Sang Yanping nodded and said frankly, "I did indeed go to Black Water Pier to investigate this matter personally. The Sect’s conclusion is based on my findings. Niece Nie, what questions do you have?"

"I heard that when Elder Sang investigated, you didn’t find any of Junior Brother Chen’s personal belongings, nor did you find a conclusive... body."

Nie Shanshan’s tone grew more forceful. "With no hard proof, why did you, Elder, so quickly jump to a conclusion and announce to the Sect—and even the outside world—that Junior Brother Chen is dead? Junior Brother Chen is our sect’s Chief Disciple. This is a grave matter. Wasn’t it... wasn’t it a bit hasty?"

In her view, Elder Sang’s investigation was far too perfunctory.

He had rushed hundreds of miles, only to return in a single day with news of the genius’s demise.

This wasn’t just because of her friendship with Chen Qing; it concerned the life and honor of a Chief Disciple. Wouldn’t handling it this way dishearten the other disciples of the Sect?

Standing in the back, Li Lei and Yan Yaoyang’s expressions flickered upon hearing her words.

After escaping, they had calmly replayed the events in their minds. They both realized that while the situation had been perilous, Chen Qing’s strength was transcendent. They’d also heard he held his own against Miao Zhicheng, meaning he likely had a fighting chance against the Nether Guard.

At the time, whether tempted by the treasure or cowed by the Nether and Ghost Guards, they had been focused only on saving themselves. Thinking back on it now, they felt a pang of guilt and had grown suspicious of the "news" of Chen Qing’s death.

"Shanshan!"

Chu Jinyun spoke sharply, her tone a clear warning.

But Sang Yanping just laughed and waved his hand. "Junior Sister Chu, it’s quite all right. When young people have doubts, they should speak their minds. It shows an honest nature."

He then turned to Nie Shanshan. The smile remained on his face, but his eyes grew deeper. "Niece Nie, you only know that I didn’t find any of Chen Qing’s belongings. But do you have any idea what the consequences would be if I announced he was merely ’missing’ instead of ’confirmed dead’?"

Nie Shanshan froze. "We would naturally mobilize more forces to search for him with everything we have..."

"Search?"

Sang Yanping cut her off, his voice steady but carrying a heavy force. "Do you think our Five Platforms Sect would be the only ones searching for him? The Demon Sect, Cold Jade Valley, the Xuanjia Sect, Qixia Manor, even the Earth Element Sect and Golden Sand Castle from Lin’an Prefecture... Not to mention the countless Jianghu influences that would catch wind of the news. All of them would turn their eyes toward the ’missing’ Chen Qing! Do they really want to find him? Or do they want to strike a fatal blow while he’s weak and eliminate this great future threat for good? Niece Nie, in that scenario, do you think Chen Qing’s chances of survival would be higher, or lower?"

BOOM!

His words struck her like a clap of thunder, exploding in her mind. A sudden realization dawned, and her face immediately flushed beet-red.

She had only thought about finding him, never considering the bloody storm it would unleash.

Sang Yanping’s announcement of his death wasn’t hasty or perfunctory at all. It was a unique way to protect him! For a potentially surviving Chen Qing, it drew away the overt threats and deflected the vast majority of hidden daggers.

Li Wang, Li Lei, Yan Yaoyang, and the others also looked shocked, an expression that was quickly replaced by dawning comprehension and admiration.

’So that was the profound meaning behind Elder Sang’s "perfunctory" investigation!’

’Clearly, the other Deans knew all along. They were all just playing a part.’

’As for why the Sect Leader dispatched Elder Sang to investigate immediately, there seemed to be a deeper meaning there as well.’

"Do you understand now?" 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Chu Jinyun looked at her prized disciple and shook her head in resignation. "You must always think a layer deeper and not just take things at face value. Brother Sang’s move was a masterstroke of seasoned foresight. It’s his way of protecting Chen Qing."

Utterly ashamed, Nie Shanshan gave a deep bow. "I was thoughtless and wronged you, Elder. Please, punish me."

Sang Yanping stroked his beard and chuckled. "Heh, it’s nothing. Your concern simply clouded your judgment. You care deeply for your sect-brother. Where is the fault in that?"

"A fine calculation on your part,"

Li Baichuan, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly spoke, his voice flat and emotionless. "But announcing his death isn’t foolproof enough. Did you leave anyone near Black Water Pier to provide support?"

Sang Yanping looked at Li Baichuan, his smile widening. "As expected, nothing escapes your keen eye, Junior Martial Uncle Li. I’ve secretly arranged a team of reliable men, disguised as unaffiliated treasure hunters, to search for him in that area. We’ll find him if he’s alive, and if he’s dead... we’ll find conclusive proof. Besides, I heard Elder Yu He of the Earth Element Sect got his hands on a fake. He’s buzzing around the area like a headless chicken, searching for the Nether and Ghost Guards and absolutely fuming."

"That old scoundrel Yu He is there too?"

Peng Zhen snorted, a fierce glint in his eye. "If I’d known he was there, I would have paid him a visit. It would’ve been the perfect chance to settle both new and old scores!"

Apparently, he and Yu He had a long-standing grudge.

Tan Yang, however, furrowed his brow, more concerned about the treasure’s whereabouts. "Does this mean the real Earth Essence Marrow Pearl and the fragment of the Thick Earth Treasure Technique fell into the hands of the Nether and Ghost Guards and were taken back to the Demon Sect?"

Just then, He Yuzhou, seated at the head of the hall, spoke slowly. "According to reports from our mole inside the Demon Sect, the Nether and Ghost Guards have not returned to any known Demon Sect stronghold."

At his words, the Council Hall fell instantly silent.

A glint appeared in everyone’s eyes.

’The Nether and Ghost Guards are missing?’

’Chen Qing is also "missing"?’

’Yu He found a fake... Connecting these pieces of information, the implications sent the minds of these Jianghu veterans churning. The more they considered the possibilities, the more their hearts pounded.’

’It was almost unbelievable!’

He Yuzhou’s gaze shifted to Li Baichuan, his expression probing. "Junior Martial Uncle Li, what are your thoughts on this...?"

Li Baichuan didn’t even lift an eyelid, speaking as if stating the obvious. "That kid is hard to kill. He’s not dead. Right now, he’s probably holed up in some gully, enjoying his spoils."