Soon enough, Ding Mei came back, clutching a small leather pouch tightly in her trembling hand.
Her face was pale, her lips slightly quivering, and when her gaze met Xue Wen's calm, unwavering eyes, she instinctively gulped down a lump of fear that had formed in her throat.
"D–Dear… Here." Her voice was soft and unsteady as she handed the pouch to him, her fingers brushing against his.
The faint touch made her heart jolt, not out of affection this time, but out of nervousness and guilt over what they were about to do.
"Don't worry." Xue Wen's tone was steady, as if the world around him couldn't shake his resolve.
With an almost indifferent expression, he took the pouch, opened it, and carefully sprinkled the greyish powder over the two lifeless bodies lying nearby.
He moved methodically, ensuring every inch of flesh was covered, his movements practiced and efficient.
The faint smell of burnt metal filled the air.
A sizzling noise soon echoed through the quiet surroundings, sharp and eerie, almost like the hiss of a dying serpent.
The corpses began to dissolve, their flesh bubbling and melting away as if consumed by invisible flames.
Within moments, even their bones crumbled into nothingness, vanishing completely until the earth beneath them was clean once more, not even a stain remained to mark their existence.
It was as though they had never existed at all.
Xue Wen stood silently for a while, his eyes sweeping across the surroundings. He made sure no one had seen them, his gaze cautious yet steady.
When he was certain they were alone, he finally exhaled a long breath of relief.
"Good," he muttered under his breath, before crouching down and retrieving the two small pouches tied to the dead men's waistbands.
Opening them, his eyes gleamed faintly.
Inside, he found ten Essence Beads in each, a considerable amount for simple patrol guards.
"Not bad," he murmured with satisfaction. Counting his current possessions, he realized that he now held a total of twenty-six Essence Beads.
That amount could buy him a decent fighting technique or help him strengthen his foundation for an early breakthrough.
After that, the two of them didn't linger any longer.
They began walking back toward the clan grounds.
The silence between them was heavy, filled with unspoken words and suppressed emotions.
Ding Mei's heart was pounding in her chest, each step feeling like it echoed the guilt within her.
She had helped her husband commit murder and erase the evidence; the weight of it pressed down on her like a stone.
Xue Wen, however, appeared calm.
His expression didn't waver, though his sharp eyes occasionally scanned their surroundings for any signs of danger.
He could feel Ding Mei's anxiety beside him, but he didn't speak of it.
There was no need, she had chosen her path the moment she decided to buy Bone Corroding Powder.
By the time they reached the clan, both of their hearts had steadied.
The air within the compound was lively, disciples were training, elders were discussing, and servants were carrying scrolls and herbs from one hall to another.
It was as if the world around them hadn't changed, though for Ding Mei, everything felt strangely distant now.
As they entered the Depository Hall, they immediately noticed a new elder sitting behind the counter today.
He was a tall man with long black hair tied neatly behind his head, a clean-shaven face that emphasized his sharp jawline, and a pair of deep-set eyes filled with authority.
His expression was stern, and his posture radiated an aura that warned others to maintain distance.
Xue Wen blinked in mild surprise. "I've never seen this elder before," he thought.
"It's Elder Ding De," Ding Mei whispered beside him, frowning slightly. "He's the finance elder. I wonder why he's here personally instead of his assistants."
Xue Wen rubbed his temples, feeling a dull headache rise. "I think I know why," he said with a helpless chuckle. "Last time, I slapped his daughter pretty hard."
Ding Mei's eyes widened, and she turned toward him in disbelief.
Of all the things she expected to hear, that wasn't one of them. "You slapped… Ding Huian?" she repeated in a low voice, her brows furrowed.
"Mm," Xue Wen replied casually, as though it was nothing worth mentioning. "She was being arrogant and tried to humiliate me in front of others. I merely returned the favor."
Ding Mei swallowed hard, unsure whether to scold him or admire his audacity.
For the past few days, he had been composed, restrained, and almost gentle toward her.
To imagine him striking the daughter of a clan elder seemed… unreal.
She sighed softly but said nothing more, knowing that silence was safer.
As they stepped closer to the Depository door, Elder Ding De's gaze landed on them.
The moment he recognized their faces, his brows furrowed, and a cold sneer crept up on his lips.
He stood abruptly, his robe swaying as he blocked their path.
"Elder De," Ding Mei greeted cautiously, forcing a polite smile despite the unease tightening her chest. "Is something wrong?"
The elder's expression twisted in disdain.
His eyes swept over her before settling on Xue Wen, filled with disgust. "Outsiders are not allowed inside the clan Depository," he declared sharply.
Ding Mei froze. "Elder De, what do you mean? We are not outsiders. I am Ding Mei, surely you recognize me?"
"Shut your mouth!" the elder roared, his voice echoing through the hall. Several disciples nearby turned to look, whispering among themselves. "You are married to this piece of trash, this disgrace to our clan. You no longer belong to the Ding Clan, you belong to him! Unless you plan to abandon him and return to us, you have no right to step inside!"
His tone was venomous, every word meant to humiliate.
Ding Mei's face flushed red, her hands trembling as she clenched the edge of her sleeve.
And in the next instant...
Slap!
A sharp, ringing sound reverberated through the entire Depository.
Xue Wen's hand was raised, his expression calm, while Elder Ding De stood frozen, a red mark spreading across his cheek.
The hall went silent.
Every eye turned toward them, some in disbelief, some in horror, and others simply unable to comprehend what had just happened.
To slap Elder Ding De, the Finance Elder of the clan, a cultivator at the Bone Reforming Realm, was nothing short of suicide.
"How… how dare you!" a disciple whispered in shock.
But Xue Wen's expression didn't change. His gaze was sharp, unyielding, filled with quiet fury. "How dare you talk to my wife like that," he said, his tone cold as steel. "You must have a death wish."
Ding Mei's mouth fell slightly open. She had seen him angry before, but never like this, never so firm, so unflinching in the face of someone vastly stronger.
The tension in the air thickened, the entire hall holding its breath.