Chapter 410: The Great Elder of the Ying Tribe Returns

What trouble has made Ying go out himself? She wanted to go out and see who had arrived. After saying she wanted to go out to meet them, Youchao Xuan grabbed her, "Goddess, don't go; let Ying handle it."

The remark darkened Nan Qinghuan's expression, and her eyes looked outward, eager to see which Great Elder had arrived.

Heavy snow fell outside, and the biting wind howled; when Ying saw the Great Elder, his face darkened, but he still stepped forward and paid a respectful bow.

"Great Elder, why have you come?"

The Great Elder Sangtian was an elderly man, the most reliable elder in the Ying Tribe, and he carried more weight than the elders of earlier times.

However, he had left the tribe years ago to find his own place, rarely returning, and only came back when the tribe faced major affairs that required important ritual days.

This time his return almost frightened him to death.

Because the Ying Tribe he knew had already disappeared.

He doesn't recognize the current tribe at all!

He had a white beard and looked extremely aged, yet his eyes shone astonishingly; even though he was so old he needed a cane to come here, his authority allowed no questioning.

He wore a circular ring on his nose, the symbol of the tribe's most honored person, and even Ying sometimes had to heed his words.

Because the elder is the core of the clan.

The Clan Leader merely leads the people.

"Great Elder, why did you come down the mountain?"

Sangtian glanced at Ying; after so many years without seeing him, Ying had indeed grown in skill and height, and naturally his abilities had also expanded.

He glanced at the unfamiliar carriage behind him and asked, "Is the one inside yours, Omu?"

The snow kept swirling, and Ying knew the Great Elder had come to target Qinghuan; for the first time he defied the Great Elder.

"Inside is Qinghuan, Great Elder; you haven't been back for many years. Come with me; the clan misses you."

The Great Elder had helped him and A Mu when they were young; he remembered those deeds and was, of course, grateful.

Amid the swirling snow, Great Elder Sangtian wore only thin garments—beast skin and beast robe—but still shivered with cold.

He grew angry after hearing what Luosang said, never expecting that after so many years away the Ying Tribe would become like this with no one to inform him. "Elder, let's go back first."

The Great Elder had a woman named Qingfeng, who was quite attractive and had always attended to him.

Of course, she also admired Ying.

She walked to Ying's side; after years apart, Ying had become a towering male.

She liked him.

"Ying, return to the tribe first; the Great Elder is also tired."

Ying glanced at the woman.

"You go ahead, please, Elder."

"When we get back, I'll talk to you properly."

The Great Elder, looking angry, stamped his foot, turned, and left; amid the swirling snow, Ying stood there with frost on his eyelashes.

The cold wind gusted, and he stood in the snow, watching the Great Elder and Qingfeng leave.

Dashan, seeing the scene, was very worried, "Ying, what should we do? The Great Elder is back; he'll definitely go after Omu."

Ying straightened his spine, inhaled the cold air, and said, "He dares to deal with Qinghuan."

"But he is the Great Elder; his appearance now must be to cause us trouble. You know how the clan feels about him..."

"Whatever we do to him, he helped us a lot before, but now I'm in charge of this tribe; let's go back."

Inside the carriage, Ying pulled back the curtain and slipped in, covered in wind and snow.

When he entered, Nan Qinghuan grabbed him, suddenly noticing Ying's hands were ice‑cold, and immediately clasped his hand tightly to convey warmth.

"Ying, who is that old man?"

Ying didn't want to tell Nan Qinghuan about the Great Elder, smiled, "It's nothing; you're tired, right? We're almost home. Dashan, hurry."

The carriage's atmosphere grew tense; Youchao Xuan shook his head at Nan Qinghuan, signaling her not to ask, and she ceased asking, thinking it would become clear once they returned.

No matter who comes, it's useless.

No one may try to stop what they intend to do!

In any case, just hearing about this Great Elder made her very displeased, because these so‑called elders consider themselves the clan's spiritual pillars, yet have done nothing for the people while enjoying the clan's obedience and all its benefits.

They only enjoy, never give.

Therefore, these old things should be eliminated.

Inside the carriage, the three each harbored thoughts; Youchao Xuan's mouth twitched as he tried to speak, but swallowed the words.

At dusk, when Ying and the others returned, the heavy snow had already piled up to their calves; it was very cold outside. After the carriage arrived, Ying personally lifted Nan Qinghuan out, then draped his tiger skin over her, and only then…

Inside the house, A Mu had already prepared dinner.

The bonfire blazed, bringing the scent of home.

"A Mu, we're back."

"Ah, it's good you're back. How's Yao Na?"

A Mu was still worried about Yao Na's situation; how could the sturdy Tulou collapse? Ying quickly set Nan Qinghuan down, "Qinghuan, warm the fire first."

"Ying, where are you going?"

Ying smiled, "The Great Elder is back; I'm going to see him."

"Yes, the Great Elder is back; he's waiting for Ying now."

A Mu was still very grateful to the Great Elder; when they were orphans and widows it wasn't easy and they were bullied, and the Great Elder helped them, so A Mu still respected him, though she didn't know why he had returned now. "A Mu, you eat first; I'll go see Sangtian."

After saying that, Ying turned to leave; as soon as he walked away, Nan Qinghuan hurried to sit on a small stool to warm the fire, "A Mu, Yao Na is fine now, you can rest assured."