Chapter 1714 — Joining Forces Once More
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
And in truth it was so. For these houses, the name of a great house meant no more than that one might count on the courtesy of the other houses in the way of business. But the business the An family pursued was of the kind that must be kept from the light, and the name of a great house only left them with their hands tied.
So losing it did not trouble them greatly.
The Xiao and Kang families were another matter. The Kang family strove desperately to force its way into the ranks of the great houses precisely because the great houses were a league with the Yu family at its head, each favoring and supporting the others, so that on another's ground one's business might spread and prosper.
Now the Xiao family had been kicked out of that circle, and could never again look for the courtesy of the other houses. The hidden Pi family might stand behind them, but those houses which had Wei Zhao's backing would not give the Xiao family the time of day; whatever growth they hoped for hereafter would come hard indeed.
That was why Xiao Ben now drew Xiao Ji along with him and lowered his own dignity, sitting down with Divine Doctor Kang and Kang Guifeng, two men with whom there had been a certain unpleasantness.
"This Wei Zhao — can even the hidden Pi family do nothing against him?" Looking at Xiao Ji and Xiao Ben, Divine Doctor Kang asked in some bewilderment. He knew a little of the affair between Wei Zhao and the Xiao family, and knew that three of the Pi family's people had died without Wei Zhao coming to any harm for it, which he could not fathom.
"There may be some great power behind Wei Zhao. The hidden Pi family even warned us not to provoke him — but now we have come to the point where we must provoke him whether we will or no!" Xiao Ji gave a cold snort. "Pushed as we are, the business of our Xiao family, which had only just begun to prosper, will be utterly ruined. We shall have to draw back into our own little corner of Songshan City — and that is Wei Zhao's home ground..."
"Yes — you were making money for the hidden Pi family. Now that such a thing has happened, they cannot simply leave you to your fate, surely?" Kang Guifeng asked, his face giving nothing away.
"Enough of these ifs and maybes." Xiao Ben was a shrewd man; he waved a hand and did not answer Kang Guifeng's question. He knew that Kang Guifeng was in truth trying to goad him into seeking vengeance through the Pi family — but on this matter the Pi family had already declared itself. Their interests had indeed been touched this time, yet in Xiao Ben's view he still had no sure means of making the Pi family move. He meant to sound out the Kang family's hand. "Tell me, Old Master Kang, your Kang family wishes to become a great house — you must have made ample preparations. What, then, is your bargaining chip this time? You need not guard against me. If I am to persuade the Pi family to act, that reason alone will not serve; a hidden house will not lightly bestir itself for a thing that brings no profit. You understand me."
"Very well, then I shall speak plainly!" said Divine Doctor Kang. "You remember the Life-Extending Detox Pill?"
"Of course I remember it. What of it?" Xiao Ben asked, his face giving nothing away.
"The Kang family is at present studying the Life-Extending Detox Pill. If we can sweep Wei Zhao, this obstacle, out of the way, then we may join hands — and I believe that with the pill's formula in our possession, even the hidden houses will accord us a measure of respect!" said Divine Doctor Kang.