Chapter 1349 - 977: The Turmoil Settled

What will the Great Victory Human King do?

Zhang Chen’s gaze shifted upon hearing this, his eyes swept into the distance, revealing a meaningful smile in his eyes: "I believe the Great Victory Human King is a smart man, someone who is adept at assessing the situation. Naturally, a smart person will make the smartest choice."

Hearing this, Dugu Qiu looked at Zhang Chen, a serious look appearing in his eyes: "You kid caught the Great Victory royal family off guard."

Zhang Chen chuckled in response: "I am just being myself, always adhering to my duties and working by the rules. I have never done anything out of line."

Dugu Qiu said no more, thinking Zhang Chen claiming to follow the rules? That’s fooling no one!

If Zhang Chen wasn’t secretly driving the chaos in Kyoto, Dugu Qiu wouldn’t believe it!

Kyoto remained a mess, with corpse worms and demon beasts rampaging and injuring people. However, thanks to the suppression of the Dragon Qi, all demon beasts were reduced to ordinary beasts. With the intervention of Twelfth Tier deities and the cooperation of Kyoto’s guards, the demon beasts were continuously slaughtered, and the situation was gradually improving.

A group of people arrived at the palace, and after an announcement, Zhang Chen was escorted into the pavilion by the guards.

"Mr. Zhang, why are you in this state? Who dares to falsify an imperial edict; I will execute his entire clan!" The Great Victory Human King spoke angrily the moment he saw Zhang Chen, his voice filled with outrage.

Zhang Chen was momentarily stunned by the Human King’s words, not expecting him to immediately shift the blame.

"Greetings, Great King." Zhang Chen bowed to pay his respects.

"No need for such ceremony, Mr. Zhang, I will surely stand by you and bring the culprit to justice." The Human King helped Zhang Chen up as he was about to bow.

"Dugu Qiu, who dared to falsify the imperial edict and act against the Zhang Family behind my back?" The Human King spoke angrily.

Dugu Qiu was taken aback, not expecting the Human King to shift the blame to him. As he was wondering how to respond, Zhang Chen spoke up: "Reporting to the Great King, I know who falsified the imperial edict intending to plunge the Zhang Family into an abyss of calamity."

The Great Victory Human King’s expression froze upon hearing this but quickly recovered and said: "Who did it? Tell me, and I will stand by you."

He knew Zhang Chen was a smart person, and at this moment a smart choice should be made, to let the matter rest here, to make a big matter small and a small matter disappear. The other party would never implicate themselves in this.

Hearing the Human King’s words, Zhang Chen smiled and said: "It was none other than the Third Prince, Chai Wenxin, who, along with Zhang Gaoqiu, falsified the imperial edict intending to annihilate my entire Zhang Family. I request the Great King to execute him to demonstrate divine wrath."

The Human King’s expression froze, staring at Zhang Chen in shock, his heart raging with fury. He never expected Zhang Chen would show no mercy and directly want Chai Wenxin dead.

Chai Wenxin was indeed his most beloved prince. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have released him from confinement to lead troops against the Zhang Family to redeem the offense. To kill Chai Wenxin now was like cutting a piece of his heart.

The Human King didn’t want Chai Wenxin to die, his eyes revealing his discomfort as he cautiously suggested: "Chai Wenxin was under my strict orders to remain confined in his residence; how could he have the chance to cause trouble outside and falsify an imperial edict? Mr. Zhang, are you sure there’s no mistake? Perhaps there’s some misunderstanding here?"

"I am not mistaken; it is indeed Chai Wenxin! I implore the Great King to act, to execute Chai Wenxin, the true culprit, to clear my Zhang Clan’s name." Zhang Chen’s voice was firm.

He and Chai Wenxin had long been mortal enemies. If there was a chance to eliminate Chai Wenxin, he would not hesitate.

"This... Dugu Qiu, isn’t there some misunderstanding here? The Third Prince was confined in his residence by my orders; how could he have had time to cause trouble outside?" The Human King shifted the blame back to Dugu Qiu, hoping he could provide an explanation that would satisfy both parties and smooth things over.

Dugu Qiu glanced at Zhang Chen, then at the Human King, his mind turning, having devised a strategy: "Reporting to the Great King, it was the ancestor who ordered the release of the Third Prince from confinement, sending him to capture the Zhang Family members. The Zhang Family almost disrupted our significant plan when they withdrew during the suppression of the Lei family earlier, which angered the ancestor, leading to such a decision."

Hearing Dugu Qiu’s words, Zhang Chen turned his head to look at Dugu Qiu, not expecting him to shift the blame onto the deceased Seventh Ancestor. Of course, he understood Dugu Qiu’s tactic to smooth things over. Although Dugu Qiu leaned towards him, having lived in the Great Victory royal family for decades, the royal family was his home, and maintaining its dignity, resolving the conflict between him and the royal family, and extinguishing any confrontation were indeed considerations Dugu Qiu had to make.

"Servants, quickly apprehend the Seventh Ancestor for the Lone King and bring him here!" The Great Victory Human King shouted angrily, then turned to Zhang Chen: "The Seventh Ancestor dared to falsify a royal decree, and the Lone King will now execute him to give your Zhang Family justice."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen was speechless. The Great Victory Human King’s acting was terrible; he couldn’t believe the Human King didn’t already know about the Seventh Ancestor’s demise, yet still pretended to act for show, trying to smooth things over with a dead man—what a ridiculous act.

A guard followed the order and departed, while Zhang Chen watched the guard leave the pavilion before speaking: "No need to trouble the Great King; the ancestors of the royal family have already perished."

"Ah? The ancestors have perished? Our ancestors!!!" The Great Victory Human King first displayed a shocked expression, then loudly proclaimed, his voice full of sorrow, seemingly stunned by the death of the family’s ancestors.

"The Great Victory Ancestor is dead, and has already received his retribution; why not just leave it at that? The Lone King can allocate the interests of the other six families to your Zhang Family, as a form of compensation," the Great Victory Human King said to Zhang Chen.

This act would both show sincerity and also appease Zhang Chen’s heart.

As for the industries of the Eight Great Clans?

Since Zhang Chen exhibited extraordinary strength, the industries of the Eight Great Clans became unimportant. Whether they were given to Zhang Chen or not, it wouldn’t affect the current situation. Now, for the Great Victory Human King, pacifying Zhang Chen and gaining more time was most crucial.

"The industries of the other six families, my Zhang Family does not care for that, nor do we lack such wealth. The Great King should keep them. I only want the life of the Third Prince, and I ask the Great King to execute the Third Prince to give my Zhang Family an explanation. Otherwise, I’m afraid I won’t be able to account for it to the clan members, and if they cause any trouble later, it would be difficult for everyone to handle." Zhang Chen stared expressionlessly at the Great Victory Human King, threatening in a sinister tone.

Did they really take Zhang Chen for a fool? The wealth and industries of the six families in Kyoto had long been plundered by Zhang Chen. As for the industries outside Kyoto? Those would require the Zhang Family to seize them personally; otherwise, why would the six families obediently hand them over?

Zhang Chen glared at the Great Victory Human King, a trace of threat in his eyes. That Third Prince dared to covet his wife, how could he let him go?

Fortunately, he had the ability to reverse the situation; if he lacked that ability, wouldn’t he have been thoroughly defeated by the opposition? What would become of the Zhang Family? What would become of Zhong Xiang?

Therefore, Zhang Chen seized the opportunity without mercy; today the Third Prince Chai Wenxin must die.

"I ask the Great King to execute Chai Wenxin, to give an explanation to countless disciples of the Zhang Family. Otherwise, it’s hard to predict what might happen if the Zhang Family disciples act out in anger," Zhang Chen said coldly.

Confronted with Zhang Chen’s aggressive stance, the Great Victory Human King’s fists clenched tightly in his sleeves, yet he maintained a warm smile on his face: "What Mr. Zhang says makes sense; since Chai Wenxin is involved, it’s impossible for him to extricate himself. The ancestors are dead, someone must step forward to give the Zhang Family an explanation. Chai Wenxin carries the Great Victory royal bloodline, and should contribute to the Great Victory royal family. Let his head appease the Zhang Family’s anger."

After speaking, the Great Victory Human King said: "As for the industries of the six families, all will be bestowed on the Zhang Family, as compensation to them."

He gave the industries of the other six families to the Zhang Family with ill intention; after a bloody massacre, the Zhang Family became the biggest winner. How would the six families feel? They would surely hate Zhang Chen to the bone, thinking that the Zhang Family had secretly conspired, uniting with the Great Victory royal family to annihilate their clans. Zhang Chen would then have acquired a new group of enemies.

Hearing this, a hint of sarcasm appeared in Zhang Chen’s eyes. Being such a smart person, he naturally understood the Great Victory Human King’s machinations; however, he did not give them much thought. Regardless of the schemes, with the Blood God Child by his side, he held an absolute advantage.

"Wise King! Long may the Great Victory Dynasty endure," Zhang Chen flattered the Great Victory Human King, then added: "If there is nothing else from the Great King, I shall take my leave."

The Great Victory Human King nodded: "Mr. Zhang, go ahead!" He then turned to Dugu Qiu: "Escort the Zhang Family back, and ensure to apologize and resolve any grievances they may have."

Upon hearing this, Dugu Qiu bowed, and then followed Zhang Chen out of the pavilion.

Watching their departing backs, the Great Victory Human King finally couldn’t contain himself, suddenly smashing the nearby table and shattering the nearby vase, his roar shaking the entire palace: "Bastard! Bastard! How dare you deceive the Lone King! I swear I won’t let it rest!"

Bai Cang, standing by, quickly approached to comfort him: "Great King, please don’t be angry. That Zhang Chen is so strong, wouldn’t all the major powers under heaven refuse to allow such a formidable person to exist? Even if he is invincible, he surely has weaknesses somewhere. Great King, why not unite all forces that can be united to contend with Zhang Chen? There must be someone in this world who can subdue him! The Great King might consider sending people to excavate ancient tombs, or inviting those sleeping relics from ancient races to take action, or perhaps find the sleeping Ancient Divine Demons and invite them to act."

Bai Cang spoke outwardly, but inwardly thought: "The more you press Zhang Chen, the more likely the Demon Race can win him over. Once the Demon Race has Zhang Chen, it will be the day of your Human Race’s demise. By then, this flourishing Divine Land will ultimately be surrendered to my Demon Race."

"Ancient Race? Sleeping elders?" Upon hearing this, the Great Victory Human King indeed calmed down, his face showing a thoughtful expression: "This indeed holds some prospects for planning."