The elders frowned at his words.
They wanted to claim they had read it, and they did, but if the First Elder was making a big deal out of it, then they must have missed something.
This First Brother of theirs had always proven himself a calculating and far-sighted person, in a different way from Gao Diao.
Even now, he took care of Aracha's cultivation because she managed their Second Brother better than any of them could.
If she were left alone to raise her cultivation, with her poor aptitude and busy schedule, she would most likely form her foundation near the end of her lifespan, and even that would require luck on her part.
Her life would end too soon compared to the Second Elder who had reached the Nascent Soul stage, unlocking a lifespan several magnitudes longer than ordinary mortals.
Thus, Kaitou Daiki supported her cultivation early on for the sake of extending her lifespan, all for the sake of regulating the Second Elder more easily.
"Please repeat the report summary for them, Brother Shirou."
Vice Elder Shirou stepped forward. Stern and strict, his jet-black eyebrows furrowed as he recited the report from memory.
"An unidentified Qi Flourishing male spent several million sect credits on low-grade pills, weak talismans, inferior weapons, common technique manuals as well as cheap storage bags, storage rings, and other inexpensive knickknacks. At the same time, two hundred and thirty-seven wares vanished without a trace from several dozen different vendors totalling a value greater than twenty million sect credits. These vendors were never approached by the suspect. Disciple Sora Yu and several other inner sect disciples also had their storage bags and rings pilfered even though the suspect had not come within three steps of most of them."
Vice Elder Shirou continued to report on various details concerning the Rusty Robber as well as countermeasures taken against him and possible explanations for how the items were taken.
Cold sweat trickled down Kenja's neck.
Snail had dragged him into a heap of trouble.
Five Nascent Soul elders had convened to discuss how to find and exterminate him.
"Big sister, are you okay? You don't look well," Hanabi grabbed Kenja's palm with both hands, staring at his face full of worry.
Kenja pulled his hand back.
"I'm fine. Girls shouldn't touch others casually."
Hanabi looked hurt for a moment, but she shook her head and insisted, "My sister told me that it's perfectly natural for girls to touch each other."
Kenja cringed as his heart took a hit.
The First Princess had passed down such irresponsible words to the Second Princess. It was still not okay, even if they were both girls!
And Kenja was not a girl.
He was a man!
Seeing Kenja's face twist in pain, Hanabi's misunderstanding grew.
"If it's your stomach again, just take one of the pills I gave you, big sister. It will relieve you of any discomfort. I'll tell our uncles that we need to leave."
Pills? Stomach? Leave? Leave where?
"Little sister, what are the effects of those pills?"
"They're for your stomach pains."
"Why would you get me these pills?" Kenja stared at her with wide eyes, completely baffled.
"Last time, you told me your stomach hurt. I got them for you." Hanabi's eyes shone with a clear seriousness.
Kenja wished he could slap himself.
He completely forgot about the excuse he had given Hanabi to decline joining them at the lecture hall's orientation a few days ago. This girl went out of her way to procure medicine for his lie.
Guilt-ridden for deceiving her, Kenja frowned at himself.
"Did I do something unnecessary?" Hanabi believed the frown was directed at her, so she was worried she had offended Kenja somehow.
This time, Kenja grabbed her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "Of course not. Little sister's pills are miraculous. I feel better just having them with me."
Hanabi turned her gaze downwards in embarrassment. "Big sister shouldn't tease Hanabi."
Kenja stifled a laugh.
This princess was just like Shizuka, shying away from a small compliment. She helped him relax about the sect-wide manhunt coming after him.
"But why do we have to leave?"
Ripples of red danced wildly in her eyes, she turned her face away to hide her embarrassment, "Big sister shouldn't go overboard with the teasing."
Kenja was stumped by her response.
He was no longer teasing her.
"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Snail was back to laughing inside his shell again.
Kenja covered his ear out of concern that others would hear. "Snail! Why do you keep laughing? Hurry, and say what these pills are!"
Kenja understood that the pills must be connected to the reason Hanabi wanted him to leave.
"They're Expulsion Pills. They expel common and uncommon impurities that harm one's body or hinder one's cultivation. It's even beneficial for purifying your meridians of any toxins that may have built up over time as well as temporarily strengthening your immune system and body's natural recovery ability."
Kenja's confusion only grew. Based off of Snail's explanation, these pills sounded too good to be true.
"Then why do you keep laughing? Aren't these great pills?"
Snail choked on his spit trying to stifle from another laughing fit. "Expelling impurities is great, but they gotta come out from somewhere. Where do you think their exit lies?"
Kenja's face darkened at the realization.
"And these pills are of a decent grade. She obviously cares a lot for you, disciple, but she knows nothing about pills. Just one of these would send a Core Crystallization to the wash room for a week. As for you, a Qi Flourishing who can't properly use qi, you'd be lucky to escape dying of dehydration before leaving the toilet."
Yes.
They were laxatives.
Super laxatives.
Super laxatives that would most likely kill him with a single pill in the worst way imaginable.
Kenja shuddered at the thought of what would have happened if he had used one without verifying its effect and potency.
"Thank you, little sister, but I am feeling better now. I don't want to waste these pills on such small things." Kenja patted her veil-covered head, praying she would drop the subject.
Hanabi did not look up at Kenja, but she brought her head closer to his hand affectionately.
"Un. That makes sense."
The First Elder's voice caused Kenja and Hanabi to straighten their backs.
"Who are you two? Have you come here to play around?"