Chapter 1266 - 895: Siblings Reunited

Zhang Chen’s remark, ’Why not consider the family’s interests and pass the position of Patriarch to me?’, indeed made everyone present unable to hold their composure, especially Zhang Shenqi, the protagonist of the events, whose face turned completely dark, standing there unsure of what to do.

The atmosphere in the venue was deathly silent at this moment. No one expected that, facing the big stick of ’family righteousness’ raised by Zhang Shenqi, Zhang Chen would utter such a remark.

Onlooking Zhang Gaqi was stunned, staring blankly at Zhang Chen. In the past, everyone faced others wielding the banner of righteousness, could only swallow their grievances to avoid being criticized. But Zhang Chen?

This kid is simply turning the world upside down!

But it has to be said, this kid’s approach is exhilarating! Who hasn’t been beaten down by the family righteousness stick before?

The elders in the pavilion exchanged glances. Hearing Zhang Chen’s words, a wave of inexplicable comfort swept over them. Who in the past hasn’t been oppressed from the moral high ground by others?

But seeing Zhang Chen’s reckless verbal assault shut Zhang Shenqi up, everyone felt an inexplicable satisfaction rising within them.

Everyone exchanged glances, all with an indescribable look in their eyes, momentarily unsure of what to say.

"This kid has potential, I like him!" Zhang the Fourth said: "He’s got character!"

Even Zhang the Eighth, who has always disapproved of Zhang Chen, twitched his mouth: "He certainly has too much character; his disposition is fearless and his thinking is really peculiar."

He recalls the moment he was forced to abandon personal interests facing the family’s raised banner of righteousness years ago, knowing that he had to choose submission. He never imagined seeing such a scene today and only regrets not thinking of it himself back then.

"I’ve learned something new! If anyone dares to raise the ’banner of righteousness’ before me again, I’ll bring up today’s scene." Zhang the Fourth muttered to himself.

As numerous thoughts swirled in their minds, Zhang Shenqi finally came to his senses, staring at Zhang Chen with deadly eyes. In the past, he could suppress everyone by waving the banner of family righteousness, but unexpectedly encountered someone who dared to strike back with ’righteousness’ itself.

If he knew about the term ’PUA’ in the world, he might understand what counter-PUA meant now.

"I truly want to pass the entire family to you since the position of Patriarch is your father’s. Now that you have returned, I ought to give this position back to you by sentiment and reason. But you are young, Zhang Family and the Eight Great Clans are too deep-rooted, I’m afraid you may not be able to handle it! You are too impetuous; you could turn the Northern Land upside down, disrupting our grand plans, obvious that your temperament needs much maturing. When you’re really matured and refined in the future, what does it matter if I hand you the Patriarch’s position? After all, this position should be yours from the beginning. But before that, you need to grow first!" Zhang Shenqi, true to his role as Zhang Family’s head, thought swiftly on his feet and immediately spouted grandiloquent words against Zhang Chen’s counterattack.

Zhang Chen chuckled upon hearing, eyes filled with mockery, ironically saying, "You claim to pass the Patriarch’s position to me once I mature, yet you don’t even allow me to step through the family gate and conspiring to kill me to quell Prince Pingbian’s anger. How do you plan to pass the Patriarch’s position to me?"

He had already torn his facade with Zhang Shenqi, thus no need to show mercy.

Upon hearing Zhang Chen mercilessly unveiling his words without sparing any grace, Zhang Shenqi’s eyes burned with fury, but he didn’t speak. Instead, he just stared at Zhang Chen, knowing whatever he says now would be refuted by Zhang Chen, leading only to self-humiliation, so he no longer pursued verbal supremacy, coldly saying: "I am the Patriarch of Zhang Family, I cannot allow anyone to disrupt Zhang Family’s harmony and stability, nor spoil our long-term plans."

"What, resorting to threats since you can’t win the argument? Your hypocritical façade crumbles under my exposure, and you can’t hold yourself together?" Zhang Chen laughed lightly, watching the opposite Zhang Shenqi, while Zhang Gaqi sighed helplessly witnessing Zhang Shenqi’s flustered demeanor contrasting a relaxed Zhang Chen, clearly revealing the winner.

"Hmph, sharp-tongued; you shall taste your consequences soon! As long I, Zhang Shenqi, am part of Zhang Family, you could never ruin the foundation of Zhang Family. Since you refuse the easy offer, you leave me no option but to force you to comply." Zhang Shenqi said no more, flicking his sleeves and turning to leave.

Humiliated by a junior in front of Zhang Family’s elders, Zhang Shenqi’s anger surged through his mind. After today, he became a laughingstock within Zhang Family.

Zhang Shenqi left, leaving behind Zhang Chen and Zhang Gaqi. Now the two exchanged glances, with Zhang Chen looking at Zhang Gaqi, his gaze showing slight alienation:

"I want to return, recognize my ancestors, and awaken the bloodline. There won’t be anyone from Zhang Family jumping out to stop me now, will there?" Zhang Chen asked flatly, even the term ’Fourth Uncle’ vanished:

"I carry the Human King’s will, if Zhang Family forbids my recognition and return, I’ll leave immediately now."

After speaking, looking at Zhang Gaqi: "What do you say?"

Zhang Gaqi detected the change in Zhang Chen’s tone, his expression slightly shifted, responding with a bitter smile: "There’s no need to debate with him, no one can stop you from recognizing and returning your ancestors, and no one will. With the Human King, no one could hinder you."

Hearing this, Zhang Chen unemotionally said: "When do we open the ancestral hall, formally recognize and return me to Zhang Family?"

"We still need to choose an auspicious day. I checked the dates, and it’s best in fifteen days!" Zhang Shenqi said to Zhang Chen.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen’s lips curled up slightly: "Good! Then I’ll return to the Zhang Family to recognize my ancestors and awaken my bloodline in half a month. But where are my younger siblings Zhang Fei and Zhang Tuowei? Today, I’ll take them away together. The Zhang Family can no longer accommodate us siblings."

Zhang Gaqi’s expression changed. Zhang Chen was indeed tearing apart all relations with the Zhang Family, leaving no room for compromise. Who could have predicted that Zhang Chen would be so resolute?

If Zhang Tuowei and Zhang Fei remain in the Zhang Family, even if irreconcilable conflicts arise in the future, there would still be a chance to ease tensions. If Zhang Chen takes them today, there’s no turning back.

"They have lived in the Zhang Family for four or five years, and I’ve nurtured them carefully. They’ve suffered no grievances and are like my own children. This is their home. Why take them away?" Zhang Gaqi said helplessly.

"This is their home, but it’s not my home, right?" Zhang Chen asked.

Zhang Gaqi was stunned and didn’t know what to say.

"Please have Zhang the Fourth lead the way." Zhang Chen said firmly, his eyes firmly fixed on Zhang Gaqi.

"Do you really want to do this? Once you take them out of the mansion, there’s no turning back." Zhang Gaqi said quietly.

"As if there’s a turning back now! The turning back you’re talking about means sacrificing my own interests for some of you in the Zhang Family, doesn’t it? Why should I give up my interests? Why isn’t it you giving up everything? Why isn’t the traitor who betrayed my father giving up the interests?" Zhang Chen said with determination.

Zhang Gaqi’s lips moved. He stared at Zhang Chen, not knowing what to say. He couldn’t utter a word.

"Follow me!" Zhang Gaqi finally sighed and led the way.

Zhang Chen watched Zhang Gaqi’s back, his eyes flashing, a hint of coldness flowing.

He didn’t want to fight for the position of Patriarch of the Zhang Family. Would he care about such a trivial position? But the attitude of the Zhang Family displeased him! Extremely displeased!

Everyone he encountered in the Zhang Family seemed confused about right and wrong.

What did he do wrong?

Prince Pingbian wanted to kill him, plotting for his son. Was it wrong to counterattack? He couldn’t just wait for them to put a knife to his throat, could he?

Zhang Shenqi betrayed his father and took his father’s position. Shouldn’t he return everything that belonged to his father?

There are many things he can do without, but they cannot deny him. One cannot be bullied so much!

Trying to prevent him from returning to the Zhang Family, even at the cost of his life, selling him out to Prince Pingbian’s Mansion—Zhang Chen will never allow it!

Even if it means mutual destruction, Zhang Chen will never allow it.

Zhang Gaqi led the way. He was already an adult and had a bunch of children. Naturally, he had to separate from the Zhang Family’s main house, but Zhang Gaqi’s house was next to the main house. A small door in the courtyard wall facilitated mutual visits between the two.

Zhang Tuowei and Zhang Fei were raised in Zhang Gaqi’s house. Zhang Chen followed behind, his eyes revealing some thoughtfulness.

In fact, Zhang Chen knew everything his younger siblings went through over the years, especially since Zhang Tuowei had the Blood God Child he left behind. All their experiences were clear to Zhang Chen.

Over the years, the three siblings had lived well in Zhang Gaqi’s house, receiving treatment fit for young masters and misses. Zhang Gaqi did not mistreat them, which is why Zhang Chen was relatively polite to Zhang Gaqi.

But things have changed. Now Zhang Chen must contend with the Zhang Family, and the three siblings can no longer stay there. That’s like handing his weakness directly to the enemy!

In the distant pavilion, a group of elders watched Zhang Chen’s departing figure, all with peculiar expressions, saying nothing.