Chapter 29: Dramatic Change (Eight)
The Xiao Gate had over two hundred thirty small courtyards of various sizes, and their layout was quite irregular, with a large portion of the courtyards looking essentially identical. Not to mention people from the Xiao Sect who had only arrived yesterday, even someone staying here for ten or twenty days might not be able to figure out the locations of all the courtyards and their owners. Therefore, Yun Che was certain that this Xiao Jiu had never actually gone to Xiao Lingxi’s small courtyard… Even if he had deliberately scouted it yesterday, he wouldn’t be able to find it quickly today. He simply took an empty stroll and then came back holding the box containing the Tongxuan Powder.
Xiao Jiu’s silence, along with the suddenly very ugly expressions on Xiao Kuangyun and Xiao Yunhai’s faces, made even the dumbest people start to understand something.
Yun Che’s first question, Xiao Yunhai had answered flawlessly… but he didn’t realize this question was only bait. The second question that followed immediately made them suffer a huge loss, and the third question… was a resounding slap in the face.
“Little Che…” Xiao Lingxi covered her mouth, her gaze blurry. When she was most hesitant and helpless, with everyone distancing themselves, questioning, and falsely accusing her, he still stood in front of her without fear, using his own body as a shield as before… even though he was facing people the entire Xiao Gate couldn’t afford to offend.
This figure, already deeply imprinted in her heart, now became even clearer, so clear that it would never fade or dim for a lifetime.
Xia Qingyue’s eyes also flickered with extraordinary light. This frame-up, which could be called flawless and had been fully believed by everyone, was utterly destroyed by him with a few extremely simple questions. She increasingly felt that she had never truly understood him. No, rather, he had fooled everyone… no one knew of his shocking medical skills. Now, he was revealing a scheming mind that could not be ignored.
Everyone’s expressions secretly changed…
But Xiao Lie’s face showed no sign of relief; instead, it turned even more ashen, and his hands quietly clenched.
This was a frame-up. He had known from the start. The reason they framed Xiao Lingxi… when he noticed Xiao Kuangyun’s gaze on Xiao Lingxi, he understood in his anger. But he had never spoken and couldn’t speak. Now, Yun Che’s words had laid bare their ugly, sinister intentions in front of everyone…
And then what?
Would they feel ashamed? Blush with shame? Apologize? Or shout that it was a misunderstanding?
Heh… impossible!
This would only anger them more, make things even more uncontrollable, and make the consequences even more severe. And the people present, even if they knew the truth, would absolutely no one speak out that this was a frame-up. Instead, under the other side’s anger, they would bend like grass in the wind toward that side…
Because the other side was the son of the Xiao Sect’s Sect Master! With one finger, he could crush the entire Xiao Gate! Without sufficient strength, even if one had a silver tongue and every word was reasonable, what use was it? In the face of absolute power, so-called truth isn’t even a joke.
“Yun Che!! You rebellious son of the Xiao Gate, shut up!” The Grand Elder pointed at Yun Che and roared in exasperation: “You repeatedly seek ridiculous reasons to slander the Gate Master and the honored guests from the Xiao Sect! What is your intention? What kind of existence is the Xiao Sect? Would they frame a Xiao Lingxi? The name of the Xiao Sect is known throughout the world. Their words have always been as good as gold. This Tongxuan Powder was found in Xiao Lingxi’s room, so it was found in Xiao Lingxi’s room! In this entire Liuyun City, no one has the right to question it!”
“This is truly outrageous, actually questioning the honored guests of the Xiao Sect. The Gate Master and Young Master Xiao have tolerated repeatedly, and he goes even further. This is unbearable… Young Master Xiao, Gate Master, this old man requests permission to immediately apprehend the thief Xiao Lingxi and the nonsense-spouting Yun Che!” The Second Elder Xiao Bo shouted with a face full of anger.
Everyone already knew the truth in their hearts, but no one dared to speak it out. The Grand Elder and Second Elder’s shameless roars were met with no one stepping forward to say a single word for Yun Che and Xiao Lingxi. Instead, they all looked at them with pity… The opponent was the Xiao Sect. Even if you were completely in the right, even if you fully exposed their intentions and the truth, what use was it?
Xiao Kuangyun’s face had long turned as black as charcoal. He hadn’t expected his “perfect” plan to be slapped in the face like this, and in front of so many people… Although these people still looked at him with awe and didn’t dare make a sound, he could tell with his toes that these people must be mocking him like a dog in their hearts!
And all of this was because of Yun Che!
Xiao Kuangyun was furious inside, and he had murderous intent toward Yun Che, a nobody he originally didn’t care about. He said in a low voice: “Our dignified Xiao Sect has no obligation to answer the questions of a waste from the Xiao Gate. The Xiao Sect’s affairs have even less obligation to explain to anyone! Which one is the Law Enforcement Elder of the Xiao Gate? Immediately apprehend this thief and the waste trying to shield her!”
“As Young Master Xiao commands!!” The Fourth Elder Xiao Cheng, also the Law Enforcement Elder of the Xiao Gate, finally seized the opportunity to show off. He roared in response, turned his head, flashed a fierce glare, and lunged at Xiao Lingxi, shouting at the same time: “Xiao Lingxi, Yun Che! You have already committed a grave offense. Now come with me to the Law Enforcement Hall to await punishment!!”
The situation changed too fast. They had just taken the moral high ground, but the other side didn’t even care about face and directly pounced. Yun Che was indeed a bit panicked. He stepped back and said in a low voice to Xia Qingyue: “Hey! Qingyue wife, where is your master?!”
“Don’t know,” Xia Qingyue replied flatly.
“I~！#￥%……” The reason Yun Che dared to ruthlessly slap the Xiao Sect’s face in front of them was definitely not because he was hotheaded. If there was a single false word, may heaven strike me dead and I die a miserable death!”
Xiao Lie’s words were sonorous and struck the heart, every word filled with deep righteousness and spirit. Xiao Lie was not only the strongest person in Liuyun City, his upright character was widely known! He didn’t even need to swear by “heaven strike me dead, die a miserable death” for people to fully believe what he said… But, actually, he didn’t need to say these things. Yun Che’s previous words had already completely laid the truth before everyone, but under the absolute power of the Xiao Sect, it couldn’t change Xiao Lingxi’s framed predicament. No matter how much more evidence Xiao Lie produced, it would be useless. It would only make Xiao Kuangyun even more furious from humiliation.
“Hehehehe…”
A mocking laugh suddenly rang out at this moment. From the front row of the Xiao Gate crowd, Xiao Yulong, who had been silent until now, suddenly stepped forward. Facing Xiao Lie, he looked at him with a faint smile: “Regarding this matter, I, Xiao Yulong, originally had no qualification to speak or interfere. But suddenly hearing the bold words of the Fifth Elder, I can’t help myself… A person who deceived the entire Xiao Gate for over ten years dares to call himself ‘honest and upright, never deceiving others’! What a huge joke!”
Deceived the entire Xiao Gate for over ten years… these few words left everyone stunned.
Hearing Xiao Yulong’s words and seeing his expression, Yun Che’s brows sank heavily, and a bad premonition suddenly arose in his heart.
“Xiao Yulong! What do you mean by that!” Xiao Lie’s brow furrowed deeply, and he shouted lowly.
Xiao Yunhai also spoke up at this moment, his face serious: “Yulong! The Fifth Elder has always been of high moral standing. Now that the honored guests of the Xiao Sect, the entire Xiao Gate, and friends from Liuyun City are all here, you must not speak nonsense!”
Xiao Yulong slightly bowed and said: “Please rest assured, Father. Your son naturally would not talk nonsense in broad daylight.” He looked at Xiao Lie, his eyes narrowing as he smiled faintly: “Fifth Elder, you say you are honest and upright, never deceiving others. Then, do you dare to swear by all the honor of your deceased son Xiao Ying… and say that Yun Che is your biological grandson?!”