Pa! Pa! Pa!
On the other side, upon hearing Shen Kuo’s words, Ye Cangtian clapped his hands and sneered, “Truly flawless! I’m impressed! But did you really develop the poison? I’m a bit skeptical!
How about this, I’ll let Bao’er test you. If you can answer correctly, I’ll believe everything you say.”
Although what the other party said was impeccable, how could Ye Cangtian be fooled by such a matter?
Did Imperial Dragon Villa not prohibit anyone from developing poisons? As one of the old manor lord’s disciples, Shen Kuo would surely disdain researching poisons.
Therefore, it wouldn’t be difficult to expose the other party’s lie.
As he spoke, Ye Cangtian looked at Yao Bao’er and said, “Bao’er, take out a little powder and let him identify it. Tell us what poisons are in it!”
While speaking, Ye Cangtian winked at Yao Bao’er.
Yao Bao’er immediately understood, quickly responded, and then took out a small paper packet, throwing it directly to Shen Kuo.
Shen Kuo caught the small paper packet and shakily opened it.
The cold sweat on his forehead increased. Just as Ye Cangtian had said, he had never developed any poisons!
Asking him to identify poisons from these powders was like pushing him to his death.
But all eyes were on him. If he didn’t provide an explanation, what he had said before would be immediately exposed.
At that time, he might even implicate Lei Ming. If Lei Ming couldn’t keep his position as manor lord, who would protect his life?
Thinking of this, Shen Kuo braced himself and said, “This contains Houttuynia cordata, Wisteria, Dogbane, Blood Centipede…”
Shen Kuo rattled off all the poisonous substances he knew. In any case, they were all poisonous herbs, and he didn’t believe not a single one was present.
After speaking, Shen Kuo swallowed all the poisonous powder in one gulp.
He wasn’t trying to die, but to destroy the powder. This way, who would know the ingredients in the poison? Who would dare to confront him!
Others would at most think he committed suicide out of guilt!
However, could he really die?
Of course not!
He had already figured it out. Death intended to use him to drag Lei Ming down.
Therefore, if he was found to be poisoned, Yao Bao’er would definitely produce an antidote and do her best to save his life!
At that time, he would not only cover up his lack of knowledge in toxicology but also escape his current predicament.
Bang!
After a short while, Shen Kuo fell heavily to the ground. To act out being poisoned, he even forced out a mouthful of blood.
Brilliant!
Seeing Shen Kuo fall, Lei Ming, from the bottom of his heart, gave Shen Kuo’s divine maneuver a thumbs-up. This way, Shen Kuo would bear all the consequences alone.
Moreover, the matter today would end here.
At the same time, this could buy him enough time to save Shen Kuo, or to deal with Death.
On the other side, the others in the hall focused their attention on Ye Cangtian and Yao Bao’er.
Just as Shen Kuo thought, in their eyes now, Shen Kuo was committing suicide out of guilt.
But they didn’t care about that. They cared whether Shen Kuo’s answer was correct, and whether Shen Kuo had actually developed poisons.
Sensing the gazes of everyone, Ye Cangtian looked at Yao Bao’er and said, “Bao’er, you can announce the answer now.”
Upon hearing Ye Cangtian’s words, Yao Bao’er smiled slightly.
She said, “Everyone, the powder I gave Shen Kuo was not poison at all, but a mixture of ordinary medicinal herbs that have the effect of strengthening bones and invigorating the body!”
What!
As soon as everyone heard this, their eyes widened.
Shen Kuo had already coughed blood and fainted. Was this not poisoning?
On the other side, Lei Ming, seated in the main seat, his expression suddenly turned icy cold.
Although he didn’t know what the powder was, he knew in his heart that Yao Bao’er was likely telling the truth.
Because a lie would be too easily exposed.
Moreover, Shen Kuo was very close to him, and truthfully, he hadn’t seen any signs of poisoning in Shen Kuo.
With this thought, Lei Ming suddenly snorted coldly, “Good for you, Shen Kuo. You’ve even learned to act. Hurry up and get up, and confess everything. Do I have to resort to torture?”
As the voice fell, Shen Kuo indeed opened his eyes. Upon seeing Lei Ming’s eyes, which were constantly signaling him.
Shen Kuo suddenly understood that this was a hint for him to escape!
It was obvious that he had been exposed. If Death continued to question him, it might drag Lei Ming down, which was why Lei Ming had resorted to this last resort.
As for whether he could escape successfully, it would depend on his own abilities.
The next moment, Shen Kuo’s figure shot up and darted towards the back door of the main hall.
“Heh, Shen Kuo, are you overthinking things?”
Ye Cangtian coldly watched Shen Kuo’s retreating back and continued, “With so many people here, you still think you can escape?”
As he spoke, Ye Cangtian was about to pursue, but before he could act, Lei Ming, seated in the main seat, stood up.
“Junior Brother Death, Senior Brother has failed to distinguish between loyal and disloyal, first slandering you, and then being deceived by that villain Shen Kuo. I am truly sorry. Please, for the sake of our brotherhood, forgive Senior Brother this once…”
As he spoke, Lei Ming bowed three times to Ye Cangtian.
He wasn’t apologizing at all!
He was just using this excuse to stall Death, so that Shen Kuo could escape.
Heh.
Ye Cangtian’s gaze shifted to Lei Ming, and he immediately saw through Lei Ming’s little scheme. Thus, he said, “Lei Ming, do you think blocking me will let Shen Kuo escape?”
As the voice fell, Ye Cangtian glanced at Lan Yue beside him.
Lan Yue immediately understood and then flashed out.
At the same time, all eyes in the hall once again focused on Lei Ming.
Just as Ye Cangtian had said, Lei Ming’s apology to Ye Cangtian was to help Shen Kuo escape. From this point of view, there must be some hidden secret between Lei Ming and Shen Kuo.
Even Feng Jun’s death might be related to Lei Ming.
Therefore, they looked at Lei Ming, awaiting an explanation.
However, Lei Ming ignored their gazes. In any case, as long as Shen Kuo wasn’t caught, there would be no evidence to prove that he had killed Feng Jun.
The next moment, he looked at Ye Cangtian and said, “Junior Brother Death, Shen Kuo has escaped. I think we should end today’s proceedings. After capturing Shen Kuo, we can discuss it later…”
“No need, just wait a moment!”
Ye Cangtian directly interrupted Lei Ming. Shen Kuo was only at the fifth heaven cultivation, while Lan Yue was at the seventh heaven.
It could be said that the gap in their strength was significant, so Ye Cangtian was confident that Lan Yue would apprehend Shen Kuo soon.
In addition, Ye Cangtian didn’t want to give Lei Ming more time to prepare for other actions.
Hearing the other party’s words, Lei Ming’s expression became even more somber, but he couldn’t say anything more.
There was no choice, he could only shut his mouth and wait.
However, he wasn’t too worried about Shen Kuo. After all, Shen Kuo knew Imperial Dragon Villa exceptionally well. Could he not shake off a junior sister like Yue?
…
Meanwhile, in another corner of Imperial Dragon Villa, two figures stared at each other coldly.
Shen Kuo exerted all his strength but ultimately could not escape. His path was blocked by Lan Yue.
“Junior Sister Yue, Senior Brother’s reputation is already ruined, and he will no longer threaten Junior Brother Death’s contention for the manor lord position. Can you spare me a way out?”
Facing Lan Yue, Shen Kuo didn’t have much confidence in winning. In desperation, he could only plead with her to let him go.
He knew very well that if he were caught and brought back, he would be forced to confess everything, which could very well drag Lei Ming down.
If Lei Ming were to be in trouble, then no one would be willing to protect him, and he would have no way out but death!
“Hmph! The nation has its laws, and the family has its rules. You followed Lei Ming and committed many evil deeds, so you must bear the corresponding consequences!”
Lan Yue’s face was icy cold. Her words were a refusal.
After a pause, Lan Yue continued, “If you want to live, then honestly come back with me and confess everything. This way, you might still have a chance to survive!”
“Dream on!”
Hearing Lan Yue’s words, Shen Kuo’s expression suddenly turned cold. With a furious roar, a long sword appeared in his hand, and he stabbed at Lan Yue.
He didn’t know how long Lei Ming could hold off Death, but every moment of delay meant more danger for him, so he had to eliminate Lan Yue as quickly as possible.
However, he severely underestimated Lan Yue’s combat power.
Although the difference in cultivation was only two heavens, for those at or above the Quasi-Heavenly level, each heaven represented a qualitative leap. Therefore, the gap between them was like that between clouds and mud.
Before long, Shen Kuo was heavily wounded and captured by Lan Yue.
“Junior Sister Yue, please spare me a way out. I promise…”
“Be quiet. I told you, your only chance is to honestly confess everything!”
Shen Kuo still wanted to beg for mercy, but Lan Yue gave him no opportunity, directly taking him back to the main hall.
…