Chapter 1002: What Is Zhen Xin's Nightmare Shadow? |
The Jokers present shared the same sentiment. They looked at Wang Weijin with expressions more colorful than the last.
Cheng Shi stared blankly for a while before introducing him to the group:
"Doctor Wang Weijin. An assassin who pursued [Truth] so thoroughly he ended up on the path of [Deceit]. You've guessed correctly — he's a slice of 0221. Though that's ancient history now.
I take it I don't need to introduce these people to you, Doctor."
The Doctor nodded, offering a friendly wave to the Jokers with a smile: "I made five copies of the experimental conclusions..."
"A pleasure."
"Long-time admirer."
"So you're that stowaway. Interesting."
"..."
Who said scholars only had their noses buried in research? Look at the Doctor — practically touching [Truth] in the field of interpersonal relations too.
Speaking of which, after merging with [Deceit], this rigid scholar had finally developed a hint of human warmth.
Hopefully, more of this experimental-conclusions-bearing warmth would follow.
After the brief chaos, the Jokers didn't dwell too much on the freeloading Doctor's appearance. Among liars, the currency of exchange was deception itself. If someone had the skill to fool you, it only raised your opinion of them.
Besides, with That Dream My Nightmare right there, everyone's attention lingered on the Nightmare Shadow in the mirror.
As Wang Weijin's reflection, the eerily grinning shadow inevitably reminded everyone of 0221. They might not have seen what 0221 looked like before his transformation, but the gaze and bearing were unmistakable — the spitting image of that [Truth]-overdosed madman.
Li Jingming turned to study the Doctor, then glanced at the mirror's reflection. He frowned with curiosity:
"Why are you so quiet today?"
The Nightmare Shadow flicked a glance at Li Jingming and spoke in a voice identical to 0221's airy, gap-toothed rasp:
"Heh heh. Even if I wanted out, would he let me?
No. He wouldn't. [Truth]'s composure will keep him refusing me forever. And it's [Truth]'s same composure that tells me I should save my energy."
The shadow then turned its half-amused, half-mocking gaze on the Doctor. The playfulness in those eyes made everyone frown.
'This is just 0221!'
Cheng Shi's expression darkened too. He hadn't expected Wang Weijin — who'd severed ties with 0221 — to still harbor a 0221 within his heart. "A gentleman is judged by his actions, not his thoughts," sure — but this kind of hidden danger still set off alarm bells.
The Nightmare Shadow was clearly plotting something. But even the Dragon King, who had a preliminary understanding of the mirror, couldn't figure out how a shadow confined to the mirror could influence its real-world host.
Still, as a fellow Joker, despite his concerns, he reassured the Doctor:
"Don't worry. Verbal attacks are simply one of the Nightmare Shadow's tactics. Just ignore it."
The Doctor nodded gravely. In truth, he hadn't planned to go first. The accident had simply dragged 0221 right before his eyes. Under everyone's watch, he quietly averted his gaze, and the eerily smiling 0221 dissolved from the mirror's surface.
Seeing the glass empty once more, Zhen Xin smiled and stepped up without hesitation to face the mirror.
Before long, the surface shifted. A cold figure appeared before everyone — identical to Zhen Xin in every way, but with a colder, darker expression. Like a corrupted Zhen Xin.
This seemed reasonable enough. After all, That Dream My Nightmare was fundamentally still a mirror. But Zhen Xin apparently disagreed. She shook her head with a wry smile:
"Drop the act. You're not pulling it off."
The instant she spoke, the "Zhen Xin" in the mirror broke into a wide grin — an expression hauntingly familiar, as manic as Zhen Yi.
"Heh~
Why is everyone staring at me? Don't tell me you all have a crush?
Oh my, oh my — what to do? So many men circling little old me. What a waste of resources. How about... you all fight it out?
Whoever wins gets to be my new boyfriend. Deal?"
"!!!"
'So Zhen Xin's desire is... Zhen Yi!?'
The circumstances of Zhen Yi's birth arguably stemmed from a need to master the art of "deceit." But... didn't this mean Zhen Xin's heart always harbored the same "destructive urge" as Zhen Yi?
Otherwise, as an independent personality, Zhen Xin should never have reflected another personality. Psychologically speaking, they were clearly two separate people.
Cheng Shi studied Zhen Xin thoughtfully, then irritably rolled his eyes at the mirror's Zhen Yi: "Why would winning count as a punishment?"
The mirror's Zhen Yi giggled and stuck her tongue out at Cheng Shi:
"How is this punishment? This is obviously a reward.
What, not enough of a prize?
Don't forget — my sister and I are one heart and one body. Two rewards and it's still not enough?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Every Joker turned to Zhen Xin with bizarre expressions. Zhen Xin's eyelid twitched violently, but she maintained a half-smile:
"I didn't let you out to flirt with men. Nothing you want to say to me?"
The Nightmare Shadow sneered:
"You're not as fun as men. Right... my dear sister?"
Everyone caught the loaded subtext, but the next second Zhen Xin sneered right back, looked away, and the shadow vanished from the glass.
"Nothing interesting. Though I'll admit the conversation does aid personality splitting. But I imagine none of you want a second Zhen Yi?"
"!!!"
The Jokers achieved a rare moment of perfect unity. Every head shook like a rattle drum.
With Zhen Xin stepping back, the remaining members fell into silence. Seeing no one move, Cheng Shi's eyes turned and he sidled up to Long Jing, nudging the acrobat with his shoulder:
"Not going to try?
Maybe there's another version of yourself in there to guide you."
"?"
Long Jing stiffened, eyeing Cheng Shi suspiciously — wondering if the other knew something. But Cheng Shi's casual manner suggested it was a throwaway comment. He relaxed.
'Shouldn't be possible. Lord Shi Zhen only summoned me. There's no reason he'd know about any of that.'
Still, Cheng Shi's words kindled something in Long Jing. Even knowing the mirror contained his desires — who said desire couldn't be another form of guidance?
Perhaps it could show his lost self what to do next.
Excitement flared in his chest.
But just as he was about to step forward, no one expected the largely silent Zhang Jizu to move first, standing before the mirror.
The next second, a "Zhang Jizu" with eyes squinted to the extreme appeared in the glass. He surveyed the room, chuckled ominously twice, then flicked a carving knife from his sleeve. Idly sharpening his fingernails with it, he spoke coldly:
"Shame to leave those tombstones empty. Let me out. I'll bury every last one of you. Improve the utilization rate. How about it?"
"..."
"?"
Cheng Shi rolled his eyes speechlessly. 'Squinty Zhang, you really do want to equally send everyone off, don't you!'
...