“Xiao Che! What do you mean by that?” Great Elder Xiao Li suddenly shouted angrily, “Are you questioning whether the Sect Master stole the Tong Xuan Powder and then put the blame on Xiao Lingxi? Xiao Lingxi stole the Tong Xuan Powder because of you. If you keep talking nonsense like this, you will be punished too. Why don’t you retreat!”
"Don't get excited, Great Elder." Xiao Che smiled and shook his head, looking harmless. "How could I dare to question the Sect Master? I just asked the doubts in my heart, and I believe that this is also the doubt of many people present, because there are many people who know the Sect Master's temperament. They must be very surprised by the Sect Master's actions this time. The Sect Master is of course innocent and it is impossible for him to do such a dirty thing that is worse than pigs and dogs and despised by heaven and earth, so the Sect Master will definitely give the most perfect explanation, right, Sect Master?"
The people of the Xiao Clan and all the dignitaries of Floating Cloud City were all secretly astonished… The Xiao Che they knew was weak and humble, and was afraid to even deal with outsiders. But now, not only was he talking freely in front of everyone, but also in a very tense atmosphere, and he remained calm in the face of the shouting of the Great Elder… This was completely different from the Xiao Che they knew.
The words "worse than pigs and dogs, despised by heaven and earth" made Xiao Yunhai's cheeks twitch. He looked up at Xiao Che and smiled faintly, "Don't be excited, Great Elder. It is normal for Xiao Che to have such doubts. I believe that as he said, many friends present will also wonder about this. In fact, when I took Tongxuan Powder from Young Master Xiao yesterday, I did plan to keep it with me. However, Tongxuan Powder is a high-level elixir brought by Xiao Zong, and it is extremely precious. And the higher the elixir, the easier it is for its medicinal power to dissipate. For such a precious elixir, even if the medicinal power dissipates a little, it is a great loss. If you carry it with you and frequently come into contact with turbid air, even if it is protected by black ebony, it is still easy to dissipate, so I put it in the pharmacy. After all, the pharmacy has been hoarding various medicinal materials for many years, and there is a lot of "medicinal air". Where there is plenty of "medicinal air", the aura of spiritual medicine is less likely to dissipate... That's the reason."
"Another reason is that we in the Xiao Clan have always valued chastity and etiquette. I never thought that there would be a 'house thief', let alone someone bold enough to steal the valuable gift sent by the Xiao Clan... But no matter what the reason is, an important reason for the theft of Tongxuan Powder is my negligence. I cannot shirk my responsibility for this. If Master Xiao wants to punish me, I will have no complaints."
After Xiao Yunhai finished speaking, he sighed heavily again.
Xiao Yunhai's explanation was simply flawless. The Great Elder shouted again, "Xiao Che! Did you hear clearly now? The Sect Master placed the Tongxuan Powder in the pharmacy precisely because the Sect Master was thoughtful and wanted to protect the efficacy of the Tongxuan Powder! Who would have thought that a thief would appear in the house! Do you have anything else to say?"
"Oh! I see!" Xiao Che nodded, seeming to be very satisfied with Xiao Yunhai's explanation: "The Sect Master is indeed knowledgeable, and he even knows about the existence of something like 'medicinal energy'. Then, the second question I want to ask happens to be related to this 'medicinal energy'."
Xiao Che narrowed his eyes slightly, smiled faintly and said: "Speaking of 'medicinal aroma', our Xiao Clan's pharmacy has stockpiled a variety of medicinal materials for decades, which is indeed very sufficient. Moreover, since the pharmacy has the largest amount of 'Shuluo Grass', the smell of 'medicinal aroma' is also mainly the sweet and fishy smell of Shuluo Grass."
"Master, you also know that the box containing Tongxuan Powder is made of black ebony. Black ebony can protect the medicinal power of the elixir very well. Do you know why black ebony can protect the medicinal power of the elixir... Well, the principle is actually very simple. Black ebony has a strong ability to absorb particles. When the diffused medicinal power touches the black ebony, it will be firmly absorbed by the black ebony and it is extremely difficult to diffuse. After the surface is saturated, the medicinal power cannot be dispersed even if it wants to. I believe that anyone who has a little medical knowledge here will know this principle."
Many people present nodded silently.
"So, if this black ebony box containing Tongxuan Powder has been placed in the pharmacy for a period of time, its surface must have absorbed a lot of the 'medicinal smell' from the pharmacy. Given the characteristics of black ebony, it absorbs very quickly but diffuses very slowly. After taking it out of the pharmacy, even if it has been left for two or three days, you can still smell that 'medicinal smell' if you get close to it... That is the sweet and fishy smell of Shuluocao..."
As soon as these words came out, Xiao Yunhai's expression changed slightly.
Xiao Che calculated that Xiao Yunhai couldn't really put Tongxuan Powder in the pharmacy, because if Tongxuan Powder was really stolen, he would cry blindly... And Xiao Yunhai did not put Tongxuan Powder in the pharmacy. As for the pharmacy, Xiao Gu had naturally already informed him. With the deterrence of Xiao Zong, how could Xiao Gu dare to say "no"?
"I wonder if the Sect Master dares to bring the box over so that we can smell it to see if there is the expected smell?" Xiao Che said with a smile.
"Xiao Che! You are really questioning the Sect Master. This is outrageous!" Before Xiao Yunhai could say anything, Xiao Li was furious again: "In order to protect your aunt, you actually want to question the Sect Master. This is ridiculous! It is unreasonable! My Xiao Sect has really raised you for so many years in vain, why don't you get out!!"
"Haha, there's no need to get excited, Great Elder. They have always had a very good relationship between aunt and nephew, so it's understandable that he wants to find an excuse. And what he said is very reasonable. Since he wants to know if there is any problem with the box, just give it to him. However, this Tongxuan Powder, including the black ebony, are treasures. How can people touch them casually?" After saying that, Xiao Yunhai turned to Xiao Kuangyun and said respectfully: "Then please trouble Young Master Xiao to be a witness. I think Young Master Xiao will be more convincing than anyone else."
Xiao Che sneered secretly, but his expression remained unchanged. He nodded slightly: "Of course, if it is from Master Xiao, then of course it is the most trustworthy. Master Xiao, please do me the favor of smelling the box to resolve my doubts."
Xiao Kuangyun and Xiao Yunhai's eyes met, and they both thought to themselves that Xiao Che, this idiot, had no idea that this was originally directed by them. Xiao Kuangyun picked up the box in his hand, smiled disdainfully, and said lightly: "This question is quite interesting. In this case, I will smell it for you."
After saying that, Xiao Kuangyun lifted the box containing Tongxuan Powder, brought it close to his nose, sniffed it very carefully, then frowned slightly and said, "Although it's not very strong, it does have a sweet and fishy smell."
He narrowed his eyes and said calmly, "Great Elder, come and smell it too, so that no one will suspect that I am in collusion with Sect Master Xiao."
"Mr. Xiao is such a noble man, how could he lie?" Great Elder Xiao Li flattered him, and he also moved closer and sniffed it, then nodded: "Yes, it does have a sweet and fishy smell." He glared and said sternly: "Xiao Che, do you have anything else to say? Mr. Xiao and the Sect Master have already given you a lot of face. If you continue to make trouble, I will immediately drive you away."
"Oh! Great Elder, calm down." Xiao Che waved his hand, and then his face became strange: "Young Master Xiao and the Great Elder actually both smelled a sweet and fishy smell. This, this, this... ahem, actually, I was careless just now and said something wrong... Young Master Xiao is of noble status, and he must have been exposed to high-level elixirs. He would definitely not even look at such vulgar things as Shuluo Grass. The Sect Master and the Great Elder are devoted to cultivating the mysterious and have no medical knowledge. Naturally, they have no time to go to the pharmacy, so they may not know that the taste of Shuluo Grass is not sweet and fishy, but bitter. Any of you can go to the pharmacy now and smell it and know it... Huh? Young Master Xiao and the Great Elder both smelled a fishy smell, which I really can't understand. I wonder if anyone present can help explain it?"
As soon as this sentence came out, the expressions of all the people present changed, becoming extremely exciting. On the other hand, Xiao Kuangyun, Xiao Yunhai, and the great elder Xiao Li all froze in an instant... Although it was only a moment, it was enough for many people to see it clearly. And some people who were familiar with the smell of Shuluo grass and a small number of Xiaomen disciples who often went to the pharmacy were all stunned...
Many people's hearts began to beat wildly...
They began to smell a different scent...
“Xiao Che! You bastard, why don’t you shut up… Not only did you try to shield Xiao Lingxi, you even dared to question the Sect Master and Young Master Xiao! And you’re still talking nonsense here, I think you’re deliberately making fun of us!” Xiao Li’s face was ashen, his eyes flashed with ferocity: “Young Master Xiao, Sect Master, don’t listen to his nonsense anymore! The theft of Tongxuan Powder has been solved, there’s no need to waste any more time. Xiao Che is not only the cause, he also shielded the criminal, and offended the Sect Master and Young Master Xiao, he should be punished together!!”
Anyone with a hearing impairment could tell that Xiao Li's words were filled with anger and shame. He even completely avoided explaining the matter of "smelling the wrong thing" just now.
"Since Elder Xiao doesn't want to waste time talking, I won't waste any more time. I have one last question for this Xiao Sect friend named Xiao Jiu. This is an extremely simple question for you, and I think you can answer it. If you can answer it, then I will admit that it was my aunt who stole the Tongxuan Powder. You can punish my aunt, or punish me as well, and I will never complain!"
After saying that, without waiting for Xiao Yunhai and the others to react, Xiao Che's eyes had already fallen on Xiao Jiu's dead face. His expression was still indifferent, but his eyes had become extremely sharp. He asked word by word: "Xiao Jiu, you said that Tongxuan Powder was found under the pillow in my aunt's room. So, can you tell me, is the bed in my aunt's room on the east or west side of the room? What color is the pillow? And is it placed on the south end or the north end of the bed?"
Xiao Jiu's face froze instantly, and the faces of Xiao Kuangyun, Xiao Yunhai and others also became extremely ugly all of a sudden.
"If you have been to my aunt's room and found the Tongxuan powder under her pillow, then these questions must be very simple for you... Come, tell me your answer. As long as you tell me, my aunt and I will immediately plead guilty without hesitation. Well, I think you, Mr. Xiao, the sect master, and all the elders must want to solve this matter immediately and start today's business, right? Then hurry up and tell me, it would be bad to delay your master and everyone else's time... Tell me? Tell me... Hmm? Why don't you tell me? Didn't you clearly go to my aunt's room? How come you can't answer such a simple question?"
"You couldn't have... never been to my aunt's room, right? Then you said that the Tongxuan Powder was found under my aunt's pillow... What's going on? Could it be that you have the legendary Thousand Miles Stealing Chicken Skill?"
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