The Gu Yue clansmen were furious.
The arrival of the Xiong clan envoy had completely disrupted Qing Mao mountain's power balance.
What was once a contest between the Bai and Gu Yue clans had turned back into a three-way struggle.
But it made sense, the Xiong clan had endured for centuries and held deep foundations. Every clan had its ancestors and hidden trump cards.
As soon as the envoy departed, Gu Yue Bo called an urgent elder meeting.
"These Xiong clan bastards, they really are nothing good. To think they retreated immediately!"
"Can't look down on anyone indeed. Xiong clan had always ranked behind our clan and Bai clan, and was the weakest among the forces on Qing Mao mountain. But to think they had such a scheme, we have to be more careful from now on."
"They wanted to borrow the strength of the wolf tide to eliminate us. They nearly got us this time, if not for that lightning lycan, we might not have lost so many elders. These people deserve to die!"
"If it wasn't for the Tie divine investigator appearing, two clan leaders might've died. We cannot let them off simply."
"Asking for compensation is a must. It was us and Bai clan working together to settle the problem of the lightning lycan. But to ask for compensation, we need to first discuss and formulate a sum."
The elders debated until they reached a decision.
Gu Yue clan would send an envoy to probe the Xiong clan's strength.
If the Xiong clan remained strong, they'd ally with the Bai clan. If weakened, they'd strike to wipe them out and seize the spirit spring.
"So then, who would be suitable enough to be dispatched to Xiong clan?" Gu Yue Bo looked around, asking, "Which clan elder would shoulder this responsibility!"
The hall fell silent.
The elders glanced around, but no one volunteered.
Faction tensions were at their height, and this was the key moment to claim resources.
If anyone left for the Xiong clan, their faction would be leaderless and easily exploited. By the time they returned, everything would be settled, and no complaint would matter.
"This old one feels that, to go to the Xiong clan, someone of seniority and experience must go, it has to be someone who can hold his own. Among all of us here, only elder Mo Chen can take on this role!" Gu Yue Yao Ji suddenly said.
Gu Yue Mo Chen snorted, rebuking, "Speaking of qualification, lord Yao Ji has much more experience than me. Especially in terms of fame, I cannot compete at all, I admit complete defeat. Going to the Xiong clan, it seems we will have to trouble lord Yao Ji after all."
"Elder Mo Chen is extremely right, I recommend lord Yao Ji." A clan elder stood up.
"I feel that lord Mo Chen is a more suitable candidate." Another elder immediately rebuked.
"Mo faction controls too much power and resources, and now that they have lost their inheritor, the medicine faction jumped out hurriedly and tried to attack them. Thus, the most crucial aspect of this contest is all on one person." Gu Yue Bo thought silently, turning his gaze towards Fang Yuan.
The hall was in chaos.
Gu Yue Bo sat at the head, watching coldly without a word.
The medicine faction already planned to break away from his control, so he had no intention of stepping in and simply observed.
This was the first showdown between the medicine and Mo factions.
Both sides had allies and traded concessions, but overall, the medicine faction held the upper hand.
Gu Yue Yao Ji's reputation and the Chi faction's support had tipped the balance.
Gu Yue Bo watched silently, memorizing where everyone stood.
As clan leader, he resented any threat to his power, but for now, he chose not to act.
Fang Yuan had been sitting in his seat, not saying a word.
"It seems this Fang Yuan isn't very close with the Mo faction, and has not gotten a mutual agreement on interest distribution. Otherwise, he'd have helped out already. Is this my chance?" Gu Yue Bo thought.
But at this moment, Fang Yuan suddenly stood up from his seat.
This action, attracted everyone's attention.
What he said next was a shocker. "Going as an envoy, this is an important matter involving the survival of our clan. I am willing to step up, bearing the responsibility of an envoy, and investigate the Xiong clan's current state for our clan!"
"What?"
"Fang Yuan is asking to go?"
"What is the meaning of this? Is he really stupid or acting stupid? Isn't he afraid that when he comes back, all the interests would've been distributed away already!"
The clan elders all showed expressions of shock.
"Wait! Anyone here can be the envoy but Fang Yuan alone!" The door suddenly opened and Tie Ruo Nan walked in, barging her way in.
"What does Tie divine investigator have to enlighten us on today?" Gu Yue Bo stood up to greet him, his tone slightly unhappy. This was a Gu Yue internal discussion, how could they just barge in like that?
"Gu Yue clan leader, as well as the other elders. My daughter has already investigated the identity of the demonic Gu Master that once assaulted Gu Yue Fang Zheng," Tie Xue Leng spoke.
"Oh? Is that so…"
"That demonic Gu Master, wasn't he instigated by the Xiong clan?"
"Is there a hidden story behind this?"
"Indeed, this demonic Gu Master's true identity is a hunter from a hamlet at the base of the mountain. Only by chance did he manage to become a demonic Gu Master, his name is Wang Er. The reason why he assaulted Gu Yue Fang Zheng, is because of his brother Fang Yuan!" Saying so, Tie Ruo Nan stared intently at Fang Yuan.
"Brother, to think you are such a person!" Fang Zheng standing at one side clenched his fist, showing rage in his eyes.
"What do you mean by this, young lady?" Gu Yue Mo Chen said in a solemn voice.
"Don't tell me, Fang Yuan is the one that hired this demonic Gu Master to assassinate his own brother Fang Zheng?" Gu Yue Yao Ji showed an excited expression.
Even Gu Yue Bo was taken aback, as he adjusted his posture on his seat.
"You're all mistaken." Tie Ruo Nan shook her head. "The truth is, Fang Yuan killed innocent people, murdering old man Wang's entire family, causing Wang Er to take revenge. But Wang Er did not know that Fang Yuan had a twin brother, thus he mistook Fang Zheng for Fang Yuan, and assaulted him for revenge."
"Young lady, everything needs proof," a clan elder spoke.
"Of course I have evidence. Gu Yue Jiang He, tell us everything that you know." Tie Ruo Nan was prepared for this, not panicking.
Gu Yue Jiang He sighed. He looked at the Tie family father and daughter in fear, slowly walking forward and kneeling on the ground, crying, "It is this subordinate's dereliction of duty, I seek clan leader's punishment!"
Gu Yue Bo's face was grim as water, "Say everything clearly first, do not hide anything from us!"
"The truth is like this…" Jiang He stammered as he spoke, not adding any details into his descriptions, very simple and truthful.
At this time and place, he did not dare to lie. Fang Yuan was also a clan elder, so he did not dare to exaggerate facts.
"I never would've thought that the truth would be like this!"
"Fang Yuan killed Wang Er's father, and Wang Er came to take revenge, but found Fang Zheng instead. So that's it…."
"Fang Zheng was innocently involved, and blocked the crisis for Fang Yuan."
The clan elders whispered among themselves.
Fang Zheng's clenched fist was even tighter as rage grew in his heart. He could not help but growl at Fang Yuan, "Brother, how can you take people's lives away so easily. That old man and girl, they were innocent mortals. How could you cut them down?!"
Facing his brother's accusations, Fang Yuan was indiffierent, as if he did not hear it.
"Elder Fang Yuan, is it true that you massacred the whole family of old Wang?" Gu Yue Bo asked with a heavy voice from the main seat.
All the gazes were on Fang Yuan; the young elder coldly smiled, "It is indeed true."
Gu Yue Fang Zheng closed his eyes, filled with sorrow.
He had slain many lightning wolves but never killed a person.
Hearing Fang Yuan admit it, his brother suddenly felt like a stranger.
Along with this distance came fear of Fang Yuan's ruthlessness and anger over the innocent deaths.
"Fang Yuan, do you not feel any guilt at slaughtering innocents? If you have any difficulties, you can say them out," Tie Ruo Nan spoke as she frowned. She was someone with extremely righteous character, and hated people like Fang Yuan the most.
"So what if I killed them, I don't find it necessary to tell you my story. However, at that time, I didn't know that the missing Wang Er was a demonic Gu Master. It could be said that Fang Zheng was unexpectedly implicated," Fang Yuan spoke honestly.
"Big brother, aren't you going to say something to me?" Fang Zheng opened his eyes; the corners of his eyes had become red.
"What do you want me to say? Comfort you or to apologize? …..Hmph, little brother, you are too soft," Fang Yuan sneered.
"Damn it, big brother…don't think you are extraordinary just by becoming an elder. I will tell you that I already have the qualifications to breakthrough to Rank three…." Fang Zheng gritted his teeth, veins popping up in his clenched fists.
"Enough!" Gu Yue Bo couldn't continue looking at this anymore and shouted, "Fang Zheng, go back, what decorum are you showing by making a fuss here?"
His words had other meaning and expressed dissatisfaction. Tie Ruo Nan couldn't sense it, but Divine Investigator Tie Xue Leng reacted immediately; he stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Gu Yue clan leader and all elders, it is indeed improper for my daughter to charge in and rush into the lords' discussion hall. This one apologizes for offending everyone!"
The elders promptly stood up and kept on saying Tie Xue Leng was too kind.
Gu Yue Bo's expression also relaxed.
Tie Xue Leng continued, "Since little brother Fang Yuan is involved in Jia Jin Sheng's case and is also a suspect, I hope he remains at the village and will not leave to the other village."
Gu Yue Bo massaged his temples and sighed, "Our Gu Yue clan really hopes we can provide a suitable explanation to lord Jia Fu. Since Divine Investigator is also requesting, I will have to request Elder Fang Yuan to not leave before you are free of suspicions. I hope you can understand."
Gu Yue Bo looked at Fang Yuan, his expression sincere. But his gaze, however, held deep meanings.
"Yes." Fang Yuan glanced at Gu Yue Bo and replied expressionlessly.