Since Wei Zhao was this powerful, what did it matter to truly follow him? Moreover, he had become head of the Hidden Zhao Family, and Yubing had become head of the Hidden Yu Family. Both he and Yubing were now Wei Zhao's followers, which meant the Yu Family and the Zhao Family had become intimate, iron-bound allies — far more reliable than the marriage pact they had before!

This way, the Hidden Zhao Family's strength could also surge ahead by leaps and bounds. Under Wei Zhao's protection, ordinary families would never dare to offend them casually.

"Good!" Wei Zhao nodded. "I will have Ice Palace look after Zhao Qijiu and help him raise his strength as quickly as possible."

"Have Ice Palace...?" Zhao Qitan was taken aback. Had Wei Zhao just spoken such bold words? Zhao Qitan knew all too well what manner of existence Ice Palace was — and Wei Zhao could actually pull strings with them? Even Zhang Naipao and Feng Nitian, who were both on the ancient level, had received no special favors. By what right could Wei Zhao speak on Ice Palace's behalf?

"Xiaoxiao has stayed at Ice Palace. She has become an inner disciple, as well as the Palace Master's junior sister." Wei Zhao saw no need to hide these matters from Zhao Qitan now; telling him would only firm up his resolve.

Of course, Wei Zhao was in a sense borrowing a tiger's skin to make a banner. In truth, he could not order Ice Palace to do anything for him — having Ice Palace go and fight someone on his behalf was utterly unrealistic. But asking Feng Xiaoxiao to put in a word and look after Zhao Qijiu? That was a simple matter.

Who in Ice Palace did not know Feng Xiaoxiao's identity? She was the inheritor of Ice and Snow Spirit Mountain, the next Palace Master of Ice Palace. On matters of no consequence, who would slight her face?

Although he could not contact Ice Palace directly, Wei Zhao had written down the inn address at Ice and Snow Spirit Town. All he had to do was send a letter to that Shopkeeper Li and have him pass it along.

"Ah!" Zhao Qitan's eyes went wide with astonishment. "Boss, you've actually tied yourself to an ancient sect?"

Wei Zhao merely smiled, neither confirming nor denying it, and offered no further explanation.

In Zhao Qitan's heart, he grew ever more pleased with his own shrewd decision. It was simply too magnificent! He could already see the moment he ascended to the position of head of the Hidden Zhao Family...

"By the way, boss — that old madman has left. Shouldn't we hurry and run? What if he comes back?" Zhao Qitan suddenly thought of something important.

"Come back? What of it? You think we could outrun him?" Wei Zhao gave a bitter smile. "The perception of a Heaven-rank master is not something you or I could escape. This trip to Ice Palace has opened my eyes a great deal — the vast Ice and Snow Spirit Mountain lies entirely under the control of those two alone, Bing Tang and Xiao Qing. On this snow-covered ground, in the middle of a blizzard, we could never get far. That strange man would catch up with us as easily as breathing."

Besides, Wei Zhao was also curious to know what the strange man meant to fetch — what exactly was this thing? Wei Zhao had no intention of coveting the man's treasure, but curiosity still tugged at him.

This old madman had already lost his disciple and was pitiable enough. Wei Zhao had no intention of cheating him.

At this thought, Wei Zhao suddenly realized he had grown far kinder than before. Back when he had first arrived in Songshan City, he had not been the type to meddle in other people's affairs. Whether others fared well or badly, lived or died — it had concerned him very little.

But now... perhaps he had been infected by the people around him.

"Ah? Surely not!" Zhao Qitan trusted Wei Zhao's judgment without question. Hearing him say so, his face immediately fell. "But what if he comes back and goes mad again?"

"Relax. As long as we don't provoke him, it shouldn't happen," Wei Zhao said.

The two of them were still talking when the sound of footsteps came again from outside the cave. It was unmistakably the strange man, returning!

Zhao Qitan patted his chest in silent relief. Lucky they hadn't left — if they had, that strange man really could have caught up with them!

"I'm back! I'm back!" The strange man charged into the cave in high spirits. Spotting Wei Zhao, he was overcome with joy. He strode over in three or four quick steps and thrust an oil-paper package into Wei Zhao's hands. "My good disciple, I have kept this map safe all these years and never let those evil senior brothers of yours get their hands on it! Ha ha — for them to dream of laying claim to that treasure is nothing but fantasy!"

Wei Zhao looked at the oil-paper package in the strange man's outstretched hands. He could neither take it nor refuse it!

By the strange man's words, the thing inside the oil-paper package was clearly a treasure map, and the treasure it pointed to was evidently something of tremendous value. Perhaps it was precisely this treasure that had brought disaster upon the strange man and his disciple!

But how could Wei Zhao bring himself to make it his own? If this strange man had been an evil person, it would be one thing — but the man was pitiable. Wei Zhao truly did not want to take his belongings; otherwise, when the man eventually regained his senses, he would surely regret it beyond measure.

"This..." Wei Zhao made no move to reach for it.

"Take it! My good disciple, what are you doing?" The strange man saw Wei Zhao not reaching out and grew puzzled.

"All right..." Wei Zhao had no choice. He extended his hands and accepted the oil-paper package.

"Open it quickly! Look and see whether it's damaged!" the strange man urged. "Originally, your master memorized everything drawn on that map. But over the years, my memory has grown worse and worse — some of it has slipped away. The years do this to a man... I had no choice but to fetch it."

"All right..." Listening to the strange man's rambling, incoherent talk, Wei Zhao could only comply and open the oil-paper package. Heaven knew what would happen if he did not follow the old man's instructions — the strange man might well fly into another frenzy.

Wei Zhao opened the oil-paper package. Sure enough, inside lay a treasure map — though only half of one.

"Where is your half of the map? Take it out and join them together!" the strange man said. "Once they're joined, your master will take you to seek the treasure!"

"I... I don't have that half on me..." Wei Zhao gave a wry smile.

"Not on you? That makes sense — how could you carry such an important thing on your person at all times? If the bad people from the sect ever found out and snatched it away, that would be disastrous!" The strange man paused, then sighed. "Alas... your master hid that treasure all those years ago. The map, your master drew it and split it in two. But this memory of mine... I can't even recall what is drawn on this half anymore..."

"Master, keep this map with you for now. We'll talk again once I've brought my half," Wei Zhao said, and moved to hand the map back.

"You keep it on you — otherwise I'll only forget where I put it again!" The strange man waved his hand. "It's getting late. Let us rest. Tomorrow, you go and fetch your half of the map, and we'll seek the treasure together..." He paused. "By the way, it has been so many years — let your master see how far your cultivation has progressed!"

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