Chapter 2351 — What Have You Come Back For?

"The Mystic Elixir Sect's trial? What is that?" Wei Zhao asked, rather puzzled.

"Boss, even if you hadn't brought it up, I was meaning to discuss it with you these past few days!" Han Xiaohu said. "Back when you asked me for the Minor Qi-Gathering Pills, I wanted to tell you then, but you were away, and it's not the sort of thing that can be explained in a few words."

"Oh? Go on, then," Wei Zhao said. From Han Xiaohu's tone, it sounded as though the Mystic Elixir Sect's trial might actually be of some use.

"Yes, boss. This so-called Mystic Elixir Sect trial is a call for challengers issued by the ancient Mystic Elixir Sect. Any expert of the Mystic rank or above from the hidden families may take part!" Han Xiaohu said. "Complete the tasks the Mystic Elixir Sect sets, and you earn a handsome reward—either a third-grade pill from the sect's own stores, or rare treasures of equal value! From what I know, the Mystic Elixir Sect holds vast quantities of color-steel, the essential material for forging cauldrons. So if you, boss, could enter the trial and finish the tasks, you would be able to claim such rewards..."

"Color-steel..." Wei Zhao's brows lifted. That was indeed something he sorely needed. But was the Mystic Elixir Sect's trial really so easy to complete? The rewards far outstripped those of the Ice Palace's trial—by no small margin!

So Wei Zhao remained deeply skeptical. "This trial of the Mystic Elixir Sect—I doubt it's simple."

"It's certainly not simple!" Han Xiaohu nodded. "You go to a very dangerous place and gather medicinal herbs, then bring them back. Once you've collected enough, you can return and exchange them for rewards. The Mystic Elixir Sect keeps its word—in the past, people truly did obtain third-grade Qi-Gathering Pills! But most who go never come back."

"Oh?" Wei Zhao frowned. "If that's so, why doesn't the Mystic Elixir Sect send its own people? The reward seems a little too generous."

"Probably because it's too dangerous, the death rate too high, and the sect isn't willing to make pointless sacrifices," Han Xiaohu said. "But our hidden Han family doesn't know much either. We've received the Mystic Elixir Sect's call before, but we never even entered the relatively safer Ice Palace trial, let alone the dangerous Mystic Elixir Sect one. Our hidden Han family has always kept a low profile."

"I see." Wei Zhao began to calculate. This was a good opportunity to obtain color-steel—but should he take part? From Han Xiaohu's account, the trial's rewards were rich, but so was its danger. And the purpose behind the hidden Zhao family sending Zhao Qilei was plain enough: they meant to use Zhao Qilei, a discarded piece, to squeeze some benefit for the family—and if he died, no great loss, so long as he brought no trouble to Zhao Qibing's rise.

Of course, Wei Zhao did not yet know that the hidden Zhao family's decision had everything to do with him—that it was Zhao Qilei's tip-off to him that had steeled their resolve.

"If you go, boss, then I'll go with you!" Seeing that Wei Zhao was somewhat moved, Han Xiaohu gritted his teeth and spoke with spirit. He thought back to the day he and Wei Zhao had stepped onto the arena together. To have such a boss—his life was complete.

"No need to decide in a hurry. First, look into just what this Mystic Elixir Sect trial is about, and while you're at it, ask about Zhao Qilei—see whether he really means to enter the trial," Wei Zhao said. "Zhao Qilei is my underling too. I can't simply leave him be."

"Oh? All right, I'll keep an eye out," Han Xiaohu said, startled for a moment, then nodded. "Actually, the best way is to go straight to Zhao Qibing. Ask him now, and I'd bet he'll tell you everything he knows and hold nothing back."

"Fine. Arrange to meet him in a little while and ask him about it," Wei Zhao said. He had no interest in seeking out Zhao Qibing himself; the sight of the man sickened him.

"No problem, boss. Leave it to me—I'll get to the bottom of it!" Han Xiaohu answered.

The group finished their meal and were about to settle the bill and leave when the lobby manager, his face dark as a storm cloud, came trailing after a middle-aged man and entered the private room once more.

"What have you come back for?" Han Xiaohu shouted. The sight of the lobby manager set his blood boiling. This fellow had humiliated him once, then again and again. He had come here to lend Wei Zhao some standing, and instead he had nearly been thrown out by this very manager the moment he arrived.

Then the manager had fetched Zhao Qibing and Old Bi to back him up, and had needled Han Xiaohu a second time. Now, seeing him make his third entrance, Han Xiaohu was hardly inclined to give him a pleasant look.

"Uh... ladies and gentlemen, forgive me. I am the owner of the Arctic Ocean Seafood Restaurant and the chairman of Guangsi Catering Group. My name is Zhao Guangsi..." Zhao Guangsi said cautiously to Wei Zhao and the others.

"Zhao Guangsi?" Wei Zhao frowned. "What do you want? Do I know you? Waiter—the bill. We're leaving."

"Uh... I am Zhao Fafa's father, Boss Wei Zhao..." Zhao Guangsi grew anxious at once. He had come on Zhao Qibing's orders to hand over his holdings to Wei Zhao. If he failed to deliver them, what awaited him on his return would likely be Zhao Qibing's wrath!

And besides, handing over the business brought only benefits and no harm. Zhao Qibing had promised to help him secure the post of vice-chairman of the East Sea Chamber of Commerce, and to help him acquire other ventures to run. So the few catering businesses in his hands were dispensable.

"A man of the hidden Zhao family?" Wei Zhao halted and asked. In fact, when he first heard the name Zhao Guangsi, he had thought of Zhao Guanger and Zhao Guangyin from before—the second generation of the hidden Zhao family all bore names of that sort.

He was only puzzled that Zhao Guangsi was no cultivator. But when he heard the man explain that he was Zhao Fafa's father, Wei Zhao understood: he was that distant relative of Zhao Guangyin's! Though he too was named Zhao Guang-something, his "si" had nothing to do with the Zhao family's second-generation disciples—it was merely a coincidence of his own given name.

As for this Zhao Fafa, Wei Zhao had some vague impression, but not much, and he gave it no deeper thought.

"Yes, yes, I am a distant relative of the hidden Zhao family!" Zhao Guangsi, hearing that Wei Zhao seemed to recognize him, said hurriedly, "On Young Master Bing's orders, I have come to present my Guangsi Catering Group to Boss Wei Zhao, including this Arctic Ocean Seafood Restaurant. Here are the property deeds—Boss Wei Zhao need only accept them."