Eldritch Horror Theatre

Naturally, it was impossible to say that Yuan Shan hadn't harbored any suspicions about Fu Qian throughout the Dunis incident.

However, the glaring conflict in the timeline logically forced her to dismiss all those doubts.

And Fu Qian's complete candor just now when bringing up the Mercury Storm left the last lingering residue of suspicion in her heart teetering on the verge of collapse.

"Although we've figured out the cause of their conflict with Gan Zuoxun, it feels somewhat meaningless."

Chief Yuan, who always knew how to prioritize, didn't let the conversation drift and steered the topic straight back on track.

"No matter how lucrative the profits are, it's ultimately just a business. It shouldn't be enough to involve a demigod."

Although she spoke vaguely, Fu Qian perfectly understood what she meant.

"Indeed."

Yuan Shan wore a troubled expression.

"Ambor needed money to advance to Tier 2, so he sold aphrodisiacs to buy materials? That's just too absurd!"

"So, do you have any thoughts on this?"

"I was merely invited here to hold the line as backup."

Seeing how naturally Yuan Shan was consulting him, Fu Qian let out a long sigh.

His title as a consultant was truly living up to its name more and more.

At the same time, Fu Qian noticed that the moment Yuan Shan spoke, the expression on Su Gao's face beside them shifted slightly—she was likely thinking of his previous self-proclaimed title.

"Or perhaps you could consult this shop's off-duty employee."

The next moment, Fu Qian pointed at Su Gao.

...

For some reason, the normally socially adept Yuan Shan felt an uncharacteristic sense of hesitation whenever she faced Su Gao.

Because of that, from start to finish, she hadn't dared to rely on her colleague as much as she did on Fu Qian.

But since Fu Qian had pointed it out, Yuan Shan couldn't keep playing dumb. She naturally shifted her gaze toward Su Gao.

"I'm not familiar with the people involved, so it's difficult for me to provide an accurate judgment."

Thrust into the spotlight so suddenly, Su Gao blinked, yet she didn't try to decline the request.

After earnestly and candidly admitting her lack of context, she began to ponder the matter seriously.

"I just feel that if they were indeed brewing a dangerous scheme—like a ritual for advancing to Tier 2—then one thing is certain: their plans changed midway due to the anomaly Mister Fang created."

"In other words, the anomaly in the sky prompted them to abandon their original plan and opt for a method they believed was better."

She truly was a natural-born Hunter; her intuition was remarkably sharp.

"Great minds think alike."

Having patiently waited for Su Gao to finish her analysis, Fu Qian gestured toward Yuan Shan with his chin.

"Following this line of reasoning, the Gulade's actions can be clearly divided into two phases."

"Before I desecrated the sun, they had a plan. We don't know the exact details, but its outward manifestation was that special drug."

"But after the sun was desecrated, their plan changed, shifting into this well-behaved facade we see before us."

"Looking at it from this angle, things do become much clearer."

Yuan Shan's expression turned solemn as she muttered to herself.

"This also explains why the Gulade Household reacted so quickly. Your actions simply caused them to change how they achieved their goal, rather than making them abandon the plan altogether."

She hadn't originally expected to glean much advice from Su Gao, but those few brief sentences had helped her untangle her thoughts considerably.

Especially since Fu Qian had expressed the exact same view.

"But the problem is that we still don't have a single clue about their revised plan. Just what method are they intending to use?"

"They couldn't just be waiting for the next anomaly, right? That would be far too much of a pipe dream!"

"Annalise."

Seeing that Yuan Shan's worry had not diminished, Fu Qian rested his chin in his hand and slowly dropped the name.

"Who?"

Realizing what Fu Qian had just said, Yuan Shan whipped her head around to stare at him.

"Annalise, the Progenitor of those giant bats. You aren't going to tell me you don't even know that, are you?"

Fu Qian looked at Yuan Shan and repeated the name with crisp enunciation, a look of utter disdain plastered on his face.

Though, to be fair, he hadn't known it two hours ago either.

"Do you people not need to pass a written exam to become a regional Chief?"

"Annalise... I've actually heard of her."

Yuan Shan looked at Fu Qian with an odd expression.

"It's just that this name is truly ancient. Outside of the Blood Clan itself, there are probably very few people who still know it."

"So by bringing her up, what exactly are you trying to say?"

After a brief hesitation, Yuan Shan didn't press Fu Qian on how he knew that, opting to change the subject directly.

'Is it unknown merely because it is so ancient?'

Fu Qian, who had been closely observing her reaction, thought to himself.

If it hadn't been for his recent experience in Dunis, Fu Qian might have silently accepted that explanation.

But now, he couldn't help but strongly suspect that the Night Watchers played a specialized role in matters like these.

'Are they intentionally suppressing certain information through various means?'

'Thereby allowing the names of certain true Deities from the Mythological Era to fade entirely from human history?'

"This is the benefit of reading more," Fu Qian said.

Fu Qian once again pulled out the Abyss Notes, placed it on the counter, and patted it.

"The moon is Annalise's symbol. And during both of the celestial anomalies, a Dark Moon that shouldn't exist appeared right beside the sun."

"I'm wondering if this might be what influenced the Gulade group?"

"This..."

Successfully misled into believing that Fu Qian had gleaned the name of the Progenitor of the Blood Clan from the notebook, Yuan Shan couldn't help but seriously consider the possibility he had raised.

"Although the Blood Clan has always maintained their faith in the Progenitor, theoretically speaking, there's no distinct difference between Annalise and other Deities. She's merely a figure of legend."

"At least since the end of the Mythological Era, there hasn't been a single record of her making an appearance."

"It wouldn't be strange for the Gulade crowd to harbor suspicions because of the Dark Moon, but to say that they received some profound revelation from it still feels a bit hard to believe."

"It is hard to believe," Fu Qian replied, "but you have to realize that if this is truly the case, it represents the worst possible development."

Fu Qian irresponsibly poked at Yuan Shan's nerves.

"A revelation from their Progenitor. If it's true, I believe those guys would be willing to do absolutely anything for it."

"So, when exactly is your backup arriving?"

"Soon, but not soon enough."

"Chatting with the two of you makes it feel like Shangjing becomes a little less safe with every passing second."

Fu Qian's reminder clearly carried a lot of weight. Yuan Shan took a deep breath.

"I just feel like we should be doing something. Do you have any suggestions?"

"I do have one, but it's not very pleasant to hear."

"...Go ahead and say it."

For a split second, Yuan Shan sounded entirely braced for the worst.

"Just kill Ambor directly?"

...

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