Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Death…

It seemed that Qiao Yanchuan understood Fu Qian’s implication and immediately shivered.

In response, Fu Qian showed the man a kind smile.

Jia Yi could die, what do you think makes you any different from him?

“You’re just trying to scare me. If you mess up, the Night Watchman won’t let you off,”

After a few seconds of stun, Qiao Yanchuan stiffly watched Fu Qian and spoke as if to embolden himself.

Thanks to the existence of the Night Watchman, any Transcendent who harms civilians without cause will be severely punished.

Thus, few people would do such foolish things, let alone in front of another Academy Instructor.

Unfortunately, the smile on Fu Qian’s face only intensified the uncontrollable fear in Qiao Yanchuan’s heart, making him subconsciously glance towards Lanaia.

Unfortunately for him, Lanaia was already in a bad mood and was annoyed by his attitude moments before, so she didn’t even lift her eyelids.

Old Master Qiao’s expression completely collapsed, and his body subconsciously leaned back, wanting to keep some distance from Fu Qian.

Unfortunately, the two Transcendent bodyguards leaned even further back than he did.

These two clearly weren’t foolish either; being knowledgeable was crucial in their line of work, not just being powerful.

They wouldn’t dare to act rashly at the previous banquet because they didn’t know the identity of their target, but now, having some information related to the man before them, they would definitely not make a move.

After all, the man before them was an Academy Instructor. Not to mention the consequences of offending the Academy, even if an instructor was of questionable competence, they would still be at least Middle Tier Transcendent or above, definitely not someone they could contend with.

If they were to act conscientious and get taken down in a second, even if the Night Watchman were to chop him up, what good would it do for them?

“Are you ready?”

Observing the reactions of the three before him, Fu Qian asked with a smile.

“Ready for what?”

When Old Master Qiao spoke again, he was evidently much more cautious.

“For the second round of questioning.”

As he spoke, Fu Qian glanced at the antique clock beside him.

“I hope you cherish this opportunity… and the time.”

His calm voice, laced with a threat, made Old Master Qiao shiver once more.

In the face of the threat of death, his thoughts were racing at an unprecedented pace as he recollected the two questions he had been asked before.

“The masked ball had existed for a long time, but about four months ago, we started to try something new.”

It only took half a minute for him to organize his thoughts.

“Are you asking about the invitations?”

“Yes.”

“Four months, that is indeed quite recent!”

Fu Qian nodded, noncommittal.

“As for the Transcendents, I can assert with certainty that there were none.”

Unable to understand Fu Qian’s reaction, Old Master Qiao didn’t dare to speculate further and proceeded to answer the second question.

“Considering everyone’s concerns about safety, we have never introduced Transcendents into the event. It is a gathering exclusive to ordinary people.”

“I see, thank you for your answer. However, considering your recent noncooperation, there’s an extra question now.”

Fu Qian fixed his gaze on the man’s face.

“Who was the first person to bring the invitation?”

“This…”

Faced with this question, Qiao Yanchuan seemed momentarily at a loss for words.

After pondering for a while, he slowly shook his head.

“Actually, I don’t know who he is.”

“You don’t know?”

“It’s a masked ball, everyone is required to wear a mask.”

“Are you referring to that mask that has the same effect as a thong?”

“…That man was different, he always wore a silver mask, one that obscured his true face.”

Hm?

A silver mask, Silver Lie.

That makes sense.

Fu Qian nodded, signaling him to continue.

“He just touched me for a few seconds, and suddenly I felt something I had never experienced before.”

Old Master Qiao seemed to have a profound impression of that moment, speaking as he reminisced.

“Later he told me, to feel that sensation all the time, I needed to learn how to guide it…”

“So you were the first one to receive the invitation?”

“That’s right.”

“Did he say anything else?

“No, that’s all.”

Old Master Qiao shook his head with certainty.

“Really? Maybe you should try to remember a bit more? After all, your memory isn’t that good anymore.”

Fu Qian was smiling with a deep meaning.

“Didn’t he ever tell you that after obtaining the invitation, you were finally seeing humans in their complete form, not to suppress anything but let joy grow wildly?”

“How do you know that—”

Old Master Qiao suddenly looked up.

“Naturally, someone told me.”

“… Benji, that self-righteous bastard!”

For an instant, Old Master Qiao remembered something and began cursing while slapping his leg.

“What does he think he’s got that’s so special? He’s nothing but a self-righteous Clown; I should never have let him join us!”

“But he does give off a different vibe from you all, doesn’t he?”

Fu Qian recalled the sensation the Long-haired Brother gave off.

“It’s just a facade. In terms of being twisted, he outdoes each and every one of us.”

Old Master Qiao took a deep breath and looked up at Fu Qian.

“Professor Fu, are you done with your questions?”

It was almost time to wrap things up.

Fu Qian glanced at Lanaia next to him; her expression clearly showed she didn’t want him to ask any more questions, seemingly worried he might provoke a bad reaction from Old Master Qiao.

After all, it wasn’t strange for someone his age, without any Transcendent powers, to suffer a cerebral hemorrhage or similar ailment from getting too worked up.

The situation would undoubtedly become even more chaotic then.

So with that in mind.

“I’m done with my questions, thank you for your cooperation.”

Fu Qian nodded and stood up, smiling as he left.

“Invitation? What is that?”

“And what was the meaning behind those weird questions you asked Qiao Yanchuan just now? It felt like you weren’t really investigating Jia Yi’s case.”

Just as they stepped out of the Qiao family mansion, Lanaia, who had been a silent observer until then, couldn’t hold back any longer and bombarded him with a barrage of questions.

“What we’re working on now is much more important than simply clearing someone’s name.”

Fu Qian’s response was to gaze up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle and heave a long, solemn sigh.

“Ah, depraved pleasure is such a scourge!”

Depraved pleasure?

Lanaia’s brows knitted even tighter.

“You mean those libertine gatherings? Aren’t those commonplace? They’re just a bit more explicit, that’s all.”

“You’re not going to tell me you showed up at the Masked Ball just for that, are you?”

“Why not.”

In response to the questioning, Fu Qian was matter-of-fact.

“Lust burns like wildfire, consuming spirit and vigor… I was heartbroken to see such sights and decided to enlighten them.”

You mean ‘liberate’ them, right…

Facing Fu Qian’s tall tales, Lanaia looked tangled and didn’t believe for a moment that he was that altruistic.

But she understood that in his current mood, it was clear no more information would be forthcoming, so she didn’t press further.

“So where to next?”

“Of course, we go consult our next target.”

Fu Qian answered almost instantly.

“That self-proclaimed distorted man.”

It felt like the Long-haired Brother knew more than the others.