Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 2076: Chapter 2071: Dancer (17)

”Yes, but we wouldn’t go so far as to blow up our own place.”

While Fu Qian indicated that the situation was developing ideally on this side, he could tell that his friend with the handlebar mustache next door was under considerable pressure, so he quickly explained.

The next question from the Night Watchman was obviously laden with meaning, after all, in this line of work, it’s hard to believe in coincidences without reason.

The suspicious person happened to be the research subject of the club, such a mutual pursuit seemed overly dramatic.

”That’s true...”

However, the logic of the explanation from the mustached friend was strong, and the stern lady was quickly convinced.

The whole affair was indeed strange, but it was difficult to discern the motive behind the private club’s covert actions.

On one hand, they suffered losses themselves, and then escalated the matter to attract the Night Watchman’s attention.

”I’m aware of the situation here. Remember to confirm the whereabouts of that tourist, and I’ll engage with him if necessary.”

After exchanging a few more words, the stern lady had a good grasp of the situation and simply gave a directive before leaving decisively.

”Understood. His itinerary here lasts a few more days. For now, we’ve arranged for him to continue as planned, then visit the club during his free time... I’ve also assigned someone to monitor his activities,”

The mustached friend naturally agreed without reservation, sounding cautious and prudent, and sighed deeply once the person indeed left.

Even after sitting silently in place for a long time without moving, he let out a second sigh before finally getting up to open the door.

This...

The next moment, his hand on the door handle froze in place, staring at the figure below the window with their back to him, and the bright, glossy head above.

...

”Sir... Wang?”

In the deathly silence, facing the trespasser in front of him, one of the private club’s key members took several deep breaths before speaking with difficulty.

And while confirming the person’s identity, he instinctively glanced out the window.

The visitor’s demeanor was a bit unrestrained, but fortunately, the Night Watchman should have left by now.

”Please call me Leiden... I’m sorry I had to inform the Night Watchman of all the information.”

Before Fu Qian could even respond, he introduced himself and apologized for his earlier actions.

”It’s alright, Leiden, you made the right choice. My appearance here is proof of that, isn’t it?”

Finally turning around, Fu Qian accepted the suggestion amiably and indicated there was no need for self-reproach.

”The reason you didn’t rush to leave just now was also because you thought I might understand this point, wasn’t it?”

Still looking remarkably ordinary, Fu Qian smiled and mentioned Leiden’s peculiar behavior after their earlier conversation ended.

”Yes, thank you for understanding. However, by my own standards, it was very rude... I had to consider all possibilities to avoid violating the Night Watchman’s taboos or being discovered for such a violation in the future,”

Gazing intently at Fu Qian’s face, which seemed to match the mysterious figure mentioned during their earlier conversation, Mr. Leiden’s reaction was evidently unique as he appeared before him in an instant.

Surprised but unafraid, on the contrary, there was an uncontrollable joy.

Though the other party signaled not to mind, he still specifically explained his previous actions.

...

Humans are indeed complex creatures.

Without interrupting Leiden, Fu Qian reflected internally at that moment.

At first glance, his words seemed self-serving, disclosing hidden secrets only to have them uncovered immediately, lamenting his own plight, but Fu Qian did not question this interpretation.

The preceding words weren’t meant to comfort; in his opinion, the other party indeed made the right choice.

Ultimately, was he a Night Watchman informant or an enthusiast of Ancient King research? A spy within a spy?

Mr. Leiden’s series of actions could almost be considered transcendent espionage.

But why couldn’t it be both?

After the exchange with the Night Watchman lady, he didn’t leave immediately but instead sat in place waiting. Could it be he was expecting something?

Leiden’s ranking isn’t high, based on the ”eye index,” approaching Middle Tier is barely plausible, and he’s also quite advanced in age.

Yet, as previously commented about Mr. Sanhao Sr., no matter how slim the hope, getting a glimpse of the transcendent path isn’t that easy.

So many seemingly complicated situations become clearer when this primal driving force is considered, providing an additional perspective to clarify the thinking.

For instance, Leiden joined the club with genuine intentions, and running out to report was also the result of a rational decision.

Under the tremendous influence of the Night Watchman, all pursuits related to the supernatural level, especially those involving gray areas, inevitably succumb to its powerful gravitational pull and become distorted.

For the private club to exist long-term, enduring some necessary sacrifices is not surprising.

Ultimately, in this particular matter, it was the information about the ”Ancient King” brought by Mr. Sanhao Sr. that greatly delighted the club members.

But to avoid offending the Night Watchman’s taboos, all related information had to be honestly disclosed, without selective concealment, to prevent being discovered during subsequent investigations.

Or, in a very small chance, it could have been an entrapment operation by the Night Watchman.

Mr. Leiden’s grasp of discretion could be said to embody the word ”prudence” to its fullest extent.

The only moment of slight self-indulgence might have been the bit of extra waiting after everyone else had left.

What seemed like meaningless lamentation could very well have been an anticipation of a pair of eyes perpetually observing everything, and hoping their owner would reveal themselves for a conversation.

Of course, this is merely one possibility, representing a relatively high-style persona for Mr. Leiden.

It doesn’t exclude that he might be a hardcore informant for the Night Watchman, and his current actions are still part of an entrapment operation.

As for why he wouldn’t be certain of this yet still emerge—why need confirmation?

Some might think after such maneuvers leading to favorable developments, it would be best to rejoin the ranks and continue as the mastermind, casually manipulating the various forces in Lan Fyla for one’s benefit, pursuing maximum reward-to-risk ratio—but that still doesn’t equate to being efficient.

For the Abandonment King conducting matters, outsiders have always only had a distinction in their methods of cooperation.

Regardless of whether the local Night Watchman is capable of designing such traps, or if there’s a heavyweight sitting in.

...

”Was it really you, sir, advising Sanhao to try again before?”

It’s evident by now that the face Fu Qian is sporting this time is too generic, and ultimately Mr. Leiden gave up on trying to match it with images in his memory.

”Yes.”

Fu Qian nodded.

”And regarding the claims about ’Wang’—”

Getting personal confirmation, Leiden’s spirits lifted immediately, and after a brief hesitation, he indeed turned directly to the more intriguing topic.

”Why don’t you first tell me about the Ancient King?”

Unfortunately, the legendary mysterious figure, as fate would have it, preferred to ask questions.

With casual detachment, Fu Qian interrupted smoothly.

Despite Mr. Leiden’s appropriate attitude, appearing was primarily due to their club’s research contents.

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