Eldritch Horror Theatre

Fu Qian was telling the truth.

Just like this guy, Yuan Shan hadn’t deliberately concealed her presence, so Fu Qian had known she was standing outside the moment she arrived.

Her doing so was simply a hint to him: she had brought this man, he meant no serious harm, and they shouldn’t clash too violently.

Unfortunately, the killing intent this guy had just displayed was absolutely real.

That brief exchange had cost him two full points of SAN Value, spent on firing an Air Bullet and throwing a punch of his own.

Entrusting one’s life to the goodwill of others was a terrible habit.

Faced with this kind of situation, Fu Qian wouldn’t mind using every means at his disposal to send this guy on his way.

In fact, if he went all out, Fu Qian believed his chances were quite high.

”Hahaha!”

The seated middle-aged man couldn’t hold back a sudden burst of laughter.’He’s definitely used to acting arrogant. Doesn’t he know laughing like that is a public nuisance?’

”You do have some skill. It’s a pity your arrogance is even greater.”

His laughter fading, the middle-aged man stared coldly at Fu Qian.

”Only because I have nearly reached the threshold of Tier 2 and can rely on special methods do I dare fight in a Mythical Creature form.

”And yet you can consecutively use similar attacks, seemingly without any side effects. Now that is quite interesting!”

’Who said there were no side effects? After throwing that punch just now, my blood nearly flowed backward.’

Fu Qian mused inwardly.

’It seems this guy can’t maintain his Mythical Form indefinitely either. Still, compared to me only being able to sustain it for a single strike, he is undoubtedly much more stable.’

’That clash just now placed a massive burden on the body.’

”But if you think you can kill me with just that, you’re dreaming. The vitality of a Mythical Creature far exceeds your imagination.”

The middle-aged man snorted, his expression arrogant.

”Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

Fu Qian offered no comment on the man’s boasting, turning to look at Yuan Shan instead.

”This is Excellency Logan, a member of the Night Watchers Affairs Committee.”

Yuan Shan subconsciously stepped between them, terrified they might clash again.

’So he really is high-ranking brass in the Night Watchers?’

Unsurprised, Fu Qian offered a casual greeting.

”A pleasure! So, does Excellency Logan have business with me?”

”After listening to Yuan Shan’s report, there’s one point I’m quite curious about.”

Logan didn’t particularly care about Fu Qian’s perfunctory politeness.

”You know Lu Ming?”

”I do.”

”Where did you meet him?”

”The Archipelago, of course. Where else?”

Fu Qian said nonchalantly.

”If I recall correctly, he’s already dead. How did you two meet?”

”Oh, he invited me to join the Rebirth Club.”

...

Hearing Fu Qian’s answer, Logan and Yuan Shan both stared blankly for a moment.

”Did you agree?”

Yuan Shan asked subconsciously.

”Use your brain for a second. Do I look like I agreed?”

”Knowing to refuse means you aren’t completely stupid.”

Logan snapped back to his senses.

”Limb grafting has no future to speak of. It’s nothing more than the idle ravings of the untalented.”

”You talented ones don’t seem to be doing so hot either!”

This time it was Fu Qian’s turn to snort.

”Right now in Shangjing, there happens to be a Divine Emissary of unknown origin who seems to be just a tiny bit stronger than you.”

...

The room plunged back into silence. Yuan Shan clutched her forehead, looking like she was on the verge of a breakdown.

Logan stared coldly at Fu Qian. After a long while, he revealed a smile.

”In fact, this is my other purpose for coming here today.

”Tonight, we strike directly.”

”Huh?”

Yuan Shan cried out in alarm.

”The others haven’t arrived yet. Shouldn’t we wait a little longer?”

”There is no need. Every extra second a dangerous element like that remains in Shangjing poses a massive threat. Besides, whatever you two have done may not fool him for much longer.”

Logan’s attitude was completely unyielding.

”But over the past two days, we’ve basically confirmed that the target truly is a Divine Emissary. With just the three of us, we might not be able to fully control the situation.”

”Tier doesn’t mean everything.”

Logan glanced at Fu Qian.

”There are many factors that determine victory or defeat.”

’Is this guy really that petty?’

”Furthermore, it won’t be the three of us. I alone am enough.”

To their surprise, Logan immediately followed up with that statement.

While Yuan Shan looked on in astonishment, Logan flicked his arm, and an object appeared in his left hand.

It was a cyan-black mask, seemingly made of metal, that looked exceptionally hideous. More than ten radial tendrils extended outward from its edges.

Its most unique feature was that the mask only had a single eyehole on the left side, and it was oriented vertically—just like a teardrop.

”The Siren Tear Mask?”

Yuan Shan couldn’t help but cry out, seemingly realizing his plan in an instant.

’Is it some magical artifact? High-end inventory from the Night Watchers?’

For a moment, Fu Qian’s curiosity was entirely piqued.

The instant Logan had taken out the mask, he seemed to hear a faint, ethereal song.

”Based on our current intelligence, the target should be a transcendent skilled in deception, Mental Shock, and similar abilities. This is perfectly suited to counter that.”

Logan toyed with the mask in his hands.

”Indeed.”

Yuan Shan rubbed her face in thought.

”I really didn’t realize it earlier, but thinking about it now, having this mask will make dealing with him much easier.”

She looked up at Fu Qian, seemingly worried that he didn’t understand.

”The Siren Tear Mask is a highly unique magical artifact. It’s said that it was first found on a mermaid wearing a metal mask, and that mermaid had already fallen into a state of madness at the time.

”Having been steeped in flesh and blood for who knows how many years, the mask had fused with its face. After the mermaid was killed, the mask and its remaining bodily tissues formed this tear mask.”

’No wonder the mask and the tendrils seem to be made of different materials.’

Fu Qian glanced at the tear mask.

”Its effect is very simple. After anyone puts it on, their mind will be flooded by the siren’s maddening song. Their sanity will gradually blur, and they can only maintain their ability to think by relying on powerful willpower.

”And if worn beyond a certain period, it can never be removed again. Even a demigod can last for ten hours at most.”

”So this is a plan of fighting poison with poison?”

After hearing Yuan Shan’s introduction, Fu Qian seemed to understand Logan’s plan.

”Exactly.”

Logan chimed in from the side.

”The siren’s song does indeed affect one’s sanity, but it also forms a barrier against other mental influences, effectively achieving an immunity to Mental Shock.

”Under these circumstances, dealing with that Divine Emissary will be much simpler.”

’Is that so?’

Fu Qian’s brow remained slightly furrowed; his intuition told him that the entity probably wasn’t so simple.

”Relax.”

Seemingly realizing that Fu Qian didn’t trust him, Logan shot him a glance.

”There is no need for you to lift a finger. When the time comes, you and Yuan Shan will be in charge of handling the surrounding nuisances.

”If the target tries to flee, just find a way to stall him. It won’t even matter if you just stand there and do nothing.”

”But I can’t just not go, right?”

Fu Qian sighed.

’This guy clearly doesn’t trust me and wants to keep me under his watch at all times!’