Chapter 2996 — A Private Conversation

"What? The cauldron is Zhao Guangyin's own daughter and Zhao Qibing's own sister? They were actually willing to do that?" Tianchan found the whole affair deeply bizarre.

"Of course. She's an illegitimate daughter, so they have no affection for her! More importantly, that girl is Wei Zhao's god-sister, if you catch my drift—the romantic kind!" Kang Jingming explained with a sinister grin. "They figured that if the Young Sect Master ruined her, Wei Zhao would surely go berserk. But he wouldn't dare come here and demand justice from you, Young Sect Master. So, if Zhao Qibing could watch Wei Zhao suffer and grieve, it would amount to revenge on behalf of the Hidden Zhao family!"

"Wei Zhao's lover?" Tianchan's expression shifted, becoming slightly unnatural, though she quickly concealed it. "In that case, bring her in and let me take a look."

"Yes!" Kang Jingming was overjoyed to hear that Tianchan had agreed. "They'll be here shortly. I'll bring her to you the moment they arrive!"

After Kang Jingming withdrew, Tianchan fell into deep thought. Her expression changed again and again, as though she were waging some inward struggle. In the end, however, a trace of resolve flashed across her face, and she made a decision.

Once Zhao Qibing drove to the airport in a nearby city, he boarded a private plane. It was a secret asset of the Hidden Zhao family. The aircraft's registered owner had no connection whatsoever to the Hidden Zhao family, but in secret, it was operated for their use.

The plane flew directly toward the Mysterious Pill Sect, soon landing at the airport of the nearest city. Vehicles arranged by Kang Jingming were already waiting there. With Tianchan's tacit approval, Kang Jingming had also drawn upon the Mysterious Pill Sect's resources, and the cars quickly brought Zhao Qibing, Zhao Guangyin, Elder Mian, and Chen Xi into the Mysterious Pill Sect. In the reception room, they found Kang Jingming waiting for them.

"Elder Kang, how have you been? Since we parted last time, I've missed you terribly!" Zhao Qibing had worked with Kang Jingming before in an attempt to hunt down and kill Wei Zhao. Back then, however, Zhao Qibing had been the one in charge. Now, he had no choice but to show Kang Jingming the respect due an elder brother.

"I've already explained your situation to the Young Sect Master." Kang Jingming did not bother with pleasantries. Zhao Qibing was merely an ordinary core disciple of the Dark Night Palace, whereas he was already an elder of the Mysterious Pill Sect; the gulf between their statuses was immense, and Kang Jingming naturally intended to put on a little airs. "You've brought them, haven't you?"

"We have!" Zhao Guangyin hurriedly waved to Elder Mian. The elder lowered the unconscious Chen Xi from his shoulder and set her down before Kang Jingming.

"Tsk, tsk, she's quite a beauty. The Young Sect Master will surely like her!" Kang Jingming examined Chen Xi's features and was highly satisfied. If she had been ugly as sin, then no matter how excellent a cauldron she was, Tianchan probably would not have been interested.

"That's good, that's good!" Zhao Guangyin let out a sigh of relief. It seemed the plan had worked!

"I'll take you to meet the Young Sect Master. You know how to conduct yourselves, right? Some things can be said, and some things cannot. Don't go spouting nonsense and anger the Young Sect Master, or you'll regret it!" Kang Jingming warned them.

"Don't worry, Elder Kang. Your little brother here has spent time in the Dark Night Palace too. I know a few of the rules," Zhao Qibing said hurriedly.

Kang Jingming nodded, then led the members of the Zhao family to Tianchan's room. After Xiaotaohong announced them, they entered without a hitch.

"Young Sect Master, Zhao Qibing, Zhao Guangyin, Mian Huayang, and the cauldron Chen Xi from the Hidden Zhao family are all here!" Kang Jingming introduced the members of the Hidden Zhao family to Tianchan one by one.

"Mm. Zhao Qibing, I never expected we would meet again." Tianchan glanced at Zhao Qibing and asked tentatively.

"Young Sect Master Tian, you're too kind. I offended you quite badly last time, so I came especially to apologize," Zhao Qibing replied. He failed to notice anything amiss. After all, when he had been at Wei Zhao's villa, how could he have dared look Tianchan directly in the eye?

Even now, he did not dare look her in the eye, so he naturally failed to realize that the two Tianchans were not actually the same person. Of course, unless one belonged to the Mysterious Pill Sect itself, an outsider would indeed find it exceedingly difficult to spot the differences between Tianchan and Tiandie after their disguises.

"Oh, so that's how it is." Tianchan cast a cool glance at Chen Xi on the floor. "Is this the cauldron you brought me?"

"That's right!" Zhao Qibing hurriedly answered. "She's an excellent cauldron. Unfortunately, the Zhao family has no particularly suitable methods, so we've only been cultivating her with ordinary techniques. With a little training from you, Young Sect Master, she will become an exceptional cauldron!"

"Oh, I hear she's your sister—the little lover of Wei Zhao?" Tianchan nodded and asked.

"Yes!" Zhao Qibing nodded. "But rest assured, Young Sect Master. She is still a virgin; she has absolutely not been defiled."

"I can see that for myself. You needn't tell me." Tianchan waved a hand. "Enough. I know what you want. Xiaoming has already told me. So, Zhao Guangyin, is it? You and Mian Huayang will stay here. From now on, cultivate here under Elder Kang Jingming."

"Yes! Thank you, Young Sect Master, for granting our request!" Zhao Qibing was ecstatic. Kang Jingming was an old acquaintance. With him, his plans for revenge might finally have hope. Besides, Kang Jingming was also an enemy of Wei Zhao; together, the two of them could surely plot something.

Tianchan saw the expression on Zhao Qibing's face. How could she not know what he was thinking? Still, gathering several of Wei Zhao's enemies in one place was merely a convenient way for her to keep them under surveillance.

Poor Zhao Qibing and Zhao Guangyin had no idea. They were still immersed in their grand plan to revive the Hidden Zhao family, dreaming that one day they could rely on the Mysterious Pill Sect's power to restore the family and destroy Wei Zhao. Little did they know that Tianchan was doing nothing more than keeping them under control within a manageable range.

"Xiaoming, take them to rest. I want to speak with this cauldron alone." Tianchan signaled that Kang Jingming could take the others away.

"Yes, Young Sect Master!" Kang Jingming nodded quickly, then gestured for Zhao Qibing and the others to follow him. Since Tianchan had given the order, he could naturally take Zhao Guangyin and Mian Huayang under his wing.

The two were Earth-rank experts, after all, and both specialized in offensive combat. With a few Qi-gathering pills, he could turn them into Heaven-rank experts. Kang Jingming was already making plans for himself... RS