Chapter 88
Chapter 88
The pill in Ye Piaoling’s hand was twice as large as everyone else’s, its surface wrapped in dark red patterns that shimmered with light.
The elder’s expression changed drastically. “Ghost Infant Grass?!”
He glared at Ye Piaoling. “We used Heavenly Infant Grass for this alchemy lesson. Where did you get Ghost Infant Grass?”
“I don’t know either,” Ye Piaoling said helplessly, spreading her hands. “What I ground up yesterday was clearly Heavenly Infant Grass. I have no idea how it turned into Ghost Infant Grass today.”
The elder’s voice trembled. “Do you know Ghost Infant Grass is a forbidden item in Dali?”
Ye Piaoling blinked. “Ah. Is it?”
Xiao Mei suddenly stood and snapped, “Stop playing dumb! In my opinion, she did it on purpose! She’s clearly using the Tianwen Sect’s resources to refine poison pills!”
The other disciples began whispering among themselves.
“Ye Piaoling is way too bold. She actually dared to bring Ghost Infant Grass into the Tianwen Sect?”
“Secretly buying or selling Ghost Infant Grass can get you thrown in prison…”
Xiao Mei said, “Elder, Ye Piaoling has violated the laws of Dali. Please report this to the Court of Judicial Review immediately and have Ye Piaoling imprisoned for interrogation!”
The alchemy elder’s expression was grave. This matter was far too serious for him to decide on his own, so he ordered a disciple, “Go inform the Sect Leader and let him make the decision.”
…
At that moment, Gu Liuxian was meditating in cultivation.
A disciple hurried over, knelt, and said, “Grandmaster, Ye Piaoling used Ghost Infant Grass to refine a poison pill during alchemy class. The elder discovered it.”
“What?!”
When Gu Liuxian heard this, he nearly coughed up three liters of blood.
That wretched disciple. How dare she…
Did she think that just because she had forced him to be her so-called grandpa, she could do whatever she wanted?
Gu Liuxian was so furious he could practically breathe smoke from all seven orifices. He immediately rose and flew out.
When he arrived at the pill room, he saw the pill in Ye Piaoling’s hand at a glance.
Those distinctive patterns were indeed the mark of Ghost Infant Grass.
“Ye Piaoling, you are beyond saving!”
Gu Liuxian’s beard trembled as he scolded her. “Do you know what crime you have committed?”
Xiao Mei cupped her hands and said, “Grandmaster, the question is who Junior Sister Ye intended to murder by refining a poison pill. I’m afraid we can only learn that after the Court of Judicial Review interrogates her.”
Ye Piaoling said, “This pill of mine isn’t poisonous. In fact, it has a miraculous effect.”
Xiao Mei sneered. “Nonsense! Everyone knows that evil things like Ghost Infant Grass can only refine poison pills!”
Ye Piaoling turned to Gu Liuxian. “Grandmaster, if the facts prove this pill is non-toxic, then would this disciple be innocent?”
Gu Liuxian said, “And how do you plan to prove that?”
Ye Piaoling replied, “By eating it.”
Everyone sucked in a cold breath.
Any pill refined from Ghost Infant Grass would make the person who ate it bleed from all seven orifices and have every meridian severed.
Xiao Mei immediately laughed. “Fine. If you dare eat it in front of everyone, we’ll believe you!”
Ye Piaoling said, “You said it yourself.”
“Enough!” Gu Liuxian shouted sternly. “Ye Piaoling, if you’ve made a mistake, just admit it. Are you trying to threaten us with your own death?”
Ye Piaoling said, “Who said I wanted to die?”
Gu Liuxian said, “If you eat that pill, isn’t that the same as seeking death?”
Ye Piaoling said, “I said we can prove it’s non-toxic by having it eaten-but not by me. We’ll have someone else eat it.”
Everyone: “…”
A long moment passed.
Xiao Mei shrieked, “Are you insane? Who would willingly eat your poison pill?”
Ye Piaoling said, “There is one person who would do it gladly.”
“Who?”
“The Divine Physician of our Bing-le-me, Ximen Wuming!”
Ye Piaoling said, “Ximen Wuming’s medical skills are superb. Whether a pill is poisonous or not, he can tell with a single sniff. If he’s willing to swallow this pill, that proves it isn’t poisonous.”
Gu Liuxian snapped, “You’re gambling with someone else’s life!”
Ye Piaoling replied, “It’s his own life. He knows what he’s doing.”
Xiao Mei froze for a long moment, then suddenly sneered. “Fine. But if anything happens to him after he eats it, then you will have poisoned someone to death. That is a capital crime!”
Ye Piaoling remained perfectly composed. “Fine. A capital crime. Hurry up and call Ximen Wuming over.”
Gu Liuxian suppressed his anger and fell into thought.
No matter what, he did not want a disciple of his sect thrown into prison. If Ye Piaoling really had some trick up her sleeve to get herself off the hook, then let her try it!
Besides, as hateful as this wretched disciple was, she just so happened to have leverage over him…
After a long while, Gu Liuxian said, “Let Ye Piaoling call over that physician she knows.”
He wanted to see exactly what sort of stunt this girl could pull.
Before long, Ximen Wuming came hurrying over.
The moment Gu Liuxian saw Ximen Wuming, he was inwardly startled.
Judging from his appearance, this man looked to be a hundred and twenty or thirty years old, yet his body was still vigorous, his steps swift as the wind!
To be this healthy at such an advanced age-how remarkable!
Gu Liuxian rarely met anyone older than himself, so at that moment, a sense of admiration and appreciation arose in his heart.
Out of kindness, he reminded him, “Old brother… no, old uncle, it isn’t easy to live to such an age. If you’re not certain about a poison pill, you really mustn’t eat it recklessly!”
Ximen Wuming glanced at him. “Are you talking to me?”
Hearing his youthful voice, Gu Liuxian was first taken aback.
Then he focused and took a closer look-only to discover that the person before him was actually only in his twenties or thirties!
He merely looked old. A full hundred years older than his actual age.
Gu Liuxian: “…”
Ximen Wuming looked a little hurt. “Have I truly aged to this point? Even an old man this old has to count seniority and call me uncle…”
Ye Piaoling hurriedly comforted him. “Don’t be sad. Grandmaster was just joking with you!”
She handed the pill to Ximen Wuming. “Here, take a look at this!”
Ximen Wuming was stunned. “This is a pill refined from Ghost Infant Grass?”
Xiao Mei laughed.
See? Even the Divine Physician from your own shop admits this is Ghost Infant Grass!
Ye Piaoling nodded. “That’s right. There is Ghost Infant Grass in it. About two spoonfuls’ worth. See if you can eat it.”
Ximen Wuming took the pill, sniffed it, and frowned as he identified the formula and medicinal properties within.
If it was refined according to this formula…
Suddenly, an astonishing conclusion appeared in his mind.
“Young Miss, this… this formula-how did you think of it?!!”
Ximen Wuming’s voice was trembling.
Ye Piaoling chuckled. “Does this formula suit you?”
Ximen Wuming did not even have time to nod before he stuffed the pill into his mouth and began chewing.
Mm. Nice and crunchy!
Everyone’s eyes went wide.
This was clearly a poison pill, yet he was eating it with such relish, with such impatience…
Just why?!!