Chapter 61: Bad Omens Must Die (VII)

"What are we going to do? Even the Nightwatchers shouldn't go too far and bully people like this! Casting dirt on us so unscrupulously!"

Watching the three figures depart, Huang Jianyuan, having finally caught his breath, couldn't help but roar in a low, suppressed voice.

"Father, say something!"

He had never suffered such humiliation in all his life, and especially towards that clueless Fu Qian—he wished he could eat his flesh and drink his blood.

"What to do..."

Huang Leji's face was equally ashen, and after a long silence, he finally spoke.

"Everyone, get out there. Search the place inch by inch until you find that murderer.

If the Nightwatchers want proof, we'll give them proof!"

Uttering these words almost through gritted teeth, Huang Leji gestured, and a figure flashed out from the shadows.

"Keep a close eye on him..."

He pointed toward Fu Qian's receding back.

"He is no Nightwatcher... And our Huang family is not someone who can be blackmailed by anyone."

...

"Truly a place blessed with outstanding people and divine energy!"

Upon leaving the Huang family estate, Fu Qian looked back at the massive hilltop bathed in the setting sun and let out an exclamation.

Captain Qiao's mouth twitched. The impact of what just happened was too great, and right now, he couldn't even muster a forced smile.

Fu Qian glanced at him. It had been Huang Jianyuan rather than his old man who came out to greet them, which meant that when this fellow notified the Huang family, he hadn't fully disclosed the situation here—showing at least a shred of tact.

The situation in Xiyuan City implied that the upper echelons of the Nightwatchers and the Huang family had a tacit understanding; sending someone of Captain Qiao's caliber to garrison this place made that abundantly clear.

His accusation was, of course, complete nonsense spewed off the cuff, but regardless of whether the Huang family felt wronged today, there was no more time to bicker with them. They had to be forced into action.

Lying ahead was not just a lunatic fond of sadistic slaughter, but a catastrophe that could strike at any moment.

As colossal entities nurtured by the flesh and blood of the region, these families bore responsibilities of their own; they couldn't simply absolve themselves with a plea of innocence.

One had to admit that Su Gao was a clever woman. Even without prior communication, the moment he spoke, she immediately took a resolute stance, saving him a great deal of breath.

As for whether the Huang family would become desperate and jump over the wall?

Fu Qian harbored zero concerns about that.

According to the intelligence he had gathered previously, while these aristocratic clans possessed formidable strength, they still paled entirely in comparison to the primary transcendent organization.

In fact, Fu Qian was even curious about how such an organization was established; logically speaking, it defied sociology almost entirely.

Even if the Huang family were given a hundred times their courage, Fu Qian didn't believe they would dare do anything to the Nightwatchers.

The Nightwatchers might have had a tacit understanding with them previously, but that was merely a form of respect toward a local powerhouse, granting them a bit more breathing room.

However, the same might not apply to him.

Before even leaving the Huang family estate, Fu Qian had noticed a peculiar gaze of surveillance, confirming that he had already been targeted.

Ah! The informal title of expert consultant really carried zero deterrent effect!

...

When the three of them returned to the Nightwatcher base, darkness had already fallen.

Lu Jun and his companion hadn't returned yet; they were probably working overtime out in the field.

The people from the Huang family were likely in the exact same state right now.

As the mastermind behind all of this, Fu Qian stretched lazily.

Everything that needed to be done had been done; next, he would wait and watch how the situation evolved.

Though the base wasn't large, it still had guest rooms for transient personnel. After Captain Qiao arranged for him to stay in one, Fu Qian found the conditions unexpectedly pleasant.

Not only was the space unreasonably vast, but all kinds of facilities were fully equipped.

Even the walls were made of special materials, with a safety coefficient that was off the charts. Moreover, if his eyes didn't deceive him, even the curtains possessed significant perception-blocking effects.

Once the curtains were drawn, the outside world would have no way of knowing a fraction of the activity inside.

How furtive—bah, what financial might!

With such an overbearing organization, should he consider trying to worm his way in and secure an official post if the opportunity arose?

Fu Qian thought to himself as he properly drew the curtains.

Wondering if the tail that had followed him all the way back would start getting a bit anxious now?

That very night, Fu Qian got his answer.

Waking up from his slumber, though the lights were off, Fu Qian was entirely certain that something had slipped into his room.

In truth, for someone of his current stature, sleeping had practically become a recreational activity; if necessary, staying awake for several days straight wouldn't affect him in the least.

However, years of habit had left him with a special fondness for beds.

This thing didn't seem to be a living creature.

Fu Qian clearly perceived a pitch-black little insect slithering in along the corner of the wall.

Its shape was indeed that of an insect, but its body seemed to be composed of formless smoke.

In all likelihood, it was some kind of special scouting technique employed by a transcendent.

It seemed the fellow outside was truly desperate, daring to engage in petty tricks right inside the Nightwatcher base.

The little insect crawled a short distance across the floor and then stopped, as if confirming whether it was indeed inside the room.

Fu Qian held his breath and concentrated, dropping his heartbeat until it was almost nonexistent.

Ever since he activated the Feast, this sort of thing had become effortless for him.

Sure enough, the little insect seemed to fall into hesitation, unsure whether it should creep closer to take a look.

A moment later, the little insect finally moved, inching its way toward the bed.

Fu Qian had originally intended to play with it for a little longer, but the next instant, *shing*.

A fierce blade-qi pierced directly through the wall, cutting precisely across the body of the little insect.

The little insect was cleaved straight in two, then dissipated into a wisp of smoke.

One could sense the consciousness linked to it shudder violently before retreating at high speed.

Fu Qian sat up on the bed, and immediately afterward, a knock sounded at the door.

Getting up to open it, he found Su Gao standing outside.

"Mr. Fu, someone is monitoring you," Su Gao said respectfully.

"Do you need me to clear them out?"

She was being far too respectful!

Upon discovering a threat, she actually sought his opinion before deciding whether or not to eliminate it.

It looked like as long as he gave the word to clear them out, Su Gao would immediately go and off the eavesdropper.

"No need, leaving it for now has its uses."

Fu Qian blinked. His display of arrogance at the Huang family earlier hadn't been for nothing.

The signature of the little insect's master had already been memorized.

Hearing Fu Qian's reply, Su Gao nodded without probing into what use he had for keeping the watcher around, then turned and left silently.

Fu Qian closed the door and looked at the long crack sliced into the wall.

Su Gao indeed lived right next door to him.

He could perceive that upon returning to her room, Su Gao still wasn't sleeping; instead, she stood rigidly by the window, motionless.

For a split second, it seemed as though all signs of life had vanished from her, turning her into a genuine wooden puppet.

Her state of existence was truly quite special!

The hole in the wall naturally couldn't be hidden from Captain Qiao and the others. The next day, when Fu Qian saw them again, although every single one of them wore piercing gazes and stern expressions, the occasional stray glance made Fu Qian vaguely sense that their souls of gossip were burning—probably half of them guessing at his relationship with Su Gao.

Before he could say anything, Captain Qiao received a message and stepped outside, returning a moment later with a peculiar expression on his face.

"The head of the Huang family wishes to pay a visit, saying he has information to share with us."