278: Chapter 278 There's another strange man!

Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande remained silent for a long time.

He stood there, the expression on his face shifting unpredictably—

Anger, helplessness, wariness, resentment...

Various emotions intertwined, finally turning into a long sigh.

"Forget it..."

He muttered to himself, his voice hoarse and weary.

But Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande was ultimately still unwilling to let it go.

Refusing to give up, he spoke again, his voice carrying a final sliver of hope:

"In that Immortal Cave... besides Martial Niece Xia, was there anyone else?"

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Yun was slightly stunned, then lowered his head to recall.

A moment later, he looked up and nodded:

"Reporting to Elder, there was."

A sharp light suddenly flashed in Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande's eyes!

"There was someone else?!"

He urgently pressed:

"Who was it?! Describe him in detail!"

Shangguan Yun thought for a moment and recalled:

"I saw from a distance that there was another strange man beside Senior Sister Xia."

"A strange man?"

Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande's brows furrowed tightly.

"What did he look like? Did you see his face clearly?"

Shangguan Yun shook his head, a look of embarrassment on his face:

"I... I didn't dare to look closely. Although the man's face was blurred, his overall bearing was Bufan... I only took a distant glance and felt a sense of palpitations, not daring to pry further. I only vaguely remember that he was tall and slender, wearing a Black Robe, and had a quite outstanding temperament..."

As he spoke, he suddenly remembered something and hurriedly added:

"Oh, right! I later heard from other Junior Brothers that the man seemed to be quite close to Senior Sister Xia. The two of them entered and exited the Immortal Cave together, and their behavior... their behavior was quite intimate."

Upon hearing this, the light in Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande's eyes grew even brighter!

"A strange man!"

"Close to Xia Qingyue!"

"And entering and exiting the Immortal Cave together!"

"This..."

"Could he be the murderer who killed my Great-great-grandson?!"

"Investigate!"

Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande slammed his hand on the counter, his voice full of unquestionable authority:

"Within half a day! I want all the information on this man! Name, origin, cultivation, background—not a single detail missing!"

Shangguan Yun trembled all over from the shout, his face turning pale, and he hurriedly bowed:

"Yes... yes! I will go investigate right away! Right away!"

He didn't dare to delay and turned to run out.

"Wait!"

Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande suddenly called out to him, his voice low and dangerous:

"This matter... must not be publicized! Especially, you must not let that Martial Niece Xia know that I am investigating this! Understand?"

Shangguan Yun nodded repeatedly, cold sweat pouring down his forehead:

"Understood! Understood! I will definitely keep my lips sealed!"

"Go."

Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande waved his hand and watched Shangguan Yun scramble out of the Lingyuan Pavilion before slowly withdrawing his gaze.

He stood there, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

"Xia Qingyue..."

"True Disciple..."

"Meng Qingcheng's Disciple..."

"If that man really has a deep relationship with Martial Niece Xia... then this matter will be troublesome."

Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande murmured to himself, his expression becoming increasingly solemn.

"However..."

He paused, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

"If I can find solid evidence to prove that man is the murderer who killed Xiao Lang..."

"At that time, even if he has Martial Niece Xia's protection, I will still demand justice!"

"Even if I have to take it to the Sect Master, I will not hesitate!"

"---"

"Meanwhile."

"Longmai Mountain."

"A golden streak of light pierced the sky and landed steadily on a hilltop on the outskirts of Longmai Mountain."

"Ye Changge jumped down from the Eagle's back and turned to look at a flying boat following closely behind."

"The flying boat landed slowly, the cabin door opened, and Lu Shiyin was the first to walk out."

"Today she wore a light green dress, her hair pulled up high, her temperament gentle and dignified. However, her beautiful eyes were now full of worry."

"Husband..."

"She quickly walked to Ye Changge's side, gently took his hand, her voice soft but filled with a bit of unease:"

"We are not far from Longmai Mountain now, you... are you really not coming back with us?"

"Ye Changge looked at her eyes filled with worry, and his heart softened."

"He raised his hand, gently caressed her cheek, and said warmly:"

"Shiyin, you take the children back first. I will stay outside for a few days and then return."

"Upon hearing this, the worry in Lu Shiyin's beautiful eyes deepened."

"She knew why her husband wasn't going home."

"That day outside the Lingxiao Market, her husband had killed that Late Foundation Establishment Stage young man in just three moves—"

"That young man clearly wasn't an ordinary Loose Cultivator; he must have had an extraordinary background, with a sect or Family backing him."

"Her husband was afraid the other party's Elders had some tracking methods to follow the aura to their door, so he chose to stay outside for a few days to lead the danger away and not involve the Family."

"Husband..."

"Lu Shiyin's voice trembled slightly, and her eyes turned a bit red."

"She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found she couldn't bring herself to say words to make him stay."

"She couldn't be so selfish."

"Her husband was choosing to face unknown dangers alone for the sake of the Family and all of them."

"If she forced him to stay, she would be failing to see the big picture and betraying her husband's painstaking efforts."

"But she... was really afraid."

"Afraid that once her husband left, he would never come back."

"Ye Changge saw his wife's reddened eyes, and his heart softened again."

"He reached out, gently pulled her into his arms, and whispered in her ear:"

"Don't worry, Shiyin. I'll be fine."

"His voice was calm and certain, carrying a power that made one feel inexplicably at ease."

"Have you forgotten? That day, I killed that Late Foundation Establishment Stage Sword Cultivator in just three moves."

"With my current strength, even if a False Core True Person comes, I won't be afraid."

"He was telling the truth."

"Now a Quasi-Third Rank Body Cultivator, combined with his cultivation at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment, his combat power could no longer be measured by ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators."

"Moreover..."

"He still had those treasures drawn from the System."

"The Myriad Talismans Heavenly Stems Strategy, a Talisman Array Spiritual Artifact composed of thirty-six heavenly stems jade pivots; once set up, even a False Core True Person would lose a layer of skin."

"He didn't know how many Second-tier High Grade healing Talismans, defensive Talismans, and offensive Talismans he had stockpiled."

"Not to mention..."

"He still had that Fourth-Tier True Spirit Willow Tree."

"Although he would never easily use such a trump card unless it was absolutely necessary."

"But if it really came to a life-or-death situation—"

"He wouldn't mind letting those so-called Seniors see what despair felt like."

"Don't worry."

"Ye Changge released his embrace, looked down at Lu Shiyin's still-reddened eyes, and chuckled:"

"Your husband is blessed with great fortune; I won't die that easily."

"Besides..."

"He paused, a touch of tenderness flashing in his eyes:"

"There are so many of you waiting for me at home, how could I bear to die?"

"Hearing this, the tears Lu Shiyin had been holding back finally couldn't be contained and slid down her fair cheeks."

"She gave a soft 'mm', wiped her tears, and forced a smile:"

"Husband, you must be extremely careful."

"If... if you really encounter someone you cannot defeat, then hurry back."

"There are Formations at home, there are Clan Elders, and there is me..."

"As a Family, we can always find a way."