Chapter 1432 — The Stratagem Succeeds
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
"Qibing, would you like to become a cultivator?" Old Bi suddenly spoke up.
"That... of course I would like to, but I have long since passed the best age for cultivation, so I cannot cultivate..." Zhao Qibing said with a bitter smile.
"That is no obstacle. Since you have heard of the Meridian-Clearing Pill and know of the Qi Gathering Pill, then you must also have heard of a pill called the Foundation Establishment Pill—it can remake your meridians and bones and set you upon the path of cultivation!" Having said this, Old Bi turned to Old Master Zhao. "Patriarch, Little Bi has a request: I wish to take Qibing as my disciple. I beg the Patriarch to grant it!"
"Oh? Little Bi, you wish to take a disciple? Now that is a rarity! So many children of the clan wished to study under you, and you refused them all—yet today you raise the matter yourself?" Old Master Zhao asked, looking at Old Bi in surprise.
"This Zhao Qibing is of admirable character, and has rendered great service to the Zhao family. He fits precisely my standard for a disciple!" Old Bi said.
"Since that is so, it is more than Qibing could ever have asked for. I shall take it upon myself to have Qibing take you as his master!" Old Master Zhao nodded, though inwardly he was shaken. Old Master Zhao had never declared which of the third generation was the designated heir, but Old Bi's attitude carried the utmost weight!
He himself was about to advance to Heaven rank, and would afterward set out in pursuit of the way of Heaven. The family's chief affairs would then fall not only upon Zhao Guangyin's shoulders but upon Old Bi's as well. And if Old Bi favored some junior, that junior would very likely become the next heir to the family headship. As things stood, Zhao Qibing had great hope indeed!
Yet Old Master Zhao made no deliberate move to block anything. Since Zhao Qibing was of Zhao blood, had contributed greatly to the family, and now seemed to be of excellent character besides, there was no harm in weighing him as a candidate for heir for the time being.
"Qibing, will you not go and greet your master at once?" Zhao Guangyin's feelings at that moment were complicated as well—but mostly delight. Zhao Qibing was his son, after all; once taken as Old Bi's disciple, his standing would surely soar, and in time he might even become the next head of the family!
"Qibing greets Master!" Overjoyed, Zhao Qibing made to kneel and bow, but his leg was crippled; no sooner did he kneel than he toppled clean off the wheelchair and landed flat on his back, nearly splitting his head open!
"No need to kneel. You may kneel once your leg has healed—there is no hurry!" Old Bi, delighted to see how Zhao Qibing honored his master, smiled and helped him up from the ground and set him back in the wheelchair.
"Very well, Qibing. You may not yet understand what it means for Little Bi to take you as a disciple, but Guangyin will explain it to you presently. Your grandfather must go into seclusion now. You must strive to bring honor!" Old Master Zhao nodded at Zhao Qibing; he could scarcely wait to begin his seclusion.
"Rest assured, Grandfather. I will never betray the expectations of you and my master. I will cultivate diligently, and strive that one day I too may become a Heaven-rank master, like you, Grandfather!" With those words, Zhao Qibing had flattered Old Master Zhao into a Heaven-rank master—though he was not one yet.