Eldritch Horror Theatre

This one was an even heavier hitter, on both a physical and spiritual level.

Sizing up the man who had just walked through the door, Fu Qian instantly gave him high marks.

The physical aspect was simple enough. Although the body on the wooden board was exceptionally withered and slight, the combined weight of the man and the board was staggering.

Lifting them both at once required a formidable physique.

And the man before him undoubtedly possessed exactly that.

Bulging muscles, a towering figure, and exposed arms so oily they practically glowed. His casual motion of setting the board and its occupant down behind him gave the distinct impression of handling heavy burdens with effortless ease.

As for the spiritual aspect, Fu Qian didn't think this man had any worldly interest in Caco. Rather, the claim of "making a newcomer like him interested" was his true reason for walking in.

Whether or not he had been one of Caco's past clients, and regardless of whether his gaze lingered on her for a moment, he certainly hadn't come for dual cultivation. Instead, he wanted to use an alternative method to "assist Caco in her cultivation."

Otherwise, why would he have waited until Fu Qian refused her?

Following that up with such a rude intrusion, Fu Qian was inclined to believe his own performance had sparked a sudden realization in the man.

The only question now was exactly what path Brother Macho had suddenly comprehended.

"I demand you leave. This doesn't concern you."

Caco seemed to have finally snapped back to reality. Faced with this sudden commotion, her tone turned increasingly frigid as she flatly ordered the busybody out.

Though in Fu Qian's eyes, her expression and tone didn't quite match. Her smiling face and elegant movements seemed to be operating on an entirely different system than her harsh words.

"What is true, and what is false? Making a liar practice his lie, only to finally realize it was no lie at all—what a tremendous act of merit that would be."

But Caco clearly wasn't the most contradictory person in the room. Muttering those words, the muscular man took a step forward.

Towering over Fu Qian by nearly a full head, he stared down at him and clasped his hands together, cracking his knuckles loudly.

"You only have two choices now. Either fulfill your promise, or forget about ever leaving this place."

...

Excellent. I am gradually understanding everything.

Faced with Brother Macho's perfect blend of spiritual guidance and street-thug behavior, Fu Qian easily recalled the very first extortionist he had encountered.

It was undoubtedly the same jarring contrast.

'My heart and actions are clear as a mirror; I think like the Saints, yet walk the jianghu.'

"And if I insist on leaving?"

Marveling at the situation, Fu Qian eyed the people outside. He noticed they were all watching quietly with warm expressions, making no move to enter.

The situation seemed slightly unfavorable.

Just as he had expected, Caco's complex social web was meant to help him quickly assimilate into this City of Bliss.

The problem was that her social web was a bit too complex. The scale of his assimilation was spiraling out of control, to the point where he was apparently about to lose his freedom of movement.

"You cannot, just as you do not know what you truly desire."

Answering Fu Qian's question, the muscular man suddenly acted exactly like a street thug, lunging to grab Fu Qian's collar as he spoke.

His movements were brisk, but they hadn't surpassed the limits of a normal human.

If Fu Qian really were an ordinary man of his current age, he would have stood a high chance of failing to dodge the sudden grab.

Yet despite losing his powers, he drew upon his lingering combat instincts. Not only did he evade it instantly, but he even had the time to silently critique the man's form.

Of course, hit or miss, the macho man had made his attitude abundantly clear.

The chances of actually being beaten to death were slim, but the man certainly didn't mind using violence to stop him from leaving.

Even the audience gathered at the door showed no intention of stepping aside to leave a gap.

Even if he wanted to fight his way out, there wasn't a path.

"I understand."

Sweeping his gaze across everyone present, Fu Qian seemed to have learned his very first practical lesson in the City of Bliss.

And as he spoke, he casually shut the door.

...

Despite their entirely different intentions, they had somehow managed to orchestrate a violent honey trap right here in the City of Bliss.

"Let me think. So, until I do as you say, I can't leave?"

Fu Qian's act of closing the door clearly made his intentions somewhat hard to grasp.

Fortunately, he didn't make his two guides guess for long, immediately continuing.

"Yes."

The muscular man was in no rush to grab his collar again. His tone remained firm yet gentle.

"And I assume that even if I do as you say, you won't leave in the middle of it?"

Showing no negative emotion, Fu Qian nodded, his gaze falling upon Caco.

At this sudden shift, her emotions appeared slightly conflicted, but she didn't utter another word for the moment.

Fu Qian didn't think this was a prearranged setup, but it looked like she didn't mind playing the role of a frail woman coerced by a mobster.

This Realm of Bliss truly was an incredible place.

"Correct."

Brother Macho once again validated Fu Qian's assumption. It was obvious that until he fully confirmed his act of merit was complete, he had no intention of leaving.

"Please believe me, young man. You will ultimately be grateful for all of this, and you will more quickly recognize the laws that govern this place of bliss."

Not only that, he even expressed the classic sentiment of "this is all for your own good."

"Makes sense. More quickly recognize the governing laws..."

Fu Qian looked thoroughly convinced. Muttering to himself, he abandoned his attempt to leave and turned back toward Caco.

Then he walked right past her and casually snuffed out the bright candle.

...

"What are you trying to do—"

Although Fu Qian seemed to be gradually accepting reality, Brother Macho clearly wasn't willing to drop his guard. Perfectly playing the role of a gang enforcer, he followed closely behind him, only to be cut off mid-sentence.

His voice came to an abrupt halt as a gorgeous flower of blood bloomed on his thin shirt, rapidly expanding.

On the Candlestick in Fu Qian's hand, fresh blood flowed down from the Spikes at the top.

The room was truly lacking in other tools.

While its design was ornate and its weight felt right in his grip, the Spikes atop the Candlestick ultimately weren't all that long.

Even Fu Qian wasn't confident in piercing the heart directly, so he could only apply his extensive anatomical knowledge to target other areas that would rob a person of their ability to resist.

"Thank you very much. What is true, and what is false? Helping a liar confirm whether it is truly a lie—I think you've managed to do exactly that."

As he brought the Candlestick down for a second strike, Fu Qian's face seemed to have been infected by that same peaceful tranquility as he smiled and offered his thanks.

Next, let's try the following subject: committing a monstrous sin.

As the macho man struggled instinctively, a scene truly befitting the City of Sin played out amid the dim Bright Light.

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