I picked up skill fragments in the demon world.

Chapter 901 A New Home

Although Zhang's statement was only a single sentence, it contained all the bitterness and helplessness.

Although Zhang Gaqi's home was luxurious, filled with fine clothes, sumptuous food, and endless wealth, it was ultimately not their own home.

“Brother, home is where you are. This place is nice, but we’re just guests.” Zhang Tuowei said crisply to Zhang Chen.

"Let's go!" Zhang Chen smiled, took the package from Zhang Shi's hand, and slowly walked away into the distance.

He hadn't gone far when Zhang Gaqi, who had heard that Zhang Chen's family was leaving, was already standing in front of an archway waiting. He knew that Zhang Chen might take the Zhang family away, but he never expected that Zhang Chen would be so decisive, leaving with his people as soon as they met.

"Uncle Zhang Si".

Seeing Zhang Gaqi blocking the palace gate, Zhang called out to him.

"Sister-in-law, you left in such a hurry." Zhang Gaqi sighed helplessly, his voice full of disappointment.

“Chen’er is the head of the family, we’ll follow his decision. If he says we’re moving, then we’ll move.” Madam Zhang smiled broadly and bowed respectfully to Zhang Gaqi.
"Thank you so much, Uncle Zhang, for taking care of our family for the past four years. We are extremely grateful and will definitely repay you in the future. Besides, although we have left the Zhang family, our friendship remains, and we should keep in touch in the future."

Zhang spoke very eloquently and logically, not at all like an ignorant peasant woman. Her words were impeccable, and even if Zhang Gaqi had a thousand words to say, he would be speechless at that moment.

Zhang Gaqi then looked at Zhang Chen: "Your family is unfamiliar with the capital. We are family, this is your home. Just settle in and stay here. Why bother going around? The Zhong family are outsiders. If you don't stay at your own home but go to the Zhong family's house, you will be ridiculed by others."

Zhang Chen laughed upon hearing this: "Fourth Uncle probably hasn't heard the saying, 'Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together.' Fourth Uncle and I are not on the same path. If we continue to live here, what if a conflict arises in the future? Wouldn't we be tied down and controlled by others? After all, one is obligated to pay for what one has received, and I can't very well resort to underhanded tactics against you. But if you want to scheme against me, frame me, or smear me, I can't resist, can I?"

After saying this, Zhang Chen continued walking outside with his bag on his back: "Let's meet again in a few days."

Zhang Chen walked ahead carrying a package, and the three little ones bowed to Zhang Gaqi before quickly following in his footsteps.

Seeing this, Zhang Gaqi was both amused and exasperated. He knew Zhang Chen was saying this on purpose, but he couldn't help but admire the kid's meticulousness. A confrontation between Zhang Chen and certain members of the Zhang family was inevitable, and continuing to live on the Zhang family's territory was indeed inappropriate. Even if Zhang Gaqi was a neutral party, he was still an unstable factor for Zhang Chen. To achieve final victory, all unfavorable factors had to be eliminated in advance.

Zhang Gaqi is a neutral party member, but he is ultimately a member of the Zhang family and is subject to Zhang Shenqi's control. If Zhang Gaqi were to suddenly turn against him in the future, it would be very dangerous for Zhang Chen and could put him in a hopeless situation.

"No wonder he was able to reverse the situation in the North, turn the Pingbian Prince's Mansion upside down, and make that old guy Pingbian Prince fail. With such meticulous thinking and such a flawless method, he deserved to succeed!" Zhang Gaqi sighed softly as he watched the departing figures.

He is indeed a neutral party, but family interests come first. If Zhang Shenqi asks him to do something to protect the family without putting Zhang Chen to death, he will still do it. His stance has determined his methods.

However, Zhang Chen was so young, yet he handled things so meticulously, which was something he had never expected.

"I had long anticipated this day, which is why I brought the three little ones from the North to train and lay the groundwork in advance. If Zhang Chen really caused turmoil in the Zhang family in the future, it would give me more room to maneuver, or even allow me to directly push Zhang Fei to the position. Unfortunately, Zhang Chen didn't give me any chance at all!" Zhang Gaqi sighed softly.

Of course, he could choose to delay, hide Zhang Tuowei and the other two, and not give Zhang Chen and the three little ones a chance to meet. Then he could choose to cultivate Zhang Fei and make the two brothers fight each other. Unfortunately, the forces behind Zhang Chen were not to be underestimated. The Inspectorate, the Academy, and even the current Grand Tutor were all behind him. In addition, with the King's tacit approval of the ambiguous attitude, he would not dare to play any tricks.

Of course, he was a neutral party. He and Zhang Kecheng were good friends in the past, and Zhang Kecheng practically raised him. How could he possibly do such a thing?

The reason he brought the three children back was simply to create more ties between Zhang Chen and the Zhang family, so that even if the two sides really broke off relations one day, there would still be room for maneuver.

How could Zhang Chen not know the reasoning that Zhang Gaqi was thinking?
As Zhang Chen walked through the Zhang family's manor carrying his bundle, countless thoughts raced through his mind. Why was he in such a hurry to take the three little ones away? It was because he was afraid that the three little ones would be implicated. If the Zhang family had assimilated Zhang Fei in recent years, and then pushed Zhang Fei out to fight against him, he would be in for a lot of trouble.

However, Zhang Gaqi's actions pleased him. The situation he had anticipated did not occur, and Zhang Gaqi still favored him.

“Your fourth uncle is a decent man; you should spare his life in the future,” Zhang Shi suddenly said from the side. Zhang Chen was taken aback and turned to look at Zhang Shi in surprise: “My battle with the Zhang family hasn’t even begun yet, how do you know I will win?”

“You’ve brought down the Pingbian Prince’s Mansion, so your methods are beyond question. You disappeared for four years, and now that you’ve reappeared in the capital, you must have been absolutely certain of victory. So the Zhang family is doomed to fail.” Madam Zhang’s words were filled with boundless trust in Zhang Chen.

"You trust me quite a bit, don't worry, I'll spare his life in the future." Zhang Chen also assured him, "Uncle Zhang is indeed a good person."

At this point, Zhang Chen looked at Madam Zhang and asked, "You're still young, haven't you thought about finding someone else?"

In recent years, Zhang's life of luxury, coupled with her diligent martial arts training, has greatly changed her temperament. Her skin is now delicate and fair, and the changes in her spirit and energy brought about by martial arts training have made her look like a noblewoman, unlike the country bumpkin she once was in the mountain village.

Upon hearing Zhang Chen's words, Madam Zhang glared at him angrily: "What nonsense are you spouting? Be careful, or I'll slap you across the face!"

Zhang scolded Zhang Chen, who smiled and said, "Second Aunt, if you really want to remarry and start a new life, I will never stop you."

Zhang raised her foot and kicked Zhang Chen, who was so frightened that he ran away in a flash, which made the three little ones laugh out loud.

After leaving Zhang Gaqi's residence, Zhang Chen went to the Zhong family. He was only staying at the Zhong family temporarily. After he had stirred up trouble among the eight major families, he would still build a new home in the capital.

"We'll stay at the Zhong family's place for now. Once I've sorted out my troubles, we'll buy our own house." Zhang Chen explained the situation to the four of them as they walked through the Zhong family's residence, settling the three little ones and Zhang Shi into the Zhong family's home.

Upon receiving the servant's report, Old Master Zhong actually took the initiative to visit, and arranged for servants and maids to provide new bedding and toiletries. Then he said to Madam Zhang:
"From now on, this will be your own home. You can stay here. If there is anything you are not used to, just let me know. You don't need to cook for yourselves. I have already instructed the steward of the manor to deliver your meals on time."

Then Zhong Wubai took Zhang Chen to play chess and chat. After everything was settled, Zhang Chen used his escape technique the next day and appeared inside the Inspection Office.

Now that Zhang Chen has reached the third level of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique, neither the imperial dragon energy nor the protective power of the Inspection Office can stop his escape technique. In a flash, he appeared directly in Xie Lingyun's room in the Inspection Office.

Upon seeing Zhang Chen, Xie Lingyun was utterly astonished: "How did you manage to enter using supernatural powers? All magic is forbidden in the capital, and my Inspection Division is also protected by powerful suppressive forces. How did you manage to enter without any hindrance?"

Xie Lingyun looked at Zhang Chen, who had appeared in the room, and began to doubt her own existence. Had the dragon energy of the capital failed? Had the suppressive power of the Inspectorate also failed?
Even if she breaks through to the tenth level, she would only be a martial arts expert in the royal city and would not be able to unleash extraordinary power.

Zhang Chen smiled strangely upon seeing this: "I have already said that I cultivate immortality. The methods of immortality are naturally different from ordinary methods. Whether it is dragon energy or the suppressive power of the Inspection Office, they are nothing to me."

Xie Lingyun fell silent upon hearing this, staring blankly at Zhang Chen for a long, long time before finally saying, "What terrifying abilities! I finally believe you can cultivate immortality! Your methods are indeed unlike any other methods available today."

"Can I use my supernatural powers to enter the Imperial Palace directly?" Xie Lingyun asked again.

“It’s like walking on flat ground,” Zhang Chen said.

"Never let the King know you have this ability. He probably won't even dare to sleep at night. He'll do anything to get rid of you," Xie Lingyun said, her voice filled with shock.

Zhang Chen looked at Xie Lingyun, who was filled with shock, and simply smiled without saying a word. This was nothing at all; he had only revealed the tip of the iceberg of his supernatural abilities.

"Have you settled in?" Xie Lingyun changed the subject and asked.

“Everything has been arranged, but I still need to buy a house of my own in Kyoto. After all, once I’ve settled things with the eight great families, I’ll need to stay in Kyoto permanently. It’s not right to always live at the Zhong family’s house.” As Zhang Chen spoke, he took out a piece of gold weighing at least twenty catties and placed it in front of Xie Lingyun’s desk. “Buy me a house in Kyoto. Don’t be stingy with the money; I have plenty.”

(End of this chapter)