Eldritch Horror Theatre

Ji Liushuang's slightly dazed expression didn't strike the group as odd.

Whether she had brought it on herself or not, she had been attacked, injured, and denied rest. After being put through so much, a lack of energy was only to be expected.

In fact, her current state actually made everyone more comfortable. Her earlier sharp-edged display had been a bit too glaring.

"Shall I push you outside for a walk?"

Fu Qian waved a hand and called out to her.

"Um... alright."

Ji Liushuang instantly snapped back to reality.

He really was showing her an abundance of care...

Seeing Ji Liushuang accept without hesitation, and watching Professor Andiel actually push the Wheelchair toward the exit with one hand...

...

"So, why is this place called Silver Mist Manor?"

It was obvious that Ji Liushuang was quite familiar with the estate. Under her direction, the two soon made their way outside the building.

Regardless of its people, the scenery was undeniably beautiful. Fu Qian took in the sights as he casually asked the question.

"I only heard this from my mother... Back when the manor was first built, a mercury-colored mist often blanketed the foot of the eastern mountain. Anyone who carelessly wandered into it would be plagued by all sorts of hallucinations."

Ji Liushuang pointed in a specific direction.

"Is it that magical? That makes me want to see it for myself."

Fu Qian followed her gaze.

"It's long been nothing more than a legend... Besides, that area is quite far from here. In my current state, I wouldn't be able to accompany you... Let's go this way."

Ji Liushuang offered a silent smile and motioned for Fu Qian to take a nearby fork in the path.

This route was obviously a bit of a detour...

Fu Qian scanned their surroundings, already forming an answer in his mind.

"Afraid your mother will see?"

"Mhm... If we keep going straight, we'll enter her room's line of sight."

Ji Liushuang nodded, rubbing her shoulder.

"You were a little heavy-handed."

"That's mostly because I had faith in your strength. I trusted you wouldn't take both hits head-on. Besides, are you that certain no one can hear us right now?"

The sudden shift in Ji Liushuang's tone indicated she considered their current location safe, confident their conversation wouldn't be overheard.

"That's exactly why I specifically had them fetch this Wheelchair for me."

Lowering her head, Ji Liushuang ran her hand along the Wheelchair's armrest.

"I was sickly when I was young and spent quite a bit of time sitting in this. I know every inch of it intimately."

"I'm absolutely certain there's nothing planted on it. As for other methods..."

She let out a sigh.

"If we can be overheard from this distance, then our conversation in your room would have been monitored too, which means we wouldn't have anything left to hide anyway."

"Very clear-headed!"

Fu Qian didn't skimp on his praise, then asked out of curiosity.

"Speaking of which, that place back there was full of your people. Why didn't you just rally them and expose my identity on the spot? I'd have a hard time surviving a siege, wouldn't I?"

"Don't tell me you have that much confidence in me, thinking that all of them combined still couldn't take me down?"

"Of course not."

Ji Liushuang chuckled softly.

"I naturally have confidence in their ability to deal with you—after all, even Ji Tong was there. I just didn't have confidence that they would ensure I survived your counterattack."

'Is her popularity really that abysmal? Does she think they might actually leave her to die?'

Fu Qian was briefly taken aback, recalling his previous doubt.

"Is there a specific reason for the status you and your mother hold in the family?"

"There is."

Ji Liushuang's smile didn't waver.

"Remember how I told you the Ji Clan's ancestral teachings are extremely strict?"

"I remember."

"When it comes to inheritance rights—meaning the position of the family head and the like—the Ji Clan actually has very simple, crystal-clear rules. For instance, the position is always passed down to the eldest child, regardless of gender."

...

"And regardless of Transcendent Tier talent. Like my grandfather, for example..."

"And my mother is his only daughter..."

"...I understand."

Fu Qian let out a long, internal sigh. What a lack of respect on his part—he was actually in the presence of the next family head, Her Excellency.

Though he didn't know why the Ji Clan ancestors had established a rule that was politically correct to the extreme, there was no doubt that the woman in front of him was the prime heir.

"Because of my mother's previous decision to leave home, the current family head is theoretically only managing things as a proxy. And given that I've already come of age, they might be more than happy to see certain things happen to me."

"Understood."

Fu Qian nodded, recalling the assassin he had encountered in a certain Furnace.

'No wonder a second-rate amateur like that had the nerve to take on such a job.'

'If everyone involved shared an unspoken understanding, an overly competent assassin would only ruin the delicate balance.'

"Alright, idle chatter over. In short, things are still progressing as expected. What's your next move?"

Just as Fu Qian was marveling at the warmth of a large family, Ji Liushuang quickly adjusted her expression and spoke with a serious face.

Regardless of his true motives, the advice he had offered was clearly effective. Because of her "attack," an investigation would be forced to commence.

Naturally, his goal of using the opportunity to infiltrate the Ji Clan had also been achieved, so she was incredibly curious about his next move.

"My next move... Did you say earlier that the Old Man who wanted to see my mask is named Ji Tong?"

Fu Qian rubbed the chin of his mask, putting on a look of deep contemplation.

"Yes."

"Judging by your reaction, he doesn't visit here often?"

"Mhm."

"Could he have come precisely because of the attack on your mother? It really does feel like they're hiding something from you."

'Is he seriously analyzing the situation for me? Isn't he getting a bit too invested in this?'

Seeing Fu Qian earnestly plotting on her behalf, Ji Liushuang found it rather bizarre.

"I thought the exact same thing, which is why I have to get to the bottom of this."

But now was not the time to air her feelings. A moment later, she nodded solemnly, voicing an outlook that remained pessimistic.

"However, conducting a nominal investigation is one thing; I suspect they'll be extremely perfunctory about it. For me, the biggest advantage is probably just that my actions will face less resistance."

"At least you aren't blindly optimistic. But I think there's one more gain: you've successfully demonstrated that you won't accept being brushed off. You've even gained an entire organization to back you up."

Fu Qian pointed to himself.

"So, do you think their strategy for dealing with you might change?"

'Their strategy for dealing with me...'

"When pure intimidation fails, a lot of people will start trying to reason. Seeing as they clearly don't want to blow this out of proportion, there's a good chance they'll seek you out for a proper chat."

Fu Qian's tone was brimming with confidence.

"So you might as well have a little patience and wait for things to bloom."

'He really does want to stay in the manor, doesn't he? Just what is this guy's true objective?'

While she couldn't deny the logic in Fu Qian's words, Ji Liushuang had clearly picked up on another implication and sighed inwardly.

'He's truly a handful!'

No matter how she looked at the current situation, it felt like she had boarded a pirate ship. But regardless, giving up was simply not an option.

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