This elder, Gru, tore Dakville Leader's trust in Lu Heng to shreds with just a few words.
Lu Heng witnessed the entire process, and he admired Elder Gru's ability to control the situation.
In a few statements, Elder Gru managed to sow doubts about Lu Heng in the Dakville Leader's mind. While others might not have perceived it clearly, Lu Heng distinctly felt hostility from Elder Gru.
It only took a few minutes.
Lu Heng had gone from a trusted ally of the tribal leader to a suspicious outsider.
If he couldn't feel the hostility now, there must be something wrong with his brain.
Because of this hostility, Lu Heng reevaluated Elder Gru.
Elder Gru looked up, observed Lu Heng for a moment, and then said to the Dakville Leader, "Leader, why don't we ask him how he managed to retrieve the previous leader's ashes from Black Stone City."
Dakville III, previously too agitated, had indeed not inquired about the process, and upon this reminder, he asked, "Lu Heng, how did you retrieve the ashes? Could you recount the process for us?"
His attitude hadn't changed dramatically, still showing friendliness towards Lu Heng, but with a hint of caution.
Lu Heng paced near the hall entrance, pondering a few key questions, then began to describe the process of retrieving the ashes in Black Stone City.
During this, he omitted anything regarding Xie Shi'en.
The retrieval of the ashes had no substantial connection to Xie Shi'en.
There was no need to further involve a Superpower User, which would complicate matters and necessitate explanations.
After listening, Elder Gru asked, "Did you sneak into Black Stone City alone, and then escape by yourself?"
Lu Heng nodded in response.
Elder Gru turned to Dakville, saying, "Leader, having heard all this, what do you think? The whole process was too smooth. We spent three years, and only the leader managed to enter Black Stone City once by using the mine tunnels.
"But this outsider easily went in, obtained the ashes, and managed to escape effortlessly even under the Ancestor Sealing of the Bloodline Demons.
"Leader, don't you find it odd how smoothly this went?"
The Darkville Black Iron Tribe and the Bloodline Demons had been in conflict for three years, and Dakville knew too well how difficult these Bloodline Demons were to deal with.
Thus, he also felt that the process Lu Heng described was overly simplistic.
Deep down, he was unwilling to believe that what he couldn't achieve could be easily done by someone else.
This was a very subtle sentiment.
After pondering for a moment, Lu Heng counter-questioned, "What do you two think about the defense at Dili Castle?"
"Of course, it's tightly guarded," Dakville responded naturally.
"And yet I managed to enter Dili Castle and meet the leader, didn't I?" Lu Heng maintained a calm expression.
Dakville nodded, saying, "True enough, Lu Heng has the capability. Although the process sounds simple, he indeed has the ability to accomplish it."
Lu Heng looked at Elder Gru, asking, "Does the Elder have any other doubts?"
Elder Gru shook his head, saying, "Not for now."
"Since you don't, then it's my turn."
Lu Heng paused, looked at Dakville, and asked, "Leader, do you remember what I just mentioned, that I saw a figure in a black cape at the Blood Sacrifice Tower in Black Stone City? I suspect this cloaked figure is a traitor from the Black Iron Tribe."
Elder Gru interjected skeptically, "I remember you saying this cloaked person was as tall as a Bloodline Demon. Now, how did it become a Black Iron Tribe traitor? Our tallest tribe member isn't nearly that tall."
Dakville nodded in agreement, "Yes, I clearly remember you mentioning the height of this cloaked person."
Elder Gru scoffed, "Outsider, you're not thinking of changing your story, are you?"
Lu Heng went outside the Ancestor Hall, picked up a stick, and compared its length, then set it next to the Molten Turtle at the doorway.
Then, taking the height of the Molten Turtle, he scratched a mark on the stick with his fingernail.
Afterward, Lu Heng brought the stick back, placed it beside Elder Gru's head, and said, "Adding this segment to your height, Elder, matches the height of that cloaked figure."
This act was slightly impolite.
Elder Gru angrily swatted Lu Heng's hand away, snorting coldly, "What exactly are you trying to say?"
Lu Heng took a deep breath and said, "At first, that cloaked figure also overturned my guess.
"Until I saw this Molten Turtle, its height perfectly matched. Maybe Elder Gru would like to stand on the Molten Turtle to see?"
Elder Gru snorted angrily, rebuking, "Are you suspecting me?"
"Don't be hasty, let's sort out the clues one by one."
Lu Heng looked at Dakville and said, "Dakville Leader, do you still remember the clues we just investigated?
"When you sent someone to call for Elder Gru, it was from outside Dili Castle, meaning that Elder Gru wasn't in Dili Castle before.
Elder Gru snorted coldly, "I live on Wizard Mountain behind Dili Castle. I am the tribe's most powerful wizard, practicing Black Witchcraft, which can easily harm others, so naturally I do not reside in the castle."
Dakville nodded in confirmation, "Yes, Elder Gru practices Black Witchcraft, so he doesn't live in the castle."
Lu Heng continued, "That settles it. We mentioned earlier, the traitor had left Dili Castle before noon yesterday and went to Black Stone City. Leader, you've been investigating the tribe's scouts but never mentioned Elder Gru."