chapter 12 Expose lies ===

Deacon Lan recounted the incident in detail, explaining the allegations against the Xu’s weapons workshop. Then, with a flick of his toe, Verdantius Liu caught the broken knife thrown on the ground by Scar Tiger. Gently plucking it, a crisp sound of a blade hum resonated, completely different from the echoes of the weapons he had picked up in the Xu family hall. A cold smile appeared at the corner of Verdantius Liu's mouth, and his gaze pierced directly at Scar Tiger without a hint of emotion. "Are you sure this long knife was purchased from the Xu’s weapons workshop?" Verdantius Liu asked publicly. Hundreds of eyes focused on him, and he spoke with an irresistible tone, like an emperor inquiring of his subjects. "Are you blind? The Xu family's mark is clearly engraved on the handle of this knife." Scar Tiger was unreserved, showing disdain. The name of the Xu family's son-in-law was well-known, and his reputation preceded him. Each Xu family weapon had a unique mark, recognizable at a glance. The mark on this long knife was indeed the Xu family's, and Deacon Lan dared not use force. He allowed Scar Tiger to create a commotion, not wanting to escalate the situation. This mark could only be carved by a master craftsman from the Xu family, and ordinary people couldn't imitate it. At first glance, even Valerrie Xu believed it. "Deacon Lan, you've been with the Xu family for over ten years. You should be familiar with the refining process. Tell me, what are the main materials used in the Xu family's weapons?" Verdantius Liu shifted his gaze back to Deacon Lan, asking him to explain the Xu family's forging techniques and the materials they used. "Our Xu family's weapons primarily use ore from the Xu family's Purple Gold Mine, combined with Xiangyang Meteorite Iron. The iron is melted with martial fire and refined with literary fire, ensuring that each weapon reaches the level of Hundred Refinements Steel." He didn't go into specific details, but the information was sufficient. "Do any of you have doubts about this answer?" Verdantius Liu swept his gaze over the crowd, and people nodded in agreement. The information about the Xu family's weapon materials was no longer a secret. "Young Master Liu, what does all this mean? What does it have to do with this broken knife?" A middle-aged man spoke up. He was a longtime customer of the Xu’s weapons workshop. After all the information shared, Scar Tiger holding the broken knife seemed unrelated. Valerrie Xu remained silent, quietly watching Verdantius Liu, her beautiful eyes showing a hint of curiosity. "Of course, it's related!" Verdantius Liu raised his hand to interrupt the noisy surroundings. The entire hall suddenly fell silent. "Kid, spit it out quickly. I still have things to do. Let's quickly discuss compensation." Scar Tiger urged impatiently, a trace of panic flashing in his eyes. He could deceive others, but not Verdantius Liu. Every detail was observed, and every action was captured. All attention focused on Verdantius Liu, waiting for him to continue. "Young Master Liu, don't keep us in suspense. Tell us what's going on with this broken knife." People were getting impatient. If it was proven to be forged by the Xu family, the matter was clear—they would have to compensate. Verdantius Liu glanced around, finally fixing his gaze on Scar Tiger's face. He spoke slowly and deliberately, "Tell me, who sent you to cause trouble at the Xu’s weapons workshop?" A terrifying killing intent swept over Scar Tiger and his companions, and a bone-chilling coldness filled the entire hall. No one expected Verdantius Liu to say such words. "It seems you won't shed a tear until you see the coffin. Today, I'll make sure you close your eyes in death." Verdantius Liu's gaze turned toward the refining room, where Sylvester Hu had just walked out. The commotion outside had awakened him from his contemplation. "Sylvester Hu, bring out a refining furnace!" Soon, Sylvester Hu brought over a refining furnace, and the temperature in the entire hall suddenly rose. "Ignite it!" With a command, Sylvester Hu, without hesitation, pulled the bellows, and a terrifying flame enveloped the furnace where iron was being refined. Verdantius Liu threw the broken knife into it. At this moment, Scar Tiger felt a little uneasy. "Today, the Xu family has truly amazed me. I didn't expect so much trouble over compensation. We'll just have to count our losses. We won't buy Xu family weapons in the future." After saying this, Scar Tiger and his subordinates left, avoiding further entanglement. This puzzled many people. "Deacon Lan, stop them. No one is leaving the weapon workshop today." With a commanding presence, exuding an aura of authority, Deacon Lan's mind shook, involuntarily releasing his innate power to block Scar Tiger and the others. "What do you mean by this? We've already let bygones be bygones. Why are you still intimidating us? Are you planning to kill us to keep us silent?" Scar Tiger was furious, and the ten of them drew their weapons simultaneously, showing signs of preparing for a fight. "Since you've all come, we can't let you leave without clarifying the situation. You really think we, the Xu family, are easy to deceive." Verdantius Liu had an innocent look, making it difficult for people to figure out his intentions. He walked to the side of the refining furnace, picked up tongs, and retrieved the nearly melted broken knife. Surprisingly, the iron liquid was blue, not the usual purple-gold color. "What's going on?" Sylvester Hu was astonished. He had been in the Xu family's refining room for several years, and the Xu family's iron liquid had always been purple-gold. Deacon Lan's face turned grim. "Sylvester Hu, dissolve this one as well." Verdantius Liu didn't rush to explain, picking up another long knife that had not fallen from the wall and throwing it in front of Sylvester Hu to dissolve. As time passed, the Xu family's long knife began to dissolve. Strangely, this time it turned into purple-gold iron liquid, completely different from the broken knife Scar Tiger brought. This scene shocked countless people, and Valerrie Xu's beautiful eyes showed a hint of surprise and even some astonishment. Deacon Lan's face turned dark. Others might not know, but he was very familiar with the weapons in Canglan City. The Xu family used purple-gold ore for forging, while the Tian family used blue windstone, producing blue iron liquid. Onlookers were also dumbfounded. It was clear that this broken knife was not forged by the Xu family, as evidenced by the color of the iron liquid. So, what about the Xu family's mark? They couldn't help but think of the incident where the Xu family's master craftsmen were poached. These craftsmen had mastered the core secrets of the Xu family, including carving the Xu family's mark. It wasn't difficult to imagine someone using this knowledge. "Scar Tiger, daring to frame the Xu family with a fake broken knife. You're really tired of living." Deacon Lan was angry. If Verdantius Liu hadn't exposed them, today's events would undoubtedly be unfavorable for the Xu family. "Maybe we made a mistake. Seeing the Xu family mark on it, we thought it was purchased from the Xu family. The mark can't be faked." Scar Tiger tried to explain, saying that they injured master Dong and others, offered at most some gold coins as compensation, spared lives but not causing death. "It's truly stubborn!" Verdantius Liu was a bit impatient, not bothering to continue the nonsense with them. A terrifying killing intent enveloped Scar Tiger, and he gradually approached. The ten people began to retreat towards the door, hoping to find an opportunity to escape. Deacon Lan was a cultivator at the Innate Realm. As long as they avoided him, they could escape. As for Verdantius Liu, they didn't even consider him; they never regarded him as a threat. "We're leaving!" Scar Tiger gave the order, and with ten men, they rushed towards the door. "Deacon Lan, if one person escapes today, you can get out of the Xu family." Verdantius Liu didn't make a move. These people were just trash, not worth his effort. Deacon Lan, with a surge of innate power, shook Scar Tiger and the others back to the center of the hall. A foot stepped on Scar Tiger's chest, and Verdantius Liu, emotionless, said, "Now you can speak. Who instructed you to come here and cause trouble?" Everyone stared at Verdantius Liu, waiting for him to explain how Scar Tiger brought a fake broken knife, and now, he should have the final say. "tell the person behind the scenes, or should I force you to reveal it?" Verdantius Liu's eyes were sharp as blades, pressing Scar Tiger. Frightened, Scar Tiger took a step back. This waste had scared him multiple times today. Even if they left the Xu family's weapon workshop, it would be a complete loss of face. "Speak up now, or I'll make you regret it!" Verdantius Liu was ruthless. Scar Tiger hesitated but finally spilled the beans, revealing that they weren't instructed by anyone. "Let me go if you have the ability. I challenge you to a one-on-one fight!" Scar Tiger wanted to struggle free, but Verdantius Liu kicked him again, causing him to howl in pain. "You've successfully angered me!" Suddenly, a short knife appeared in Verdantius Liu's hand. In a flash, blood splattered, and Scar Tiger's right arm was severed at the root. “Ah…” Scar Tiger let out a piercing and miserable scream. His entire right arm was severed cleanly from the shoulder, and fresh blood dyed the ground red.