Chapter 178: Chapter 177: Covert Battle (Five)_1
What? You’re admitting it just like that!
Fu Qian’s abrupt statement caused a stir throughout the venue.
“Just saving everyone some effort, since we’re all so busy.”
Fu Qian lifted his head, revealing a somewhat neurotic smile.
“That’s right, I arranged everything, and I was the one who killed them. Ruan Shuo was merely under my control, a scapegoat I pushed forward.”
“It’s just a pity—”
He sighed.
“Despite all my plans, I didn’t anticipate Director Li leaving his retreat early. It’s as if heaven itself is against me.”
“Director Li’s swordsmanship is divine, and I admit I’m no match for him. You can carry out justice right here, and I’ll offer no resistance.”
“You… why would you do this?”
After Fu Qian had finished speaking, Lanaia, who was by his side, was completely dumbfounded and couldn’t help but interject.
“There’s no point in talking further, take action!”
Fu Qian did not answer but simply watched Li Weixuan with a smile on his face.
Just like how killing Li Weixuan would not cause “it” to die before, Fu Qian had strong suspicions that even if he were to perish now, he wouldn’t truly cease to exist.
He might even merge his consciousness into the Swarm, becoming an existence like “it,” and ensure the contamination could never be eradicated.
And the reasons were twofold.
First, Sword Intent had been infused into him, and second, he was aware of the Swarm’s existence.
Both were indispensable.
That’s why “it” was so sensitive towards the Blasphemers; being aware of “it” was a form of contamination in itself.
Otherwise, “it” wouldn’t have needed to beat around the bush, guiding him to willingly detach himself— “it” could have just waited for Li Weixuan, now a Demigod, to leave his retreat and repeat the same scenario from last time.
Unless killing him while still part of the Swarm would lead to an outcome “it” could not accept.
Of course, these were just speculations, and for all he knew, “it” could be on the third floor, deliberately leading him into a trap by confessing to his “crimes,” thereby using someone else’s hand to end him.
But this guess was completely worth gambling on. There might even be a chance to experience what it’s like to become a conceptual creature, which was worth far more than a few SAN Points.
“You’re confessing?”
Li Weixuan’s expression was frosty as he stared at Fu Qian, and Jian Jingzheng immediately assumed a defensive posture.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“You’re asking that too?”
Fu Qian shook his head with a sense of resignation.
“Really, it’s nothing much, just a bit of research interest. I’m quite curious about Sword Intent.”
Research, curiosity…
Lanaia and Jian Jingzheng both gasped, recalling Fu Qian’s previous infiltration of the Sword Pavilion.
“Just to satisfy your own curiosity, you treat the lives of so many like a game?”
Li Weixuan’s hand once again moved to his waist, and the atmosphere in the room grew tense and deadly.
“That’s just how you commoners think,”
Fu Qian snorted.
“Who are you to say this is a game? Nothing is more noble than exploring the mysteries of life and power.”
He was the epitome of an incurable fanatic, racing down the path of provoking hostility at full throttle.
“Their sacrifices are the dazzling stars on the path of Transcendent power exploration, destined to shine brightly in the annals of history! They are the true Saints!”
Once Fu Qian decided to embrace his demise, he went all in, perfectly mimicking the tone of Elder Lu from the Rebirth Club with a face full of devout sanctity.
“Fool, our cause is just!”
…
This guy’s a complete and utter madman!
After listening to Fu Qian’s rambling nonsense, Jian Jingzheng barely managed to collect himself and quickly made a judgment.
“I knew it, those madmen at Heaven’s Commencement Institute would eventually cause trouble, and the Academy has been indulging them all this while.”
This was what he thought indignantly while remaining fully alert.
He always categorized the scientific fanatics of Heaven’s Commencement Institute as incurable and extremely dangerous!
Their thoughts, which are uncommon among ordinary people, make them believe that there is nothing wrong with what they are doing. Usual morals and rules simply can’t restrain them.
In some ways, they don’t even care about their own lives.
“Aren’t you going to make a move? If not, I can leave,” Fu Qian said, fanning the flames as he saw that Li Weixuan, despite the maxed-out killing intent, had not taken any action.
This guy really has no idea what’s coming for him!
Lanaia was amazed as she watched Li Weixuan, whose strength she was well aware of. He could be considered the top person below the rank of Demigod in the Academy.
Although Fu Qian was strong, he would have no chance of surviving once Li Weixuan took action.
As soon as this thought crossed her mind, Li Weixuan made his move.
Sword Intent was mighty and invincible. The moment he acted, even Lanaia couldn’t help but feel a sense of suffocation.
On the other hand, his target, Fu Qian, was truly motionless, without any reaction.
Just as Fu Qian seemed destined to be smashed to pieces under Li Weixuan’s attack, the fierce Sword Intent suddenly changed direction, blasting towards the ground instead.
Around the space where Fu Qian stood, the ground instantly tore apart, creating crisscrossed ravines that perfectly avoided his position, not harming him in the slightest.
It seems I bet correctly!
In the silent scene, Fu Qian wore a deeply meaningful smile.
This risky move had validated his speculation to a considerable extent.
He could now almost confirm that “it” had orchestrated everything beforehand to induce him to voluntarily sever the connection with the Sword Intent and break away from the “Swarm”.
Phew!
Li Weixuan, who had spared Fu Qian a way out, also exhaled.
“I, Li Weixuan, am certainly not one to unjustly blame others without good reason. I won’t wrongly accuse the innocent. You have one more chance. The next strike won’t be on the ground…”
Li Weixuan had just looked like he was ready to pounce, but then he suddenly changed his tone?
Lanaia couldn’t help but feel that the scene before her was beyond her understanding.
What she didn’t expect even more was that Fu Qian didn’t say a word, simply turning and walking away.
Given the chance of survival by Li Weixuan, he acted completely unappreciative, doing exactly as he had said.
If you don’t take action, I will leave—and he really did leave!
Lanaia and Jian Jingzheng’s eyes both converged on Li Weixuan’s face, but even as Fu Qian’s figure disappeared, Li Weixuan did not make another move.
…
Fu Qian was in no rush at the moment.
He understood very well that, after probing that “it” dared not kill him directly, it should be the other party that was anxious.
“It” would definitely make a move soon.
All he had to do was to watch out not to be subtly influenced and to wait and see how things unfold.
For now, “it” had revealed a lot, but not enough—for instance, it was still uncertain how to utterly destroy “it”.
…
In fact, the other party acted faster than expected.
Fu Qian returned to his office at Heaven’s Commencement Institute, but he had rested for less than half an hour before a knock sounded on the door.
“Come in!”
Fu Qian responded, and the door to the office was then pushed open from the outside.
Ji Liushuang walked in, her expression blank and her head down, without a word, closing the door behind her.
Clang!
In the next moment, without any hesitation, she drew her long sword and slashed at Fu Qian.