Chapter 29: Great Upheaval (Part 8)

Within the courtyards of the Xiao mansion, there were over two hundred and thirty different-sized compounds, their layouts irregular and haphazard. Most of these courtyards bore an identical appearance, so even those who had dwelt here for a decade or twenty might struggle to recall the whereabouts of every enclosure and its master. Thus, Xiao Che was certain that Xiao Jiu had never set foot in Xiao Lingxi’s courtyard. Even if he had deliberately trodden through certain areas yesterday, he would likely be unable to locate them again today. He had merely wandered aimlessly before returning with the box containing the mysterious scroll.

Xiao Jiu’s silence, coupled with the grim visages of Xiao Huoyun and Xiao Yuntai, made their meaning unmistakable to even the most obtuse observer. Xiao Che’s first question had been answered seamlessly by Xiao Yuntai, yet this was merely a lure. The second question ensnared them, and the third struck them like a thunderous slap across the face.

“Little Xiao Che…” Xiao Lingxi covered her face with both hands, her gaze growing hazy. When she had felt most vulnerable, abandoned by all and doubted by everyone, he had stood before her, shielding her with his own body—fearless as ever, even against the might of the entire Xiao mansion.

The figure of Xiao Che, deeply etched in her memory, now seemed even more vivid, etched into her soul with a clarity that would never fade.

In Ling Qingyue’s eyes, a kaleidoscope of colors danced. The seamless accusation, one that everyone had accepted as truth, had been dismantled by Xiao Che’s simple questions, leaving them utterly defenseless. She began to realize she had never truly known him. No—he had deceived them all. No one knew of the extraordinary medical prowess he possessed. Now, his cunning was laid bare, a spectacle that commanded absolute reverence.

All faces around them subtly shifted, yet Xiao Lie’s expression remained as unyielding as stone, his fists clenching silently.

This was a setup he had anticipated from the beginning. When he noticed Xiao Huoyun’s gaze lingering on Xiao Lingxi, his anger crystallized into understanding. Yet he remained silent, unable to speak. Xiao Che’s few words had laid their vile intentions bare before everyone’s eyes.

What then? Would they retreat in shame? Offer apologies? Claim it was a misunderstanding?

Ha—impossible!

This would only inflame them further, escalating the chaos and magnifying the consequences. Though the onlookers suspected the truth, none dared speak it. The eldest and second elder’s shameless roars echoed, yet no one stepped forward to defend Xiao Che or Xiao Lingxi. Instead, they regarded them with pity—for they faced the heir of the Xiao clan. A single finger could crush the entire Xiao mansion. Without sufficient power, even eloquent rhetoric and righteous claims were meaningless. In the face of absolute strength, truth itself was but a jest.

“Xiao Che! You Xiao mansion traitor, won’t you keep your mouth shut?” the eldest elder bellowed, his voice choked with fury. “You’ve fabricated absurd reasons to slander the patriarch and our honored guests! What malicious intent drives you? What stature does the Xiao clan possess to frame Xiao Lingxi? The name of the Xiao clan is known throughout the world—they speak with utmost gravity. That mysterious scroll was found in Xiao Lingxi’s chamber, therefore it must belong to her! This entire Lingyuan City holds no right to question it!”

“It’s preposterous to question our honored guests from the Xiao clan. The patriarch and Prince Xiao have endured countless provocations, yet you dare press further? Prince Xiao, patriarch, I implore you—seize the thief Xiao Lingxi and the madman Xiao Che immediately!” the second elder shouted, his face red with rage.

The truth remained unknown, yet no one dared speak it. The elders’ shameless outbursts contrasted with their silence, as they looked upon Xiao Che and Xiao Lingxi with feigned compassion—for they faced the Xiao clan. Even if they fully understood the truth, it was of no use.

Xiao Huoyun’s face had turned as black as charcoal. He had never imagined his flawless plan would be so thoroughly dismantled, not in front of so many witnesses. Though these people still gazed upon him with respectful awe, he could sense their silent derision, their minds branding him a laughingstock.

All this was due to Xiao Che.

Enraged, Xiao Huoyun’s disdain for Xiao Che—a man he had never truly regarded—festered into malice. “My noble Xiao clan owes no one an answer. My affairs are not for any to explain! Xiao Che, you filth, you dare—” He raised his voice, commanding, “Bring the thief Xiao Lingxi and the meddling fool Xiao Che to me at once!”

“By your command!” the fourth elder, Xiao Sheng, a senior enforcer, finally found his moment. He roared, spun on his heel, his eyes blazing with fury, and lunged toward Xiao Lingxi and Xiao Che, shouting, “Xiao Lingxi, Xiao Che! You’ve committed grave offenses. Come with me to the enforcement hall for judgment!”

The tide of events shifted swiftly. Though they had held the moral high ground, they were met with a sudden, ruthless assault. Xiao Che, caught off guard, stumbled backward and whispered to Ling Qingyue, “Hey, Qingyue wife, where’s your master?!”

“Unaware,” Ling Qingyue replied calmly.

“My~! @#$%%…” Xiao Che’s boldness in striking Xiao Sheng before the Xiao patriarch was not born of righteous fury, but because he knew Xiao Lingxi’s master was nearby. That very night, he had insisted Qingyue inform her master. Yet now, Qingyue’s response was a flat “Unaware.” Such arrogance—Xiao Sheng’s mystical power within the Xiao mansion ranked among the top five. Xiao Che and Xiao Lingxi possessed no means of resistance against him. But suddenly, a towering figure materialized, his mystical energy surging as he stepped between them, thrusting forward with a force that sent a thunderous crash, scattering sand and dust.

Xiao Sheng was hurled through the air, staggering seven or eight paces before regaining his footing.

Within the Xiao mansion—indeed, the Lingyuan City—only Xiao Lie, at the pinnacle of the tenth level of spiritual mystery, could have struck him so devastatingly.

“Xiao Lie! What is your intent? Are you openly shielding them?” Had it been past times, Xiao Sheng would have seethed in resentment. Now, however, his voice carried undeniable authority.

Though he knew resistance was futile, Xiao Lie could not stand idly by and watch Xiao Lingxi and Xiao Che suffer injustice. He ignored Xiao Sheng, addressing the raised platform. “Patriarch, today’s events—I have much to say. My daughter, Xiao Lingxi, could never have stolen the scroll. She is innocent!”

“Ha! You’d say that, being her father,” Xiao Li smirked coldly. “But the facts are clear. Your protests are in vain. If you dare obstruct justice, we’ll not hesitate to apprehend you as well, for the sake of brotherhood.”

Standing beside Xiao Huoyun, Xiao Li spoke with unshakable conviction, his words cutting through the pretense. His mastery of rhetoric was no ordinary feat.

Xiao Lie’s expression remained composed as he spoke to Xiao Yuntai. “The scroll possesses the power to restore meridians. I told Lingxi this, but regretted it afterward, knowing her impulsive nature. I feared she might act rashly and steal it. So I guarded her courtyard all night until dawn. She never stepped beyond her gate.”

“Pah! What a pitiful excuse,” Xiao Li scoffed. “To shield your daughter, you’ve concocted every conceivable excuse. Do you think anyone would believe you? Among those present, who believes you?”

Before Xiao Li’s four stern gazes, not a single soul dared answer.

Xiao Lie’s gaze was unwavering. “In my life, I’ve lived with integrity. Though not a gentleman, I’ve never stooped to base deeds. I harm no one, nor deceive. If even a single word of what I’ve said is false, may the heavens and earth devour me!”

His words struck like a bell, each syllable heavy with righteousness and dignity. Xiao Lie, the strongest in Lingyuan City, was renowned not only for his strength but for his unassailable character. He need not swear an oath—people would believe him without hesitation. Yet the truth had already been laid bare by Xiao Che, though the Xiao clan’s overwhelming power rendered it powerless to alter Xiao Lingxi’s fate. Even if Xiao Lie presented more evidence, it would only enrage Xiao Huoyun further.

“Hahaha…”

A derisive laugh erupted from the front ranks. Xiao Yulong, who had remained silent until now, suddenly stepped forward, his expression serene as he regarded Xiao Lie. “This matter—I have no right to speak, but having heard the eldest elder’s boasts, I couldn’t help but… an understatement? A man who deceived the entire Xiao mansion for over a decade dares call himself ‘integrity incarnate’? The sheer absurdity!”

The words struck like lightning. “Deceived the Xiao mansion for over a decade…” The brief phrase sent shockwaves through the crowd.

As they absorbed Yulong’s words and his expression, Xiao Che’s brow furrowed deeply. A foreboding crept into his heart.

“Xiao Yulong, what do you mean?” Xiao Lie’s brow furrowed, his voice a low growl.

Xiao Yuntai interjected, his tone grave. “Yulong! The eldest elder has always been a paragon of virtue. Here, with our honored guests from the Xiao clan, the entire Xiao mansion, and the people of Lingyuan City, you dare speak recklessly!”

Yulong bowed slightly. “Father, I would not speak such nonsense. But… eldest uncle, you claim Xiao Che is your grandson?” Xiao Lie’s eyes crinkled in a sly smile. “If you swear on the life of your son Xiao Ying’s legacy, that Xiao Che is your grandson, would that be true?”