# Chapter 28: Dramatic Turn, Part 7
"Xiao Che! What do you mean by that?" Grand Elder Xiao Li immediately roared in anger. "Are you implying that the Tongxuan Pill was stolen by the Sect Master himself, and then framed on Xiao Lingxi?! Xiao Lingxi's theft of the Tongxuan Pill was also caused by you. If you keep spouting such nonsense, be careful not to get punished along with her. Step back at once!"
"Grand Elder, don't get so worked up." Xiao Che shook his head with a light chuckle, putting on an innocent look. "I wouldn't dare to question the Sect Master. I'm merely voicing the doubts in my heart, and I believe these are also the doubts of many people here. After all, there are quite a few who know the Sect Master's character well, and they must all be wondering about his actions this time. Of course, the Sect Master is completely innocent—there's no way he would do something so vile and despicable, something that heaven and earth would scorn. So the Sect Master will surely give the most perfect explanation, right, Sect Master?"
The members of Xiao Sect and the various nobles of Liuyun City were all secretly stunned... The Xiao Che they knew was weak and timid, even afraid to interact with outsiders. Now, not only was he speaking freely in front of a crowd and under such tense circumstances, but he remained unfazed even when facing the Grand Elder's roar... This was a completely different person from the Xiao Che they knew.
The words "vile and despicable, something that heaven and earth would scorn" made Xiao Yunhai's cheek twitch. He looked up at Xiao Che and said with a faint smile, "Grand Elder, there's no need to be agitated. It's only natural for Xiao Che to have such doubts, and as he said, I believe many friends here might also be puzzled. Actually, yesterday when I received the Tongxuan Pill from Young Master Xiao, I did intend to keep it with me at all times. However, the Tongxuan Pill is a high-grade pill brought by the Xiao Sect, extremely precious. And the higher the grade of a pill, the easier its medicinal power dissipates. For such a precious pill, even losing a trace of its medicinal power is a great loss. If I kept it on my person, it would be frequently exposed to turbid qi, and even with the protection of the Black Mystic Ebony wood, it would still dissipate easily. That's why I placed it in the Herb Hall. After all, the Herb Hall has accumulated various herbs for many years and has ample 'herb qi.' In a place with abundant herb qi, the aura of medicinal herbs is less likely to dissipate... That's the reason."
"Another reason is that we, the people of Xiao Sect, always value integrity and propriety. I never imagined there would be a 'thief within the house,' much less one bold enough to steal such an important gift from the Xiao Sect... But regardless of the reason, the loss of the Tongxuan Pill is ultimately due to my negligence. I cannot escape that blame. If Young Master Xiao wishes to punish me, I will have no complaints."
After saying this, Xiao Yunhai let out a heavy sigh.
Xiao Yunhai's explanation was practically flawless. Grand Elder immediately roared again, "Xiao Che! Do you hear that now? The Sect Master placed the Tongxuan Pill in the Herb Hall precisely because he was being meticulous, to protect the pill's efficacy! Who would have thought a thief would appear within the house! Do you have anything else to say?"
"Oh, oh! So that's how it is!" Xiao Che nodded, seemingly quite satisfied with Xiao Yunhai's explanation. "The Sect Master is indeed learned, to even know about such things as 'herb qi.' Well then, my second question happens to be related to this 'herb qi.'"
Xiao Che squinted and said with a faint smile, "Speaking of 'herb qi,' our Xiao Sect's Herb Hall has accumulated various herbs for decades, indeed plenty. And since the Herb Hall has the most 'Soothing Grass,' the smell of the herb qi is mainly the sweet and fishy scent of Soothing Grass."
"The Sect Master also knows that the box holding the Tongxuan Pill is made of Black Mystic Ebony wood, which protects the pill's medicinal power from leaking out. Does the Sect Master know the principle behind Black Mystic Ebony's ability to protect a pill's efficacy?... Well, actually, the principle is quite simple. Black Mystic Ebony has a strong ability to adsorb particles. When diffusing medicinal power touches the Black Mystic Ebony, it gets firmly adsorbed and is extremely difficult to spread. Once the surface reaches saturation, the medicinal power simply cannot escape even if it wants to. I believe anyone here with a bit of medical knowledge would understand this."
Many people present silently nodded.
"Then, if this Black Mystic Ebony box that held the Tongxuan Pill had been placed in the Herb Hall for some time, its surface would inevitably absorb a large amount of the herb qi from the Herb Hall. Given the characteristics of Black Mystic Ebony, it absorbs very quickly but diffuses very slowly. After being taken out of the Herb Hall, even if left for two or three days, one should still be able to smell that herb qi when getting close... that is, the sweet and fishy scent of Soothing Grass..."
Hearing this, Xiao Yunhai's expression shifted slightly.
Xiao Che had predicted that Xiao Yunhai would never actually place the Tongxuan Pill in the Herb Hall, because if the pill were truly stolen, he would cry himself blind... And indeed, Xiao Yunhai had not placed the Tongxuan Pill in the Herb Hall. As for the Herb Hall, Xiao Gu had already been briefed. Under the intimidation of the Xiao Sect, how could Xiao Gu dare say a single word of objection?
"I wonder if the Sect Master would dare to bring that box over and let us smell whether it has the proper scent?" Xiao Che said with a chuckle.
"Xiao Che! You truly are questioning the Sect Master! This is utterly outrageous!" Before Xiao Yunhai could speak, Xiao Li burst into rage again. "To protect your little aunt, you would force your doubts onto the Sect Master! This is absurd and ridiculous! Unfathomable! Our Xiao Sect has raised you for so many years in vain! Get lost now!"
"Hehe, Grand Elder, don't get excited. Their aunt and nephew have always had a very close relationship. It's understandable that he would desperately try to find an excuse. What he said is also quite reasonable. Since he wants to know if there's a problem with the box, we can prove it to him. However, the Tongxuan Pill, including the Black Mystic Ebony, are treasures. They cannot be casually touched." With that, Xiao Yunhai turned to Xiao Kuangyun and said respectfully, "Then I'll trouble Young Master Xiao to bear witness. I think if it's done by Young Master Xiao, it will be more convincing to everyone than anyone else."
Xiao Che sneered inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged as he slightly nodded. "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 exchanged glances, both thinking that this fool Xiao Che had no idea that this was all a setup they had orchestrated together. Xiao Kuangyun picked up the box in his hand, smiled disdainfully, and said indifferently, "This doubt is quite amusing. Very well, I'll smell it for you."
With that, Xiao Kuangyun raised the box containing the Tongxuan Pill, brought it close to his nose, sniffed it seriously, then furrowed his brow slightly. "Although it's not very strong, there is indeed a sweet and fishy smell."
He squinted and said casually, "Grand Elder, come over and smell it too, so no one will accuse me and Sect Master Xiao of colluding."
"Young Master Xiao's status is such that he would never tell a lie." Grand Elder Xiao Li quickly flattered him, then obediently approached and took a forceful sniff, nodding. "Indeed, there is a sweet and fishy smell." He glared fiercely and said sternly, "Xiao Che, do you have anything else to say? Young Master Xiao and the Sect Master have already shown you great face. If you keep causing trouble, I will personally throw you out."
"Oh, oh! Grand Elder, calm down." Xiao Che waved his hand, then his expression turned strange. "Young Master Xiao and Grand Elder both smelled a sweet and fishy scent? This, this... Ahem, actually, I just made a slip of the tongue earlier. Young Master Xiao has a noble status and must only come into contact with high-grade pills. Common things like Soothing Grass, he probably wouldn't even glance at. The Sect Master and Grand Elder are focused on cultivation and don't dabble in medicine, so naturally, they wouldn't have time to visit the Herb Hall. So you might not know that the scent of Soothing Grass is not sweet and fishy, but sweet and bitter. Anyone here could go to the Herb Hall right now and smell it to confirm... Eh? But Young Master Xiao and Grand Elder both smelled a fishy scent. I really can't understand that. Is there anyone present who can help explain?"
The moment these words were spoken, everyone present's expressions changed dramatically. As for Xiao Kuangyun, Xiao Yunhai, and Grand Elder Xiao Li, their faces all stiffened instantly... Although it was only for a moment, it was enough for many to see clearly. And some Xiao Sect disciples who were familiar with the scent of Soothing Grass or frequently visited the Herb Hall were all wide-eyed...
Many people's hearts began to race...
They began to sense a different kind of atmosphere...
"Xiao Che! You brat, shut up! Not only are you trying to shield Xiao Lingxi, but you dare to question the Sect Master and Young Master Xiao! And now you're spouting nonsense! I think you're deliberately messing with us!" Xiao Li's face turned ashen, murderous intent flashing in his eyes. "Young Master Xiao, Sect Master, don't listen to his drivel any longer! The matter of the stolen Tongxuan Pill has been resolved. There's no need to waste more time. This kid Xiao Che is not only the cause but also shields the criminal and offends the Sect Master and Young Master Xiao. He should be punished together!!"
Unless one was deaf, everyone could hear the note of humiliation and anger in Xiao Li's words. As for the "mistake" in smelling the scent earlier, he completely avoided it without a single word of explanation.
"Since Elder Xiao doesn't want to waste words, I won't waste more either. One last question, and I want to ask this friend named Xiao Jiu from the Xiao Sect. To you, this is an extremely simple question. I'm sure you can answer it. And if you can answer it, then I'll admit that my little aunt stole the Tongxuan Pill. You can punish my little aunt, or even punish me along with her, and I won't have a single complaint!"
Before Xiao Yunhai and the others could react, Xiao Che's gaze had already landed on Xiao Jiu's deadpan face. His expression remained calm, but his eyes had become extremely sharp, and he asked with firm, ringing words: "Xiao Jiu, you said the Tongxuan Pill was found under my little aunt's pillow. Then can you tell me: Is the bed in my little aunt's room on the east side or the west side? What color is the pillow? And is it placed at the south end or the north end of the bed?"
Xiao Jiu's face instantly stiffened. Xiao Kuangyun, Xiao Yunhai, and the others also turned extremely ugly.
"If you went to my little aunt's room and found the Tongxuan Pill under her pillow, then these questions must be impossibly simple for you... Come on, tell me your answer. As long as you say it, my little aunt and I will immediately admit guilt, no questions asked. Hmm, I think you, Young Master Xiao, the Sect Master, and all the elders must want this matter resolved quickly so we can get on with today's business, right? So hurry up and say it. It's not good to waste your master's time and everyone else's... Say it? Say it... Hmm? Why aren't you saying anything? Didn't you go to my little aunt's room? Then how can you not answer such a simple question?"
"Could it be... you never actually went to my little aunt's room? Then how do you explain finding the Tongxuan Pill under her pillow? Don't tell me you know the legendary 'thousand-mile stealing hand'?"