Eldritch Horror Theatre

"You don't need to come over just yet. Wait there for my word."

Fu Qian clearly hadn't brought good news.

Lanaya's mood grew even heavier. She remained silent for a long time before giving the instruction.

'It seems their tracking hasn't made any progress!' Fu Qian thought.

Investigating student records wouldn't meet much resistance, but given the sheer number of people, it wouldn't be fast. Fu Qian chose to head back and rest first.

Speaking of which, this sword intent was practically a cheat code. Merely comprehending it allowed a Low-Tier Transcendent to immediately possess lethality far beyond their rank, even clearing the path of the demigod for them.

It was a standard Child of Destiny template. Fu Qian now completely understood the reason behind the Sword Comprehension Institute's prosperity.

Although the proportional probability wasn't very high, everyone loved hitting the jackpot—especially when the standard cultivation route wasn't a bad option to begin with.

...

"I contacted the people at the Sword Comprehension Institute and went through all the student records," the head of the Disciplinary Department said quickly over the line.

"There are too many of them, making it difficult to track their movements. Considering the Sword Pavilion is currently open, I had them check the entry and exit logs. As it stands, a student named Ruan Shuo is a bit suspicious. He left the Sword Pavilion much earlier than scheduled today."

"Next, I need you to confirm two things: first, whether he is currently in the Academy, and second, if there are any suspicious transcendent materials in his residence."

"Transcendent materials don't mean much, do they? If I were him, I absolutely wouldn't bring that much stuff back. I'd just dig a hole nearby and bury it all," Fu Qian said bluntly.

"I know that, of course... But the Sword Comprehension Institute is extremely dissatisfied with us right now. It would be best if we could find some evidence."

"In fact, you can't even act alone this time. The Sword Comprehension Institute demanded to participate in the investigation. Someone should be coming to get you shortly."

"Understood."

Fu Qian wasn't surprised. With things developing to this point, regardless of their motives, the Sword Comprehension Institute was bound to fight for control of the investigation.

"That's the basic situation. Contact me anytime if there's an issue." Lanaya sighed on the other end. "I hope your guess is wrong..."

...

As it turned out, the representative from the Sword Comprehension Institute arrived very quickly.

Less than half an hour after Lanaya finished her briefing, a knock came at the door.

"Come in."

Fu Qian called out, and the door was slowly pushed open. A man walked in.

The newcomer was around forty years old. He wasn't wearing the Sword Comprehension Institute's signature uniform, but rather a well-tailored smoke-gray trench coat. Combined with his meticulously styled hair, he gave off a quiet yet sharp impression.

However, Trench Coat Bro looked somewhat hostile.

"Professor Fu Qian? I am Jian Jingzheng from the Sword Comprehension Institute."

The man in the trench coat looked Fu Qian up and down.

"I heard one of our students is suspected of committing a murder outside, so I've come specifically to assist with the investigation."

"Sure. Just remember to follow my orders."

Fu Qian wasn't at all surprised by his attitude. He had zero intention of playing nice, delivering the remark in a lazy drawl.

...

Jian Jingzheng's eyelids twitched.

"Without further ado, let's head out immediately. Mostly because the air here in Apocalypse is just a bit too... fresh."

He sniffed the air in an exaggerated manner.

'What do you know? This is the stench of a Demigod!'

Fu Qian shot him a glance, well aware that the Sword Comprehension Institute had always disliked Apocalypse.

If he remembered correctly, this guy had even patted down his clothes in disgust after walking through the door.

Led by Jian Jingzheng, Fu Qian returned to the Sword Comprehension Institute's territory, heading straight for the student dormitories.

Although the Sword Pavilion had closed, there still weren't many people moving around outside.

Most of the students were either resting or digesting the insights they had gained that day.

"It's best we make this quick. I don't want to disturb the students' rest. Though it seems Professor Fu quite enjoys being a disturbance..."

'That's rather pointed. Is it because of the Ji Liushuang incident?'

It wasn't strange. With so many people watching earlier, it made sense that a somewhat gossipy instructor would know about it.

And it was obvious this guy held a deep prejudice against Apocalypse.

In fact, on the way here, he had spent more than half the time staring at Fu Qian's face.

It was common knowledge that many of the research maniacs over at Apocalypse loved experimenting on their own bodies, resulting in quite a few bizarre physical traits.

And Fu Qian's excessively youthful face easily led people to assume he had undergone some unconventional procedures.

"Don't worry, I'm highly efficient."

Fu Qian smiled cryptically and motioned for Jian Jingzheng to knock on the door.

Jian Jingzheng was clearly annoyed at being ordered around by Fu Qian, but since he had no excuse to refuse, he put on a stern face and stepped forward to knock on Ruan Shuo's door.

The door opened almost immediately. A rather sunny-looking young man poked his head out, startled to see Jian Jingzheng.

"Instructor Jian, did you need me for something?"

"I don't, but Professor Fu here does."

Jian Jingzheng shot Fu Qian a glance and walked straight into the room, taking the lead.

Seeing a confused Ruan Shuo looking over at him, Fu Qian followed Jian Jingzheng inside.

"Student Ruan, it seems you haven't been working very hard today!"

After sitting down, Fu Qian looked at Ruan Shuo with a beaming smile.

"Do you mean—"

Ruan Shuo looked bewildered at first, but then realization dawned on him.

"Are you referring to my leaving early?"

"Speaking of which, I've been feeling awful about that."

"This is my third year entering the Sword Pavilion, and I originally planned to give it my all. I didn't expect to grow agitated and unable to focus so quickly. Trying to force myself to calm down even caused my blood and qi to surge. Left with no other choice, I came out early."

Ruan Shuo wore a look of deep frustration.

"I came back and rested for quite a while before finally feeling a bit better."

"There is no need to feel bad. You did the right thing."

Hearing Ruan Shuo's explanation, Jian Jingzheng said plainly.

"Impatience and agitation are strictly forbidden when comprehending the sword path. Otherwise, it will damage both your body and mind. Taking a short rest when necessary is perfectly reasonable."

With that, he turned back to Fu Qian, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

"Professor Fu, do you want to search for transcendent materials?"

This guy was obviously mocking him.

Fu Qian cast a glance around the room.

Ruan Shuo's room wasn't very large, and its layout was completely normal.

At a glance, the probability of hiding two Warehouses' worth of materials in here was practically zero.

"Might as well. Inspect it thoroughly. Don't miss a single corner."

Fu Qian waved his hand, gesturing for Jian Jingzheng to look around.

...

Seeing Fu Qian press his advantage and treat him like an underling again, Jian Jingzheng couldn't help but feel his blood boil.

"Instructor Jian, I don't understand..."

Beside him, Ruan Shuo looked innocent and bewildered.

"What's there not to understand?"

Jian Jingzheng snorted coldly.

"This Professor Fu suspects you of looting two Warehouses and murdering the guards, so he specifically came to have you 'cooperate' with his investigation."

Ignoring the petrified Ruan Shuo, he looked back at Fu Qian.

"Professor Fu, I think the situation is quite clear now, isn't it? Can we go report back to Lanaya?"

"Pretty much."

Fu Qian looked at Ruan Shuo with a beaming smile and cracked his knuckles.

"Student Ruan, are you ready to die?"

"What are you doing—"

Completely caught off guard by this reaction, Jian Jingzheng was alarmed by Fu Qian's almost tangible killing intent and instinctively stood up.

However, before he could even finish his question, his body jerked, and a violent slap sent him flying across the room.

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