Chapter 1466 — Each with Their Own Agenda
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"Are you suggesting that Elder Bi might actually lay hands on those precious natural treasures and employ that secret method?" Zhao Qilei started in surprise. "Isn't that privilege reserved solely for the one designated as the next family head?"
"And what if Zhao Qibing has already been earmarked by the old master and Elder Bi as the next family head designate?" Zhao Qiwu countered.
"This..." Zhao Qilei hesitated for a moment, a flash of ruthless resolve darting through his eyes. "I care not a whit whether Elder Bi uses that secret method to elevate Zhao Qibing. But this time, I will prevail in the Ice Palace trial. I will enter the Ice Palace, become an outer disciple—or even an inner disciple. I will become the head of the Zhao family!"
"Shh..." Zhao Qiwu was nearly frightened out of his wits. "Young Master Tan, keep your voice down! Such words must never be spoken carelessly—mind that the walls have ears!"
"What harm is there in saying it here? The old master cannot hear us, and no one here knows who we are." Zhao Qilei smiled. "Do you know why my eldest uncle is so poorly regarded by the old master? Is it not precisely because he is too cautious and timorous in everything he does? As a matter of fact, the old master has no liking for such men. To be head of the family, one must possess the magnanimity and bold bearing befitting a family head—he simply hasn't got them."
"What you say is true enough, but a little caution never hurt anyone!" Zhao Qiwu said. "By the way, I noticed two cars parked downstairs just now—one with a local plate, the other from out of town. The locally registered one is most likely the innkeeper's, so there is no need to bother ourselves over that. As for the owner of the other car, he must certainly have come for the Ice Palace trial as well. The only question is which family or faction he represents."
"We'll find a chance this evening to make contact and see whether we can make a friend of him. Even if we cannot cooperate, it is best not to turn him into an enemy!" Zhao Qilei said. "In a trial like this, one more friend means one more road open."
"Young Master Tan speaks truly. Only, how are we to make contact? If we are too deliberate about it, it will look like pretense. The young scions of great clans are no fools." Zhao Qiwu observed.
"We'll see when the time comes. A chance encounter would be ideal. If it truly cannot be managed, we will simply go to his door in all frankness and introduce ourselves—there is no need to pretend at anything. Our purposes are the same in any case, and if cooperation is possible, so much the better." Zhao Qilei said.
Zhao Qilei wished to make contact with Wei Zhao, and Wei Zhao, for his part, naturally entertained the same intention of approaching Zhao Qilei, hoping to worm more intelligence about the Ice Palace trial out of the pair! Though Wei Zhao was loath to become embroiled in the trial—his only purpose in coming here being the search for the Fire Spirit Sacred Fruit—since this area fell within the Ice Palace's sphere of influence, could there be some connection between the Sacred Fruit and the Ice Palace?
According to Zhang Lifeng, the Fire Spirit Sacred Fruit was a supreme treasure. With so formidable a presence as the Ice Palace situated nearby, how could they possibly let so great a treasure slip through their fingers? The Ice Palace's might was plain to see from the caliber of the trial's participants—even members of the Hidden Zhao Family had come, and naturally, other hidden aristocratic families would be sending their juniors as well!
Thus, the Ice Palace's standing was obvious: it had to be an ancient sect, one of those hallowed lineages from ages past, for only an ancient sect could tower above the Hidden Zhao Family.