"I'm not sure."
Yuan Shan had to admit, the Chief's instincts were sharp, and she was quick to reflect on herself.
He hadn't needed to say much. She'd already realized there was something fishy going on.
"You're right. It was because you mentioned that he'd come to report to you of his own accord. It struck me as a little strange, so I suggested he come over here."
Though faced with her perceptiveness, Fu Qian didn't seem particularly enthusiastic. He shook his head lazily.
"But there are still too many possible explanations. Shangjing is full of complicated players, and there were so many people at the banquet last time. It's hard to say who exactly might have something in mind."
"Oh?"
Even so, Yuan Shan seemed enlightened. Her eyes lit up.
"You mean this could still be related to what you said at the banquet last time? Someone became interested in their family's cultivation method because of your interest in the Chen Clan?"
Understanding Fu Qian's meaning instantly, Yuan Shan continued without waiting for him to confirm it.
"That makes sense. An endorsement like that carries a lot of weight.
"Perhaps Chen Ping's unusually enthusiastic attitude means he sensed some kind of threat, which is why he's so eager to push this forward.
"That might even explain why he brought that thing out just now. It probably wasn't very safe to begin with..."
She quickly pieced together a possible situation, resolving some of her doubts. Then her brows knitted as she realized what Fu Qian's actions just now meant.
"But you turned him down. Partly because you're not interested, and partly because you don't seem inclined to help them deal with this trouble?"
Knowing Fu Qian, it was hard to believe that he'd simply tossed the thing back without even