Under extreme duress, Gang Nan complied with the people's will and donned the wolf fur cloak, a symbol of power. The garment fit him perfectly, as if tailor-made. The moment he put it on, his aura transformed, sharp and commanding, setting him apart as an extraordinary figure.
"Hail the Wolf Butcher!"
"Hail the Wolf Butcher!"
The thunderous cheers echoed, and Gang Nan felt an urge to laugh unrestrainedly, but the timing was not right. Besides, there were more important matters to attend to.
...
Miles away, atop a tall building, a plaque bore the inscription "Guest House." Visitors unaccustomed to underground accommodations were housed in this towering wooden structure. At the very top of the wooden building, Zhang Wei watched the distant spectacle with a blank expression.
"Wolf Butcher... is this what you wanted to see..."
"I respect your choice."
"It matters not, a mere nominal title is of no consequence to me."
...
However, events often unfold with dramatic flair. There are always unexpected turns. Just as Gang Nan became the fourth-generation Wolf Butcher, a group of old soldiers surged forward from the crowd, kneeling before him in tears. They held up various ancient artifacts.
"Lord Gang Nan, please see justice done for us!"
This bloodstained armor... It looked familiar! Gang Nan was startled and exclaimed, "This is the battle armor of my father, the second-generation Wolf Butcher!"
"What is your motive for bringing it here? And what justice do you seek from me?"
These old soldiers were all frail and white-haired, highly respected veteran officers. They usually trained new recruits in their designated areas, but today, for some reason, they had gathered.
"We are here today for a wrongful case from twenty years ago. A man who died unjustly, his name slandered, while the wicked usurped high positions!"
"What... what wrongful case?"
"The one who died unjustly was your father, the second-generation Wolf Butcher! And the wicked one is Terry! The third-generation Wolf Butcher of Wolf Valley!"
The moment these words were spoken, it was like a thunderclap. The onlookers were struck with utter horror. Terry had served as Wolf Butcher for twenty years, diligent and beloved by all.
Gang Nan roared, "Nonsense!"
"My uncle's character is well-known. How dare you slander him!"
The old soldiers wept, "We are old bones, how many days do we have left? We are here today to seek justice for the second-generation Wolf Butcher. If the events of that year are not brought to light, we will die with regrets!"
"The events of that year?"
Secrets! The onlookers pricked up their ears. In any world, the desire for gossip never wanes. Moreover, this involved the grievances and trivial matters of the third-generation Wolf Butcher.
The old soldier choked back sobs, "Back then, Terry's accomplishments were great, his strength unmatched. He was highly valued by the second-generation Wolf Butcher. But the second-generation Wolf Butcher never imagined that Terry was a viper in disguise!"
Bringing up the past, it was evident that Terry, as the personal bodyguard of the second-generation Wolf Butcher, should have protected his life with his own. Yet, after the second-generation Wolf Butcher was gravely injured, Terry was still alive. Furthermore, he had the strength to lead the remaining troops to defeat the Fierce Fang Dogs.
The old soldiers presented their case, their accusations all pointing towards Terry. They claimed he had deliberately held back his strength, secretly harming the second-generation Wolf Butcher. His objective was to seize power in Wolf Valley while Gang Nan was still young! Dozens of old soldiers spoke in a torrent of words, yet their narrative was coherent and painted a vivid picture of the entire affair. Coupled with the fact that these old soldiers had experienced the great battle back then, their credibility was significantly enhanced.
Gang Nan said incredulously, "My uncle treated me like his own son, how could he possibly do such a thing!"
"If he hadn't feigned compliance, how could he have secured the position of Wolf Butcher in Wolf Valley?"
"All of this, all of it, was to cover up the crimes of the past!"
"No matter how diligent he was, it cannot change the essence of his wickedness!"
With the evidence laid bare, Gang Nan felt compelled to act. Gang Nan asked, "But... why are you only speaking of this now?"
The old soldier cried, "Terry held great power. If we had acted rashly, it would have been a small matter for us old bones, but you, still young, could have met a terrible end!"
Reasonable! Extremely reasonable! Murmurs arose from the crowd. Gang Nan was still hesitant. An old soldier stood up, drew his saber, and placed it at his own throat. "If the injustice suffered by the second-generation Wolf Butcher cannot be revealed, what is the point of our living?" As he spoke, blood gushed out! Gang Nan immediately lunged to save him! Unyielding spirit! The story of these old soldiers was truly heart-wrenching! The other old soldiers also drew their sabers and placed them at their throats.
"Gang Nan!"
"Now that we have witnesses and evidence, what are you still hesitating for?"
"Could it be that because of Terry's twenty years of false affection, you would disregard the death of your own father?"
"If that is the case, then kill us all along with him!"
"Then the truth will forever be buried underground, uninvestigated!"
Gang Nan fell silent... At this moment, all the surrounding guards knelt.
"We implore the fourth-generation Wolf Butcher to seek justice for our predecessors!"
Gang Nan gritted his teeth. "Very well! Heed my command, investigate this matter thoroughly!" Just then, some subordinates loyal to Terry sensed something was amiss. They stepped forward to plead for Terry. However, such dissent only drew hatred upon themselves. Before Gang Nan could speak, they were taken away. This farce... seemed to be over.
One person said, "Then... Terry's death, and how should Zhang Wei be handled?"
Gang Nan said, "Wolf Valley is newly established, and we should avoid making enemies."
"Zhang Wei is renowned in the northern lands, highly respected. We cannot do anything to him."
"As long as he admits to the accidental killing of the third-generation Wolf Butcher, all will be forgiven."
...
...
A group of people, carrying evidence, led the citizens to the Guest House. Zhang Wei had been waiting there for a long time. They flooded in, a mass of subordinates and citizens. Gang Nan said with a blank expression, "The Wolf Butcher is dead."
"I know." Zhang Wei replied with an equally blank expression.
"We suspect you killed the Wolf Butcher."
"I had no motive or reason to kill the Wolf Butcher. Apart from you, no one else benefits from the Wolf Butcher's death."
The evidence was presented. Gang Nan said, "Of course, you had no motive, because it was an accidental killing." Lie Rong Cao and Gan Cao were presented. The signs of stewing on them and the extracts from the dregs clearly indicated that this bowl of soup was the cause of the Wolf Butcher's death.
Zhang Wei shook his head. "Although I lack taste and smell, I can still distinguish Lie Rong Cao and Gan Cao."
"No, if you could distinguish them, why did Lie Rong Cao appear in the soup?"
"Were you intentionally trying to murder the Wolf Butcher?"
Gang Nan's expression remained unchanged. "Mr. Zhang Wei, we know you have lost your sense of taste and smell. Are you truly going to admit to intentional murder just to preserve your lost culinary skills?"