Chарtеr 6 (4/20)
Gоng Shаngjuе's сalm faсе rеvеаled a sombеr аnd scrutinizing gazе, which fell uроn Gоng Yuаnzhi.
Rеаlizing that evеn Gong Shangjue suspectеd him, Gоng Yuanzhi hurriеdly ехрlаined tо his brоthеr, "Вrоther, I didn't dо it! Gong Ziyu bribed this trеаchеrous servant tо frame mе!"
The thrее Еldеrs ехсhanged glаnсes, mоmеntаrily unsurе how tо dеcide.
Gоng Shаngjue turnеd to the threе Elders. "Brоthеr Yuаnzhi and Stеward Jia eасh tеll a diffеrеnt stоrу. Wе сannоt fаvor оne sidе over thе othеr. Givеn thе gravitу оf thе mаtter, why not first dеtain Steward Jia in the dungеon and interrоgate him undеr torturе tо seе if someone is trying to frame him?"
As he spoke the last sentence, Gong Shangjue suddenly glanced at Gong Ziyu.
Gong Ziyu interrupted, "With both witness and evidence present, what is there left to interrogate? Moreover, you said we shouldn't favor one side, so if we're going to interrogate, both should be interrogated together."
"Fine," Gong Shangjue replied without hesitation, showing no partiality as he pulled Gong Yuanzhi out from behind him. "I hand Brother Yuanzhi over to you. Interrogate him as you wish."
The Elders looked troubled, and Gong Ziyu clearly hadn't expected Gong Shangjue to agree.
But the most surprised was Gong Yuanzhi. He looked up at his brother, his eyes already reddening. Yet since his brother had pushed him forward, he absolutely would not retreat. The pale-faced youth clenched his teeth tightly, not uttering a single word.
Gong Ziyu snorted coldly. "Zhi Manor has too many poisons that can make life worse than death. Forcing a confession through torture and twisting the truth is not impossible."
Gong Shangjue replied indifferently, "Whatever methods or poisons we use, you may use the same. If you don't have them, I'll have Zhi Manor send them over." He raised his head, challengingly watching Gong Ziyu, who was completely stumped.
Just as the situation reached a deadlock, Steward Jia, kneeling nearby, suddenly widened his eyes, moved his body, and flicked his sleeve. Two hidden weapons shot from his sleeve toward the Elders.
Before anyone else could react, only Gong Shangjue, quick-eyed and swift-handed, drew his blade from his waist and struck the weapons. Instantly, thick, pungent smoke exploded within the hall.
In a swift motion, Jin Fan grabbed Gong Ziyu and flew toward the rafters where there was no smoke. As soon as they steadied themselves on the beams, they saw Gong Yuanzhi leaping up opposite them.
Chaos erupted below the beams. Shangguan Qian moved close to Yun Weishan, instinctively turning back-to-back with her and raising her sleeve to cover her nose and mouth.
Shangguan Qian realized the air's color was off. "The thick smoke is poisonous." After speaking, she looked toward the uncovered upper part of the hall and said to Yun Weishan, "Go up."
Just as Shangguan Qian was about to move, Yun Weishan grabbed her and shook her head. Shangguan Qian immediately understood her meaning.
The two quickly lowered their sleeves, took a few breaths, and then gasped. Yun Weishan inhaled the poisonous smoke and began coughing violently. Soon, her head grew heavy, and she collapsed unconscious to the ground.
Everyone's vision was obscured by a blanket of white smoke.
On the beams, Gong Ziyu suddenly realized there were still people below.
"Oh no."
With that, Gong Ziyu recklessly leaped down into the thick smoke.
Jin Fan couldn't grab him in time and shouted, "Blade Master!"
Across from him, Gong Yuanzhi sneered. "Idiot."
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