Immediately, the Chief of the Daoist Temple began introducing the man: "This gentleman has come from the Northwestern Heroic Pass. He is the adjutant to the Military Commander of the Frontier Army. He is here to investigate some matters and asks for your cooperation."
The adjutant of the Frontier Military Commander?
The many lay disciples in the inner hall were immediately stunned, staring at the man in amazement.
Since Qingdu was adjacent to the Northwestern Heroic Pass, many present knew that among the 150,000-strong army guarding the pass, any captain was a true Martial Cultivator!
And the adjutant of the Military Commander was selected from these captains.
Martial Artists of Jianghu, no matter how advanced their martial arts, even if they reached Refining Power in which everything is perfect, were still mere mortals compared to true cultivation experts.
But a Martial Cultivator enters the Dao through martial arts, a legend in the Martial Arts!
With a body like black iron and the strength to lift a thousand pounds, they could compete with a cultivation expert.
Only such individuals were qualified to command thousands of troops and hold the position of captain.
Even the Prefectural Governor of Qingdu would be courteous to such figures. Throughout Qingdu, there wasn't anyone who had entered the Dao through martial arts as a strong Martial Cultivator.
Lin Yue, among the crowd, silently watched this imposing figure, his face mimicking the appropriate astonishment while pondering quietly.
Another Martial Cultivator from the Frontier Army?
The last one who died also seemed to be from the Frontier Army...
"Everyone."
The adjutant's expression remained indifferent as he met everyone's gaze and said, "My surname is Chu. I am here at Qingdu Daoist Temple under orders from the commander to investigate clues about a particular person."
As he spoke, he took a scroll from his sleeve.
With a gentle shake, he immediately unfolded a portrait.
Everyone immediately looked intently.
The portrait depicted a somewhat slender young man in a luxurious brocade robe, holding a folding fan in his hand and standing slightly nervously. His demeanor and the vivid details of his face, including a scar on his temple, were lifelike.
"This person's name is 'Xia Lie.' Over two months ago, he came to Qingdu for a while. On the first of June, he even visited the temple to ask for a health cultivation method, accompanied by a Martial Cultivator guard at the time."
After Chu's adjutant slowly finished, he swept his gaze over everyone and asked, "Does this ring a bell for any of you?"
The many lay disciples present silently nodded.
It had only been two months since the event.
Even if many were not present at that time, they had heard about it during idle chats afterward. How could they forget?
On the first of June—
The young nobleman in the portrait walked into the temple with great arrogance and immediately demanded to borrow all the health preservation methods from the Chief. His commanding attitude was like issuing orders.
Of course, the Chief refused. He ordered the martial artist guards to expel him immediately.
But the guard behind the nobleman moved with such speed that the three martial artists surrounding him were all knocked to the ground before they saw what happened.
The guards at the temple, though not top-tier in Jianghu, were still first-rate, yet they were instantly defeated.
Everyone present guessed that the guard with the nobleman was a strong Martial Cultivator who had entered the Dao through martial arts!
Such a figure, capable of commanding thousands of troops, willing to serve as a guard?
All understood that the young nobleman must have an incredibly powerful background!
Hence, the Chief had no choice but to let the nobleman borrow the cherished health preservation methods from the temple and even personally instruct him.
A few days later, the nobleman seemed to have learned enough and left, not returning to the temple.
Now it seemed he had gone missing?
Everyone present thought of this and couldn't help but feel even more alarmed.
A young nobleman with a Martial Cultivator guard, missing for so long. Had he met with foul play?
Who would dare act against such an obviously well-connected nobleman?
Moreover, the Martial Cultivator guard had also disappeared without a trace?
At this thought, many present felt a chill in their hearts.
If it was a grudge between two powerful forces, getting involved in such a storm caused by these big figures would bring trouble even if they helped.
"The Commander has ordered."
The adjutant surnamed Chu seemed to have guessed what they were thinking. He swept his indifferent gaze over them and said, "Anyone who provides useful clues will be rewarded with gold. If someone finds the whereabouts of Xia Lie, they will become the Commander's direct disciple."
At these words, the many lay disciples were stunned and looked at Chu in disbelief.
The mere reward of gold for useful clues was enough to move many present.
Though most were well-off, it was difficult to amass such wealth.
But those in the governor's mansion and a few others who wouldn't be moved by gold were tempted by the thought of becoming the commander's direct disciple.
The various captains of the Frontier Army were already high-ranking Martial Cultivators.
And the commander, who led 150,000 troops and guarded the Northwestern Heroic Pass, was a rare strong Martial Cultivator among strong Martial Cultivators!
Becoming his direct disciple could elevate a commoner to a position where even the Prefectural Governor of Qingdu would have to show respect, benefiting their family for a hundred years or more!
This was an opportunity to rise to the top in one step!
With Chu's statement, the temple's hall couldn't help but become noisy.
"Everyone, please stay calm."
Chu's cold voice echoed in the hall: "Next, I will ask a few questions. If anyone has reliable information, they may come forward. If no one knows for sure, any uncertain clues may also be shared."
Everyone then fell silent.
"The first question."
Chu's adjutant slowly scanned the room, "The last time Xia Lie appeared at this temple was June 5. Who saw him outside the temple that day?"
Everyone looked at each other, but no one answered.
After a while, a tall and thin man cautiously stepped forward.
He bowed and carefully said, "Lord Chu, on the fifth of June, I saw Xia Lie from a distance outside the temple. Although I didn't see his face clearly, his clothing indicated it should be him."
"Oh?" Chu's adjutant asked, "Where exactly?"
"On the street near Fenghe Courtyard." The tall, thin man replied, "But what was strange was that Xia Lie didn't have the Martial Cultivator guard with him."
"No guard with him?"
Chu's adjutant frowned and coldly said, "How is that possible? According to the commander's orders, the Martial Cultivator guard should be with Xia Lie at all times. How could he be without protection? Are you sure you saw Xia Lie?"
The tall, thin man was taken aback.
Being stared at by a Martial Cultivator who commanded thousands of troops was incredibly intimidating.
He became flustered and stammered, "Well, I'm not entirely sure, but I saw Xia Lie a few times at the academy, so I think... I think I couldn't be mistaken about his clothing and figure..."
Chu's adjutant was silent for a moment, studying the tall, thin man, and slowly said, "Why were you there at that time?"
"I... I was heading to Fenghe Courtyard."
Feeling nervous, the tall, thin man said, "I saw Xia Lie from a distance and didn't dare approach, so I didn't go any closer."
"Why didn't you dare to go?" Chu's adjutant asked coldly.
The tall, thin man hesitated and then said, "Do you want to hear the truth?"
Chu's adjutant frowned and immediately commanded, "Speak frankly!"
"Yes!"
The tall, thin man quickly explained, "I heard that Xia Lie had been in Qingdu for several days. His temper seemed a bit erratic, and his actions were peculiar. He would whip and flog innocent passersby for no reason. I was scared, so… so I didn't want to go near him..."