I picked up skill fragments in the demon world.

Chapter 897 A Visit to the Zhang Family
Zhang Chen is currently very ambitious and would attract a lot of attention if he left the Zhong family mansion. Therefore, it is better for him to stay in the Zhong family for the time being to cultivate.

"The matter of the academy needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. When are you going to the academy?" Zhong Wubai asked again.

Upon hearing Zhong Wubai's question, Zhang Chen smiled and said, "I'll find something for the eight great families to do first, so they can keep their attention occupied, and then I can go to the academy to study. Otherwise, if I go to the academy, they will keep giving me things to do and causing me trouble, which will be quite a hassle."

"It's good that you have a plan." After hearing Zhang Chen's words, Zhong Wubai knew that the other party already had a plan in mind, so he nodded to him and went to the yamen to handle affairs after finishing breakfast.

Zhang Chen stayed at the Zhong family's house for three days. On the third day, all his energy was completely contained, and he showed no abnormalities whatsoever. He stood there like an ordinary mortal.

On a misty, drizzly morning, Zhang Chen, holding an oil-paper umbrella, strolled leisurely out of the Zhong residence, intending to head towards the Zhang family. However, before he had gone even a hundred meters, a figure blocked his path.

"You've been waiting for me here all this time?" Zhang Chen stopped in his tracks and looked at the person who had just arrived with curiosity.

"Yes!" Zhang Gaqi said, "If I hadn't been standing here waiting for you, I wouldn't have been able to find you as soon as you stepped out the door."

"What if I don't go out for a month?" Zhang Chen asked.

“Then I’ll wait a month.” Zhang Gaqi stood quietly opposite Zhang Chen, holding an oil-paper umbrella in his hand.

“I definitely have to go to the Zhang family,” Zhang Chen replied. “Not only to awaken the Zhang family bloodline, but also because Zhang Fei and Zhang Tuowei are still in the Zhang family. Besides, I am a member of the Zhang family, so it is only natural for me to recognize my ancestors and return to my roots.”

“You’re right, but you also need to consider the situation. If you return to the Zhang family, it will fall apart. Some people will try to push you to become the new head of the Zhang family, and the Zhang family will inevitably fall into internal strife, giving the Dasheng royal family an opportunity to take advantage.” Zhang Gaqi looked at Zhang Chen, his voice full of solemnity: “You probably don’t know how famous you are now. Although you ruined the Pingbian Prince’s plan in the North and made countless people in the Zhang family hate you, countless people have also seen your ability. You single-handedly turned the tide in the North and disrupted the Pingbian Prince’s overall situation, making countless people think you are very powerful, even more powerful than your father, and capable of becoming the restorer of the Zhang family, the one who leads the Zhang family to rise again, overthrows the Dasheng royal family, and makes my Zhang family stand at the top of the world.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen glanced at Zhang Gaqi, a look of surprise in his eyes. He hadn't expected to have such a large influence in the Zhang family.

However, he also had to admit that the Zhang family's old-timers were indeed very discerning and recognized their own value.

Seemingly noticing the hint of smugness in Zhang Chen's eyes, Zhang Gaqi said speechlessly, "But there are many more people who want to maintain the stability of the Zhang family and plan to kill you."

“It’s their business if someone kills me, but I will fight back. I can’t just stand by and watch myself be killed.” Zhang Chen slowly took a step towards Zhang Gaqi.

"So you're going to block my way?"

“Your return to the Zhang family to acknowledge your ancestors is the decision of the King of Men. How could I dare to stop you? I just want to have some heartfelt words with you before you arrive at the Zhang family, and to analyze the situation of the Zhang family with you,” Zhang Gaqi said, his voice filled with bitterness.

"You don't need to say anything more to me. I understand all the big principles, but there's no point in talking about them. I just want to take back what I'm entitled to." Zhang Chen walked past Zhang Gaqi and disappeared into the misty rain.

Seeing Zhang Chen's retreating figure, Zhang Gaqi quickly drove the carriage to catch up: "Get in the carriage, I'll take you back, which will save you some trouble and prevent you from getting into conflicts with those younger members of the Zhang family."

Zhang Chen glanced at Zhang Gaqi, then finally boarded the carriage and disappeared into the misty rain with Zhang Gaqi.

As one of the eight great families, the Zhang family occupied an entire street in the bustling capital city where powerful and wealthy people gathered; the whole street was Zhang family territory.

“The eight great families of Kyoto each occupy a street, making it their own private domain. Even the law can hardly govern this area,” Zhang Gaqi said to Zhang Chen as he drove the carriage, looking at the bustling scene on both sides.

"This is also a testament to the glory of my Zhang family's ancestors, and it is through the efforts of generations of outstanding members of my Zhang family that we have such a vast territory and power. The eight great families are of one mind and all disciples and followers are of one heart and mind, which is why we have been able to protect our vast family business. Why is our Zhang family able to stand out in the capital? It is because of our unity!" Zhang Gaqi waved his whip and said to Zhang Chen.

“But the Zhang family, which is so united, betrayed my father, leaving my father and me to live a life of hardship and uncertainty in the north. Isn’t that ridiculous?” Zhang Chen said to Zhang Gaqi.

Zhang Gaqi fell silent upon hearing this, and after a long while he said, "This was just an accident. After all, even though we are all family, there are times when we disagree."

"Is that so? Disagreements justify betraying one's own people?" Zhang Chen said coldly.

Zhang Gaqi stopped talking and just kept driving the carriage with a hint of sorrow on his face.

The carriage traveled through several streets and arrived at the Zhang family's mansion. The imposing gate was even more grand than the Zhong family's. A dozen or so warriors in golden armor stood proudly guarding the Zhang family's residence. "They've all mastered qi and blood cultivation. The Zhang family truly lives up to their reputation as a local powerful clan; they're quite impressive," Zhang Chen remarked with surprise, looking at the spirited guards.

A martial artist who has cultivated their qi and blood would be considered a formidable opponent anywhere, but at this moment, they are merely a gatekeeper in the Zhang family.

“As an ancient clan with a history of hundreds of thousands of years, the Zhang family naturally has a profound heritage,” Zhang Gaqi said.

"Is this my Zhang family? I'm getting more and more excited," Zhang Chen said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Gaqi's lips twitched, and for a moment he was at a loss for words. He simply stopped the carriage, called Zhang Chen down from the carriage, and the two of them entered the Zhang family through a side gate.

As for the main gate?
The main gate is not usually opened; it is only opened when the mansion receives an imperial edict or other important matters. This is not because Zhang Gaqi intentionally disrespects Zhang Chen.

Zhang Gaqi led Zhang Chen through a series of gates, pavilions, and waterside terraces when suddenly another figure blocked their path. The person blocking their way was none other than Zhang Shenqi.

"Second Brother!" Zhang Gaqi called out to Zhang Shenqi.

Zhang Shenqi turned his gaze to Zhang Chen, his eyes revealing a complex and unfathomable expression. After a long while, he sighed softly, "I didn't expect you to still come."

“This is my home. Even the current King says this is my home. Do you have a problem with what the current King says?” Zhang Chen asked.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shenqi shook his head: "You're quite sharp-tongued, unlike your father who was such a gentleman."

“The gentleman Dun Dun was killed by a villain long ago.” Zhang Chen grinned, and his words immediately made the atmosphere tense.

However, since Zhang Shenqi had asked the King to kill him in court, the two sides had openly broken off relations, so Zhang Chen naturally didn't need to show any mercy.

“Zhang Chen, stop talking nonsense! This is your second uncle, Zhang Shenqi. Hurry up and pay your respects.” Zhang Gaqi saw Zhang Shenqi’s face stiffen and quickly tried to smooth things over.

Zhang Chen grinned and said, "Second Uncle is a magnanimous person. I'm just a child and don't know how to speak properly. Second Uncle certainly won't blame me, right? After all, I'm still a child. How could a gentleman like you hold a grudge against a child?"

Zhang Shenqi's smile became even more stiff, and he could no longer speak, revealing an awkward smile. Zhang Gaqi, standing to the side, was also speechless. He had long known in the North that Zhang Chen was no pushover, but he never expected Zhang Chen to be this ruthless.

"I have a few words to say to you. After you hear what I have to say, if you still want to enter the Zhang family to acknowledge your ancestors, I will not stop you." Zhang Shenqi changed the subject and said to Zhang Chen.

"Don't say anything yet. I'm just curious why Second Uncle is so shameless. He clearly wanted to kill me in court, so how can you still have the nerve to act like an elder and lecture me?" Zhang Chen looked at Zhang Shenqi, his attitude extremely firm, refusing to back down an inch.

Zhang Shenqi's expression gradually turned cold, and his words became icy: "Now I finally understand why the King of Pingbian was so determined to kill you at all costs. It's because you have no respect for your elders and don't know how to write the word 'respect.' If I were the King of Pingbian, I would also want to tear you apart and wish I could help you change."

"Hehe! I guess the King of Pingbian won't have a chance to help me revise it. I wonder if my second uncle will have a chance to help me revise it." Zhang Chen said with a smile, his demeanor as calm and composed as before. Even the most vicious words were spoken in a gentle and pleasant tone, maintaining his composure. The difference in their positions was immediately apparent.

Zhang Gaqi, standing to the side, glanced at Zhang Chen, who resembled a gentleman, and then at Zhang Shenqi, whose face was ashen. He suddenly felt that at this moment, Zhang Shenqi had been outshone by Zhang Chen. This man who had lived for more than forty years was not as good as a young man who had only lived for more than ten years.

In terms of cultivating inner strength, Zhang Shenqi has been suppressed and is now far inferior.

Zhang Shenqi wasn't the only one thinking this way. At this moment, in a pavilion some distance away, there stood more than a dozen old men with white hair and beards, all of them robust and strong, watching Zhang Chen and Zhang Shenqi clash, their eyes gleaming.

"Is that child Zhang Kecheng's son?" one of the old men asked.

"Yes," a servant replied.

“His father is not as good as him! Zhang Shenqi is not as good as him either. Just this kind of demeanor is enough to convince people!” the old man said.

(End of this chapter)