Eldritch Horror Theatre

He actually had the nerve to say that!

As soon as Fu Qian spoke, even Naya stared at him in utter disbelief.

Had he maxed out his talent for mockery?!

After beating up an instructor and killing a student, he was turning around to poach their star pupil?

Was he determined to offend the Sword Comprehension Institute to the bitter end?

As one of the most outstanding students of her cohort, Ji Liushuang’s reputation extended far beyond the Sword Comprehension Institute. Quite a few people knew of her.

Although she had yet to comprehend sword intent, almost everyone believed it was only a matter of time.

And he was actually trying to poach someone like that right to their faces!

...

”We have no authority to dictate a student’s personal development plan. You’ll have to coordinate that with the Sword Comprehension Institute yourself.”The woman chairing the meeting was speechless for a long moment.

”Is that so?”

Fu Qian glanced at Jian Jingzheng. The man’s face was livid and his eyes were bloodshot, showing faint signs of going berserk.

”Did you just say that Ji Liushuang staying at the Sword Comprehension Institute is a waste of her talent?”

Jian Jingzheng demanded, staring dead at Fu Qian.

”I did.”

Fu Qian clicked his tongue, completely unbothered.

”To tell you the truth, my original intention for coming to the Academy was twofold. First, I admired this Sanctum that studies transcendent powers. Second, I wanted to find a talented young person to inherit my legacy.”

”I’ve been searching for a while and finally discovered this uncut gem, Ji Liushuang. It’s just a pity she chose the wrong path. It truly is casting a pearl into darkness.”

”Casting... a pearl... into... darkness!”

Jian Jingzheng repeated word by word, a cold sneer plastered across his face.

”It seems our Sword Comprehension Institute’s meager abilities are completely beneath Professor Fu’s notice!”

”How could that be?”

Fu Qian waved a hand, his expression turning solemn.

”I have always had the utmost respect for the Sword Comprehension Institute. But as the saying goes, there’s a thin line between good and excellent!”

”A thin line...”

Jian Jingzheng laughed out of sheer fury.

”Then how is it I heard that Professor Fu tried to sneak into the Sword Pavilion not long ago? Even wearing the uniform of our Sword Comprehension Institute.”

”It seems Professor Fu is much more interested in our meager abilities than he lets on!”

In truth, as someone fully aware of the sequence of events, Jian Jingzheng guessed that Fu Qian had likely been looking for Ji Liushuang.

But it didn’t matter; such things couldn’t be clearly explained anyway.

There was no need to speak of jianghu honor with a demonic outcast like him.

”Actually, there’s no need to go to such lengths. Our Sword Comprehension Institute has never been so petty.”

Jian Jingzheng chuckled coldly at Fu Qian.

”I’ll inform the others when I get back. While the Sword Pavilion is open, you will be allowed to come and go freely. I hope Professor Fu gains something from it and doesn’t remain a frog at the bottom of a well.”

”It’s a deal, then!”

Fu Qian nodded expressionlessly, though he was already overjoyed on the inside.

This Jian Jingzheng was being far too cooperative!

He had casually spouted nonsense about a transfer just to make contact with Ji Liushuang without raising suspicion, allowing him to observe the changes in her sword intent.

The current situation remained tricky. Even if he confirmed the problem lay in the sword intent, he couldn’t exactly kill everyone who had comprehended it.

For now, the most reasonable strategy was to observe carefully, analyze thoroughly, and find the anomaly within.

Ji Liushuang was clearly a special case, which was why he had made her his target.

He hadn’t expected Jian Jingzheng to grant him free access to the Sword Pavilion just to land a mocking remark.

Now his observation material had multiplied several times over!

”As for the transfer Professor Fu mentioned, we might not be able to teach a prodigy, but we won’t intentionally bury one either. However, it depends on Ji Liushuang’s own wishes. As long as she is willing, we can easily come to an arrangement.”

”Sounds good. I’ll ask for her opinion later.”

...

”Could you tone it down a bit? Do you feel physically uncomfortable if you’re not stirring up trouble?”

After the meeting ended, Naya had deliberately stayed behind, staring at Fu Qian with a long sigh.

”It’s just a debate over teaching philosophies with no personal feelings involved. The Academy can’t possibly punish me for this, right?”

Fu Qian, however, thought nothing of it.

”Besides, given Instructor Jian’s personality, do you really think apologizing to him would result in melting away past animosity?”

”Jian Jingzheng is indeed a bit petty.”

Naya sighed.

”You’re right, the Academy won’t punish you over this. But Jian Jingzheng still has some prestige in the Sword Comprehension Institute, so you’ll probably run into a lot more trouble.”

”Forget it. It looks like you don’t care anyway!”

Naya hadn’t been very familiar with Fu Qian before. But after working on this case together—especially after witnessing him mock Jia Yi—she now had a clear understanding of just how reckless he could be.

This guy didn’t care about his own reputation at all, so why would he care about Jian Jingzheng’s enmity or prestige?

...

The next day, Fu Qian openly entered the Sword Pavilion right in front of the guards.

However, considering his status as a teacher, Fu Qian considerately reined in his aura, trying his best not to disturb anyone else.

Given Ji Liushuang’s personality, the chances of her not being in the Sword Pavilion right now were practically zero, so there was no need to search everywhere for her.

Glancing around casually as he headed upstairs, it wasn’t long before Fu Qian spotted an acquaintance—Yuan Xin, whom he had fought yesterday.

He was standing perfectly straight in silent contemplation, likely consolidating his gains from yesterday.

Miraculously, in just one night, the cold aura around him had become notably more condensed.

Although his emotions fluctuated slightly due to Fu Qian’s arrival, he still maintained a soaring momentum like a rainbow.

On the other side, Ji Liushuang was standing expressionlessly in front of an oddly shaped Longsword, her unfocused gaze forming a sharp contrast with Yuan Xin.

She was clearly not in the right state of mind. It would be a miracle if she could comprehend anything like this.

However, at the same time, that hollow feeling from yesterday had become even more pronounced.

It really had gotten worse!

...

When Ji Liushuang noticed Fu Qian, her expression was a bit complicated, and she subconsciously turned her head away.

Fu Qian didn’t mind this at all and simply continued his observation.

”Are you looking for me? How did they let you in?”

Unable to withstand his scrutiny for long, she gave up on her comprehension and asked in a low voice.

”You could say that.”

”Let’s talk outside.”

Ji Liushuang frowned slightly, turning around to head downstairs.

”How are you feeling? You don’t look like you’re in a good state.”

Once the two stepped outside, Fu Qian spoke first.

”I’m fine.”

Ji Liushuang sighed.

”I just can’t get into the zone.”

”The way you looked at me just now was a little strange... Have you already heard about Ruan Shuo?”

”Yeah. Ruan Shuo joined a bit earlier than I did, and we were fairly well acquainted. I never expected him to do something like that,”

Ji Liushuang said softly.

”What did you want to see me about?”

”It’s been quite dangerous lately. It isn’t good for you to be so distracted. As a swordsman, you need to stay alert at all times to face unknown dangers.”

Fu Qian spoke at his own pace, completely ignoring her question.

”What danger is left? Isn’t Ruan Shuo already dead?”

Ji Liushuang was a bit confused.

”This danger.”

Fu Qian blinked, suddenly revealing an icy smile.

In the next moment, he pressed his right index finger against Ji Liushuang’s forehead, an icy, piercing killing intent erupting from his body.