Eldritch Horror Theatre

Heed what the body desires and observe what it fears.

As a higher entity in control of authority, he couldn’t adopt a crude, straightforward approach like old Alakir’s.

Having come right to his doorstep, Serana could hardly be said to trust him, but her goal was crystal clear—to find clues related to the Emblem.

Meanwhile, far away, a helpless, wandering group of contractors was also searching for anything related to the Emblem.

Only, what they sought was the hope contained within it.

In light of this, as the mastermind hidden in the chaos, he had decisively orchestrated the most logical arrangement from his commanding vantage point, aiming to satisfy both sides.

Although the connection was incredibly fragile, Fu Qian believed his careful transmission ensured that the solemn, sublime scene from just now had been received by more than one Greed Worm.

If anything, the blurred imagery only added an air of mystery.

Combined with his own slight manual filter, Fu Qian was certain that to the Greed Worms, it would be an ecstatic, sacred scene—

The Higher Existence behind the covenant hadn’t abandoned them. It had even shown them a vision of a pioneer receiving bestowed divinity, guiding them to never give up hope!To activate a team’s internal drive, one had to give them a visible goal.

He hadn’t been reading those management books for nothing.

...

It was easy to imagine how thrilled that lost and wandering group would be upon suddenly seeing this Lighthouse of hope.

Though the road was long and obstructed, they would undoubtedly forge ahead toward their goal with determination.

Their goal was exceptionally clear—to seek out that pioneer of divinity.

In the absence of further boons, seeking out a predecessor to learn from their experience couldn’t be more natural.

On the other end, Serana would undoubtedly replace A Wei, who had been sent to the Unseen Hill, becoming the object of the group’s admiration and longing.

This Blood Clan Demigod would serve as a role model, forming a perfect mutual pursuit with them and helping him guide and observe this special group to the greatest possible extent.

As for why he chose a demigod who harbored hostility toward the Greed Worms?

The second tenet of excellent management: while setting a goal for the team, you must also provide commensurate pressure.

And the pressure he had chosen this time came directly from the goal itself—a true masterstroke of management technique.

Playing the role of an evil god wasn’t that simple.

...

”Thanks for sharing, Mister Fang.”

While Fu Qian was strategizing within the command tent, his gesture of checking his fingers seemed to remind Serana of that bizarre scene from just a moment ago.

Having reaped some gains, she seemed to find the atmosphere slightly awkward, delivering her closing remarks as she prepared to leave.

It was hard to say just how much of the man’s words Serana actually believed, but the information he provided still served as a highly valuable reference.

For instance, it explained why the Night Watchers had handled Taylor’s matter so fairly and swiftly, even providing a wanted list.

Everything seemed to have a reasonable explanation—

With the help of the man before her, they had quickly tracked the suspects down and made some unusual discoveries in the process.

They might have even intentionally let the suspects go for some deeper scheme; otherwise, how could they have escaped so cleanly?

But regardless, the Night Watchers had not only cleared the Blood Clan’s name, they hadn’t even bothered to deliberately hide these inconsistencies.

”If I uncover anything regarding those bugs on my end, I’ll notify you immediately.”

With this in mind, she paused briefly after standing up to add one last remark.

The implication was obvious: if you have plans for that group, I’ll hold back and leave them alive when they come knocking.

”Then I’ll thank you in advance.”

For a proud and arrogant Blood Clan Demigod, such an unprompted display of goodwill was already incredibly rare.

Fu Qian didn’t let this show of goodwill go to waste. With an unfathomable smile, he accepted it on behalf of Acting Chief Yuan.

”Thank you for the tea.”

Increasingly certain of her own deductions, Serana gave a slight nod and said nothing more. Instead, she picked up the tea Wen Li had placed before her, took a sip, earnestly thanked the young woman, and then turned to leave.

...

”Excellency Serana... is much more amiable than I imagined.”

With the Blood Clan Demigod departing after a fruitful trip, the gloom hanging over The Bookstore was swept away.

After sipping tea in silence alongside Dayun Mingwang for a while, Wen Li finally broke the quiet, noting the deep impression Serana’s solemn gratitude had left on her.

”Of course. The patrons of this shop have always been individuals of high caliber.”

Fu Qian boasted while savoring Wen Li’s handiwork.

It had to be said that Serana’s gratitude was well-deserved; Eldest Miss Wen had clearly brewed the tea with considerable care.

”Besides, she’s already far gone.”

”Oh.”

The remark about high-caliber patrons was undoubtedly well-received. Wen Li covered her mouth with a soft chuckle, relaxing noticeably upon hearing his second sentence.

”The situation over at Gulade doesn’t seem to have exceeded our expectations.”

”Excellency Serana really is incredible, though. To think she managed to find this place relying solely on an Emblem.”

”Mostly, it’s because she had nowhere else to turn. Given how unbridled the handling of that corpse-looting incident was, it’s impossible for Gulade not to be suspicious.”

Fu Qian, however, appeared completely unsurprised.

”Taylor’s dream was a bit too flamboyant, so bringing it up with the Night Watchers obviously wasn’t suitable. But it served as a perfectly adequate excuse to come chat with an unofficial consultant like me.”

”It also makes it easier to control the limits of the interaction and keep things from turning unpleasant.”

”True... but does Excellency Serana really care that much?”

As a witness to the high-level conspiracy during the corpse-looting incident, Wen Li naturally understood the reason behind that unbridled approach—Jiang En, the one who had actually committed the deeds, had been completely erased from the narrative, with all the blame pinned on that gang of instigators.

Thus, she wholeheartedly agreed with his ’unbridled’ assessment.

However, after her Rank advanced once more, her ability to read people had grown sharper. Following their brief interaction, she was strongly inclined to believe that Serana wasn’t actually interested in dealing with such mundane affairs.

”She isn’t, but Grantham is.”

Finishing his tea, Fu Qian casually poured himself another cup while gesturing toward the door.

”She certainly knows why Grantham reported to her, but her long hesitation outside wasn’t likely out of conflict over that matter; it was about the Emblem’s origins.”

”Given my infamous reputation, it was hard to predict how I’d react to a clue sourced from a dream, and she clearly dislikes being mocked.”

While validating Wen Li’s observation, Fu Qian didn’t shy away from his own notorious reputation.

”Regardless... it seems to have worked out for the best.”

Wen Li could only sigh in admiration at his carefree attitude, a look of relief washing over her face.

As the unseen hand guiding this storm, she was quite pleased to see the incident conclude so neatly and stably.

”But those escapees... will they really come back to find Excellency Serana?”

Rather than ask why Fu Qian had denied that the symbol belonged to the King of the Abandoned Prison, Wen Li pivoted to his premonition.

”They will. That’s the power of faith—oh, by the way, I need a small favor from you.”

Glancing at her, Fu Qian spoke with absolute certainty while pointing a finger at his own head.

”Turn your power up to the maximum and cast your Emotional Ripples on me, just like during your advancement ritual.”

”...Ah? What emotion?”

Though taken aback, Wen Li clearly wasn’t going to refuse his request.

”Ecstasy.”

Fu Qian blinked.

”The ecstasy of receiving a boon.”