Chapter 228: Investigation

"......"

The air seemed to quiet for a few seconds, and the female beastfolk, after saying that, actually regretted it, after all she and Yun Li weren't even friends; why would she kindly warn a beastfolk she had only just met?

"Um..." Just take that as if I never said anything.

The female beastfolk tried to forcefully change the subject; hearing that, Yun Li would probably find it very odd.

But Yun Li gently interrupted her, "A Ban, have you ever encountered something before?"

The female beastfolk, that is A Ban, was instantly stunned—what does that mean?

"Sorry, did I say something strange?"

Yun Li curved her brows behind A Ban and continued, "But I think it's best you don't say such things in front of others; if something actually happens later, people might blame you."

Of course, that remark was also Yun Li being meddlesome.

"No, you're right."

A Ban just wanted to get this over quickly, because feeling unfamiliar with Yun Li yet having said such intimate words made her feel both embarrassed and uneasy.

Yun Li laughed again, then her fingers deftly moved over her hair at speed, "Don't move; I'll be done in a moment."

After the bun was done, probably because of those two superficially deep words, the two of them didn't continue strolling together.

Watching A Ban's departing back, Yun Li lowered her eyes slightly, perhaps thinking of something; she soon found Leng Xiu at the Market, handling a beastfolk dispute.

"A Xiu, have you discovered why Cao and his group are probing about you and A Xiao?"

Although Yun Li and the others clarified who was secretly inquiring about this, since those beastfolk were only gathering information and hadn't done anything more egregious, even if they heightened defenses, this matter could only remain at a standstill.

Leng Xiu shook his head, "No, there are few beastfolk who know about my and A Xiao's past. Since learning that someone is probing these matters, I've told Qiong Shu and his group that wherever they are, they must never mention this to anyone."

Even if they don't understand why they're inquiring, to prevent any future mishap, he first instructed those informed beastfolk not to disclose this outwardly.

Especially Qiong Shu and his group; back then they had a good relationship with their A Ye, and after A Ye left, it was precisely their care that gave Leng Xiu and his companions the strength they have today.

Yun Li nodded slightly, then looked at Leng Xiu and said, "Is Cao's group probing your lineage connected to your A Ye? Do you recall when you mentioned your A Ye, you said some people thought your A Ye was a beastfolk from the outside of the great tribe?"

Hearing his own female's words, Leng Xiu's brows involuntarily knit; seeing that he seemed reluctant to discuss it, Yun Li quickly changed the subject, saying:

"Forget it, let's leave it at that for now. As for those beastfolk you previously investigated, I warned them through Captain Feng and then let them go."

After all, they are first‑time offenders; if punished too harshly, I'm afraid it would provoke the artisans involved to cause trouble. The workshop has only been established for a few years, many management systems are still imperfect, so it's normal for artisans to make small moves when I'm not watching.

Fortunately we discovered it in time, so they didn't cause much loss to the Tribe.

Later I'll use this incident to talk with the clan chief and the Priest, have them approach those artisans; that's certainly stronger than me handling them privately.

Even though Yun Li's standing in the Tribe now rivals that of many beastfolk, she has been in the Tribe for less than four years; before beastfolk who have devoted a lifetime or most of it to the Tribe, even if she acts with confidence, she must consider their feelings, lest they become so angry that the situation escalates beyond control.

At that moment Yun Li was justified, but eventually would become unreasonable.

Leng Xiu saw her nervousness, a smile flickered in his eyes, "Hmm, I understand the matter; your considerations are spot on."

Actually, we could have let Ji Xuan handle those beastfolk involved in smuggling; after all, he's the Tribe Young Master—young, but highly respected in the Tribe. Those artisans know that their relatives or friends suffered tribal punishment for smuggling workshop crafts, so they likely wouldn't dare harbor resentment.

However, neither Yun Li nor Leng Xiu intended to trouble Ji Xuan with this, since it falls within their own jurisdictions; they both relish the authority in their hands, so they prefer not to hand over matters they can resolve themselves.

"But regarding my A Ye," Leng Xiu thought for a moment, then told his female companion, "I still think my A Ye has little to do with the great Tribe?"

Yun Li blinked, "Could it be... you two?"

She said those few words lightly; after all, she had once been bombarded by various anime and TV dramas. When Leng Xiu mentioned it, recalling that Cao and his group were mainly inquiring about Leng Xiu and Leng Xiao, not their A Ye, such far‑fetched speculation seemed perfectly normal.

But that speculation was wildly fanciful, and after Cao and his group were discovered and exposed, there was no further action; Yun Li found it impossible to verify the conjecture with more facts.

Leng Xiu lifted his hand to his chin and said, "Perhaps."

It seemed that Cao, when he first saw him, paid special attention to his face—was it because he resembled his own parents?

When Yun Li heard that, a more intrigued expression appeared on her face; Leng Xiu felt helpless—whether he and A Xiao were truly beastfolk of the great Tribe was indeed important.

They had accepted the fact of being parentless when they were very young, and when their A Ye left, he never disclosed any details about their lineage, only repeatedly urging them to cultivate after his departure, saying that only by becoming strong could they better protect themselves.

Thus Leng Xiu even harbored a slight doubt that their A Ye might have known nothing about their origins at all, perhaps being deceived, which is why he built that shelter in Heiyan Shanmai with a body full of wounds.

"If you two truly are beastfolk of the great Tribe, then perhaps our family could have a chance to witness what the great Tribe is like, though we can't ask directly."

Yun Li said, her face full of regret, but soon, as if she thought of something, before she could speak, Leng Xiu cut in, "Why can't we ask directly? Tonight I'll go with A Xiao to find them and ask."

Compared to seeking out the elusive Moluo, Leng Xiu preferred to approach Cao, who treated him with cautious prudence.

Yun Li had intended to ask whether going to find Moluo might remind A Xiu of anything, but before she could speak, she heard his words, hesitated, and asked, "If you just go ask them, will they tell you?"

Leng Xiu's lips curled into a slight smile, he reached out and wrapped his arm around his female companion's waist; Yun Li startled, quickly looking around—they were still at the Market.

"I don't know, but we can give it a try."