Eldritch Horror Theatre

No one stopped them on their way back to their respective rooms, and Fu Qian and Ji Liushuang didn’t exchange another word.

For some, it was destined to be a sleepless night.

Fu Qian, of course, slept perfectly fine.

Although sleep for him was no longer a state of total unconsciousness, it remained just as relaxing.

As the morning sun rose and Fu Qian lay savoring that lingering comfort, the reaction he had been waiting for finally arrived.

A knock at the door revealed Ji Liushuang’s slightly exhausted face. She informed him that Ji Xun had requested his presence.

”Alright.”

Fu Qian had no objections whatsoever.

As her neighbor, he knew she hadn’t slept a wink all night. Even so, she had recovered quite well.

As a top-tier powerhouse, the Ji Clan’s medical reserves were bound to be abundant....

”We’ve discovered traces of the suspected attacker.”

Inside a quaint, elegant quiet room, Ji Xun looked at his two guests and solemnly shared the latest developments.

”The culprit is quite cunning. For now, we are merely keeping an eye on him. We didn’t want to strike the grass to startle the snake.”

As he spoke, he even cast a seemingly casual glance at Fu Qian.

Unfortunately for him, he couldn’t glean anything.

Fu Qian had put his mask back on before leaving his room, leaving only a smooth, bald head for anyone to ponder.

Precise calibration was essential; going too far is as bad as falling short.

Even when revealing his identity, a renowned expert like him had to maintain a certain posture.

”Where is he?”

Ji Liushuang’s expression sharpened as she asked.

”Not too far from where you were attacked. It’s quite obvious the man is brazen.”

Helplessly withdrawing his gaze from Fu Qian, Ji Xun nodded.

Now that was the power of imagination.

Seeing Old Man Ji answer so swiftly without batting an eye, Fu Qian couldn’t help but marvel.

With multiple parties collaborating, the existence of that audacious Thug who had launched a street attack had practically become unquestionable fact.

”Then what are we waiting for?”

Ji Liushuang stood up abruptly, her tone surging with murderous intent.

”You’re going as well?”

Ji Xun glanced at the hand holding her sword and frowned slightly.

”I won’t push myself unnecessarily. I’m practically fully recovered.”

Ji Liushuang didn’t hesitate in the slightest.

”I’m very much looking forward to this encounter.”

”Alright. And you, Professor Andiel?”

Ji Xun didn’t try to dissuade her further. Instead, he turned to consult Fu Qian.

Heh...

Hearing the unchanged title, Fu Qian let out a bizarre chuckle.

”Are you worried I might hit a bit too hard?”

”How could that be?”

Not expecting Fu Qian to agree so readily—let alone bring up the issue of hitting too hard—Ji Xun froze for a moment before quickly stating his stance.

”Professor Andiel, there is no need for you to hold back... Anyone who dares to pull a stunt like this against the Ji Clan can’t be saved, not even by the Night Watchers!”

He said that last part through slightly gritted teeth.

...

Once the operation was finalized, the Ji Family Task Force deployed a truly luxurious lineup.

Aside from the two Demigods, Ji Xun and Ji Tong, at least half of the people present in the room last night were mobilized.

Because of this overwhelming strength, as they systematically encircled the target location, Fu Qian, the guest, and Ji Liushuang, the injured party, were considerately assigned to their own group to hold the perimeter.

Ji Xun had specifically instructed Fu Qian to look after Ji Liushuang and ensure she didn’t act on impulse. Naturally, Fu Qian readily agreed.

”Looks like we’re the ones under the most suspicion here!”

Once the two of them were alone, Fu Qian pulled off his mask to reveal an aged face and sighed.

”It’s not surprising. Leaving aside how abrupt our appearance was, they probably just don’t want to see the Rebirth Club backing me.”

Ji Liushuang let out a soft sigh, trying her hardest to tear her gaze away from the paper cup in Fu Qian’s hand.

It was breakfast he had just bought from the roadside.

He took off his mask just to drink soy milk?

We’re hunting down a culprit here. Take this seriously!

”You want some?”

Misunderstanding her stare entirely, Fu Qian picked up another cup and offered it to her.

”Old Man Ji Xun told us to act as naturally as possible. We don’t want to scare anyone off.”

The problem is that you’re acting a little too natural!

Ji Liushuang desperately wanted to refuse, but his relaxed demeanor was inexplicably contagious. The hunger that had spared her all night suddenly struck with intense clarity.

”Sweet or savory?”

Still, she felt the need to ask before accepting.

”Original.”

”Thanks.”

Ji Liushuang finally reached out, took the cup, carefully removed the lid, and took a sip.

Although her position in the family was somewhat awkward, she was still a daughter of the Ji Clan. She clearly didn’t have much experience with this sort of common street food.

Yet, as the faint aroma washed over her, her tense mood was unexpectedly soothed.

”They chose this location to make things look natural, but they probably still want to avoid alerting the Night Watchers.”

”So when the target bursts out, there’s a high chance he’ll clash with us briefly before fleeing.”

Taking sips of her breakfast, Ji Liushuang focused her attention on the building not too far away, analyzing the house with the red pointed roof.

Like Fu Qian, she had absolutely no doubt that the ”suspect” would choose their direction as an escape route.

Of course the real and fake Rebirth Club members had to cross paths—why else go through all the trouble of setting this up?

”Of course, the target will inevitably leave some clues behind. I’ll have to trouble you to give chase and force the pace of this whole affair.”

”As for me, I’ll go all out when he makes his escape, but then claim I’ve aggravated my injuries and stay behind.”

Ji Liushuang quietly thought through the details and outlined her plan.

”I’m not a fan of dragging things out either, but you shouldn’t make a move later.”

Fu Qian drained the last of his soy milk and slipped his mask back on.

”You’re the grand Saintess of the Rebirth Club. Why would you stoop to doing such menial labor yourself?”

”Besides, I have a much better way to force the pace—I’ll just execute the imposter right here and now.”

”...If you actually do that, you’ll cause a huge commotion! You’ll probably draw the Night Watchers right to us!”

Ji Liushuang was thoroughly shocked. She hadn’t expected him to be so unhinged as to plan a massive brawl right out in the open.

”The situation will be impossible to clean up!”

”Cleaning up the situation is the organizers’ problem.”

Fu Qian let out a low chuckle, seemingly more than happy to see her worst-case scenario play out.

”When the Rebirth Club acts, why would we let ourselves be manipulated by others?”

He’s acting as if it’s all real...

Startled by his domineering declaration, Ji Liushuang found herself momentarily speechless.

After a moment’s thought, realizing she was powerless to change his mind, she gave up on trying to persuade him. Instead, she squinted straight ahead, seriously contemplating how she should carry herself to properly reflect the status of a Saintess.

Barely a few seconds later, however, her body jolted.

In her line of sight, a figure casually strolled out of the target building, looking completely at ease.