"What are you saying?" Zhao Wei questioned back after hearing Zhao Yao's words.
Watching Zhao Wei without any change in expression, Zhao Yao sighed in his mind. Zhao Wei could be a tough nut to crack. He didn't accuse Zhao Wei to be the brain behind Zhao Ping without any basis, but he didn't have concrete proof either.
It was like throwing a wide punch, hoping it would land. Usually, villains reveal themselves if the MC showed that he figured out their secret identity. So, Zhao Yao continued to provoke.
"You don't know?" Zhao Yao smiled, "Why are you here, then?"
"Zhao Yao, this building is on fire. I just followed you, after seeing that you enter this dangerous building." Zhao Wei showed his concern. "I got worried that you were heavily injured after Elder Zhao Yang's unexpected attack. It looks like you are fine."
Zhao Wei looked specifically at Zhao Yao's robe as he spoke.
'You think my robe is a treasure?' Zhao Yao realized the meaning behind Zhao Wei looking at his robe.
Zhao Yao wanted to Zhao Wei to reveal and accept the secret himself. So he decided to further provoke Zhao Wei as the latter wasn't willing to come out of his fake persona.
"Zhao Wei. Let's not waste time. Why are you here? Do you want to kill me?"
"Zhao Yao, why are you speaking nonsense. Did you get damaged in the head after the strike? You speak gibberish and even ran inside a burning building." Zhao Wei shook his head as he started taking steps closer.
The fire had started to gain ferocity as it engulfed the walls.
"Nonsense? You know very well what's the truth," Zhao Yao felt frustrated that Zhao Wei won't come out of his facade. He didn't want to waste time talking, so he chose to say what he figured out. "Did you think only you can hide your cultivation level?"
"What are you saying now?" Zhao Wei asked while continuing to walk closer.
Zhao Yao felt danger, but instead of stepping back, he steeled his mind to stand his ground.
"You said you are 6th layer Qi gathering cultivator. It must be tough for you." Zhao Yao shook his head with a sympathetic look. "To think you had to hide your Foundation Establishment 3rd level cultivation and allow an idiot like Zhao Ping to win the contest with a 9th layer Qi Gathering cultivation. It must be tough for you."
Zhao Wei stopped his steps and looked at Zhao Yao stunned.
This reaction assured Zhao Yao that his words hit the spot.
"Did you think you are the only one hiding? What if I was hiding my cultivation all along? Do you think you can take me on? Hahaha.
You should have sent your secret Martial Lord of a father."
Zhao Yao knew that his words that revealed their 'secret cultivation' will force Zhao Wei to attempt to kill him even if he didn't come here with that purpose in mind. Zhao Yao chose this dangerous path to push Zhao Wei to come out of his fake persona. He wanted to confirm the suspicions and assumptions he had.
Zhao Yao initially wanted to deal with the father and son duo later when he returned to the clan after getting stronger. Since Zhao Wei made the decision to follow him, he had no intention to let him go free.
Neither the original Zhao Yao nor the current him ever doubted Zhao Wei and Zhao Weishui. It all changed when his Master mentioned seeing a talented kid with Foundation Establishment 3rd layer cultivation in the North Mansion during his Merp mission yesterday night.
Zhao Yao didn't hear anything about such a genius in the North Mansion. He asked for descriptions, and his Master's descriptions matched Zhao Wei.
This was why when Zhao Wei and Zhao Weishui came to the trial earlier, he specifically asked for their cultivation. And both of them lied.
Zhao Weishui lied that he was a Martial Master when in reality he had already become a Martial Lord.
Zhao Wei had broken through Foundation Establishment a long time ago and still lied that he was Qi Gathering 6th layer cultivator.
Why do they have to lie? Why are they not afraid of getting caught?
Zhao Yao knew that when servants display higher talent than the master, things don't go well. But they lied with no fear of getting caught, and that wasn't the only thing they lied fearlessly.
Their statement in the truth ceremony was mixed with lies too. This made Zhao Yao shaken. He realized that there are people inside the clan who have the means to lie during the truth ceremony without getting caught.
But why?
Zhao Yao, even during the pressure situation in the trial, thought about it. And after combining his assumptions from yesterday night, he came to some conclusions.
Hiding cultivation could mean that they wanted to overthrow and take control of the clan. Another possibility was that they were spies of one of Zhao clan's wide range of enemies.
Or it could be both.
The secret skills that allowed them to fake their cultivation and overcome the truth ceremony make them perfect spies and assassins. Only a powerful enemy could develop such high-level skills that could counter and fool the clan for years.
Even if Zhao Weishui killed Zhao Yao's father, he can escape with these skills as no one doubts a weaker person.
No one will expect the thin-looking Zhao Wei to be stronger than all younger generation Zhao Clan members.
They are great spies. And they run the North Mansion, the castle where the next Clan Lord resides. Perfect.
Zhao Yao wasn't sure exactly. But his mother, his father, himself who lived in the castle were royally screwed with no evidence pointed towards them.
Before the reveal of their secret skills to lie and hide, Zhao Yao forgot to consider something.
There was a third party who benefitted from destroying his marriage with Su clan other than Zhao Ping and some Su clan people. The enemies of the Zhao Clan.
Zhao Ping wasn't a smart person. Other than covering Zhao Ping's ass after he did the deed, Zhao Yao didn't consider Zhao clan behind this. The Su clan person who sent letters to Zhao Ping asking him to ruin marriage was one possible suspect. But why not Zhao Wei and Zhao Weishui who managed the North Mansion and could easily manipulate the letters for Zhao Ping. They can easily forge and instruct him through this method without revealing themselves.
It's wild theory but Zhao Yao trusted his instincts.
When Zhao Clan Leader Zhao Guang revealed the letter, Zhao Yao realized this possibility.
As long as they don't have any witnesses to refute what they say, Zhao Wei and Zhao Weishui could lie about anything they want without getting caught.
Spies with great patience. Usually, enemies in his novels reveal themselves with full details as long as the hero points out that he figured them out. But Zhao Wei refused to act like that.
"You got things wrong. I didn't come to kill you. But..." Zhao Wei, who was stunned by hearing Zhao Yao's words, recovered and said. He took out a bracelet with some weird sculpting from inside his robe and wore it.
'What is it?' Zhao Yao asked in his mind.
'Haha. That's an interesting plaything. This kid is cautious. He is using that tool to see if anyone is observing you and him.' Immortal Lu replied, clarifying Zhao Yao's doubt.
'What? Did he have tools like that? Can he sense you?' Zhao Yao asked.
'No. Unless I reveal myself, no one here in this clan, including the Demon Protector, can sense me,' Immortal Lu confidently replied.
'Great.' Zhao Yao smiled, thinking about the OPness of his cheat Master.
"How do you know all these? I was just curious about you." Zhao Wei smiled as he unclothed a claw-shaped gauntlet. "Zhao Yao, you have changed completely. Like you are a new person."
'I believe this kid was just curious about your actions and how you survived the attacks. He has been following you since.' Immortal Lu commented. 'With you provoking him, and after seeing no one using soul sense on you two, he now really wants to kill you.'
Zhao Yao couldn't help smile because that was what he wanted. Even if he screamed to everyone that they were spies, no one will believe since he wouldn't be able to provide evidence. This way he could force Zhao Wei to act to prevent the secret from leaking, and that could lead to errors.
"Life changes people. You are not the same person either, Zhao Wei." Zhao Yao replied.
"I know that you have no cultivation. You do have a special treasure. I didn't want to hurt you. But...You say too much." Zhao Wei wore the gauntlet with a smile. "I am happy that you recognized me. Come with me, I will help you escape the burning building."
'Some of your Elders have suddenly rushed for a joint surprise attack to kill that Su clan Leader of yours.' Immortal Lu said.
'They want to kill Uncle Su?' Zhao Yao's eyes widened. A thought came to his mind making him tremble.
What if there are more spies in the clan like this father-son duo?
If there were spies in the clan who hide deep, the brawl Zhao Yao created wouldn't smoke them out, but it provided them a big opportunity. If they manage to assassinate Uncle Su in the clan grounds with the mirage of Zhao Yao's issue, then they could make the outside world blame it on the Zhao clan. This could trigger something that can ruin the clan.
'Sh*t.' Zhao Yao was very optimistic that things will go according to his general plan. He believed that the Zhao Clan will make sure that they won't harm Uncle Su.
Zhao Yao didn't get to contemplate as the friend in front of him, Zhao Wei, also rushed forward with his hands shaped like claws. This childhood friend of Zhao Yao didn't hide his killing intent anymore.
Facing an attack fully intended to kill him, Zhao Yao realized that this cultivation World was a bit complex than he thought.