The Journey of Immortal Cultivation-Chapter 469 - 273: Making Things Difficult

Li Jianming then turned and said gravely to Miao Tianxue, "If he can steal a note, he can also secretly alter documents, falsify records, and thus engage in deception and fill his own pockets. Such a huge rat, if not ferreted out, will leave endless troubles for the future!"

The intermediaries present found his words reasonable and all bowed their heads in silent thought. The tense atmosphere that had formed against Li Jianming eased somewhat.

"This Mr. Li speaks with such venom, and his words are so sharply cutting that he manages to deflect the blame," thought Pei Yuyuan with a start, then said dryly, "Let’s not digress too far. First, we need to clarify the matter of the snake tongue grass. The task of tidying up the accounts can be discussed later. Vice Director Li, you have no note in hand, so what else is there to talk about?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Another Pavilion Elder interjected, "It’s extremely simple. We can just send a message to Xu Yunqing to inquire about this matter, and have him issue another note, can’t we?"

Pei Yuyuan shook his head: "After I discovered the matter, I had inquired of all the Pavilion Elders, only Xu Yunqing did not reply! I only found out today after asking the General Affairs Department that he had already embarked on his journey to Central Province yesterday. The distance is too far, and sending messages back and forth takes at least eight days!"

"Then we wait for eight days; why summon the Pavilion Elder Council today?" voiced the same Elder again.

Pei Yuyuan sneered: "Because, Vice Director Li has already given away the entire white flower snake tongue grass. If we don’t hurry to retrieve it, who knows if it may have already been used up!" At this statement, the room buzzed with voices of astonishment.

Li Jianming’s mind also buzzed because Pei Yuyuan’s words implied that among his people, someone was a spy for Pei. Otherwise, how would Pei know who received the herb?

Miao Tianxue furrowed her brows, saying, "Vice Director Li, this is where you are at fault. The white flower snake tongue grass is worth over a million Spirit Stones. It’s the only specimen in the Pavilion, cultivated with great expense over many years. When you presented the withdrawal ledger for my signature, you only mentioned the need to utilize the leaves of the snake tongue grass and did not clarify that the entire Immortal Herb was given away! Just the leaves alone, each worth a hundred thousand Spirit Stones, how dare you misuse the Pavilion’s Treasure so carelessly?"

Her voice grew colder as she demanded, "Who is the recipient?" Anger brewed in her beautiful eyes, an anger that only Li Jianming could comprehend—the indignation of being kept in the dark.

Even amidst his anxiety, he felt a warmth in his heart and said soothingly, "The leaves of the snake tongue grass can only survive for four hours once separated from the main plant, and the longer they are stored, the less potent the medicinal efficacy becomes. I gave thought to this and thus handed over the entire herb to that person."

He took a deep breath, speaking earnestly, "That person is young, but is the most talented Pill Master I have ever seen. The elixirs she crafts are far superior in efficacy compared to her peers. I have here the Golden Core Pills and Nascent Soul Pills she crafted; please have a look!"

He respectfully took out the elixirs given by Ning Xiaoxian and handed them over with both hands. Miao Tianxue took them, opened the box, and inhaled, then nodded, "The fragrance is refreshing; it seems to be good medicine. Elder Zhang, would you please test it?"

The Elder Zhang present was a skilled hand at Alchemy and naturally proficient in elixir appraisal. Taking the Spirit Pills, he began to test them with tools he had brought.

Meanwhile, others chimed in, "We have heard reports from our subordinates that several fine medicines were suddenly sold by our Pavilion the day before yesterday. Both disciples within the door and those from various sects have come to buy, could it be these were crafted by the same person?"

Suppressing the smile on his face, Li Jianming said earnestly, "Indeed, it is her work! These two medicines she has crafted have effects several times better than conventional Golden Core Pills and Nascent Soul Pills! The other Miracle Medicines she produced, as I discovered upon later reviewing our Secret Scrolls, were from Ancient Times, and the recipes have long been lost!"

Most people in the study exchanged glances and nodded. Having one more powerful Pill Master in Duobao Pavilion would be a great boon for the Pavilion’s reputation and the disciples of Guangcheng Palace.

Pei Yuyuan, observing the turn of events, felt a sense of foreboding and turned to Miao Tianxue, saying, "Chief, if it were any other time, Vice Director Li’s actions wouldn’t be considered too excessive. However, this particular snake tongue grass was approved by Vice Sect Leader Qiu three months ago for Mr. Nong You to use for alchemy!"

Thump, these words caused a great commotion!

One of the three Vice Sect Leaders of Guangcheng Palace, Qiu Chuyuan, had already designated the snake tongue grass for the Alchemy Master Mr. Nong You. This was not an issue to be taken lightly!

Miao Tianxue, regardless of the murmurs and exchanges around her, glanced at Li Jianming’s suddenly changing expression and subtly withdrew her gaze, asking with a frown, "Deputy Director Pei, how come I was not informed of this?"

Pei Yuyuan replied respectfully, "At that time, Chief Miao was in Xiliang Mountain. Since it was not urgent, the matter was written down as a memo and placed in the records. Chief Miao has only recently returned, and perhaps the Pavilion has not yet reported this because the snake tongue grass, being a treasure of the Pavilion, has never once left the greenhouse!" His last sentence carried a veiled accusation.