Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1087: Chapter 1085: Dragon Summit Inn (9)

“Temporary ally…”

Repeating Fu Qian’s words, Gerard just looked at Ailina and sneered coldly.

“Is it true? Is this Mr. Lu a new member of your team?”

The threatening implication behind these words was undoubtedly significant; it clearly suggested that if you really want to get involved, be prepared to share the burdens.

Gerard believed he had a good grasp of Ailina’s team.

An almost out-of-control guard, a walking corpse who had disappeared for a long time and then reappeared; the only real threat was Ailina herself.

From previous interactions with her, he knew she might be crazy but certainly not foolish enough to engage in senseless acts of slaughter without any reason.

So, from the beginning, he never considered these three as suspects.

At this moment, if these three could wisely decide to retreat and save everyone some trouble, he would not stoop to their level.

“Mr. Lu is certainly not our member, but after our conversation just now, we indeed decided to act together in the upcoming Blessing.”

However, to his surprise, Ailina’s response was frightfully straightforward.

“Mainly because after discussions, we found that there are no conflicts of interest between us.”

In Gerard’s incredulous gaze, Ailina even took the time to explain the reasoning behind her decision, logically and coherently.

In fact, it was indeed the truth.

Undoubtedly, Mr. Lu was temperamental and an absolute danger, but the current events were also becoming strange.

In past conflicts, although Siren and Ji Family were openly hostile, it was truly hard to imagine them carrying out such a blatant assassination under everyone’s watchful eyes.

Not to mention that it seemed Ji Family was somewhat more avoidant this year.

The situation was mysterious, and simply withdrawing was one option, likely without much opposition.

But if they wished to continue, this unpredictable threat must be considered.

In such a case, having someone in the team who apparently knew more about certain things wasn’t a bad idea, especially since Siren was already not fond of her.

Indeed, in Ailina’s estimation, Gerard, coming to them, likely had no real solution for dealing with Mr. Lu.

Such an unnoticeable act of killing wasn’t something Gerard could simply assign to a suspicious individual and be done with it.

And she didn’t believe that, in the tense upcoming time, Gerard could prove the actual murderer was Mr. Lu.

Of course, the biggest confidence for taking this decision was based on her trust in Lorin’s strengths.

In a prepared state, Ailina believed that even if Mr. Lu intended any harmful acts, her side wasn’t without the capacity to retaliate.

Thus, this risk was still worth taking.

…

“Very well… Since that’s the case, would your team mind coming with me?”

With events continually escaping his grasp, Gerard was visibly both shocked and suspicious, but Blessings could happen at any time, and he didn’t delay.

“Of course, we were actually just about to go there ourselves.”

Fu Qian agreed cheerily, as if he had received an invitation to a feast.

As per his mission, this was definitely crucial progress; how could he not take a closer look.

This joy undeniably agitated Siren’s people; the group looked like they wanted nothing more than to beat him up on the spot, even Ailina couldn’t help but let out a light sigh.

…

Moments later, the emotionally complex team re-entered the Legendary Small Shop amidst the creaking door.

As expected, there weren’t noticeably fewer people in the store.

This wasn’t hard to understand; sneaking away before being discovered could be suspicious, but leaving immediately after the incident would appear equally guilty.

Instead, they had to keep sitting there.

In such a delicate situation, it was apparent that the patrons of the shop harbored even more resentment about the Blessing not yet appearing. As Fu Qian and his team entered, nearly everyone looked over with a frown.

“They’re all still here?”

Fu Qian, seemingly oblivious to the resentments, even waved cheerfully in greeting.

In that moment, more than half of those present there wished he really was the murderer, so that Siren could just smack him dead on the spot.

“Is it him?”

Amidst this dense expectation, Fu Qian didn’t keep the spectators waiting and even reached a table ahead of Gerard’s group.

In the darkness, a figure in sleek combat attire was slumped over the table, seemingly unable to handle their liquor—if the attire hadn’t been pierced.

Upon closer inspection, one could see black spikes protruding from various parts of this woman’s coat.

The spikes were nearly transparent, so not very noticeable in the dark, and their shapes were highly regular, as if they had grown based on her as a base, forming a Crystal Cluster.

“When was this found?”

Scanning over, Fu Qian inquired thoughtfully.

…

I called you to identify the scene, not act like an investigator.

For a moment, not only Siren’s people, but also the spectators found the scene rather bizarre.

“Just after I returned.”

However, Gerard, unable to care less about these details, responded with a cold laugh.

“It was a few minutes after you left, even shorter for your new allies…”

Allies?

They had just gone out to discuss a cooperative action?

This information clearly left the audience extremely shocked.

Those who had the guts to appear here were mostly veterans of the Wasteland; most recognized the trio and considered them potential competitors.

Although it was widely rumored outside that this team was foolish, Ailina alone was not to be underestimated.

And she actually chose to collaborate with this mysterious madman?

The key point was there was no prior interaction seen between them; could it be that they had known each other before?

In a flash, myriad thoughts whirled among the crowd.

…

So at most, it was only a few minutes in the middle.

Being the person involved, Fu Qian, however, wasn’t concerned with the audience’s thoughts but continued to scrutinize the body intently.

Such a mode of death was indeed rare.

No need for physical contact; Fu Qian could confirm that the organs and bones inside this lady’s body had already transformed into a Crystal Cluster state, leaving nothing unchanged.

Maintaining her slumped posture might not have been to preserve the scene but because she couldn’t pose otherwise.

Additionally, it was understandable why, despite not being present, he still garnered such high suspicion.

Unlike the previous victim whose head had fallen off, the effect here wasn’t caused by any physical violence but rather seemed like a force of a Curse nature.

This new assassination method, executed remotely, invisible and intangible, and with delayed onset, appeared to pose no problems, making an alibi meaningless and even suspicious.

So, the question arises… Is it possible that this new technique was selected specifically for this purpose?