C2 Qing Bai

"Young master."

After Liu Hsing and the guards departed, the majority of the servants by the courtyard entrance dispersed quietly. A timid young maid approached.

After addressing Su Ze, she added, "I believe you wouldn't take Master Su Hee's Element Gathering Powder, young master."

Su Ze remained indifferent. If Su Bocheng had gone to the trouble of sending Liu Hsing to stir up conflict, surely he had more tactics up his sleeve. The issue wouldn't be resolved simply by Su Ze proving his innocence, nor would it hinge on the maid's belief.

True to his expectations, within half an hour, a servant delivered a message to Su Ze.

"The Grand Elder has summoned the family to convene at the ancestral temple. Young Master Su Ze, please make haste."

Su Ze let out a cold laugh. Just as he thought.

Crossing the Su family courtyard, Su Ze arrived at the ancestral temple, where numerous family members had already assembled. Many appeared to have caught wind of the situation and whispered amongst themselves about Su Ze.

A single glance from him silenced their murmurs.

Were they trying to frame him? Did they wish for him to be scorned by all?

Su Ze scoffed internally. Such petty schemes were hardly worth considering.

Armed with a Profound Rank Low Grade Martial Skill and an Earth Spirit Top Grade Root Bone—treasures the Su family had never possessed—Su Ze felt fearless. Even at a mere Acquired Level 5, he was undaunted by these unremarkable individuals.

With a smile, Su Ze stepped into the ancestral temple.

Inside, over a dozen Su family youths stood, including Su Hee from the Grand Elder's line, Su Hai from the Third Elder's, Su Jiang from the Fourth Elder's, and others from various branches.

As Su Ze laid eyes on them, they noticed him too, and many broke into smiles.

Surrounded by peers who were more foes than friends.

His recollections were accurate. His father, Su Zhongwu, might be the patriarch, but the Grand Elder and others wielded substantial influence. He couldn't make unilateral decisions within the clan.

The family assembly, traditionally called by the patriarch at the Su family's ancestral temple, was now being convened by the Grand Elder.

As Su Ze stepped into the courtyard, a furious shout erupted from the Ancestral Temple: "I don't agree!"

The temple fell deathly silent, the murmuring Su family members abruptly ceasing their covert exchanges.

Recognizing his father's voice, Su Ze made his way toward the Ancestral Temple.

"Su Ze, the elders are in council within the Ancestral Temple. What business have you there?" Su Hee, the Grand Elder's son, taunted with a smug sneer.

With a dismissive glance and a smirk, Su Ze strode from the courtyard into the hall.

Su Hee's smile petrified on his face as he barked, "Su Ze! You dare to disregard me?"

But Su Ze paid no heed to his furious outburst, already surveying the scene inside the hall.

The Grand Elder, Su Bocheng, sat at ease on the upper left, savoring his tea. Arrayed in a line beside him were the Third and Fourth Elders, revered seniors of the Su lineage.

Su Zhongwu, Su Ze's father, occupied the seat of honor on the right, with only one of the family's esteemed elders by his side.

His face flushed with anger, Su Zhongwu had just slammed his hand on the table, locking eyes with Third Elder Su Shuye in a heated glare—the source of the earlier outburst.

Upon noticing Su Ze's entrance, Su Zhongwu's surprise was evident, his brow furrowing in concern.

Yet Third Elder Su Shuye chuckled, "Perfect timing! The suspect arrives!"

The Grand Elder and Fourth Elder couldn't help but show their delight.

"Is this grand assembly convened on my account?" Su Ze inquired, his tone even.

"Indeed, it concerns you!" Third Elder affirmed, then added, "But not solely you."

"As the chieftain's son, you're accused of pilfering Su Hee's Element Gathering Powder. While the powder may not be worth much silver, your conduct is unbecoming. It clearly demonstrates you're unfit to be the rightful heir to the Su family's leadership!"

"That's precisely why we've convened this meeting—to discuss this issue and to strip you of your status as the legitimate heir of the Su family. We must expel you from our clan to prevent any further disgrace to the Su name!"

"I disagree! Su Ze possesses an Earth Spirit Low Grade Root Bone. There's no need for him to resort to such actions!" Su Zhongwu rose to his feet, his voice ringing out in protest.

Witnessing his father's fierce defense brought back memories for Su Ze, prompting him to interject calmly, "Father, please, there's no need for such anger. Allow me to explain."

Su Zhongwu cast a doubtful glance his way.

The Grand Elder chuckled softly, while the Third Elder burst into outright laughter. "You're still so young, you understand nothing!"

"I may not know much, but I certainly know more than you," Su Ze replied coolly. "Even someone as young as I knows that claims must be backed by evidence. Third Elder, aren't you aware of that?"

The Third Elder's face flushed with anger. "You show no respect for your elders! Your arrogance knows no bounds!"

With a serene smile, Su Ze responded, "The highest authority in our Su family isn't you—it's the patriarch."

"You disregard the patriarch and convict me without just cause. Who is truly the arrogant one here?"

"You!" The Third Elder was left speechless, seething with rage.

Su Ze continued, "You can't refute my point, can you? You accuse me, an Acquired Level 5 Expert with an Earth Spirit Root Bone, of stealing Element Gathering Powder. Where is your proof?"

"Proof?"

Caught off guard, the Grand Elder intervened with a resigned sigh. "Su Ze, there's no point in denying it any longer. We have all the testimonial and physical evidence. Bring forth the evidence!"

"There's no need for that," Su Ze interjected with a dismissive wave of his hand. "That evidence was all staged by you in advance, wasn't it?"

He pressed on, "Element Gathering Powder—ten taels of silver is the going rate for one, correct?"

Su Bocheng, uncertain of Su Ze's intent, responded vaguely, "That's about right."

"And what if someone paid twenty taels of silver for it?" Su Ze inquired further.

"That person would be a fool," Su Bocheng replied irritably. "What are you getting at?"

"I'm here to clear my name of stealing the Element Gathering Powder and to expose the absurdity of the Grand Elder's scheme," Su Ze declared to the assembly. "I have only two conditions. First, everyone must remain silent. Second, I need to bring in Su Hee for questioning."

Su Bocheng's brow creased with a hint of anxiety. "This has nothing to do with Su Hee."

A smile played on Su Ze's lips. "If you're rattled, then concede and acknowledge your deceit."

"You're just causing trouble!" Su Bocheng exclaimed.

"Let's put it to the test with a couple of questions for Su Hee," Su Ze continued. He strode to the entrance of the hall, summoned Su Hee inside, and asked plainly, "Su Hee, the witness claimed you bought the lost Element Gathering Powder for twenty taels of silver. Is that true?"

The Grand Elder, upon hearing this, let out a gasp of alarm and tried to prevent Su Hee from responding.

"Be careful!"

Su Hee, realizing this was the witness's statement, promptly nodded and confirmed, "Yes."

It was only after his reply that he caught the Grand Elder's warning and turned to the crowd in the Ancestral Temple, bewildered.

What's going on?

Unbeknownst to him, his simple admission had just punctured the Grand Elder's web of lies. His carefully crafted plot was now unraveling, leaving him with no way to defend his actions.