Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint Chapter 284 - 150: Tiger and Elephant (4)

"They separated?"

A flicker of suspicion appeared in Yue Ling’Er’s eyes. "Is that really what he said? Uncle Bai, do you believe him? My parents, Jiang Bohong, and Zhao Tieying all agreed to go together. Their goal was to find dicine, so why would they split up with Chen Qing? And he’s the only one who ca back completely unhard. There’s been no word from Jiang Bohong or Zhao Tieying. It’s like they’ve vanished into thin air!"

"It’s too strange! That Chen Qing, he must know sothing! Maybe... maybe my parents..."

She didn’t dare say more, tears welling up in her eyes.

Bai Qingquan looked at the agitated Yue Ling’Er and said in a low voice, "Ling’Er, I know you’re anxious. But Chen Qing’s story was indeed watertight, with no holes to be found. Besides, the Jiang Bohong you ntioned..."

He paused, lowering his voice further. "His reputation as ’Ghost’s Bane’ isn’t good in the Assassin circles. For the past few years, very few have been willing to team up with him for dangerous expeditions. It’s said that those who do... rarely make it back alive. And Zhao Tieying is no saint, either. So we can’t rule out the possibility that they... had a conflict and sched against each other."

’Going to the Wutai Sect over this would an offending Chen Qing irrevocably. Why would I, Bai Qingquan, do sothing so foolish?’

"So Chen Qing is completely blaless? Why was he able to leave early? Why is he the only one who ca back?"

Yue Ling’Er pressed stubbornly, her eyes filled with resentnt and suspicion. "Uncle Bai, please go ask him again, or..."

"Absolutely not!"

Bai Qingquan cut her off, his expression turning stern. "Ling’Er, you must rember, Chen Qing is no ordinary person! He is the Chief Disciple of the Wutai Sect’s Cyan Wood Institute! A future leader of the Wutai Sect! Without concrete evidence, to question or even provoke him based on re suspicion is just asking for trouble!"

"Never mind ; even the Patriarch wouldn’t dare provoke the Wutai Sect without ironclad proof! Even if... even if he really did do it, do you think the Wutai Sect would punish their promising young Chief Disciple for two Tributors with a different surna? They would just sweep the trouble under the rug!"

His words were like a bucket of cold water, shocking Yue Ling’Er back to her senses.

’He’s right. The man is a prodigy from a major sect, his status revered.’

’And ?’

’I’m just the helpless daughter of two missing Tributors.’

’Without proof, my suspicions are pitifully insignificant in the face of his imnse power.’

An overwhelming sense of grievance and indignation surged through her, and she clenched her fists so tightly her nails nearly dug into her palms.

Seeing Yue Ling’Er’s state, Bai Qingquan’s tone softened. "Alright, let’s leave this matter for now. The priority is to send more n, spread the word, and continue asking around the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp for any news of your parents and the other two, Jiang and Zhao. Perhaps they’re just trapped sowhere."

Yue Ling’Er took a deep breath. She knew what Bai Qingquan said was the only option for now.

Wiping her tears, she took out three one-thousand-tael silver notes she had prepared and respectfully presented them to Bai Qingquan. "Uncle Bai, I’m sorry to trouble you. This is a small token of my appreciation. Please, I’m begging you to help find out more. Ling’Er is eternally grateful!"

When Bai Qingquan saw the three thousand taels in silver notes, a flash of greed flickered deep in his eyes.

He knew the Yue Shan couple had amassed a considerable fortune over the years. Now that they were missing, that wealth was very likely in the possession of the orphan girl standing before him.

’But... I can’t be sure they’re really dead yet.’

He suppressed his thoughts and put on a kind, gentle smile. Taking the silver notes, he said, "Ah, Ling’Er, what’s all this! Your parents and I were the best of friends, like brothers. Helping you look for them is the least I can do. There’s no need for such formalities. This money... very well, I’ll accept it for now. I’ll use it to tip my informants and hopefully get so good news soon."

"Thank you, Uncle Bai!"

Yue Ling’Er bowed deeply again, her heart filled with gratitude for Bai Qingquan’s righteousness.

After thanking him once more, she left his room.

After the door closed, Bai Qingquan weighed the silver notes in his hand. The benevolent smile on his face vanished, replaced by a calculating glint.

He muttered to himself, "I’ll wait... just a little longer. If those two really don’t co back... I can’t let soone else get to the spoils on this little wench first..."