Chapter 35 Divine Investigator II

Tie Xue Leng was selfless and utterly ruthless.

At the age of seventeen, he left the Tie family’s mountain stronghold and traveled throughout the Southern Border, upholding justice wherever he went.

Over the years, innumerable demonic Gu Masters had fallen into his hands, while countless criminals were brought to justice by him.

The righteous path welcomed him with open arms, while the demonic path turned pale at the mere mention of his name.

He was a living symbol of righteousness and the nightmare of every demonic Gu Master.

Having solved countless major cases, his name echoed throughout the Southern Border.

His presence was like the blazing sun high in the sky, so brilliant and imposing that few dared meet his gaze.

“Uncle, what brings you here?

Where’s Father?” Tie Yuning peeked behind Tie Xue Leng, only to find that he had come alone.

Disappointment immediately filled her face.

She had hoped her father would come to take her home himself.

“Hmph.

He’s such a stubborn old blockhead.

I already said I’m not going back, and I’m not going back.

Uncle, you should head back too.”

Tie Xue Leng’s face was hidden behind an ancient bronze mask, concealing every trace of emotion.

Through the openings in the mask came a deep, steady voice.

“Xin’er, your father is the Tie family’s clan leader.

Our family has always upheld integrity and justice above all else.

How could he allow personal feelings to interfere with his duties?

Even if it were a rare Gu that could improve aptitude, your father would never take it for you without the clan’s approval.

Even if it were only an ordinary Rank One Gu, he would still never break the clan’s rules.”

“Hmph!

Those are all excuses.

Father’s just a stubborn old blockhead!”

Even though he was the Tie family’s clan leader and was expected to remain impartial, he had devoted his entire life to the family, sacrificing almost everything he had.

While pursuing a demonic Gu Master, he had even failed to see his wife one last time before she passed away.

After giving so much to the family, why couldn’t he take a single Gu from the clan treasury to improve his own daughter’s aptitude?

Was that really too much to ask?

The more Tie Yuning thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt.

She stomped her foot, then hid behind Lin Feng.

“I don’t care!

I’m not going back!

Lin Feng already promised to take me traveling across Southern Border.

I’m never going back to that cold, lifeless mountain village!”

Lin Feng: “???”

Damn it!

Don’t drag me into this just because you’re trying to make a point!

If that old bastard Tie Xue Leng really loses his mind and drags both of us back to the Tie family, wouldn’t a Blood Path Gu Master like me be walking straight into his hands?

Fortunately, Tie Xue Leng was not the kind of person who acted unreasonably or solved everything through force.

“Young Brother Lin Feng, this young lady is my niece, the daughter of the Tie family’s clan leader.

Several months ago, she left the mountain stronghold on her own in a fit of anger.

I came here today to take her home.

I hope you’ll grant my request.”

As he spoke, Tie Xue Leng cupped his fists and bowed slightly to Lin Feng.

Although he was a renowned Rank Five Gu Master whose name shook all of Southern Border, his attitude remained humble and courteous.

There wasn’t the slightest trace of arrogance in him.

Instead, he gave others a sense of sincerity and quiet warmth.

“Could it be…

you’re the legendary Number One Divine Investigator of Southern Border?

The Iron-Blooded Tie Xue Leng, whose name alone makes countless demonic Gu Masters flee in terror?”

“It’s only an empty reputation.

There’s nothing worth boasting about.” Tie Xue Leng replied calmly, completely unmoved by Lin Feng’s praise, as though he were answering trivial matter.

Lin Feng’s body trembled slightly.

His face was filled with excitement, and he opened his mouth several times, yet no words came out.

He looked exactly like someone who had just met the person they admired most.

Tie Xue Leng was slightly surprised.

He hadn’t expected the young man before him to be one of his admirers.

______

“I see.

I never expected you to be fortunate enough to inherit righteous Gu Master inheritance.”

As the three of them walked through the streets, Tie Xue Leng learned about Lin Feng’s past and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly at his good fortune.

Without that inheritance, he might never have become a Gu Master in his lifetime.

There was a reason Tie Xue Leng reacted this way.

Outside the Central Continent, the other four regions all followed the family clan system, and Southern Border was no exception.

Only Central Continent’s sect system openly nurtured talented commoners and guided them onto the path of cultivation.

Clan forces were different.

Their resources were almost entirely reserved for their own bloodline, and only members of the clan were raised to become Gu Masters.

In the end, the difference came from their foundations.

Sects were built on the relationship between master and disciple, while clans were built on blood ties.

Each system had its own strengths and weaknesses.