[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-facing-an-ancient-god-for-a-year":3,"chapter-facing-an-ancient-god-for-a-year-facing-an-ancient-god-for-a-year-chapter-2226":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Facing an Ancient God for a Year",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},970956,1268,"Chapter 2224 - 2219: King of the Torn Asunder (9)","facing-an-ancient-god-for-a-year-chapter-2226",2226,"\u003Cp>So the Night Watchman appeared here, not because he detected any unlawful actions from the Native Council, but to pay homage to the Lonely King?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Fu Qian remained still, allowing the \"leech\" on his body to suck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I must say, this is indeed a beautifully executed response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since your behavior is unfathomable to the point of being inhuman, showing no concern for the mutation on your body or the intimidation from the Night Watchman, I might as well help you pick up the pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s see if you’re truly unafraid and perhaps even use you as a tool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Qian expressed profound understanding of the thoughts behind these changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Needle Witch truly has many tricks up her sleeve; such skillful maneuvers are a masterful use of the resources at hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the strength of a direct strategy lies here; even with such clever handling, it does not mean there’s no cost or that nothing is exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still managed to gain something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, it’s very simple; over there is indeed Needle Witch, and the rag doll here is indeed probing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Secondly, this visit by the Night Watchman seems more subdued than usual, not rushing to take drastic action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lastly, they seem to be interested in the \"Lonely King\" as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what could their purpose be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the silent exchange, Fu Qian was instantly intrigued, even pondering what role the Native Council plays in all this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in this grand and fervent Lonely King’s Palace, quiet contemplation is clearly rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Fu Qian exchanged glances with the shy rag doll, a peculiar sound had already arisen, audibly coming from outside the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for why it’s described as peculiar, it’s hard to discern whether it was vocal cords rubbing or nails scratching glass — nails scratching vocal cords?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Fu Qian assessed, the source of the sound already circled around from the open door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure that appeared was quite striking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared with Brother Leech earlier, this individual is clearly much more flamboyant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only was there no hood or such, but he wore a sleeveless short shirt on his upper body, tightly clinging, making one worry it might snap open the next moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And his physique seemed to support this confidence; compared to Brother Leech’s skeletal frame, the flesh beneath the short shirt appeared unusually full, with only the word \"robust\" apt to describe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this wasn’t the main point; the most striking feature was the person’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No need for perception, Fu Qian expressed he could clearly see blood vessels, the airway, and even bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flesh wrapping them was stripped quite cleanly, with even the upper and lower boundaries sharply defined, akin to a deliberate incision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it wasn’t entirely unguarded; the exposed structures seemed coated with a white powder, and its strength appeared quite high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strange sound just now was made as the person traced a finger over the trachea, and the powder showed no signs of flaking off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the sound seemed to bring him innermost joy, as if bringing him closer to a great being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was, he was also drawing near here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly not merely passing by, this building was his destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Quickly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon spotting Fu Qian seated there, the newcomer turned head and growled lowly, evidently urging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after the growl, whatever he saw seemed finally to register in his mind, as he turned back to stare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please come in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Qian neither ignored nor stood up, merely nodding slightly as a gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three people, the old leading the new?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No response came; the newcomer just stood there, eyeballs darting around so wildly that one wondered if focus could be achieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Qian wasn’t critical, knowing from prior behavior that this individual’s internal systems were likely quite chaotic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently not just one seemingly chaotic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the midst of this silence, the person urged before has appeared, with two more heads behind the newcomer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One head bore a strong resemblance to his, normal human features, female, with a meticulously hollowed and powdered neck—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, it seemed somewhat misunderstood; the white on the neck appeared not a result of cosmetic application, but naturally grown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came the last, a shorter individual seemingly younger than the other two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His most distinct difference was an indecent neck, with skin seemingly intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, on the outer skin, it was visible, akin to frosted persimmon, with powdered texture matching that of the other two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Qian was fairly certain the substance really rose from within like persimmon frost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, it seemed clear this group was here for a purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While assessing the trio’s appearances, Fu Qian also noticed what the female held.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a uniquely shaped knife, slender, sharp, one end resembling a small peach shape, easily reminding one of a tool named ’pig-castrating knife,’ and their necks’ distinct boundaries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would this newcomer undergo the same fate? Hence visiting this place where dreams began?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his powerful empathy skills, Fu Qian easily deduced the possible intentions of the squad ahead, realizing he was rather an obstacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Self-awareness aside, Fu Qian was not genuinely preparing to be proactive and offer his spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facts proved human adaptability is indeed endless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six wandering eyeballs clearly noticed Fu Qian seated within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as the male officer’s thoughts resumed operations, he simply continued leading the squad, walking straight in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this, neither was there a response to Fu Qian’s greeting, nor any expressions of aversion or eviction, directly treating the place as nothingness, disregarded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In light of their mental states, this psychological invisibility seemed rational.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Fu Qian assessed, the male officer had already beckoned the newcomer to sit cross-legged on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, the latter’s reaction was distinctly more human, following directions while even glancing over here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet as he adhered to instructions, some desire seemed rapidly triggered, soon the newcomer was sitting upright, less than two meters away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it truly as thought, aiding the newcomer’s transformation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly a good vantage for observation, Fu Qian watched unapologetically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this angle, he discovers the newcomer’s neck isn’t merely like frost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surface skin seemed to have become brittle, creaking from internal structure pressures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, a louder sound occurred; the dynamic male officer had already swiftly wielded his knife, helping to sever this mortal bind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flesh indeed cracked like eggshells, crumbling.\u003C\u002Fp>",1071,"2026-06-03T07:51:33.621Z","2026-06-03T07:51:40.755Z",1,"novelbin.me","9019df6ff07a56a794e07ddc0fa4dadc129f7fdf6345954710e9e7fffb6a53f2","facing-an-ancient-god-for-a-year-chapter-2227","facing-an-ancient-god-for-a-year-chapter-2225",2389,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffacing-an-ancient-god-for-a-year-cover.jpg"]