Chapter 1265 - 894: Why Didn’t You Put the Greater Good First?

Zhang Chen had no idea that someone was secretly watching him, especially when he stood his ground against Zhang Shenqi without yielding an inch, earning a hint of admiration from the observer.

"Hmph, this child is disrespectful to elders, rebellious and rude, he should be expelled from the family!" someone who disapproved of Zhang Chen’s actions angrily rebuked.

The old man who had spoken in appreciation cast a sidelong glance at the other: "Elders? Respecting elders depends on whether they are truly worthy of respect. If someone knows only blind loyalty and endless compromise, they are but a mediocre person, unworthy of supporting the grand legacy of the Zhang Family."

"Zhang the Fourth, what do you mean by that? The Patriarch of the Zhang Family is Zhang Shenqi. Whether the Zhang Family rises or whether the household can be supported in the future would naturally depend on the progeny of Zhang Shenqi’s line. What does it have to do with him?" the displeased person immediately countered upon hearing this.

"Haha! Zhang the Eighth, you are mistaken! Zhang Chen is the Zhang Family’s direct lineage, and Zhang Shenqi is merely an interim placeholder. Now that Zhang Chen has returned, and he possesses the capability to overturn Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, disrupting our Zhang Family’s centuries-old arrangement, he indeed is a person of great ability. Only by entrusting the Zhang Family to someone like him can we be at ease!" Zhang the Fourth refuted:

"The position of the Zhang Family’s Patriarch originally belongs to him. Since the rightful owner is back, he should naturally reclaim it."

The people in the pavilion argued incessantly, with tensions high below as well.

"Zhang Chen, don’t be so arrogant. You ruined the great enterprise of Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, and we have yet to settle the score with you. Do you still have the face to bring it up?" Zhang Shenqi, at this point, was finding it hard to maintain his composure, his mind somewhat unbalanced.

How could he not understand the implication in Zhang Chen’s previous words?

Zhang Chen’s words, ’Prince Pingbian likely won’t have the chance to help me change it, I wonder if Second Uncle still has the chance to help me change it’ were clearly a demonstration of power, weren’t they? The previous Prince Pingbian, who opposed him, had already been defeated, and now faced with Zhang Shenqi, his fate would be the same.

Therefore, upon hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Zhang Shenqi was immediately enraged. How could a junior dare to speak to him in such a manner, leaving him with no place to save his face?

"If you intend to stop me and speak all this useless nonsense, step aside early and don’t waste my time," Zhang Chen’s attitude was even more arrogant in response to Zhang Shenqi’s angry words.

"Do you dare to be so arrogant? Believe it or not, I’ll order someone to throw you out right now?" Zhang Shenqi said coldly.

"Do you think the Zhang Family is yours alone? You who usurped the nest and stabbed your brother in the back, how dare you appear before me! You’re truly shameless." Zhang Chen openly mocked and expressed his hostility towards Zhang Shenqi: "Come on! I’m standing right here. Order someone to kick me out and stop me, Zhang Chen, from acknowledging my roots and ancestors!"

Zhang Chen directly challenged Zhang Shenqi, cornering him. Zhang Shenqi’s body trembled, his face turning green with anger, his eyes fixed on Zhang Chen, yet he couldn’t utter a word.

Dare he expel Zhang Chen?

Zhang Chen was originally a member of the Zhang Family, and returning to acknowledge his ancestors was only proper. If Zhang Shenqi dared to expel Zhang Chen, it would violate the family protocols, and the clan elders would never allow it, potentially challenging his position as Patriarch. What’s more, the Human King had mentioned in court allowing Zhang Chen to return and acknowledge his ancestry. Though it was merely a mention, it carried the will of the Human King. If Zhang Shenqi dared to obstruct Zhang Chen, it would be a slap in the face to the Human King, giving him grounds to accuse Zhang Shenqi of great disrespect, leading to imprisonment, and providing an opportunity to support Zhang Chen’s rise, rendering the Zhang Family’s situation even more precarious.

"We are all family, what matter can’t be discussed peacefully? Why must things be so tense? Let’s all cool down and talk things over," Zhang Gaqi quickly stepped forward to mediate, seeing Zhang Shenqi cornered by Zhang Chen.

He also internally cursed Zhang Shenqi for being like rotten mud that couldn’t support a wall, unable to even argue against a child; what a waste of life.

Zhang Chen coldly snorted without speaking, while Zhang Shenqi shot a glance at him: "You’re just a child, lacking in proper education since young. I won’t get angry with you. I came today to reason with you."

"Oh?" Zhang Chen looked at Zhang Shenqi: "I lack proper education, isn’t that due to a vile person like you? Even betraying your own brother like a beast, I think no education is useful for you."

The greenstone under Zhang Shenqi’s feet cracked, his breathing was like a bellows, his face turning a dark purple. His fists in the sleeves clenched tightly, his eyes full of murderous intent.

"Speak nicely. We still need to resolve the matter, that’s what’s important. What use is there in just quarreling?" Zhang Gaqi quickly mediated:

"Second Brother, say what you have to say quickly. If you don’t, I will take Zhang Chen and leave."

Zhang Shenqi took a deep breath to control his emotions, trying to keep his voice calm: "You think I stopped you today for myself? In fact, it’s for the Zhang Family’s greater good! Do you know what will happen if you return to the Zhang Family?"

Zhang Chen watched Zhang Shenqi without speaking, merely observing the other’s performance quietly.

"You also know that you’re the legitimate heir of the Zhang Family. After your father left for the Northern Land years ago, the elders at home pushed me to the position of Clan Leader. I have already cultivated loyal direct descendants within the family, intertwined with the entire Zhang Family’s industry. With every new Emperor comes new ministers. The team your father once fostered has long been exiled or demoted by me. If you return to the Zhang Family now, what do you think they will do?" Zhang Shenqi looked at Zhang Chen, and before Zhang Chen could speak, he continued:

"In order to rise again, they will choose to push you to the front, elevate you to power, and overthrow people from my faction. But I can never compromise. By then, everyone would only meet with swords and soldiers, fighting until one side dies, and Zhang Family’s split would be imminent. A disastrous calamity is already at hand. Once the internal chaos begins, it will inevitably involve the Eight Great Clans, providing the Human King an opportunity to wipe us out completely. By then, you’ll be the sinner responsible for Zhang Family’s downfall."

Zhang Chen heard this and remained silent, quietly watching Zhang Gaqi, who said, "If you consider the bigger picture and leave the Zhang Family now, never to return in the future, I can assure you a life of luxury and endless resources for your descendants."

As Zhang Shenqi’s words fell, the air seemed to fall into silence. From a distance, dozens of elders from the Zhang Family in the pavilion also fixed their eyes on the scene, waiting for Zhang Chen’s response.

"Zhang the Fourth, how do you think he’ll choose?" Zhang the Eighth suddenly asked.

Zhang the Fourth, who had always supported Zhang Chen, remained silent, fists clenched tightly inside his sleeves, unsure of what he was thinking.

"If it were you, for the sake of the family’s bigger picture, what would you choose?" Zhang the Eighth asked again.

"Family heritage is above all!" Zhang the Fourth finally spoke in a dull voice after a long silence: "But this kid isn’t easy to handle. I do hope he can give me a different answer."

At this moment, everyone was looking at Zhang Chen, and Zhang Gaqi, beside him, didn’t dare to breathe, afraid of unintentionally influencing Zhang Chen’s decision.

The future of the Zhang Family lay in the hands of the person before them. How the Zhang Family would develop in the future, whether to face raging storms or peacefully get through this tribulation, all depended on this moment.

Zhang Chen’s eyes turned to Zhang Shenqi, the corners of his mouth slowly curling into an unusual arc: Using the family’s greater good to pressure him?

Did they really think he was made of clay? Moral blackmail might work on a true gentleman, but it’s useless against a scoundrel.

Coincidentally, Zhang Chen was no gentleman; he was a thorough scoundrel.

"You keep mentioning the great cause of the family, it seems you have the family’s future development in your mind all the time. In your heart, is the honor and development of the family above all else?" Zhang Chen looked at Zhang Shenqi.

"Indeed, in my heart, the family’s development is above all else. No matter who dares obstruct the family’s progress, standing against the family, I will use thunderous means to eradicate all hidden dangers," Zhang Shenqi said seriously.

Hearing Zhang Shenqi’s words, Zhang Chen’s lips curled up: "Since the family is everything to you, then to prevent the family from splitting, to prevent bloodshed, please step down as Clan Leader and return the position of Patriarch to my lineage, how about it? This is the only way I can think of to avoid a family split and bloodshed."

Hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Zhang Gaqi was stunned, while the elders in the distant pavilion watching the show were dumbstruck, and Zhang Shenqi, opposite Zhang Chen, was like struck by thunder, his eyes blankly staring at Zhang Chen, his mind unable to process what to say.

"The crisis of the Zhang Family comes from you backstabbing the Patriarch, from your improper rise to power. If you truly have the family in mind, with family interest above individual gain and honor, then as long as you step down and give up the position of Patriarch, everything will naturally and smoothly return to its rightful course," Zhang Chen said, smiling at Zhang Shenqi:

"You wouldn’t just be a hypocrite who only talks about noble ethics and family righteousness, would you? No way, no way? How could the Patriarch of the Zhang Family be a hypocrite!" Zhang Chen spoke again, directly cornering the opponent.

Zhang Shenqi, who previously held high the banner of family righteousness, attributing all his actions to the good of the family, was suddenly faced with an existential question posed by Zhang Chen, who directly forced him into a corner.

Aren’t you using family righteousness as an excuse? Using it as a shackle to bind me?

Very well, then just step down, pass on the position to me, and all problems will be solved!

Zhang Shenqi’s face turned completely dark, his mind trapped by Zhang Chen’s questions, unsure of how to respond.

If he truly cared for the family, at this moment, to prevent family bloodshed, he should pass the position on to Zhang Chen!