Chapter 2404 — The Hint to Zhao Qilei
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"Yes, the casino will have to be taught a lesson, of course—but we wait. We let the rumors die down first," Old Master Zhao said with a wave of his hand. "At the very least, we wait until word of Pu Huotai's and Pu Laoliu's deaths reaches Southeast Asia and their sect, so their sect knows who killed their disciples! If we move now and they pin it on us, we'd lose more than we gain. That Wei Zhao kid is a treacherous one—there's nothing he wouldn't stoop to."
"Understood, Father!" Zhao Guangyin had wanted to go after the casino right away, but on reflection his father's words made good sense. If they struck at the casino now and Pu Huotai's and Pu Laoliu's deaths somehow got blamed on their own family, what then?
"Grandfather... if Wei Zhao is that strong, then what about Zhao Qilei...?" It was finally Zhao Qibing's turn to speak. Whether or not they took revenge on the casino did not interest him in the least; what worried him was Zhao Qilei. If Zhao Qilei had Wei Zhao's backing, then who could stop him from seizing power?
"Father, Zhao Qilei must be eliminated!" Zhao Guangyin hesitated a moment, then added his own counsel.
"Ah!" Old Master Zhao sighed. His original plan had been this: if Wei Zhao could be killed over this Pu Huotai affair, then even if Zhao Qilei did not die, he would never stir up any real trouble again. At that point they could expel him from the Zhao family and let him live out his days as an ordinary rich man. But now it seemed there was no choice—Zhao Qilei had to go, or the trouble to come would be endless!
"Patriarch, as things stand, Zhao Qilei is still somewhat resistant to entering the trial. But if we tell him that Wei Zhao is also taking part in the trial, then perhaps Zhao Qilei will go willingly!" Chief Zhu suggested.
"Oh?" Old Master Zhao mused for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. You go and tell him. I won't see him myself..."
Though Old Master Zhao had steeled his heart, he could not help but feel a certain pang.
Chief Zhu was secretly pleased. He had offered this advice precisely in order to get close to Zhao Qilei, and sure enough, the task had fallen to him! He had calculated it in advance—Old Master Zhao was a little heartbroken over the matter and would most likely not go himself.
And Zhao Qibing and Zhao Qilei were mortal enemies; Zhao Qilei would hardly believe a word Zhao Qibing said.
As for Zhao Guangyin, he was Zhao Qibing's father and likewise unsuited to the task. So once he had raised the matter, it naturally fell to him—one might say it was only proper.
"Yes, sir!" Chief Zhu answered at once.
Without quite realizing it, Chief Zhu had come to understand that he was already aboard Wei Zhao's pirate ship. Getting off was no longer really possible. It had been settled from the moment Wei Zhao discovered his identity! So although Chief Zhu was not entirely willing, he had no way out.
Fortunately, helping Zhao Qilei was still helping the Zhao family—merely a different faction of it. So Chief Zhu did not feel too great a burden on his conscience.
He came to Zhao Qilei's room, knocked on the door, and pushed it open.
Zhao Qilei was sitting silently on his bed, eyes closed in cultivation. Hearing the door, he did not open his eyes, only said, "Leave the food on the table. I'll eat in a while."
These days someone brought Zhao Qilei his meals every day, and he had grown used to it. Skilled guards stood watch at his door, and with his strength there was no escaping anyway, so Zhao Qilei could not be bothered to try.
As for the food, Zhao Qilei ate it without worry. The hidden Zhao family might want him dead, but they would never stoop to poisoning him. A family had a family's rules; once such a precedent was set, and every future contest for the position of patriarch began with poison, the hidden Zhao family would soon destroy itself.