CHAPTER 255: CHAPTER 255 RECIPE(6)_1

"My master only taught me these two recipes, and these are the only two I remember," Shangguan You said weakly. She stole a glance at the Li father and son, as well as the two so-called vice chairmen, before lowering her head. Burying her face in Shangguan Qing’s embrace, she suddenly burst into laughter. "Infertility? Premature ejaculation?"

Li Junjie stared in disbelief at the recipes he clutched in his hand—the very ones he had transcribed himself. As he looked at the words ’Otter Whip,’ ’deer antler,’ and ’sheep whip’ that he had personally written, his mind went utterly blank. He had recorded them himself; how could he not have realized it at the time?

As the recording played from the pen, Shangguan You’s crisp voice reiterating the recipes for infertility and premature ejaculation echoed in the ears of those present. The Li family’s old master and Li Junjie both staggered, nearly fainting on the spot. Even the faces of the two vice chairmen turned ashen. They had dug such a massive pit for the Shangguans and Yus to fall into, and now, not only had their targets avoided it, but the situation had turned into a colossal joke at their own expense.

"Alright, alright, it was just a joke, after all. Since it’s been proven that Shangguan You poses no immediate danger to society, your families are also under no immediate threat," Vice Chairman Liu interjected, attempting to smooth things over. However, his emphasis on the word ’immediate’ was very, very heavy. His words only served to make the expressions of the Yu and Shangguan families turn grim, and the already oppressive atmosphere in the interrogation room thickened. He was the one who had spoken so bluntly just moments ago, leveling such a grave accusation against her, against both their families. And now, with no proof, he thought he could just wave it all away with a single sentence? There were no such easy bargains in this world, and neither the Shangguan nor the Yu Family were to be trifled with so easily.

"That’s right, that’s right, it was just a misunderstanding," Vice Chairman Duan hurriedly added, also trying to defuse the situation. This time, he had offended both the Shangguan and Yu Families. But there was more to come, and they were in no rush; they had plenty of time.

As soon as Vice Chairman Duan finished speaking, he was met with furious glares from every member of the Shangguan Family, young and old alike. His eyes must be failing him! How could their girl possibly be a match for that Yu Zifeng?

"HEH HEH HEH..." Vice Chairman Duan forced a few awkward laughs.

"Since the matter has been verified, we demand an explanation for both our Shangguan Family and the Yu Family. The use of hypnosis against us is a profound humiliation for our families!"

"Exactly! Our people were undergoing training diligently in the military. Firstly, they are not active-duty soldiers. Secondly, they are not terrorists. Thirdly, they have only contributed positively to society and have done no wrong. Yet, they were dragged here to undergo inhumane hypnosis! If you don’t give us an explanation today, we will report this entire incident. I want everyone, the entire world even, to know just what kind of people are running the military department!"

"That’s right. I, Shangguan Hao, reached the position of Commander of the Military Region through my own arduous efforts, step by step. Now, my capabilities are questioned, my integrity doubted. This implies my own prestige is insufficient, which is why the two chairmen feel they can oppress us with their power and their office. I have nothing more to say to that."

Shangguan Hao spoke gravely, then his tone shifted sharply. An intense, iron-blooded pressure—the aura of a high commander—emanated from him, bearing down on the others.

"However, in the troops I, Shangguan Hao, command, why is a mere secretary-general able to come and go as he pleases? Does a secretary-general’s work extend from the political arena to my military administration? Has he ever treated me as the Commander, as the highest authority within these troops? Has he ever shown me any regard? How am I supposed to establish my authority within the troops after this? If I don’t receive an explanation today, then I, Shangguan Hao, am no longer capable enough to hold this position. My troops are poorly disciplined, and I hereby tender my resignation for this failure!"

As Shangguan Hao spoke with such gravity, he removed his military cap and placed it firmly on the table. The atmosphere in the interrogation room became strangely taut. It was one thing for Shangguan Hao to be implicated by their actions, but for him to resign because of them was an entirely different matter.

"Precisely! I, Yu Jiayong, a commander of [Specify unit/rank if known, otherwise ’a certain rank’], was summoned by the two chairmen while on official duty. To have such slander thrown at us, and to have two children of the Yu Family subjected to inhumane treatment, is unacceptable! You must give us an explanation, or I, Yu Jiayong, am also no longer fit to command my troops!"

Yu Jiayong’s voice was heavy as he, too, removed his military cap. At the same time, the two elders, Shangguan Zhi and Yu Zhibin, subtly nodded in agreement. The Li Family had become far too arrogant, showing blatant disregard for their two families.

The current dispute was between those of the older, higher ranks; it had nothing to do with the younger generation, nor could they intervene. Thus, the seven of them could only watch from the sidelines, their own expressions equally grim.

Shangguan You frowned slightly as she watched her father and grandfather stand up for her. A warm current slowly flowed through her heart. The time was not yet ripe; she had to wait a little longer. The Li Family’s fate, whether they survived or perished, hinged on this very moment, so she needed to maintain her composure. Still, the mention of ’inhumane treatment’ by Yu Jiayong almost made her laugh.

"Old Man Shangguan, Old Man Yu, you must understand," the Li family elder said heavily, "as the head of the Ministry of Health, my responsibility, my duty, is to ensure public safety. We will not overlook any virus that poses a threat. Your granddaughter currently represents a significant potential danger. Although it hasn’t been confirmed yet, don’t forget: with just a handful of her poison powder, she eliminated tens of thousands of venomous snakes. If someone were to displease her, couldn’t she destroy an entire city with a sprinkle of that powder?"

Even though there was no concrete proof yet to label her a dangerous individual, he was not going to let go of this line of inquiry. Sooner or later, he would prove it.

"She acted to save lives; she harmed no one! Moreover, she no longer possesses that poison, and it will never appear again. The recent hypnosis has already confirmed this."

"Whether she was saving lives or posing a threat, let’s wait for the results to speak for themselves. The chairmen have already dispatched personnel to your military units, specifically to excavate the areas where the snake swarms appeared. If a significant amount of poison powder or other undisclosed substances are found there, what will you have to say then? So, anything you say now is useless. Let’s wait for the results; it won’t be too late to talk then."

"Exactly. I believe we’ll have an answer by dawn."

The Li father and son spoke gravely. Although there had been an error regarding Shangguan You, they still had a second strategy. She might have escaped the first time, but she wouldn’t escape the second.