Chapter 29: Dramatic Change (7)

"Xiao Che! What do you mean by that?" Grand Elder Xiao Li immediately roared in anger. "Are you questioning whether the Sect Master stole the Profound Opening Pill himself and then framed Xiao Lingxi? Xiao Lingxi's theft of the Profound Opening Pill was caused by you! If you continue to talk such nonsense, be careful, or you'll be punished along with her! Now get back!"

"Grand Elder, don't get agitated," Xiao Che said, shaking his head with a harmless smile. "How could I dare question the Sect Master? I'm simply voicing my own doubts, and I believe many people here share them. After all, quite a few people know the Sect Master's character and must be wondering about his actions this time. The Sect Master is, of course, utterly blameless and incapable of such vile, despicable acts, beneath even pigs and dogs, detested by heaven and earth. So, the Sect Master will surely provide the perfect explanation, won't you, Sect Master?"

The members of the Xiao Sect and the various influential figures of Floating Cloud City were secretly dumbfounded. The Xiao Che they knew was frail and timid, even getting nervous when dealing with outsiders. Yet, here he was, speaking fluently and confidently in plain sight, in a tense atmosphere, remaining unfazed by the Grand Elder's shouts. This was a stark contrast to the Xiao Che they knew; he was like a completely different person.

The words "beneath even pigs and dogs, detested by heaven and earth" made Xiao Yunhai's cheek twitch. He looked up at Xiao Che and smiled faintly, "Grand Elder, there's no need to be agitated. It's perfectly normal for Xiao Che to have such doubts, and I believe, as he said, many friends here also share this uncertainty. In fact, yesterday, when I received the Profound Opening Pill from Young Master Xiao, I did intend to keep it with me. However, the Profound Opening Pill is a high-grade medicinal pill brought by the Xiao Sect, incredibly precious. The higher the grade of the pill, the more easily its medicinal properties can dissipate. For such a valuable pill, even a slight loss of potency would be an enormous waste. If I kept it with me, it would be frequently exposed to impure air, and even with the protection of Dark Profound Ebony, it could still easily dissipate. That's why I placed it in the Pharmacy. After all, the Pharmacy has accumulated various medicinal ingredients over many years, creating an abundant 'medicinal aura.' In places rich with 'medicinal aura,' the essence of spiritual medicines is less likely to dissipate... This is the reason."

"Another reason is that our Xiao Sect members have always valued integrity and propriety. I never imagined there would be an 'internal thief,' let alone someone bold enough to steal such a precious gift from the Xiao Sect... But regardless of the reason, a significant factor in the Profound Opening Pill's theft was ultimately my negligence. For this, I am fully responsible. If Young Master Xiao wishes to punish me, I will accept it without complaint."

After Xiao Yunhai finished speaking, he sighed heavily.

Xiao Yunhai's explanation was simply flawless. The Grand Elder immediately thundered again, "Xiao Che! Do you hear clearly now? The Sect Master placed the Profound Opening Pill in the Pharmacy precisely because he is meticulous and wanted to protect its medicinal properties! Who would have expected an internal thief to appear! What else do you have to say?"

"Oh, I see! So that's how it is!" Xiao Che nodded, seemingly quite satisfied with Xiao Yunhai's explanation. "The Sect Master is indeed learned, even knowing about the existence of 'medicinal aura.' Well then, my second question happens to be related to this 'medicinal aura'."

Xiao Che narrowed his eyes slightly and said with a faint smile, "Speaking of 'medicinal aura,' our Xiao Sect's Pharmacy has indeed accumulated various medicinal ingredients for decades, so it's very abundant. Moreover, since 'Vein-Unclogging Grass' is the most plentiful herb in the Pharmacy, the 'medicinal aura' primarily carries its sweet and fishy scent."

"The Sect Master also knows that the box holding the Profound Opening Pill is made of Dark Profound Ebony, which can effectively prevent the pill's medicinal properties from leaking out. But does the Sect Master know why Dark Profound Ebony protects the pill's potency? Well, the principle is quite simple: Dark Profound Ebony has a strong particle adsorption capacity. When diffused medicinal properties come into contact with it, they are firmly absorbed and extremely difficult to spread. Once the surface is saturated, the medicinal properties cannot dissipate, even if they wanted to. I believe anyone here with even a basic understanding of medicine would know this principle."

Many people present silently nodded.

"Therefore, if this Dark Profound Ebony box, containing the Profound Opening Pill, had been stored in the Pharmacy for some time, its surface would have inevitably absorbed a large amount of the Pharmacy's 'medicinal aura.' Given the properties of Dark Profound Ebony – that it absorbs extremely quickly but diffuses extremely slowly – even if it were removed from the Pharmacy and left out for two or three days, one should still be able to smell that 'medicinal aura' when approaching it... specifically, the sweet and fishy scent of Vein-Unclogging Grass..."

As these words were spoken, Xiao Yunhai's expression subtly changed.

Xiao Che had calculated that Xiao Yunhai couldn't possibly have genuinely placed the Profound Opening Pill in the Pharmacy, because if it were actually stolen, he would be absolutely devastated. And indeed, Xiao Yunhai had not put the Profound Opening Pill in the Pharmacy. As for Xiao Gu, who managed the Pharmacy, he had naturally been informed beforehand, and under the intimidation of the Xiao Sect, he wouldn't dare utter a single word of dissent.

"I wonder if the Sect Master would dare bring the box over and let us smell if it has the expected scent?" Xiao Che said with a smile.

"Xiao Che! You are indeed questioning the Sect Master! This is outrageous!" Before Xiao Yunhai could speak, Xiao Li flared up in anger again. "To protect your aunt, you dare to forcibly direct your accusations at the Sect Master! This is simply ridiculous! Unreasonable! The Xiao Sect has truly wasted its efforts raising you all these years! Now get out!"

"Heh-heh, Grand Elder, there's no need to get agitated. The aunt and nephew have always had a very close relationship, so it's understandable that he'd try desperately to find an excuse to exonerate her. And what he's saying is quite reasonable. Since he wants to know if there's an issue with the box, then let's prove it to him. However, the Profound Opening Pill, including this Dark Profound Ebony, are treasures; how can just anyone casually touch them?" After speaking, Xiao Yunhai turned to Xiao Kuangyun and said respectfully, "Then I'll trouble Young Master Xiao to serve as a witness. I believe that if Young Master Xiao does it, it will be more convincing than anyone else."

Xiao Che secretly sneered, but his expression remained unchanged as he nodded slightly. "Of course, if it's Young Master Xiao, he is naturally the most trustworthy person. Please, Young Master Xiao, do us the honor of smelling the scent on the box to resolve the doubts in my heart."

Xiao Kuangyun and Xiao Yunhai's eyes met, both thinking to themselves how could this fool, Xiao Che, know that this was their joint orchestration? Xiao Kuangyun picked up the box in his hand and sneered dismissively, saying faintly, "This questioning is quite interesting. Since that's the case, I'll smell it for you."

With that, Xiao Kuangyun raised the box containing the Profound Opening Pill, brought it close to his nose, and took a careful sniff. He then frowned slightly and said, "Although it's not very strong, there is indeed a sweet and fishy scent."

He narrowed his eyes and said blandly, "Grand Elder, you come over and smell it too, lest anyone else question if the Sect Master and I are colluding."

"How could Young Master Xiao, with his distinguished status, possibly speak falsely?" Grand Elder Xiao Li immediately flattered him. He obediently leaned closer, took a strong sniff, and then nodded. "That's right, there is indeed a sweet and fishy scent." He then glared angrily and said sharply, "Xiao Che, what else do you have to say? Young Master Xiao and the Sect Master have already shown you tremendous leeway. If you continue to stubbornly cause trouble like this, I will personally throw you out right now."

"Oh, oh! Grand Elder, please calm your anger." Xiao Che waved his hand, and his expression turned strange. "Young Master Xiao and the Grand Elder actually smelled a sweet and fishy scent? This, this, this... *cough cough*, actually, I misspoke for a moment just now. Young Master Xiao has a noble status and must only encounter high-grade medicinal pills; common herbs like Vein-Unclogging Grass are surely beneath his notice. The Sect Master and Grand Elder are solely focused on profound cultivation and have no medical knowledge, nor do they typically have time to enter the Pharmacy. So, they might not know that the scent of Vein-Unclogging Grass isn't sweet and fishy, but sweet and bitter. Anyone can go to the Pharmacy right now and smell it for themselves... Huh? But Young Master Xiao and the Grand Elder both smelled a fishy scent, which I truly cannot understand. Can anyone present here help explain this?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present's expressions shifted, becoming incredibly varied and telling. In contrast, Xiao Kuangyun, Xiao Yunhai, and Grand Elder Xiao Li's faces froze for an instant... Although it was only for a moment, it was enough for many to see clearly. A few Xiao Sect disciples who were familiar with the scent of Vein-Unclogging Grass and those who frequently visited the Pharmacy were utterly dumbfounded.

Many people's hearts began to pound...

They began to sense a different kind of scent...

"Xiao Che! You little brat, still won't shut up?! Not only are you attempting to shield Xiao Lingxi, but you also dare to question the Sect Master and Young Master Xiao! You're still spouting nonsense here; I see you're deliberately playing games with us!" Xiao Li's face turned livid, his eyes flashing with a fierce glint. "Young Master Xiao, Sect Master, don't listen to his rubbish anymore! The truth about the stolen Profound Opening Pill has come to light; there's no need to waste any more time. This boy, Xiao Che, is not only the cause of this incident, but he also shields the culprit and has offended both the Sect Master and Young Master Xiao. He should be punished along with her!"

Unless one was deaf, everyone could hear the hint of angry embarrassment in Xiao Li's words. Regarding the "mis-smelling" of the scent moments earlier, he completely avoided the topic, offering not a single word of explanation.

"Since Elder Xiao doesn't want to waste words, I won't waste any more either. My last question is for this friend from the Xiao Sect named Xiao Jiu. For you, this is an extremely simple question, and I'm sure you'll be able to answer it. If you can answer it, then I will admit that the Profound Opening Pill was stolen by my aunt. You can punish my aunt, or punish me along with her; I will absolutely not have a single word of complaint!"

Having said this, without waiting for Xiao Yunhai and the others to react, Xiao Che's gaze landed on Xiao Jiu's lifeless face. His expression remained bland, but his eyes had become incredibly sharp, and he asked with precise, ringing words, "Xiao Jiu, you said the Profound Opening Pill was found under my aunt's pillow in her room. So, can you tell me, was the bed in my aunt's room on the east side or the west side of the room? What color was the pillow? And was it placed at the southern end of the bed, or the northern end?"

Xiao Jiu's face instantly stiffened, and the expressions of Xiao Kuangyun, Xiao Yunhai, and the others suddenly turned incredibly grim.

"If you had indeed been to my aunt's room and found the Profound Opening Pill under her pillow, then these questions should be incredibly simple for you... Come on, tell me your answer. As soon as you speak, my aunt and I will immediately confess, without another word. Hmm, I imagine you, Young Master Xiao, the Sect Master, and all the Elders must want this matter resolved quickly so we can begin today's main business, right? So, hurry up and speak! How bad it would be to waste your master's time, and everyone else's... Speak? Speak... Hmm? Why aren't you speaking? Didn't you clearly say you had been to my aunt's room? So why can't you answer such a simple question?"

"Could it be that... you haven't actually been to my aunt's room at all? Then how did you claim the Profound Opening Pill was found under my aunt's pillow... What's going on here? Do you possess the legendary 'Thousand-Mile Chicken-Stealing Hand'?"