Chapter 84: Calling a Deer a Horse |
Chapter 84: Calling a Deer a Horse
In the pavilion, the elders and patriarchs watched as Ye Yu and the others ascended the stairs.
They glanced at Mu Zhi’an, who was following behind. His expression was calm, his earlier panic gone, replaced by an unreadable mask.
They bowed to Lan Mulian as she arrived.
She nodded in acknowledgment, then turned to the three individuals behind her.
Her gaze swept over Bai Ruoxi, then Mu Zhi’an, before settling on Ye Yu. “How do you intend to prove your accusation, Ye Yu?” she asked, her voice cold and clear.
The Ye family elder frowned, clearly displeased by Ye Yu’s actions.
The Ye family wasn’t as powerful as the Mu family. If they could prove Bai Ruoxi was a demonic cultivator, it would be fine.
But if they failed… the Ye family would face the Mu family’s wrath. No, it wouldn’t just be a simple extortion.
“Ye Yu, the leaders of all the major families are present. Think carefully about what you’re doing,” the elder warned.
Mu Zhi’an hadn’t bothered to secure the support of these minor families. The true power in Tianxuan City resided in the four major powers, and the Mu family was the strongest among them.
As long as the four major powers were on his side, even a fool would know which side to choose.
Ye Yu bowed respectfully. “Elder, I wouldn’t make such an accusation without evidence.”
“Eliminating demonic cultivators is our duty. If we allow one to join the Two Polarities Sect, it could lead to disaster.”
He turned to Mu Zhi’an, retrieving a small box.
He opened it, revealing a black pill.
“The Void Pill?”
The alchemist from the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce recognized the pill, his eyes narrowing.
The recipe for the Void Pill was rare. Consuming it would purify a cultivator’s vessel, expelling any impurities.
In other words, it was intended for those who had absorbed impure spiritual energy during their cultivation.
Ye Yu is clever. If Bai Ruoxi is a demonic cultivator, her demonic aura will be expelled immediately. Gongsun Ping, the acting patriarch of the Gongsun family, narrowed his eyes, staring at the pill.
His master had instructed him to observe, to speak and act only when necessary.
In other words, he was to remain neutral, to see if Ye Yu could prove his accusation.
If he succeeded, and Lan Mulian took action against the Mu family, even if they wanted to help, it would be too late.
And they could seize the opportunity to reap some benefits, perhaps even reclaim those three market districts.
But if Ye Yu failed, they could offer their support to Mu Zhi’an and Bai Ruoxi, questioning Ye Yu’s motives.
They wanted to play both sides, avoiding conflict while maximizing their gains.
Ye Yu offered the pill to the alchemist, bowing. “Master Wan, you’re a respected alchemist. If you examine the pill, everyone will be reassured.”
“Please check if I’ve tampered with it in any way. It’s only fair.”
He glanced at Mu Zhi’an. “So no one can accuse me of… cheating.”
Master Wan nodded, accepting the pill.
He held it in his palm, his spiritual energy flowing over it, examining its composition.
After a moment, he opened his eyes and looked at Lan Mulian. “There’s nothing wrong with this pill.”
She raised an eyebrow, glancing at Mu Zhi’an.
He nodded, then looked at Bai Ruoxi. “Since there’s nothing wrong with it, you should consume it. The Void Pill is difficult to refine. It’s a precious gift. It would be rude to refuse Young Master Ye’s generosity.”
Bai Ruoxi’s hand, hidden within her sleeve, clenched into a fist.
If the rumors were true, consuming this pill would expose her demonic aura in front of all these people. Even Mu Zhi’an might not be able to salvage the situation.
But refusing… it would seem like she was hiding something.
She was trapped.
Ye Yu’s attack was ruthless.
“If you’re wrong, boy, you’ll answer to me,” Bai Ruoxi’s father growled, glaring at Ye Yu.
Ye Yu bowed respectfully. “Please calm yourself, Patriarch Bai. If Miss Bai is indeed a demonic cultivator, then… you might also be investigated.”
After all, she was his daughter. If she was a demonic cultivator, then he, and even Bai Yuanfeng, could be implicated.
“And besides, I’m simply trying to uncover the truth. That’s why I refined this pill.”
He turned to Bai Ruoxi. “Please, Miss Bai.”
She stared at him, then, after a moment of silence, she took the pill, swallowing it.
After a while, Lan Mulian’s eyes narrowed as she sensed a faint wisp of pink smoke rising from Bai Ruoxi.
Demonic aura!
A gasp rippled through the crowd, and Bai Ruoxi’s father’s expression darkened, his gaze fixed on Ye Yu.
Ye Yu smiled, his victory seemingly assured.
He had consulted with his “master” and spent a fortune acquiring the ingredients, painstakingly refining this precious pill.
He wouldn’t have made this accusation without absolute certainty.
“It seems my judgment was correct, Miss Bai,” he said, his voice laced with a hint of triumph.
Her face had lost its color, making her seem even more delicate, even more fragile.
“It really is demonic aura” Gongsun Ping murmured, staring at her, his surprise evident.
Master Huang narrowed his eyes, his composure slipping despite having been informed about this beforehand.
“Remember that demonic cultivator you all hunted down? Perhaps… he wasn’t alone?” Ye Yu said, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
Bai Ruoxi glared at him, her voice cold. “I’ve never collaborated with any demonic cultivators!”
“That’s not for you to decide, Miss Bai,” Ye Yu retorted, then turned to Lan Mulian. “What’s your judgment, Senior Sister?”
Lan Mulian ignored him, her gaze fixed on Bai Ruoxi, about to speak, when Mu Zhi’an chuckled, as if he couldn’t hold back his amusement.
Still trying to act at this point? Ye Yu glared at him. “You’re close to a demonic cultivator, Mu Zhi’an. Perhaps you’re also involved.”
Mu Zhi’an pointed at the pink smoke dissipating in the air, shaking his head. “Do you truly believe that’s demonic aura, Young Master Ye?”
“What else could it be?”
“I believe it’s… spiritual energy,” Mu Zhi’an replied, his expression serious.
“You’re lying!” Ye Yu shouted, his anger flaring.
Mu Zhi’an countered, “My destiny test also revealed a pink light. Am I a demonic cultivator as well?”
Ye Yu frowned.
He was clearly being unreasonable, but he couldn’t find a way to refute his claims.
Mu Zhi’an looked at Lan Mulian. “Senior Sister, could you summon the testing monument again?”
She nodded, retrieving the small tablet and tossing it onto the floor.
It grew rapidly.
He placed his hand on the monument.
A faint pink light emanated from it.
He looked at Lan Mulian, bathed in the pink glow. “If color alone is proof of demonic cultivation, then I must be a demonic cultivator as well, Senior Sister.”
“I know the Two Polarities Sect’s Aura Sight Technique is renowned. Please… examine me.”
She met his gaze, then summoned a talisman, burning it. Her eyes glowed with a faint golden light as she looked at him.
A pale white aura emanated from him.
It was the spiritual energy of a human cultivator.
“He’s not a demon,” she declared.
Mu Zhi’an smiled. “If I’m not a demon, despite emitting a pink destiny, then why must the pink smoke from Miss Bai be demonic aura?”
He turned to the elders and patriarchs. “I believe you’re all fair and just individuals. What do you think? Is it demonic aura, or spiritual energy?”
Gongsun Ping glanced at Lan Mulian, who was watching them silently, her expression unreadable.
He smiled, stroking his beard. “It looks like ordinary spiritual energy to me.”
“I’ve heard of cultivators with unique constitutions, their spiritual energy different from others. They’re often mistaken for demonic cultivators, but they’re simply human.”
“Indeed. It’s spiritual energy,” Master Huang agreed, nodding.
“Yes, spiritual energy.”
“Miss Bai couldn’t possibly be a demonic cultivator. She’s the pride of Tianxuan City.”
One by one, they voiced their opinions, all agreeing that it was spiritual energy, not demonic aura.
Bai Ruoxi stared at them, stunned. She hadn’t expected the situation to turn around so easily.
Mu Zhi’an turned to Ye Yu, his expression cold, his voice sharp and clear. “What do you think now, Young Master Ye?”
“Is it spiritual energy, or demonic aura?”