NOVEL WEB Chapter 53 The Shameless Thief
Soon, Yun Qiao arrived with medicinal materials, a pill furnace, and herself. In front of the audience, Jun Jiu instructed Yun Qiao to refine the medicine. “Cut it into slices and grind it into powder.”
“Okay,” Yun Qiao replied.
“Use cold water and the medicine, and heat it on low flame,” Jun Jiu instructed again.
“Okay,” Yun Qiao followed her instructions diligently.
Yun Chongjin observed Yun Qiao’s unwavering commitment to following Jun Jiu’s guidance. He couldn’t help but be both surprised and contemplative. Yun Qiao’s attitude towards Jun Jiu was markedly different.
The spectators watched in silence, all speculating that Jun Jiu intended to create Nuanxin Yiqi Pills. But could she truly succeed?
Amidst the quiet atmosphere, there was an unexpected interruption. “Meow~” The only sound besides Jun Jiu and Yun Qiao’s voices was the soft and cute meowing of a cat.
Xiao Wu’s tail was wrapped around Jun Jiu’s calf as she raised her head with round eyes. “Meow. Why didn’t you make the Nuanxin Yiqi Pill yourself, Master?”
Jun Jiu responded casually, “It’s just a minor demonstration. Zhao He doesn’t deserve to witness my alchemical skills.”
Zhao He, who was nearby, cringed at Jun Jiu’s dismissive comment. He recalled the previous incident when he had stolen her prescription, an act of deceit that now seemed all the more shameless in front of the audience.
As time passed under the watchful eyes of everyone, Yun Qiao managed to complete the steps of refining the Nuanxin Yiqi Pill. He extinguished the fire and began the process in the pill furnace, and soon, the Nuanxin Yiqi Pills were successfully formed.
“Okay!” Yun Qiao eagerly demonstrated that Jun Jiu’s guidance had been successful. He picked up one of the pills and consumed it immediately. This sudden action left everyone wide-eyed in astonishment.
He ate it?
Was this truly a heart-warming pill?
Yun Qiao held the Nuanxin Yiqi Pill and looked at Jun Jiu, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His eyes sparkled with satisfaction, completely disregarding Yun Chongjin, who stood beside Jun Jiu. After observing Jun Jiu for a while, a shiver ran down his spine. Why did it suddenly feel so chilly?
Mo Wuyue, who had been observing quietly, couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
Jun Jiu raised an eyebrow and signaled Yun Qiao to present the freshly crafted Nuanxin Yiqi Pills to Elder Dange of the Dan Pavilion. “Elder Dange, could you please verify if these are indeed Nuanxin Yiqi Pills?”
“Of course,” Elder Dange agreed, his astonishment evident.
Elder Dange had keenly observed Jun Jiu’s alchemical expertise during the process, recognizing her as an expert with skills surpassing his own. He was surprised and elated, pondering how to engage with Jun Jiu.
Without hesitation, Elder Dange commenced the examination of the elixir in public.
Meanwhile, Zhao He, drenched in sweat, anxiously awaited the results. However, Elder Dange’s swift verification soon followed. “This is undoubtedly the Nuanxin Yiqi Pill—a high-quality one at that, even surpassing those produced by Zhao He!”
A collective gasp swept through the Dan Pavilion. The astonishment was palpable.
Jun Jiu sported a sly smile as she turned her gaze towards Zhao He. “Deceiver, do you have anything left to say?”
Zhao He vehemently protested, “This is preposterous! You’re stealing my thunder! I’ve been slandered! Your Highness, please render a fair judgment!”
Feng Tianqi, who had been uncertain earlier, now found himself intrigued by Jun Jiu’s calm and composed demeanor. He began to question whether Zhao He had indeed been the deceitful one.
But before Feng Tianqi could voice his thoughts, Jun Yunxue, standing by his side, interjected with skepticism. She cast a disparaging look at Jun Jiu and remarked, “Just because you can produce superior heart-warming and nourishing-qi pills doesn’t automatically prove that Master Zhao He is a liar. After all, he was the first to propose this pill formula after the Dan Pavilion’s verification. It’s plausible that you may have plagiarized it. The accused should speak first.”
Feng Tianqi was taken aback by Jun Yunxue’s assertiveness but refrained from intervening. Jun Yunxue held a deep-rooted antipathy towards Jun Jiu, an inexplicable animosity that fueled her desire to see Jun Jiu fail, even to the point of wanting to destroy her.
Jun Yunxue, maintaining a haughty and aristocratic demeanor, looked down at Jun Jiu. She declared, “Without more substantial evidence, we cannot readily accept the claims of a mere young girl like you.”
Jun Jiu simply raised her head, a sly smile playing on her lips. She welcomed yet another challenger who had willingly offered herself as a target.
Jun Yunxue, however, was irritated by Jun Jiu’s gaze and frowned. She proclaimed, “Can you not provide any concrete evidence? Your actions have caused harm and chaos within the Dan Pavilion, a grave offense! It’s a transgression punishable by immediate retribution.”
Jun Jiu responded with a disdainful smile, ignoring Jun Yunxue’s threats.
Undeterred, Jun Yunxue persisted, “You’re daring me, aren’t you?”
Jun Jiu didn’t bother to respond and averted her gaze, an air of indifference enveloping her. Her nonchalant attitude infuriated Jun Yunxue, who found herself seething with anger and frustration.
Jun Jiu then turned her piercing, icy gaze towards Zhao He and delivered her ultimatum. “Zhao He, I shall ask you three questions. Do you dare to answer?”
Zhao He, with three bloody cat scratches on his face, struggled to remain upright as he clutched his stomach, which ached with pain. His trembling form indicated his desperate state.
Terrified but steadfast in his resolve, Zhao He retorted, “What are these three questions?”
Jun Jiu posed the first question, “In the process of crafting Nuanxin Yiqi Pills, it’s evident that you incorporated Red-Hued Medicine, which is more potent than Kunaihong. Why then did you continue to use Kunaihong?”
Zhao He, drenched in cold sweat, couldn’t provide a response to the first question. He had stolen the prescription, but his extensive attempts to decipher the formula had left him at a loss. How could he possibly answer this now?
Zhao He’s anxiety grew palpable as he wiped away his sweat. He had gotten himself into a dire predicament.
Jun Jiu proceeded to her second question, “Traditional alchemical procedures employ pill furnaces for crafting elixirs. Why did you opt for a different method when creating Nuanxin Yiqi Pills, using only heat to facilitate the final step?”
Zhao He hastily answered, “That’s because
the final step requires high heat to ensure rapid fusion of the elixir!”
To his dismay, Jun Jiu retorted, “Incorrect! For the third question, did you realize that using three Qiu Mica flowers would yield excessive potency, potentially leaving behind toxins if not refined correctly?”
“What? Toxins?” Zhao He’s eyes widened with alarm.
Jun Jiu, with a menacing glint in her eyes, coldly rebuked, “Foolish! I was deceiving you. The combined medicinal effects of three Qiu Mica flowers and Jiunai Red contain no toxins whatsoever. You’ve answered incorrectly three times in a row. Is the Nuanxin Yiqi Pill genuinely your creation?”
A deafening realization hit Zhao He like a tidal wave. He dared not meet Jun Jiu’s gaze and staggered backward, almost collapsing.
The truth was now unmistakable. The Nuanxin Yiqi Pill’s formula wasn’t Zhao He’s; he had been living a lie.
Yun Qiao seized the opportunity to come forward. “The Nuanxin Yiqi Pill was a remedy for my cold poison affliction during my time in Fengluo City. Miss Jun kindly saved my life and generously shared the pill’s formula with me, allowing me to create it whenever needed to alleviate my ailment.”
“Zhao He was present at that time and pilfered Miss Jun’s formula. He is a liar and a shameless thief! A thief!” Yun Qiao declared vehemently.
The entire audience fell into a heavy silence. They had heaped praise on Zhao He moments ago, but now, their faces reddened with embarrassment and anger. How could this deceiver have led them astray?
Elder Dange, his beard quivering with anger, bellowed, “Zhao He, you have shamelessly stolen this young lady’s accomplishments, falsely claiming them as your own. You’ve deceived the Dan Pavilion and nearly ensnared me in your trap! Seize this imposter!”