhang Gaqi also felt at a loss. He had known in the Northern Land that Zhang Chen was a handful but never imagined him to be this challenging.

"I have a few words to say to you. If you still want to enter the Zhang Family to acknowledge your ancestry after listening, I won’t stop you further," Zhang Shenqi sidestepped the topic and addressed Zhang Chen.

"No need for your words yet. I’m just curious why Second Uncle is so thick-skinned. Clearly on the court wanting me dead, yet how do you still have the gall to assume the stance of a senior and lecture me?" Zhang Chen looked at Zhang Shenqi, his attitude incredibly firm, unwilling to yield an inch.

Zhang Shenqi’s expression gradually turned cold, his words becoming icy, "Now I understand why Prince Pingbian went to any lengths to have you killed. You have no respect for elders and don’t know how to spell ’respect.’ If it were me as Prince Pingbian, I’d also want to strip you of your skin and tendons, wishing I could correct you."

"Haha! Prince Pingbian likely won’t have the chance to correct me, not sure if Second Uncle still has a shot," Zhang Chen said with a mocking tone, maintaining his elegance, his demeanor unchanged despite the venom in his words, distinguishing the power dynamics between them.

Zhang Gaqi glanced at the gentleman-like Zhang Chen, then at the iron-faced Zhang Shenqi, suddenly feeling in this moment, Zhang Shenqi was outdone by Zhang Chen, a man over forty, not as capable as a young lad over a decade old.

In terms of composure, Zhang Shenqi had been completely overshadowed, lagging significantly behind.

It wasn’t just Zhang Shenqi who thought this. In a distant pavilion, a dozen or so elderly men with white hair and beards stood, all robustly built, watching the spar between Zhang Chen and Zhang Shenqi, a gleam in their eyes.

"Is that boy Zhang Kecheng’s son?" one elder inquired.

"Yes," a servant replied.

"His father was not as good as him! Nor is Zhang Shenqi! With such bearing, he commands respect!" the elder remarked.