Eldritch Horror Theatre

Excellency Chaumont was indeed in a hurry.

With the matter here resolved, after catching up briefly with Casi, he didn’t even glance at the final report of the Ian Incident before taking his leave.

It was obvious that returning empty-handed left him somewhat despondent, yet it also gave him a slight sense of relief—he wouldn’t have to strike out against an acquaintance like Casi.

Naturally, for Fu Qian, elder Chaumont’s visit held quite a bit of significance.

Having safely weathered this test, his current identity as an Academy instructor essentially had an officially endorsed Good Citizen Certificate stamped on it. Future operations would be much more convenient.

Beyond that, today’s academic harvest was unexpectedly bountiful.

Not only had he successfully completed a scientific expedition, but that existence resembling a Deity Mass Grave mentioned by elder Chaumont had been equally eye-opening.

Some previously scattered pieces of information seemed faintly on the verge of linking together.

Naturally, elder Chaumont’s warning was very clear: that place was an absolute taboo for the Night Watchers.

The kind where simply touching it would get you hacked to death without any room for negotiation.So, what methods could be used to touch it again?

Watching elder Chaumont’s receding figure, Fu Qian already had a rough idea of what he could try.

...

”Dean Casi, Professor Fu, Professor Lanaya.”

Following Chaumont’s departure, Li Weixuan stepped forward, his expression significantly more relaxed.

”You’ve all worked hard this time. The matter has finally concluded.”

He made no effort to put on airs, failing entirely to conceal the sheer relief of having his worries swept away.

”Excellency Chaumont’s arrival this time was truly unexpected. I could vaguely sense he had other motives, but given the current situation, we had no choice but to cooperate.”

”Don’t look at me. I don’t know any more than you do—and that includes the news about Emperor Yasui’s death.”

Seeing Li Weixuan staring at him as he spoke, Yuan Fang, standing beside him, offered a bitter smile.

”But no matter what, it’s a happy ending for everyone, isn’t it? Excellency Chaumont said as much just now. You two can finally let go of any lingering worries, and as for Professor Fu...”

Yuan Fang turned his head to look at Fu Qian, his tone unexpectedly serious.

”To be honest, even though this is our first time meeting, I wasn’t fond of your past actions. However, this time... thank you for how you handled things.”

”Not just for killing Yi’an, but also for what you did at the ball. It’s obvious that more than one person avoided an irreversible situation because of your help.”

”If there’s anything you need help with in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

Judging by Brother Yuan Fang’s words, had he actually purified a few corrupted souls back then?

Realizing that Yuan Fang was referring to the Commandment Residue he had casually activated, Fu Qian marveled.

Was the Merit Value farmed on this alternate persona getting a little too high?

However, he could tell Brother Yuan Fang was entirely sincere... Fu Qian thought for a moment.

”Actually, I happen to have a question I’d like to ask.”

...

You really don’t know the first thing about being polite, do you!

Seeing Fu Qian’s plum blossoms blooming twice, not only did the onlookers marvel, but even Yuan Fang was somewhat stunned for a moment before letting out a hearty laugh.

”No need for formalities. As long as it doesn’t violate any principles, feel free to ask.”

”Rest assured, it won’t.”

Fu Qian waved his hand, signaling him not to be nervous.

”I just think your name is somewhat unique. Aside from you, is there anyone else in your family with this name?”

...What do you think?

As soon as these words came out, the breathless listeners began to doubt their own ears.

What kind of question was that? Within the same family, would anyone really reuse a name like that?

”Uh... actually, there really is.”

However, to their surprise, Yuan Fang—who was clearly just as shocked—hesitated for a moment before actually nodding.

Huh?

The scene instantly became even more abstract.

”My father acts in a way that is not conforming to a single pattern; he could even be called a misfit within the family.”

Under the gaze of the crowd, Yuan Fang explained with slight embarrassment.

”According to him, an ancestor of our family had this name long ago. Furthermore, he was breathtakingly brilliant at a young age, a widely acknowledged genius. After hearing of his deeds, my father was full of admiration. Overcoming all objections, he insisted on giving me the same name.”

There actually was!

Originally, he had just been casting a wide net to see what he could catch. Faced with this unexpected harvest, Fu Qian fell deep into thought.

”So that person is no longer around?”

”More accurately, he hasn’t been around for many years... It is said that when this ancestor was thirty, he felt the call of the Supreme Will. He went into secluded cultivation and successfully achieved Transcendence ten days later.”

”Achieved Transcendence?”

”Yes... He vanished without a trace. Aside from a few personal items, no other marks were left behind.”

Your dad really was not conforming to a single pattern... Wasn’t he afraid you might also achieve Transcendence?

Faced with Yuan Fang’s explanation, the listeners were left entirely in awe.

”Understood. Thanks for the answer.”

Fu Qian ended the conversation in satisfaction.

Truly worthy of being a legendary hall of knowledge; his visit to the Academy this time had been incredibly rewarding.

Although he wasn’t sure if that ancestor of the Yuan Clan who achieved Transcendence was truly connected to the Prophet in the Unseen Hill, having this single clue was enough. Asking too much would only arouse suspicion.

For more details, he could always rely on the database over at Chief Yuan’s place, after all.

...

The unexpected emergency gathering finally concluded in a harmonious atmosphere.

”Finally got that sorted.”

Lanaya, walking out alongside him, immediately stretched her back with immense relief.

Unfortunately, this sentiment failed to resonate. Beside her, Fu Qian had already taken several steps forward, showing no intention of chatting.

”Where are you rushing off to?”

With all her worries gone, Lanaya happily took a few quick steps to catch up, eager to satisfy her curiosity.

”To the Laboratory.”

The Laboratory?

Lanaya slightly frowned.

”Are you sure you aren’t going the wrong way?”

”Of course.”

Professor Fu glanced back with proud arrogance and stated the address of his new Laboratory.

”Casi really is generous!”

Lanaya clicked her tongue in amazement.

”You’ve even saved on a place to live. So, are you rushing back to rest?”

”An experiment... a dangerous experiment.”

Fu Qian shook his head, leaving behind a firm, sonorous answer as he drifted away.

”On the path of Truth, not a single trace of slack can be tolerated.”

...

It was neither locked, nor did it have any mystical restriction.

Not long after, Fu Qian pushed open the slightly heavy door in front of him and stepped into his Laboratory.

As far as the eye could see, the space was quite empty, though at least clean and tidy.

But Fu Qian didn’t even take a second look; he directly took off his mask.

[Warning—]

This time, the prompt only managed to spit out a single word before Fu Qian picked up Favor and returned once again.

Intellectuals should seek truth and innovate. His claim of running an experiment was naturally not nonsense, and as for the innovation part—

The next moment, light flashed on the Ring of Favor, and everything before his eyes grew hazy once more.

Since obtaining it, Fu Qian was using Favor’s second effect, Homecoming, for the very first time.

Won’t let me look, huh? Just wait till I call for backup.