Free Web NovelChapter 928: Chapter 924: Beginning the Antidote Preparation
However, Fujiwara Daisuke didn’t wait for the elders on both sides to react before speaking on his own: "I think, could it be that the three people came for... the Demon Blade!"
Almost as soon as the words fell, the elders on both sides of the long table stood up simultaneously, their eyes filled with shock, looking uniformly at Fujiwara Daisuke.
Moments later, the elder who had been the most proactive earlier, with some displeasure, said: "Are you suspecting that someone among us has leaked the information?"
Although Fujiwara Daisuke was the current Clan Leader, facing so many seniors at once, he had no choice but to retreat and say: "I dare not; I’m merely proposing a possibility. Please, elders, calm your anger."
The expressions of the crowd slightly eased. With Fujiwara Daisuke having already shown deference, it was naturally inappropriate to pursue further, so they sat back down, one by one.
However, ever since Fujiwara Daisuke’s words, the atmosphere in the hall turned peculiar, falling into a ghostly silence, with not a sound to be heard.
After a long silence, the elder looked at Fujiwara Daisuke, took a deep breath, and said: "For you to say so, surely, it’s not without reason?"
Fujiwara Daisuke chuckled lightly: "I merely combined what everyone just said to make a hypothesis, nothing I can prove."
"No matter!"
The elder waved his hand dismissively: "Even if it’s overly cautious, it’s far better than being careless. You’d better share your thoughts."
Scanning around the room, Fujiwara Daisuke, seeing no objections, stood up and said: "If that’s the case, I’ll share my thoughts, and anyone can point out any shortcomings at any time."
After organizing his thoughts slightly, Fujiwara Daisuke began: "If those three people aren’t lost tourists, they couldn’t have stumbled here by accident. Based on that assumption, the scope of possibilities narrows significantly."
"Everyone just agreed that the three aren’t from the authorities, and since this place is remote with little to draw outsiders, what reasons would the three have to linger here?"
As he spoke, Fujiwara Daisuke watched everyone’s reactions, only to see that their expressions were grim, and no meaningful suggestions were being proposed.
"Of course, perhaps I’m overthinking it. Those three might have stumbled across us for some other reason and wanted to stay for a few days out of interest."
With a solemn expression, Fujiwara Daisuke said: "After all, such people are not uncommon these days, nothing to be too surprised about!"
His words concluded, the hall maintained its pin-drop silence. However, it was clear that no one took the latter speculation seriously. If it were concluded that Xiao Tian and his group’s purpose was the Demon Blade in the ancient well, it would mean admitting an informant within their midst.
For a moment, no words could suffice; everyone felt like they were sitting on pins and needles, as if the chairs beneath them were spiked, making sitting extremely uncomfortable.
Before long, the previous elder spoke first: "Though some words are not my place to say, nor within my authority, I must speak to you as your father’s brother, your uncle."
Fujiwara Daisuke straightened his posture, placing his hands on his thighs, adopting the demeanor of an attentive student ready to heed advice.
The elder paused briefly, then said solemnly: "Your words just now seemed contradictory. It’s clear you are aware, but for fear of offending us, you chose to speak cautiously."
"But I can assure you here, at least before now, the news of the Demon Blade never left the lips of anyone present."
The elder’s gaze was sincere and earnest. Given his very convincing tone and his status as the oldest, what he said naturally carried significant credibility!
Fujiwara Daisuke nodded sharply, lowering his voice: "In that regard, I indeed fell short."
The elder shook his head: "At least your words served as a reminder to us old folks to be more tight-lipped in the future. Should news of the Demon Blade leak, none of us here would escape responsibility."
Everyone nodded slowly, acknowledging the elder’s words, promising never to forget the vows made before their ancestors.
With a few words, the elder moved past the subject, looking at Fujiwara Daisuke, clearly unable to continue the meeting. He stepped up to shoulder the responsibility for his nephew and said: "Regardless, seeing how those three are unbothered under the pressure of the Star Staff indicates they are no ordinary people."
"Therefore, I’ll ask everyone, our old brothers, to be particularly vigilant. I need not elaborate on the importance of caution, right?"
Everyone exchanged glances, then nodded in agreement.
...
Meanwhile, Xiao Tian and the others sat in a small courtyard, engaged in heated conversation, breaking out in cheerful laughter now and then.
Suddenly, as if recalling something, Xiao Tian turned to the laughing Xiang Yiting and asked: "Why did you just say we were lost students?"
The question puzzled him. If it were part of some scheme, that would be one thing. But with no need for deceit, Xiang Yiting’s explanation back then seemed peculiar.
Upon hearing Xiao Tian’s question, Xiang Yiting slightly reined in her smile and explained: "It’s normal for you to have this question, not understanding the situation here. In a village where everyone belongs to the same clan, they actually reject outsiders, especially official ones."
"Why is that?" Xiao Tian pressed further.
"Once a village is designated for development, although there is substantial compensation, it inevitably draws in many outsiders, significantly weakening the clan’s control and gradually diluting its unity,"
Xiang Yiting detailed: "Generally, this directly relates to the clan leader. Those who are elderly with strong influence would never allow this to happen."
Xiao Tian nodded with some understanding, unaware that Xiang Yiting’s words had already sparked suspicion within the Fujiwara Clan.
...
By afternoon, Xiao Tian had prepared everything needed to concoct the formula, waiting for night to quietly begin his work in the courtyard.
Under Fujiwara Daisuke’s invitation, the three went to his residence for dinner. During the meal, they couldn’t avoid being tested, but with Xiang Yiting already having spoken, Xiao Tian could only respond perfectly to each challenge posed.
Returning to the small courtyard, it was around nine in the evening. The villagers began to lock their doors and rest, making the village eerily silent, like a ghost town.
But this suited Xiao Tian perfectly, as it’s better to go unnoticed!
With Xiang Yiting and Adison Claire asleep, Xiao Tian began his operation...
