Chapter 1310 - 938: Yellow Spring Water

"My responsibility? Am I just supposed to stand by and let Prince Pingbian’s Mansion harm me?" Zhang Chen laughed disdainfully upon hearing those words. "Besides, Prince Pingbian is your person. It’s your people who lost control, what does it have to do with me? Shouldn’t you reflect on yourself? It was you who lost the Book of Life and Death and couldn’t control Prince Pingbian. How is any of this my problem?"

Zhang Chen was never someone who could be easily manipulated. To think they could push all the blame onto him was nothing but a dream! Wishful thinking!

Zhang Chen revealed a hint of disdain in his eyes, then turned to look at the elders present: "I’m not like some people who always push the blame onto others whenever a problem arises, rather than thinking about how to solve it themselves."

"I suggest we depose Zhang Shenqi from his position and have this incompetent person step down from being the patriarch. Only I, Zhang Chen, can lead all the clan members to glory. I know you’ve lost your bloodline inheritance and the ability to awaken the bloodline of the younger generation with the Book of Life and Death, but it doesn’t matter. What the Book of Life and Death can do, the Yellow Spring Water can also achieve. Although I don’t have the Book of Life and Death, I possess an endless supply of Yellow Spring Water. As long as you elect me as the Clan Leader of the Zhang Family and follow my orders, I promise all direct descendants of the Zhang Family that newborns can have their bloodlines activated with Yellow Spring Water."

As Zhang Chen spoke, he took a bottle of Yellow Spring Water from his sleeve, opened it, and let the essence of the Yellow Spring Water disperse. The effect of the Yellow Spring Water was too potent; to activate a newborn’s bloodline, only a drop was needed. With Zhang Chen’s remaining quantity of Yellow Spring Water from the Wangchuan River in the Underworld, the Zhang Family could use it indefinitely.

"Yellow Spring Water? Isn’t that a legendary substance? Does Yellow Spring Water truly exist in this world?"

Hearing Zhang Chen’s words, the elders of the Zhang Family all had their eyes light up, disbelief shimmering in their gaze. Yellow Spring Water was not only effective at awakening bloodlines but also had remarkable effects on the cultivation of the Zhang Family.

"The Book of Life and Death exists in the world, so naturally, the Underworld does too, and thus the Yellow Spring Water exists as well." Holding the bottle of Yellow Spring Water in hand, Zhang Chen allowed its essence to waft out. As everyone inhaled it, they felt an invigorating vitality rush through their spirits, an indescribable sensation sweeping over them, as if their very souls were cleansed.

"It’s undoubtedly the Yellow Spring Water! The effects match the ancestral records about the Yellow Spring Water without a doubt." One elder, eyes blazing with enthusiasm, approached to seize the jade bottle from Zhang Chen’s hand, examining it cautiously.

Seeing the commotion caused by the appearance of the Yellow Spring Water, Zhang Gaqi’s lips twitched as he sighed inwardly: "Zhang Shenqi is finished!"

Meanwhile, Zhang Shenqi also sensed trouble: "Elders, please listen to me. Who knows where this guy got some strange water from? It might not even be genuine Yellow Spring Water. Even if this bottle does hold true Yellow Spring Water, how long would it last? It’s just a drop in the ocean. Don’t be swayed by him."

Zhang Shenqi’s words brought everyone back to calmness, for he was right. No matter how good Yellow Spring Water is, if the quantity cannot meet the demand, it amounts to nothing.

"Hahaha, I can swear on the bloodline of the Zhang Family that I’ve discovered a spring of the Yellow Springs, with an inexhaustible supply of Yellow Spring Water. Should I lie, may I be devoured by a thousand ghosts!" Zhang Chen raised his finger to the sky and swore.

With Zhang Chen’s oath, the elders of the Zhang Family immediately believed him, as there was a mysterious power within the Zhang Family bloodline. If Zhang Chen were lying, his bloodline would retaliate against him.

"Depose Zhang Shenqi from his clan leader position, and all of you come under my command. Everyone present here will receive a bottle of Yellow Spring Water from me. However, if you wish to obtain more Yellow Spring Water in the future, you will need to perform meritorious deeds for the Zhang Family. But don’t worry, I will grant every newborn of the Zhang Family, regardless of direct or collateral line, a free drop of Yellow Spring Water." Zhang Chen generously offered, for the Yellow Spring Water wasn’t his to begin with. The Yellow Spring River was mighty and boundless, stretching thousands of miles without end and could never be exhausted.

Zhang Chen took back the bottle, and then casually poured the Yellow Spring Water onto the ground, causing the elders to gasp in heartache and try to stop him, only to hear Zhang Chen say disdainfully:

"It’s just Yellow Spring Water. I have plenty of it."

"Now it’s time for everyone to vote. I propose deposing Zhang Shenqi from the clan leader position and appointing me as the clan leader. Who agrees and who opposes?" Zhang Chen’s gaze swept over the crowd.

Upon hearing his words, everyone looked at each other, glancing between Zhang Chen and the now pale Zhang Shenqi. Yet, no one spoke up. Even those factions supporting Zhang Chen wore hesitant expressions. The Zhang Family was already chaotic enough as it was, and changing leaders at such a critical moment would only exacerbate the situation.

"What? No one agrees? If there are no takers, then I’ll just keep the Yellow Spring Water for myself. Just don’t come asking for my help if your descendants fail to awaken their bloodlines. Did you think you could retrieve the Book of Life and Death? The Gong Family already pledged allegiance to the Great Victory royal family, and the Book of Life and Death was probably used as a bargaining chip handed over to the Chai Family. Conquering the Gong Family isn’t even a feasible hope for retrieving the Book of Life and Death, so stop dreaming. It’s not possible." Zhang Chen’s gaze scanned the crowd again, questioning them further:

"What? No one supports my proposal? Then I’ll take my leave, and you can live with the consequences!"

"Hold on!" The second uncle who had been supporting Zhang Shenqi spoke publicly: "Why not let Zhang Shenqi temporarily assume the position of Patriarch? After all, changing generals on the battlefield is a big taboo. If we can wipe out the Gong Family, we can then ask him to step down as Patriarch, how about that?"

"No way!" Zhang Chen said decisively upon hearing this: "He must step down right now! Stepping down is not enough; he lost the Book of Life and Death, and I want his head to make amends to the Zhang Family ancestors! If it weren’t for his loss of the Book of Life and Death, how would the Zhang Family ancestor have been suppressed by the Divine Spirit of the court? His crime is grave!"

"Zhang Chen, do you still have the Zhang Family in your heart? Do you see the bigger picture? How can you be the Patriarch of the Zhang Family like this? How can we trust the Zhang Family entrusted in your hands?" The second uncle frowned deeply, his gaze showing a touch of anger, clearly dissatisfied with Zhang Chen’s aggressive demeanor.

"Exactly, the enemy is at our doorstep, first take out the Yellow Spring Water for us. Once the enemy is dealt with, it’s not too late to talk about the Patriarch’s affairs! Do you have a sense of the bigger picture? Do you have the responsibility as a Zhang Family member to contribute everything for the family?" Another elder stood up.

"Indeed, as a disciple of the Zhang Family, one should have an awareness of the bigger picture. This item which relates to the family’s fate should be taken out and contributed to the family, not used for personal gain." Another middle-aged man stood out, angrily rebuking Zhang Chen, his voice filled with righteous indignation.

"Oh?" Zhang Chen turned to look at those who spoke, pointed at them through the air: "You, you, you... All of you who just spoke, you will not use Yellow Spring Water from now on, nor will your descendants."

"How dare you?" The second uncle was immediately angered upon hearing this.

"Because the Yellow Spring Water is mine, even if I smash it, I won’t let you use it. Of course, if you want to use it yourselves, then chop off your heads and let your descendants bring your heads to apologize to me, I might consider sparing you a little, for the sake of your descendants, you should commit suicide." Zhang Chen laughed scornfully.

Upon hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Zhang Shenqi sneered coldly on the side: "You selfish and self-serving junior, do you really think that after coming to the Zhang Family ancestral land, everything is still up to you? Someone come, seize him for me, I’m not afraid he won’t hand over the Yellow Spring Water when the time comes!"

Zhang Shenqi’s eyes showed a trace of coldness, threatening him? As if he had all grown up!

With Zhang Shenqi’s command, the Zhang Family disciples waiting on the side all drew out their sticks, yet at this moment, the third uncle was unwilling: "You fool, everyone stop! Zhang Shenqi, you actually dare to openly bully a junior without parents, really thinking we don’t exist? You truly believe you are above the law, truly making the Zhang Family your one-man rule?"

"Third uncle, urgency gives rights, the Yellow Spring Water relates to the life and death of the Zhang Family, only by seizing it and forcing out its origin can the bloodline of the Zhang Family continue uninterrupted." Zhang Shenqi declared.

"Oh? Then why should he sacrifice instead of you, make the sacrifice to step down as Clan Leader, as long as you step down as Clan Leader, everything will be resolved!" The third uncle coldly smiled.

"Currently the Zhang Family is facing foreign enemies, as the head of the Zhang Family, even if there are heaven-high crimes, they must be dealt with after the foreign enemies are completely destroyed!" Zhang Shenqi exclaimed: "Someone, seize Zhang Chen!"

"Let’s see who dares!" The third uncle’s hair and beard stood out, his eyes showing a blaze of anger.

"Now I am the Patriarch, my word is law! Third uncle, please forgive this junior’s rudeness! Someone, seize Zhang Chen, any disciple who captures Zhang Chen will be rewarded with a bottle of Yellow Spring Water!" Zhang Shenqi commanded harshly once more.

Upon these words, a group of Zhang Family disciples pounced like wolves and tigers, the third uncle angrily drew the long knife from his waist: "I’ll see who dares!"

With the third uncle drawing out his long knife, all followers of Zhang Chen drew their long knives from their waists, protecting Zhang Chen.

"Old three, what are you doing? Do you intend to split the Zhang Family?" The second uncle’s face darkened, he shouted angrily.

"Ha, you were the ones who broke the rules first, although you are strong, we are absolutely not easily bullied!" The third uncle coldly replied.

"Fine, fine, fine... Today I have witnessed the face of the Zhang Family! Now, I announce, all those who drew a knife against me, you can forget about any Yellow Spring Water for your family!" Zhang Chen coldly added fuel to the fire, issuing threats, not afraid of escalating the situation.