Xiao Rou's feelings towards Tang Tiejin were quite complicated. She didn't hate this father because Tang Tiejin hadn't made any unforgivable mistakes. If Tian Yuning hadn't revealed the truth, Tang Tiejin wouldn't even know he had a daughter. And after learning about her background, this chief instructor didn't ignore her or refuse to acknowledge her for the sake of his honor and status. If Tang Tiejin had acted that way, Xiao Rou would have left the Superpower Headquarters without a trace.
However, Tang Tiejin did not. Xiao Rou felt the head instructor's sincerity. She could tell that Tang Tiejin genuinely wanted to compensate her for something. Although Xiao Rou did not need it, Tang Tiejin's sincerity still touched the softest part of her heart. She also felt a faint but warm feeling of kinship flowing in her nature. She had only felt this kind of warmth when she was a baby.
So Xiaorou nodded gently.
Tang Tiejin was somewhat excited. He took a deep breath and said loudly, "Everyone, please listen to me one last time. Before the duel with Weish, I have something to tell you all." As he spoke, he gently put his hands on Xiaorou's shoulders and pushed her in front of him.
All eyes immediately turned to him at the Superpower Headquarters, and even the Superpower Bureau looked at Tang Tiejin, wondering what this refined and powerful expert was going to say. It seemed to have something to do with this mysterious and powerful young woman, but Xiao Rou remained calm, and no one could read anything from her face.
"This Miss Gu Xiaorou, as you all probably know, I won't go into her background, she's not an employee of the Superpower Headquarters," Tang Tiejin said. "But I want to tell you all, she is my biological daughter!"
The members of the Superpower Bureau gasped in unison. They never expected that the head instructor, who had been single for so many years, would have a daughter. This was completely unexpected. The members of the Superpower Bureau looked at Xiao Rou with wonder. No wonder this girl became a super strong person at the age of twenty. It turned out that she was the daughter of the strongest person. Perhaps Tang Tiejin had been secretly teaching her all these years, using her as a trump card for the Superpower Headquarters.
The members of the Superpower Headquarters were dumbfounded. Although they had guessed that Xiao Rou and Tang Tiejin had a close connection, they hadn't expected it to be this close. Even the deputy chief instructors who had worked with Tang Tiejin for decades were stunned. A biological daughter? They had known the chief instructor for so long and had never heard of him having a daughter. Could she be an imposter? Several super-strong individuals thought this, but then dismissed the idea. Who was Tang Tiejin? Someone who could deceive him probably hadn't even been born yet.
However, saying it out loud might damage the chief instructor's reputation... Several deputy chief instructors frowned. Even if it was her own daughter, they could just admit it in private. Why make such a big deal out of it? What kind of behavior would it be if the Americans saw it?
In truth, the members of the American Superpower Bureau didn't have such thoughts. On the contrary, they were somewhat envious of Tang Tiejin for having a beautiful and powerful daughter like Xiaorou. Both father and daughter were super-strong individuals, something unprecedented even in the history of superpowered individuals.
Xiao Rou was also somewhat surprised. She turned her head to look at Tang Tiejin, feeling a mix of emotions. She hadn't expected Tang Tiejin to admit to this in front of everyone. Even if he was the head instructor, he would probably be greatly affected by it. It was very rare for him to be able to do this. Xiao Rou didn't say anything, and she didn't know what to say. She just lowered her head, which was considered as tacitly acknowledging Tang Tiejin's act of recognizing his daughter.
Chapter 426 Changes in the Bureau of Supernatural Abilities
"Congratulations! Congratulations to Chief Instructor Tang on your family reunion! May Miss Tang Xiaorou become more and more beautiful." Wesh clapped his hands with a smile, and casually changed Gu Xiaorou's surname to Tang. With him taking the lead, everyone immediately understood and clapped enthusiastically. The entire wilderness was filled with thunderous applause.
Xiao Rou's expression remained indifferent throughout. She couldn't bring herself to call him "father," nor would she. Even if the atmosphere were ten times more intense, Xiao Rou wouldn't go along with it. Fortunately, although Tang Tiejin had only known his daughter for a very short time, he had already thoroughly understood this stubborn girl's personality. If she was unwilling, then even if the whole world opposed her, Xiao Rou would still do it without hesitation. There should only be one person in this world who could change her decision, and that was Ling Yun.
However, silence itself represented an affirmative attitude. Everyone just thought Xiao Rou was introverted and shy, and didn't take it to heart. The young superhumans at the Superhuman Headquarters looked at Tang Tiejin with fervent admiration. Even among superhumans, there was a generation gap between the younger generation and the middle-aged and older. The thoughts of the young people were completely different from those of Luo Panxi and others. Tang Tiejin was bold and responsible, and was one of the people the young people admired and worshipped the most. Therefore, instead of criticism, it turned into the most enthusiastic support.
Tang Tiejin waved his hands, signaling everyone to quiet down, and slowly said, "Everyone, don't be surprised. I only recently learned that Xiaorou is my daughter. I know that as a father, I am not qualified because I owe Xiaorou a lot. I should have spent the rest of my life making up for my mistakes, but as the chief instructor of the Superpower Headquarters, I still have many responsibilities that I cannot shirk. So before my duel with Director Weish, I want to entrust Xiaorou to my colleagues at the Superpower Headquarters. Please treat Xiaorou well. Thank you all!"
As he spoke, the head instructor silently bowed, and a single, glistening tear slid gently down his cheek.
The people at the Superpower Headquarters fell silent, and many of them began to get teary-eyed. Tang Tiejin's words were very clear; he was making his final arrangements. For the head instructor to say such a thing undoubtedly meant something.
Four exceptionally strong individuals stepped forward from the ranks: Luo Panxi, Tie Li, Chen Mulong, and Li Zhongqi. Luo Panxi, his voice hoarse, called out, "Tie Jin..."
Tang Tiejin's expression returned to calm and his head instructor's authority. He said calmly, "Old Luo, this is an order. You don't need to say anything to me. I understand. Go and carry out the order. Also..." He glanced at Xiao Rou, "Take good care of Xiao Rou!"
Several super strong individuals returned to their camp with heavy hearts. Li Zhongqi wanted to grab Xiao Rou's arm. Since she was the head instructor's only biological daughter, he had to take good care of her, even if Xiao Rou didn't need anyone's care. But this was an order, and it was also his responsibility to Tang Tiejin.
Xiao Rou stood still, then slowly turned around and said to Tang Tiejin, "You won't die, and neither will Director Weish. You will both come back alive."
Everyone was taken aback, but then they understood the meaning behind the girl's words. They thought that Xiao Rou was just expressing her blessings to her father, but only a few people vaguely felt that it was not that simple and that there seemed to be a deeper meaning in Xiao Rou's words.
Tang Tiejin was also taken aback, but immediately felt relieved. The girl always addressed him as "Chief Instructor," a distant and unfamiliar title that reflected their estrangement. But this time she didn't. Although Xiao Rou didn't call him "Father" either, it showed that she wasn't as calm as she appeared, and that she had developed a fondness for him. If he continued to treat Xiao Rou well, she would eventually be moved by his kindness, Tang Tiejin thought silently, but couldn't help sighing. He feared he might not have that time…
“Although Gu Ling’er raised me, our relationship is even worse than yours is now with me. You don’t know this, and I’ve never told you. I didn’t need to tell you anyway because I didn’t care. She only has you in her heart. I used to hate her, feeling that she wasn’t my mother and only used me as a tool. But I don’t hate her anymore because I have someone I love now… So I can barely understand her, but I can’t condone her actions.” Xiao Rou said, looking at Tang Tiejin. She had kept these words deep in her heart and had never revealed them before, but for some reason, Tang Tiejin gave her a strange yet warm feeling, making her want to say these words.
Everyone listened, curious about the inner world of this silent girl. As Tang Tiejin's daughter, even if she was just an ordinary person, she was shrouded in mystery. Moreover, Xiao Rou was so beautiful and powerful that her every move captivated the hearts of countless people.
Tang Tiejin listened intently. The head instructor had never been so focused before. Every word Xiaorou said stirred up a storm in his heart, and the bitterness stretched endlessly. He knew his daughter was suffering, but he didn't expect it to be this bad. And this was only a very small part of what Xiaorou had revealed.
"My mother's dying wish was for me to take the Heavenly Eye out and give it to you!" Xiao Rou dropped an even more shocking statement, which shocked everyone when it came to the Heavenly Eye.
“I am her daughter, so regardless of whether we have feelings for each other, I must fulfill my mother’s entrustment to me. This is my responsibility unless I die. Now I have found you, and when Lingyun returns, I can fulfill this entrustment. You give me a good feeling, unlike how my mother treated me. So I think you must live, so that we can be together like this in the future.” Xiaorou said softly, her voice trembling slightly. When it came to her biological father and mother, she couldn’t help but be moved.
Tang Tiejin trembled for the first time. He gently took his daughter's hand and held it in his palm, solemnly saying, "I promise you, I will live. If I can see Ling Yun again, I will ask him to take good care of you."
“You will see him, so I said you and Chief Wesh will be fine.” A radiant smile bloomed on Xiaorou’s usually calm face. “I believe in him. He will create a miracle that everyone thought was impossible.”
...
Minutes later, both factions began a rapid retreat led by Mike and Compassey. Following orders from their two superiors, the Paranormal Affairs Bureau would retreat back to its underground base, while the Paranormal Headquarters would withdraw another 200 kilometers. Until further orders were given, both organizations were required to remain in place.
The two top officers have disappeared. The duel between the strongest will not be allowed to be watched by anyone. Regardless of the outcome, the dispute between the Superpower Bureau and the Superpower Headquarters has been resolved. If it weren't for the need to wait for their respective officers to return, they could basically head home. As for the fate of Tang Tiejin and Weish... no one can guess the outcome. They can only leave it to fate.
The two strongest individuals will not engage in a symbolic exchange before returning home hand in hand. This is no joke. For super-strong individuals, honor is more important than life and death. Even if the two have a good personal relationship and are good friends, they will show no mercy in the face of a duel.
The Superpower Headquarters quickly arrived at the designated location, and then Luo Panxi set up a huge barrier for everyone to rest in the wilderness. No one spoke; everyone in the Superpower Headquarters was in a heavy mood. The highest-ranking officer had gone to fight another of the strongest to protect the headquarters and their lives, which weighed heavily on the hearts of every superpowered individual.
Xiao Rou sat silently in the corner, her delicate fingertips already touching the cursed silver thread that transmitted information to Ling Yun. She desperately wanted to tell Ling Yun that Tang Tiejin had gone to duel with Weish, and if he didn't arrive soon, the consequences would be unimaginable. Although she didn't know if Ling Yun had any evidence, intuitively, the girl felt that only Ling Yun could turn the tide.
After thinking it over, Xiao Rou decided to give up her only chance to talk to Ling Yun. Since the boy was not in the underground base of the Superpower Bureau and had not contacted her or the Superpower Headquarters, he must have his own reasons, either because he was forced to or because he was in a critical situation. Otherwise, he would have come over in time. If she cut off the cursed silver thread to talk to him now, she might never be able to contact Ling Yun again.
The girl made up her mind to wait a little longer.
Three girls walked over and sat down beside her. They were Xia Lan, Xia Zhen, and Yu Qi. The four girls sat together in silence, waiting endlessly.
On the other side of the wilderness, before the group from the Special Abilities Bureau had even reached the underground base, Mike suddenly stopped. The others, puzzled, looked at him.
"Why should we let the Chinese go? They were the ones who carried out the neutrino bomb incident, why should we let them go? The director even wants to fight Tang Tiejin. If the director gets injured because of this, wouldn't we be losing more than we gain?" Mike said calmly, clenching his fist, and then turned to look at everyone.
Everyone fell silent. They didn't quite understand Wish's decision, but Wish didn't expect them to understand; they just needed to obey orders.
“Mike, I don’t understand why Wesh did this either, but it’s an order, and we have to obey!” Loki glanced at Mike and said in a similarly indifferent tone.
"Are you American?" Mike asked Loki with a sharp look in his eyes.
"What do you mean?" Loki was taken aback.
"Have we Americans ever suffered a loss in the world? Our government is the most powerful government in the world, our people are the happiest people in the world, our military and economy dominate the world, our aircraft carriers sailed near Taiwan to conduct military exercises with the South Koreans, did the Chinese dare to say no? Even ordinary people can be so powerful, why should we superhumans have to endure the Chinese so humiliatingly?" Mike roared fiercely.
Loki opened his mouth, unsure of what to say. He vaguely felt that something Mike had said was off, but Mike had raised the issue to the level of national honor, a weighty label that Loki couldn't easily refute. Should he say that he wasn't American?
Everyone stared at Mike in astonishment, wondering why this once moderate dove had become so hardline. They were indeed somewhat frustrated, but what good did it do? They still had to obediently stay in the base and wait for Wish to return.
“Mike, we understand your feelings. Those damn Chinese will pay the price for their arrogance sooner or later. We’ll wait and see. If anything happens to Wesh, we’ll make them pay. We can put pressure on the Chinese government through Congress and then create problems for them through their government,” a deputy director said viciously.