80. Targets Everywhere
“Oh? So this Gu allows you to heal your soul? Does that mean a Gu has a soul?”
“Every creature has a soul if one looks deep enough. The soul carries the will. If Gu has will, they have a soul.”
“Hmm? So, this allows you to skip a dream? Amazing!”
“What about this?”
“Recurring Dream Gu? So, it’s an expendable Gu that can repeat the same form of dream for ten cycles? Use it first and then continue exhausting the Desolate Howling Wolf Strength Gu.”
Lo Jik retrieves the Dreamer Gu and falls silent. He only asks a few questions to not tire the Gu. But he learns more about the dreams and the Gu they can produce.
Evidently, they are not regular dreams. Else, Lo Jik would be stuck.
The dreams are a maze.
To receive the essence, the Dreamer Gu must clear the maze. The conditions vary from beating someone to flying in a peculiar expertise or whatnot. Among these are the Dream Skip Gu, Recurring Dream Gu, Focused Dream Path Gu, Intense Dream Gu, Shatter Dream Gu, and more!
The Qualitative Dream Gu is the best in Lo Jik’s mind.
It’s a Rank 4 Expendable Gu that has the effects of 100 Dream Cycles at the cost of a regular dream. The Dreamer Gu could only refine one, stating its difficulty. However, the dream cycle count for the Dreamer Gu has already reached 189 because of this Gu.
Lo Jik cannot help but fall silent.
The Dreamer Gu made him hesitate.
‘One’s Attainment is a crucial factor for Gu Immortal Ascension. One needs to be a Master. I only have an Ordinary Attainment in Strength and Flying Path. I may be a Master Archer, but it’s a profession, not a well-defined path. I don’t know how many Dream Cycles it takes to reach Master-level Attainment in the Strength Path. Conversely, I know how much I need to invest to get Ordinary Attainment. Can’t I have a similar achievement in the Refinement Path?’
Lo Jik resolved to develop his Strength Path until he could use a proper Killer Move. There is a small distance from achieving that.
‘Sigh. I need to control it.’
Lo Jik suppresses his greed. A moment’s greed can ruin his goals. It’s not just greed. He also felt slightly intimidated by the resources he would need to invest to attain a Master’s Attainment. However, he can be sure his speed won’t be worse than talents like Bai Ning Bing. The latter must already have a mighty grasp of Ice Path since he could develop a killer move since his days in Qing Mao Mountain.
What about now?
Lo Jik has grown explosively, and so has Bai Ning Bing.
Collecting his thoughts, Lo Jik uses the Thicker Skin and Elite Muscles Gu to refine his body. Bai Ning Bing and Bai Lin provided Lo Jik with superior foundations compared to the rest. Once he refines the Gold Blood Gu, Lo Jik will use the Fickle Heart Strength Gu to advance his Beast Phantoms.
Then Lo Jik can be said to have matured in his Gu Cultivation—not so frail compared to the rest of the mortal powerhouses.
Lo Jik could even use his gains to set up a Clan. But he is more taken by the idea of lording a developed Clan. Staying with Bai Lin also creates a stream of Bronze Rewards. As Rank 4, these Bronze Rewards will sell for 70000-100000 Stones each! Lo Jik can earn almost 180k daily!
However, the Shang Clan has opportunities the Bai Clan can only dream of. Lo Jik didn’t want money to guide his action.
A rich person can be mighty.
However, the Mighty always has the option to become rich.
Lo Jik can attain might in the Shang Clan.
Once he spends an hour using the two Gu Worms and another half-hour healing the injuries, Lo Jik diverts his attention to the Rank 5 Bookworm.
‘There is Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable’s secret hidden inside his mess of recipes. Bai Kin didn’t change the arrangement of the information. I can only hope he stated the truth, or I’m wasting time trying to look for clues.’
Even if Lo Jik doubts Bai Kin could be lying, the opportunity of learning from a Venerable is too great to pass on!
Lo Jik spends three hours going through the material. It’s already a routine.
<<<>>>
A team of Gu Masters with distinguished identities approached the Shang Clan in Early September. These men and women wear iron-black uniforms with white and red belts tied around their waists. The leader of this team is a slim woman adorned with a copper mask. This copper mask has three openings for her eyes, nostrils, and mouth. A pair of tawny eyes look through these openings. Her straight, jet-black hair is tied into a pony. All sorts of blemishes are visible on her uniform.
“This Tie Mu Kol greets Young Master,” a girl bows to the leader.
Tie Ruo Nan nods calmly. “Please skip the formalities, Senior Sister Mu. Elder Tie No Ting left you here to follow Gu Yue Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing. I trust you received the letter of me taking over this investigation.”
“Yes,” Tie Mu Kol nods and looks at Ruo Nan with unconcealed admiration.
‘So young…’
Tie Ruo Nan is only 19 this year. But she already has the cultivation of Rank 3 Upper Stage. She has a firm heart. Her father’s demise did not dampen Ruo Nan’s spirits. Instead, she rose to challenge the Hall of Heroes and advanced to the position of the Tie Clan’s Young Master. She revealed a sense of unrelenting Justice by dispelling corruption on various management levels in the Tie Clan. Her achievements rose as other Clansmen came to call her the Young Divine Investigator.
Tie Ruo Nan also has a deep background. Her uncle is the Clan’s current Leader. All this allowed her to overtake a stagnant yet pressing case—Qing Mao’s Blood Tide.
“I prepared an inn inside the Third Inner City, Young Master. Please follow me.”
“Not yet,” Tie Ruo Nan refuses the idea. “I wish to meet Gu Yue Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing.”
Tie Mu Kol nods.
“They both have a match today. Bai Ning Bing is a fierce competitor. However, he stopped frequently challenging after reaching the Third Inner City’s Battle Stage. Meanwhile, Gu Yue Lo Jik also rarely appears. He has the strength but hasn’t climbed to the Third Inner City.”
Already aware of the information of Bai Ning Bing using the Yang Rotation Gu, Tie Ruo Nan lets Tie Mu Kol lead. The team enters the Battle Arena, where they watch Lo Jik entering the battle stage in loose clothing. Although the arena isn’t packed, others watch with slight hope.
“Maybe Murong Xue will fight him.”
“Isn’t he a fierce Strength Path Gu Master? He used to say how he would piss in Lo Jik’s skull.”
“I surrender!”
Murong Xue shouts loudly as Lo Jik shrugs. “Handover the 16000 Primeval Stones. That’s the price of your Vital Gu—Fiery Strength Gu.”
“Brother—”
Lo Jik cuts any negotiation attempts by interjecting. “The price is high because you would have to pay for healing after getting injured once you remove your Vital Gu. Why let the Healers profit from our battle? 16000 or the Fiery Strength Gu. Your choice.”
Murong Xue is a giant of a man. He is usually domineering in his matches. Yet, here, Murong looks like a kid caught red-handed. He bows his head and coughs up the money. The middle-aged man even thanks Lo Jik.
“Thank you for taking it easy, Brother Lo Jik.”
The youth smiles kindly.
“You are welcome.”
Lo Jik turns around and leaves the arena.
“This…”
“What did I witness?”
Tie Ruo Nan and her teammates are slightly speechless. Lo Jik merely walked all the way to collect Primeval Stones!
“Gu Yue Lo Jik had a murderous nature in his early career in Battle Zone. However, his skirmish with Doctor Su Shou curbed his spirit. He is tamer than before and rarely loses his cool.”
Others nod at Tie Mu Kol’s words. They knew this. But witnessing it is a different matter!
The group leaves and tries to intercept Lo Jik. Unable to locate him, they approach his courtyard. However, the door guard informs that the two masters aren’t home. Tie Ruo Nan expresses her understanding and leaves a letter.
Bai Ning Bing returns after an hour. His expression is ponderous as he recollects the recent battle and the areas he could improve. He has yet to lose even once. But the difficulty in the Third Inner City’s Battle Stage is a notch higher.
“Lord Bai, there is another letter—”
“Just add it to the pile,” Bai Ning Bing dismisses. There are still persistent Gu Masters who habitually send Lo Jik an invitation for the inspection, exchange, or sale of his rare Gu. Lo Jik still reads them weekly to ensure he isn’t missing out on a great trade.
As for Lo Jik? Wei Yang invited him.
“What? Brother Wei found the Mind-Body-True Connection Gu?” Lo Jik inquires. He knows revealing this also means admitting his use of Mind-Body Connection. But he cannot care. How can he skip this Gu despite trying several Large and Middle Auctions? It’s too weird!
Wei Yang tosses Lo Jik an I-told-you-so look as he sips his wine. Xiao Yan sips and watches with great interest. The trio occasionally drink together. Since Xiao Yan has been in the Third Inner City’s Battle Zone for a while, Bai Ning Bing sometimes joins to question Xiao Yan about his next opponent.
“Well,” Wei Yang forces a smile. “I know where every Rank 4 Gu you want is going to. Do you recall the virtuous Doctor Su you praised several instances for her generosity?”
Lo Jik’s lips twitch as Wei Yang chuckles.
“Doctor Su Shou suddenly has an ‘inspiration’ for a Gu Recipe. She purchased all the Rank 4 Mind-Body-True Connection and Bitter Strength Gu. She will continue to do so until she refines the Gu she wants.”
“Sigh. You can use the Purple Thorn Token to pre-pay for items in Small and Mid-Sized Auctions. Doctor Su Shou can do the same in Large-Scale Auctions. The only auction she cannot touch is the Super Auctions. You should not have offended Doctor Su Shou, Brother Lo Jik.”
Lo Jik grows silent and sips wine.
He has been waiting for a reaction.
But he still doesn’t know if it’s a positive or negative reaction. All he can understand is Su Shou wants Lo Jik to come crawling to her.
Actually, Bitter Strength Gu is his passing interest. It might be desired by other Strength Path Gu Masters. However, the Hateful Strength Gu suits Lo Jik more. Even his killer move had no need for the Bitter Strength Gu.
Lo Jik bids Wei Yang and Xiao Yan farewell after lunch and considers the situation.
He needs the Mind-Body-True Connection. But it’s not urgent.
‘The only reason I could not find it was due to Su Shou. I know this now. Whatever. It’s not like I can use it right away. First, I must advance my circulatory system using the Golden Blood Gu. It comes after I finish using the Elite Muscles and Thicker Skin Gu. Thicker Skin Gu’s use is almost finished. I won’t sell it. Rank 5 is too far. But Shang Clan has several ordinary Rank 5 Gu for Purple Thorn Token users. I can buy the Rank 5 variant instead of refining it. Instead, I will let the Dreamer Gu use the Thicker Skin Gu. It’s a Strength Path Body Refinement Gu.’
‘The same is the case for Elite Muscles Gu. But it is significantly rarer. I will continue sustaining it.’
‘I already have the Self Strength Gu, Borrow Strength Gu, All-Out Strength Gu, Strength Qi, and a Rank 4 Beast Phantom. What I need is a Lightning Strength Gu. It also occasionally appears in the auction. Fortunately, I never revealed my intentions to purchase it.’
Lo Jik smirks and feels slightly carefree. He now focuses on learning about flying under Wei Yang’s tutelage every few days. Lo Jik knows this guidance isn’t free. Wei Yang gets his information and reports to Shang Yan Fei. But Wei Yang’s tips allow Lo Jik to avoid several issues, rapidly boosting his ability to control flying Gu.
His financial situation is also better after the initial period. His savings rose to 1.1 million these days. It’s primarily because Lo Jik only spends his natural essence on Cultivation.
The Next Day, Tie Ruo Nan’s group appears and asks about Lo Jik. The Doorguard reveals the duo is inside the secret room and cannot meet visitors.
Tie Ruo Nan’s team feels slightly miffed as Tie Mu Kol snorts.
“What happened? Did your master become a coward? Didn’t he say he would accept Tie Clan’s people inside should they remove their clothes?”
The door guard lowers his head.
“I’m sorry, I can’t confirm such matters. Lord Lo Jik is meditating. However, you may enter if you have such express agreement.”
“You!” Tie Mu Kol’s expression twists with fury as Tie Ruo Nan frowns. She is more dissatisfied with Tie Mu Kol. Tie Ruo Nan mostly traveled with her father since her early years. She grew different than her peers. While Tie Ruo Nan possesses the Tie Clan’s pride, she doesn’t let it blind her. In her experience, most cases of corruption in the Tie Clan stemmed from this pride, which made the Tie Clansmen exploit innocent mortals.
“It’s alright,” Tie Ruo Nan interjects and hands another letter. “I’m old friends with your Young Lord. Here. For your troubles.” She gives him a small money bag.
The Door Guard’s expression becomes more respectful as he nods.
While Tie Ruo Nan’s team remains calm, Tie Mu Kol expresses her shock. She could not stay silent on the way back.
“Young Master. That…”
“You’re wondering why I gave him money?” Tie Ruo Nan questions as a short smirk appears on the girl’s lips.
“Indeed,” Tie Mu Kol frowns. “Bribery does not suit the Tie Clan’s Young Master.”
“What law denies it?” Tie Ruo Nan laughs lightly.
“Excuse me?” the girl blinks.
“The Shang Clan doesn’t allow the administrative forces to accept bribes and favor one party over another. But think from another perspective. Is it a bribe if we are purchasing someone’s service?”
“No, Young Master.”
“So, if I pay the Door Guard to deliver a letter, is it a bribe or a trade of service for money? I didn’t ask him to place my letter above all. I didn’t ask that boy to burn other letters, either. You see, Senior Mu. My father taught me that one’s investigation has a high chance of success if you don’t look down on weak parties, including mortals, but treat them respectfully.”
Tie Mu Kol frowns as Ruo Nan questions.
“Would you not do the same if it meant the continuation of the Blood Tide’s investigation? It’s been two years. Did you lower your head once to try meeting him?”
Tie Mu Kol reveals an unwilling expression.
Tie Ruo Nan laughs again.
“Answer me this, Senior Mo. What happens when rocks clash?”
The masked girl chuckles. “Nothing. They either damage each other or create sparks. Is our pride more valuable than justice and getting to the root of the Blood Tide?”
Tie Ruo Nan glances at Tie Mu Kol deeply.
The other woman’s expression shifts as she lowers her head.
“I was impudent, Young Master. I apologize.”
Tie Ruo Nan exhales. She can see Tie Mu Kol didn’t think much about her words. Well, Tie Ruo Nan doesn’t blame her. They had different upbringings.
“Oh? Little Investigator?”
A surprised voice reaches Tie Ruo Nan as she and her team stop. They were still on the route leading to Lo Jik’s courtyard. So, they came across a casual youth walking with his hands crossed behind his head. The only other girl in Ruo Nan’s team glances at the barely clothed youth. Her gaze briefly runs over his sculpted body before shifting as he grins. “You haven’t changed a bit. How long has it been? Two years?”
He walks over and glances at Tie Mu Kol.
“Ah. A pleasure, Sister Mu. I see you look even more beautiful with your clothes on.”
“I will tear your tongue!” Mu Kol snarls.
“And put it to good use, I’d venture,” Lo Jik laughs heartily. “It was nice meeting you all.”
“Wait!” Tie Ruo Nan calls out. “We were told you were inside the Secret Room, Elder Lo Jik.”
Lo Jik’s body stills before he solemnly looks at Ruo Nan. “I’m not an Elder. The Gu Yue Clan died.” He sighs. “As for that little rascal, I will give him an earful. He loves lying.”
“Or his employer is a deceitful demon!” Mu Kol opens her mouth as Lo Jik smiles. “I wouldn’t call Bai Ning Bing deceitful. Sigh, you’re too uptight, Sister Mu. I told you I can’t sleep with you no matter how much you visit the courtyard.”
“Stop lying!” The woman shrieks. “That never happened! Meet me outside the Shang Clan. I shall teach you a lesson.”
“Oh? You already booked a room?” Lo Jik reveals a pleasantly surprised expression.
“Enough!” Tie Ruo Nan sharply exerts as Tie Mu Kol grits her teeth. “Leave, Everyone.” Tie Ruo Nan commands and keeps a tight stare on Mu Kol until she leaves.
“Sigh, Elder…” She shakes her head, correcting herself. “You were too much, Lo Jik.”
“I’m glad someone has a sense of humor,” He laughs. “So? Why did you visit the Courtyard?”
“Won’t you invite me?” Tie Ruo Nan smiles. “I managed to solve my first case because of your assistance. Although the result was inconclusive, everyone knew Fang Yuan killed Jia Jin Sheng. The motives should be an Inheritance.”
Lo Jik smiles, questioning, “So, when would you plant the Shared Sense Gu? Before or after getting into a room with me?”
Tie Ruo Nan’s expression stiffens.
“I heard about you, Junior Investigator Tie,” Lo Jik laughs. “Shared Sense Gu has been integral to your and Late Divine Investigator’s success.”
It’s the truth. Lo Jik kept tabs on what little he could find about Tie Ruo Nan. After all, she was one of the reasons for Lo Jik’s dashing portrait in the Bounty Poster. The Shared Sense Gu is Tie Clan’s specialty Gu. Its recipe isn’t shared with others.
As for Ruo Nan?
Hell would freeze over before Lo Jik rejects a successful woman with daddy issues. He smiles.
“Come along, Little Investigator. I’ll prepare some tea for you. It’s not right to send guests away.”
Lo Jik hands the youth another money bag once they approach the courtyard.
“Keep up the good work.” He offers.
Ruo Nan rolls her eyes. Is this how Lo Jik gives others an earful? She can only imagine the verbal ‘abuse’ Mu Kol suffered by trying to get Lo Jik to ‘confess.’
Lo Jik leads Ruo Nan into the untouched Guest Room before preparing some tea. The duo sits on cushions as Ruo Nan sniffs the fragrant tea, praising, “It’s a good tea.”
Lo Jik doesn’t reply for a while before questioning.
“Are you here to compensate me, Little Investigator?”
“It’s Junior Investigator,” Tie Ruo Nan corrects him with a smile. “Compensation? For what?”
“For dragging my good name through the mud,” Lo Jik sighs. “I’m still confused. Why did the Tie Clan place a bounty on me.”
Tie Ruo Nan muses. She actually cannot think of a justifiable reason herself. The Tie Clan followed Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing before meeting the Bai Clan. The Bai Clan’s Leader revealed that Lo Jik left a clue for his location. This only led them to discover a Spirit Spring, which the Bai Clan sacrificed a few of its Elders to obtain. The Tie Clan placed a Bounty on Lo Jik, claiming it to be the devil’s deception.
After her experiences, Ruo Nan disapproved of such hasty acts. But Tie Ruo Nan had to show a united front.
“Disruption of justice,” she supplants. “You survived the Blood Tide. It’s reasonable to suspect you have crucial information. This information will allow the Tie Clan to hinder the growth of Blood Tides. If you have no information, you could say so.”
“But that would be a lie,” Lo Jik blinks. “I do know something. But it’s the same as you.”
“What do you mean?” Tie Ruo Nan frowns.
“No. What do YOU mean?” Lo Jik tilts his head. “There were five survivors, Junior Investigator. Bai Ning Bing, Elder Qing Shu, Batchmate Zheng, Batchmate Yuan, and me. You could only know about the remaining survivors if you captured the others. So, you must have Elder Qing Shu or Batchmate Zheng.”
“Or both.”
Tie Ruo Nan’s frown doesn’t ease as she questions softly, “And what does that have to do with me knowing something?”
“You only have Fang Zheng, don’t you?” Lo Jik sighs.
“You would know that how?”
“Why should I tell you?” Lo Jik smiles.
“I could make that Bounty go away.”
“No, keep it. Your Tie Clan did me some injustice. I want more compensation for that,” Lo Jik shamelessly demands. “1 Million Primeval Stones.”
Tie Ruo Nan quietly looks at Lo Jik before smiling, “Your jokes have become better, Lo Jik. Even you almost believe them.”
Lo Jik sips the tea.
“I won’t lie, Lo Jik. I want to know who was behind this.”
“For the Late Divine Investigator or your clan?” Lo Jik questions.
“Why does it matter?”
“One represents righteous vengeance. The other represents the hypocritical justice, like the mask on your face.” Lo Jik laughs lightly. “I don’t think the great Xue Leng would approve vengeance. He would expect more from his daughter. I suppose preserving your mask, it is.”
Chilly intent bursts from Tie Ruo Nan’s eyes as she glares at Lo Jik. “You know nothing about my father.”
“Indeed. Divine Investigator’s reputation preceded him,” Lo Jik sighs. “But you didn’t answer my question.”
“I ask again. Why does it matter?”
“Compensation, Junior Investigator,” Lo Jik chirps. “If you need that information for your vengeance, I shall exact a price from you. The price changes if it’s for the Clan who wants to know its compensation. You could question Fang Zheng. If he hasn’t said anything, it’s probably a trauma-induced memory loss, or he is unwilling to cooperate.”
‘Of course, you could be trying to compare the information from different parties.’ Lo Jik doesn’t state it out loud.
Tie Ruo Nan taps her index on the cup.
She sighs.
“You helped me before. Extend me the same courtesy again.” Her tone is soft.
Lo Jik’s casual attitude wears off before he shakes his head. “Senior Xue Leng showed me compassion. He seemed to understand my loss the second he laid eyes on me. But the Tie Clan? They branded us demons.” He stares at her, thoughts brewing in his head.
“Why should I help the Tie Clan?”
“Help me,” Tie Ruo Nan stares back. “I… I have something else to inform you. It’s better if I do it now.”
She hesitates before revealing, “Did you bury Miss Shen Cui?”
Lo Jik’s expression turns frosty as he hisses, “You violated her grave?” His glare sharpens.
“Leave!”
“Please listen—”
“Get the FUCK out!” Lo Jik smashes the cup away.
Tie Ruo Nan slowly stands and leaves.
Lo Jik remains inside the room and activates his Heaven Piercing Eye and Earth Piercing Eye Gu to inspect his surroundings. He doesn’t find anything. He sighs. He invited Tie Ruo Nan to get a measure of her and see if she knew about the Blood Skull Gu.
Either she is a brilliant actor, or the Tie Clan doesn’t know a thing.
As for Shen Cui? Lo Jik merely buried her as a convenient kindness. He didn’t believe in burying corpses. Who cares about the dead? Should their memory count or their bodies? However, he came to endear Shen Cui during the last few days. She grew a pair, and he somewhat liked it.
When Bai Ning Bing walks out, Lo Jik mentions Tie Ruo Nan’s arrival to the unbothered youth. He shrugs.
“Why should I care?” He replies. “If you want to poke in hornet’s next, it’s your wish.”
Lo Jik did want to poke in the hornet’s nest.
Unlike Xin Ci, Tie Ruo Nan is already a Young Master. She needs a little push to advance to Rank 4. Lo Jik will eventually lose the Purple Thorn Token effect since these tokens are temporary. But Tie Ruo Nan won’t be removed from the Young Master’s position. He could gain several Silver Achievements in due time.
Lo Jik isn’t used to Golden Achievements just due to the recent collection of it. Silver is still a stabler path.
Tie Ruo Nan tries speaking with Lo Jik for a few days until he allows her inside on the fourth day.
“What is it?” Lo Jik questions coldly. No tea is served today.
“I apologize.” Tie Ruo Nan sighs.
“Oh? How great,” Lo Jik laughs. “Point me to the Tie Clan’s graveyard. Let me overturn a few and apologize, too.”
Tie Ruo Nan’s expression changes as she urges, “You shouldn’t joke about these things. My Clansmen may not be as understanding. We hold our Clansmen’s graves as a sacred matter.”
“And my Shen Cui wasn’t sacred?” Lo Jik demands. “Just the Tie Clan have the right to peace after death? Heh. More understanding? Your words sound as empty as you, Little Investigator.”
Shen Cui’s expression turns grim. “We had to investigate. The Tie Clan collected all the corpses and dug a grave for everyone according to traditions.”
Lo Jik’s gaze flickers as his expression eases.
“I shall pay, Lo Jik,” she whispers. “A million Primeval Stones, right? I’m willing. Please. Help me.”
Lo Jik hesitates before shaking his head. “Keep your money.”
“Lo Jik!”
“Let’s exchange information,” he interjects. “Batchmate Fang… did you tell him?”
Tie Ruo Nan grows silent before shaking her head.
“Why didn’t you?”
“I don’t know,” she sighs. “I did not think it was just to ruin a grieving man’s heart.”
Lo Jik grits his jaws before whispering, “I almost had her. A few more days and I would have snatched her from Batchmate Fang. I… We… Yan and I were too late.” Just saying this seems to exhaust Lo Jik a lot. “How is Batchmate Fang?”
“He is well,” Tie Ruo Nan thins her lips as she recalls Fang Zheng’s biting words. “However, he overused the Wood Charm Gu. He lost his aperture.”
Lo Jik’s eyes widen before he lowers his head. Sadness momentarily flickers in his gaze.
“I know I’m not a good person. But even I wouldn’t wish that for Batchmate Fang.”
“Could you tell me about what happened?” Tie Ruo Nan implores.
“You should take your mask off,” Lo Jik whispers.
“What?”
“This information,” Lo Jik reveals, “Isn’t suited for a Righteous Path’s Young Master. I don’t want your money. But I also don’t want you to resent your family.”
Her eyes widen. “What do you mean?”
Lo Jik shakes his head. Since this concerns her father’s death, Tie Ruo Nan removes her mask. She reveals her sharp features. Thick brows straight like swords, a straight nose, and slightly tan skin. Although beautiful, Tie Ruo Nan didn’t match the textbook description or the peerless ones like Xin Ci.
Lo Jik opens his mouth to say something before gritting his teeth.
“How can I know this information won’t implicate me?”
“It won’t. We can form a poison vow,” Tie Ruo Nan assures.
Lo Jik momentarily stares at her before sighing. “Did you know what those cranes are?”
“Iron Beak cranes,” Tie Ruo Nan narrows her eyes. “I studied about them after returning to the Clan. They are found in the Central Continent.”
“I’m sorry, Young Master Tie,” Lo Jik whispers. “The two men who caused your father’s death died. They killed each other. Bai Ning Bing and I didn’t find any remains. But we could hear it through the Turnip House Gu.”
Tie Ruo Nan’s eyes widen.
“It was all due to the Blood Sea Ancestor’s Inheritance. Qing Mao Mountain had a higher concentration of Blood Gu due to the Gu Yue Ancestor tampering with the Mountain. Even I chanced on a few Blood Gu during the early Beast Tides. Those two men fought over something called the Blood Skull Gu. They kept shouting how it was theirs.”
Lo Jik clenches his fist.
“Those two bastards… The Clan Ancestor wanted to kill the Gu Yue Clan. Meanwhile, his Junior Brother wanted exact hatred—”
“Junior Brother?” Tie Ruo Nan’s gaze shines. A poisonous glint appears in her tawny eyes as she questions. “Who? What? Which Sect did they belong to?”
Lo Jik grows hesitant.
“You shouldn’t worry. I swear on my Father’s and Mother’s grave that I won’t reveal my sources.”
“Don’t you understand?” Lo Jik sighs. “I admired Senior Xue Leng. I… You cannot do anything about this, Tie Ruo Nan. You are too small!”
Instead, her gaze brightens.
“So, it is indeed one of the Ten Ancient Sects. Was it the Immortal Crane Sect? I need confirmation, Lo Jik. I can’t blame the innocent party.”
Lo Jik looks away, unwilling to speak.
“Gu Yue Lo Jik!” She states sharply. “Answer me! Don’t you want revenge? Help me. Help the Tie Clan hold the offending party responsible.”
“Your Clan is the same. You and Senior Tie Xue Leng are different. What did your Clan do to bring the offending party to justice after having some thoughts about it?” Lo Jik sighs. “All your clan desires is that accursed Blood Inheritance.”
Tie Ruo Nan shudders.
“You’re already a Young Master. Next is becoming the Young Clan Leader and then the Clan Leader? When do I get my Vengeance? Forget it. You Righteous Path hypocrites are too slow. Revenge… I will do it myself. Why else am I growing?”
Lo Jik looks at her. “So, isn’t it better if we keep wearing our masks? The Righteous Tie Ruo Nan will—”
*Thud*
Tie Ruo Nan’s fist smashes into the copper mask as it dents. She glares into Lo Jik’s eyes with infuriated orbs.
“The name, Lo Jik! Tell me who did it!”
He grows silent. Tie Ruo Nan’s ragged pants echo in the room.
“He called himself Lord Sky Crane,” Lo Jik whispers. “He never named the Gu Yue’s Ancestor. But those two were called Righteous Twin Cranes 1000 years ago. The Immortal Crane Sect sent Lord Sky Crane to retrieve the Blood Sea Inheritance through any means necessary. When those two fought, they spoke about Senior Tie Xue Leng.”
Tie Ruo Nan’s breath catches in her throat.
“Your father used a Gu called Problem Nipped in the Bud Gu and Demon Suppression Iron Chain Gu. Lord Sky Crane said something about underestimating Senior Xue Leng. Meanwhile, the First Gen Gu Yue cursed your father, saying he should have made his death more painful.”
Tears start streaming down Tie Ruo Nan’s cheeks.
Lo Jik looks away.
“I don’t know what happened next. There were only shouts and roars. Senior Tie Xue Leng… he caused their deaths. That’s why I said he wouldn’t want you thinking of revenge.”
Tie Ruo Nan’s gaze snaps open. “Someone ordered that—Lord Sky Crane, right?”
Lo Jik nods.
“Thank you,” her breath shudders.
Tie Ruo Nan retrieves a Primeval Elder Gu. “There are 380000 Stones inside the Gu. I will send over the rest in a day.”
She stands and picks up her ruined mask.
“Investigator,” a voice stops her. She turns around and finds Lo Jik approaching her. She quietly wipes her tear stains.
“I don’t know how hard it is to be an Immortal. I… I want you to call upon me if you have that strength and seek vengeance. We will consider our debts settled.”
Tie Ruo Nan’s gaze flickers before she speaks, “I will have that bounty removed—”
“I helped you, not the Tie Clan,” Lo Jik refuses. His gaze bores into her as Lo Jik stuffs the Primeval Elder Gu into her hands. “Keep these. You will need every bit. Don’t forget. My strength isn’t here to be wasted on the Shang Clan.”
She purses her lips before tightly clenching the Primeval Elder Gu.
“I shall be an Immortal,” she vows.
“I will try my best, too.” He nods.
“That alone is enough.” She turns around. “This Ruo Nan will never forget your assistance, Lo Jik. Never hesitate to call upon my assistance.”
Lo Jik sees Ruo Nan off with his gaze before turning around and focusing on the spot where Ruo Nan punched. He activates the Heaven Piercing Eye Gu but doesn’t find anything. Touching the ground, he uses the Earth Piercing Eye Gu before his lips curve into a grin.
‘Who says you can’t feel emotional and still not forget your goals? What a Ruo Nan.’
He laughs. He will let the Gu stay there.
***
Alternate Title: Mysterious Dream Gu; Greed; Hesitation; Tie Ruo Nan Arrives; Watching the ‘Exciting’ Match; Talking With Lo Jik is the Gym Equivalent of Cardio; Infuriating Lo Jik; Su Shou’s Vengeance; A Strict Market Control; Lo Jik: Don’t Care; The Long Way Ahead; A Reaction It Is; Inviting Ruo Nan; A Knack For Daddy Issues; Sending Ruo Nan Away; Lo Jik Do Be Poking The Hornet’s Nest Several Times; Another Meeting; Act; To Motivate Ruo Nan; The Truth; Fang Zheng Lives; Deducing; Understanding the Story; Xue Leng Technically Won; The Hypocritical Mask; Shattered Masks; Facing Each Other; Finding Support; Offer; Return; The Demon Flickering Inside; The Vengeance Isn’t Over Yet; The Immortal Vow; Setting Beauties Up; Looking Beyond the Act; Ruo Nan Grew; The Tie Clan’s Innate Arrogance; More Dangerous Than the Clan
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