Chapter 2093 — The Scheme Behind It All (Part Two)

"Hmm... We in the Hidden Pi Family may have our misunderstandings with Wei Zhao, but our grudge against him isn't all that great for the time being, and we'd rather not get involved..." The old master of the Pi Family was a shrewd one too. It would be all well and good if Wei Zhao died, but what if he didn't? If that spirit beast failed to finish him off, the Hidden Pi Family could not afford the turmoil!

The Hidden Pi Family had only one early-stage Heaven-rank external expert, the elder brother of the Pi Family's old master, but Wei Zhao could kill even a late-stage Earth-rank internal expert in a single blow. It was likely that cutting down an early-stage Heaven-rank external expert would be no trouble for him either!

So the Pi Family would stay out of this. If they tried to snatch the chicken and ended up losing the bait as well, that would be a real mess!

"What say you, Master Jingangzuan of the Diamond Sect?" The old master of the You Family had no choice. Among those present, apart from himself and the old master of the Zhao Family, it seemed no one was willing to back the killing of Wei Zhao. Even the old master of the Tang Family, though he had some quarrel with Wei Zhao, did not bear him a grudge of life and death. So the only one left to win over was this Master Jingangzuan of the Diamond Sect.

"My hatred for that Wei Zhao will end only with one of us dead. If we can truly kill Wei Zhao, then whatever you say, Old You, goes!" Jingangzuan declared.

"Good!" The old master of the You Family had finally found another ally. Then he turned to An Mingyue and asked, "Master An, I hear your son's grudge against Wei Zhao runs deep as well?"

"The Fire Wolf Gang can settle its own grudges!" An Mingyue was cleverer still. Three families had already resolved to kill Wei Zhao. One or two families might not be enough, but with three families each putting up some benefit at once, that would be more than enough to move Master Wo of the Qianshan Sect!

So there was no need for An Mingyue to join in. It would be fine if Wei Zhao died, and no great loss if he didn't! Besides, the Fire Wolf Gang was not his to command. He was merely a representative, unlike the old masters of the other hidden families.

The treasures An Mingyue had brought were just enough for his stake—not one too many, not one too few—and he would have to hand them back in full when he reported back. So naturally he had nothing to offer the Qianshan Sect, and thus he would not take part!

"Master Wo, the three of us families will each put up a heaven-and-earth treasure, and once the deed is done, we'll privately present them to you as a token of thanks. What do you think?" The old master of the Zhao Family was no fool either. He said "once the deed is done," which meant that if the deed was not done, there would be no reward at all!

How could Master Wo of the Qianshan Sect fail to catch the implication in Old Master Zhao's words? But he was confident, so he merely said lightly, "Three heaven-and-earth treasures—not many, but not few either. Still, better than nothing. So it's settled, then. Leave this matter to me!"

"Good!" Old Master Zhao nodded and said, "Straight to the point. Then it's decided!"

Old Master Zhao, Old Master You, and Jingangzuan were not worried that their private talk would reach the ears of the upper echelons. Everyone present was party to the plot against the Hidden Han Family—every one of them had a share, every one of them had dirty hands, so there was no fear of anyone gossiping behind their backs.

Han Tianba, Han Xiaopo, and Wei Zhao entered the Zhao Family Manor, naturally unaware that the heads of several families were conspiring against them. But with Elder Bi's instructions, no one dared to show them any disrespect along the way.

Originally, according to the Hidden Zhao Family's intention, even if the Hidden Han Family moved in, their disciples were to give them the cold shoulder. But with Wei Zhao joining them, Elder Bi did not go looking for trouble. Wei Zhao was a complete thorn in the side—let the old master figure out how to deal with him. Elder Bi had no desire to provoke that madman Wei Zhao.

"These snobs who judge people by their looks!" Han Xiaopo sat in the courtyard of the guest quarters the Zhao Family had prepared, sipping hot tea, and said bitterly, "The moment they saw our leader, their attitude did a complete about-face. If our leader hadn't come this time, I doubt we'd even have gotten this hot tea!"

"Xiaopo, that's just how the cultivation world works—the one with the hardest fist has the say," Han Tianba said, not particularly angry. He shook his head, seeming to have long since made his peace with it. "The Hidden Han Family is in decline now, so it's only natural they bully us! And with Mr. Lin joining us, they fear his strength, so it's only natural they've turned respectful!"

"Hmph, once we win a few matches, let's see if they dare treat the Hidden Han Family like this again!" Han Xiaopo snorted.

"Winning matches is secondary. The main thing is that you've taken on a formidable leader!" Han Tianba said with a faint smile.

"Oh?" Han Xiaopo was taken aback, but then he understood what Han Tianba meant! Han Tianba wanted him to use this Hidden Family Summit to spread the word that he had taken Wei Zhao as his leader. Yet though Han Xiaopo understood, he still looked to Wei Zhao for his opinion.

Wei Zhao naturally understood Han Tianba's meaning, but he did not mind. Han Xiaopo, this underling, was quite loyal—especially since he was still seeking his opinion now, which pleased Wei Zhao all the more. He nodded and said, "I'll tell them myself during the doubles tournament."

"Thank you, leader!" Han Xiaopo was overjoyed and hurried to express his thanks.

The three of them rested briefly in the courtyard when a disciple of the Hidden Zhao Family came running over. He wore a badge around his neck reading "Hidden Family Summit Staff," so it was clear he had some notice for the Hidden Han Family.

"Is the old master of the Han Family present?" The disciple ran up and asked respectfully. He had clearly been instructed by Elder Bi, for his manner was exceedingly polite.

Now that Old Master Zhao had made his decision—to have the Qianshan Sect tamper with the final hidden match and do away with Wei Zhao—there was naturally no more provoking Wei Zhao beforehand.

"I am Han Tianba of the Hidden Han Family. What business does the messenger have?" Han Tianba rose to his feet and asked.

The staff at the Hidden Family Summit were all respectfully addressed as summit messengers; this had been the custom for years.

"Old Master Han, please proceed to the council hall to discuss arrangements for the first match of the summit!" the disciple said.

"Very well, lead the way!" Han Tianba nodded and gestured for him to go ahead.

The disciple led Han Tianba to the entrance of the Hidden Zhao Family's council hall, then said, "Please enter, Old Master Han!"

Han Tianba stepped into the council hall and saw the family heads, old masters, and sect leaders seated around the conference table. His heart sank slightly. It seemed the situation was exactly as he had guessed and as the reports had said—these hidden families and sects had banded together precisely to move against the Hidden Han Family!

Otherwise, these people had come from all corners of the land yet arrived ahead of him, while his Hidden Han Family, being locals, were the last to arrive. That in itself said something.

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