Chapter 28: Great Upheaval (Part 7)

"Xiao Ché! What do you mean by that?" Elder Xiao Lí roared angrily: "Are you questioning the Patriarch's theft of the Tong Xuán San, and blaming Xiao Lóngxi for it? Xiao Lóngxi's theft of the Tong Xuán San was caused by you! If you continue with such nonsense, you'd better be punished along with me—get out!"

Elder Xiao Lí's anger was met with a serene smile from Xiao Ché, who shook his head as if unperturbed: "I have no intention of challenging the Patriarch. I merely voiced my own doubts. I believe many others here share these concerns, for those who understand the Patriarch's nature are not few—they must find his actions this time rather strange. The Patriarch is undoubtedly pure and just; he would never commit a base and despicuous act unworthy of the heavens and earth. Therefore, the Patriarch must offer the most perfect explanation, mustn't he, Patriarch?"

The people of the Xiao Sect, along with the powerful figures of Liu Yun City, watched in silent awe. What they knew of Xiao Ché—his frailty, his cowardice in dealings with outsiders—now saw him speaking freely under the spotlight, in such a tense atmosphere, facing the Elder's shouts without flinching. It was as if they were two different people.

The words "a pig and a dog, worse than the heavens and earth" made Xiao Húyún's cheeks twitch. He looked up at Xiao Ché, then gave a faint smile: "Elder, don't get so worked up. Xiao Ché's doubts are quite natural. I'm sure, as he said, many friends here also have these concerns. In fact, when I received the Tong Xuán San from Xiao Gongzi yesterday, I had indeed planned to keep it with me. However, the Tong Xuán San is a rare elixir from the Xiao Sect, invaluable. The higher-grade elixirs, their power is prone to dissipate. For such a precious pill, even a slight loss of power is a great tragedy. If carried with me, frequent contact with impure energies would, even with the protection of the Black Yuan Wu, still risk dissipation. That is why I placed it in the pharmacy. After all, the pharmacy has accumulated various medicinal materials over the years, with ample 'drug energy.' In places where 'drug energy' is abundant, the essence of the elixir is less likely to disperse..."

He paused, then continued: "Another reason is that we, the Xiao Sect, value propriety and ceremony. I never imagined 'family thieves' could emerge, let alone dare to steal the precious gifts from the Xiao Sect... But whatever the reason, the theft of the Tong Xuán San was due to my negligence. This fault I cannot evade. If Xiao Gongzi wishes to punish me, I have no objections."

Xiao Húyún sighed deeply after speaking.

Xiao Húyún's explanation was flawless. Elder Xiao Lí roared again: "Xiao Ché! Do you hear now? The Patriarch placed the Tong Xuán San in the pharmacy precisely because his mind is meticulous, to protect its power! Who could have imagined a family thief would appear? Do you have anything else to say?"

"Oh, yes, that makes sense now!" Xiao Ché nodded, seemingly satisfied: "The Patriarch is indeed learned, and he even understands the existence of 'drug energy.' Then, my second question, which also relates to this 'drug energy.'"

Xiao Ché squinted slightly, then smiled calmly: "Regarding 'drug energy,' the Xiao Sect's pharmacy has accumulated various medicinal materials over decades, which is indeed abundant. Moreover, since the 'Sou Liao Cao' is the most numerous in the pharmacy, the 'drug energy' scent is dominated by the sweet and stinky fragrance of the Sou Liao Cao."

"The Patriarch knows that the box holding the Tong Xuán San is made of Black Yuan Wu, which can well protect the elixir's power from leaking. Do you know why the Black Yuan Wu can protect the elixir's power? Well, the principle is simple: Black Yuan Wu has a strong micro-particle adsorption ability. When dispersed power touches it, it is absorbed and held tightly by the Black Yuan Wu, making it difficult to disperse. Once the surface becomes saturated, the power cannot be dispersed at all. This principle, I believe, all present with some medical knowledge would understand."

Several people nodded silently.

"Then, if the box holding the Tong Xuán San, made of Black Yuan Wu, was left in the pharmacy for a period, its surface would inevitably absorb a large amount of the pharmacy's 'drug energy.' Due to the Black Yuan Wu's properties, it absorbs quickly but disperses slowly. After removing it from the pharmacy, even after two or three days, one could still detect the 'drug energy' scent nearby—the sweet and stinky fragrance of the Sou Liao Cao..."

These words made Xiao Húyún's expression change slightly.

Xiao Ché had calculated that Xiao Húyún could not possibly have actually placed the Tong Xuán San in the pharmacy. If the Tong Xuán San were truly stolen, he would be in trouble. Xiao Húyún, after all, had not placed it there. As for the pharmacy on Xiao Gǔ's side, it had already been permeated through the air by Xiao Sect's influence; Xiao Gǔ dared not utter a single word against it.

"Does the Patriarch dare bring that box here, so we can check if it carries the proper scent?" Xiao Ché smiled.

"Xiao Ché! You're questioning the Patriarch, how absurd!" Before Xiao Húyún could speak, Xiao Lí erupted again in fury: "To cover up your little cousin, you dare to challenge the Patriarch and Xiao Gongzi! This is ridiculous and unreasonable! We, the Xiao Sect, have raised you all these years, and you should fall out of our favor!!"

"Hah, Elder, don't get so angry. Their uncle-nephew relationship is always close. It's understandable that he would seek a reason to excuse his cousin. Moreover, his words are quite reasonable. Since he wishes to verify whether the box has any issues, the proof is right here. But this Tong Xuán San, along with the Black Yuan Wu, is a treasure; it cannot be touched by just anyone." Upon finishing, Xiao Húyún turned to Xiao Huóyún, respectfully saying: "Then it would be an honor for Xiao Gongzi to provide a witness. I believe only Xiao Gongzi can be most credible."

Xiao Ché sneered inwardly but maintained his composure, nodding slightly: "Of course, if it is Xiao Gongzi, it would naturally be most convincing. Please, Xiao Gongzi, deign to sniff the box's surface to resolve my doubts." Xiao Huóyún and Xiao Húyún exchanged a glance, both thinking that Xiao Ché, this fool, had no idea they had orchestrated this all along. Xiao Huóyún picked up the box, scoffed, and said calmly: "This questioning is quite amusing. Since so, I'll take a sniff for you."

After that, Xiao Huóyún lifted the box containing the Tong Xuán San, brought it close to his nose, and sniffed carefully, then frowned slightly: "It's not very strong, but it does have a sweet and stinky scent."

He squinted, then calmly said: "Elder Xiao Lí, come sniff it too, so no one can question my and the Patriarch's collusion."

"Elder Xiao Lí, how could you lie? The Patriarch's status is noble, and those he encounters must be high-grade elixirs. The Sou Liao Cao, being a common herb, would not even be glanced at. The Patriarch and Elder Xiao Lí, focused on cultivating the divine, would naturally not have time to enter the pharmacy, so they might not know the Sou Liao Cao's scent is sweet and bitter. You, however, both detected a stinky scent, which I truly cannot understand. I wonder if someone here can explain this?"

These words caused all present to change their expressions, becoming incredibly expressive, while Xiao Huóyún, Xiao Húyún, and Elder Xiao Lí's faces momentarily stiffened—though only for an instant, it was clear to everyone. Some who knew the scent of Sou Liao Cao, and a few Xiao Sect disciples who often visited the pharmacy, were left staring in disbelief.

Many people's hearts began to race...

They started detecting a different kind of scent...

"Xiao Ché! You little brat, still keeping your mouth shut! You not only dare to shield Xiao Lóngxi, but also dare to question the Patriarch and Xiao Gongzi! You're here spouting nonsense, I think you're mocking us!" Xiao Lí's face turned ashen, eyes flashing with fury: "Patriarch Xiao Gongzi, Elder, don't listen to him! The theft of the Tong Xuán San has already been resolved. There's no need to waste time. Xiao Ché is not only the cause but also shields the criminal and has offended the Patriarch and Xiao Gongzi. He should be punished along with them!!"

Anyone not deaf would hear the resentment in Xiao Lí's words. For the matter of the "smell," he completely avoided explaining it, not uttering a single word.

"Since Elder Xiao Lí doesn't want to waste words, I won't either. My last question is for this Xiao Jiu friend of the Xiao Sect. It's an extremely simple question, and I'm sure you'll answer. And if you do, I'll admit the Tong Xuán San was stolen by my cousin, and you can punish her—or me—I have no complaints at all!"

Before Xiao Húyún and others could react, Xiao Ché's gaze fell upon Xiao Jiu's deathly pale face. His expression remained indifferent, but his eyes were now incredibly sharp, his words ringing out clearly: "Xiao Jiu, tell me: the Tong Xuán San was found under your cousin's pillow. Can you tell me, was her bed on the east or west side of the room? What color was the pillow? And was it placed on the south or north end of the bed?"

Xiao Jiu's face stiffened instantly, as did the expressions of Xiao Huóyún, Xiao Húyún, and others.

"If you've been to your cousin's room and found the Tong Xuán San under her pillow, then these questions should be simple beyond measure... Go on, tell me your answer. Once you do, my cousin and I will immediately confess. There's no need for further words. Right, Patriarch Xiao Gongzi, Elder, and all the Elders here must want this matter resolved quickly so we can proceed with today's affairs, right? Hurry up and answer! Hurry up! Hmm? Why aren't you answering? You've been to your cousin's room, haven't you? How can you not answer such a simple question?"

"You must not have... never gone to your cousin's room at all, right? Then how did you say the Tong Xuán San was found under her pillow? Could it be that you used the legendary 'thousand-mile chicken theft'?"