Chapter 691 — The Hidden Families
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
"Heh, the four great families and the five lesser families are nothing but some families that took shape in the secular world later on—they can't even begin to compare with the hidden families!" Old Man Wei said. "But as for the hidden families, I don't actually know that much. Your master understands more than I do, because he was one of the parties involved back then! By the agreement of over a decade ago, certain ancient martial arts families were required to withdraw from the world—otherwise their appearance would disrupt much of the present order…"
"Oh? My master?" Wei Zhao was startled. He hadn't expected his master to have ties to the hidden families!
"Among these hidden families there is a medical family, the You family of Yunnan. They're well versed in medicine, but what they excel at most is using medicine to harm people—and they're deeply studied in the arts of gu sorcery!" Old Man Wei said. "However, under the original agreement, the You family's disciples are not permitted to walk in the secular world. They may only serve the great families and the hidden families!"
"You're saying this You family knows the formula for the Seven-Grass Death Powder?" Wei Zhao frowned.
"Possibly, but it's not certain," Old Man Wei said. "Keep an eye on this matter for now, but don't meddle with it. Given your current strength, you don't yet reach that level! They won't dare openly violate the original pact either—otherwise your master would have no choice but to intervene."
"Fine, I understand." Since Old Man Wei had said as much, Wei Zhao naturally would not press him further. His current strength was enough to walk freely through the mundane world, but against those hidden behemoths, he could not so much as make them budge.
"Is there anything else? Oh, that's right — the medicine you had Ergoudan bring, I've already given it to him. But the boy's busy with the spring plowing, so it'll be a few days yet before he can come over," said Old Man Wei.
"No rush on that..." Wei Zhao said. "Oh, right — do you know about the Ten-Thousand-Year Spring Wooden Box?"
Wei Zhao had suddenly remembered the Ten-Thousand-Year Spring Wooden Box he had obtained at the auction, though he had no idea what it was for. Ever since returning from the auction he had been busy with all sorts of odds and ends, and the matter of that box had been tossed to the back of his mind. Only now did it occur to him.
"The Ten-Thousand-Year Spring Wooden Box? I've heard of it — there's an old text in the family that mentions it." Old Man Wei thought for a moment, then said, "Why do you ask?"
"I think I might have one on me..." Wei Zhao said.
"What?!" Old Man Wei was startled. "You have one? How did you get it? You actually have something that only appears in ancient texts?"
"I happened to get it at an auction..." Wei Zhao had not expected such a strong reaction from Old Man Wei. Could this Ten-Thousand-Year Spring Wooden Box really be so extraordinary? So he asked, "Old man, is this thing good?"
"If it's mentioned in ancient texts, how could it be anything but good?" Old Man Wei shot back.
"Oh — then what exactly is this Ten-Thousand-Year Spring Wooden Box used for?" Wei Zhao's curiosity was stirred as well, and he pressed the question eagerly.
"What it's used for, I honestly don't know," said Old Man Wei, abruptly changing tack.
"Huh?!" Wei Zhao was stunned. He had not expected Old Man Wei to answer like that. In astonishment he blurted, "You don't know?"
"I don't know," Old Man Wei said flatly.