Anthony rushed back to the scene of the party to check the reason for the pandemonium. When he got there, many people were lying on the ground foaming from the mouth and nose. Miao Miao was a nervous wreck as she ran around, not knowing who to attend to among the tens of casualties.

"Where's A'Jiu? She should examine the patients." Xinglan whispered, pacing anxiously.

Just then, Meng Meng caught sight of Anthony who just ran into the square, and rushed to him.

"What's going on?" He asked, grabbing her arm to steady her.

"The guests suddenly began to vomit and foam, their pupils turning white. The physician that rushed to the scene said they were suffering from food poisoning, and that the poison was unknown and had no cure." She whispered, fiercely wiping her tears away.

"My son, my precious son. The chief invited us to the carnival and decided to kill us all. It's no wonder he didn't bother to show up. Does he think that by killing the clan masters of the surrounding towns that he would be the undisputed leader?" An angry old man shouted, hitting his staff against the ground.

"That's right, where is his daughter? She must have been the perfect tool for the execution of the plan? She led the people who cooked the meals. She must have poisoned them." The man whom Anthony saw slipping the bottle to the agent shouted 'furiously', pointing at Miao Miao.

"That's not true. We prepared all the dishes with careful consideration, we made sure we didn't use any material that might cause a reaction. Why would I want to sabotage my event? I'm not the one, someone is trying to frame me!" She shouted, crying profusely.

"Shut up, you liar. Your pretentious father must have instructed you to kill everyone here. You're a group of vultures." The man shouted loudly, hurling stones at her.

"My father has always been an honest man, valuing friendship and a good name more than riches or glory. How can you say such things about him? I made a mistake for not being able to protect everyone, you can come at me. But don't accuse my father of such despicable crimes." Miao Miao shouted, trying to hold back her tears even as they spilled uncontrollably.

Just then, A'Jiu and Chu Lan ran to the venue, and Anthony wondered if the slight curve on Chu Lan's lips was a smirk. Did Chu Lan have something to do with the incident tonight? Was it among the grand plan they talked about?

Tong Tong rushed to her on seeing her.

"Where have you been? We are at our wits end here. We all helped Miao Miao carefully arrange everything and supervise it. We also tasted each dishes. How could they turn around and say it's poisoned?"

"But the proof is right here. The guests were indeed poisoned. At this point, denying it and trying to prove innocence is useless. Everyone thinks that's what happened, no explanation will be able to placate them. When people are overwhelmed with grief they tend to find someone to blame and to take responsibility for the pain of the loss they feel. The best thing to do now is apologize and try to calm them down." Chu Lan said, his expression unreadable and full of contemplation.

Anthony shook his head as he watched the scene.

'The more I watch this Chu Lan, the more suspicious I am of his motives. Why is he trying to prevent them from defending themselves? If they agree to the crime and apologize, rather than calm the crowd, it will escalate the issue more, because that will be equivalent to admitting they did it. They will probably be lynched to death at the spot. What's his intention exactly? I don't believe he's so stupid that he can't tell this simple truth.'

"But we also ate the food, aren't we fine?" Meng Meng shouted, trying to defend Miao Miao.

"And that's what makes it all the more suspicious. You must have taken the antidotes in advance and given it to those you're allied with. That's why you all are fine while others are at death's door." A middle aged thug whom Anthony recognized as the owner of a store which sold fake jewels shouted.

"We tasted each of them. How could this happen? This is not the first time we're hosting a carnival, why would we suddenly hurt our guests who bring in business to our small town? Someone must be trying to set us up." Miao Miao shouted, her voice firm despite the tears streaming down uncontrollably.

"Your crocodile tears can't bring back the people who have been lost. It must be yours and your father's plan to kill everyone here in order to have complete control over the mining rights in this territory. You both are truly vicious. You killed so many people just for material benefit. If we don't kill you today how can their souls be appeased?" The man whom Anthony saw accept the poison shouted in 'righteous indignation', spit flying everywhere as he wagged his fingers before Miao Miao in rage.

"And who said that they were dead?" Anthony asked and stepped forward.

"Who are you?" The man asked, frowning at Anthony.

"I'm just a nobody that stopped here for a while. My identity isn't important. However, comrade, why are you cursing them to death when they're clearly still alive? One would think that you don't want them to wake up." Anthony said, smiling at him.

The man looked at Anthony from head to toe, gauging him. He was not the only one, many people were also doing the same thing. Anthony's luxurious clothes made of unknown material, the rare jade pendant hanging from his waist, and his aura of casual confidence made him refrain from using violence. He might not fear the clan chief, but he wouldn't dare to risk offending this unknown man.

"Why are you cursing them to death? Don't you want them to wake up?" Anthony asked, smiling kindly in a way that obviously didn't reach his eyes.

"Young friend, you must be joking. Of course, I want them to live well. What will their death benefit me? It's just that the poisons have no cure. Even if there's still some breath left in them, their death is almost certain." The man replied, cupping his fists.

Anthony smirked as he looked at the man before him.

"And how did you know that the poison has no cure? Or is there something you're not telling us? Perhaps, did you slip in the poison when no one was looking? Otherwise, how did you know it has no cure? And you seem so eager to cause confusion and chaos instead of allowing the hosts to think about a way to remedy the situation or find help for the sick ones. Could it be that you need them dead for your own benefits? Or is there someone else instructing you?"

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