Chapter 4042: Chapter 4061: If You Don’t Risk It All, Do You Even Have a Choice?

"Level 8 Peak."

When discussing the person who caused him to fall into trouble, Zhang Zhongjiu’s expression was quite subtle: "The reason I was targeted was that my strength was quite similar to his at that time, and I even had fusion with wormhole shift."

"Those people feared I would advance to Level 9 first. If that happened, he and I would find it challenging to suppress me, and I would inevitably gain some support from the family members, so they took advantage of the situation against me."

Lin Chen widened his eyes: "They directly went after you?"

Zhang Zhongjiu shook his head: "Of course not. If they had directly acted against me, the nature of the matter would have changed, and I wouldn’t still be in the Zhang Family."

"They simply utilized the danger in my work at the time, involving me in an extremely dangerous exploration project. As a result, problems arose, the project failed, many died, and I was severely injured, my realm declined, then I got dispatched..."

Lin Chen clicked his tongue: "That truly is quite unfortunate, risking one’s life only to nearly lose it and then getting blamed."

Zhang Zhongjiu replied calmly: "That’s how things are."

Lin Chen turned to Zhang Zhongjiu: "Since you know there are shadows behind this matter, do you not want revenge after surviving, because everyone is family?"

Zhang Zhongjiu shook his head: "It’s not because of family, nor because I can’t act, but because when I participated in the project, I knew the danger, yet I still joined."

Pausing, Zhang Zhongjiu added with a subtle expression: "Yes, I volunteered."

Lin Chen exhaled deeply, fully understanding.

"So, it was an open scheme counting on calculation?"

Zhang Zhongjiu replied: "Yes, you can say that. No one concealed anything from me. I knew all the materials, I knew the dangers, and I volunteered to participate, so after failing, I had no reason to complain." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Lin Chen clicked his tongue in admiration: "Quite skillfully played; they trapped you while leaving you with no breath. So, given the danger, why did you choose to participate? Didn’t you consider the consequences?"

"I did."

Zhang Zhongjiu answered calmly: "But I had no choice, because if the project succeeded, I would get a Level 9 advancement potion."

Lin Chen suddenly realized: "Alright, saying it like that, I completely understand. Without family resources, we have to risk earning advancement resources ourselves; otherwise, there’s never any hope of advancing."

Zhang Zhongjiu remained silent but evidently agreed with Lin Chen.

That was the reason he agreed.

Do you think that such a risky opportunity would result in no takers?

No!

Many want to go; you want to go. You have to find a way; otherwise, it won’t be your turn.

Yes, even knowingly facing high risks, even with a one in a million chance, it won’t be your turn.

In this matter, the Zhang Family consulted him, then used family connections to secure this spot for him.

From this perspective, he even has to thank the Zhang Family.

Quite ironic, isn’t it?

Yet, this is the reality.

Back then, that opportunity was his best chance to change fate. If he succeeded, the Zhang Family’s attitude towards him would surely change. Even if he couldn’t become the family’s NO.1, couldn’t become the Clan Chief, he would definitely become a special presence within the family, having a special status.

Why not let that one go?

Because of the high risk.

He can avoid taking risks, just needs to solidify his realm, waiting for the most suitable opportunity to get advancement resources, but Zhang Zhongjiu cannot. Waiting is no use for him.

Due to certain matters, he doesn’t want to wait.

He wants success.

As long as he succeeds, no matter who he wants or his status within the Zhang Family, everything can be resolved.

Unfortunately, he failed.

The victor takes all, the loser loses everything.

He lost everything, relegated to this marginal planet, Planet 49.

Normally, at Planet 49’s Purification Department, working by the book, he would be hard-pressed to achieve any merit, meaning he might spend a lifetime stuck on Planet 49.

However, his chance encounter with Lin Chen and others started turning the gears of fate once more.

Listening to Zhang Zhongjiu, Lin Chen roughly understood his current predicament.

"So, what’s your current goal? Surely it’s not to spend a lifetime as the Inspection Bureau’s small team captain, catching bad guys forever?"

Zhang Zhongjiu replied: "Certainly not, my current aim is to quickly recover my strength. If I recover to Level 8 Peak, there might be other opportunities to change fate."

Lin Chen blinked: "By change fate, you mean advancing to Level 9?"

"Correct."

Zhang Zhongjiu agreed, quickly exposed a self-deprecating expression on his face: "In the Warrior-dominated Federation, besides family and influential powers, wanting to stand out solely relies on exceptional martial prowess. Only with strong martial prowess will no one dare look down on you."

"In my situation, wanting to change it, there’s only one path, which is advancing to Level 9 Martial Artist. Beyond that, there’s no other possible path."

Lin Chen nodded in understanding: "At least you were Level 8 Peak before, as long as you’re not dead, your body’s not in major trouble, recovery is inevitable. Though advancing for warriors is tough, it’s much better compared to our Immortal Path advancement."

Zhang Zhongjiu silently agreed with a nod after a few seconds.

He spent long enough in the Heavenly God Realm and now understands the cultivation system very well.

The higher the strength, the harder it is to advance.

An important medicinal pill might require vast time to prepare, and even if everything’s ready, facing heavenly tribulation, there’s still a chance of failure, ending in complete loss, death, Dao gratitude.

Warriors breaking the realm, at worst waste the prepared potion; their realm won’t suffer backlash.

Comparatively, Lin Chen and others reaching such heights at a young age is indeed remarkable.

Lin Chen suddenly asked: "You’re at the Inspection Bureau in East Third District, is your Zhang Family in East Third District?"

Zhang Zhongjiu shook his head: "We’re not in the same district, but we’re not too far apart; within half a day’s travel, I can return."

Lin Chen said with a laugh: "So are we heading to your East Third District or the place where the Zhang Family resides?"

Zhang Zhongjiu replied: "East Second District, where the Zhang Family is located, you provided the materials, perhaps needed for communication, living closer is convenient."

"I’ll take a few days off, first handle your matter well, then discuss other things."

Lin Chen readily agreed: "Alright, it’s your call."

Understanding Zhang Zhongjiu’s current situation, Lin Chen lost interest in pursuing other questions, like the matter involving a certain woman.

Previously, through his conversation with Zhang Zhongjiu, Lin Chen confirmed there should be a woman in his story, evidently not the aunt mentioned, but this feels rather personal, so Lin Chen refrained from digging deeper.

First, handle the potion issue; that’s the purpose of our group’s visit.