Eldritch Horror Theatre

Desperate times called for desperate measures.

Naya had specifically told him to "find Dean Li and report." Her meaning was clear: he had to see the man in person.

With his plan confirmed, Fu Qian wasted no more time and headed straight for the Sword Comprehension Institute.

Although each department operated under its own system, regular exchanges were permitted. This was why Fu Qian had been able to run straight to the entrance of the Sword Pavilion.

However, core areas like the interior of the Sword Pavilion were closed to outsiders.

Even though he had managed to get a uniform earlier, he had only been moving around the perimeter.

At this moment, most of the students were still at the Sword Pavilion focused on sword comprehension. As a result, the Sword Comprehension Institute was quite peaceful.

He had to admit, compared to Apocalypse, the atmosphere here felt completely different.

He had left in a hurry last time and hadn't taken a good look around.

The Sword Comprehension Institute, on the other hand, boasted exquisite architecture and a rich atmosphere, naturally evoking thoughts of seeking enlightenment through the sword.

Taking in the sights as he walked, Fu Qian soon found a secluded spot.

Checking to ensure no one was around, he put his uniform back on and closed his eyes.

He recalled the students he had encountered earlier in the Sword Pavilion and chose the most inconspicuous one among them.

The next moment, his facial features began to shift rapidly. In less than half a minute, he had taken on a completely new appearance.

After days of practice, Fu Qian's face-changing technique was now flawless.

As long as he had seen the person, he could mimic them pretty close to the mark.

According to the information he had looked up, the Sword Pavilion opened once a year for seven days, during which students could enter for five hours a day.

Given how rare this opportunity was, and considering the session wasn't over yet, few students would be willing to come out early.

So, no matter who he transformed into, the chances of bumping into the real person were quite slim.

He just needed to take advantage of this window to slip in quietly, find where Li Weixuan was in seclusion, and confirm it.

Everything proceeded smoothly.

With his altered appearance, Fu Qian easily infiltrated the core area of the Sword Comprehension Institute and began searching for Li Weixuan's place of seclusion.

After confirming his general direction, with his destination practically in sight, Fu Qian spotted someone unexpected.

Ji Liushuang. Why was she here?

His former teammate was walking slowly up ahead, looking somewhat absent-minded.

On a momentous day like the opening of the Sword Pavilion, why was a top student like her slacking off here instead of diligently comprehending the sword?

Although it was strange to run into Ji Liushuang here, Fu Qian had no interest in finding out why. He had proper business to attend to.

Concealing his aura and maintaining a steady pace, Fu Qian walked forward casually and soon passed her.

Hm?

Yet the instant they brushed past each other, Fu Qian felt a presence lock onto him.

The previously distracted Ji Liushuang suddenly looked up, seemingly realizing something.

"Stop. Who are you?"

Ji Liushuang's icy voice rang out from behind him.

'Isn't your perception a bit exaggerated? You can actually recognize me like this?'

Fu Qian stopped and slowly turned to face her.

All traces of aimlessness had vanished from her eyes, replaced by a stern glare fixed squarely on him.

"You aren't Tong Minghui."

"Who are you? Why are you impersonating a Sword Comprehension Institute student to sneak in here?"

Fu Qian glanced at her hand. She was already gripping her Sword Bell, ready to activate it at the slightest provocation.

Based on their previous interactions, this girl could only be described as decisive and ruthless. Her stance was definitely not a bluff.

If there was anything remotely suspicious about his answer, she would absolutely summon backup.

And being exposed in this disguise would undoubtedly be troublesome.

'Silence her permanently? No need for that!'

Fu Qian thought for a moment, then simply wiped a hand across his face, reverting to his true appearance.

Just as he expected, Ji Liushuang's gaze remained confused. To her, this face belonged to a complete stranger.

It seemed that because of the Angel of Comfort, his previous student identity had been thoroughly erased.

It was better if she didn't know him; it gave him plenty of room to improvise.

"Ah..."

Fu Qian didn't answer Ji Liushuang's questions. Instead, he let out a long, heavy sigh.

"I only meant to take a quick look and leave."

"Liushuang. It truly is a beautiful name."

He gazed at her with deep affection mixed with a touch of melancholy.

"How time flies. You've grown up so much in the blink of an eye."

"Your mother... is she doing well?"

...

Hearing this, Ji Liushuang was visibly stunned. She hadn't expected this man to ask about her mother at all.

"Who... exactly are you?"

Her brows remained tightly knit, but her tone had softened.

Fu Qian still didn't answer. He simply looked her up and down, his face full of profound emotion.

"I can't believe she actually named you Liushuang!"

"She used to love the Flowing Frost Flower the most, and she loved taking walks in the moonlight—she'd wander off and refuse to come back no matter how much you called her."

"Back then, I joked that we should just use it to name our future child. I never thought she would actually take it seriously."

...

'It's working!'

Seeing Ji Liushuang freeze in place, Fu Qian nodded inwardly.

Not long ago, when he used the Emissary mask to enter this world, he had spent an entire afternoon at The Bookstore.

During that time, he had casually read up on some information about this world and spotted his former teammate's name in a gossip column.

Ji Xue, the eldest princess and first in line to inherit one of the Federation's largest conglomerates, had run away from home out of dissatisfaction with an arranged marriage. A few years later, she returned with a baby.

Although the Ji Clan eventually recognized the child, they still viewed the ordeal as a humiliating disgrace. As a result, Ji Xue had been placed under house arrest ever since, rarely showing her face in public.

That baby was Ji Liushuang, and to this day, the identity of her father remained a mystery.

Combining this information with the wish she had spoken aloud in the Angel of Comfort scenario, it was more than enough to bluff his way through.

"I specifically went to the Sword Pavilion just now, but sadly, I was kicked out before I could find you."

A relieved smile spread across Fu Qian's face.

"I wouldn't give up, so I snuck back in... Thank goodness I did!"

...

Ji Liushuang was completely dumbfounded.

With these words, was he hinting that he was her father?

He clearly looked even younger than her. This was far too absurd!

Yet, he knew about her mother's love for Flowing Frost Flowers, and even her habit of taking walks in the moonlight.

"Are you wondering about my appearance?"

As if realizing what she was thinking, Fu Qian gestured to his own face.

"Just a minor dark art. It makes me look quite a bit younger than my actual age, especially by the standards of your Sword Comprehension Institute."

"You're doing well now... very well."

Fu Qian gazed at Ji Liushuang with "deep affection."

For some reason, he felt that compared to the last time they met, there was a little something extra about her.

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