That day, the senior members of the Earth Pill Sect gathered in the Council Hall to discuss who would take over the affairs Ba Dashan had overseen.
Most of the senior members favored Chu Tianshu, and most of those people had accepted benefits from him.
Just as Hong Qingliu, the sect master of the Earth Pill Sect, was about to make his final decision, Chen Shi'an arrived at the entrance to the Council Hall and shouted:
"Sect Master, elders, seniors, your disciple Jing Yuan has a grievance in his heart! I have been wronged!"
With that, he tried to barge into the Council Hall.
The guards at the entrance immediately moved to block Chen Shi'an.
Hong Qingliu and the senior members turned their gazes toward the entrance, all frowning involuntarily.
After a moment's thought, Hong Qingliu waved a hand. "Let him in."
Chen Shi'an strode into the Council Hall and stood in the very center. He bowed respectfully to Hong Qingliu and spoke with impassioned indignation:
"Sect Master, someone is spreading rumors within the sect, claiming that I have lined my own pockets and embezzled the sect's silver.
"These people are sullying my reputation with their bare mouths and teeth, without a shred of evidence.
"To prove my innocence, you may inspect the accounts in the sect's Treasury. Every stalk of spirit herbs I purchased strictly followed the sect's pricing standards. I have never broken the rules in the slightest.
"Please investigate this matter and restore my reputation, Sect Master."
Hong Qingliu did not respond. An old man in gray spoke in a grave voice. "Jing Yuan, the sect has already investigated this matter concerning you.
"You are correct. All the spirit herbs you purchased were indeed bought according to the sect's pricing standards, without a single discrepancy.
"However, when