Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 2039: Chapter 2034: Thorn Crown

Now I trust no one can doubt my respect and admiration for the elderly and sages, right?

Of course, this is not Jia Keke pretending to be a fool, seeming to hold a low ranking within the Ji Family for survival, yet already having grasped transcendent arts and mastered supreme divine skills.

Indeed, the Night Watchmen are truly full of hidden talents, and the Needle Witch being conservative yet radical.

At that moment, Fu Qian felt a sense of awe.

Yes, who else could be standing there other than Corin, whom I’ve been acquainted with for ages?

The one talking to me is certainly Jia Keke; there are no flaws, no signs of anything amiss.

Unless forewarned and scanned with foresight radar — of course, I have such foresight, since she was originally invited to the celebration banquet.

Wen Li’s achievements are certainly commendable, but Lady Corin’s resolve should not be underestimated.

Now that Academy matters have concluded, Old Master Stoss and the others have departed, it’s clearly time to give the Second Phase Transcendent, versed in parasites, a chance for close contact.

For instance, a "vehicle" not easily noticed, yet allows interaction with me.

Also, actions during this process must not appear deliberate to anyone.

Put simply, the goal is to reach the state of "knowing while the other is unaware of my knowledge."

And overall, Jia Keke is undoubtedly a fitting character for this role.

Even due to being outside the Academy, there is already space and time to operate.

Of course, despite all these efforts, Fu Qian is still unsure whether the other party will come.

Nonetheless, inviting someone to dinner requires sincere intentions, regardless of their attendance.

And the moment unfolding right now has already proven a lot—

Xi Yuan, Shangjing, Prison Angel Commander, Native Council... Turns out there are indeed bad elements within the Night Watchmen.

Chief Yuan’s beautiful imagination ultimately shattered, with the sword hanging over me and her, and even over Su Gao, always present.

...

The wisdom in using lies within a single thought.

Have to admit, the foresight radar has again proven its reliability.

Being singled out by Yuan Shan, Lady Corin’s parasitic art certainly deserves respect.

Even considering my Second Order Extraordinary perception, one might not easily discern it.

However, the Calamity Eye represents the force required to destroy the opponent, still revealing the transcendent hidden within.

It’s even reasonable to doubt whether Lady Corin merely set up a projection like a former dean of the Benevolence Institute, or if her true self is already here.

Don’t forget Chief Yuan mentioned that the Needle Witch is one of the few transcendent capable of spatial traversal, and Fu Qian has always had confidence in her mobility.

What remains now is for Lady Corin to decide if this truly was a treacherous feast.

Though my invitation was sincere and the food genuinely tasted great.

Fu Qian naturally glanced past Jia Keke, earnestly putting a piece of fish into his mouth.

A bit cold, perhaps, but after the hard work, still a delicious treat worth savoring.

Wonder if Lady Corin sees it the same way.

...

"You’ve worked hard; let’s postpone the week’s affairs and tackle them together next week."

Lady Corin seems quite pleased.

As the night deepened and guests enjoyed themselves, Jia Keke was almost the first to stand and help tidy up.

And aside from expressing gratitude, Ji Liushuang was also confirming the Gospel Group’s matters with her.

"Alright."

Jia Keke had no objections to this, and after tidying up left decorously.

Choices determine destiny; some thought this was a chance to initiate the Night Watchman instance and transform into the Justice Core.

Facing such a quiet, harmonious night, Fu Qian felt satisfied yet a bit regretful.

Though unlikely, he had considered the possibility of Lady Corin angrily flipping the table.

In such a case, he would have to deal with the Second Phase transcendent immediately, prematurely igniting the explosive within the Night Watchmen.

Although the situation might escalate into more bloodshed than anticipated, the prospect of handling a Second Phase adept in curses, puppets, parasites is intriguing.

Fu Qian doesn’t believe there’s a chance for reconciliation with her.

Unfortunately, Lady Corin ultimately ruled out a fatal option, choosing instead to receive precious information—the bookstore owner from Shangjing, Professor of Heaven’s Commencement Institute, is indeed a demigod, and not the same as someone from Xi Yuan.

Proximity verified for an entire night, fair and genuine.

This was the greatest significance of this meeting.

If a pair of eyes have been secretly observing since the beginning in Shangjing, then tonight’s gathering might have been the final concentrated breakout of Lady Corin’s suspicions.

And most unfortunately, I am currently at ease with the demigod status—without any discovery that I’ve been scrutinized during the entire process.

Thus, the storm cloud over the Xi Yuan event has finally been resolved.

Lady Corin can relax a bit, waiting for the day.

"I’ll take you to see the resting place."

Including the top-class laboratory of the Academy, even the atmosphere has relaxed.

Miss Liushuang even abandoned evening cultivation and voluntarily acted as a guide for the new victim.

...

"What? Yuan Fang asks if I’m available to come by?"

But idle moments are always brief; early the next morning, Fu Qian, having unusually rested the entire night, was contacted by department leader Lanaia.

And the news brought by her also had some element of surprise.

Local Night Watchmen... is this a dependence on path formation?

Yesterday, when Yuan Fang visited, as Fu Qian understood it, it was more about precaution and consulting in case of special occurrences, rather than actually recruiting him to resolve an issue.

Yet after merely one night, there was no time for a personal visit, sending Lanaia to request help?

"Yes, from the Night Watchmen Base."

Confirming Fu Qian’s questions, Lanaia simultaneously expressed indignation at the early wake-up.

"Aware of the matter?"

With emotions aside, Fu Qian casually inquired, as they already walked out of the laboratory.

"Not certain of specifics, but it likely involves Lily."

Clearly heartened towards the reliable subordinate, Lanaia, directing him to the car, explained.

Lily?

"Professor Ian’s beloved?"

Fu Qian took a moment to recall a figure with a black and gold half-mask.

"If that’s how you choose to put it, it’s fine... During that incident, her condition was rather severe, the Night Watchmen specifically looked after her, and previous tests were never targeted at her."

Surprised that Professor Fu recalled such a name, Lanaia seemed to be increasingly comforted.

"But according to Yuan Fang, this morning she was found to have a crown atop her head, made of real thorns..."