Modern World's Martial Dao Human Immortal
Chapter 40 Joint Effort

"What are your plans for the investigation next?"

Alkaid stepped aside.

"I've got a lead now," he said.

Xia Wuyuan followed, calmly saying, "I was attacked right after leaving the Yue Family. They've really got guts. I've handled so many cases and never come across such brazenness—utterly unbridled. If they dare to do this, there must be someone with a stunning identity protecting them from behind."

"Do you suspect the Yue Family?"

"If the Family Head of the Yue Family had been willing to meet with me, I would have been seriously suspicious, but his choosing to avoid meeting... makes him less likely."

Xia Wuyuan shook his head. "But whether it is them or not is no longer important."

He stated calmly, "I went to the Yue Family to investigate a case, and right after I left, I encountered an attack by a Grandmaster-level criminal and almost lost my life. If I just report this incident, the whole Tian Nan Province will be shocked. Deploying a Grandmaster for the attack, the Yue Family is definitely the prime suspect!

The Grand Procuratorate's system would be negligent if they don't turn the Yue Family upside down!"

"You're intending to leverage this to drag the Yue Family into the investigation and then use their power to look into the forces behind Yulong International?"

Alkaid understood his point.

To dispatch a Grandmaster to kill a Senior Prosecutor—if dead, perhaps the matter could be pressed down using connections or replaceing a scapegoat to take the blame.

If not dead, the parties involved would be forced to give a satisfactory explanation.

The action was too egregious.

The report's capability to shake Tian Nan was no empty threat.

The Royal Family giving a direct order for the Grand Procuratorate to assign personnel to set up a special investigation team was foreseeable.

A Noble Family like the Yue Family must have various issues. A thorough investigation would not only affect individuals on multiple fronts, but also completely tarnish their reputation within Tian Nan Territory.

Under these circumstances, even if unwilling, the Yue Family must go through the motions to identify the real murderer and clear their name.

Xia Wuyuan nodded slightly, "If you ask who understands the ins and outs of every industry in Tian Nan Territory the best, the Yue Family would claim second place, and no one would dare claim the first—not even the de facto highest official of Tian Nan Province—Wei Kongming, the Governor."

Ironclad Noble Families and transient Governors.

With the Yue Family's intervention, Tian Nan Province wouldn't be able to keep any secrets.

In the end...

If the Yue Family could replace out something, all the better.

And if not...

The identity of the puppet-master behind the scenes would become obvious.

"It's very risky; it could be like seeking skin from a tiger," said Alkaid.

"To accomplish something, can one do so without taking any risks? This is already the best plan I can come up with in the short term." Xia Wuyuan responded.

A Prosecutor can have influence that reaches the heavens.

But one can't always report to the Royal Family without any evidence, based solely on suspicion.

Otherwise, what would be the use of having prosecutors like them?

"The moment I left the Yue Family, these people launched an attack, which clearly suggests they were trying to frame the Yue Family. Because of this, the Yue Family's investigation will be thoroughly conducted," said Xia Wuyuan, pausing momentarily.

He glanced at Alkaid, "If I had died..."

"The Yue Family."

Alkaid understood what he meant to say.

Xia Wuyuan nodded.

The atmosphere turned slightly solemn.

However, Xia Wuyuan quickly shook his head, casting aside the thought for the time being.

Even knowing the risks were great, he had to proceed; it was necessary.

"Now, there's just one final question," he stated after taking a deep breath, with a grave tone. "I want to know if those... creatures you killed earlier, each one of them, were as powerful as a Grandmaster?"

Alkaid knew why he was asking.

He nodded.

Such a simple gesture sent chills down Xia Wuyuan's scalp.

Being able to mobilize several, or even a dozen Grandmasters... what kind of deep-water leviathan was this?

The unknown underworld of Tian Nan Province... harbored such a huge behemoth?

And behind this...

What incredible secrets does it represent?

"Still want to investigate?" asked Alkaid, his tone half-mocking, half-serious.

"Investigate!" The shock in Xia Wuyuan's eyes lasted only a moment before being replaced by determination, "I've said that I would continue to investigate... no matter what secrets are hidden here."

"Then, I'll await your good news," Alkaid said with a smile, ready to turn and leave.

He still had to dine at the Moon Tower.

"Su Alkaid"

Xia Wuyuan called out, his voice carrying a hint of pleading, "I need your help."

Alkaid paused.

He looked at the man before him, a human Martial Artist who had reached the Grandmaster Realm in his thirties, and meeting his solemn gaze, Alkaid nodded slightly, "Agreed."

Seeing this, Xia Wuyuan breathed a long sigh of relief.

Even though he had not sparred with Alkaid and did not know just how formidable he truly was.

But...

Alkaid had killed ten or so of those creatures that appeared to be martial masters but actually possessed the power of Grandmasters, which meant his strength...

Was definitely far more terrifying than he had imagined.

He could not be assessed by the standards of a normal Grandmaster.

With the situation unclear and behemoths lurking in the shadows, full of imminent dangers, having such a powerful Grandmaster willing to cooperate in the investigation was undoubtedly a powerful ally.

...

"Mortals, Martial Artists, Demons, Divine Blood, Elites."

In the car, Alkaid was methodically considering these key terms in his mind.

Mortals are the lowest level, fodder for demons, consumed to awaken intelligence.

Martial Artists rank second, viewed by demons as the optimal vessels.

It seems...

The stronger the vessel, the greater the strength they exhibit.

In addition, once demons merge with a human body, they can continue to refine it.

Theoretically, the earlier the demon, the stronger it is, but considering some demons are only of the fourth or fifth rank, no matter how long they've been around, they seem to be stuck at these realms.

Above martial artists are the demons...

And the key for demons to exist in the human world is Divine Blood.

They master the technique of refining divine blood, consuming it to extend their lifespan and even retain eternal youth; by using it, they win over the powerful and exchange for their protection.

But...

"That's not it,"

Alkaid thought to himself.

Winning over the powerful with Divine Blood is just a temporary measure.

Or maybe...

There's some key point he's overlooking.

Perhaps ten or several decades ago, the ecosystem was indeed like this.

Demons needed to use Divine Blood to survive in the world.

But in recent years...

The situation has changed.

The actions of demons have become more reckless.

"Loose Cultivators... Sects..."

These two keywords suggest there may be aspects of the world he's unaware of.

However...

It won't be long now.

Whether it's the Treasure Bead in his hand or Xia Wuyuan drawing the Yue Family into the game, the truth is gradually emerging.

In Tian Nan Province, the highest-ranking authorities are Governor Wei Kongming, Senior Prosecutor Lu Zhenhai, and the Speaker of the local council, Yue Nanxing.

Below them are the Vice Governors, Senior Deputy Prosecutors, Vice-Chairs, and their respective backing powers.

This group of about a dozen people forms the highest echelon of Tian Nan.

Some important departments, like the Martial Arts Association, Security Bureau, Education Bureau, Civil Service Bureau, and Commerce Bureau, are generally headed or appointed by these individuals.

Yet the Yue Family has extended its reach into every corner of these departments.

Perhaps not at a very high level, but there are acquaintances in every department.

If they truly wish to exert their strength...

The demon behind Yulong International, the same demon he had just killed, wouldn't be able to hide for much longer.

...

"Young Master Alkaid..."

Lei Yun, who was driving in front, hesitated for quite a while before finally speaking up, "You…"

"It's just as you suspect,"

Alkaid lifted his head.

He had no intention of hiding the truth from the direct subordinate who would stay by his side and was specially responsible for cleaning up the battlefield.

"Just as I suspect…" Lei Yun suddenly widened her eyes, "You… you really are…"

"Of course,"

Alkaid said bluntly, "otherwise, why would the Su Family Head entrust me with heavy responsibilities the moment I returned home after being away for more than a decade?"

"This..."

Lei Yun gasped in shock, "Nineteen years old... a nineteen-year-old martial master? That's simply too unbelievable..."

"???"

Alkaid paused upon hearing her uncontrollable exclamation.

Nineteen-year-old...

Martial master?

"Young Master, at the age of nineteen, you've already become a martial master. If you continue at this pace, you'll very likely break into the Grandmaster Realm before you're thirty, becoming a Grandmaster of our Su Family!"

Lei Yun said excitedly, "During this period, the Zhang Family, which has been the most ruthless in kicking our Su Family while it's down, only managed to rise to power by acknowledging Zhang Tianji as kin, and now they are able to stand on equal footing with us."

"Zhang Tianji?"

Alkaid had heard the name, "Zhang Family's Grandmaster?"

"Right,"

Lei Yun nodded firmly, "Zhang Tianji was rebellious when he was young and caused a lot of trouble, leading to his expulsion from the family. However, after roving outside for more than a decade, he actually achieved the Grandmaster Realm and returned.

Upon learning of this, the Zhang Family immediately reconnected with him, and with the support of a Grandmaster, their influence has grown rapidly in recent years, becoming one of the top-tier noble families in Tian Nan."

"Oh,"

Alkaid responded.

No wonder that today, when he first heard Su Chiming mention a partnership with a Grandmaster, he thought of Zhang Tianji.

"If you, Young Master, also attain the Grandmaster Realm in the future, with the influence of our Su Family and the considerable strength of the Bu Zhou Group, our prospects are bound to expand beyond Tian Nan, and lay out a national strategy!

Once the national strategy is realized, relying on a vast influence and consolidating for another ten or several decades, the Su Family could even take a step further and become one of the Noble Families!"

Lei Yun's eyes were filled with longing for a wonderful future.

"Actually, you can be even bolder with your guess,"

Alkaid said with a smile.

"A bolder guess?"

Lei Yun looked puzzled.

The next second, the too-fantastical theory that she had previously dismissed resurfaced in her mind.

She spoke cautiously, "You are… a Grand... Grandmaster?"

Alkaid nodded slightly.

It was a simple gesture, but it sent Lei Yun into an electrified state, her entire body tingling, a previously unexperienced pleasure spreading from her nervous system and quickly permeating every corner of her body, making every cell unable to help but burst with surprise and cheer.

In that moment, all her shock, joy, and excitement were condensed into a single exclamation.

"Ah!?"