Upon hearing Zhang Gaqi’s words, Zhang Chen remained noncommittal. It wasn’t him provoking Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, but rather Prince Pingbian’s Mansion wouldn’t leave him alone.
Zhang Chen was definitely not someone who would let others beat and scold him without fighting back.
As Zhang Chen tapped his fingers on his knee, his eyes were fixed on the flames that shot up from the Daoist Temple as if he hadn’t really listened to Zhang Gaqi’s words.
After a while, he heard Zhang Gaqi continue, "As for your wish to return to Shangjing, you’ll have to wait a bit. There might be a change in your father’s situation in the future. After tonight, I will leave the Northern Land, taking the Divine Spirit’s flesh back to report..."
At this point, Zhang Gaqi paused in his speech, "I will leave you with some silver, enough for you to avoid the Prince’s Mansion and live quietly as a well-off gentleman. Also, I want to take Zhang Fei with me!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen’s face was full of surprise, "Isn’t my line branded as pariahs? I can’t return to Shangjing, but Zhang Fei can?"
"Zhang Fei possesses a transcendent bloodline, with a concentration even greater than mine. Staying in the Northern Land will only hinder his development. As for identity issues... I plan to have him return under the guise of a servant, secretly nurture him at home, and make him a covert force of the Zhang Family." Zhang Gaqi looked at Zhang Chen.
"Absolutely not!" Zhang Chen replied decisively, "How can my brother become a slave?"
As for how Zhang Gaqi knew about Zhang Fei’s bloodline, Zhang Chen didn’t care, assuming it was merely a mysterious method.
"You can’t selfishly keep them by your side! With you, they are merely ordinary people, living a life of hardship and wandering, only forever ordinary, never seeing a broader sky. And being branded as slaves is just a name, yet he would enjoy the nurturing of noble upbringing; the family will certainly not treat him poorly." Zhang Gaqi’s eyes bore into Zhang Chen, his voice full of dissatisfaction. Truth be told, if it weren’t for the mother and son of the Zhang Family hiding in the Inspection and Supervision Department, he wouldn’t have needed to ask Zhang Chen; he would have secretly taken Zhang Fei away long ago.
"Ha, though our life is a bit harsh now, it’s still manageable. We haven’t fallen to the point of becoming slaves. As for the cultivation you mentioned, I’ll naturally nurture him in the future, without needing you people to covet them." Zhang Chen spoke lazily, completely disregarding Zhang Gaqi’s somewhat exasperated words.
"You can’t be this short-sighted," Zhang Gaqi’s voice was filled with helplessness. "Becoming a slave of the Zhang Family and being nurtured as a covert force at least allows one to live an ordinary life, not constantly fearing for one’s life in the Northern Land."
"I don’t care what you say, my decision is final—he can’t become a slave," Zhang Chen said decisively, pointing to the door, "If you continue with this topic, you can leave."
The atmosphere in the courtyard plunged into silence. Just then, the sound of armor clashing was heard, accompanied by the flicker of lantern lights as Xie Lingyun walked into the courtyard wearing armor and carrying an orange lantern.
Hundreds of armored guards surged into the courtyard, initiating an inspection to prevent any sneak attacks from assassins. Once the inspection was complete, all the armored guards disappeared into the shadows.
"I was worried you’d be disturbed by those in the Martial World, so I simply moved in with you. When any short-sighted thief barges in, I assure you they’ll never return," Xie Lingyun’s voice resonated in the small courtyard.
With the light approaching, Zhang Gaqi’s silhouette appeared in her view, and Xie Lingyun remarked with surprise, "Oh, Mr. Zhang is here as well."
Hearing this, Zhang Gaqi greeted, "Greetings, Commander Xie."
"No need for courtesy," Xie Lingyun waved her hand, sitting next to Zhang Chen. She gazed at the languid Zhang Chen and then at Zhang Gaqi, a gleam of insight flashing in her eyes before she began small talk with Zhang Gaqi, exchanging a bunch of useless banter.
Soon, Zhang Gaqi took his leave, and the small courtyard fell silent. Only then did Xie Lingyun turn to Zhang Chen, lowering her voice, "The matter of Godslayer has succeeded. I’m here to share the good news. I’ve already informed the Grand Commander to leave a portion of the flesh for you, to be delivered when you need it."
Zhang Chen had long known the matter was settled, given Liu Feng had died by his hand. However, he had no use for Divine Spirit’s flesh, "No need to reserve the flesh for me. Please hand it over to Zhang Tuowei and Zhang Fei instead, as a resource for their sustenance. By the way, please transfer the True Dragon Form to them to lay the foundation for Martial Dao."
Upon hearing this, Xie Lingyun, surprised, looked at Zhang Chen, "You don’t want the Divine Spirit’s blood? You know this blood holds incredible power; it’s the best secret medicine for renewing Martial Dao, yet you forsake it?"
"You’ve forgotten, I’m cultivating immortality. Though Divine Spirit’s blood is good, to me, it’s ordinary," Zhang Chen replied.
Xie Lingyun was rendered speechless, feeling somewhat chagrined. What could she say? She could only acknowledge that cultivators are indeed impressive.
"Moreover, Zhang Gaqi went to the Inspection and Supervision Department to report the other day and inadvertently met Zhang Fei, wanting to take him away but I stopped him," Xie Lingyun stated.
The report mentioned by Xie Lingyun actually refers to the requirement for all masters wielding mysterious powers across the land to report to the local Inspection and Supervision Department office wherever they go, as per the Great Victory Dynasty’s law.
After all, those who wield mysterious power are extremely strong, akin to forces of nature when unleashed, and must be under the court’s surveillance and control.
Zhang Chen chuckled upon hearing this, "He just told me he wants to take Zhang Fei, but I refused."