Eldritch Horror Theatre

"Indeed..."

As it turned out, Classmate Liushuang did not have an inflated ego.

Faced with Fu Qian's rhetorical question, she quickly grasped the advantage of her own limitations and immediately relaxed.

"Do we need to go again?"

She pointed at the Circlet in Fu Qian's hand.

"Can you still handle it?"

Fu Qian glanced at her.

"It takes a bit out of me, but after resting just now, holding on for another minute shouldn't be a problem."

Ji Liushuang sounded entirely certain.

Fu Qian shook his head, casually pointing toward the darkened sky outside.

"Pushing the limits is a leading cause of laboratory accidents. Besides, look at the time."

"Considering the project has achieved its initial milestones, it's time for the celebration banquet."

"Grab your things. I know a good place."

A celebration banquet already?

Ji Liushuang clearly hadn't expected the project to be completed so easily.

While she was still reeling in surprise, Fu Qian stood up, fiddled with the Circlet, casually slipped it onto his own head, and muttered softly.

"For a Saintess, the style really is a bit plain."

"Alright."

Catching his muttering, Ji Liushuang—feeling validated—broke into a smile, stood up, and carefully tucked her wages away.

...

The Laboratory was located in a rather remote area. As the two walked, night quickly fell around them.

Even after spending the entire day there, Ji Liushuang set an unhurried pace, soaking in the evening of their celebration banquet.

"When I went home this time, they decided to put me in charge of the Gospel Team."

Walking side by side, she naturally brought up her family's affairs.

"I've mostly been coordinating this transition lately. Given the team's unique nature, there are also a lot of dealings to handle with the Night Watchers."

"There's a reason the Ji Clan has stood tall for so long."

Fu Qian nodded, naturally recalling the two seniors, Ji Tong and Ji Xun.

For the matter to be finalized so quickly, the two of them must have made up their minds on the spot. Their handling of the situation was highly competent.

Although the Gospel Team wasn't large right now, its very nature granted it inherent independence. It was vastly superior to some ordinary, empty title.

Letting the theoretical future family head take charge of it showed absolute sincerity.

Of course, the primary factor in this decision was still her status as the Saintess of the Rebirth Club.

Besides that, Classmate Liushuang's sword strike that killed Ji Ping had been brilliant.

It was exceptional in both its absolute resolve and its near-miraculous result.

"Actually, there were many opposing voices at first."

Ji Liushuang sighed softly.

"It wasn't until the news from Ye Island was verified that we reached a relatively unified consensus."

That was a given.

Fu Qian knew she was referring to the matter with Yasui Tokiyuki.

No matter the true reason behind it, his tip that Emperor Yasui wouldn't appear for three months had been riskily verified by Siren, allowing them to reap a massive advantage. Having shared that intel, the Ji Clan inevitably felt the resounding shockwaves of its impact.

It was only natural that the value of the Rebirth Club's Saintess continued to skyrocket.

"It's normal to have dissenting voices in a large group. Often, an overly dazzling performance just makes others wary."

Deep in thought, Fu Qian expressed his understanding.

If Classmate Liushuang shared her mother's style, some of that resistance might have actually been weaker.

However, even though she hadn't inherited the family's Ash Descent Ability, her performance during the limb grafting incident to ensure her mother's safety had been truly eye-catching. It was perfectly normal that she frightened people.

"But I believe there are still plenty of people who understand the bigger picture. For example—An Gui?"

How did you know...

Ji Liushuang snapped her head up. Though she didn't speak, the surprise on her face betrayed her thoughts.

"That's right... This is actually the one point I couldn't figure out."

She made no effort to hide her confusion.

"Logically speaking, he should be one of the people least likely to support me, yet his stance this time was completely impartial... He even specifically sought me out for a chat afterward, telling me not to worry about my energy being spread too thin."

That went without saying. Given everything that had happened, Demigod Angui was likely thrilled beyond measure.

Seeing Ji Liushuang's shock, Fu Qian scoffed inwardly.

The facts proved that Demigod Angui was always reassuringly decisive.

Given the involvement of a mysterious demigod wearing a mask that completely concealed his Transcendent aura, if An Gui learned even a little about what had happened at Silver Mist Manor, the "accident" in the Wasteland from a while ago would surely surface in his mind.

Although there was no evidence, a person who knew he had sold out Ji Yicheng was a hidden danger no matter what.

Now, not only had this hidden danger taken the initiative to appear, but he hadn't used the secret for blackmail. Instead, he had turned it into mutual leverage, presenting an opportunity for renewed tacit understanding.

Such a stroke of luck didn't happen every day. Why would An Gui mount any immature opposition for the position of family head, which was destined never to fall into his hands anyway?

In the foreseeable future, this demigod would likely handle even more matters impartially, subtly helping Classmate Liushuang secure greater authority.

For a demigod outside the main bloodline, claiming a merit of following the dragon of this caliber—along with the chance to curry favor with a top-tier organization like the Rebirth Club behind her—was no longer just a simple blessing in disguise.

"It's not strange at all."

Fu Qian waved a hand and sighed.

"Although it's been a long time, Demigod Angui's demeanor remains fresh in my memory. It's exactly because of insightful people like him that the Ji Clan is so strong!"

As expected, it's because of him... An Gui knows him!

The lingering suspicion Ji Liushuang had held since An Gui's unexpected reaction was finally confirmed.

Was even this within your calculations?

And as for the term "insightful people," Ji Liushuang naturally didn't take it at face value.

Just realizing that Professor Fu was behind this matter made An Gui decisively side with me?

Does he hold some important leverage?

"The Wasteland accident."

Seeming to know what she was thinking, Fu Qian dropped those few words.

There's something fishy about Ji Yicheng's death...

Ji Liushuang's heart skipped a beat, and she gained a better grasp of the nuances of the entire situation.

"Fulfilling popular expectations is one thing. Are you interested in the Gospel Team?"

Fu Qian didn't reveal any more details. Instead, he asked about Ji Liushuang's feelings regarding her new role.

"I'm not interested."

She clearly hadn't expected Fu Qian to ask this. But after a brief pause, Ji Liushuang answered with absolute decisiveness.

"I know very well that it isn't what I like doing, but... it's what I need to do."

"Excellent. It seems you're starting to recognize the essence of being an adult."

Fu Qian pointed at the small shop in front of them with a gratified expression.

"Fortunately, they have some pretty good adult beverages here."

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