Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 2627: Chapter 2622: Returning the Favor

The texture is quite nice.

There’s a saying that one does not pick up lost items from the road, but considering it’s at home, it seems there’s no such taboo.

Holding the table-sized fabric in his hand, Fu Qian noted that even without the special effects, the texture was excellent.

The last time he saw this thing, Tyler was wrapping it around himself as he shuttled through the shadows.

It turns out it has far more than that one effect; one could easily wear it while attending the Night Travel Magic Academy.

Yet, despite such a valuable item, it still couldn’t protect its owner’s life?

Destiny is unpredictable, so why not leave it to those with virtue?

He didn’t mind that it had served as a shroud for a while; with a couple of shakes in his hands, Fu Qian draped it like a cloak over his shoulders.

He had to admit, he hadn’t felt anything initially, but now suddenly he sensed that the Grand Fate Ming Emperor should have a similar accessory.

His fingers glided over the cloak, and even as he praised it, he didn’t take it for granted, as he surveyed the place that was once a cage.

The surrounding ink-colored darkness remained deep, and it seemed that even the night-loving Bloodline Clan might feel depressed if they stared at it for too long.

But as he had just tested it, it seemed that the item didn’t possess any destructive power on its own.

Besides, there weren’t any particular traces inside.

To the point where the tragedy on the ground suddenly took on the air of a locked-room murder mystery.

Typically at this point, as an intruder at the crime scene, he should be mistaken for the murderer by those arriving later, right?

But seriously, this hold is really tight.

At a certain moment, Fu Qian lowered his head, examining his left hand.

Considering the design issues, the cloak wasn’t properly draped over his back but rather held with this hand covering one side.

Yet, the texture he had just praised seemed exaggerated at the moment; no longer simply smooth and fitting, it adhered to his skin akin to static electricity, growing tighter and tighter.

This is the legendary vein-binding strip, isn’t it?

No need to test it; Fu Qian knew that it wouldn’t be easy to remove, prompting him to suddenly recall a term.

Not merely a casual statement, as it is well-known that once the item is tied, it’s generally to draw blood, and Fu Qian already felt the cloak’s greed for flesh—ha!

Even the silence in the darkness was broken by a peculiar laughter.

But it wasn’t caused by someone suddenly barging in; it came from the corpse on the ground.

"I knew it, you would definitely come... Grand Fate Ming Emperor."

The subsequent voice clearly recognized Fu Qian’s identity.

Though that last call of "Grand Fate Ming Emperor" was somewhat through gritted teeth.

...

"Tyler Gulad?"

In a sudden twist of fate, Fu Qian wasn’t embarrassed by his identity being revealed, as he was able to casually state the name with ease.

Indeed, who else could it be? Back in the days when he was navigating the business world, it was the owner of this voice who helped develop the old book recycling and rental business, so how could Fu Qian easily forget?

"Yes, it’s me... Everyone said it was a stupid idea, but I just want to say they don’t understand you."

Sure enough, the next moment, the other party openly admitted, while the charred "corpse" slowly stood up, and his facial features became clear, revealing him as the renowned young prodigy of Shangjing, South’s Tyler.

Truth be told, the Child of Destiny didn’t encounter mishaps so easily.

And in just a few sentences of dialogue, there was already a strong sense of a trap, specifically designed for him.

Brother Tyler had long anticipated the Grand Fate Ming Emperor’s visit, so he prepared the banquet early.

This move could be called mutual pursuit.

"Heh... So what kind of person am I?"

Filled with a sense of satisfaction, Fu Qian chuckled deeply, not minding hearing his hyped-up reputation.

...

"Only confirms my belief in who you are, with such an arrogant attitude."

Lacking a sense of caution typical of those who fall into traps, Tyler nevertheless refused to lose his demeanor before the reckless Grand Fate Ming Emperor, as he coldly stared at Fu Qian’s face while speaking.

Although the face mask was flawless, last time he had worn a mask, and this time it was flesh creation, the impression was vastly different.

"I must say, your face matches well with Limb Attachment."

Additionally, it was moving that he remembered so firmly the Transcendent’s philosophy once spoken by the Grand Fate Ming Emperor, casually mentioning a certain organization.

"You flatter me; you’ve changed quite a bit."

Fu Qian, remaining unable to discern whether it was praise or scorn, politely responded immediately.

Without exaggeration, although the face had returned to normal, Tyler still had little vitality, almost giving the impression of a speaking corpse.

The black on him remained dense, even subtly resonating with the surrounding "oil" as he moved.

"Heh, if I didn’t do this, how could I make you confidently put on that thing?"

It seemed he was tickled in a sweet spot, as Tyler spoke with infectiously joyful undertones, and as he spoke, he even reached out, pulling a wisp of black thread from thin air.

"Obviously, this isn’t any kind of barrier, nor can it trap anyone. Its sole function is to make even demigods unable to discern my true state.

"And I’ve always had faith in you, not only that you would come looking for me again, but also that you could find this hidden corpse."

...

"I understand now, this thing is like that cage—it belongs to reciprocal vengeance."

As the saying goes, seeing someone after a few days is like seeing them anew; South’s Tyler’s name was certainly not misplaced.

He didn’t harbor any dissatisfaction with the posture of his opponent, as Fu Qian earnestly listened, quickly drawing conclusions and clarifying the nature of this trap.

Even reflecting on the past, he gained insights into possible motives behind the trap.

The first time he returned from the Nightmare Corridor, he had once frightened Tyler with the headcage, deceiving him into believing it left a mark on him, which couldn’t be cleaned even if jumped into the Yellow River.

Although it was merely a dream, the victim still seemed proud, unwilling to swallow any needless humiliation.

If he guessed correctly, the cloak entangling him wasn’t meant to suck him dry by such means, but rather similarly to leave some mark, making him unable to escape.

"Heh, the Ming Emperor is still as insightful as ever."

Brother Tyler was undoubtedly very amused today.

"Indeed, your item is equally sensitive to flesh, sensitive to the point where once it’s contacted, it would never mistake it.

"Even if you find a way to remove it now, or even leave directly, with the aid of the Gulad Clan’s secret arts, you’ll be tracked no matter where you are."

Really holds a grudge, doesn’t he? It’s practically an upgrade of my original description of the headcage’s effects.

He had explained it in such detail, Fu Qian couldn’t help but marvel at the spirit of a determined youth.

Knowing shame and rising with courage, today’s setup was clearly evident, the result of Brother Tyler’s studious research on revenge tactics after enduring setbacks.

It even absorbed the essence of the Grand Fate Ming Emperor’s techniques, using one’s own methods against oneself.

Previously, I had questioned whether he was enjoying undue fame, but it seems the title of South’s Tyler is not undeserved at all.