Chapter 1343: Royal Fury

Zhang Chen heard Zhang Gaqi’s words, and a hint of coldness appeared in his eyes. Now that the Great Victory Dynasty has quelled the unrest in Kyoto, today’s actions are indeed normal. If the Human King of Great Victory didn’t make any retaliation, Zhang Chen would find it strange.

There was a strange smile in Zhang Chen’s eyes: “The Royal Family of Great Victory’s counterattack came much later than I had expected.”

Looking at Zhang Chen’s face, as calm as an ancient pond, Zhang Gaqi showed a hint of anxiety in his eyes: “Zhang Chen, do you have a solution? The Great Victory Royal Family is coming aggressively; it’s not something that can be easily brushed off. If you don’t have absolute confidence in victory, quickly escape Kyoto through the secret passage. I’ll stay here to hold them off.”

Zhang Chen turned to look at Zhang Gaqi. In Zhang Gaqi’s eyes, he saw sincerity and honesty. Seeing this, Zhang Chen sighed softly. This was the Zhang Gaqi he knew, always putting the Zhang Family’s interests first and standing by them.

After hearing Zhang Gaqi’s words, Zhang Chen reached out and slowly patted Zhang Gaqi’s shoulder. In the next moment, the flesh around Zhang Gaqi’s severed shoulder started to move, and then a fully formed arm grew back.

Zhang Gaqi was dumbfounded by this scene. His eyes stared blankly at Zhang Chen, filled with disbelief. He lifted the newly grown arm to his face, staring at it with tears welling up in his eyes.

“Uncle, rest assured. Everything is within my expectations. We can even use the pressure from the Great Victory Royal Family to see if there are any spineless individuals in the Zhang Family, and remove those parasites in advance.” Zhang Chen smiled at Zhang Gaqi.

Seeing Zhang Chen’s response, Zhang Gaqi relaxed. Just as he was about to speak, a rush of footsteps and chaotic scolding arose. From afar, a group of golden-armored troops, pushing the guards from the Zhang Family residence, barged in from outside.

Although the Zhang Family guards tried their best to resist, they dared not go all out due to fear of the opponent’s status. As a result, the opponents broke through.

“It’s the Imperial Guard,” Zhang Gaqi turned to look at the golden-armored samurai, a cautious look in his eyes: “Leave first, and I’ll hold them off.”

“No need, let them come.” Zhang Chen stopped Zhang Gaqi.

Hearing this, Zhang Gaqi hesitated for a moment before saying, “Are you sure? There’s still time to run now!”

Zhang Chen nodded at Zhang Gaqi. Zhang Gaqi then shouted to the Zhang Family guards in the distance, “Do not block them, let them come in.”

With Zhang Gaqi’s order, the golden-armored samurai swarmed forward and surrounded the pavilion where Zhang Chen was so tightly that not a drop could trickle through.

The golden-armored samurai parted to create a path, and the old eunuch Dugu Qiu walked over with a gloomy face, followed by Zhang Chen’s acquaintances: the Third Prince Chai Wenxin, the little princess Chai Wenji, and other members of the royal family, as well as some Zhang Family members.

“Surround this place for me, and don’t let anyone escape,” Prince Chai Wenxin ordered the Imperial Guard with enthusiasm, then arrogantly stepped onto the pavilion and shouted at Zhang Chen, “Zhang Chen, come down and face your death.”

Chai Wenxin was very proud. Previously, he tried to win over Zhang Chen, but was rejected, which had long made him harbor deep resentment. Now, he had the opportunity to retaliate, and he naturally wanted to show off.

“Weren’t you confined? How do you still have the chance to run around like this? Daring to roam about freely?” Zhang Chen leaned on the railing, overlooking the group with no fear on his face.

“Hmph, I am the Great King’s most beloved son. I’ve made great contributions to the elimination of the six great families, and the Great King has granted me a pardon,” Chai Wenxin arrogantly declared as he ascended to Zhang Chen, his voice full of pride: “Zhang Chen, do you know your crime?”

“I perhaps know my crime, but you may not necessarily be able to accuse me of it,” Zhang Chen replied leisurely.

“I can’t accuse you of your crime? What a joke! Now, the seven families are about to become history. You think I can’t accuse you? Not only will I accuse you, but I’ll also send you to hell, making all the Zhang Family members into wandering souls! Your Zhang Family is good at controlling souls, but can they bring souls back to life?”

Chai Wenxin’s voice was filled with ridicule. Just as he was about to continue mocking Zhang Chen, Dugu Qiu interrupted: “Your Highness, step back. Let’s not delay the main task.”

Chai Wenxin gave Zhang Chen a fierce glare, his eyes cold, and then stepped aside.

At this time, Dugu Qiu stepped forward and looked at Zhang Chen with eyes full of emotion: “Zhang Chen, I always thought you were a smart person, but now it seems you’re a fool. Because smart people would never do such things. Due to the sudden withdrawal of the Zhang Family’s forces, the plans were disrupted, and the Imperial Guard had to prematurely step up, causing heavy casualties among the Royal Family experts. This time, the Human King is furious with you and wants every member of the Zhang Family to be executed.”

While speaking, Dugu Qiu gave Zhang Chen a meaningful look. Zhang Chen immediately understood the meaning behind his words — Dugu Qiu was urging Zhang Chen to find a way to escape now, as falling into the hands of the Royal Family meant certain death.

Zhang Chen and Dugu Qiu naturally had a tacit understanding. Hearing Dugu Qiu’s words, Zhang Chen calmly replied, “The Lei family is too strong. The disciples of the Zhang Family are no match for them. I cannot let the disciples of the Zhang Family go to their deaths.”

Zhang Chen sighed quietly: “To trouble the Grand Steward to escort me personally, truly makes me feel flattered and overwhelmed. If the Human King has any punishment, I will naturally take full responsibility.”

Upon hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Dugu Qiu was stunned, never expecting Zhang Chen to willingly surrender. His eyes stared blankly at Zhang Chen, full of disbelief.

Under Dugu Qiu’s shocked gaze, Zhang Chen approached Dugu Qiu: “Imprison me.”

Dugu Qiu’s eyes were filled with disbelief, and in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, he whispered into Zhang Chen’s ear: “What are you up to, kid? This could get you killed!”

“I won’t die! No one can kill me!” Zhang Chen’s voice reached directly into Dugu Qiu’s mind. Dugu Qiu was taken aback, his eyes showing a trace of astonishment. After meeting Zhang Chen’s gaze for three breaths, he finally said: “You’re quite perceptive! Guards, bind him and escort him into the Inner Palace to meet the Human King.”

As the words fell, guards with golden ropes stepped forward from the crowd. The ropes flickered with strange patterns, with a Mysterious Power circulating through them, even Dragon Qi could not suppress it. The ropes glimmered with mysterious patterns, autonomously flying out and tightly wrapping Zhang Chen, transforming into a cocoon.

“This is the Immortal Binding Rope, a Secret Treasure of the Great Victory Royal Family. Even a Twelfth Tier expert, once bound, would only obediently become a prisoner.” Chai Wenxin said proudly from the side.

Zhang Chen didn’t respond to the words but lowered his head to look at the rope. Although the rope was extraordinary, it couldn’t withstand the power of the Five-Colored Divine Light. He needed only to urge the Five-Colored Divine Light to collect it, so he wasn’t afraid of the Immortal Binding Rope.

“Arrest all of the Zhang Family and imprison them, awaiting the decree of the Human King.” The Third Prince ordered, and the Imperial Guard began to act. Zhang Gaqi looked at Zhang Chen, awaiting his command. Should Zhang Chen give the order, he would immediately rise in resistance. Unfortunately, Zhang Chen not only did not resist but instead said: “Instruct all Zhang Family disciples not to resist.”

As the words fell, Zhang Chen casually walked downstairs. Seeing Zhang Chen’s nonchalant demeanor, Chai Wenxin grew furious, stepping forward to push Zhang Chen, making him stumble: “Bastard, you are just a criminal, what are you so arrogant about? You truly deserve death!”

Zhang Chen turned to look at Chai Wenxin, as if looking at a dead man. The chill in his eyes made Chai Wenxin’s heart tremble, stunned on the spot.

At this moment, Dugu Qiu said disapprovingly: “Third Prince, do not be disrespectful to the Patriarch of the Zhang Family. The Great King has yet to issue an order for disposal. Should anything arise, don’t let me take the blame for you.”

Chai Wenxin fell silent upon hearing this but coldly remarked: “Zhang Chen, you are finished! The entire Zhang Family is finished! I will demote Zhong Xiang to a slave, make her my tool for pleasure, hold her beneath me and grind her so that she cannot die a good death!”

“Guards, quickly bring Zhong Xiang to me!” Chai Wenxin ordered the guards.

Upon hearing Chai Wenxin’s words, Zhang Chen’s eyes turned cold, not speaking further, but in his heart, he sentenced Chai Wenxin to death.

“Sir, Zhong Xiang is not here!” reported a guard.

Chai Wenxin gave Zhang Chen a cold look and then said: “She must be hiding, I’ll search for her myself!”

All members of the Zhang Family were sent into prison carts. Dugu Qiu followed in front of Zhang Chen’s cart, lowering his voice to ensure no one else could hear: “What on earth are you planning? If you want to escape, I can release you now, escorting you out of the royal city.”

“You need not concern yourself with me, just proceed with your usual duties.” Zhang Chen replied quietly.

Upon hearing this, Dugu Qiu furrowed his brow but said nothing more, moving away from Zhang Chen’s cart.

Zhang Chen looked at the onlookers on either side of the street and the members of the Zhang Family being locked in prison carts, slowly closing his eyes, his Primordial Spirit entering the Spiritual World.

“How is your recovery?” Zhang Chen came to the edge of the pool of Ganlin, gazing at the submerged Princess, and asked.

“Though I am not fully recovered, I can lend you a hand,” the Princess opened her eyes and said: “Previously, on the Eighteenth Heaven, there was a huge commotion, as if a supreme being was awakening. Be careful in the Material Realm, make sure not to get crushed to death. I was about to find you, intending to go to the Eighteenth Heaven to search for the supreme might, to see if we could join forces to break the shackles for a ray of hope.”

“No need to go to the Eighteenth Heaven, because there is nothing there for you, and that great being has already left. Even if they hadn’t left, they have no means to break the shackles of Heaven and Earth.” Zhang Chen replied to the Princess: “But I do have a place that can conceal your aura, preventing interference from the Great Thousand Worlds, allowing your Essence Qi to no longer leak and letting you live on smoothly.”

Future changes in Heaven and Earth have already become certain. Even the Queen Mother of the West cannot break through the world barrier, nor can the Primordial Daluo Golden Immortal of the Primordial Chaos break it. Zhang Chen did not believe the Princess could break the world barrier. If a place to be sealed could not be found before changes in Heaven and Earth, only death awaited the Princess.