Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 2078: Chapter 2073: Dancer (19)

Hmm... Uh...

It’s apparent that Mr. Leiden’s emotions are somewhat complex.

The previous question had a touch of grandeur, as if to die in the evening upon hearing the Way in the morning.

However, the difficulty of such grand aspirations lies always after the wish is fulfilled.

Though it doesn’t really mean needing to die, knowing the answer and being told that knowing the answer is useless makes it difficult to maintain the same mindset.

Mr. Leiden’s expression at that moment had a sense of separation, clearly thrilled but stiff as if painted on.

”Always look on the bright side, this way you can fully enjoy the fun of folklore research, work can be done more candidly, without constantly worrying about the Night Watchman discovering achievements and thus having to be meticulous everywhere.”

Deeply empathetic to this feeling, Fu Qian casually added a dose of spiritual arsenic.

...As long as I’m a failure, I don’t have to worry about jealousy from heaven, right?

This less subtle poke had Mr. Leiden nearly rolling his eyes.

Though not exactly friendly, Expert Fu’s suggestions have always been substantial.

Thinking carefully, one can realize it truly is like that.

The club maintains a delicate relationship with the Night Watchman, largely because everyone still has hope.

Believing there might be a chance to control some kind of power under the watchful eyes of the Night Watchman in a slightly risky way, thereby greatly aiding the path to the Transcendent.

But if a seemingly hopeless outcome is true, where the club’s philosophy may be correct, but the future is likely just an academic research institution?

Lacking desires then strengthens resolve, should the Night Watchman come again, cooperation is expected, yet under similar circumstances, Mr. Leiden clearly wouldn’t bear as much psychological burden.

”You’re right...thank you for the enlightenment, just uncertain if there’s anything I can do to repay.”

And after some contemplation, Leiden appeared to have finally successfully crossed the long emotional journey, thanking with a sigh.

”It’s okay, I know.”

As a mysterious expert, potential Ancient King, Fu Qian’s demeanor is always gentle and natural, a wave of the hand indicating not to worry.

”Have your club studies over the years focused on the Dancer group?”

...

Being the target of the first mission, Fu Qian was quite interested in this group engaged in cultural industries.

Not to mention their creative design, with the navel being the inviolable first ring.

As an experienced professional accustomed to seeing all sorts of sordid and twisted, Fu Qian certainly wouldn’t mistake a little boundary-pushing performance as blasphemy against authority.

But likewise, wouldn’t underestimate the third industry lightly.

This relatively more ”people-oriented” social operation often signifies sensitivity and adaptability.

The theory mentioned by Gregor earlier, namely ”the biological-like evolution of variants in the folklore,” might be exaggerated, but is still an interesting idea.

Moreover, as a club committed to researching these topics over the years, having a core member standing in front of you, it would be a waste not to squeeze out some results.

”...Of course!”

No matter how gentle the demeanor, it’s still hard to believe the person in front is any sort of unselfish sage.

Leiden clearly had prepared to pay a price.

Yet the counterpart didn’t demand anything like blood sacrifices or illegal actions, the questions posed were even so specific, indeed somewhat unexpected.

And after a moment of surprise, Leiden quickly nodded firmly, appearing in his professional realm.

”Though this group isn’t large, it undoubtedly counts as a distinct cultural symbol, with high influence. Ever since they began adding ’inviolable’ marks on their bellies, we’ve been monitoring it almost entirely.

”However, relatively speaking, there is a clear consensus within the club on this, which is that the value is limited... because this industry hasn’t even been continuously passed down, strictly speaking, it has existed for less time than the club itself.”

Without Fu Qian interacting, Leiden continued with abandon, even offering an interesting piece of information.

”And because of multiple protests, the pattern on the belly had to continuously evolve, resulting in now having more than one within the club believing they don’t need to be considered observation objects anymore.”

...

So it’s actually a kind of artificial folklore? Indeed, many of those have been seen.

But evaluating deeds instead of intent, the art form is still noteworthy.

The research subject even established later than the research group itself, Mr. Leiden and others list ’Dancer’ as a secondary project, logically completely understandable.

This doesn’t even contradict what Clara said at the time.

Different ages have different perceptions of time spans.

She was only a few years old when this man-made folklore likely existed before her birth.

The evolution of the ”inviolable” decoration on the belly clearly resonates more deeply with Clara.

However, while nodding slightly, Fu Qian’s mind recalled the dance just before.

Though the performer seemed a bit vulgar, the art itself wasn’t, certainly not something casually choreographed by an ethnic dance expert.

”Did the dance have an original form?”

Indifferent to club’s internal disputes, Fu Qian focused on further details.

”Yes, the dance itself is indeed considered an ancient affair, it can even be traced back to the Mythic Era, it’s a kind of Divine Dance related to faith, though the specific object being faced is already unknown.”

The intention was to carefully handle the matter, but this mysterious figure seemingly carried a hint of genuine exploration in the discourse, Leiden struggled to comprehend while finding a bit of joy in the exchange.

”The currently generally accepted academic information is that its original implications were very solemn, even possibly representing catastrophe and ominousness, hence more than one person is grieved by its evolution to this and calls not to consume...”

”Not necessarily effective, such a contrast might actually make them more popular.”

Fu Qian did not rain on the parade, rarely expressing the attitude of being not optimistic about the efforts of conscientious academic practitioners.

The basis is simple, as when watching the performance, Clara had already mentioned the evolution history of the Dancers’ styling.

The entire process suffice to prove that with overly abundant hormones, any sacred thing easily turns into a fetish item.

”Indeed, otherwise ’inviolable’ wouldn’t appear on those Dancers.

”In sum, these are the views of the club on this aspect, and additionally, to my understanding, the Night Watchman’s attitude is similar... then today’s communication content I will keep confidential.”

Leiden clearly considered this point as well, astonished by ”Wang’s” minute Insight while agreeing with a sigh.

”No need.”

However, faced with his final statement, Fu Qian shook his head.

”Just keep fulfilling your good citizen duty.”