CHAPTER 2085: CHAPTER 2083: LET’S LEAVE

"What?" The tenth elder’s eyes widened in shock, and the other elders were also surprised. However, Elder Su lowered his head, showing little surprise.

The great elder continued, "I saw records of Gufeng in the former clan leader’s notes and knew of that person’s formidable power. His ability to be resurrected using evil techniques is extremely dangerous. So, to prevent any future troubles, I struck the top of Wei Yu’s head with my palm. Unexpectedly, Wei Yu came back to life and escaped. Later, I realized it was Gufeng who had come back."

"I know I made a huge mistake. If I hadn’t acted impulsively, perhaps Wei Yu wouldn’t have died. Maybe he could have suppressed Gufeng, but I ruined everything!" He painfully grasped his hair as he spoke. "Later, I didn’t dare to tell the clan the truth, and this matter has tortured me for decades. I feel the most apologetic to Jiao Ling and the Wei Family."

"If everyone knew the truth and understood that the real Wei Yu was innocent, his mother wouldn’t have committed suicide in public. If I hadn’t killed Wei Yu and allowed Gufeng to take over his body, Jiao Ling’s daughter wouldn’t have been captured to feed the poisonous insect. It’s all my fault."

As he spoke, his emotions became agitated again, and he coughed up blood.

"Great elder..." Elder Su wanted to comfort him, but his actions stopped him.

"A mistake is a mistake. Admitting it makes me feel much better. I’m not fit to be the great elder. In a few days, the clan should choose a new leader," the great elder said, his voice growing weaker. After speaking, he closed his eyes. He had taken a tranquilizing medicine, and it was already remarkable that he could speak so long before falling asleep.

The second elder stood surprised, stunned. How could a clan leader be chosen? Shouldn’t he be promoted to the position of great elder?

The Jiuli Clan hadn’t had a clan leader for a long time because the previous leader, for personal gain, used a large amount of the clan’s manpower and resources to search for treasures, causing many Jiuli Clan members to die. To prevent such things from happening again, the Jiuli Clan hadn’t chosen a new leader, and for years, the ten elders managed the clan together and balanced each other.

Is the Jiuli Clan going to have a leader again now?

"Is it really fine that Du Fei, that woman, stole the great elder’s jade plate?" Bai Ruozhu suddenly asked.

The third elder’s expression became serious, "Send someone out to capture her back. The barrier jade plate cannot fall into the hands of outsiders."

The elders showed serious expressions and hurried to the assembly hall to discuss this matter, while Bai Ruozhu and Bai Zepei returned home.

"Jiuli is a valley. If someone opens the barrier and lets in a large number of enemies, the Jiuli people will become trapped like turtles in a jar," as soon as they returned home, Bai Zepei said.

Jiao Ling covered her mouth, "Du Fei doesn’t have a deep hatred with the clan, would she really do that?"

"Aunt, if she gets caught using evil techniques, what kind of punishment would she face?" Bai Zepei asked.

Jiao Ling quickly looked at Fen Jiu. She wasn’t very familiar with the clan’s punishments, but the Fen family knew more.

"Unless it’s a major crime like murder, the clan generally doesn’t use the death penalty. She would likely be confined, with restrictions imposed, and unable to cultivate during her punishment," Fen Jiu said, adding, "In Du Fei’s case, she would probably be confined for ten years."

Bai Zepei took a sip of tea and continued, "Ten-year confinement is not a death sentence. Being confined in the clan doesn’t mean she can’t see her daughter. Why did she have to attack the great elder to escape? Doing so not only committed a serious crime but also could mean she might never see her husband or daughter again. Why would she do this?"

Bai Ruozhu also furrowed her brows, "Yes, Du Fei’s reaction was too extreme, unless her original goal was the barrier jade plate."

Bai Zepei nodded, "I’ve heard that the Quanrong clan and the Jiuli clan have been enemies for generations. It wouldn’t be the first time they’ve sent a spy to infiltrate the Jiuli clan."

Fen Jiu and Jiao Ling’s expressions changed dramatically, and Jiao Ling hurriedly asked, "Why didn’t you say anything earlier, so the elders could take precautions?"

"There’s no evidence, and the second elder was present. It wasn’t suitable to mention it," Bai Zepei said.

Fen Jiu nodded, "The second elder probably wouldn’t collude with outsiders. He might covet the position of the great elder, but he would never want to admit that his daughter-in-law betrayed the clan."

Bai Ruozhu began to piece together the reasons behind Du Fei’s betrayal. She had heard that Fo Wen was obsessed with mechanical techniques, often spending days locked in a secret chamber and having little affection for his daughter or even his wife. In such a situation, Du Fei might indeed stray.

"Did Du Fei ever leave the clan after her early training years?" Bai Ruozhu suddenly asked.

Jiao Ling shook her head, "I haven’t kept tabs on her all these years."

Fen Jiu also said he didn’t know, but mentioned he could check the clan’s records, as any departure from the clan needed to be applied for and recorded.

Fen Jiu hurriedly left while Jiao Ling, somewhat lost, began to cry again.

"Aunt, are you thinking of Wei Yu again?" Bai Ruozhu went over and held her shoulders while Jiao Yunyun also began to wipe her eyes.

"The great elder spoke the truth, which can be seen as clearing Wei Yu’s name. I should be happy about this," Jiao Ling said, wiping away her tears.

"We should tell Lanlan, too, to make her happy," Bai Ruozhu mentioned Lanlan at this point, knowing Jiao Ling worried most about her.

"Yes, I’ll go tell Lanlan now," Jiao Ling dried her tears and went upstairs.

Bai Ruozhu stayed with her grandmother and parents for a while, and soon Fen Jiu returned and said to her, "I found it, apart from her early training trip, Du Fei left the clan three other times, the longest being for a year."

"Did she mention any reason for leaving? You can’t just leave for pleasure from Jiuli, can you?" Bai Ruozhu asked.

Fen Jiu nodded and continued, "The first time was to search for mechanical materials for Fo Wen, which took more than six months. The second time was for the same reason, and this was the longest trip. She was seriously injured when she returned, claiming it was from a fight over mechanical materials. The third time was five years ago. She left for five months, saying she was looking for medicinal materials to cure her internal injuries. After she returned, her old ailment was completely healed."

"Did Fo Wen ever accompany her?" Bai Ruozhu asked.

"That mechanical fanatic Fo Wen? He’d rather close himself off studying techniques than step foot outside the main gate, let alone leave the clan," Fen Jiu replied.

Bai Ruozhu glanced at Bai Zepei, "Second brother, in that case, she had plenty of chances to interact with outsiders, or perhaps she met someone better than Fo Wen, someone she’d abandon everything for?"

The whole family listened, shocked, but Bai Zepei calmly said, "We can only wait and see for the truth. I’m not sure if staying here is safe for our parents, considering the unrest likely to occur in the Jiuli clan."

Upon hearing this, Bai Ruozhu also grew worried. If the Quanrong tribe attacked and the clan members fought back, how could her parents, who lacked martial arts, remain safe? Even if she stayed with them at all times, she couldn’t guarantee their protection against overwhelming enemies.

"Why don’t we leave as soon as possible, and take grandma with us," Bai Ruozhu suggested to Yunyun.

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The fourth Chapter promised to everyone is here~

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