Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 424: Chapter 424: Servant’s Needle (17)_1

“Speaking of such idiots, I actually know one.”

Having critiqued Fu Qian’s words, Bernard took another gulp of wine and added unexpectedly.

“Her name’s Rosetta, if you really go to the Monastery, you might consider talking to her about your experience.”

As he said this, his face was unable to contain the sarcasm.

After speaking, Bernard leaned back, adopting the posture of someone seeing a guest out.

Rosetta? That’s a name I’ve never heard before.

Regardless, this can be considered a side quest gain, right?

Fu Qian nodded silently to himself.

Judging by Bernard’s demeanor, which even seemed a bit wistful amid the sarcasm, it was unclear what the relationship between the two was.

Seeing that Bernard clearly had lost interest in continuing the conversation, Fu Qian didn’t persist in bothering him and left straight away.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t considered interrogating Bernard under severe torture to extract information.

But intuitively, Fu Qian felt the chances of success were quite slim.

This character gave the impression of someone completely unafraid of death.

…

Leaving Bernard’s bookstore, Fu Qian didn’t dally and soon arrived at his destination.

The Monastery was situated at the foot of the mountain, constructed entirely of red bricks and stone.

The mottled exterior was even older, or should we say more dilapidated, than expected.

Apart from the residential area, this building was open for visits, and considering the good weather, there were quite a few people around.

Fu Qian, of course, didn’t hesitate to head straight for the residential area to ask for Rosetta.

Disturbing the peace, such behavior was no doubt extremely provocative.

But as everyone knows, those in spiritual practice are as inclusive as the seas, with hearts as open as Caring Valley—they surely wouldn’t mind a little impoliteness—right?

After all, being just a Mortal for now, sneaking in to find someone wouldn’t be realistic; getting caught would actually be more embarrassing.

Indeed, the monks turned out to be approachable. After perhaps a wait of fifteen minutes, someone actually came to inform him that Rosetta was waiting for him in the adjacent quiet room.

The ease of this event contrasted sharply with his previous experiences, causing Fu Qian to sigh heavily.

Following the directions to the meeting room, Fu Qian pushed open the door to see a thin-faced lady sitting inside.

Clothed in a simple robe, her demeanor serene, with strands of white hair barely visible on her head.

This must be Miss Rosetta.

“Hello.”

Hearing the sound of the door, she looked up, her eyes surprisingly bright.

“It seems we don’t know each other.”

True to a sage’s demeanor, even while expressing unfamiliarity with Fu Qian, she still wore a warm smile, greeting him softly.

Look at her!

Witnessing this scene, Fu Qian almost reflexively thought of a certain disheveled bookstore owner who smoked, drank, and neglected his hair.

Their images and temperaments, the difference was like night and day.

Fu Qian heaped silent scorn upon Bernard’s degeneracy.

“No matter, we’re acquainted now.”

Fu Qian maintained his quite familiar manner.

“Actually, I’m here because I’ve heard of your spiritual accomplishments, your enlightened heart, and transcendent disposition, and I’ve come to seek guidance.”

“The way you speak reminds me of someone.”

Upon hearing Fu Qian’s words, Rosetta first paused, then a gentle smile spread across her face.

“Let me guess, does he look like he hasn’t washed his clothes in three years, never without a cigarette or drink in hand, with hair so dirty it could grow mushrooms?”

“So it was Bernard who sent you?”

Hearing Fu Qian’s description, Rosetta’s speech even carried a hint of joy.

“You could say that. He seems to think I’m a rare talent, someone who could really learn from you how to delude oneself.”

…

Without a doubt, Fu Qian’s words caused a brief awkward silence.

Rosetta paused again, then shook her head with a smile, her face wearing a look of resigned amusement.

“I thought he had changed. Turns out he’s the same as ever.”

“How self-deceptive, that does sound like something he would say!”

“So, have you run into some trouble?”

After expressing his sentiment, the person looked at Fu Qian and asked.

“Yes, I’ve been having trouble sleeping lately.”

Fu Qian honestly confessed his medical history.

“And I keep seeing all sorts of weird scenes.”

Hmm?

Rosetta’s gaze sharpened a bit.

“What kind of strange scenes?”

“Everyone is going about their business as usual, but all of a sudden, they start going crazy, scratching their own faces or cutting their own throats.”

“Eventually, even the whole city becomes dilapidated, with no one in sight, as if it had been deserted for a long time.”

While speaking, Fu Qian observed Rosetta’s reaction.

She did not disappoint, her expression visibly turned solemn.

“When did this start happening to you?”

After Fu Qian finished speaking, this person looked at him seriously and asked.

“Quite a while ago, about a month, I suppose.”

Fu Qian recalled the timeline he had learned before.

“Is that so?”

Rosetta pondered for a long time, then finally sighed deeply.

“Believe me, I can imagine your pain, and I can probably guess why Bernard asked you to come here.”

“However, the good news is that Bernard might be too pessimistic, for there is a way.”

As she spoke, the corner of her mouth showed a slight smile.

“What I can tell you is that you’re not the only one suffering from this torment. First and foremost, you must not lose yourself in it; you need to anchor yourself to the world you truly belong to with a firm will.”

“Meanwhile, I can also make it clear to you that this is by no means a reckless struggle.”

Rosetta looked exceedingly serious.

“For now, I can’t tell you the methods I am exploring, but trust me, as soon as I’m sure, I will share the methods with you.”

“Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease.”

Fu Qian looked at Rosetta’s determined face.

Based on his experience, such people do not make promises lightly, and it seemed she truly had a substantial confidence in combating those nightmarish experiences.

There was no doubt in his mind that she had also been troubled by similar situations.

Is this why she’s holed up in the monastery?

But it’s clear that Bernard obviously disdains her actions, saying she is deceiving herself.

“Could you possibly reveal a bit about the specific approach you’re taking?”

“Approach?”

Rosetta paused to think, then smiled gently.

“It might be pain.”

Hmm?

Her response made Fu Qian subconsciously scrutinize her.

It was hard to imagine that such a kind-looking lady would wear something like a band of spikes around her body?

“Of course, it has to be reasonable pain; don’t try it recklessly.”

Seemingly understanding Fu Qian’s confusion, Rosetta promptly cautioned.

And Fu Qian keenly noticed that when she said this, she seemed to touch her hair unintentionally.

So it’s not the body, but the head?

Fu Qian looked at her somewhat grey hair.

It was still quite thick, so much so that the scalp underneath was not visible.

If it really was the head, he was really curious about how it worked.

Could it be that she took a needle and plunged it directly in?