Chapter 3015: Invitation for a Private Chat

Running newly bought clothes through UV sterilization was perfectly normal, wasn't it?

Even colorless and odorless, it was already the lowest-profile of all his halos.

Fu Qian certainly didn't expect his current audience to miss the fact that he had activated the Decree of Return.

Fortunately, besides being subtle, this halo's effect was also the most suited for everyday life.

He trusted that once everyone got a slight taste of it, combined with Old Man Logan's introduction, they would fully understand it as basic human nature.

The only problem was that UV sterilization didn't actually work all that well on clothes—especially leather.

Bathed in the halo's light, Fu Qian noticed no changes in his new outfit.

"Although it's a cursed object, its properties are actually quite stable..."

He wasn't the only one who noticed.

Just as mentioned earlier, Old Man Logan had truly received a blessing in disguise after recovering from his severe injuries, advancing even further than when they first met.

After briefly savoring the sensation—and likely spending part of that time weighing his words—he gestured toward Fu Qian's attire.

"Oh? So there won't be any issues if I wear it out?" Fu Qian asked, feigning slight surprise, his tone brimming with social responsibility.

"No, as long as you avoid letting anyone else put it on."

It was hard to say whether he bought the act, but Logan didn't show a hint of doubt as he patiently explained.

"The Blasphemer's Mark itself is a relatively stable entity. It doesn't appear on everyone who loses control.

"So handling similar incidents is usually fairly simple. We just need to clean away the useless flesh and blood."

...

Take only the pelt and discard the flesh and blood? He had heard of such practices before.

Fu Qian found himself agreeing completely with Logan's explanation.

It was obvious the old man had grown a bit more humble after his previous setbacks.

According to his explanation, these things truly weren't like typical products of lost control. The only way to trigger a negative effect was by draping them over one's body.

It seemed that even for a High-Tier Transcendent, wearing it didn't have much of an impact.

"Is that so?" But even with a professional's endorsement, Professor Fu remained somewhat dissatisfied.

A moment later, he turned to Chaumont, acting as though he absolutely needed the shop owner to provide a quality guarantee.

Hmm...

The man in question actually hesitated for a moment.

"It's fine. If there's anything sensitive, we can chat privately."

Faced with that kind of reaction, an average customer would have backed out.

However, as a big spender who tipped fifty percent, Professor Fu was highly accommodating, gesturing for him to continue.

"I understand—"

Seemingly moved by this sincerity, Chaumont narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded.

"That Andiel really was you."

Except what he understood didn't seem quite right. When he spoke again, it had nothing to do with product quality—he had recognized the customer's true identity.

... "My name is Andiel, and I once challenged causality."

Although it wasn't his most frequently used alternate persona, Professor Fu had still walked the jianghu under that name a few times.

Like Dayun Mingwang in Shangjing, the mysterious Academy instructor in Silver Mist Manor, or the morally ambiguous psychologist in Unseen Hill...

Indeed, Fu Qian harbored no illusions. The Andiel that His Excellency Chaumont mentioned was undoubtedly himself—the very person who had repeatedly caused trouble during the operation to save Old Man Logan.

He still remembered the end of that mission. Feeling deeply betrayed by the team, Chaumont had even thrown down a harsh parting shot along the lines of, "I will remember you."

Even though the situation ultimately played out as a happy ending where Old Man Logan received his treatment—which should have eased His Excellency Chaumont's temper somewhat...

...running into him so directly still made for an incredibly tense atmosphere.

"It is indeed me."

Fu Qian wasn't surprised by this at all; he even nodded.

The reason he wasn't surprised was simple: he had effectively confessed on his own initiative.

"If there's anything sensitive, we can chat privately." "Privately" here didn't mean physically changing locations; it was a cue for His Excellency Chaumont to activate his ability.

Back in Unseen Hill, Chaumont had already displayed his unique conversational skills. Coming without a shadow and leaving without a trace right in front of a crowd, he had made it so only Fu Qian could see him the entire time, even delivering his harsh words through that method.

Normally, this type of method was a unique trick known to very few.

Even with his ties to a few Night Watchers, the chances of him hearing about it wouldn't have been high—unless he had experienced it firsthand.

It could only be said that if someone already harbored preconceptions, his words would easily trigger certain associations.

And as the target of a Hongmen banquet invitation, how could they not hold preconceptions against him?

Not to mention that the very first thing His Excellency Chaumont brought up upon meeting was Logan, maintaining an ambiguous attitude.

In short, the moment those words left his mouth, Chaumont not only realized something, but he also answered the call and truly initiated a private chat.

This was also why Stoss and Logan hadn't reacted at all to such explosive information.

Then again, hadn't he just seen a similar setup?

Recalling the Temporary Folder he had created, Fu Qian deeply felt that this shop's honesty index wasn't very high.

"You don't seem worried about the consequences at all?"

Amidst his reflections, his honesty actually startled His Excellency Chaumont a bit, keeping him from making a move immediately.

"What's there to worry about? His Excellency Logan still received his treatment, didn't he? He even looks to be in good spirits."

Meeting Chaumont's hostile gaze, Fu Qian continued his uninhibited remarks.

Laying bare the secret of that team with a single sentence, he further cemented his identity as an outlaw.

"...Is he really doing well?"

Facts proved that the legendary power of honesty to move people's hearts was real.

Facing Fu Qian, who had already exposed himself beyond measure, Chaumont's tone softened uncharacteristically as he suddenly asked this question.

"It seems false."

Fu Qian let out a long sigh and shook his head.

"There seems to be a problem with Logan's condition. Your worries are justified."

...

How could a master like His Excellency Chaumont engage in meaningless small talk?

Even logically speaking, asking for his impression of Logan as the very first sentence upon meeting—it was a stretch to interpret that behavior as trying to strike the grass to startle the snake. After all, given Professor Fu's style, it was hard to imagine him being "startled" into revealing a flaw; it would most likely only raise his guard.

Therefore, Fu Qian leaned toward the idea that it truly was a meaningful question, and that His Excellency Chaumont really wanted to know his thoughts.

As for why he wanted to know his thoughts on Logan?

He had already sensed that something was amiss but hadn't confirmed it yet.

It was exactly the same feeling Fu Qian himself had when Old Man Logan came to greet him.

Of course, now it was faintly confirmed to some extent.

Logan's behavior under the Decree of Return seemed somewhat different from everyone else's.