Eldritch Horror Theatre

This was exactly what they meant by listening to all sides brings clarity!

Fu Qian had been pondering a question for a while now.

If the Kamakura Family's sword path was truly a ritual in itself, there was one unavoidable hurdle: Kamakura Shinji, the first to fall.

Given that his life was on the line, the chances of him lying were slim. That meant it was highly probable he hadn't been secretly practicing his swordplay before he ended up like that.

Yet, even under those circumstances, something had gone wrong. It was undoubtedly a glaring counterexample.

Because of this, the ritual theory couldn't be entirely confirmed.

Right at this moment, however, Ah Kai's words reminded Fu Qian of something.

If he remembered correctly, when asked what he was doing before the episode struck, Kamakura Shinji had answered with 'calming the mind.'

Considering the Kamakura Family's sword path wasn't exactly orthodox, could his 'calming the mind' be similar to Ah Kai's silent recitation?

The surrounding path grew increasingly familiar, and the exit was just ahead. Just as Kamakura Ki breathed a slight sigh of relief, Fu Qian suddenly turned to look at him with a smile.

"I have a professional question."

"...Please, go ahead."

Faced with this unfathomable, mysterious Demigod Realm figure, Kamakura Ki practically had a stress response, his expression stiffening on instinct.

"For sword path cultivators like us, tempering the spirit is indispensable, and adjusting one's body and mind before striking is even more vital. It seems the Kamakura Family places considerable importance on this as well. I wonder if you have any special insights to share?"

...

"It is nothing more than calming the heart and clearing away stray thoughts."

Kamakura Ki clearly didn't understand why he was suddenly asking this, and hesitated briefly before answering.

"Of course, due to the unique nature of the Kamakura Family's sword path, we also use our exclusive Meditation Method to make ourselves as still and silent as Tombkeepers."

Meditation, tomb keeping... that certainly had the right vibe.

"This method doesn't happen to involve silently reciting the name of the Nameless Deity for fifteen minutes, does it?"

"Is Mister Yun still clinging to that pointless speculation of yours?"

Kamakura Ki chuckled.

"Perhaps it does, perhaps it doesn't. My apologies, but I cannot tell you."

Well, it definitely wasn't pointless now.

Fu Qian marveled inwardly. Looking at the exit just ahead, he took a step outside.

It was obvious that the Kamakura Family was extremely concerned about this operation. Just like last time, quite a few people were waiting outside the exit, including the heavily injured Kamakura Keiji.

Seeing everyone emerge, his face filled with excitement.

However, his observational skills were still sharp. With just one glance at Ni Huayuan, he realized that the pursuit's results were far from ideal.

"Your hand..."

After quietly asking about Kamakura Ki's injuries out of concern, Kamakura Keiji held back from asking any further questions.

As for how he was injured, Kamakura Ki clearly didn't dare point the finger at Fu Qian. He could only mumble a few vague words to brush it off.

...

It seemed they were only one final step away.

Fu Qian followed the crowd down the mountain toward the estate.

Kamakura Ki's attitude just now had made it obvious. It seemed that this so-called 'calming the mind' was highly likely in the same category as Ah Kai and the others silently chanting their incantations.

As for not knowing the Divine Entity's true name, Fu Qian had actually just realized he didn't need to be so narrow-minded about it. Why couldn't "Nameless Deity" be a name?

He didn't know much about the rituals of the Mythological Era, but the way Fu Qian saw it, people probably wouldn't address a god by their actual name during sacrifices and prayers. They were much more likely to use a title; otherwise, it would be far too disrespectful.

What if "Nameless Deity" was simply its formal title?

Looking at it from this angle, calming the mind followed by that spirit-dance-like swordplay was essentially a complete prayer ritual.

The next thing he had to do was figure out exactly where the problem with the ritual lay.

In fact, Fu Qian already had a hypothesis about this.

If the title, the process, and the movements were all perfectly fine, and assuming the state of the Divine Entity hadn't changed either...

Then it seemed there was only one variable left—the one praying.

Previously, as Tombkeepers, the Kamakura Family had clearly acted somewhat like proxies of a Deity. The Imprints on their bodies were proof of that.

Now, however, for some reason, they were being treated as heretics and subjected to Chastisement when performing the ritual.

The most natural reason he could think of was that a Deity's greatest disgust would be directed at a lack of devotion. For instance, being a faithless turncoat would definitely be unacceptable.

Could this group have taken up some odd new faith recently?

"We've basically confirmed the cause. Considering the Kamakura Family's current situation, we need to find a way to shield them as quickly as possible."

While Fu Qian was letting his thoughts run wild, Kasi didn't waste any words after stepping outside, directly handing out tasks.

The group from the Academy all nodded in agreement. They had essentially taken a bit of a free ride on the Kamakura Family's dime for this official expedition to the Ruins, so now that the sightseeing was over, they had to put in the effort to find a solution.

"If it's just a matter of shielding them, I have a method we can try."

Fu Qian suddenly spoke up while the group was lost in thought.

Everyone was visibly unable to hide their shock, especially the members of the Kamakura Family.

Even if he really had a method, would this guy actually be so kindhearted?

Given Fu Qian's past actions, they truly didn't have much faith in him.

"Mister Yun has a method?"

However, at such a critical juncture, they couldn't afford to let any hope slip by. Kamakura Ki ultimately rallied his spirits and asked.

"I do, but I can't guarantee it will work."

Fu Qian maintained his usual cryptic manner.

"Additionally, there might be side effects. Like permanently becoming an ordinary person."

...

Not guaranteeing its effectiveness was understandable, but this final side effect visibly shook even Kamakura Ki.

"Should we let Shinji try?"

At that moment, someone leaned in close to him and suggested in a low voice, causing Kamakura Ki's eyes to light up.

"If it is possible, could Mister Yun please treat Shinji first, since his condition is more severe?"

A moment later, the Kamakura family head pleaded with absolute sincerity.

"Kamakura Shinji?"

Gazing at Kamakura Ki's slightly apprehensive eyes, Fu Qian smiled faintly.

"Of course."

...

That was certainly the choice of a family head.

Not long after, Fu Qian looked at the dying Kamakura Shinji on the bed and sighed inwardly.

Trying an unproven remedy on a dead horse first.

It was a truly pragmatic decision.

"All of you, step outside."

He turned his head to speak.

"All of us have to leave?"

This time, it was the Academy group who was reluctant.

The Kamakura Family treated this like buying a lottery ticket and didn't have high expectations, but the Academy group was extremely eager to observe a Demigod Realm expert's methods.

He was doing this for their own good.

Fu Qian mused inwardly, his tone remaining firm.

"This involves some personal secrets. It's not convenient to have an audience."

As he said this, he kept his eyes fixed in Brother Ah Kai's direction.

...

Was it classified information, just like the Miracles of the Benevolent Curse Institute?

Everyone had heard the exchange between the two earlier, and the group instantly caught on.

"We'll head out now. Call us whenever you're done."

Kasi decisively demonstrated his authority as a leader, directly signaling everyone else to leave so Fu Qian could work freely.

In an instant, no one dared to hinder his work any longer, and they all quickly filed out of the room.

"Hello there."

Seeing the room empty out in an instant, Fu Qian sat down facing Kamakura Shinji, offered a smiling greeting, and activated the Decree of Return.

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