Yun Ze calmly took out paper and pen and began writing under everyone's gaze, his strokes flowing like dragons and serpents.
Gu Yuena tilted her head to look. From the names of the medicinal ingredients and their ages, she could tell that he was writing a pill formula.
Before long, a complete formula was finished. Yun Ze handed it to Bi Ji.
"Prepare the ingredients listed on this as quickly as possible."
Bi Ji took the formula and examined it carefully. It was something she had never seen before, so she couldn't help but ask,
"Young Master, what kind of pill is this formula for?"
"A Truth Pill—a pill that makes people tell the truth," Yun Ze said with a light smile.
"There's actually such a pill?" Bi Ji exclaimed in surprise. Gu Yuena and the others were equally astonished.
"The world is vast, full of wonders. Not only are there pills that make people tell the truth—there are even pills that make people speak only lies," Yun Ze replied.
"Young Master is truly impressive," Bi Ji praised sincerely, then said excitedly,
"The root of this incident is that person who suffered a cultivation mishap after taking the Breakthrough Pill—but he's clearly lying."
"As long as we can prove that what he said is false, the rumors that Dragon-Phoenix Hall's pills are problematic will collapse on their own."
"And many of the subsequent issues will be resolved as well."
Gu Yuena, Di Tian, and the others all smiled. They had thought the matter would be very complicated, but now it seemed not so difficult after all.
Yun Ze shook his head. "Don't think of it too simply. A pill can make someone tell the truth, but the premise is that there's someone to take it."
"That person may already have been killed. Even if he's not dead, he may have been hidden away. Making him take the pill is unrealistic."
Those words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly cooling everyone's newly ignited excitement.
Indeed, if they wanted to leave no loose ends, killing that person would be the best option. Only the dead keep secrets.
"He shouldn't be dead, right? If he were dead, Shrek Academy would surely pin the blame on us."
"They could just say that his injuries from the failed breakthrough were too severe and he died despite treatment."
"That would both reasonably explain his death and smear us—killing two birds with one stone."
"So far, there's been no news of his death. Does that mean he's still alive?" Bi Ji said, though she wasn't very certain.
"Just as Yun Ze said—even if he's alive, he'll be hidden away. We're unlikely to find him," Gu Yuena said thoughtfully.
There was no need to guess where that person was now—Shrek Academy.
Not only him, but likely even his family was there as well. Calling it protection would be generous; calling it detention would be more accurate.
Such a thing seemed dark, not something Shrek Academy—a force that prided itself on righteousness—would do.
But in truth, had Shrek Academy never done anything like this before?
Impossible.
Any force that truly wants to grow must inevitably resort to some dark means. That was unavoidable.
If one isn't ruthless, one can't stand firm. If one's hands aren't dirty, people won't submit. Likewise, a force that is too benevolent cannot secure its footing.
For Shrek Academy to reach its current status, it must have used many methods unknown to the public. Otherwise, how could it inspire fear in other forces?
It was simply that its methods were exceptionally clever—doing the dark things while avoiding blame, all the while maintaining a pristine image.
Xiong Jun scratched his head, putting on an expression of deep thought, though in reality his mind was a complete mess.
Di Tian and Lin Yi, along with the others, also looked contemplative. Finding that person seemed impossible—so how was this pill supposed to be used?
A spark flashed through Gu Yuena's mind. Her violet eyes lit up as she realized something.
"You made this pill… to give it to people from Shrek Academy?"
"That's exactly the idea," Yun Ze said with a smile. "Shrek Academy's upper echelon definitely knows about this matter."
"As long as we capture one Shrek high-level figure and make him take this pill, then question him, the truth will come out."
"Making that person tell the truth is far less convincing than making a Shrek executive tell the truth—and far more shocking."
"That's a great idea! Let them expose themselves—slapping their own faces. That would be spectacular," Gu Yuena clapped in praise.
"If Xiong Jun, the Beast Emperor, Lin Yi, Lin Er, and I act together, we can definitely snatch a Shrek executive and retreat safely," Di Tian said, volunteering himself.
"I agree, Young Master. Let us go to Shrek Academy and abduct someone."
"I've been unhappy with those bastards for a long time. This is a perfect chance to teach them a lesson," Xiong Jun said viciously.
The moment he heard they were going to Shrek Academy to grab someone, he became energized and excited.
"There's no need for such trouble. They'll deliver themselves to us—we just need to wait," Yun Ze said.
His demeanor and tone remained calm, carrying a sense that everything was already under control.
"Deliver themselves?" Gu Yuena, Di Tian, and the others didn't quite understand.
"Didn't Bi Ji just say they've already come three times to demand the pill formulas?"
"Three times with no results—there will definitely be a fourth time. And the fourth time will be even more aggressive."
"Their patience will be exhausted. In the end, they may resort to force—and that requires sufficient strength."
"If Shrek Academy's experts don't come, what gives them the right to seize anything by force?" Yun Ze said slowly.
Bi Ji suddenly thought of something and quickly added,
"When those people left yesterday, they also issued a threat."
"They said they'd give us a final five days to consider. If we still refuse to hand over the formulas for inspection, the Federal Government will take compulsory measures."
"So it's compulsory measures," Di Tian said angrily. "If they dare to come by force, I'll make sure they never leave."
"Five days, then? We'll wait for their arrival," Gu Yuena said coldly.
Yun Ze nodded. "There are still four days left—more than enough time for us to do many things."
With that, he took out his communicator and dialed a number. Very soon, a pleasantly surprised voice came from the other end.
"Yun Ze?"
Seeing Yun Ze on the call, everyone kept silent, not interrupting.
"It's me. Long time no see, Headmaster Xu Lin," Yun Ze replied.
"It really is you. You received the message and came back this quickly?" Xu Lin said, pleasantly surprised with a hint of astonishment.
"Headmaster Xu Lin, I'm calling this time to request a meeting with you," Yun Ze said, skipping pleasantries and going straight to the point.
Xu Lin understood what Yun Ze wanted to discuss and didn't refuse. "All right."
"Then shall we meet in your office in half an hour?" Yun Ze asked.
"Sure. I was planning to leave, but since you're coming, I'll wait in my office," Xu Lin said.
"We'll be there on time," Yun Ze replied, ending the call.
"You and Di Tian will come with me to Headmaster Xu Lin's office in a bit," Yun Ze said to Gu Yuena.
Gu Yuena and Di Tian nodded together.
(End of Chapter)