Medicine Elder told Lu Chengwen to explain himself.
Lu Chengwen absolutely could not explain it.
In the end, he could only bluff, saying he had some inexplicable feeling, a strong premonition, and things like that.
Medicine Elder smiled. "Lu Chengwen, I've recently refined another batch of pills."
Lu Chengwen was terrified. "No!"
Medicine Elder found Lu Chengwen's expression quite unexpected.
He had thought Lu Chengwen would pretend to be happy and congratulate him; or perhaps remain alert and act unconcerned; he might even grin shamelessly and try to cozy up to him, asking what kinds of pills he had refined...
But Lu Chengwen's first reaction, an almost instinctive one, was panic!
Fear!
Before saying those words, Medicine Elder had been watching Lu Chengwen, observing every minute change in his reaction.
With a glance downward, he saw Lu Chengwen unconsciously clutching his pant leg. He was clearly flustered.
Then he looked at his expression. His eyes wandered back and forth as though he were searching for someone or something that could bail him out.
Finally, Lu Chengwen looked at him in bewildered helplessness, as though asking him for help and hoping he would believe him.
"What is it?"
"Nothing..." Lu Chengwen said. "Senior, why don't you... stop refining pills from now on?"
"Oh? Why?"
"I... it's nothing. It's just... the world hasn't been very peaceful lately, and I've lost a lot of pills too. Isn't that strange? Even the ones I swallowed can disappear. Seriously."
"Heh heh, Lu Chengwen, what are you afraid of? Shouldn't you be excited?"
"Excited my ass, Senior!"
Lu Chengwen was nearly in tears. "Let me make this clear first: I definitely didn't steal your pills. You know I didn't have the time. I... I'd been busy in my room the whole time, I... it really wasn't