Chapter 2539 - 539: Who Is the Traitor?

Hearing the tall elder's words, Ye Qing's brow furrowed even tighter. If this truly was the case, then things could become quite troublesome.

The short man and his group arrived here three months ago and captured Li Qiang's brother to force Li Qiang to work for them. Such a character certainly wouldn't be living in the desert without reason; thus, his presence there must be related to the Yelu Family Ancestral Tomb. Moreover, they continually hinder others along the road, clearly waiting for Ye Qing and his team to arrive.

In other words, three months ago, the short man and his group knew Ye Qing's team would come, or rather, they knew someone would come to open the Yelu Family Ancestral Tomb, so they've been waiting here. However, they didn't know exactly when those people would come, so they waited here for three months until Ye Qing and his team arrived this time.

From this information, Ye Qing could basically confirm one thing: the short man and his group knew someone was coming to open the Yelu Family Tomb three months ago but didn't know when exactly these people would arrive. Therefore, it seems Ye Qing's side didn't leak the news, or else they wouldn't wait here for three months in vain. And if Ye Qing's side didn't leak the news, the only possibility left is with the tomb-guarding elders.

Thinking along these lines, it actually explains the short man and his group's way of operating. Three or four months ago, these two tomb-guarding elders received word from the Yelu Family and left the ancestral tomb to find Yelu Ying and others, intending to bring people back to open the Yelu Family Ancestral Tomb.

Afterwards, this short man entered the desert, waiting for someone to come and open the Yelu Family Ancestral Tomb. This means the short man must have known about the two tomb-guarding elders going out to meet Yelu Ying, which is why he came to wait.

And from whom did the short man learn these two elders were leaving? Only two groups of people were privy to this: the tomb-guarding elders themselves and Yelu Ying. Even Yelu Ying's entourage didn't know about these matters. Those in Yelu Ying's entourage merely knew the two tomb-guarding elders came out to assist the Yelu Family members, but they didn't know they were going to open the Yelu Family Ancestral Tomb, as only the Family Head knew about this crucial matter; certainly, the female kin had no chance to know. Yelu Ying surely wouldn't leak the news; therefore, the only possible leak would be from the tomb-guarding elders!

Thinking of this, Ye Qing couldn't help glancing at the two tomb-guarding elders. In Ye Qing's mind, he'd already excluded these two elders because they wouldn't act in such a manner. If they harbored ulterior motives, they wouldn't have continuously prevented Ye Qing from coming to open the Yelu Family Ancestral Tomb. Previously, because of the relationship between Ye Qing and Yelu Ying, these people had troubled Ye Qing for a long time. If Yelu Ying had not acknowledged Ye Qing as her brother in the end, they might still be arguing over this matter now, let alone allowing Ye Qing to open the Yelu Family Ancestral Tomb. If these two had ulterior motives, they would be eager to open the tomb, so why would they continually obstruct Ye Qing from coming?

If it's not these two tomb-guarding elders, then it must be those still guarding the tomb outside—the tomb-guarding elders. Could it be that one of these elders developed ulterior motives and colluded with the short man?

This thought caused a chill to run through Ye Qing's heart. If true, things could definitely become troublesome. Ye Qing and his team were about to head to Alagu Mountain, where all the tomb-guarding elders were situated. If these elders indeed harbored ulterior motives, even if Ye Qing and his team managed to enter the tomb, it would likely still be risky. If these tomb-guarding elders had connections with the Church, once Ye Qing and his team exited the tomb, wouldn't the Church immediately ambush them?

"Ye brothers, what do we do now?" Just as Ye Qing's mind was filled with endless thoughts, Li Qiang approached, carrying the short man's corpse, and said, "There are quite a few masters with this person; even though we've killed him, his people will surely come here. Hence, I suggest we should leave the desert as soon as possible!"

Ye Qing glanced at the short man, considering the possibility of betrayal among the Yelu Family tomb-guarding elders, Ye Qing felt concern about this matter as well. This was a dangerous time to attempt opening the Yelu Family Ancestral Tomb. However, time was also pressing, and the full moon night was approaching. If they didn't quickly proceed to open the Yelu Family Ancestral Tomb, they'd have to wait another month. A month's time is enough for the Yan Family's masters to recover from their injuries, and with the Yan Family bringing the scabbard of the Minghong Knife to attack once more, how would they fend it off? Therefore, Ye Qing must open the Yelu Family Ancestral Tomb this time and find what's inside.

After some contemplation, Ye Qing looked up at Li Qiang and said solemnly, "Li Qiang, we still have a task to complete, so we can't leave just yet. Could you do me a favor?"

"Just say the word!" Li Qiang replied swiftly, not needing to ask what Ye Qing wanted him to do. Because, no matter what Ye Qing asks, he will definitely help.

With gratitude, Ye Qing responded, "In a moment, quickly take your brother and leave Sanggedan Desert. Once outside, call Helian Tiehua for me and tell him to bring people to Alagu Mountain immediately to assist me, saying the Church might be lying in wait to ambush me here!"

Li Qiang froze momentarily and said, "In that case, why don't you all not go to Alagu Mountain?"

Ye Qing responded, "We have important matters that must be attended to!"

"In that case..." Li Qiang took a deep breath and said, "I'll send someone out to make the call for you, but I'll personally go with you!"

"No need!" Ye Qing shook his head decisively, patting Li Qiang's shoulder, "The situation this time is quite complex, and you won't be of much help. We won't be in any danger over there as long as you get through this call, and Helian Tiehua and his men can arrive timely to assist, everything will be fine."

Li Qiang stared at Ye Qing for a while, then nodded without further words, "Alright, I'll go make the call for you now. If there's anything needed, contact me immediately. I'm quite familiar with this desert!"

"Thank you!" Ye Qing nodded, and without speaking, Li Qiang vigorously patted Ye Qing's arm before he turned to leave with his remaining men.

Li Qiang still needed to find his brother and his men and take them out of Sanggedan Desert. After all, the short man was killed, and the Church's people were certainly on their way; they must leave before the Church arrives, or the Church certainly won't spare them.

Watching Li Qiang and others leave, Ye Qing returned to the vehicle, where the two tomb-guarding elders and Yelu Ying were still waiting. Seeing Ye Qing kill the short man, the three of them were visibly stunned.

"Alliance Leader Ye, the person you just killed was a Peak Master, right?" The short elder couldn't help asking.

"Exactly!" Ye Qing nodded, not concealing the truth.

"You can kill a Peak Master?" The short elder widened his eyes; although he had already realized it before, Ye Qing's affirmation still left him utterly astonished.

"My famed instrument is the scabbard of The Ancestor of Miao Dao, which is much more powerful than usual famed instruments," Ye Qing casually replied, not mentioning anything about Taoist Sovereign.

"The scabbard of The Ancestor of Miao Dao?" The two elders simultaneously looked at the scabbard behind, showing expressions of shock. They had heard about The Ancestor of Miao Dao, whose power was undeniably strong; however, they were unaware that the scabbard of The Ancestor of Miao Dao also held such power.

Starting the car and heading towards Alagu Mountain, Ye Qing asked while driving, "By the way, how many tomb-guarding elders are there at Alagu Mountain?"

The short elder replied, "There's an entire family there."

"What do you mean?" Ye Qing asked in surprise.

"To understand this matter, you first need to know how the Yelu Family tomb-guarding elders came to be!" The tall elder explained, "The Yelu Family tomb-guarding elders are divided into two types. One is like me, selected from the main family member, and the other consists of Yelu Family members originally stationed at Alagu Mountain. This batch was selected from the family once the ancestral tomb was built, and they and their descendants voluntarily guard the Yelu Family Ancestral Tomb at Alagu Mountain forever. Therefore, these people can be considered part of a family, a branch of the Yelu Family!"

"A branch family?" Ye Qing looked at the short elder and asked, "Isn't it a bit too cruel to have an entire family stay in such a place forever?"

"It's not an entire family..." The tall elder shook his head and said, "Each generation of this family sees half of its descendants sent out of the desert, receiving the best resources the Yelu Family offers outside the main lineage. The remaining half stays at Alagu Mountain to guard the tomb. The main family also selects a few people to guard the tomb at Alagu Mountain each generation. To an extent, this family and the main lineage members share honor and disgrace."

Looking at the confident demeanor of the tall elder, Ye Qing sighed inwardly. This matter is not as simple as the tall elder portrays. This family's members are fated from birth to have half remain in Alagu Mountain to guard the tomb; the first generation might be willing, perhaps the second too, but the third, fourth, fifth? It has been handed down to an unknown number of generations. Are they all willing to stay at Alagu Mountain? If someone among this group betrayed the Yelu Family, Ye Qing wouldn't be surprised; over a millennium, it's the lack of betrayal that would make Ye Qing wonder.

The Yan Family maintained such a legacy yet faced betrayal; how could the Yelu Family differ? Over this millennium, the Yelu Family's power weakened, and resources naturally dwindled. How could those guarding Alagu Mountain remain willingly? Someone from this family surely betrayed them; what Ye Qing needs to ascertain now is who betrayed the Yelu Family and how many betrayed the Yelu Family!