Chapter 2357 — A Change to the Trial
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"He shouldn't know him, but I have a feeling this was Wei Zhao's idea!" Zhao Qibing said. "Last time, outside the cinema, I crashed into his car, and he asked me about Zhao Qilei then."
"I see... so it seems Wei Zhao suspects we've taken some measure against Zhao Qilei." Old Master Zhao nodded. He recalled that Zhao Qibing had mentioned this before, though at the time he had not paid it much mind. But now, with Han Xiaohu asking again, Old Master Zhao found himself in a difficult position.
"Exactly. If I tell him the truth, what if Wei Zhao just demands we hand him over?" Zhao Qibing said, a trace of worry in his voice.
"Here's the thing—Han Xiaohu came asking you about the Xuandan Sect trial, didn't he? That means Wei Zhao has an interest in the Xuandan Sect trial!" Old Master Zhao, seasoned with age and cunning, quickly hit upon a solution that would satisfy both sides. "So here's what you do: tell him the truth—that Zhao Qilei is preparing to represent our hidden Zhao family in the Xuandan Sect trial, and that's why he's in seclusion for now and out of contact with the outside world!"
"Oh?" Zhao Qibing was briefly taken aback, then grasped his grandfather's meaning. "So once Wei Zhao hears that Zhao Qilei is also entering the Xuandan Sect trial, it will only harden his resolve to take part himself—and that trial is essentially a one-way trip. Wei Zhao will be as good as buried there, and we will have achieved our goal of borrowing a knife to kill!"
"Precisely. Qibing, you've grown quite sharp!" Old Master Zhao nodded with satisfaction. "That's also why, after hearing what you said, I told you without a second thought to go see Han Xiaohu! Wei Zhao wants to know about the Xuandan Sect trial—so tell him plenty. Best if he goes and dies there, and then everything is quiet."
"I understand, Grandfather! I'll talk up the benefits of the trial as much as I can!" Zhao Qibing said hurriedly, once the point had dawned on him.
"That won't do either. Han Xiaohu is no fool. The hidden Han family may never have entered the Xuandan Sect trial before, but they've heard of its dangers. You can't just sing its praises—while you praise it, you must also lay out the dangers objectively! Of course, you may put particular emphasis on the rewards the Xuandan Sect trial offers!" Old Master Zhao instructed with careful guidance.
"Yes, Grandfather. I know what to do now." Zhao Qibing understood at once.
He hung up and returned to the room, where he found Han Xiaohu helping himself to coffee. Only when Zhao Qibing came in did Han Xiaohu speak. "How did it go, Young Master Bing? What does your family say?"
"My grandfather didn't want to hide it from you—but the truth is, the matter of Zhao Qilei and the Xuandan Sect trial you're asking about are essentially one and the same!" Zhao Qibing said.
"One and the same? What do you mean?" Han Xiaohu did not quite follow.
"My grandfather has already spoken with Qitan. He will represent our hidden Zhao family in the Xuandan Sect trial and is currently in seclusion, so it's only natural you can't reach him," Zhao Qibing said. "As for the matter of the candidate—if my grandfather hadn't given the nod, I couldn't just say it freely. I ask Young Master Po's understanding."
"Zhao Qilei? Entering the Xuandan Sect trial?" Han Xiaohu was stunned—he had not expected that to be the answer! It left him somewhat puzzled, yet from the look of things, it was most likely true.