Chapter 2358 — The Ignored Factor
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"Besides, my grandfather is the head of the family—how could he possibly enter this trial? And my father is the young master of the family, so naturally he couldn't go in person either!" Seeing that Han Xiaohu looked unconvinced, Zhao Qibing began to spin his tale: "Originally, we intended to send Old Bi together with Zhao Qilei, but unfortunately, Old Bi was injured by Wei Zhao and his men, and so missed out on the Xuandan Sect trial. It truly cost the hidden Zhao family dearly!"
"I see." This time, Han Xiaohu actually believed Zhao Qibing's words. If Old Bi had been going as well, that would have made sense; he did not believe the hidden Zhao family would let slip a chance to obtain a third-grade pill!
Otherwise, the hidden Zhao family would never have turned against the hidden Yu family, their in-laws, over a single third-grade Qi Gathering Pill.
"Yes, that's about all I know—none of it was in the summons," Zhao Qibing said. "As for the rest, I'm not clear either. After all, digging up even this much was no easy feat."
"All right, Young Master Bing. Thank you!" Han Xiaohu had gotten the answers he wanted and no longer had the heart to sit there drinking coffee with him. He needed to report back to Wei Zhao.
"Don't mention it." Zhao Qibing waved a hand, then asked, "By the way, is Leader Wei Zhao going to enter the Xuandan Sect trial?"
"He should be." Han Xiaohu did not deny it.
"Oh? In that case, if Leader Wei Zhao could look after Zhao Qilei for us during the trial on behalf of the hidden Zhao family, we would be endlessly grateful!" Zhao Qibing said, a new thought turning over in his mind.
His motives were thoroughly vicious. Zhao Qilei was weak—only at the Mystic rank, not even Earth rank. If Wei Zhao brought Zhao Qilei along as dead weight during the trial, it would surely increase the danger. Even if Wei Zhao had a chance to finish, he would likely be dragged to his death by that burden, Zhao Qilei.
"I'll pass that along to the leader, but whether he agrees is not for me to decide." Naturally, Han Xiaohu could not agree on Wei Zhao's behalf.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Young Master Po!" Zhao Qibing was secretly delighted. Go on, keep pretending, he thought. Given Wei Zhao's character, he would never abandon one of his own men—especially once he learned that this subordinate had been placed under house arrest because of him, and sent into the Xuandan Sect trial because of him. Wei Zhao would certainly not give up on helping Zhao Qilei!
"I've finished my coffee, so I'll be on my way." Han Xiaohu nodded, set down his empty cup, and said to Zhao Qibing, "As for mentoring Zhao Qilei, I'll speak to the leader about it. But if the hidden Zhao family wants help, you'd best offer something in return—the leader won't do this favor for nothing!"
Han Xiaohu knew Wei Zhao was very good at extorting people, so he did not mind seizing the chance to do a little extorting himself! Although Wei Zhao would certainly help Zhao Qilei, as far as Han Xiaohu knew, the Zhao family had no idea that Zhao Qilei was Wei Zhao's man.
Zhao Qibing was stunned for a moment. Damn it, he thought—you're helping your own subordinate, and you still want favors from the hidden Zhao family? We'd be thrilled if Zhao Qilei just dropped dead! But he could not show his displeasure at this moment. He feared letting Han Xiaohu learn that the Zhao family already knew about the relationship between Zhao Qilei and Wei Zhao—what if Wei Zhao simply came to demand the man back? Wouldn't the whole plan fall apart then?
At that thought, Zhao Qibing could only say, with immense frustration bottled up inside him, "But of course. I'll explain this matter to my grandfather."
After meeting Han Xiaohu, Zhao Qibing returned to the hidden Zhao family at the first opportunity and recounted his conversation with Han Xiaohu to his grandfather, Old Master Zhao, word for word.