My Journey to You

Chарtеr 19 (3/15)

Gоng Shаngjuе рressed оn rеlеntlеsslу: "I suspectеd Yun Wеishan was а Wufeng spу, sо I wеnt tо thе Вack Мountain intending to bring her baсk fоr interrоgatiоn, but Еldеr Yuе stoрреd mе. Аt the timе, he gave thе rеasоn that he had dеveloрed a nеw drug саllеd thе Тruth-Тesting Hеrb, whiсh would mаkе thе pеrson whо tоok it spеаk evеrything they knеw truthfully. I trusted Eldеr Yuе аnd had nо reason tо dоubt him... Нowеvеr, mу уоungеr brothеr Yuаnzhi witnessеd their sеcret рlot."

"Тhеsе arе аll Yоung Мaster Jue's subjеctive assumptions. I wаs born in the Hоuse of Gоng Bасk Mоuntain, grew up there, and have devoted my life to medicine, never leaving the mountain. I have no reason or opportunity to collude with Wufeng, and I absolutely harbor no intention of harming the House of Gong." Elder Yue spoke with candor, and many in the hall nodded slightly.

But Gong Shangjue intended to pursue the matter relentlessly. "If that's the case, then please, Elder Yue, hand over the Truth-Testing Herb used to interrogate Yun Weishan. Whether it is effective or not can be tested. My younger brother Yuanzhi is also highly skilled in herbal medicine and can help the Elders distinguish its authenticity."

Elder Yue's expression changed slightly, but he quickly calmed down and replied calmly, "The Truth-Testing Herb is difficult to prepare, and the medicinal ingredients used are extremely rare. All the prepared Truth-Testing Herb has been used on Miss Yun, and there is no stock available for now."

Upon hearing this, the entire hall was shaken. Those who had just nodded couldn't help but frown, while only Gong Yuanzhi smiled.

Gong Ziyu understood Gong Shangjue's tactics. He was pursuing relentlessly, and if one followed his line of thought, they would only be passively beaten. It was necessary to choose the right breakthrough point to attack. So he spoke up: "Elders, Young Master Jue has long been seasoned in the martial world and is naturally eloquent. If, as he says, he heard the Whistling Arrow warning in Jue Manor, but Jue Manor is quite far from Yu Manor—at most, he could only determine the direction of the Whistling Arrow. How could he be certain that Young Master Zhi was in Yu Manor? In that direction, there is also Shang Manor, and even Zhi Manor lies in that direction. Yet Young Master Jue disregarded all this, injured a group of Yu Manor guards, and charged straight in to demand someone. This is either due to prejudice or a long-planned, deliberate frame-up."

Gong Shangjue turned his head and looked at Gong Ziyu with surprise. He couldn't help but admire Gong Ziyu's adaptability. This usually reckless and frivolous fellow had not only improved greatly but also always displayed astonishing composure at critical moments. He had definitely underestimated him. Yet at the same time, he also despised Gong Ziyu's style of being both righteous and wicked, serious yet shameless.

Gong Ziyu maintained a calm expression and continued, "Also, just now Young Master Zhi said he witnessed Young Master Yue and Miss Yun conspiring... Could we ask younger brother Yuanzhi to explain exactly what he saw and heard?"

"Hmph, still trying to quibble? At the time, I was hiding on the roof opposite Yun Weishan's room, looking down from above, and saw everything clearly. Elder Yue came from the Back Mountain, climbed over the wall, and entered Yun Weishan's room directly. Moreover, to avoid drawing attention, he used soporific incense to knock out the patrolling guards. I was about to report to my brother, but Jin Fan discovered me. He intervened, injured me, and then sealed my acupoints, trapping me in Yu Manor..."

Gong Ziyu asked, "Younger brother Yuanzhi, you said Elder Yue came from the Back Mountain and entered Yun Weishan's room directly..."

"That's right."

"But you also said he used soporific incense to knock out the guards... When exactly did he release the soporific incense?"

Gong Yuanzhi was taken aback: "...This... There was indeed soporific incense in the air..."Gong Ziyu smiled mockingly, "Surely it couldn't be that someone from my Yu Manor released soporific incense to knock themselves out, could it?"

Gong Shangjue furrowed his brows, understanding that Gong Yuanzhi couldn't withstand such a cunning line of attack.

Gong Ziyu looked at the flustered Gong Yuanzhi and pressed further, "Moreover, you said all the guards were knocked out by the incense, but you weren't. Why is that?"

Gong Yuanzhi sneered, "Ridiculous. I've been taking Hundred Herbs Extract for a long time. A little soporific incense is nothing to me."

Gong Yuanzhi felt a hint of pride in his answer, not yet realizing he had stepped into Gong Ziyu's "trap." Gong Ziyu, however, smiled and continued, "You said Jin Fan fought with you to stop you. Tell me, if there was soporific incense, why wasn't Jin Fan affected? Is Jin Fan, just a Green Jade Guard, also taking Hundred Herbs Extract?"

Everyone in the hall found Gong Ziyu's questioning reasonable, while Gong Yuanzhi struggled to justify himself. Unable to contain their emotions, they began whispering among themselves. Gong Yuanzhi's face flushed red. He was telling the truth, yet the eloquent Gong Ziyu had twisted black and white.

However, Gong Ziyu had no intention of letting him off so easily and soon delivered the final, fatal blow: "And, Younger Brother Zhi, what were you doing lurking on the roof of Yu Manor late at night?"

"I... I was..." Gong Yuanzhi's face turned crimson. Unable to answer, he could only turn to Gong Shangjue with a pleading look in his eyes.

Gong Shangjue remained silent. Gong Ziyu's successive questions had hit Gong Yuanzhi's weak points, and they were both logical and impeccable. He took a deep breath to calm himself, listening to Gong Ziyu's account while searching for flaws in his words and quickly organizing his counterarguments.

Gong Ziyu cleared his throat and slowed his pace: "I encountered difficulties while practicing the Three Moon-Slashing Forms, so I sent someone to invite Elder Yue for guidance. Jin Fan, while patrolling at night, discovered someone lurking suspiciously on the roof and immediately moved to apprehend them to inquire about the situation. Although he used heavier force, given the circumstances, such handling isn't a serious fault, is it? On the other hand, Young Master Zhi, after his actions were exposed and he couldn't escape, could only fire a Whistling Arrow to notify Gong Shangjue. It was precisely because Gong Shangjue knew Gong Yuanzhi was lurking in Yu Manor that he rushed directly there to demand his release. The entire incident is very clear, yet the two brothers, Gong Shangjue and Gong Yuanzhi, twisted black and white, fabricating this lengthy, lie riddled with flaws. As for your claim that Yun Weishan colluded with Elder Yue, it's utterly baseless. Miss Yun wasn't even in Yu Manor that night."

Gong Ziyu's outright lie infuriated Gong Yuanzhi: "Gong Ziyu! You—"

"Enough! Regardless, Gong Shangjue drawing his blade is a grave offense and must be punished!" Elder Xue decided to cut the Gordian knot.---