"Patriarch Li, Manager Lian Hua! And the two young masters of the Li family are also here! What a fortune I have!"
Nobody missed how Ikasa had ignored Master Jin Ping. The people gathered could already imagine the sparks flying between the two.
'This Brat really thinks he has become a bigshot after selling a few manuals? Never mind. His arrogance will not last long.'
Master Jin Ping put on a somber expression. He was here to play the role of a warrior of justice today. In a righteous tone, he started laying accusations on Ikasa.
"I caught you selling fake manuals on Prosperity street once. Back then, you acted humbly and seemed like you would change your ways, so I spared you."
Out of the corner of his eye, he gauged the audience's reaction to his accusations. They looked shocked and started to whisper amongst themselves.
'As expected of gullible fools.'
He suppressed the small smirk forming on his face at this thought. Then he continued with his act.
Shaking his head, he paced before the crowd, agitation and regret on his face.
"I should've known a leopard's spots don't change. A dog's tail cannot be straightened. You have stopped peddling fake manuals; But how dare you sell stolen Cultivation Technique?"
His roar reached most of the shops in the vicinity. The number ballooned as people gathered to see what the commotion was about.
When the masses heard Jin Ping's words, they were shocked. Even the Customers of Ikasa who had come to receive their books looked at Ikasa with doubt.
"He has been selling a stolen cultivation technique?"
"I wonder whose technique he stole?"
"Don't you see Li Family and Lotus Pavilion's Manager there? It might come from them."
"No… they are genuine big shots! They can kill me... no... my entire family just to keep their Cultivation technique a secret."
The speaker had his face drained of blood. Hearing his words, others around him also started to shake in their boots.
Ikasa heard these discussions and frowned. If this kind of fear spreads, it will not be good for his business.
'Hmph! Since you want to make me into a Villain, then I will act as a Villain. A villain who will ruin your career and life.'
Ikasa gritted his teeth and bellowed with conviction.
"Master Jin Ping! You are making tall claims without proof. Just because you are a reputed figure doesn't mean I will listen to your accusations quietly! Where is your evidence?"
Ikasa made his stand. His calm and collected demeanor plus the logical arguments won him crowd's support.
"Yes! Where is the evidence?"
"Isn't that appraiser despicable? Accusing our benefactor with baseless claims!"
"Is he really a reputed figure? He looks like a conman instead of Ikasa!"
The old man looked astonished at Ikasa's newfound confidence. He had expected him to fold by just seeing the lineup of dignitaries. When even the public supported his adversary, he was shocked.
Manager Lian Hua had a bad feeling about this whole affair. But it was already too late. Master Jin Ping arrived before Ikasa and waved a scroll holder in his face.
"Haha! You want proof? Here is your proof!"
Master Jin Ping took out a Scroll holder and removed a Scroll from it. To explain the significance of the scroll, he turned to the crowd.
"This scroll contains a High-Grade Path Forging realm technique, Ape's Might Body Forging Manual. It was discovered in an ancient ruin near Mahogany City."
With flattery in his tone, he pointed to Patriarch Li.
"Patriarch Li bought this Scroll for a high price at our biannual auction."
This drew gasps from the crowd. Some of them sympathized with Ikasa while others gloated over his misfortune.
"So both Li Family and Lotus Pavilion are involved in this!"
"Doomed! Ikasa is doomed! And all those who have used Ikasa's manuals will also be persecuted."
"See, how smart your husband is? This is why I did not buy his stolen techniques!"
Master Jin Ping looked around happily as this was the effect he wanted. Contrary to his glee, Patriarch Li was fuming. He wished to keep what had happened a secret.
Then, Ikasa's voice resounded through the crowd. It poured water on Master Jin Ping's parade.
"You have talked a lot. Yet, nothing proves I am the thief. In fact, this scroll is a defective product!"
Manger Lian Hua and Patriarch Li reacted to his declaration with a sharp gaze. But the old fox ridiculed his claim and even dared to advise him sanctimoniously.
"Hahaha! Just because you can talk doesn't mean you can spout nonsense..."
Ikasa straight up tuned out the old man's blabberings. Instead, he turned to Manager Lian.
"Madame Lian, how did this scroll end up at the auction house?"
All eyes turned to her, eager to hear her answer. Even Patriarch Li wanted to know it.
Being an experienced manager, she had indeed done her homework. She had inquired about the circumstances the scroll arrived at the Auction House.
"The scroll was consigned with us by a nameless adventurer."
Ikasa pretended to think and loudly muttered, "Could it be him?"
His question intrigued everyone. Embarrassed, he provided an explanation.
"As everyone knows, I have learned the art of creating Spiritual Imprints. But I need to be able to perfectly draw the depictions before imbuing them with energy."
He stared blankly into space as if reminiscing about the past. But words flowed out of his mouth.
"I practiced my art and made numerous such scrolls till I mastered the depictions. During this time, I ran out of resources and couldn't afford to purchase more."
When uttering his next words, he acted as if distressed.
I am ashamed to say this, but when I was short on money, I sold one of the best scrolls at the market for 5 silver to a nameless adventurer."
His act earned him the empathy of the crowd. But Manager Lian Hua and the group were not buying it.
She coldly asked, "And this same adventurer consigned the scroll with us. Is that what you want to say?"
Ikasa nodded in affirmation.
Li Fan's heart thumped at his answer. His thoughts were going haywire.
'If news spreads of how I purchased something worth 5 silver for an exorbitant amount of 17,000 silver, Li Family will become the laughing stock of the entire city!'
In order to prevent this scenario, he took action.
"How can you prove that this is the scroll you sold at the market?"
Li Fan interjected, his voice exuding confidence he was not feeling at the moment.