I picked up skill fragments in the demon world.

Chapter 942 A Split Family?

Now that Zhang Chen has entered the Zhang family, how could Zhang Shenqi allow him to escape?

Zhang Chen cannot leave the Zhang family's gate, but Zhang Gaqi can. As long as Zhang Gaqi walks out of this gate and appears in front of everyone, Zhang Shenqi will not be able to tie Zhang Gaqi up and take him back in front of everyone.

“Fourth Uncle should know what Zhang Shenqi wants to do, so I want to ask Fourth Uncle to bring in the connections left by my father. You will help me, right?” Zhang Chen looked at Zhang Gaqi.

“If I do this, it will tear the Zhang family apart! The Zhang family, which is already on the verge of collapse, will be plunged into utter ruin. I will escort you out, and once you leave the Zhang family, never come back.” Zhang Gaqi stared intently at Zhang Chen.

Looking at Zhang Gaqi, a look of disappointment appeared in his eyes: "Fourth Uncle, you have disappointed me! You were raised by my father, and I thought you would always support my father steadfastly."

“I support your father, and even extend his kindness to you, but I cannot stand by and watch the Zhang family fall apart and vanish like water.” Zhang Gaqi had his reasons.

"It wasn't me who split the Zhang family, it was Zhang Shenqi!" Zhang Chen said coldly.

“I know it’s Zhang Shenqi, but he’s the head of the Zhang family now, wielding the family’s power. Asking him to step down is impossible; he has too many vested interests involved. But you’re different. If you stay away from the Zhang family, the Zhang family will return to peace and can unite to deal with the Gong family. We can hope to reclaim the Book of Life and Death and continue the Zhang family’s lineage!” Zhang Gaqi looked at Zhang Chen, his voice filled with pleading.

“Zhang Chen, stop being stubborn and come with me! The Zhang family is where your father was born, where he risked his life, where he loved, and where he was willing to give up his life. If you insist on going your own way, you will ruin this place,” Zhang Gaqi advised Zhang Chen.

Zhang Chen remained unmoved upon hearing this: "It wasn't me who destroyed the Zhang family, it was Zhang Shenqi! I, Zhang Chen, am an upright and honorable person. Why should I hide and live a cowardly life? I just want to live a good life, but some people insist on putting me to death. Why should I back down? I cannot fight back!"

At this point, Zhang Chen's lips curled into a smile: "The Gong family has already pledged allegiance to the Chai family, and the Book of Life and Death has probably already been handed over as a pledge of loyalty. Do you really think the Zhang family has a chance to take back the Book of Life and Death?"

At this point, Zhang Chen smiled coldly: "Without the Book of Life and Death, the destruction of the Zhang family is only a matter of time. What's the point of talking about the continuation of the bloodline? But I can save the Zhang family. Don't forget, I still have the Water of the Yellow Springs! I can help the young children of the Zhang family awaken their bloodline power! Now you should think carefully about whether you side with Zhang Shenqi or with me. If you choose to continue telling me to stay away, I will leave without saying a word. As for the continuation of the Zhang family's bloodline in the future, if the Zhang family really declines one day, don't come looking for me."

Upon hearing Zhang Chen's words, Zhang Gaqi was stunned and stood there dumbfounded.

Zhang Chen strode away, and Zhang Gaqi watched his departing figure for a long time without saying a word, falling into a state of silence.

Only after Zhang Chen's figure completely disappeared did Zhang Gaqi sigh helplessly: "If only Zhang Chen could hand over the Yellow Springs Water to the family and then leave the family, that would be perfect!"

But Zhang Gaqi knew that Zhang Chen would never submit to anyone, so he decided to keep quiet as soon as possible.

Watching Zhang Chen's retreating figure, Zhang Gaqi thought of the Yellow Springs Water that the other party controlled, and couldn't help but sigh softly: "He really has the upper hand!"

With little hope of reclaiming the Book of Life and Death in the future, the Zhang family, if they didn't want their lineage to end, would have no choice but to submit to Zhang Chen's control. Thinking this, Zhang Gaqi quickly disappeared from the pavilions and began calling for his allies to gather.

As Zhang Chen walked out of the backyard, he encountered Zhang Shenqi's family and servants along the way. Everyone looked at Zhang Chen's unfamiliar face with surprise, but they dared not step forward to ask questions. How could servants ask about their master's affairs?

Zhang Chen wandered around the Zhang family's old house, waiting for Zhang Gaqi's move. After estimating that the time was about right, he headed towards the ancestral hall.

Zhang Chen arrived at the ancestral hall, which was still under construction and looked quite dilapidated, resembling a 'tent' supported by just a few beams.

It wasn't just the ancestral hall that was in such a state; the entire old house of Zhang Shenqi was burned down by Zhang Chen's fire, and countless craftsmen were rebuilding or renovating the house.

"Serves you right! You actually hit me on the head! I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget." Zhang Chen muttered to himself as he slowly walked forward. Along the way, he saw a group of uncles and elders gathered together, all standing there with serious expressions.

Although the ancestral hall had burned down, the marble floor remained clean and tidy after being cleared. Upon seeing Zhang Chen arrive, everyone's eyes were fixed on him, while hundreds of Zhang family members, imbued with vital energy, subtly blocked any escape routes in all directions.

When Zhang Shenqi saw Zhang Chen arrive, a cold glint appeared in his eyes, and a hint of murderous intent flickered within them.

"Now that the main person has arrived, we can begin our meeting today," Zhang Shenqi said.

"Second brother, why are you in such a hurry? I have already sent word to all the elders in the family. They haven't all arrived yet, so why are you in such a rush?" A voice came from afar, and Zhang Gaqi led hundreds of white-haired elders and countless younger members of the Zhang family into the ancestral hall.

Upon seeing Zhang Gaqi lead in the elders of Zhang Chen's lineage, Zhang Shenqi was taken aback. His pupils contracted rapidly, and he stared intently at Zhang Gaqi: "Fourth brother, you... do you really intend to do this?"

Zhang Gaqi looked at Zhang Shenqi with pity and sorrow in his eyes. Facing Zhang Shenqi's question, he sighed softly: "Second brother, you'd better take care of yourself."

Zhang Chen held the Yellow Springs Water in his hand. He never imagined that Zhang Shenqi's hope of victory would be dashed today.

Zhang Shenqi felt a chill run down his spine from Zhang Gaqi's pitying gaze. He was completely bewildered, and an ominous premonition welled up in his heart.

"Now that everyone's here, Zhang Shenqi, gather them all together. What do you have to say?" Uncle San looked at Zhang Shenqi coldly.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shenqi took a deep breath. He knew that Zhang Chen and his third uncle had come with ill intentions, but the matter was already at a point where there was no turning back.

Zhang Shenqi cleared his throat and swept his eyes over the elders in the room: "The elders and brothers are already aware of the major events that have recently occurred in the Zhang family. Our Zhang family is in a precarious situation, especially since the Gong family has pledged allegiance to the Great Victory Royal Family and gained their support. The Gong family is now even more powerful. Although our Zhang family has the support of the other six families, they can only offer limited assistance to us because of the constraints imposed by the Great Victory Royal Family."

"All this talk is because of your incompetence, which led to the loss of the Zhang family's Book of Life and Death. If I were you, I would step down from the position of family head and let the capable person take over!" Third Uncle said coldly.

Zhang Shenqi's words were interrupted, and a flash of anger crossed his eyes, but he maintained a humble attitude, saying, "Of course I know I am utterly wicked and should step down as head of the family, handing the position to a capable person. However, the Zhang family is currently in chaos. If I rashly change the head of the family, no one understands the overall situation of the Zhang family better than me, and I fear the consequences will be even more severe. Moreover, the Book of Life and Death was lost in my hands, and I should spare no effort to retrieve it. Only after finding this treasure can I step down as head of the family and hand it over to a virtuous and capable person. Although I am incompetent, I will not shirk my responsibilities and leave the mess to someone else. Therefore, I ask that you elders allow me to shamelessly continue to steer the Zhang family ship."

Upon hearing Zhang Shenqi's words, someone from Zhang Shenqi's lineage nodded and immediately chimed in, "That's right. Changing generals in the middle of a battle is a major taboo. If we rashly send someone else up, the other party is not as familiar with the Zhang family as Shenqi. We don't know how much time it will take to get them to adapt. I'm afraid that big problems will arise then, causing our Zhang family to fall into a further decline."

That made sense, and no one objected.

Zhang Shenqi's gaze swept over the crowd, and he cleared his throat, saying, "Gentlemen, the Gong family has now gained the support of the Great Victory Royal Family, and my Zhang family is already in a state of chaos. We are no match for the Gong family. The only way to reverse the situation now is to incite the Prince of Pingbian to rebel, tear apart the dragon aura of the capital, and then restrain the royal family's power. Only when the Gong family loses the support of the royal family will we have a chance to defeat them. As for getting the Prince of Pingbian to take action, the condition he has put forward is to hand over Zhang Chen. I know that some of you family elders favor Zhang Chen, but now my Zhang family is at a critical moment of life and death. It is only right to sacrifice one person for the sake of the greater good! If this matter falls on my shoulders, and my family asks me to sacrifice myself, I, Zhang Shenqi, will not hesitate to sacrifice myself for the sake of the entire family."

At this point, Zhang Shenqi turned to Zhang Chen and said, "Nephew, you are also a member of the Zhang family. Now the entire family is facing a life-or-death crisis, and all the clansmen need you to make sacrifices. You shouldn't refuse, right?"

At this moment, all the clansmen looked at Zhang Chen, waiting for his reaction. Even the clan elders who supported Zhang Chen's faction fell silent, unable to make a decision.

The idea that family interests are above all else, above personal feelings and life, is the deepest thought etched into the soul of every member of the Zhang family.

"Oh? The clan wants me to sacrifice myself? Then I ask the clan leader, is the clan's current predicament my fault?" Zhang Chen asked.

“Although it wasn’t caused by you, you still bear an unshirkable responsibility. If you hadn’t stirred up trouble in the north, the King of Pingbian would have already sent troops, and there wouldn’t be this crisis today!” Zhang Shenqi retorted.

(End of this chapter)