Chapter 14 - I want an explanation

The crowd immediately isolated Xiao Lingxi's location, giving her no place to hide. Xiao Lie's expression changed greatly while Jean finally managed to breathe normally. Xiao Yunhai immediately bellowed.

Xiao Yunhai: Xiao Lingxi… How could it be you!?

Xiao Lingxi: It wasn't me! Clan Master… it really wasn't me!

In reality, yesterday she thought about stealing the Profound Opening Powder last night, but she was caught from Xiao Lie and obediently turned back to her bed. If Jean knew she was trying to do something like that for him, he would have been really moved, even if that powder was useless with his problem.

Xiao Kuangyun: Oh my, I didn't expect that the reckless thief would be a little girl. But I did just say that no matter who it was, I wouldn't let them off lightly!

Xiao Yunhai: Ah! Xiao Lingxi, how could you… act so willfully and do this kind of reckless thing?! This box of Profound Opening Powder is the treasure that the Xiao Sect travelled thousands of li (AN: Retarded unit of kilometers, but in chinese) to gift us! With this, what could I… possibly do?

Xiao Lingxi: Clan Master! It wasn't me. It really wasn't me who stole it! There must be… there must be a mistake somewhere! It really wasn't me!

Xiao Kuangyun: This box of Profound Opening Powder was found under your pillow. If you didn't steal it, then are you telling me it grew wings and flew there? Young lady, I gave you a chance to admit your guilt before. It was you who didn't take it.

Now that we have conclusive proof and also countless people from outside the Xiao Clan as witnesses, you still want to deny it? It seems like you won't confess if I don't give you a heavy punishment!

Those words managed to make Xiao Lingxi's entire body to waver, but Jean quickly supported her before she could collapse, then he gazed at Xiao Kuangyun with an evil smile.

Jean: 'Let's see how much can you manage to keep the thing a secret…'

Xiao Yunhai: Young Master Xiao, please calm down! Xiao Lingxi stealing from the Xiao Sect is truly unforgivable, but… but she isn't a bad person. In my Xiao Clan she is very well liked. The fact that she would steal the Profound Opening Powder also involves some complications…

Xiao Kuangyun: Complications? What complications?

Xiao Yunhai pointed at Jean and Xiao Lingxi with his eyes and answered.

Xiao Yunhai: Xiao Lingxi is the only daughter of our fifth elder, and she has a nephew called Xiao Che who is older than her by a year. This nephew of hers had the misfortune of being born with deformed profound veins…

With deformed profound veins, no matter how Xiao Che grows in other areas, it's still the same as having his life mostly ruined. Xiao Lingxi extremely cherishes Xiao Che and has always been searching for a way to restore his profound veins…

This is something that everyone in the Xiao Clan and Floating Cloud City knows. All those present here can attest to that.

The reason Xiao Lingxi would have the audacity to steal the Profound Opening Powder is obviously because she heard that the Profound Opening Powder has the power to restore destroyed profound veins. Thus, with the intention of saving her nephew, she committed this reckless crime.

Although the crime has been committed, and the evidence is conclusive beyond a doubt, I beg Young Master Xiao to be lenient with his punishment on account of the fact that our Xiao Lingxi is still young and has a sincere heart. Our entire Xiao Clan would be grateful for Young Master Xiao's great kindness.

However, Jean's eyebrow twitched when he saw everyone's heart melting…

Xiao Kuangyun: It turns out there was this kind of situation. Hmph. My noble self isn't some vicious and merciless person. Since she committed this blunder for the sake of her nephew, in light of these feelings, as long as she obediently admits her mistake and apologizes, I can still consider it gently…

Xiao Lingxi: It wasn't me! It really wasn't me who stole it! If I did it, I would definitely confess… But I really didn't steal the Profound Opening Powder! I especially don't know why it would appear in my room… It must be some kind of mistake! Clan Master, please believe me. It really wasn't me!

Xiao Kuangyun's expression darkened and said with a sneer.

Xiao Kuangyun: Where was there a mistake? Our Xiao Sect personally found this Profound Opening Powder in your room. Are you saying that our Xiao Sect member purposefully framed you, a young lady from this small Xiao Clan? Eh?

Jean: Yes.

Everyone gasped in surprise at Jean's words, Xiao Kuangyun's expression turned black and said.

Xiao Kuangyun: Who are you?

Jean: I am Xiao Che, the nephew in question, and I want to solve this case as Xiao Lingxi's lawyer.

Xiao Li: Xiao Che! How dare you!?

Jean thought of being safe due to the protection from Xiao Lie and Xia Qingyue, hopefully her master too… If nothing worked, he will run away and use his blood as a threat for everyone, however, it would work only against other Elementary Profound Cultivators, of he wanted to zombify Nascent Profound Cultivators, he needed the time that he hasn't to make his blood flow on them.

Jean: First of all, the most safe place for the box to be in is beside the Clan Master, I doubt that he is careless, so I would like for you to answer why it was in the infirmary.

Xiao Yunhai clicked his tongue and answered while everyone looked at him in question.

Xiao Yunhai: I placed it in the infirmary because the Profound Opening Powder is a high-grade medicine, since it was so, it would be a great shame if its effects would weaken because I placed it beside me.

Because in the infirmary there are countless herbs, the Profound Opening Powder's effects will not dissipate that easily.

Jean: Then the black box, which is made from the Black Profound Ebony, the Black Profound Ebony has the ability to absorb the medical energy around itself. And since the herb with the highest quantity in the infirmary we have is the Thin Net Grass, the box should have the smell of that herb.

The smell that the Thin Net Grass has is a sweet fishy smell, since the Black Profound Ebony can absorb its medical energy, the box should have the same smell.

Xiao Yunhai: Tch… Just because I want to clear everyone's doubt, I will do it, however if it's revealed that your accusations are false, be prepared to be punished. Young Master Xiao, I would like to ask you to be a witness. If it's Young Master Xiao, his word will convince the masses.

After he said that, Xiao Kuangyun lifted up the box and smelled it.

Xiao Kuangyun: Even though the smell is not strong, there indeed is a sweet yet fishy smell. Come over and smell it as well First Elder, to avoid other people suspecting that I am collaborating with the Xiao Clan Master.

Xiao Li: How could it be possible that someone of Young Master Xiao's status would bother to lie to us. *Sniff* That's right, it does indeed have a sweet but fishy smell.

Then he glared at Jean and said.

Xiao Li: What else do you have to say, Xiao Che? Young Master Xiao and Clan Master have already given you a heaven's amount of face, if you continue to pester endlessly, I will personally chase you down.

Jean: You want me something to say? Alright, I'll tell you. The real smell of the Thin Net Grass is a sweet bitter smell, not sweet fishy smell, why would I say the truth before. Now I want a proper explanation on this subject.

Everyone's expression had changed, and those who were familiar with the Thin Net Grass stared at the people on the platform with a strange expression.

Jean: 'Got'em…' I have not finished yet, Xiao Jiu, you got to the 66th Courtyard, are you able to remember the color of my aunt's pillow? Or any particular detail that you remember, it doesn't matter what it is, we have the owner of the courtyard here to confirm it.

Xiao Lingxi: Little Che…

Jean: Heh, then I want to tell you… First, the Profound Opening Powder was gifted to us, why would the Xiao Sect want it back and use them for their things? Second, Xiao Lingxi is part of the Xiao Clan, not Xiao Sect, if she really did commit the theft then she will be punished with our law, not Xiao Sect's law.

Xiao Li: XIAO CHE!! YOU UNFILIAL BASTARD, YOU STILL HAVEN'T SHUT UP!!!! You again and again search for ridiculous reasons to discredit Clan Master and our noble guests from the Xiao Sect! What exactly is your motive! Why would the Xiao Sect try to frame Xiao Lingxi?

Everyone in the world knows of the Xiao Sect and their word hold enormous weight. If they say that the Profound Opening Powder was found in Xiao Lingxi's room, then it was found in Xiao Lingxi's room! No one in Floating Cloud City has the right to question their authority!

Xiao Bo: This is truly outrageous, to question even the honorable guests from the Xiao Sect. Clan Master and Young Master Xiao had repeatedly exhibited their accommodating patience but unexpectedly, if you give him an inch, he'd want a mile; this is simply intolerable….

Young Master Xiao, Clan Master, this old one pleads for the rapid arrest of the thief Xiao Lingxi and the nonsense babbler, Xiao Che!

Xiao Kuangyun got more enraged as Jean was talking, and now he released killing intent to everyone and bellowed.

Xiao Kuangyun: I, from the dignified Xiao Sect, have no obligation to answer the question of a useless piece of trash from the Xiao Clan. Furthermore, I have no obligation to explain a matter belonging to my Xiao Sect!

Which Elder in Xiao Clan is in charge of law enforcement? Immediately arrest this thief and the piece of trash that tried to vainly shield her!

Xiao Cheng: We solemnly obey Young Master Xiao's order!!

Then he turned his head to Xiao Lingxi and said with an ominous glint in his eyes.

Jean just smirked and was ready to run if no one came to help him, then he whispered to Xia Qingyue.

Jean: Qingyue, where's your master now?

Xia Qingyue: No idea.

...And plan A is gone just like that… Plan B, Xiao Lie.

He came in front of Jean and flung away Xiao Cheng before he could catch Jean and Xiao Lingxi.

Xiao Cheng: Xiao Lie! What's the meaning of this! Are you going to brazenly shield them?

Xiao Lie: Clan Master, regarding today's situation, I always had something I wanted to say! It is absolutely impossible that my daughter, Xiao Lingxi is a person that would steal the Profound Opening Powder!