Eldritch Horror Theatre

Looks like I won't be making any sales today!

After the secretary explained her purpose, Fu Qian sighed inwardly. He hadn't expected someone to come knocking so soon after he arrived.

"What's your name?"

He made no move to get up, however, and instead looked at her.

"Xiao Mingyue. Can we go now?"

The secretary appeared extremely dedicated to her job, urging him on with a cold expression.

In truth, she didn't understand why Chief Yuan had insisted she fetch this guy in person.

No matter how she looked at him, he seemed like a slacker—entirely unreliable. After all this time, The Bookstore probably hadn't made a single sale.

"Alright, Xiao Ming."

"Lead the way."

The nickname obviously displeased the secretary. She froze for a moment, then immediately hardened her face and led the way.

...

"You got here faster than I expected!"

When they arrived at Yuan Shan's office, she greeted Fu Qian with a beaming smile.

Today, she wore a green skirt suit. Since their first meeting, she hadn't worn the same outfit twice, fully illustrating the generous salary of a Chief.

I'm pretty surprised to see you in the office, too.

Fu Qian noted inwardly as he walked over and took a seat across from her.

Xiao Mingyue was just about to back out of the room when Yuan Shan stopped her.

"Take a look at this."

Yuan Shan pulled out a document and placed it in front of Fu Qian.

[Name: Ariel]

[Age: 41]

...

Fu Qian picked it up and flipped through it. It was a personal profile.

Judging by its contents, this wealthy businessman named Ariel had recently arrived in Shangjing and seemed intent on opening up the market here.

Reading through it, there was nothing strange, except for one highlighted section—

[...had previously inquired about news regarding Deng Feizhou...]

An explanation was provided below it: this person had previously engaged in business dealings with Deng Feizhou.

Sure enough, it's Brother Zero-Fluctuations!

Fu Qian understood immediately. He rapidly finished flipping through the file and looked up at Yuan Shan.

"And this is...?"

"Remember that favor you owe me? I need your help now."

Yuan Shan smiled at him.

While Fu Qian had been flipping through the documents, she had stared at him almost the entire time.

It was a pity for her that he never showed anything unusual—not even a trace of surprise.

"We recently received a report that this person is highly suspicious. Seeing as I'm truly too busy on my end, I need an expert to step in."

The words "too busy" sound really out of place coming from your mouth.

"Understood. Chief Yuan has always been swamped with official business."

Fu Qian drawled slowly.

"I'll have Mingyue assist you."

Yuan Shan had thick skin, seemingly completely deaf to the mockery in his words.

"In fact, this document is the result of her preliminary investigation."

"Understood."

Fu Qian glanced at Xiao Mingyue.

Although she tried hard to suppress it, it was obvious she was a bit resentful.

Is she upset that her investigation results were dismissed?

She's young, after all. She hasn't grasped the leadership's true intentions.

Fu Qian thought to himself.

The situation was obvious now.

Wen Li had indeed been very obedient, seeking out the Night Watchers and reporting the matter of Brother Zero-Fluctuations.

Yuan Shan had then sent her trusted aide to investigate, concluding that there were no problems.

Calling him over under these circumstances meant that, on the one hand, Yuan Shan might still harbor doubts about Brother Zero-Fluctuations. But more importantly, she wanted to probe Fu Qian.

Having him—someone suspected in Deng Feizhou's death—specifically investigate a suspicious person connected to Deng Feizhou was truly a brilliant move.

When the time came, the most ideal result would be for both sides to expose their flaws and be apprehended together, killing two birds with one stone.

"Sure!"

Having thought this far, Fu Qian accepted the task without hesitation.

They were all out here playing the game—as if he didn't have his own ulterior motives!

The very reason he had Wen Li seek out the Night Watchers was for this exact moment.

Putting aside the fact that he could conveniently pay off his favor, the Origin Council behind Deng Feizhou was an organization capable of creating False Demigods.

Being able to investigate Ariel with a legitimate justification was exactly what he wanted.

Now this is what you call a multi-win situation.

...

"Shortly after Ariel came to Shangjing, he bought a manor in North City. It looks like he intends to establish a long-term presence here."

Even though she had clearly finished the work, her superior was making someone else investigate it all over again.

Coming out of Yuan Shan's office, Xiao Mingyue's expression was obviously sour, but she still patiently explained things to Fu Qian.

"He should be in the manor right now. Do you want to head straight there and make contact?"

"Sure!"

Fu Qian had no objections. He climbed into the back seat of the car and closed his eyes to rest.

Seeing his posture, Xiao Mingyue gritted her teeth in irritation.

But since Chief Yuan had said earlier that they would follow this man's lead, she could only obediently act as the driver.

The journey was swift as wind and lightning, and they quickly arrived at their destination.

Nestled against the mountains and beside the water, the estate was heavily guarded.

Ariel's new residence could be described as majestic, holding its own even when compared to the Wen Family Luxury Estate.

Being able to buy such a place in Shangjing, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, guaranteed that this Ariel was indeed a wealthy man.

"We're going straight in."

Too lazy to consult Fu Qian, Xiao Mingyue drove the car directly up to the gates.

"Do you have an appointment?"

Seeing the car drive up so aggressively, the fully armed security guards surrounded it almost immediately. Among them, a dark-faced, burly man who looked like the captain asked with a scowl.

Rolling down the window, Xiao Mingyue couldn't even be bothered to speak. She simply tossed out an ID.

The burly captain's face darkened even further for a second, but upon glancing at the item in his hands, his expression changed drastically, and he hurried off to the side.

It took only half a minute for the security guards to receive authorization to let them through, and the main gates swung wide open.

How domineering!

Fu Qian watched from the side, clicking his tongue in admiration.

As an organization of transcendents with an unmatched status, the Night Watchers had been in Shangjing for years, firmly establishing themselves as the undisputed tyrants of the local scene.

In the face of such a behemoth, no matter what kind of high official or noble one was, they were all nothing more than clay chickens and pottery dogs.

In comparison, Yuan Shan, as the top boss, was genuinely quite polite to him.

By the time the bodyguards led them into the reception room, the target of their trip was already waiting there.

Brother Zero-Fluctuations looked younger than his actual age. He had white-gold hair, a tall and sturdy build, and a clear, pure gaze.

"I am very glad to see you again, Ms. Xiao Mingyue."

Seeing Fu Qian and Xiao Mingyue enter, Ariel actively stood up to greet them, his expression confident and composed.

"And this is?"

After greeting Xiao Mingyue, Ariel turned to look at Fu Qian, asking in mild surprise.

"Fang Xun. Just call me an expert; I can handle the title."

Before Xiao Mingyue could introduce him, Fu Qian took the initiative and spoke.

Expert...

Ariel froze for a few seconds, while Xiao Mingyue's eyelids began to twitch uncontrollably.

"Expert... Fang, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Did you two come over today for a specific matter?"

Once the pleasantries were exchanged, Ariel offered them seats and asked.

"A specific matter... naturally, we have one."

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