Chapter 26: Dramatic Change (5)
Xiao Kuangyun was arrogant, and within this Xiao Sect, he indeed had the capital to be arrogant. Setting aside how harsh his words were, even if he called everyone in the Xiao Sect dogs, the entire Xiao Sect would have to obediently listen. Not a single person would dare to talk back, and there might even be someone who would cooperate by wagging their tail.
"Before Elder Xiao Zheng passed away, he thought of his father-son relationship and left a final wish. He hoped to find you and bring the one with the best talent among the younger generation back to the Xiao Clan to be cultivated."
Xiao Kuangyun picked up a roster that Xiao Yunhai had prepared overnight, swept his gaze around, and said arrogantly: "Today, I will personally evaluate you. In a moment, when I call your name, come before me and display your Profound Force. However, the standard for judging talent is not the strength of your Profound Force, but your foundation and potential!"
"Before coming here, my father had me bring a Tongxuan Powder. The chosen one will not only be taken back to the Xiao Clan but will also receive this Tongxuan Powder as a reward! Good medicinal pills are only worthy of those with sufficient talent. Using them on trash would only be a waste!" As he said this, Xiao Kuangyun turned his gaze to Xiao Yunhai: "Sect Master Xiao, bring out the Tongxuan Powder. Although this is a gift for your Xiao Sect, I trust you have no objection to rewarding it to the one with the best talent."
Even if Xiao Kuangyun's words were absurd, Xiao Yunhai dared not raise any objection. But upon hearing his words, Xiao Yunhai's face instantly turned pale, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He did not move to fetch the Tongxuan Powder but stood there, stammering.
"What's going on?" Xiao Kuangyun's face darkened. "Sect Master Xiao, you wouldn't be reluctant to part with this Tongxuan Powder, would you?"
"No, no, of course not." Xiao Yunhai quickly shook his head, his expression full of fear. "It's just... it's just..."
"Just what?"
With a "plop," Xiao Yunhai directly knelt on one knee, his hands trembling, and said with a terrified face: "I... I deserve to die... Yesterday, the Tongxuan Powder gifted by Young Master Xiao, I placed it in our Xiao Sect's Medicine Affairs Hall and instructed the people there to guard it well. But... but this morning, the person from the Medicine Affairs Hall suddenly came to tell me that the Tongxuan Powder placed there had... had disappeared without a trace!"
A clamor broke out among the crowd below.
Stealing the treasure brought by the Xiao Clan... Who would be so bold!
"Hmm?" Xiao Che frowned slightly, feeling puzzled... Based on his more than a decade of understanding of Xiao Yunhai, he was a very cautious person. With his personality, after obtaining a treasure brought by the Xiao Clan, he would not leave it by his side but instead hand it over to the Medicine Affairs Hall. This was somewhat unreasonable... After all, the Medicine Affairs Hall had only Xiao Gu, who focused on medicine and had almost no Profound Force. As such, the Medicine Affairs Hall could be considered the weakest defensive point inside the Xiao Sect.
Moreover, the Tongxuan Powder was brought by the Xiao Clan. Even if someone coveted it, they should at least wait until after the Xiao Clan people left before acting. Why choose such a dangerous time... Even if they stole it, would they have the life to use it?
Xiao Lie's whole body shook, and he abruptly turned to look at Xiao Lingxi, only to find her also full of surprise. Feeling Xiao Lie's gaze, Xiao Lingxi quickly shook her head vigorously, indicating she had nothing to do with it. Only then did Xiao Lie withdraw his gaze, secretly relieved.
"What?!"
Xiao Kuangyun abruptly stood up from his seat, his face turning extremely ferocious, his whole body radiating a murderous aura. He stared at Xiao Yunhai and said viciously: "Are you saying... someone actually stole that box of Tongxuan Powder?"
"I failed to protect it properly. Please punish me, Young Master Xiao." Xiao Yunhai lowered his head, his face full of shame and panic.
"How outrageous!" Xiao Kuangyun took a deep breath, his chest heaving heavily, his face growing darker and darker, clearly enraged to the extreme: "Someone dares to steal even the gifts from our Xiao Clan... Fine! Truly fine! I have underestimated this Liuyun City! You all are really... bold!"
Xiao Kuangyun's anger and murderous intent almost spread throughout the entire Xiao Sect, making everyone's spines chill and their hearts tremble. They dared not even breathe heavily and hastily lowered their heads, afraid of being targeted by Xiao Kuangyun.
Xiao Che half-closed his eyes, his gaze fixed directly on Xiao Kuangyun's eyes. After a moment, he poked Xiao Lie and asked in a low voice: "Grandfather, did the Sect Master offend this Xiao Kuangyun yesterday?"
Xiao Lie was startled, then shook his head: "Xiao Yunhai is usually cautious; it shouldn't be the case."
"Then that's strange." Xiao Che tapped his chin and said softly: "This Xiao Kuangyun's anger is clearly feigned. If the Sect Master had offended him, then him stealing it himself and framing the Sect Master would be a good explanation. If not... could it be that this Xiao Kuangyun is putting on a monkey show all by himself?"
"...Don't speak nonsense." Xiao Lie didn't understand what he was saying and whispered a warning.
Xiao Kuangyun's eyes were venomous, his face as gloomy as dark clouds: "Yesterday, when I took out the Tongxuan Powder, only the people of the Xiao Sect were around. I don't think your people would be foolish enough to spread news of obtaining a high-grade pill to outsiders. Moreover, your Xiao Sect's defensive capabilities are not weak in this Liuyun City; breaking in is not easy... So, there must be an internal thief within your Xiao Sect!"
Xiao Kuangyun's words made all the Xiao Sect members' faces change, and the murmuring grew louder. Xiao Yunhai also nodded quickly: "Yes! Young Master Xiao sees clearly. After learning that the Tongxuan Powder was stolen, I also thought it was someone from our Xiao Sect who stole it. Xiao Gu of the Medicine Affairs Hall is nearly sixty and has always been detached from worldly affairs. He would have no desire for the Tongxuan Powder, so he shouldn't be guilty of dereliction of duty. Others might all be suspects."
"Hmph! A mere Xiao Sect is utterly insignificant in the eyes of our Xiao Clan! Any servant from our Xiao Clan could single-handedly wipe out your entire sect! This time, we condescended to travel thousands of miles to your Xiao Sect, giving you immense face and favor... And you have given me such a big surprise! This is practically slapping the face of our Xiao Clan!"
Slapping the face of the Xiao Clan... This enormous accusation instantly turned Xiao Yunhai's face ashen.
Xiao Kuangyun's eyes were like those of a poisonous snake, sweeping across each face. Anyone who met his gaze would instinctively lower their head, not daring to meet his eyes... This was not because Xiao Kuangyun's gaze was particularly sharp or his aura particularly strong, but simply because he had the massive Xiao Clan behind him.
Xiao Che's gaze shifted to Xiao Yunhai's face, and his expression grew even more somber. He murmured in a voice only he could hear: "This Xiao Yunhai's expression is also feigned... What exactly are they trying to do?"
Xiao Che had memories of two lifetimes, especially the one from the Cang Yun Continent where he had experienced countless goods and evils, warmth and coldness, and walked countless edges of life and death. He had known everyone from commoners to the world's overlords, and his insight was extraordinarily sharp. Even powerful Xuan Adepts who had lived for centuries might not surpass him.
Xiao Kuangyun swept his gaze around once more, and his tone suddenly softened: "Forget it. Although it's regrettable, I don't need to get angry at people from such a small place. To the person who stole the Tongxuan Powder, I'll give you fifteen seconds to come forward obediently and hand over the Tongxuan Powder. I might, considering it's your first offense, show leniency once! If you remain stubborn, don't blame me for being unkind."
"Xiao Ba, start the count!"
After saying this, Xiao Kuangyun snorted coldly and sat back down in his seat. The black-clothed young man to his left stepped forward and began counting down in a low voice.
Xiao Yunhai quickly turned around and shouted loudly: "You beast who stole the Tongxuan Powder, did you hear that! Young Master Xiao is magnanimous and giving you a chance! If you don't come to your senses and confess immediately, then not only Young Master Xiao, but the entire Xiao Sect will definitely not forgive you!!"
"...Twelve... eleven... ten... nine..." The black-clothed man called Xiao Ba mechanically counted down.
The Xiao Sect members all turned to look at those around them, speculating who could be so bold as to steal something from the Xiao Clan. Although Xiao Kuangyun said "leniency," judging by his eyes, no one believed that confessing would truly earn his "leniency."
"...Four... three... two... one... Time's up!"
Xiao Ba's voice fell, and he stepped back. Xiao Kuangyun stood up again. His eyes were sinister, and he sneered: "I gave you the chance. Since you still don't know what's good for you, don't blame me for being ruthless when I catch you! Xiao Jiu!"
"Yes!"
At Xiao Kuangyun's command, another black-clothed young man stepped forward and immediately raised his hand, rapidly gathering a vortex of Profound Force in his palm.
"Sect Master Xiao, the Tongxuan Powder was stolen along with the box, correct?"
"Yes, it was stolen together." Xiao Yunhai nodded, a puzzled expression on his face, as if he didn't understand why he was asking.
"Very good... On the box containing the Tongxuan Powder, there is a unique Profound Force imprint of our Xiao Clan—the Sky Eagle Seal! As long as we activate our Xiao Clan's unique Profound Force, we can quickly sense the location of nearby Sky Eagle Seals!"
As soon as Xiao Kuangyun finished speaking, Xiao Jiu suddenly lowered his hand, growled "Over there," and turned into a gust of wind, dashing lightning-fast toward the right side. His speed was astonishing, and he disappeared from sight in an instant.
"Heh, it seems it's been found." Xiao Kuangyun sneered, a deep hint of smugness flickering in the depths of his eyes... as if he was very satisfied with his performance.
"Excellent! As expected of the Xiao Clan, truly watertight." Xiao Yunhai also showed a delighted expression, then his face darkened and he said solemnly: "Young Master Xiao, the nature of this matter is too vile. Not only has it angered Young Master Xiao, but it has also made our Xiao Sect lose all face. So, no matter who the thief turns out to be, even if it's my own son, Young Master Xiao need not have any reservations. Be sure to punish them severely!!"
"Hmph! Of course! Those who offend our Xiao Clan have never come to a good end!"
Just then, a gust of wind blew by, and Xiao Jiu had already returned, holding a wooden box in his hand. The Sky Eagle Seal on the box was still faintly glowing. This box was the same one that Xiao Kuangyun had handed to Xiao Yunhai yesterday, containing the Tongxuan Powder.
"Young Master, it's been found." Xiao Jiu handed the box to Xiao Kuangyun and silently stepped back.
All murmuring ceased. The surroundings became so quiet that even a dropping pin could be heard. The atmosphere was completely frozen. Everyone widened their eyes and held their breath, waiting to see who would be so bold as to steal the Tongxuan Powder... They could foresee how miserably that person would end.
"Xiao Jiu, where did you find this box?" Xiao Kuangyun said with a cold smile.
"Courtyard 66, under the pillow in the main room." Xiao Jiu replied expressionlessly, his words crisp and clear.
Courtyard 66...
Everyone's gaze instantly focused in one direction, staring incredulously at the young girl who seemed to have been scared stiff.
Upon hearing the words "Courtyard 66," Xiao Lingxi was completely stunned. As she watched the eyes turning toward her, she stepped back, shook her head in panic, and cried out: "It wasn't me! It wasn't me!"