Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1235: Chapter 1233: Laws and Decrees

There’s something else happening?

Fair to say, though not a Mortal, Amila’s presence isn’t that exaggerated.

Converted to the standards of the Bookstore Universe, she’d barely qualify for the Middle Tier.

Yet this soothing of the spirit has directly led a Second Phase individual to a Complete Transformation.

This really isn’t very scientific.

The influence that suddenly surged into existence was obviously more than just mental.

Even the face I crafted purely with my fleshly abilities couldn’t resist the effect and quickly reverted to my true self.

Such unreasonably effective methods, akin to insisting a dream must not last over a minute, are indeed similarly rogue.

If it weren’t for my masterful facial sculpting skills, which achieve a dynamic balance through instant adjustments, my perfect operation would’ve been undone by this final act of kindness.

“Do you feel better now?”

Amila’s gentle voice came through, clearly unaware of anything amiss.

“Much better… as if all pretense has been stripped away.”

Full of realization and self-awareness, Fu Qian removed his hand from his face, displaying his purified visage.

“Can we do it again?”

Without waiting for her response, he even requested to experience it once more.

“I’m glad you feel that way… but you’ll have to wait a little while.”

However, this somewhat rude request was met without a hint of displeasure after Amila exchanged looks with a third-party audience.

She truly wasn’t feigning her feelings, genuinely committed to combating Nightmares.

Fu Qian silently praised her in that moment.

Although the request seemed excessive, the fact that she not only agreed but expressed happiness is, in fact, understandable.

Just moments ago, he had questioned the reality of this world, yet after being soothed, he immediately asked for another shot, a clear sign of effective treatment, already tending towards a certain judgment.

If a healer truly has a compassionate heart, shouldn’t it be normal to be happy about their patient’s recovery?

In fact, this is one of the things Fu Qian wanted to confirm with his request.

As for the second point… at this moment, Amila’s hands were once again shining brightly, resplendently illuminated.

And Fu Qian, now experienced, no longer needed to use his hands to maintain his current guise perfectly.

Meanwhile, his focus was on the complex pattern that had appeared once more.

And the intricate designs that constituted it.

It doesn’t seem to be an illusion after all!

The next moment, Fu Qian sighed inwardly.

It felt familiar just now—ritual patterns.

Back in Xi Yuan City, the thing that had appeared on Brother Evil Omen.

Although there was a clear difference in style, there was an underlying similarity.

Including the effects as well.

Brother Evil Omen’s final ‘offenders will lose their heads’ approach was equally unreasonable.

Honestly, whether it’s a coincidence or not, this is hardly good news.

Given how naturally Amila used this power, it’s very likely that the earlier speculations were correct.

Meaning, the Sect she mentioned truly centers around this unique form of power.

Whether they’re easy to deal with is one thing, but this is becoming more and more removed from the way the World Within the Painting bears the price to enter the Sequence.

“…Thank you.”

The next moment, Fu Qian stood up.

“Can I go back now?”

“Of course, you can… The only thing to note is that Amila will follow up on your condition, so don’t wander off.”

The anonymous listener, quite readily, affirmed and, following the sound of the door opening, left straightaway.

“Come with me, I will guide you out.”

Amila was quick to come over and open the door, her facial armor already removed.

As she escorted Fu Qian outside, she even offered comforting words.

“Don’t worry about the police. When you have time, take a walk around. It will be better for your recovery.”

So thoughtful, I will make sure to do so.

Fu Qian nodded in agreement, while his peripheral vision was fixed on the sky above.

Truly magical. Just a wall apart, the moment one steps outside, the starlight is completely obscured.

…

The living accommodations aren’t bad at all!

Descending from the carriage, Fu Qian observed the two-story building in front of him.

It was one of the row houses, mostly built of brick and stone, with a roof of colorful glazed tiles. The copper railings on the balcony were corroded to a greenish hue, but in combination with the delicate design and carvings, it appeared even more elegant.

Officer Raphaide is truly professional; the rent for this place must be steep—there’s a slim chance that Fu Qian would not stay here.

Of course, coming here immediately isn’t just to avoid wasting rent.

For one thing, the carriage was arranged by Amila, saving Fu Qian the expense, and the destination was quite clear: his own dwelling.

Given her cooperative position with the police and The Sect, she was unlikely to be interested in ordinary cases. Knowing this must be due to the attention brought by the identity of a Nightmare victim.

Furthermore, an essential piece of information previously gleaned was that the victims, the Reysen couple, resided “not far from one’s own accommodations.”

Rather than conducting a forceful search, it would be much easier to ask a local familiar with the area.

So while the address information obtained from Raphaide became unnecessary, Fu Qian prepared to continue playing the role of someone with a mental illness showing signs of improvement.

…

Without hesitation, Fu Qian knocked on the door directly.

“Brother Anke?”

After not too long a wait, an elderly lady with silver hair and a stern face quickly peered out and was visibly shocked upon recognizing Fu Qian.

“Sorry Mrs. Harper, it seems I’ve lost quite a lot of things.”

Recalling the information provided by Raphaide, Fu Qian sighed deeply while subtly stepping aside, allowing the lady to see the carriage that hadn’t yet departed.

The transport arranged by Amila evidently belonged to what she called “The Sect,” recognizable by its distinctive decoration and design.

There was no better way to ease the wariness of an elderly landlord than the sudden return of a person missing for five days.

The facts proved to be quite effective.

While Mrs. Harper’s gaze followed the quickly departing carriage, her expression softened slightly, and she opened the door.

“It’s okay… What exactly happened? Did The Sect find you?”

“I don’t know, it’s like I’ve had a Nightmare.”

Fu Qian shook his head somberly.

…

Although the word Nightmare seemed to hit her hard, the elderly woman did not trouble a seemingly disoriented and pitiable person, indicating that Fu Qian should go rest first.

Yielding smoothly, Fu Qian finally arrived at the well-paid living quarters of the missing Anke and sat down in an armchair that looked like an antique.

The equally old room was very clean, which might be due to the landlady’s requirements for her tenants.

There weren’t many possessions, but comfortingly, several unworn, high-quality sets of clothes were within view, likely newly purchased by the ambitious Brother Anke.

The salary from the art gallery seems ridiculously good.

Fu Qian sat quietly for a few minutes, allowing a rational adjustment period for someone with mental disarray, then got up, changed into a fresh set of clothes, and “a bit more spirited,” went downstairs.

“Feeling better? Have some tea.”

Mrs. Harper sat there, unsurprised, gesturing for Fu Qian to come over for a chat.