I picked up skill fragments in the demon world.

Chapter 894 The dust has settled
Zhang Chen was never one to swallow his anger. Since the other party wanted to kill him, Zhang Chen naturally wanted to find a way to retaliate.

If I don’t take revenge for this, I swear I won’t be a human being!
“Now is not the time to make a move against the eight great families. You should first enter the academy, remove the shackles on your body, completely change your identity, eliminate all your crimes, and become a normal person. Only then can you unleash your full potential and make a big splash. You still have crimes on your body. Even if you choose to return to the Zhang family, those who want to support you will have reservations because your crimes have not been cleared…” Xie Lingyun watched coldly from the side, but she knew Zhang Chen’s goal.

“Now that the head of the Zhang family wants to kill me, I have to retaliate and show them what I’m capable of. I need to cause trouble for the Zhang family and get them into trouble so that they won’t have time to bother me.” A cold glint appeared in Zhang Chen’s eyes.

He had already planned it out in his mind. He would find an opportunity to steal the Zhang family's Book of Life and Death. Once the Zhang family lost its most precious treasure and its greatest source of strength, they would definitely fall into internal strife. They wouldn't have time to cause him any trouble.

While it might be incredibly difficult for others to steal the Book of Life and Death, Zhang Chen possesses an invisibility talisman. By consuming just two peaches, he can upgrade the talisman to a level exceeding the twelfth rank of the law, making it as easy for him to infiltrate the Zhang family as if he were in an empty field.

"The Zhang family is not to be trifled with, nor are the eight great families. I advise you to first enter the Imperial Academy to accumulate resources and wait for the right opportunity. That is the best choice." Xie Lingyun's eyes were full of worry, and it was clear that she was very wary of the Zhang family.

Zhang Chen glanced at Xie Lingyun: "I know what I'm doing and will not act rashly."

Zhang Chen wasn't stupid; of course he wouldn't act rashly. He already had a plan in mind.

Before the two had even left the palace, a figure blocked Zhang Chen's path: "Young Brother Zhang, the Inspectorate is not a place to live. It's a gathering place for the most vicious people in the world, imprisoning the most ruthless and bizarre individuals. It's not suitable for living here. Why don't you come home with me? I prepared a house for you years ago, and it's already ready and waiting. Besides, there are more than a dozen leaders in the Inspectorate. Even the Xie family father and daughter can't control everything within the Inspectorate. It's not good for you to stay there permanently. If someone takes the opportunity to gossip, it will only bring trouble to the Xie family father and daughter. You should come back to the Zhong family with me."

The carriage came to a halt. Zhang Chen lifted the curtain, and standing in front of him was none other than the patriarch of the Zhong family, Zhong Wubai.

Zhong Wubai's words were sincere, which moved Zhang Chen somewhat. Moreover, what the other party said was true. He was just an outsider and not a member of the Inspection Office. Although the Xie family father and daughter were both leaders of the Inspection Office, they were not the top leaders. It would be inconvenient for him to live in the Inspection Office.

"Mr. Zhong's invitation is so kind; if I don't go, I'll seem heartless." Zhang Chen smiled in the carriage, then turned to Xie Lingyun, took a jade bottle from his sleeve, and tossed it to her.
"This pill is for Leader Xie Xuan."

“My Xie family also has a house in Kyoto. Although you can’t stay at the Inspectorate all the time, you don’t have to stay at the Zhong family’s house. Just come and stay at my house.” Xie Lingyun took the bottle and said to Zhang Chen.

Zhang Chen smiled upon hearing this: "The Inspectorate is full of people, eyes, and experts, as well as various methods arranged by the imperial court. If I want to do some things later, I still need to be careful so as not to let some people in your Inspectorate see through my scheme."

The Inspectorate was a powerful tool used by the Great Victory Court to suppress the world. Zhang Chen believed that there must be some methods within the Inspectorate that he was unaware of. If he accidentally leaked something, it would cause him a lot of trouble.

"I won't advise you. The Inspection Division is indeed full of people and eyes, but don't act rashly in the future. We need to plan this out together. Remember, you won't be fighting alone in the future. We are a whole, and we will all suffer together or share the glory together." Xie Lingyun said to Zhang Chen very solemnly.

Zhang Chen nodded upon hearing this, then jumped off the carriage and looked at Zhong Wubai with a grin on his face: "Grandpa Zhong, I'll have to trouble you with this next step."

“We’re all family, no need to talk about trouble. Come with me to the car,” Zhong Wubai said with a smile.

Had Zhang Chen ever considered buying a courtyard house and settling down in Kyoto? He had, but if he bought the house himself, he would inevitably face countless difficulties and constant surveillance, making it inconvenient for him to act. If he relied on the powerful and influential, he could keep some of the troubles out.

Zhang Chen followed Zhong Wubai into the carriage. Zhong Wubai said, "I have already prepared a banquet at home. Let's have a good drink."

“Grandpa Zhong, please don’t be so polite. Since you say we’re family, being too formal would be too much,” Zhang Chen replied.

Upon hearing this, Old Master Zhong nodded, and then Zhong Wubai asked, "What are your plans next?"

“I’ve heard that there are great opportunities within the academy, so naturally I’ll try to join it first,” Zhang Chen said.

“There are indeed earth-shattering opportunities within the academy. The future of the world will be determined by the academy. Your choice to join the academy is a good one. Zhong Xiang is in the academy. Since you are new here, I will inform her to take care of you,” Zhong Wubai said. He also intended to match Zhang Chen and Zhong Xiang, after all, Zhang Chen and Zhong Xiang were really a good match.

"By the way, how's Brother Zhong Xiang doing these days?" Zhang Chen asked. To be honest, it had been a while since they'd last met, and he really missed Zhong Xiang, especially his buttocks—they were so tender and white! "Zhong Xiang is in seclusion at the academy. I wanted to summon her back for a welcome-back party, but it seems there's been a major discovery at the academy, so she can't leave." Zhong Wubai glanced at Zhang Chen, not correcting him on the word "brother," secretly enjoying the thought and anticipating Zhang Chen's reaction when he learned Zhong Xiang's true identity.

“That’s a pity. I heard that Brother Zhong Xiang seems to be entangled by a strange flame. I was thinking of seeing if I could help him. A few years ago, I obtained a treasure that can specifically suppress all flames in the world,” Zhang Chen said with some regret.

"Indeed, such a treasure exists? I, on behalf of Zhong Xiang, thank you in advance, young brother! You will be entering the academy in the future, and we will meet again sooner or later. At that time, I hope you will help him out as much as possible." Zhong Wubai said.

Upon hearing Zhong Wubai's words, Zhang Chen nodded: "Zhong Xiang and I are good brothers. His business is my business, and his troubles are my troubles. Of course, I will do everything I can to help him. Don't worry, no matter what kind of flames Brother Zhong Xiang is entangled in, it is just a small problem for me."

Zhang Chen confidently guaranteed that since he already possessed the power over the Five Elements, no matter what kind of flame it was, it was nothing more than a 'small karami' in front of him.

The carriage swayed and wobbled as it emerged from the palace archway when a figure blocked Zhong Wubai's carriage. The coachman had no choice but to pull on the reins and stop, turning around to say, "Master, the fourth master of the Zhang family has blocked the carriage."

Zhong Wubai lifted the curtain and saw Zhang Gaqi blocking the carriage's path.

"Zhang Gaqi, why are you blocking my way?" Zhong Wubai said irritably.

"Please forgive me, sir, but I wish to speak a few words with my nephew," Zhang Gaqi said to the old Grand Tutor, then looked at Zhang Chen with a complex and unfathomable expression in his eyes.

Zhang Chen looked at Zhang Gaqi, behind whom was another figure, none other than Zhang Shenqi, the current head of the Zhang family.

“Chen’er, may we talk about this? After all, this is our family matter, and we can’t let outsiders laugh at us.” Zhang Gaqi’s tone was gentle.

“I have nothing to say, Fourth Uncle, please make way. In a few days, once I’m ready, I’ll personally visit the Zhang family. We can discuss anything then.” Zhang Chen directly refused Zhang Gaqi.

"Can't I even say a few words?" Zhang Gaqi's eyes showed a pleading look.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen shook his head, glanced at Zhang Shenqi behind him, and saw Zhang Shenqi standing there with a cold face. Zhang Chen shook his head again and lowered the carriage curtain: "Let's continue on our way, don't delay our journey."

"Zhang Gaqi, did you hear me? Get out of the way and don't delay our journey." Zhong Wubai said jokingly from the carriage, "In a few days, when Zhang Chen goes to acknowledge his ancestors, you'll have your turn to speak."

The coachman walked around Zhang Gaqi and strolled slowly into the distance. Zhang Gaqi watched the carriage disappear into the distance, then quickly chased after it and shouted, "Zhang Chen, you cannot go to the Zhang family to acknowledge your ancestors! If you do, it will cause internal strife within the Zhang family!"

If Zhang Chen were to acknowledge his ancestry and return to his roots, where would that leave Zhang Shenqi?

It should be known that Zhang Chen's lineage is the direct descendant of the Zhang family in the capital!

His father, Zhang Kecheng, was once exceptionally talented and highly regarded by many elders in the family. Even when Zhang Kecheng was demoted, it was for the sake of the Zhang family's future. Zhang Kecheng had countless loyal followers within the Zhang family. Once Zhang Chen returned, those people would surely be in turmoil and begin to consider helping Zhang Chen regain his rightful position.

There's a good chance a bloody internal conflict might break out, so he must stop Zhang Chen from returning to the Zhang family.

He had previously hoped that Zhang Chen would return to the Zhang family because Zhang Chen was nameless and without status, and even if he returned to the Zhang family, he would not be able to covet the position of family head. Now, if Zhang Chen were to return to the Zhang family, the elders would definitely be tempted to overthrow Zhang Shenqi.

It's important to know that Zhang Shenqi's actions to rise to power were far from honorable, tantamount to treason for the Zhang family. At the time, everyone was unaware of the inside story and thus promoted Zhang Shenqi. However, later, the Dasheng royal family, in an attempt to split the Zhang family, instigated internal strife and secretly leaked the news of Zhang Shenqi's betrayal. This incident angered countless elders of the Zhang family, so Zhang Shenqi could not return alive.

(End of this chapter)