Zhao Qiansun knew their characters from his dealings with Fu Ruhai and Liu Sandao.
But this time, they were reported, and he had to go with Zhang Kuixian to investigate. How could they be caught so easily?
The timing of the events was too coincidental, as if some unseen force was manipulating them. To avoid immediately convicting them, they were brought to this secret room for a discussion.
If they were truly to be judged guilty, the discussion would not have taken place here.
One coincidence was understandable, but two such coincidences were truly perplexing.
No matter how much Zhang Kuixian insisted on strict punishment, Zhao Qiansun still brought them to the secret room to explain the reasons.
Zhang Kuixian was very displeased, but his position was slightly lower, so he could only comply for the time being.
"Look at this!"
Fu Ruhai said, handing the plastic bag containing the Jieyou powder to Zhao Qiansun.
"What is this?"
"Jieyou powder."
"What is it used for?"
"It's used to solve plagues and can temporarily control the onset of those 'wedge' creatures."
Watching Zhao Qiansun and Fu Ruhai engage in this question-and-answer session, Zhang Kuixian felt uncomfortable.
"Hmph! I think that's stolen goods. If it weren't for this thing, perhaps so many of those wedges wouldn't have been removed at once last time. We wouldn't have seen those small yellow knives cutting away those wedges!"
"You! You're talking nonsense!"
Fu Ruhai glared at Zhang Kuixian angrily.
It was a fact that the Jieyou powder had inhibitory effects, yet in Zhang Kuixian's mouth, it became the culprit?
"Alright, both of you, say less!"
Zhao Qiansun intended to stop them, but Zhang Kuixian not only ignored him but deliberately retorted:
"Hmph! I know you don't want to punish them at all. Don't think I don't know, you're blatantly protecting them because they've always worked under you! I disagree, I'm going to report this!"
"You! ... Hmph!" Fu Ruhai glared at him again and turned his head away.
Zhao Qiansun frowned. He was about to retort but held back.
Liu Sandao remained silent, calmly observing the scene.
According to Zhang Kuixian's usual behavior, he would take this opportunity to strike down both Fu Ruhai and himself.
The best approach was to fight back!
"May I ask Director Zhang, why are you so sure that we are in league with that person?"
Liu Sandao asked.
"Hmph! You all helped that person cut away the wedges and seize the souls of others, does that need explaining? We all saw it, didn't we?"
As Zhang Kuixian spoke, he didn't forget to glance at Zhao Qiansun, implying that even if they were in league, it would be hard to distance themselves.
"Then, as heavenly deities, if you saw those souls being seized, why didn't you try to stop it, or reason with that person?"
"Are you trying to change the subject? This is about your problem, why are you talking about useless things!"
Zhang Kuixian was shrewd. As soon as he heard this, he quickly tried to steer the conversation away.
In short, even if you throw a punch, you won't be able to hit.
"How is this useless? You didn't do the work, but when we did, we were wrongly accused, and you didn't vindicate us, yet you're causing us trouble! Hmph! This work is impossible to do!"
When Fu Ruhai heard Zhang Kuixian's words, he immediately blurted out a lot.
He had a belly full of grievances that he couldn't keep to himself!
"Alright! Both of you, say less!"
Zhao Qiansun shouted, then paused slightly before continuing, "Old Zhang, don't get agitated either. Let them explain the whole story first. And the two of you, don't feel wronged. We've called you here to cooperate with the investigation precisely because we want to understand the full picture. Come on, speak!"
This was also to temporarily suppress Zhang Kuixian's temper.
Zhao Qiansun knew what he was thinking.
Of course, Zhang Kuixian also understood Zhao Qiansun's actions clearly.
You want to protect them? Even if you can't get rid of them this time, you'll delay it for half a month.
Seizing the opportunity to speak, Fu Ruhai certainly wouldn't miss it. Since Liu Sandao was not eloquent, he let Fu Ruhai narrate the entire process.
But just as they finished speaking, Zhang Kuixian produced a piece of paper.
"Hmph! You speak so lightly, can you absolve yourselves? Look at this!"
Liu Sandao and Fu Ruhai looked at the paper in Zhang Kuixian's hand.
"What is this!"
"You can see for yourselves what it is! This is a letter of denunciation against you. Look, Director Zhao has already seen it. How long do you intend to deny it!"
Zhang Kuixian said coldly, looking entirely confident.
Fu Ruhai snatched it away. Liu Sandao glanced at the writing on the paper, which looked like scribbles.
But Fu Ruhai actually understood it, and his face turned grim.
"This, how is this possible? The first time Liu Sandao confronted that person, there was no Jieyou powder. How can this be so nonsensical!"
Fu Ruhai said angrily.
The text on the paper stated: Liu Sandao, to show his loyalty, helped that person harvest souls with magic power last time; this time, to cover his tracks, he used ordinary powder to deceive people.
"Whether it's nonsensical or not, I don't know. But can this powder of yours truly save people, or get rid of those wedges?"
Zhang Kuixian's question stumped Fu Ruhai.
The effects of the powder given to them were indeed poor, but the powder on their fingers could work.
"The effects of those are a bit poor, but we have the genuine powder. This, this really works, we've all tried it!"
Fu Ruhai said in a low voice at first, then raised his voice when he spoke of the powder on their fingers.
As he spoke, he extended his hand for Zhao Qiansun and Zhang Kuixian to see.
They saw that there was indeed powder between the seams of his left fingers.
"Is this real? Didn't you just grab powder from inside and stain your fingers?"
Zhang Kuixian questioned.
"Hmph! If you don't believe me, Liu Sandao didn't grab any powder just now. Look at his hands!"
"Is that so? Extend your hands, let us see!"
Zhao Qiansun quickly said.
He certainly wouldn't pass up an opportunity to clear Fu Ruhai and Liu Sandao.
If they were punished, it would be like cutting off his own limbs.
To reach a conclusion so easily based solely on a letter of complaint would be too arbitrary.
"Can this really work?"
"It really can. We've all tried it. The wedges growing there are different from the ones that person planted! You'll see it at a glance."
Fu Ruhai said casually.
Seeing an opportunity to explain, he quickly struck while the iron was hot, hoping to leave soon and descend to save people.
"Whether it's good or not, we'll know after testing it. We'll go and test it. If it's real, then all the better; if it's fake, see how we deal with you!"
Zhao Qiansun, adhering to the principle of doing things seriously, said.
"We two will go and test it, to prevent them from causing any trouble. Before we return, you are not to step out of this place. Furthermore, your actions in this matter were improper, and you must seriously reflect and conduct a thorough self-examination!"
Zhang Kuixian said a lot with deep meaning.