I picked up skill fragments in the demon world.

Chapter 926 What is regret?
Zhang Chen did not object, and Zhang Shi, as Zhang Chen's only elder, also had no objections, so the matter was settled.

"I'm currently embroiled in a lot of trouble. Could this bring unpredictable crises to the Zhong family?" Zhang Chen asked hesitantly.

Zhong Wubai shook his head upon hearing this: "Troublesome matters? My Zhong family has never been afraid of troublesome matters. Besides, I have high hopes for you. Since I have high hopes for you, I must place a heavy bet before you rise to power. Otherwise, how can my Zhong family place a heavy bet when you really rise to power one day? With your abilities, the Zhang family will eventually return to your hands. You will lead the Zhang family to continue its glory and then reorganize the eight great families. As for the Great Victory King, although he harbors ill intentions towards you, with a few of us old guys protecting you, keeping your life is not a problem."

Upon hearing Zhong Wubai's words, Zhang Chen gave him a deep look, then raised his wine cup in a toast:

"Since Mr. Zhong has said so, it would be pretentious for me to say anything more. We're all in this together. I, Zhang Chen, will only say one thing: as long as Mr. Zhong is willing, I have no objections."

“Alright! Leave the rest to me. I’ll go to the Inspection Bureau to find an expert to choose an auspicious date for the betrothal ceremony, and then we’ll discuss the wedding date,” Zhong Wubai said to Zhang Chen.

While the two were talking, they drank some more alcohol. Then Zhong Wubai left with a face full of excitement, leaving the family sitting at the table quietly eating their meal.

"I can't believe you've reached marriageable age so quickly." Zhang said with a sigh, as she picked up her wine cup and drank a cup of wine.

"Yes, I've reached the age to get married!" Zhang Chen sighed softly.

People always have to get married!

The people in that historical timeline are too far removed from the present timeline, so far that Zhang Chen's reincarnation imprint cannot sense the traces of Lady Biyun. The future changes in the world are unpredictable, so Zhang Chen must leave his bloodline in the world, right?

Zhong Wubai arrived at Zhong Xiang's room. Zhong Xiang was still dressed in men's clothing and was slowly copying a book.

"I've already made it official with Zhang Chen. Your marriage to Zhang Chen is settled. You have no objections, right?" Zhong Wubai asked Zhong Xiang.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Xiang blushed and lowered his head even further, as if burying himself in his book: "It's all up to Grandpa to decide."

Zhong Wubai smiled when he saw Zhong Xiang's expression: "Zhang Chen is a dragon among men. Marrying him is the best decision you've ever made. Since we parted ways in the North, I've been following his every step of growth. He's someone our Zhong family should invest heavily in. Those blind fools in the Zhang family, instead of winning over a true dragon, want to push him out to apologize to the King of Pingbian. They're truly blind."

“Zhang Chen’s father, Zhang Shicheng, once plotted against the Dasheng royal family. I’m afraid the Dasheng royal family won’t let this go easily. The reason the Dasheng royal family has agreed to temporarily restore Zhang Chen’s status is only to use him, to see if they can use him to stir up trouble in the Zhang family, or even tear apart the eight great families. Once the eight great families are destroyed, I’m afraid the King will settle accounts, and our Zhong family will also be implicated.” Zhong Xiang hesitated for a moment: “We can’t drag the whole family into the quagmire because of our granddaughter’s marriage. Why don’t you just expel me? Then I can marry Zhang Chen, and there won’t be any problems!”

"You underestimate your grandfather, don't you? Do you think I'm the kind of person who's afraid of trouble? Zhang Chen is currently without relatives or support. If you marry him, he'll become a member of our Zhong family. With our support and the strong assistance of Xie Lingyun and others, Zhang Chen has a very high chance of taking over the Zhang family. Once the Zhang family takes over, our Zhong family will establish a connection with this ancient clan, and our future will be bright. As for the Great Victory King? The eight great families aren't fools. Why would they fight each other and deplete themselves for no reason? For the Great Victory King, supporting Zhang Chen in taking control of the Zhang family and using the Zhang family to restrain and divide the eight great families is the most correct choice. Zhang Chen will be fine." Zhong Wubai's voice was full of certainty.
"Just relax and wait for the wedding."

“Back when we returned from the North, I said that there were only two people in the world worthy of your generation: Zhuge Cheng and Zhang Chen. Your judgment was excellent; you chose Zhang Chen back then. Your judgment is far superior to that of your grandfather.” Zhong Wubai’s voice was full of emotion.

No one knew that Zhang Chen had long been Zhong Xiang's target; high-level hunters often appear in the form of prey.

Zhong Xiang was speechless upon hearing this. He recalled that he had mastered the Qilin Flame, yet he was still humiliated by Zhang Chen. He also thought about what happened when the two of them robbed the tomb. The price he paid for his method of knowing Zhang Chen's potential was far too high.

At that time, he had mastered the Qilin Fire, but he still fell into the hands of that despicable and shameless villain. From then on, Zhong Xiang felt that the kid was destined for great things.

Zhong Xiang had never been defeated since childhood, but who would have thought that one day he would trip over a small mound and be overturned by a nobody? And what a humiliating disgrace he suffered?
Zhong Xiang once heard someone say, what is the best way to get revenge on a man?
That means marrying him!

Eat his food, live in his house, and give him a spendthrift son who squanders all his money. Then make him angry every day and never let him have a moment's peace.

Seeing the blush on Zhong Xiang's face, Zhong Wubai laughed heartily, then turned and walked out of the house. He went to the backyard and instructed the servants to prepare the carriages and horses, and headed towards the Inspection Office.

Inspection and Correction Department

Xie Xuan and Xie Lingyun sat facing each other, looking at each other, the atmosphere between father and daughter somewhat tense.

"You're not young anymore, it's time to think about getting married." Xie Xuan looked at Xie Lingyun and said earnestly, "If you don't get married soon, your peers in the capital will have already started their own families, and it will be too late for you to regret it later."

Xie Lingyun replied expressionlessly, "I have already reached the tenth level, with a lifespan of tens of thousands of years, and the prospect of achieving immortality. Who could be worthy of me?" "Among all the outstanding talents in the world today, the only one worthy of you is Zhang Chen. We have watched Zhang Chen grow up; you should know his immense potential. If you miss out on Zhang Chen, you will truly be destined to grow old alone." Xie Xuan looked at Xie Lingyun, his voice filled with emotion, "It's not that I'm rushing you, but your mother's dying wish was that I find you a good match. For you, Zhang Chen is the best match."

Upon hearing her mother's last wish, Xie Lingyun fell silent.

Seeing Xie Lingyun's expression, Xie Xuan sensed an opportunity and quickly asked, "What do you think of Zhang Chen?"

“He is a very important good friend,” Xie Lingyun replied without hesitation.

"If good friends develop their relationship further, they can become lovers. You two are both very capable. He can live with you for thousands of years and protect you. The two of you supporting each other is a good choice. Think about it, thousands of years from now, when everyone you know is dead, you'll still have someone by your side. Isn't that a happy thing? At least you won't be lonely." Xie Xuan earnestly advised.

"Are you lonely?" Xie Lingyun fell silent upon hearing this.

"Think it over carefully," Xie Xuan said. "Once you've thought it over, give me a straight answer."

“If I could be with him for ten thousand years, it wouldn’t be unacceptable,” Xie Lingyun said.

"Alright! Then I'll invite Zhang Chen over right away to propose marriage on your behalf." Xie Xuan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this and slapped his thigh, making the decision immediately.

Xie Lingyun sat there without objecting when she heard this. Just as the father and daughter were getting along well, a guard announced that Zhong Wubai had arrived.

Zhong Wubai is now a tenth-level expert, and also a tenth-level cultivator. Given his current status and position, if he wants to see Xie Lingyun and Xie Xuan, they cannot refuse him.

Moreover, the two sides have now become tacit allies because of Zhang Chen's matter, so there is no reason for them to refuse Zhong Xiang's visit.

Xie Xuan had rushed back from outside a few days ago to plead for Zhang Chen and had been staying at the Inspection Office ever since.

Xie Xuan and Xie Lingyun welcomed Zhong Wubai in. After they were seated, Zhong Wubai took a sip of tea before getting to the point: "I have come to see you two leaders today for a private matter."

"Private matters? What private matters does the elder have?" Xie Xuan asked with curiosity upon hearing this.

"It's for my daughter's marriage! My daughter is already engaged, and we need Chief Xie's help to choose an auspicious date," Zhong Wubai said with a beaming smile.

Xie Xuan was shocked upon hearing this: "Who in the whole world is worthy of your son, the Qilin?"

Zhong Xiang's extraordinary talent astonished an entire era, and Xie Xuan found it hard to imagine anyone in the world who could be worthy of him.

Suddenly, a figure flashed into his mind, and his heart skipped a beat. He thought to himself, 'Could it be him?' He thought of Zhang Chen. If Zhang Chen was a match for Zhong Xiang, he would be more than qualified.

Among all the talented young men in Kyoto, Zhang Chen is probably the only one who can match Zhong Xiang.

"No way! My chosen son-in-law has been beaten to it by someone else?" Xie Xuan cursed inwardly with trepidation, but said calmly, "I wonder whose son is worthy of Zhong Xiang?"

“Who else could it be? You know this person too, it’s Zhang Chen. This child is a pitiful person. He lost his parents at a young age and struggled alone in the north, constantly on the verge of life and death. Later, he was cruelly rejected in his engagement, and when he arrived in the capital, he was betrayed by his family. He wandered all the way without a single caring person. As soon as I mentioned it to him, he immediately agreed.” Zhong Wubai’s words were full of sighs.

Upon hearing Zhong Wubai's words, Xie Xuan immediately became agitated: "How could Zhong Xiang marry Zhang Chen? How could Zhong Xiang be engaged to Zhang Chen?"

"Why can't Zhong Xiang get engaged to Zhang Chen? You're talking very strangely," Zhong Wubai said with dissatisfaction.

Xie Xuan realized his lapse in composure and quickly tried to make amends: "I just felt that Zhang Chen had too many troubles, and the Zhong family might not be able to withstand this torrential rain."

(End of this chapter)