Chapter 2069 — Analysis and Plans

"Uh…" Wei Zhao had not expected Han Xiaopo to have thought so far ahead. But what he said was true—if things really went that way, the Hidden Han Family might well be swallowed up in the future.

"So… offering this thing up, to you, Boss, if you can lend us a hand and lead the Hidden Han Family out of this predicament, then the price is worth paying. Even if we no longer have this thing afterward, as long as the Hidden Han Family has someone to cling to, then even if we can't rise to the top, we won't be left at the bottom of the heap." Han Xiaopo's analysis was remarkably clear.

"Fine. Since you've revealed your Hidden Han Family's secret, then I can make an exception and help you once at this Hidden World Clan Summit!" Wei Zhao said. "If the Hidden Han Family doesn't lose too much at this summit, then they probably won't hold this sort of event again."

"Naturally. They're not keen on anything that brings them no profit. If they can't gain anything from us this time, then apart from the regular summit each time, they naturally won't organize any other events." Han Xiaopo nodded. "Of course, even if we lose a little, with Boss stepping forward, those hidden clans will have to weigh their own worth! After all, late Earth-rank experts are the top strength of any family—they can't just be written off as a loss!"

"Heh." Wei Zhao gave a faint smile. "Then get the materials for the Qi-Gathering Pill ready. Two days before the Hidden World Clan Summit, I'll pay your Hidden Han Family a visit—just hand them to me then!"

"Good, no problem at all!" Han Xiaopo said, then hesitated. "But my strength… how about I fetch those materials this afternoon?"

"No need. Your strength is nothing to worry about either." Wei Zhao said mildly. "You don't trust me?"

"Of course I trust you! Since Boss already has a plan in mind, I'll say no more!" Han Xiaopo nodded. "Boss, let's eat…"

After the meal, Han Xiaopo sent Wei Zhao back to the school, then hurried back to the Hidden Han Family and went to see the current head of the family, Old Master Han—Han Tianba.

Of course, though Old Master Han's name was domineering, among the hidden clans he was anything but.

Han Xiaopo recounted the lunchtime conversation to Old Master Han in full detail.

When Han Tianba heard it, he was badly startled. "Xiaopo, you really are bold—you actually revealed the family's great secret! Aren't you afraid of bringing disaster down on yourself? That Wei Zhao is someone who can effortlessly slaughter even late Earth-rank experts. Wiping out our Hidden Han Family would be as easy as turning his hand!"

"If Boss had designs on our Hidden Han Family, I reckon he would have been tempted back when I told him we'd found an ancient ruin. Yet right up until I handed over the Colored Steel of my own accord, Boss still showed no interest in anything else we had." Han Xiaopo said. "That's enough to show that Boss is not a greedy man!"

"That may be so, but our Hidden Han Family's foundations are too shallow—we can't afford not to be on our guard!" Han Tianba said. "And isn't offering up the materials for refining the Qi-Gathering Pill a bit too generous a gesture?"

"Not too generous. If Boss truly stands fully on our side, then at the very least, those who covet our Hidden Han Family will have to consider the consequences!" Han Xiaopo said.

"But will they assume that Wei Zhao will definitely step forward to help our Hidden Han Family?" Han Tianba asked.

"Grandfather, under normal circumstances, of course not. But now that I'm Boss's underling, there's no problem!" Han Xiaopo said. "Boss is famous for protecting his own. Think back to that secular clan assembly—Boss stepped up for his underling and wiped out even the secular Yu Family. What could the hidden Yu Family do? They just swallowed a bitter loss. Later, when they tried to make trouble while Wei Zhao was ill, what happened? Yu Liu ended up dead too!"

"Hmm… Xiaopo, you've observed carefully!" Han Tianba nodded slowly. "But although Wei Zhao protects his own, if you harbor any intention of using him and he sees through it, that too would be disaster…"

"Grandfather, Xiaopo has no intention of using Boss at all!" Han Xiaopo said. "Boss possesses such great power and prestige—I truly want to be his underling. That way, I can learn more, and my strength can improve too!"

"Since that's the case, I'll say no more!" Han Tianba said. "This is an opportunity for our Hidden Han Family. If we grasp it well, we can turn our fortunes around; if we grasp it poorly, we're doomed beyond saving! But if we don't grasp it at all, we're equally doomed—so our only choice is to stake everything on Wei Zhao."

"Yes, Grandfather!" Han Xiaopo said. "And I've promised Boss Wei Zhao that if I become the head of the Hidden Han Family in the future, I will follow his lead in all things!"

Han Tianba's gaze sharpened as he looked at Han Xiaopo. In Han Xiaopo he saw ambition! Han Xiaopo actually wanted to contend for the position of young family head of the Hidden Han Family—and he had said so openly, without the slightest concealment, which took Han Tianba somewhat aback.

Yet Han Tianba did not rebuke him. Instead he said, "If at this Hidden World Clan Summit our Hidden Han Family really does rely on Wei Zhao to win a few matches and escape our current predicament, then it will prove that Wei Zhao truly has ability. From then on, the heavy task of cultivating ties with him will fall on your shoulders!"

"Yes, Grandfather!" How could Han Xiaopo fail to catch the implication in Han Tianba's words? He said at once, somewhat delighted.

"You may go. I'll make some preparations here, and have your Uncle Han Jiu look into the other competition events. If Wei Zhao can win a few more matches—heh—then those clans scheming against our Hidden Han Family will learn what it means to go for wool and come home shorn!" Thinking of Wei Zhao's fearsome reputation, Han Tianba felt a measure of confidence.

After Wei Zhao returned to school, he temporarily put the matter of competing on the Hidden Han Family's behalf at the Hidden World Clan Summit out of his mind, and instead began pondering the matter of the Qi-Gathering Pill.

The Qi-Gathering Pill was a Yellow-rank third-grade pill. Like the Ice Heart Jade Bone Pill that the heaven-rank little miss Bingtang was going to refine, it too was a Yellow-rank third-grade pill.