CHAPTER 2123: CHAPTER 2121: BAI ZEPEI’S GOOD IDEA

"Have you analyzed the similarities among the other clansmen who disappeared?" Bai Ruozhu asked.

The Fifth Elder nodded and said, "Firstly, they are all young men. Secondly, their prowess is notable, with one being a member of the Wei Hall. Thirdly, they are all martial artists with a substantial amount of inner strength."

Bai Ruozhu frowned and said, "The killer must have a purpose in harming people; we just don’t know what their goal is right now. Is this person a remnant of the Second Elder, harming others for revenge, or do they have another goal, such as seizing wealth or practicing some evil technique to absorb others’ strength to enhance their own prowess?"

"Another point—those who were killed are strong, especially the one from the Wei Hall. To my knowledge, Wei Hall members have powerful divine senses, exceptional skills, and have learned many methods to set barriers, making their self-defense ability extremely strong. Beating them might not be difficult, but killing them is not easy. The killer managed to murder a Wei Hall member without alarming anyone else; either the killer’s prowess is extremely high, or they are closely related to the Wei Hall member, gaining their trust and then ambushing them."

Bai Ruozhu paused, "Have we investigated close relatives, friends, or neighbors around the missing people?"

All the elders nodded, agreeing that Bai Ruozhu’s analysis was very reasonable, feeling more justified in calling her.

The Fifth Elder added, "What you said makes sense. We’ve also inquired about their close friends, all of whom have proven to have stayed in the clan recently and seemingly have no reason to harm them."

The Third Elder frowned, "Then it must be someone with extremely strong abilities. I think only we elders could easily kill a Wei Hall member, right?"

The temperamental Sixth Elder was displeased, saying, "Earlier, it was suggested there might be a spy among the Disciplinary Hall people, which upset us. Only us elders held meetings, and now you’re suggesting only elders have such power? Are you suspecting us?"

"Sixth Elder, please don’t misunderstand. We’re merely analyzing from a skill perspective, not pointing at anyone here directly. Otherwise, I wouldn’t say this aloud to everyone. Let’s all think carefully; is there anyone in the clan whose skills are outstanding but rarely shown?"

Everyone thought deeply but felt clueless. Suddenly, the Tenth Elder said, "Could someone have learned evil techniques from the Second Elder? Even if their skills were mediocre before, with the help of evil techniques, they could rapidly enhance their abilities, or perhaps absorb others’ strength to boost their own?"

Everyone nodded; this scenario was highly possible and such a person would be dangerous and cannot be ignored.

"But how can we bring that person out now?" The Fifth Elder sighed, "I’m at a loss; please help me think of a solution!"

Bai Zepei, who hadn’t spoken, suddenly said, "If we can’t figure it out, let’s lure that person out!"

The elders all knew Bai Zepei was exceptionally intelligent, and quickly asked, "How do we lure them out? Do you have a good idea?"

Bai Zepei quietly said a few words to all the elders, and they immediately showed satisfied smiles. The Third Elder clapped his hands happily and said, "Great, let’s do it. We must keep this matter confidential and not let it spread."

Bai Ruozhu smiled and left the Assembly Hall with her second brother, not bringing up the pursuit of the killer along the way. On the road, they encountered several members of the Disciplinary Hall, who smiled and greeted them warmly.

After all these ups and downs, the Jiuli clan truly accepted them, treated them as one of their own, and even respected them greatly.

But how long can such days last? They are bound to leave eventually.

Bai Ruozhu looked at the picturesque Peach Forest and towering mountains in the distance, with a slight smile on her lips.

If someday she and Achun grow tired of the outside world and want to find a serene place to retire, this would be a good choice.

Suddenly, Bai Ruozhu felt a chill on the back of her neck. She turned around abruptly but found nothing unusual. Her senses were very sharp, so was it just an illusion?

Behind her were only some young members of the Disciplinary Hall who had greeted them earlier, chatting and laughing as they walked forward, full of sunshine and vitality, the previous storm clouds over the clan far behind them.

"What’s up, Ruozhu?" Bai Zepei asked.

"Nothing, just felt a bit strange earlier. Maybe I’m overthinking it. Second brother, you’re from Wei Hall; didn’t you sense anything odd?" Bai Ruozhu asked.

Bai Zepei shook his head slightly, "No, I didn’t notice anything." He also looked back at the young people.

Bai Ruozhu calmed down, possibly because she had been obsessing over the case too much, becoming paranoid.

They no longer mentioned the matter, heading towards Jiao Yunyun’s Diaojiao Building, where they entered to find an elderly man with white hair sitting in the hall. However, the old man’s complexion was poor, face yellowed, cheeks sunken, and eyes appeared cloudy and devoid of spirit.

Jiao Ling sat below the elder, pouring tea for him, displaying much respect. Jiao Yunyun was also chatting with the elder, smiling. Seeing the two return, she quickly introduced, "Come over and see. This is Liu Lao, your aunt’s master. He was once an elder in the Elder Hall but retired due to health issues."

Bai Ruozhu remembered that Bi Tao’s mother, Wu Wu, was her aunt’s elder sister, naturally implying a master. She hadn’t thought much about seeing her aunt’s master, but didn’t expect it to be this elder.

Seeing Liu Lao’s poor health now, it’s no wonder he retired from the Elder Hall and didn’t appear during the previous clan turmoil, as his heart had grown weary.

Liu Lao laughed heartily at them, beckoning them over, "Come sit down, you really are something. If I don’t look for you, you don’t know to come check on me?"

His tone was affectionate, as if he had long known Bai Ruozhu and the others, making Bai Ruozhu a bit uncomfortable, reluctantly saying, "The clan’s affairs have been too chaotic recently, I’m truly sorry, Master."

Bai Zepei also politely paid respects and said a few words, but soon Liu Lao’s attention was entirely on Bai Zepei, smiling and asking many questions. Bai Ruozhu clearly felt Liu Lao was focused on her second brother, so she gently and silently withdrew to the side.

After a while, Si Yihuan brought some tea pastries over, respectfully serving Liu Lao, saying, "Master, please try these tea pastries; they are specialties from our area. I wonder if they suit your taste."

Liu Lao looked Si Yihuan up and down, but his gaze became somewhat severe, saying indifferently, "I’m old, have poor teeth, and don’t like these sweet things."