"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 medicine, so why would they split up with Chen Qing? And he’s the only one who came back completely unharmed. 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 something! 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 mentioned..."

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 schemed against each other."

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

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

Yue Ling’Er pressed stubbornly, her eyes filled with resentment 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 remember, 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 mere suspicion is just asking for trouble!"

"Never mind me; 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 surname? 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 me?’

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

’Without proof, my suspicions are pitifully insignificant in the face of his immense 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 men, 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 somewhere."

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 me 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 some good news soon." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"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 come back... I can’t let someone else get to the spoils on this little wench first..."