Eldritch Horror Theatre

"That's true."

Fu Qian's logic about the Night Watchers had clearly won Ji Liushuang over.

If her instincts were right and there really was something fishy about the hidden truth, the Ji Clan would most likely prefer to handle an attack on her themselves to keep the Night Watchers out of it.

It was indeed a good way to test the waters.

But the question remained: why would this guy put himself in danger to help her?

And offer such spot-on advice?

He couldn't possibly be trying to move her emotionally so she would willingly work for him, could he?

Someone with his ruthlessness and cunning wouldn't harbor such naive thoughts!

For a moment, Ji Liushuang felt her intelligence was being insulted.

Meeting Ji Liushuang's dark, probing eyes, Fu Qian sighed inwardly.

Theoretically, he could just reveal his identity right now and claim he was a descending agent of justice here to help her.

Suspicious or not, the girl probably wouldn't refuse. She might even take the initiative to help him complete his task.

But if he did that, it would be hard to explain how he could be in two places at once later on. More importantly, her role would fundamentally change—she would go from a coerced guide to an active traitor.

Even though she claimed to have little affection for the Ji Clan, the place still represented the concept of home to her. There was no need to rush her into making such a cruel choice just yet.

Besides, Classmate Liushuang was extremely clever. Even in this coerced partnership based on mutual interest, her efficiency was quite high.

...

"Alright. So you'll make your move wearing that disguise?"

Having made up her mind, Ji Liushuang was already considering the operational details.

She didn't even try to hide her admiration for the mask on Fu Qian's face.

"It's a truly miraculous item. You feel exactly like an ordinary person."

She clearly knew her stuff and recognized the immense value of such an effect.

"You flatter me. It's a papal bestowal, convenient for keeping a low profile,"

Fu Qian offered casually.

"You don't need to worry about how I'll strike. We just need to agree on how badly you're going to be hurt."

"...Make it severe. It won't look real otherwise, but try not to cripple my mobility too much,"

Ji Liushuang said after taking a breath. She had obviously already thought this through.

"Understood. High visual impact."

Fu Qian nodded.

"Leave it to me."

"As for the location, we can do it on my way back from the Gospel Team."

Suppressing her anxiety about the upcoming ordeal, she quickly moved to the next topic.

"That way, we can minimize the chances of you being excessively interrogated and having your movements restricted."

"How should I contact you afterward? My communication devices will probably be monitored."

"No need to overcomplicate things. We can just do it around here. After all, getting yourself killed over getting the cold shoulder at the Gospel Team is a bit of a stretch."

Fu Qian waved his hand dismissively. Ji Liushuang's planning was thorough, but she was still being too conservative—mainly because she had no idea how strong her partner actually was.

"You mean..."

Ji Liushuang seemed to realize something.

"There can be two victims. You're one, and Mister 233 is the other."

Fu Qian pointed at himself.

"At this point, this identity's movements are going to be restricted no matter what, so it's lost most of its value."

"When the time comes, a masked transcendent will save you in the nick of time and escort you back to Silver Mist Manor."

'This...'

Ji Liushuang had been wondering what he meant by a simpler way to communicate, but she never expected he intended to follow her straight home.

Was this why he had shown her the mask in the first place?

And earlier, when discussing what to call him, he had just thrown out a name...

The feeling that she was about to lead a wolf into the house naturally welled up inside her, accompanied by a subconscious wave of worry.

"My mother, she—"

"I was already there a couple of days ago."

Fu Qian cut her off.

It was an irrefutable point. Ji Liushuang instantly fell silent.

He had already infiltrated Silver Mist Manor as a member of the Gospel Team. If he really wanted to harm her mother, he wouldn't have waited until now.

"Relax. I promise I won't stir up unnecessary trouble."

Seeing her coming to terms with it, Fu Qian chuckled and offered the reassurance.

"All you need to do now is come up with a suitable identity for me."

"That won't be a problem... but even if we can fool the clan, what happens when the Night Watchers show up?"

Ji Liushuang gritted her teeth, voicing her final concern.

"If the Night Watchers can be called in that easily, wouldn't that be a good thing for you?"

Fu Qian chuckled again.

"If your clan truly has a clear conscience, shouldn't your worries be put to rest?"

"Fair point... Let's begin then."

Ji Liushuang took a deep breath. She felt like she was being played, but she had been fiercely independent since childhood, and accepting reality was the first lesson she'd ever learned.

The alternative to being played wasn't not being played—it was dying right here.

...

'This getup feels seemingly familiar!'

After agreeing on a time and place, Ji Liushuang left first. Fu Qian quickly packed up and changed his appearance completely.

As he found a thick cloth to drape over the Lantern, the resulting silhouette suddenly reminded him of when he used to stroll through the streets of Dunis carrying a birdcage.

How time flew!

Sighing at the memory, he picked up the Lantern in the exact same posture and set off, not forgetting to close the door behind him.

...

The setting sun slanted downwards. On the bustling street, a figure in a long green dress walked at a leisurely pace.

Looking closely, one could see her brow slightly furrowed, her profile bathed in golden sunlight, as if weighed down by some trouble.

This serene picture unconsciously prompted passersby to give her a wide berth, afraid of disturbing her peace.

Yet at a certain moment, the figure jolted violently. She froze mid-step and twisted her body with impossible speed.

The sudden movement left the pedestrians staring blankly. Before they could even register what was happening, her elegant form was sent flying, tumbling like a kite with a snapped string.

Dust exploded from the wall behind her, evidently struck by whatever she had just dodged.

But the next instant, a silver flash streaked through the air. The falling figure miraculously maintained a delicate balance, dropping into a crouch the moment she hit the ground. A Rapier had materialized in her hand, raised in a defensive guard.

Unfortunately, just like the sudden ambush itself, there was absolutely no sign of the attacker.

"Who's there?"

Almost simultaneously, a figure descended from the sky with a sharp shout.

He landed on the hood of an illegally parked car nearby, instantly crushing half of it inward and sending debris flying in all directions.

'Was it really necessary to be this dramatic? Was he worried there wouldn't be enough witnesses if he was too quiet?'

Feeling as though half her shoulder had been shattered, Ji Liushuang watched the display in speechless disbelief.

"Are you alright?"

By this time, the descending agent of justice—who had just kicked down half a wall without catching anyone—had already returned. He crouched beside her and asked with deep concern.

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