Chapter 30

The Xiao Clan's compound consists of over two hundred and thirty courtyards of various sizes, and the layout is quite irregular, with a large portion of the courtyards looking almost identical. Even someone who had been there for ten to twenty days might not be able to figure out the positions of all the courtyards and their owners. Therefore, Xiao Che was certain that Xiao Jiu had never been to Xiao Lingxi's small courtyard... Even if he had deliberately visited it yesterday, he might not be able to find it quickly today. He had merely taken a quick walk around and returned with the box containing the Tongxuan Powder.

Xiao Jiu's silence, and the sudden change in Xiao Kuangyun and Xiao Yunhai's expressions, made even the most foolish person start to understand something.

Xiao Che's first question, which Xiao Yunhai answered flawlessly... but he didn't know that this question was just a bait. The second question that followed made them look foolish, and the third question... was like a loud slap in their face.

"Xiao Che..." Xiao Lingxi covered her face with her hands, her eyes misty. In her most helpless and bewildered moments, when everyone was distancing themselves, doubting, and wronging her, he still stood in front of her without fear, just as he had before... even when facing someone the entire Xiao Clan dared not provoke.

The figure that was already deeply imprinted in her heart became even clearer, a clarity that would never fade or dim in her lifetime.

Xia Qingyue's eyes also sparkled with admiration. What was supposed to be a flawless frame-up, which everyone had completely believed, was destroyed by his few simple questions. She increasingly realized that she had never truly understood him. No, it should be said that he had deceived everyone... no one knew about his astonishing medical skills. Now, he had also revealed a mind that could not fail to move anyone.

Everyone's expressions subtly changed...

Xiao Lie's face, however, showed no sign of relief, but rather became even more sullen, and his hands clenched.

This was a frame-up, and he knew it from the beginning. The reason it was framed on Xiao Lingxi... when he noticed Xiao Kuangyun's gaze toward Xiao Lingxi, he understood in his anger. But he had never spoken, and could not speak. Now, Xiao Che's few words had exposed their ugly and malicious intentions to everyone...

What would happen next?

Would they be ashamed? Apologetic? Offer apologies? Or shout that it was a misunderstanding?

Ha ha... There was no way!

This would only anger them more, making the situation even more unmanageable and the consequences even more severe. The people present, even if they knew the truth, would not say a word about the frame-up, but would instead, like grass in the wind, fall to the other side in the face of the other party's anger...

Because the other party was the son of the Xiao Clan's patriarch! A single finger could crush the entire Xiao Clan! Without sufficient strength, no matter how eloquent one's words or how reasonable one's arguments, what use were they? In the face of absolute power, so-called truth was not even worth a laugh.

"Xiao Che!! You, a traitor to the Xiao Clan, still dare to speak!!" The Elder pointed at Xiao Che, shouting in a fit of rage: "You repeatedly seek ridiculous reasons to defame the Clan Leader and the honored guests of the Xiao Clan! What are your intentions! The Xiao Clan is a great existence, would it frame a Xiao Lingxi? The name of the Xiao Clan is known throughout the world, and their words are always as good as gold. The Tongxuan Powder was found in Xiao Lingxi's room, so it was found in Xiao Lingxi's room! No one in this entire Flowing Cloud City has the right to question it!"

"This is truly outrageous, to question the honored guests of the Xiao Clan. The Clan Leader and Xiao Gongzi have repeatedly shown restraint, yet he dares to push his luck, it is truly unbearable... Xiao Gongzi, Clan Leader, I request permission to immediately apprehend the thief Xiao Lingxi and the one who is spreading lies here, Xiao Che!" The Second Elder, Xiao Bo, shouted with a face full of anger.

Everyone basically knew the truth, but no one dared to speak it. The First Elder and the Second Elder's shameless roars were met with no one speaking up for Xiao Che and Xiao Lingxi, but instead, everyone looked at them with pity... the other party was the Xiao Clan, even if you had the greatest reason, even if you completely unraveled the intentions and the truth, what use was it?

Xiao Kuangyun's face was already as black as charcoal. He never thought that his "perfect" plan would be so thoroughly exposed, and in front of so many people... Although these people still looked at him with reverence and no one dared to speak, he could easily imagine that they were already mocking him in their hearts!

And all of this was because of Xiao Che!

Xiao Kuangyun was furious, and the small figure he had never taken seriously now aroused his murderous intent. He said in a low voice: "I, the great Xiao Clan, have no obligation to answer the questions of a Xiao Clan waste. I have no obligation to explain the affairs of the Xiao Clan to anyone! Which of the Xiao Clan's law enforcement elders is here? Immediately apprehend this thief and the waste who is trying to cover for her!"

"Complying with Xiao Gongzi's order!!" The Fourth Elder, Xiao Cheng, who was also the law enforcement elder of the Xiao Clan, finally found an opportunity to show off, shouted in response, turned his head, eyes gleaming with malice, and lunged at Xiao Lingxi, shouting: "Xiao Lingxi, Xiao Che! You have committed a grave offense, now follow me to the law enforcement hall for punishment!!"

The situation changed too quickly. Just when they seemed to have the upper hand, the other party discarded all pretense and lunged forward. Xiao Che was truly a bit panicked, stepping back and whispering to Xia Qingyue: "Hey! Qingyue, where's your master!!"

"I don't know." Xia Qingyue replied calmly.

"Me~!@#￥%……" Xiao Che dared to mercilessly expose them in front of the Xiao Clan not because he was hot-headed, but because he knew Xiao Lingxi's master was nearby... last night, he had even specifically reminded Xia Qingyue to notify her master.

Now, Xia Qingyue's "I don't know" was... damn it...

Xiao Cheng's mystic power was among the top five in the Xiao Clan. Xiao Che and Xiao Lingxi had no chance of resistance against him. At this moment, a tall figure suddenly appeared, blocking in front of Xiao Che and Xiao Lingxi, his mystic power surging, and he pushed forward forcefully...

A loud bang, and dust flew everywhere. Xiao Cheng, who had rushed over, was directly knocked flying, and when he landed, he staggered back seven or eight steps before barely regaining his balance.

In the Xiao Clan... or rather, in the entire Flowing Cloud City, the only one who could make him so embarrassed with a single strike was the peak Tenth Level Spirit Mystic, Xiao Lie!

"Xiao Lie! What do you mean? Are you openly covering up for them?" If it were before, Xiao Cheng would have been intimidated by Xiao Lie, but now, he shouted with full confidence.

Although he knew that at this point, no matter how much he struggled or argued, it would be useless, how could Xiao Lie stand by and watch Xiao Lingxi and Xiao Che be wronged? He ignored Xiao Cheng and faced the high platform, saying: "Clan Leader, I have had something to say about today's matter! My daughter, Xiao Lingxi, is absolutely not the one who stole the Tongxuan Powder!"

"Ha ha, Xiao Lingxi is your daughter, of course you would say that!" Xiao Li sneered: "But the facts are already clear, no matter how much you argue, it's useless! If you dare to obstruct and cover up, don't blame us for not considering our clan ties and taking you down as well!"

Standing on Xiao Kuangyun's side, Xiao Li could speak with righteous indignation even when lying in broad daylight, his shamelessness was not ordinary.

Xiao Lie's face was calm, and he looked at Xiao Yunhai, saying calmly: "The Tongxuan Powder has the effect of repairing mystic veins. I told this to Xi'er. But after I told her, I regretted it, because I knew her personality, and I was afraid she would impulsively steal the Tongxuan Powder. So I stayed up all night guarding the entrance to her courtyard, until dawn! She absolutely did not step out of the courtyard for a single step!"

"Tsk!" Xiao Li sneered disdainfully: "To exonerate your daughter, you can come up with any ridiculous reason! Do you think anyone will believe you? Friends present, who among you believes him?"

Faced with the low, stern gazes of the four people from the Xiao Clan, no one dared to speak.

Xiao Lie's eyes were cold and resolute, and he shouted loudly: "I, Xiao Lie, may not have achieved much in my life, but I have lived with integrity! Though not a gentleman, I have never been a scoundrel! I do not harm others, nor do I deceive others! If even one word of what I just said is false, may I be struck down by heaven and earth, and die a miserable death!"

Xiao Lie's words were powerful and struck the heart, each word filled with deep righteousness and spirit. Xiao Lie was not only the strongest in Flowing Cloud City, but his integrity was also widely known! He did not need to swear by "being struck down by heaven and earth, and dying a miserable death" for people to completely believe his words... but, in fact, there was no need for him to say these things, as Xiao Che's previous words had already thoroughly exposed the truth to everyone. However, under the absolute power of the Xiao Clan, it was impossible to change the situation of Xiao Lingxi being framed. No matter how much more evidence Xiao Lie provided, it would be of no use, and would only make Xiao Kuangyun even more furious.

"Ha ha ha ha..."

At this moment, a disdainful laugh suddenly sounded. In the front row of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yulong, who had not spoken, suddenly stood up, facing Xiao Lie, and said with a faint smile: "This matter, I, Xiao Yulong, have no right to speak or interfere, but hearing the Fifth Elder's bold words, I can't help but speak up... A person who has deceived the entire Xiao Clan for over a decade, actually dares to call himself 'integrity and never deceiving others'! What a huge joke!"

Deceiving the entire Xiao Clan for over a decade... these few words made everyone suddenly stunned.

Hearing Xiao Yulong's words and seeing his expression, Xiao Che's brows suddenly furrowed, and he had a bad feeling.

"Xiao Yulong, what do you mean by that!" Xiao Lie suddenly frowned and shouted.

Xiao Yunhai also spoke at this moment, with a serious face: "Yulong! The Fifth Elder has always been respected, now with the honored guests of the Xiao Clan, the entire Xiao Clan, and the friends of Flowing Cloud City here, don't speak rashly!"

Xiao Yulong bowed slightly and said: "Please rest assured, Father, I would never speak falsely in broad daylight." He looked at Xiao Lie, his eyes narrowing, and smiled slightly: "Fifth Elder, you say you have integrity and never deceive others, then, dare you swear by all the honors of your son, Xiao Ying, before his death... that Xiao Che is your own grandson!!"