"Finally, we meet, Tie Xue Leng," Fang Yuan inwardly thought.
The man wore a copper mask, and on his belt, a square amethyst plate was engraved with the character "five." He was a Rank five Gu Master, an enforcer of the law, and the Southern Border's top investigator: the Divine Investigator Tie Xue Leng.
Known for his unwavering sense of justice and ruthless pursuit of criminals, he had captured countless demonic cultivators and executed many notorious villains. His reputation was unmatched, having solved innumerable cases across the Southern Border, earning him great respect as a paragon of the righteous path.
"Little brother, please wait." Tie Xue Leng cupped his hands to Fang Yuan.
He had already made a name for himself for a long time and was also a Rank five Gu Master, but his attitude was polite and amiable.
"Seeing little brother's state of injuries and hurried appearance, did your esteemed clan leader and elders encounter trouble?" He asked.
Fang Yuan automatically changed his expression to that of anxiety and astonishment, while mixed within them were doubts and fear. "Who are you guys? How do you know this? Right, we were chasing after a thunder crown wolf but we ran into trouble by encountering a lightning lycan. I am hurrying back to request reinforcements."
"I am Tie Xue Leng, I am an ally, not your enemy. I just came from Gu Yue village. Little brother, you don't need to return for reinforcements, the beast tide concerns all humans and we need to join hands to face it. This Tie shall contribute all he can." Tie Xue Leng immediately took this task upon himself.
"Damn it, to think that I, Gu Yue Bo, will die here today!"
"Hmph, even if we die, we can't let this lightning lycan get off so easily."
The Gu Yue and Bai clan leaders were covered in wounds and nearly drained of primeval essence, feeling death closing in.
The thick smoke had cleared, revealing all the elders dead—only the two clan leaders remained.
The lightning lycan was also badly injured, deep gashes exposing bone. It bared its fangs, then slipped behind the lightning wolves, its eyes glinting cunningly as it withdrew from the frontlines.
"Come, you coward!" The Bai clan leader furiously roared.
However, the lightning lycan kept on retreating backwards and then let out a howl, commanding the ordinary lightning wolves to charge towards these two Rank four Gu Masters.
"Cunning bastard…" Gu Yue Bo and Bai clan leader looked at each other, and sighed.
They had prepared to make a strong counterattack before dying, but the lightning lycan had a wisdom that didn't lose out to humans and wasn't fooled.
"My life is over…."
"Damn this, we are going to die in these ordinary lightning wolves' mouths!"
Just when these two clan leaders were becoming extremely distraught, a voice suddenly arrived from a distance, "Two leaders, hang in there for a moment!"
The voice rang through the mountain forest.
The two clan leaders shuddered and quickly looked over, spotting a tall figure rushing their way.
The figure flickered through the wolf packs with ease and, moments later, appeared at their side.
"You are?" The two clan leaders asked at the same time.
"My name is Tie Xue Leng."
Gasp…
The Bai clan leader drew in a long breath in shock. He was surprised, joyous and also puzzled; why was Tie Xue Leng here?
Gu Yue Bo, on the other hand, was aware of the reason as he joyfully said, "So it is Divine Investigator Tie!"
Just as he said this, the wolf packs charged in.
"A bunch of foul creatures!" Tie Xue Leng's tongue seemed to burst with thunder, and with a low shout he willed a Gu in his aperture.
BOOM!
A formless aura erupted, spreading everywhere.
It was like a towering mountain and the vast sky, overlooking all.
Righteous Gu!
Only a Gu Master with a righteous heart could wield it.
This aura suppressed vile creatures; the weaker their will, the more it crushed them.
Tie Xue Leng had once used it to make a Rank four Gu Master surrender without a fight.
Howl howl…
The lightning wolves froze, their limbs shaking under the pressure.
Houuu!
The lightning lycan roared from the back, trying to urge them on.
"Such nerve!" Tie Xue Leng glared, extending his right hand in a grabbing motion.
Rumble…
Ripples spread in the air as a huge black iron hand tore the sky and lunged for the lightning lycan.
Rank five Ironfist Grappling Gu!
The lightning lycan was cunning and wounded. It didn't dare resist head-on and tried to dodge.
But the black hand locked on and chased relentlessly.
Seeing no escape, the lightning lycan roared and rammed it.
The iron hand shattered, but the beast suffered grave injuries, its bones nearly crushed.
It whimpered miserably, no longer daring to fight.
With one last hateful glance, it tucked its tail and fled.
"It is about to escape!"
"Quick, stop it!!"
The two clan leaders shouted, but Tie Xue Leng stood on the spot and didn't move.
"Divine Investigator, please finish it," Gu Yue Bo cupped his hands and implored.
Tie Xue Leng slightly shook his head.
At this time, Fang Yuan and the young girl finally arrived. They had seen how the lightning lycan had been forced away by the iron hand.
"Dad! Why did you do that? You are injured!" The young girl quickly approached Tie Xue Leng and stamped her feet in anger; her reproaching tone was full of concern.
"Ruo Nan, this lightning lycan is very cunning. Chasing it away by force is the best way to deal with it." Tie Xue Leng spoke, when suddenly his body slightly trembled.
Puff! He coughed up blood.
The blood was a strange greenish color, and when it hit the ground, it corroded the grass, releasing foul smoke.
He was clearly badly injured.
"Dad, are you okay?!" The young girl, Tie Ruo Nan quickly lifted her hands and tried healing Tie Xue Leng.
"No need to make a fuss about it, you know of my injuries, I will feel a lot better after letting out some blood," Tie Xue Leng laughed and waved his hands, refusing the treatment.
Seeing this scene, the two clan leaders who had been feeling resentment just before, immediately felt embarrassed.
"Divine Investigator is selfless, you helped us even though you are suffering from serious injuries. We will deeply remember this favor."
"I have heard of Tie Xue Leng's great name, and today I can see that it is fully justified and worthy of admiration! We thank Divine Investigator for saving us!"
The two clan leaders cupped their hands one after another and expressed their thanks.
"Lord Divine Investigator, please honor my Bai village with your presence. This gratitude of saving my life, I will do my best to repay!" The Bai clan leader said.
How could Gu Yue Bo just watch as the Bai village tried to bring Tie Xue Leng away.
He knew why Tie Xue Leng was here, and gave a proud smile, "I know that Lord Divine Investigator is here due to Jia Fu's request and has come to investigate that murder case. Our Gu Yue clan will do our best to cooperate!"
Bai clan leader's expression changed when he heard this.
Tie Xue Leng said, "It is so. However, the one in charge of this investigation won't be me, but my daughter Tie Ruo Nan."
"Eh?" Immediately, everyone present turned to look at the young girl.
"What, father, you want me to solve the case?" The girl pointed to herself, her face in utter shock.
"Why, are you unwilling?" Tie Xue Leng smiled gently.
"No, no, of course I'm willing!" Tie Ruo Nan finally reacted, jumping in joy.
Tie Xue Leng nodded, sighing in a complex tone, "You aspire to walk the same path as me. These few years where you were by my side, you have been greatly influenced by me and learnt much. An eagle can only learn to fly by itself, only then can it truly grow up. Your father is old already, my injuries cannot be cured. I cannot continue being with you as you live your life, and as the newer generations replace the old, what happens next is up to you."
"Father… don't give up yet, isn't there still hope for treatment?" The young girl's voice trembled as she choked back tears.
"You and I both know that the chances are infinitely slim. People have to learn to face facts, Ruo Nan," Tie Xue Leng laughed, then turned towards Gu Yue Bo, "Don't worry Gu Yue clan leader, this daughter of mine has learnt at least 80% of my abilities. With my guidance along the way, she will not let your clan suffer any injustice."
"Of course, of course." Gu Yue Bo quickly cupped his fist, "Young heroines are on par with males; such an elegant disposition and the child of a hero, there is no reason for me to worry. Please come to the village and let us feast upon your arrival."