Chapter 540: Tough Stance

"Wuxuan, I'd like to ask, where did you get this recipe?" Fu Yunjing asked.

Seeing it was Fu Yunjing, Wuxuan said, "This recipe... naturally came from a master. Fu Yunjing, what do you mean by that?"

"Heh, don't you know what I mean? Everyone knows that I'm the only one with the recipe for Immortal Inscription Jade Brew. Isn't this a bit unfair of you?" Fu Yunjing said with a dark look.

Actually, Wuxuan and Fu Yunjing had some prior acquaintance, but it was limited; otherwise, Wuxuan wouldn't have begged repeatedly without getting any of Fu Yunjing's wine.

But now Wuxuan's actions had touched on Fu Yunjing's interests. After much thought, Fu Yunjing couldn't swallow this insult, so he came to confront him.

Once Immortal Inscription Jade Brew could be mass-produced, it would be pure gold, every drop extremely precious.

Fu Yunjing had spent a considerable amount to brew Immortal Inscription Jade Brew.

Seeing his own brew become worthless, he felt deeply aggrieved.

"Fu Yunjing, today is a joyous day at the City Lord's Mansion. Are you trying to cause trouble? My Immortal Inscription Jade Brew has nothing to do with you—anyone who's tasted it should know that, right?" Wuxuan snorted.

"Hehe, I've actually been researching improvements to the brewing method for Immortal Inscription Jade Brew, and I'd just made some progress. And at this critical moment, your brew appears—isn't that too coincidental? It's been about half a year since you last visited me, just the right time to brew this batch!" Fu Yunjing sneered.

The implication was clear: Wuxuan had spied on his improvements and brewed the wine himself.

Although Fu Yunjing was blatantly lying, his words were flawless, causing many to look at Wuxuan with suspicion.

If this accusation stuck, Wuxuan would have no face left in Wufang City.

But Wuxuan wasn't so easily fooled. He sneered, "It's not impossible to slander me, but you need evidence, don't you? Your Immortal Inscription Jade Brew isn't as good as mine—anyone who knows wine can see that, right? Talking empty words, aren't you afraid of biting your tongue?"

Fu Yunjing smiled faintly, "Heh, I have no evidence, I'm just very curious. Everyone in the city knows my recipe came from the Boundless Forest, the only one in Wufang City. So... where did your recipe come from? A master? Hah, that's just something to fool children, isn't it?"

One had to admit, Fu Yunjing had a sharp tongue.

Hearing his words, many grew even more suspicious of Wuxuan.

Stealing a recipe was highly contemptible, especially when exposed by the original owner on the spot.

"Right, I hadn't thought of that. Could Wuxuan's recipe really have been stolen from Fu Yunjing?"

"Fu Yunjing always kept that recipe like a treasure; no one could have known about it. Could it be, as Fu Yunjing said, that Wuxuan plagiarized it when he wasn't looking?"

"If you plagiarize something, you should just brew a few jugs for yourself to drink, not sell it—how embarrassing!"

Hearing the whispers, Wuxuan's face turned green.

Gossip is a fearful thing!

He had been so focused on making money with Immortal Inscription Jade Brew that he forgot Fu Yunjing might bite back.

But through today's events, Wuxuan gained a new understanding of Fu Yunjing.

Yet Fu Yunjing spoke so convincingly that most people were suspicious—how could he defend himself?

Should he compare the recipes?

If so, wouldn't the recipe be leaked? How would he explain to Ye Yuan?

While Wuxuan was in a dilemma, Ye Yuan and Qihai entered the hall.

"This recipe was given to him by me. Do you have a problem with that?" Qihai said in a low voice.

They had actually been in the hall for a while; Ye Yuan had briefly explained the situation via telepathy and asked him to step in for justice.

Qihai agreed without much hesitation.

Ye Yuan had a fifty percent share in this business, and Fu Yunjing's disruption was directly harming his interests—how could Ye Yuan ignore it?

Although Ye Yuan was quite wealthy now, as an alchemist, he knew well the importance of yuan crystals.

In his previous life, without the support of the colossal Medicine King Hall, no matter how talented he was, he couldn't have reached such heights.

Alchemy is a money-burning profession.

To refine a single pill, countless herbs are wasted. The higher the grade, the greater the cost.

Although Ye Yuan had a very high success rate, given his current consumption rate, no amount of yuan crystals would be enough.

No major power would allow him to consume pills like candy.

Not to mention whether they could afford it, how could ordinary cultivators dare to swallow so many pills?

Moreover, the pills Ye Yuan refined had extremely potent effects, completely different from those in the Boundless Realm.

But Ye Yuan didn't plan to step forward himself—first, he didn't want to expose himself too much; second, he was young and his words wouldn't carry weight.

Qihai stepping forward was the most appropriate.

Given his status, who would dare say no?

Sure enough, when Fu Yunjing saw Qihai speak, he was startled.

He never expected that the person behind Wuxuan was Qihai—he had stirred up a hornet's nest.

"Ah! So it's Elder Hai's recipe. I was wondering where Wuxuan's Immortal Inscription Jade Brew came from. But may I ask where Elder Hai obtained this recipe?" Fu Yunjing, still unwilling to give up, asked sarcastically.

With so many people present, and on the City Lord's Mansion's joyous day, he didn't believe Qihai would dare do anything to him.

Qihai's face turned cold. "Do I need to explain myself to you? Hmm?"

Fu Yunjing suddenly felt a powerful pressure bearing down on him, making it hard to breathe.

He gritted his teeth and said stubbornly, "Elder Hai naturally doesn't need to explain to me, but don't you think bullying with power like this won't convince the public? Justice lies in people's hearts. Elder Hai can kill me, but you can't stop the world's chatter!"

Qihai hadn't expected Fu Yunjing to have some backbone, refusing to back down under his pressure.

He could certainly kill Fu Yunjing with one palm, but then Wuxuan would never be able to clear his name.

Fu Yunjing was counting on this to be so tough.

Unlike Wu Rong earlier, Qihai had been on the side of justice then, and no one dared to say much if he killed him.

Now Fu Yunjing had muddied the waters; if Qihai killed him, Wuxuan would be confirmed as a plagiarist and could no longer stay in Wufang City.

For a moment, Qihai found himself in a dilemma.