Gu Li saw Liu Piaopiao's pleading gaze and knew she couldn't handle the current situation.
However, he also knew he couldn't show his hand too obviously, lest he be accused of bias. That would not only prevent him from dealing with Su Xi but also expose his identity. The best course of action was to resolve the issue stealthily.
Su Xi also noticed Liu Piaopiao's pleading look, but she gave Gu Li no chance to intercede. "We have no enmity, why are you framing me?"
Su Xi's words, spoken with force, made Liu Piaopiao's face turn even paler, and sweat began to bead on her forehead.
"I, I. You, you." Liu Piaopiao looked at Su Xi, unable to find words to respond.
If she told the truth, she would die even faster. But if she didn't, it was clear that Su Xi would not let her get away with it.
What should she do?
"What are you doing?" Gu Li interrupted Su Xi's questioning, giving Liu Piaopiao a brief moment to breathe.
Seeing that Gu Li was trying to play favorites, Daoist Chang Qing stepped forward. "What do you want to do?"
Although the disciples of Shu Mountain disliked conflict, they were not afraid of a fight. If someone intended to harm a member of Shu Mountain, he certainly wouldn't back down.
Gu Li knew that if he couldn't provide a reasonable explanation, Daoist Chang Qing would surely report the day's events, which would derail his plan and land him in significant trouble.
Gu Li let out a light laugh and offered a not-too-preposterous reason: "This woman is inherently suspicious, so she cannot be the one to interrogate."
After speaking, Gu Li looked at Liu Piaopiao and feigned a stern tone, "I advise you to speak truthfully, or don't blame me for being impolite."
Liu Piaopiao understood Gu Li's hint and began to cooperate, saying, "Elder Gu, everything I say is the truth. I truly don't know where Senior Brother Wu went, nor do I know what to answer."
Hearing Liu Piaopiao's words, Gu Li's face contorted with anger. He took out a pill from his person and forced it into Liu Piaopiao's mouth.
"No, no~" Liu Piaopiao mumbled a few words, trying to stop Gu Li.
But under Gu Li's immense pressure, she was powerless to refuse, unable even to move a finger.
Soon, she swallowed the pill Gu Li held.
After taking the pill, Liu Piaopiao collapsed to the ground weakly, her expression one of desolate misery, as if she had been violated.
Seeing that Liu Piaopiao had ingested the pill, Gu Li said triumphantly, "Since you've taken my Truth-Seeking Pill, I'd like to see what secrets you can hide."
The Truth-Seeking Pill was a special concoction Gu Li had created for interrogating criminals. Anyone who consumed it would obey him implicitly, unable to conceal anything.
Under Gu Li's questioning, Liu Piaopiao began to speak: "After I separated from my Senior Brother Wu Yufeng, we discovered a great secret. Wu Yufeng and I discussed obtaining that treasure together."
"However, my cultivation was too weak at the time, so Wu Yufeng went in alone, and I stayed outside to guard. But then I was discovered by the demons. To prevent them from finding out, I had to temporarily lure them away..."
Su Xi felt utterly speechless upon hearing Liu Piaopiao's explanation.
She had never imagined such a far-fetched excuse. And was it a Truth-Seeking Pill or a Lie-Inducing Pill?
To utter such ridiculous words.
Setting aside whether Wu Yufeng would agree to explore for treasure with Liu Piaopiao, given her opportunistic nature, she wouldn't risk her own safety as a cover.
If Su Xi could easily spot the anomaly, then Daoist Chang Qing, who had lived for several hundred years, would certainly not be so easily fooled. He too, could hear the loopholes in Liu Piaopiao's story.
Thus, he stepped forward and questioned Liu Piaopiao, "What exactly did you discover?"
Liu Piaopiao did not answer Daoist Chang Qing, standing still as if she had heard nothing.
Seeing that he was being ignored, Daoist Chang Qing looked at Gu Li, his eyes asking what was going on.
Was this an intentional attempt to embarrass him?
Gu Li, seeing Daoist Chang Qing's questioning gaze, smiled and explained, "This is a pill I refined. Naturally, only I can ask the questions, and she will answer."
Gu Li then repeated Daoist Chang Qing's question, and Liu Piaopiao quickly responded.
After hearing Liu Piaopiao's answer, Gu Li turned his gaze back to Daoist Chang Qing. "Do you have any more questions? I can ask them all for you."
Liu Piaopiao's words were seamless, leaving Daoist Chang Qing unable to find any fault. Instead, he looked at Su Xi beside him, seeking guidance on what to do next.
Given his status, some matters were inconvenient for him to handle directly.
Su Xi noticed Daoist Chang Qing's hint and knew it was her turn to step in.
She stepped forward once more and asked Gu Li, "Elder Gu, I still want to know, why did she frame me?"
Although Gu Li didn't want to deal with Su Xi, under Daoist Chang Qing's watchful eye, he had to respond.
Liu Piaopiao, hearing Gu Li's question, began to speak, "This is because."
Liu Piaopiao's words stopped abruptly halfway through. Then, she looked up at Su Xi, a cold smile appearing on her lips.
The sudden laughter immediately drew everyone's attention.
"What's going on?" Daoist Chang Qing looked at Liu Piaopiao and asked Gu Li.
Gu Li shook his head at Daoist Chang Qing, "I don't know what's happening right now. Perhaps the effect of the pill isn't strong enough. We need to add a bit more."
Saying this, Gu Li took out another pill and fed it to Liu Piaopiao.
After swallowing the pill, Liu Piaopiao suddenly convulsed, then stared at Su Xi, letting out a series of eerie chuckles. Her appearance was exceedingly strange.
Su Xi felt a flicker of hesitation under Liu Piaopiao's sinister gaze.
She wasn't sure what Liu Piaopiao was trying to do.
Liu Piaopiao quickly suppressed her smile, then suddenly leaped up and charged rapidly towards Su Xi. Her eyes were filled with ferocity and a bloodthirsty glint.
Su Xi, seeing Liu Piaopiao charging at her, was startled. She hadn't expected such a sudden attack.
Despite her surprise, she knew she had no choice but to confront Liu Piaopiao.
Because Liu Piaopiao's sudden outburst was so unexpected, the people around them hadn't anticipated such a turn of events and couldn't intervene.
Daoist Chang Qing had already moved to act, but due to a moment's hesitation, he was still a step too late.
Liu Piaopiao was already upon Su Xi, about to attack. He couldn't stop her in time.
With Liu Piaopiao inches away, Su Xi immediately unleashed a prepared talisman without hesitation.
As the talisman landed on Liu Piaopiao, a golden light flashed. Liu Piaopiao let out a pained scream and was immediately thrown backward, crashing heavily to the ground.
Su Xi looked at Liu Piaopiao, her hair dishevelled, and felt a sense of relief.
Fortunately, she had been somewhat prepared. Otherwise, she would have been in grave danger.