A Turn in the Road

Phoenix Roosting Gorge lay on the Xu Household's essential freight route. Few people usually passed through it, and this news was extremely unfavorable to the Xu Household.

"Elder Kong, the evidence is conclusive now. The Stone-Breaking Army mysteriously vanished, and the Xu Household is the prime suspect. Please give the order to take away everyone involved from the Xu Household and seek His Majesty's judgment."

Xue Chunyu bent at the waist and bowed. The final decision rested in Elder Kong's hands.

"Vice Minister Xue, you're spitting blood to slander us!"

Xu Yilin was so furious that he spat out a mouthful of Essence Blood. Every steward seethed with righteous indignation, yet none could speak. They all understood that the investigation team needed an excuse, a scapegoat, and the Xu Household could not have been more suitable.

Someone had to take the blame for the Stone-Breaking Army's disappearance.

Xue Chunyu wore a cold sneer. He did not answer Xu Yilin, waiting instead for Elder Kong's reply.

"What do you think?"

Elder Kong did not answer Xue Chunyu directly. He turned toward Bai Qiu and the other two, including Gao Hao, to hear their opinions.

"Elder Kong, after careful consideration, although there is no solid evidence, this matter has some connection to the Xu Household. The Stone-Breaking Army's last known location was Phoenix Roosting Gorge, and the Xu Household's convoy passed through there that day. I suggest taking away the guards who transported the goods that day and escorting them to the imperial capital for examination by the Ministry of Justice. That would be more appropriate. If the Xu Household truly is innocent, we can simply release them."

Chen Lu, who had remained silent until now, spoke. He belonged to the imperial family and represented neither the government nor the military, much less the Imperial Academy.

"I agree with Lord Chen. Bolts from the Stone-Breaking Army's crossbows appeared in Phoenix Roosting Gorge. The Xu Household cannot escape involvement. Everyone concerned must be taken away."

Bai Qiu agreed with Chen Lu's approach: throw them in prison first, then decide after the Ministry of Justice had thoroughly investigated.

Once they reached Imperial Capital City, the Xu Household would no longer control their own fate. Their life or death would depend entirely on a single word from these people.

"What is Instructor Gao's opinion?"

Gao Hao had not expressed a position. Every year, students left the Imperial Academy to join the army or return to their hometowns. Those dead soldiers had left the academy several years ago. He had only been sent here to go through the motions.

"I will remain silent!"

That was Gao Hao's stance. He supported neither Xue Chunyu nor the Xu Household, keeping himself out of the matter.

Elder Kong's stance was particularly important now. A single word from him could determine the Xu Household's fate. Steward Lan and the others almost stopped breathing. The Xu Household had only just begun to recover, and its weapons workshop had regained its vitality.

A mountain-protecting formation had been set up at the mine, so they no longer needed to fear sneak attacks. The entire Xu Household was developing rapidly.

"The master of the Pill Treasure Pavilion has arrived!"

An announcement rang out from outside. Bi Gongyu, master of the Pill Treasure Pavilion, strode in, entering the main hall before there was even time to announce him.

"Patriarch Xu, please forgive my presumptuous intrusion."

He cupped his fists toward Xu Yilin, then looked toward Elder Kong. The two apparently were not strangers.

"This junior, Bi Gongyu, pays his respects to Elder Kong!"

He bent at the waist and bowed, then nodded to Xue Chunyu and the other three in greeting. The Pill Treasure Pavilion held an extremely lofty position, and as the master of one of its pavilions, Bi Gongyu was all the more distinguished.

"Pavilion Master Bi, what brings you here? We are investigating the Stone-Breaking Army's disappearance."

Xue Chunyu was somewhat displeased. Bi Gongyu's sudden arrival had disrupted their rhythm. All they needed was one word from Elder Kong, and the investigation team's mission would have been successfully completed.

Only Liu Wuxie's lips curved into a smile. He was not at all surprised by Bi Gongyu's arrival. He looked toward his father-in-law and gave him a reassuring look, telling him not to worry.

"I came because of the Stone-Breaking Army's disappearance. I brought some useful information and hope it will help you."

Bi Gongyu took a list of materials from inside his robe and placed it on the table.

Everyone looked over. Many spirit medicine names were written on it.

"As everyone knows, our Pill Treasure Pavilion is researching a new medicine. Young Master Wuxie is exceptionally gifted. I was not in Canglan City that day, and he discussed alchemy with Master Huo. Through their exchange ten days ago, they developed a new pill. They still lacked several ingredients, and Young Master Wuxie volunteered to gather them in the Sunset Mountain Range."

"This spirit medicine only grows on Twin Pagoda Mountain. A round trip from Canglan City takes five or six days. These are the medicinal ingredients he brought back yesterday. Please take a look."

Liu Wuxie's visit to the Pill Treasure Pavilion yesterday could not possibly have escaped their notice. They would already have investigated it.

That included his movements ten days ago, when Liu Wuxie had visited the Pill Treasure Pavilion to deliver Heavenly Spirit Pills. The investigation team had a clear grasp of all this information. Every word Bi Gongyu said was true.

Everyone froze. The Pill Treasure Pavilion was actually standing up for the Xu Household, clearing Liu Wuxie of any connection to this affair.

"Pavilion Master Bi, do you realize that every word you say concerns the Stone-Breaking Army's life or death?"

Xue Chunyu's gaze turned cold. He respected the Pill Treasure Pavilion, but did not fear it.

"The reports in your hands should contain detailed records of everyone's recent movements in Canglan City. Just look through them. I value Young Master Liu's talent and do not want him framed by certain people. Please consider this carefully."

Bi Gongyu's attitude was unexpectedly forceful. Just as the investigation's outcome was about to settle like dust, the Pill Treasure Pavilion had thrust itself into the affair. What exactly did it intend? Was it truly because he valued Liu Wuxie's talent, as he claimed?

What a joke.

Would important figures like them care whether such insignificant people lived or died?

"Even if the Stone-Breaking Army has nothing to do with him, how do you explain Phoenix Roosting Gorge? The Xu Household's convoy passed through Phoenix Roosting Gorge, and the arrow marks left by the Stone-Breaking Army were there too. Do you dare claim the Xu Household knows nothing?"

Xue Chunyu took a step back. Once the Xu Household was destroyed, eliminating the lone Liu Wuxie would take no more than a wave of his hand.

Bi Gongyu's primary aim was to protect Liu Wuxie, and he truly had not considered this matter. His brows creased slightly. He had not expected the Xu Household to end up taking the blame either, and judging by the situation, the investigation team had already reached a consensus.

Protecting Liu Wuxie meant protecting the Heavenly Spirit Pill. But when the nest was overturned, how could any eggs remain intact? Without the Xu Household, how could Liu Wuxie alone remain unscathed?

"The city lord of Canglan City has arrived!"

A burly figure strode quickly into the main hall. The affair had taken one twist after another. First the Pill Treasure Pavilion's master had appeared, and now even City Lord Qi Enshi had arrived. Everyone in the Xu Household was utterly bewildered.

The investigations at the previous three households had taken no more than four hours each. Now the sky had darkened and it was time to light the lamps. A full six hours had passed, yet there was still no outcome.

Many informants had gathered outside the Xu Household's gates, sending out large amounts of information. Everyone was speculating whether the Xu Household could survive this ordeal.

"Your student pays his respects to Elder Kong and my fellow officials."

Qi Enshi bent at the waist and bowed. Having attended Elder Kong's lectures in the past, calling himself his student was reasonable enough. When he looked at the Pill Treasure Pavilion's master, a trace of surprise appeared on his face.

"Brother Qi, what brings you here? Are you also here to investigate the Stone-Breaking Army?"

Xue Chunyu asked in puzzlement. The insignificant Xu Household had drawn the Pill Treasure Pavilion's master here to clear its name, and now Qi Enshi had come too. He could make neither head nor tail of it.

"I came to prove the Xu Household's innocence. Their convoys had suffered repeated attacks from mysterious bandits, and Patriarch Xu came to me, asking the City Lord's Estate to send troops to sweep away the mountain bandits. As city lord, I naturally could not stand idly by when mountain bandits appeared in my territory, so I sent men to investigate the truth. According to our investigation, that band of mysterious mountain bandits had already left the Sunset Mountain Range half a month ago."

After speaking, Qi Enshi looked toward Xu Yilin and winked, signaling him not to speak. He was clearing the Xu Household of blame.

Xu Yilin was stunned. When had he ever approached the City Lord's Estate?

Xue Chunyu looked utterly dumbfounded!

Bai Qiu's eyes narrowed!

Bi Gongyu's eyes lit up!

Everyone wore a different expression. Qi Enshi had actually stepped forward of his own accord to prove the Xu Household's innocence. The arrow marks in Phoenix Roosting Gorge had been left many days earlier. The Xu Household's convoy had not encountered mountain bandits and had returned safely to Canglan City.

"Brother Qi, do you know what you're saying?"

Xue Chunyu drew a deep breath. The city lord's words carried considerable weight. Continuing to punish the Xu Household would be unjustifiable by either sentiment or reason. With the Pill Treasure Pavilion intervening as well, the investigation team had no choice but to reconsider.

"I haven't finished yet. According to my investigation, the Langya Mercenary Corps left Canglan City several days ago. They are inextricably linked to the Stone-Breaking Army's disappearance."

Qi Enshi produced a report documenting the Langya Mercenary Corps' various crimes.

The main hall fell silent. The investigation had reached a dead end, and the Xu Household was completely cleared of suspicion. According to the report Qi Enshi provided, the Stone-Breaking Army's disappearance was most likely Langya's doing.

At the Spirit Cleansing Fifth Stage, Langya possessed the ability to annihilate the Stone-Breaking Army. It was perfectly plausible.

"Elder Kong, what do you say?"

Xue Chunyu's expression was frighteningly grim as he quietly asked Elder Kong whether they should continue investigating.

Elder Kong's gaze swept over everyone. He had said little from beginning to end. Suddenly, he stood and cupped his hands. "Patriarch Xu, sorry for all the trouble."

With that, he walked out of the hall. At his words, everyone in the Xu Household felt a great weight lift from their shoulders.

Xue Chunyu wanted to say more, but could not utter a word. He fiercely flicked his sleeve. Before leaving, his gaze fell on Liu Wuxie's face, looking at him as though he were already dead.

"Farewell, Elder Kong!"

Qi Enshi did not leave the main hall, remaining where he stood. The Xu Household's senior members all respectfully saw Elder Kong off.

Only three people remained in the main hall: Bi Gongyu, Qi Enshi, and Liu Wuxie.

"Young Master Liu, I won't disturb you any longer. We can talk again when the opportunity arises."

Bi Gongyu rose, cupped his hands, and left alone.

"Young Master Liu, you had those things delivered!"

Only the two of them remained in the hall. With a dark, fierce expression, Qi Enshi suddenly questioned him.

"How can you be certain I sent them?"

Liu Wuxie had effectively admitted that he had sent someone to deliver the items to the City Lord's Estate. He was merely curious why Qi Enshi had come directly to him instead of seeking out his father-in-law.

"Tell me, where is Zhou Hu now?"

Qi Enshi could not be bothered to waste words with him. A little thought was enough to deduce that Liu Wuxie had arranged for the package to be delivered. Xu Yilin had never left Canglan City.

Even more alarming, the men sent out by the Wan Household and Tian Household had been out of contact for several days. During that time, Liu Wuxie had remained in the mountains.

Qi Enshi was certain that Langya and the men from the Tian and Wan households would never return. Nothing could be more suitable than pinning the blame on the dead.

The only thing Qi Enshi could not understand was how so many experts had disappeared. Had they all died at Liu Wuxie's hands? He quickly shook his head, dismissing his own thought. There was only one possibility: a powerful expert stood behind Liu Wuxie, secretly protecting him.

Without someone secretly guiding him, his sudden rise from a piece of trash would have been absolutely impossible.

On the way here, Qi Enshi had analyzed it countless times and finally reached this conclusion.

"You want to know?" Liu Wuxie chuckled. "But why should I tell you?"