Chapter 1309 - 937: Splitting the Family?

Since Zhang Chen has already entered the Zhang Family, how could Zhang Shenqi allow him to escape?

Zhang Chen cannot walk out of the Zhang Family’s gates, but Zhang Gaqi can. As long as Zhang Gaqi steps out of this gate and appears in front of everyone, Zhang Shenqi cannot bind him and take him back in broad daylight.

"Fourth Uncle should know what Zhang Shenqi intends to do, so I want to ask Fourth Uncle to gather the connections my father left behind back in the day. You will help me, won’t you?" Zhang Chen looked at Zhang Gaqi.

"If I do this, it will split the Zhang Family! The already shaky Zhang Family will fall into an abyss of destruction. I will escort you out, and once you leave the Zhang Family, you must never return." Zhang Gaqi fixed his gaze on Zhang Chen.

Staring at Zhang Gaqi, a hint of disappointment appeared in Zhang Chen’s eyes: "Fourth Uncle, you disappoint me! You were raised by my father himself; I thought you would unwaveringly support him."

"I do support your father, even extending his kindness to you. But I cannot watch the Zhang Family fall apart, reduced to nothing over millennia." Zhang Gaqi had his reasons.

"It’s not me who is splitting the Zhang Family, it’s Zhang Shenqi!" Zhang Chen said coldly.

"I know it’s Zhang Shenqi, but he is now the Patriarch of the Zhang Family, with the family’s great momentum on his shoulders. It’s impossible to make him step down due to numerous interests tied to him. But you are different. If you avoid the Zhang Family, it will return to peace and can unite to confront the Gong Family, with hopes of reclaiming the Life and Death Record, thereby reviving the Zhang Family’s lineage!" Zhang Gaqi looked at Zhang Chen, his voice filled with entreaty:

"Zhang Chen, please don’t be stubborn, come with me! The Zhang Family is your father’s birthplace, the place he shed blood for, his passion, and where he could sacrifice his life. If you persist, you will destroy it." Zhang Gaqi advised Zhang Chen.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen remained unmoved: "It’s not me destroying the Zhang Family; it’s Zhang Shenqi! I, Zhang Chen, live with dignity and integrity. Why should I hide and cower to survive? I just want to live well, but some people insist on placing me in danger; why should I back down? I cannot strike back!"

Saying this, Zhang Chen’s lips curved into a smile: "The Gong Family has already sided with the Chai Family, and it’s likely that the Life and Death Record has been offered up as their pledge. Do you truly believe the Zhang Family has a chance to reclaim the Life and Death Record?"

Speaking here, Zhang Chen sneered: "Without the Life and Death Record, the Zhang Family’s demise is just a matter of time; what talk is there of bloodline continuation? However, I can save the Zhang Family; don’t forget, I still have Yellow Spring Water! I can help awaken the bloodline power of the Zhang Family’s younger generation! Now consider carefully, are you siding with Zhang Shenqi or me? If you choose to keep urging me to retreat, I will leave immediately without a word, and as for the Zhang Family’s bloodline continuation, if the day ever comes where the Zhang Family truly declines, don’t come looking for me."

Hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Zhang Gaqi was taken aback, standing there in a daze.

Zhang Chen strode purposefully away, as Zhang Gaqi watched his departing figure in silence, the whole person sinking into quiet contemplation.

Until Zhang Chen’s silhouette completely disappeared, Zhang Gaqi sighed helplessly: "It would have been perfect if Zhang Chen handed the Yellow Spring Water to the family and then withdrew from the family!"

But Zhang Gaqi knew, Zhang Chen would never yield to anyone, so he refrained from speaking further.

Looking at Zhang Chen’s silhouette, Zhang Gaqi thought of the Yellow Spring Water he controlled, sighing softly: "He really has grasped the momentum!"

The hope of reclaiming the Life and Death Record is slim, and if the Zhang Family does not wish to be erased, it can only be subject to Zhang Chen’s hold. Thinking of this, Zhang Gaqi quickly disappeared among the pavilions, starting to summon the family allies to gather.

Meanwhile, Zhang Chen made his way out of the courtyard, encountering Zhang Shenqi’s entourage of family members and servants along the way. Everyone looked at Zhang Chen’s unfamiliar face, all showing surprise, but none dared to step forward to question him; the affairs of the masters were not for the servants to inquire about.

Zhang Chen wandered around the old Zhang Family residence, waiting for Zhang Gaqi to act. Once estimated that enough time had passed, he then headed towards the direction of the ancestral shrine.

Upon arrival, Zhang Chen entered the ancestral shrine; the entire shrine was still under construction, looking quite dilapidated, like a ’tent’ supported by a few beams.

Not only is the ancestral shrine like this, but the entire old house of Zhang Shenqi was also burned almost to ruins by Zhang Chen’s fire, with countless craftsmen rebuilding or renovating the structure.

"Served them right! Dare to hit me on the head, I’ll make sure they know my might." Zhang Chen mumbled to himself, stepping forward slowly, only to see all the elders and uncles gathered together, all standing there solemnly.

Although the ancestral hall was burned, the ground is made of marble, and has been cleaned to remain neat and tidy.

Upon Zhang Chen’s arrival, everyone was staring intently at him, while hundreds of Zhang Family youths, possessing Qi Blood, stealthily sealed off all possible escape routes.

Zhang Shenqi saw Zhang Chen arrive, a hint of coldness emerged in his eyes, with a trace of killing intent swirling within.

"Since the main character is here, we can begin today’s discussion," Zhang Shenqi stated.

"Second brother, why rush? I’ve already sent messages to our elders; they’re not all here yet, so why hurry?" Came a voice from afar as Zhang Gaqi led hundreds of white-haired elders and many young members of the Zhang Family from outside the main door into the ancestral hall.

Seeing Zhang Gaqi bringing elders from Zhang Chen’s line inside, Zhang Shenqi was momentarily startled, and his pupils rapidly contracted as he fixed his gaze on Zhang Gaqi: "Fourth brother, are you truly doing this?"

Zhang Gaqi looked at Zhang Shenqi with pity and compassion in his eyes and sighed lightly in response to Zhang Shenqi’s interrogation: "Second brother, take care of yourself."

Zhang Chen held Yellow Spring Water in his hand, unable to fathom Zhang Shenqi’s hope for victory; today was destined to be Zhang Shenqi’s downfall.

The ominous gaze from Zhang Gaqi sent shivers down Zhang Shenqi’s spine, leaving him bewildered and sensing an ominous foreboding rising within.

"Now that everyone is here, Zhang Shenqi, you gathered us, speak up," said Third Uncle coldly, looking at Zhang Shenqi.

Zhang Shenqi took a deep breath, aware that Zhang Chen and Third Uncle were here with ill intent, but with the situation already critical, he had to proceed.

Zhang Shenqi cleared his throat, eyes scanning the elders present: "Recent major events in the Zhang Family, all the elders and brothers are aware, our family is precariously close to crisis. Especially with the Gong Family allying with the Great Victory royal family, they’ve gained support, making them even more formidable. Although we have the support of the other six families, due to constraints from the Great Victory royal family, their assistance is limited."

"Isn’t all this because of your incompetence, leading to the loss of our family’s Life and Death Record? If I were you, I’d step down from the patriarch position and let someone capable take over!" Third Uncle said with a stern expression.

Interrupted, a flicker of anger passed through Zhang Shenqi’s eyes, yet he maintained a humble demeanor: "I naturally acknowledge my heinousness, deserving to step down as patriarch, allowing a capable person to take over. But now the Zhang Family is in chaos; if the patriarch were changed rashly, no one knows Zhang’s overall situation better than I do, and the consequences could be even worse. Moreover, as the Life and Death Record was lost under my watch, I must spare no effort to retrieve it; only upon recovery will I resign the patriarch role to someone virtuous! Though I’m incompetent, I won’t shirk responsibility or leave a mess for others, so I ask the esteemed elders to permit me to shamelessly continue steering the Zhang Family ship."

Listening to Zhang Shenqi, someone from his lineage nodded in agreement immediately: "Indeed, changing generals in battle is a grave error; if someone else takes over rashly, their familiarity with the Zhang Family won’t match Shenqi’s; who knows how much time it will take to adapt, possibly leading to significant problems and further decline for our family."

These words held truth, and none rebutted.

Zhang Shenqi glanced at everyone, cleared his throat, and spoke: "Everyone, now that the Gong Family has Great Victory’s royal support, our family is in disarray, unable to match the Gong Family. The only way to reverse the situation is for Prince Pingbian to rebel, sever Kyoto’s Dragon Qi, and constrain the royal family’s power. With the Gong Family losing royal backing, we might have a chance to defeat them. But the prerequisite for Prince Pingbian’s intervention is handing over Zhang Chen. I understand some family elders favor Zhang Chen, but we are at life and death’s brink; sacrificing one to secure the larger picture is only right! If this matter fell on me, Zhang Shenqi, and the family demanded my sacrifice, I wouldn’t hesitate to fulfill it."

Turning towards Zhang Chen, Zhang Shenqi continued: "Nephew, you’re also a part of the Zhang Family. Now the entire family is at a critical survival juncture, all clansmen need you to make a sacrifice, surely you won’t refuse?"

At this moment, all clansmen looked towards Zhang Chen, awaiting his reaction; even those elders supporting Zhang Chen’s faction remained silent, caught in difficult choices.

Family interests surpass all else, above personal feelings and life, the deepest thought imprinted in the soul of every Zhang Family member.

"Oh? The family wants me to sacrifice? Then may I ask the clan leader, is the family’s current predicament caused by me?" Zhang Chen asked.

"Though not caused by you, you bear undeniable responsibility; if you hadn’t stirred trouble in the Northern Land, Prince Pingbian would’ve sent troops long ago, averting today’s peril!" Zhang Shenqi countered.