Chapter 2542 — The Enraged Young Lady

"Yes, I already knew that. When the Tomorrow Upon Tomorrow Sect denied it earlier, I knew it could not have been their doing," Patriarch Xuanchen said with a wave of his hand, motioning for Xiao Yi to continue. The Tomorrow Upon Tomorrow Sect, after all, was a sect that had also withdrawn from that plane; with its long history, its overall foundation and strength were not necessarily inferior to that place, so if they said they had not done it, then they had not.

"However, Zhang Naipao has not been in the sect long. His name only resounds within his own sect—among the other ancient sects, apart from the Ice Palace, almost no one even knows such a person exists..." Xiao Yi said. "If the one who wounded Tagan Long mentioned Zhang Naipao's name, then it was most likely the Hidden Families, the Ice Palace, or Zhang Naipao's enemies in the secular world. It should not be anyone else..."

"The Ice Palace? Impossible..." Patriarch Xuanchen waved his hand and said mildly, "The Ice Palace shares our lineage, and they know a little of our future plans. Though not in great detail, at the very least they could not possibly oppose us!"

Hearing this, Xiao Yi nodded hurriedly and said, "Yes. Then, Master, what should we do now..."

"Now go at once and investigate two matters. First, whom did Zhang Naipao offend during the Ice Palace trials, and how did he come by his injuries? Second, find out where Zhang Naipao's hometown is, then go there and investigate—see whether you can find those two killers!" Patriarch Xuanchen instructed. "Especially that woman who took the heavy treasure. See whether she is from Zhang Naipao's hometown!"

"Yes, Master!" Xiao Yi nodded hurriedly in assent.

"Mm, off you go..." Patriarch Xuanchen waved his hand, dismissing Xiao Yi...

Wei Zhao had only framed him offhandedly at the time, without thinking much of it. He could never have imagined that Patriarch Xuanchen was no fool—following that clue, the old man had reasoned out a great deal, and would soon be able to trace the matter to him...

Breakfast was prepared with practiced ease, and Gu Mengyao and Shen Yushu came downstairs as well. Wang Xinyan was the last to rise, still yawning as she emerged from her room.

"Wow, Chewing Gum Bro, why is Sister Xinyan so sleepy? Didn't you two go to bed early? Don't tell me you got up in the middle of the night to do something?" Shen Yushu asked in surprise.

Wang Xinyan's face flushed instantly. She knew perfectly well what Xiaoshu was implying. But she really had not gotten up to do anything—she was genuinely tired! Yet Wang Xinyan also knew that in such matters, to explain was to cover up; the more you explained, the more it proved a guilty conscience. So she blushed furiously and said nothing at all.

"We did, all right?" Wei Zhao said with a laugh, meaning to break the awkward tension.

"Oh? So you really did?" Shen Yushu's eyes went wide. "Chewing Gum Bro, quick, tell Xiaoshu—what did it feel like when you did it?"

"Bang!"

Gu Mengyao brought the fresh milk bottle down on Shen Yushu's head, sending Xiaoshu sprawling to the floor with a yelp: "I was teasing you—did you really take it seriously? If you want it that badly, just do it with Wei Zhao and you'll find out!"

"Uh... I..." Shen Yushu pulled a tearful face, clutching her head as she clambered up from the floor. "I've got a lump on my head now! Sister Yaoyao is so vicious!"

"Hurry up and eat!" Gu Mengyao drew a deep breath. Though she had already come to accept Wang Xinyan in her heart, and accepted the fact that Wei Zhao was going to take another primary wife, hearing the sudden news that Wei Zhao and Wang Xinyan had done it still irritated her—even though she knew it was almost certainly Wei Zhao joking. She still could not help her anger, and so Xiaoshu became her punching bag...

Poor, unlucky Shu.

"Oh, Sister Yaoyao's auntie is visiting these days..." Shen Yushu murmured secretly to Wei Zhao, still clutching her head.

"..." Wei Zhao found it rather curious too. What had put the young lady in such a foul temper so early in the morning?

Wang Xinyan blinked, then actually believed Shen Yushu's words and felt a little sorry for her—getting a lump on her head first thing in the morning...

Han Jingyi and Han Xiaochao arrived, and no one brought up the earlier topic again. They all ate breakfast together, then drove to school.

After Zhao Qibing returned overnight to the Hidden Zhao Family, he went to pay his respects to the Old Master Zhao.

Though Old Master Zhao was a cultivator, he was advanced in years, and the spiritual qi of the outside world could never be as abundant as in Wei Zhao's jade pendant space, so he still had to sleep at night. Even so, upon learning that Zhao Qibing had returned, he received him at once.

"Grandfather, I'm back!" Once inside, Zhao Qibing respectfully produced the martial technique he had obtained from the Rain Family and presented it to Old Master Zhao. "This is the martial technique I obtained from the Hidden Rain Family!"

"Mm, very good!" Old Master Zhao nodded in satisfaction. He was pleased that Zhao Qibing had brought out the technique the moment he returned, and said to Elder Mian at his side, "Elder Mian, make a copy and place it in the Hidden Zhao Family's library!"

"Yes, Old Master!" Elder Mian took the martial technique from Zhao Qibing and carried it to the back room to copy it out.

"Well? When you went to the Hidden Rain Family, you didn't stir up any trouble, did you?" Old Master Zhao asked.

"No trouble at all. Obtaining the technique went very smoothly. My uncle brought out two techniques—one simple, one difficult," Zhao Qibing answered truthfully.

"Oh? So which did you take, the simple one or the difficult one?" Old Master Zhao asked, one eyebrow lifting slightly.

"Your grandson took the difficult one. Though it is a thousand times harder to cultivate, once mastered the technique is formidable indeed!" Zhao Qibing said. "Because your grandson knows a principle: only one who endures the bitterest of hardships can rise above the common run of men!"

"Mm, very good!" Old Master Zhao was greatly gratified to hear it. Had Zhao Qibing chosen the simple technique, Old Master Zhao would not have said much, but he would certainly have been disappointed in him. Zhao Qibing's choice instead left him deeply pleased—if the boy could think this way, he would make a fine heir to the family headship. "Tell me, then—what are the difficulties and the strengths of this technique?"