Chapter Forty-Six: The Origins of Zhang Yi

After hearing Zhang De’s words, the man who spoke was revealed to be Zhang De’s second younger brother, Zhang Yi.

Upon this, Zhang De turned his gaze toward Zhang Yi and said, “Second Brother, what do you think we should do?”

“In my opinion, we might as well do as that brat says—take the three million taels in banknotes and go there, rescue Yuan and Zhen first, and secure the lives of my two nephews. The rest can be planned out later,” Zhang Yi pondered for a moment, then continued, “Among the next generation, Yuan and Zhen are the most talented. If they cultivate diligently, they may well reach the Meridian Unblocking Realm. If they shine at the Academy and receive its support, surpassing Meridian Unblocking is not out of the question. So, let’s save them first!”

“So, we’re just going to hand over three million taels to that brat?” Zhang De was clearly displeased. Although Zhang Yuan and Zhang Zhen were his sons, giving away so much silver so easily was a huge blow to the Zhang family’s dignity. In his view, the best solution was to bathe the Lin family in blood, exchanging lives for lives.

“Of course, we can’t just hand it over. Once we get Yuan and Zhen back, that’s when we kill him!” A cold glint flashed in Zhang Yi’s eyes as he went on, “If he managed to capture Yuan and Zhen under the protection of two Ten-Aperture Qi Meridian experts, he must have a master at his side. I’ll bring ten elite Hundred-Aperture Qi Meridian experts. Once the exchange is made, we’ll wipe out his master and kill him as well.”

“After that, we’ll slowly torment the Lin family—oppressing them in business and mining. The moment any Lin family member dares step out of North Xiao City, we’ll send assassins after them. It won’t be long before the Lin family falls into ruin.”

“In this way, with the death of that brat Lin Fan, the Lin family will be forced to erupt before they’re completely weakened. Whether they go to war with us or flee to some distant city, it won’t matter.”

“Throughout this process, we can destroy the Lin family at will—and the Xiao family won’t interfere!”

Zhang De’s eyes brightened at these words, “A fine plan! No matter how strong the master at Lin Fan’s side is, he can’t be above Meridian Unblocking. The Lin family only has one such expert, who would never act as his bodyguard. Second Brother, do as you suggest.”

“Wait. Bring along a Meridian Unblocking expert. Since that brat dares to make such demands, he must have some backing. Be cautious. If the old master of the Lin family is truly beside him, wouldn’t you be courting death?” Suddenly, Zhang Wangshan spoke, putting a final stamp of approval on Zhang Yi’s suggestion.

“Yes, Father!” Zhang Yi rose and strode out. Zhang Wangshan and Zhang De watched his departure in silence.

“He cannot be allowed to live,” Zhang Wangshan finally spoke after a long pause, startling Zhang De. “Father, must we act so soon? He’s my brother, after all!”

“We have no choice. Our Zhang family has six Meridian Unblocking experts; he’s already swayed one to his side, who now obeys him completely. He’s but a step away from Meridian Unblocking himself, and he’s cunning. If we let him be, he’ll be our doom.”

“If he reaches Meridian Unblocking and learns the truth of the past, we may not be able to control him.”

Zhang Wangshan sighed. In truth, he didn’t wish to act so soon, but Zhang Yi was not his son, but his nephew. All these years, Zhang Yi had been loyal to the Zhang family and rendered many services. Yet still, Zhang Wangshan felt uneasy—only he and his son Zhang De knew the real story.

In fact, Zhang Yi was his nephew, the son of his elder brother Zhang Beishan. Years ago, in the struggle for the family headship, he destroyed his own brother’s family. Zhang Yi was the youngest of four siblings, an infant at the time. Originally, he intended to kill the child, but seeing his extraordinary talent and having just lost his own second son in the chaos, he had a rare moment of mercy and spared Zhang Yi, raising him as his own.

No one knew this secret; everyone believed Zhang Yi to be his second son. He had hoped Zhang Yi’s talent would make him a pillar of the Zhang family. But now, doubts gnawed at him, and he no longer wished to keep Zhang Yi.

“Very well. Once he brings back Yuan and Zhen, I’ll take care of it myself,” Zhang De said in a low voice.

“Good.”

A day later, outside Qingxue County, a party of twelve rode unicorn horses into the snowy woods, waiting quietly.

One of the twelve turned to their leader, “Second Master, why do you think that boy called us here? Could it be an ambush?”

“Even if it is, what’s there to fear? The Lin family only has one Meridian Unblocking expert. Even if he’s present, do we not have one as well?”

“Besides, I’m but a step away from Meridian Unblocking myself. All of you are elite Hundred-Aperture experts. Facing one Meridian Unblocking and one Qi Drawing Realm, it’ll be child’s play!”

This Second Master was none other than Zhang Yi, the second son of the Zhang family. He shook his head and laughed at his subordinate’s words, unconcerned about the matter—his only worry was that Lin Fan might not show up and was merely deceiving them.

“Yi’er, do you really intend to rescue Zhang Yuan and Zhang Zhen, those two beasts?” an old man beside Zhang Yi suddenly asked. There was doubt in his eyes and not a shred of respect for the Zhang family’s young masters, whom he openly cursed.

None of the ten Hundred-Aperture experts around them seemed surprised, for they were all Zhang Yi’s followers and understood the situation.

“Of course not. Those two beasts must die, but the three million taels of silver are ours,” Zhang Yi’s eyes flashed coldly at the old man’s question. “That old man has grown wary of me, afraid I’ll uncover the truth of the past. But he doesn’t know that I’ve always known—only the time has not been right.”

Zhang Yi raised his hand and drew a jade pendant from his neck. It had been given to him when he was five by an old, dying man—once his birth father’s bodyguard—who had survived the massacre and recorded everything that had happened in the pendant.

“Yi’er, of the Zhang family’s six Meridian Unblocking experts, we control three. Of one hundred fifty Qi Meridian experts, we have more than sixty—most of them elites,” the old man said slowly. “I’ve kept hidden and Zhang Wangshan trusts me, believing I’m loyal. He sent me not only to preside here, fearing Lin Fan’s backing, but also to keep an eye on you.”

“I believe the time is nearly right. If I launch a surprise attack on Zhang Wangshan, we have at least a sixty percent chance of victory.”

“Sixty percent?” Zhang Yi shook his head. “You’re being too optimistic. Of the six, five are at the early stage, and with you, we have three. But the old man is at the mid-stage. If your surprise attack fails, we’ll all die. A mid-stage expert can fight dozens of early-stage ones.”

“Even if you succeed, you won’t kill him instantly—at best, you’ll severely wound him. In that case, we’d still pay a heavy price to win, and if the Mo family attacks, the Zhang family would be unable to withstand them.”

Zhang Yi sighed, his gaze resolute. “I won’t fight a battle I’m not sure of. The old man has a decade or so left to live. I’m only a step from Meridian Unblocking, but it will still take me a few years. I’ve waited this long; I can wait a few more.”

“By then, when the old man’s life runs out, we’ll have four Meridian Unblocking experts. Seventh Uncle, you’ll likely reach the mid-stage yourself, and with the growth of our faction, we’ll have even more Qi Meridian experts.”

“When that time comes, taking the Zhang family will be effortless—and even if the Mo family attacks, they’ll have to weigh the cost.”

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