Chapter Eighty-Three: Who Stole It?

Inside the alchemy furnace, as expected, there was nothing at all.

With such a rich fragrance of pills, how could there possibly be no medicine inside? Could it really have been stolen by someone? But to steal it right under everyone's nose—how could that be possible?

Still, the structure inside this furnace was truly bizarre. No one would have imagined that within the furnace there would be layers upon layers of strange runes. If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he never would have believed the First Furnace contained such a marvel.

“Nothing!” Su Ye looked up, his heart heavy as he shook his head at Ouyang Yunfeng.

Ouyang Yunfeng had reached the same conclusion, but having been accustomed to such situations since childhood, he remained perfectly calm. He said, “Jia Yi, don’t panic. You have surveillance cameras here, don’t you?”

Though this was the Pill Residence, it was, after all, still the modern world, and security was best aided by advanced technology.

Chen Jiayi immediately realized what she had overlooked. Wiping sweat from her brow, she said, “How could I forget that? We’ve always had surveillance in place to ensure the alchemy process isn’t disturbed. We’ll check it right away—Uncle Yu, have someone pull up the camera footage.”

The elderly alchemist with graying hair came to his senses and went to look into it himself.

“Good, you stay here and make sure no one leaves!” he ordered.

This was the Uncle Yu in question, named Chen Yu, the oldest and most respected among the alchemists. Having him investigate would ensure everyone’s trust.

The wealthy guests present all breathed a sigh of relief. With cameras in place, their innocence could be proven. After all, losing the prized pill that so many had anticipated was a responsibility no family could bear.

Seeing Chen Jiayi still tense, Ouyang Yunfeng spoke quietly, “When you were treating me before, you always comforted and encouraged me. Why not try saying those things to yourself? Don’t worry; the truth will come out.”

Chen Jiayi forced a smile, though her mind was elsewhere. By now, several alchemists from the Pill Residence had come to investigate, with a few even jumping into the furnace to search, but nothing was found.

Su Ye glanced at Ouyang Yunfeng in surprise, not expecting the two to be so close.

Ouyang Yunfeng said quietly, “My illness was very serious before. Jia Yi was the one who treated me all along. If not for her, I’d probably have died years ago.”

“Clearly, Alchemist Chen is highly skilled! To keep you alive with a necrotic heart was remarkable. I was surprised at the time—thought you must have a special constitution,” Su Ye remarked.

Though Chen Jiayi was in no mood, she replied dutifully, “No matter how skilled I am, I can’t compare to you, Teacher Su. You were the one who gave Yunfeng a new lease on life. That’s something I could never achieve.”

Su Ye did not elaborate. His understanding of human acupoints all came from insights gained from the “Yan Huang Method” on the Heaven-shaking Stone Tablet. During his three years of listening to thunder, he had absorbed many secrets.

Though only the characters “Yan Huang” were truly etched in his mind, it was enough for him to help Ouyang Yunfeng and even create the “True Master’s Severed Pulse,” a technique suitable for countless martial artists.

At that moment, the elder Chen Yu returned.

Trailing behind him was a large group—over a hundred people from the Pill Residence, all carrying equipment, clearly prepared to display the surveillance footage for everyone to see.

Chen Jiayi asked urgently, “Uncle Yu, did you find out who stole it?”

“Hmph!”

Unexpectedly, Chen Yu let out a cold snort, his demeanor completely changed. He directed his subordinates to set up the equipment and called out, “Chen Jiayi, come see for yourself—who was the thief?”

Everyone looked at Chen Jiayi in shock. From his tone, was she the thief crying “stop thief”?

The equipment was massive, projecting the scene everyone had been waiting for: the moment the furnace opened and the fragrance of pills billowed out, drifting across the room.

Slowly, the image settled on Su Ye, as the rich aroma condensed into streams and surged into his body.

Only now did everyone realize that Su Ye had absorbed so much of the pill’s essence.

Even Jiang Liuying was startled by the sight and whispered, “What are you, some kind of gluttonous snake? You took in that much?”

Su Ye did not reply, for then the fragrance faded, and Chen Jiayi could be seen discovering the pill was gone.

What did this mean?

Chen Jiayi said gravely, “Uncle Yu, what is this supposed to prove?”

“What does it prove? It proves that this Su Ye is suspicious!” Chen Yu pointed directly at Su Ye, his fierce gaze locking onto him.

Su Ye would not allow himself to be slandered. He retorted, “Are you saying that just because I inhaled more of the fragrance, I must have stolen your pill? With the evidence right in front of us, you still accuse me. If there were no cameras, would I be condemned without recourse?”

The wealthy guests and martial artists all watched, seeing only that Su Ye had inhaled more of the scent, but he hadn’t moved—he was far from the furnace!

Ouyang Yunfeng declared loudly, “Su Ye is my guest. If you accuse him of stealing your pill, you’re casting doubt on me as well!”

Clearly, Ouyang Yunfeng was exerting pressure on the Pill Residence.

If Su Ye were falsely accused, Ouyang Yunfeng himself could not escape responsibility and would see his own reputation ruined.

Ouyang Man suddenly smiled and said, “My dear brother, Alchemist Chen Yu merely said Su Ye was suspicious. Why are you so eager to admit he’s the thief? Feeling guilty, are you?”

Ouyang Yunfeng turned sharply to look at Ouyang Man, his eyes gleaming as though trying to see through her.

Chen Jiayi also said loudly, “Uncle Yu, make yourself clear! The Pill Residence has always been aboveboard. Don’t talk in riddles and cast baseless accusations!”

“Hmph, why so anxious? Do you think you can use Su Ye as a scapegoat and fool everyone?” Chen Yu sneered. “I was curious why Su Ye, with no background, was given the place of honor. Now I see it was premeditated. You placed him at the front to let the fragrance mask everyone’s senses, while you stood closest to the furnace—just the right spot to act.”

Chen Jiayi never imagined her own uncle would utter such words. Her heart ached as she shook her head and said, “Uncle, you’re suspecting me? You’ve watched me grow up. I poured my heart into this pill—how could you suspect me of stealing it? When would I have had the time? And where would I have hidden it?”

Growing angrier as she spoke, Chen Jiayi could hardly believe that, after all that had happened, she was first suspected by her own family. It was not just anger, but a sense of confusion and deep disappointment.

“If you suspect me and Su Ye, your imagination is truly impressive! If you don’t believe me, search me now, in front of everyone. If you find nothing, you must kneel and apologize! My reputation cannot be slandered!”

Indeed, for an alchemist, reputation was everything.

Countless people brought valuable materials, trusting the alchemist to refine pills. If an alchemist’s reputation was tarnished, who would dare entrust her with rare ingredients again?

In the crowd, hearing members of the Pill Residence quarreling among themselves, everyone was shocked. One was a rising star, the most brilliant alchemist in the Pill Residence, while the other was the most senior and respected elder. Who would have thought they’d argue so publicly?

The more Su Ye listened, the more puzzled he became. From Chen Yu’s tone and his public accusations, it was clear he must have some so-called “evidence.”

Thinking this, he glanced back at Ouyang Man and saw she and Ouyang Yunfeng exchanging a look filled with barely suppressed hostility.

Chen Yu’s voice grew stern as he pointed at Chen Jiayi and shouted, “You wouldn’t be foolish enough to hide the pill. You swallowed it directly!”