Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Silence filled their journey.

Xiao Mingyue was clearly infuriated by Fu Qian, nearly flooring the gas pedal in a mad rush back to the base, eager to complain to Yuan Shan.

Fu Qian, however, showed no reaction, continuing to rest with his eyes closed.

This was the first time they had encountered an enemy of this caliber. The Native Council’s power was truly formidable.

In light of this, it became understandable how Deng Feizhou could make Chen Xing achieve the false state of a demigod before.

As for this Ariel, Wen Li’s assessment of her was something Fu Qian remembered very clearly.

...And from the initial contact, he had also noticed a subtle sense of disharmony.

Ariel’s aura was indeed bright and dazzling, seemingly without a twist or shadow.

Theoretically, even a saint would be no more than this.

Yet, the stronger this semblance was, the stronger the sense of incongruity. This individual appeared to be in a special state unattainable by ordinary people.

However, they would have to be more cautious with their actions from now on.

After all, he was not on a mission this time but acting in a fully synchronized state; if he truly ended up in a desperate situation, there would be no chance for a restart.

Fortunately, after today’s mutual display of acting, Ariel probably still wasn’t certain about his own background.

Otherwise, it was highly likely that she wouldn’t have played along so genuinely until the end; she would at least have made more probes.

As for what to do next? In such a serious situation, of course, it was time for the professionals, the Night Watchmen, to take action.

…

“How come you’ve returned so soon?”

In the office, Yuan Shan was no longer in her original seat but had instead perched on the windowsill, leisurely sipping tea while gazing out the window.

Seeing the two come in, she asked curiously.

“I went with Mr. Fang to make contact with the target.”

Seeing that Fu Qian showed no intention of speaking, Xiao Mingyue gritted her teeth and stated bluntly.

Oh?

Yuan Shan sensed Xiao Mingyue’s mood was off and glanced at Fu Qian.

“I believe Mr. Fang’s methods were too crude and simple.”

Xiao Mingyue didn’t beat around the bush and just reported directly.

“Facing an ordinary person, he released an extremely intense deterrent shock without any regard for the possible severe aftereffects!”

“What are the results of the investigation?”

Yuan Shan had some expectation of Fu Qian’s style; hearing Xiao Mingyue’s description, she wasn’t particularly surprised.

“Mr. Fang said there was no problem.”

Xiao Mingyue glanced at Fu Qian, whose violent interrogation of an innocent person, in her view, was simply tarnishing the image of the Night Watchman.

It was a pity that the latter still seemed completely at ease, showing no hint of shame.

No problem…

Yuan Shan pondered for a moment, then looked up with a smile that was not really a smile, looking at Fu Qian.

“Would you care to explain?”

“Explain?”

Fu Qian huffed, stepped forward, and sat down on the chair opposite Yuan Shan.

“Near Shangjing, how many demigods does the Night Watchman have?”

Despite Xiao Mingyue’s murderous gaze, he didn’t offer an explanation; instead, he asked a strange question.

How many demigods?

Yuan Shan frowned slightly.

“Not many, what do you want with it?”

“It would be best to call them all here.”

“Oh, and why is that?”

Yuan Shan looked at him amusingly.

“Those people are all extremely lazy, unwilling to budge without significant reason.”

Just like you, aren’t they? Quite honest, aren’t you!

Fu Qian nodded towards the side.

“The reason Secretary Xiao will tell you.”

“Why would I…”

Xiao Mingyue reflexively objected, completely unaware of Fu Qian’s intention.

[SAN Points decreased by 1]

The next moment, Fu Qian snapped his fingers and activated the Decree Residue.

This Skill, which originally only had visual effects, had been enhanced with Fu Qian’s own ascension to a demigod, though considering everyone present was a Transcendent, Fu Qian still expended 1 SAN Point.

“What are you doing?”

Almost at the same time, Yuan Shan’s pupils suddenly contracted, streaks of black light flickered around her body, neutralizing the dazzling golden radiance.

As a demigod, she could naturally sense something unusual about Fu Qian and was extremely shocked by his actions.

Could it really be as she had speculated?

Yuan Shan could resist the effects of Decree Residue, but Xiao Mingyue, standing by her side, was far too weak in comparison.

And Xiao, who had been glaring at Fu Qian with dissatisfaction, undoubtedly fell victim in an instant; her consciousness enveloped by the brilliant light.

But, after all, she was a Transcendent, stronger than ordinary humans.

Even when caught off guard and hit by the initial flash, she instinctively resisted, her expression twisted in a fierce struggle.

“You’d better explain yourself!”

The smile on Yuan Shan’s face had vanished, and ribbons gathered in the palm of her hand, forming an extremely dense black sphere, as if she was ready to throw it at Fu Qian the moment they disagreed.

“Is there a problem with Ariel?”

But Fu Qian ignored her, instead asking Xiao Mingyue a question.

“There is no problem with Ariel.”

Xiao Mingyue answered subconsciously while in a dazed state.

“Why is there no problem?”

“He said he doesn’t have any problems.”

“When did he say that?”

“The first time I investigated him.”

Hmm?

Yuan Shan finally realized something and looked at her secretary with a strange expression.

It was highly unlikely that Xiao Mingyue would ask such questions.

“Thank you!”

Fu Qian then deactivated the Decree Residue.

“What is this…?”

Xiao Mingyue was still baffled for a moment, but Yuan Shan’s eyes had already turned sharp.

“Clearly, your secretary has been affected.”

Fu Qian waved his hand dismissively.

“It seems to be some sort of psychic suggestion.”

“Is Ariel a Transcendent?”

Yuan Shan stared at Fu Qian, unable to hide the shock on her face.

“His rank is higher than yours; I almost didn’t see through his disguise.”

“So, it’s probably best if you call the demigods?”

…

“How did you know?”

Yuan Shan pondered for a while, then pointed at Xiao Mingyue.

“Professional intuition. You saw what I did just now?”

Fu Qian shook his head with a sigh.

“When I made contact with the target, Secretary Xiao’s aura had a strange fluctuation that felt familiar to me.”

Indeed, when at Ariel’s, upon detecting the shadowless brightness about him, Fu Qian subconsciously thought of his own Decree Residue.

In some ways, they were somewhat alike.

This realization led Fu Qian to eventually notice something peculiar about Xiao Mingyue.

Usually, psychic suggestions are invisible, but when in contact with the originator, there may be particular signs, like what happened to Pei Yanqing before.

Of course, what specific suggestion was made could only be tested bit by bit. However, it seemed that the individual was quite straightforward and brutal, recording a declaration of innocence.

As for why Yuan Shan had such a question, Fu Qian understood her completely—after all, he was not without suspicion.

The logic was simple.

The display of the Decree Residue just a moment ago clearly had a brainwashing effect.

Xiao Mingyue being the target of a psychic suggestion by the subject of an investigation was one possibility; Fu Qian could also have had a malicious intent.

She was indeed suspicious of him!

“So according to you, Ariel is at least Second Phase? And to hide his identity, he implanted a psychological suggestion in Mingyue, who was investigating him?”

Yuan Shan neither confirmed nor denied Fu Qian’s explanation but continued along his line of thought.

“No.”

Fu Qian still shook his head.

“In my opinion, his aim might not even be to hide, but to sift through…

“Sift out those who truly suspect him.”