CHAPTER 248: CHAPTER 248: MILITARY ARRIVAL (4)_1

"What exactly is the formula of your Antidote Pill?" Li Junjie brought the topic back to Shangguan You.

"You can find it in pharmacies, in many drugstores, and it’s even more prevalent in television commercials. Don’t you ever watch TV?" Shangguan You asked, a hint of urgency in her calm voice, as she handed Li Junjie a large advertisement. Thankfully, she had prepared it earlier.

"See for yourself? I bought it right here. This Antidote Pill, its formula is common. Many people use it, especially those who work in the wilderness; they buy it in bulk. The medicine itself has no extraordinary properties. I heard that the troops in B City have already started purchasing it in large quantities. Could the medicine produced by this pharmacy be fake?" Shangguan You then handed Li Junjie the leaflet with expert endorsements, letting him see for himself. This marked the first successful step for the You Family’s pharmacy chain.

"Elder Zhi, this granddaughter of yours is very capable. Shangguan Hao, you’ve raised a fine daughter," someone commended.

"Thank you for the praise, Deputy Commander Duan," Shangguan Hao responded with a military salute, his body ramrod straight.

"That girl! If she knew you were praising her, old man, she’d be so pleased she might just float to the sky," Shangguan Zhi said with a hearty laugh.

"Hmph. The Shangguan Family doesn’t just have this girl. There’s another one you drove out of the family," Old Master Li interjected grimly, clearly expressing his dissatisfaction with the Shangguan Family.

"Elder Li, this is our family’s affair. The number of granddaughters the Shangguan Family has is none of your concern," Shangguan Zhi retorted coldly, his gaze towards Old Master Li decidedly unfriendly. "Furthermore, whether my granddaughter has harmed society, is a terrorist, or poses a destructive threat—these are all accusations that can only be made once proven true."

"That’s right! My girl might be able to subdue poisonous snakes, but that’s because her traditional Chinese medicine master gave her certain toxins. You should know that in traditional Chinese medicine, some prominent families are renowned for their poison-crafting skills. Don’t just jump to conclusions about everything!" Shangguan Hao’s voice was sharp. "If it weren’t for my daughter, fifty to sixty soldiers could be lying in the hospital right now, their lives hanging in the balance!" His sharp gaze swept over Old Master Li and the two Vice-Chairmen, Liu and Duan. He continued gravely, "My own daughter saved countless lives, yet now she’s being interrogated as a dangerous individual! This is all the Li Family’s doing! And to think, no one suspected that among those fifty people, there were even members of the Li Family!"

"Elder Zhi, Commander Shangguan, this is merely speculation. Let’s continue to listen. Whether she’s a savior or a dangerous individual will become clear shortly. It’s too early to judge either way now," Vice-Chairman Liu said, attempting to mediate, and shot Old Master Li a meaningful look.

"Hmph. I trust the Chairman will ensure justice is served in due time."

"Indeed. The Yu Family, the Gui Family, and the Zhang Family are not so easily bullied!" Yu Jiayong added gravely. The Li Family increasingly disregards us, even treating a member of my Yu Family like a criminal for interrogation!

"Alright, alright. They are not criminals; they are merely assisting with the investigation. Old Liu, your order was a bit excessive," Vice-Chairman Duan said gravely, glancing at Vice-Chairman Liu.

"Yes. Afterward, I will certainly treat the young ones to a meal to express my apologies."

"Hmph," Shangguan Zhi snorted coldly. "Perhaps I should also invite Elder Liu’s grandchildren over for a meal to help them ’cool off’?"

"Indeed. My Yu Family will also take very good care of Elder Liu’s grandchildren," another voice chimed in.

"Enough. Let’s continue with the interrogation," Vice-Chairman Duan said firmly, silencing everyone. They all turned their attention back to the interrogation in the room.

"You claim you bought your Antidote Pill at this pharmacy? How many bottles did you buy at once?" Li Junjie’s voice was tight, his teeth audibly gritting. He wouldn’t believe it even if beaten to death! Why would she buy so much of this medicine, especially since it’s quite obscure? What was she planning to do with all of it? Could she have known beforehand that someone would be bitten by a snake?

"How did you know you all would be bitten by snakes? Are the snakes on the mountain connected to you? Is that why you bought all this medicine in advance?" Another heavy accusation was piled onto Shangguan You.

"I’m not a deity, nor do I possess foresight like characters in TV shows. I also don’t have the ability to control beasts," Shangguan You retorted calmly. "How could I possibly know there were snakes on the mountain? And do you think I can just waltz into a military base whenever I please? Is your military security so lax that anyone can come and go as they wish? Are your forces just for show? Or perhaps you believe I have high-level clearance to enter and exit freely, even bringing people with me?"

Shangguan You’s calm counter-questions made Li Junjie’s face grow increasingly dark. She was clearly implying that he was the one who should be embarrassed; after all, he was the one who needed Vice-Chairman Liu’s approval to move freely within the military base and to bring people in.

"If that’s the case, how do you explain the medicine on you? Or are you saying you routinely carry poisons, know how to concoct them yourself, and therefore bought a pile of antidotes? Perhaps to sprinkle on anyone you dislike? Are these medicines you keep on hand for such ’contingencies’? Is that it? Are you admitting you carry dangerous substances, constantly endangering everyone’s health?" Li Junjie’s voice rose again.

Shangguan You rolled her eyes. This accusation was too much to bear. "I don’t carry poisons, nor do I know how to concoct them. If you don’t believe me, you can search me. These medicines were a free promotional item when I bought medicine for my grandfather. You can check with that pharmacy. Besides, if I were carrying something dangerous, I’d have turned *you* into an idiot first! Stop pinning these baseless accusations on me. I’m not a member of the Li Family; I don’t harbor such filthy thoughts!"

Shangguan You, now furious, retorted coldly, "Finally admitting it, are you?"

"Admitting what? That’s ridiculous," Li Junjie snapped back.

"Don’t even try to deny it. The other six have already confirmed that you are a dangerous individual," Li Junjie continued with a self-satisfied smirk, looking at Shangguan You.

"Are you going senile?" Shangguan You retorted. "If they claim I’m a dangerous individual, does that automatically make it true? Then what’s the point of having military forces or police? By your logic, if I declared *you* a dangerous individual, plotting to usurp the Chairman’s position and even trying to oust him, would that make it true as well?"

"You’re talking nonsense!" Li Junjie’s face turned a sickly green as he roared, clearly flustered.

Shangguan You rolled her eyes, watching his agitated state. She knew people were observing from above, and she wanted them to see just how guilty and flustered Li Junjie looked.