C4 Change of Ownership

Although Zhang Che was the eldest son of the Zhang Family, his father, upon discovering his plot against Zhang Yuner, knew that while Zhang Che might escape the death penalty, he wouldn't avoid punishment altogether.

Moreover, Zhang Che had always been at odds with Zhang Yuner. Even if his father were inclined to forgive him, it was doubtful that Zhang Yuner would be so lenient.

Damn it!

He cursed himself for his previous leniency, regretting not having killed that lowly servant, Zhang Chen, on the spot. Had he done so, he wouldn't be in this predicament.

While Zhang Che was inwardly cursing Zhang Chen, the sound of the door opening abruptly snapped him out of his reverie.

Upon seeing Zhang Chen, the Chief Instructor Zhang Xiao, the steward, and numerous Zhang Family disciples all cast curious glances his way.

Without Zhang Chen's intervention, the young mistress's life would have surely been at risk.

Zhang Chen, however, paid no mind to the onlookers and instead fixed his gaze on Zhang Che at the bottom of the stairs.

"Young Master, the Patriarch requests your presence," Zhang Chen said, doing his best to keep his voice even despite the frustration boiling within him.

Inevitably, what was meant to happen, happened.

Zhang Che's dark expression prompted Zhang Chen to cautiously step back, wary of provoking a violent outburst.

Upon seeing Zhang Chen in the inner room, Zhang Che's eyes narrowed with malice. "You wretched servant, I will never forgive you!" he hissed through clenched teeth.

Yet, Zhang Chen simply smiled in response to Zhang Che's threats, remaining silent.

"Ungrateful child, kneel down!" Zhang Yih, the family patriarch, thundered as his eldest son entered.

With a thud, Zhang Che was on his knees, prostrate before his father.

"Father, I was momentarily foolish. Please, forgive me!" Zhang Che pleaded, realizing the futility of concealing the truth.

As the firstborn and the strongest among Zhang Yih's eight sons, he knew that a timely admission of guilt could spare him from a death sentence.

"You disgraceful son," Zhang Yih seethed, "Yuner has been accepted as an official disciple by a master from the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace. She has no need for the title of Patriarch. To think you would disregard our kinship and plot against her, and now you expect my forgiveness?"

"Please, Patriarch, calm your anger. I did try to dissuade the young master yesterday, but he wouldn't listen. Left with no other choice, I slipped out of the mansion to warn the young miss ahead of time, never expecting that it would save her life!" At that moment, Zhang Chen stepped forward, his voice tinged with helplessness.

Zhang Che, kneeling on the ground, seethed with rage at Zhang Chen's words. "Silence, you wretched servant! When the master speaks, you have no right to interject. A servant is forbidden to leave the mansion or to learn martial arts. You've broken two family rules; you should be put to death for your crimes!"

Zhang Che's words were laced with malice, immediately condemning Zhang Chen to the gravest of punishments.

To Zhang Che's dismay, however, his father remained unmoved by his accusations.

"Hmph! You rebellious son, your sister's cleverness has saved her. She suspected your malicious intentions and took Zhang Chen under her wing as her trusted aide. What was once a precaution has proven to be her salvation from your treachery!"

Zhang Yih's heart swelled with relief as he reflected on the situation. Had his daughter not been so vigilant, she might have escaped yesterday's assassination attempt only to fall victim to her own brother's schemes.

Zhang Che, hearing his father's words, was in utter disbelief. "Impossible..."

In a flash, before Zhang Che could utter another word, Zhang Yuner, who had been sitting by the bed, sprang into action, her palm striking Zhang Che's chest with force.

Despite her injuries, Zhang Yuner, at the Peak of the Master Stage, possessed immense strength. Her palm strike was too much for Zhang Che, who immediately coughed up blood and slumped to the ground.

The altercation was over in the blink of an eye, leaving Zhang Yih no time to intervene.

"Given that you are my elder brother and this is your first offense, I've only shattered the tendons in your limbs. With your strength, three months of rest should suffice for a full recovery. But make no mistake—if you do not mend your ways, I will not hesitate to disregard our familial ties!"

Feeling the weight of his daughter's words, Zhang Yih's heart eased.

Zhang Chen understood that Zhang Yuner's strike served a dual purpose: to release her frustration and to spare Zhang Yih any embarrassment.

"Take this disobedient son for medical treatment and let no one visit him without my permission!"

In the Zhang Family's underground chamber, the doctor had just finished treating Zhang Che, who now needed three months of bed rest to fully recover.

"Well, Young Master, who would have thought you'd see this day?"

Entering the chamber, Zhang Chen looked down at the bedridden Zhang Che with a smug grin. The epitome of a gloating scoundrel was written all over his face.

Zhang Che's features twisted in rage, his eyes darkening. His injuries prevented any movement, forcing him to swallow his fury.

Could Zhang Yuner, that wretched girl, protect this miserable servant forever? Once healed, he'd make sure this mongrel, this dog of a servant, would know true suffering.

"Are you plotting your revenge against me for when you're healed, Young Master?" Zhang Chen teased, squatting down with a chuckle.

Zhang Che remained silent, but Zhang Chen wasn't bothered. He went on, "You must have heard from the Patriarch that the young miss has been made an official disciple by the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace. She's entitled to nominate three registered disciples, and though one spot was yours, it now belongs to me! Hahaha…"

Unable to contain himself, Zhang Chen burst into laughter.

He had lost the coveted slot of a registered disciple at the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace, and to this lowly servant no less!

With a final gasp, shortly after Zhang Chen's departure, Zhang Che spat out a mouthful of blood and succumbed to his rage.

At dawn, a procession departed from Canglan City, traveling southward on the main road toward Tianmen Pass.

In one of the carriages, two young people—a boy and a girl—were engaged in hushed conversation. The boy was named Zhang Lin, and the girl, Zhang Jing. They were the half-brother and half-sister of Zhang Yuner.

Despite being a few years younger than Zhang Chen, both were at the Martial Warrior Stage, which was precisely why Zhang Yuner had chosen them.

"If our big brother hadn't blundered, there's no way Zhang Chen, that lowly servant, would have been chosen as one of the three Registered Disciples of the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace!" Zhang Lin couldn't help but snort disdainfully as he glanced back at the following carriage.

At his side, Zhang Jing nodded emphatically in agreement. "If not our big brother, then one of the other brothers or sisters should have been chosen. Why should it be a lowly servant!"

"Hmph! As a servant, he should die if the master commands it, and he must shield the master from harm if necessary! Just thinking about his arrogant demeanor these past few days infuriates me. We need to find an opportunity to put him in his place and remind him of his status!"

"Exactly. The Ten-thousand Elephants Palace isn't like being at home; who will attend to us if no one is there to serve? If it were the other siblings, it would be problematic, but he will have to do the serving!"

Zhang Lin and Zhang Jing, as the young master and young lady of the Zhang Family, were accustomed to being Zhang Chen's superiors. Now that Zhang Chen was suddenly their equal, it was understandably difficult for them to swallow their pride.