Chapter 2156 — The Purpose of the Banquet
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
"I think... begging Wei Zhao is more reliable than begging the Mystic Elixir Sect. Even if we have not moved against Wei Zhao, and Wei Zhao proves unable, we can still turn to the Mystic Elixir Sect!" Pi Zhifeng said. "What standing has the Mystic Elixir Sect? Would they heal our Pi Family for free out of regard for the Right Family? If we can offer sufficient price, then with or without the Right Family's regard, the Mystic Elixir Sect will help. Otherwise, no introduction will serve! Look at how the Right Family's Old Master Right treats his own disciple—you can see how heartless these pill-refining sects are! That disciple took part in the endurance contest, and when he was injured, he still had to heal himself!"
"So then, you do not favor moving against Wei Zhao?" Old Master Pi asked.
"Grandfather, you said before that the grievance between our Hidden Pi Family and Wei Zhao is not great—a few people died, no more, and they were not of our direct line. Bear it, and it will pass," Pi Zhifeng said. "On the contrary, attaching ourselves to Wei Zhao brings many benefits. Look at Han Tianba and Han Xiaohu—what were they before? The lowest of the hidden families. And now? If Wei Zhao comes through this unscathed, the Hidden Han Family will surely rise high hereafter."
"Zhishan, well said!" Old Master Pi said. "That you can see this clearly shows you already possess the vision of an heir—my efforts to cultivate you have not been wasted."
"It was also your guidance during the earlier matches, Grandfather, that opened my eyes!" Pi Zhifeng said. "Grandfather, then we now... ah, that's right—earlier a disciple of the Zhao Family invited us to dine in the banquet hall at four thirty..."
"It is certainly to discuss how to deal with Wei Zhao. Let us go and see!" Old Master Pi said. "For now, listen only—do not declare where we stand!"
"Very well!" Pi Zhifeng nodded, and the two of them hurried off toward the banquet hall...
In the banquet hall of the Hidden Zhao Family, the seats were filled with guests. Every family head and heir attending this Hidden World Family Summit, along with the sect masters and prized disciples of the various sects, were all present—save, of course, the Hidden Han Family and those disciples injured or slain in the contests.
"That you honored guests could grace this banquet with your presence is truly the greatest honor for one surnamed Zhao—it lends this hall a brilliance beyond its worth!" Seeing that all had arrived, Old Master Zhao rose and cupped his hands in salute.
"You are too kind, too kind..." The old masters of families that had suffered no losses, and An Mingyue of the Fire Wolf Gang, all rose to respond.
But those old masters and sect leaders who had lost men or suffered injuries were less sanguine; their faces wore the look of mourners, dark and sullen, and they spoke little.
"The purpose of my banquet tonight, I believe you all understand?" Old Master Zhao had limited time and went straight to the point. "I think that everyone seated here, whether or not you bear Wei Zhao a deep hatred, has tasted bitterness at Wei Zhao's hands at this Hidden World Family Summit?"
"Old Master Zhao, have you already thought of a countermeasure?" Old Master Right was likewise a sworn enemy of Wei Zhao, so the moment Old Master Zhao said this, Old Master Right at once voiced his approval.
"Indeed. This was meant to be a summit of our hidden families and sects against the Hidden Han Family, and yet it has become a stage for Wei Zhao alone. Setting aside other grievances, how many fine treasures have we lost at this Hidden World Family Summit? All of them have gone into Wei Zhao's pockets!" Old Master Yu nodded in agreement.