Chapter 1003: The Jokers' Desires |
Zhang Jizu didn't feel the slightest embarrassment. And nobody else did either.
Or rather, from the moment everyone saw the Joker meeting grounds filled with divine tombstones, they'd already guessed some of this [Death] Chosen's thoughts.
For a [Death] believer, offering lives to Him was devotion. And for Zhang Jizu's Nightmare Shadow to share that same devotion — he truly deserved that gentleman's gaze.
But when Cheng Shi remembered that this supremely devout Squinty Zhang had answered his question about why he wanted to stay alive with nothing more than "to live," he grasped a principle that cut straight to the universe's core: devotion taken to its extreme becomes blasphemy.
'Indeed. I'm still far too devout.'
Perhaps owing to their frequent exchanges, just as Zhang Jizu was about to look away, Li Jingming pressed a hand on his shoulder. Smiling, he shook his head:
"We can't just have everyone glance in the mirror and leave. These Nightmare Shadows belong to each of you, but they also carry some of the mirror's own knowledge and memories. That's how I confirmed Yu Xi's identity..."
"?"
'Hold on — I don't even know who Yu Xi is, and the mirror confirmed it for me?'
But Cheng Shi certainly wasn't going to poke holes in his own lies. He continued listening.
"...These memories are all intelligence.
I don't object to [Death]'s protection being enough to grant you an exchange exemption at Joker meetings. But... you're exempt. Your Nightmare Shadow should still have something to say, shouldn't it?"
Zhang Jizu stared at his Nightmare Shadow without moving, eyes narrowing: "I reserve the right to look away at any time. I advise careful questions."
'Was that a yes?'
Cheng Shi's eyes spun with mischief. Before the Dragon King could speak, he blurted out a question: "If all you want is to survive, why must you bury everyone?"
The mirror's shadow merely glanced at him, snorted coldly, and said nothing. It was Squinty Zhang himself who answered with perfect composure:
"'Kill and survive' means all of you die, which by extension means I live longer.
Trading offerings to that gentleman for personal longevity — I still consider this a form of devotion."
"?"
'Logical in its own way, but why does it also reek of [Deceit]?'
'The Joker Society was just too [Deceit].'
Cheng Shi rolled his eyes. The Dragon King ignored the joke entirely — his expression grave as he turned to the mirror's shadow and asked something unexpected.
"Why do you lead there? Is this [Corruption]'s conspiracy, or [Deceit]'s scheme?"
Normally Li Jingming would never dare ask this. He feared his recklessness might attract other gods' attention — especially [Corruption]'s.
But now, with divine surveillance blocked, he hid nothing of his curiosity about the mirror's hidden secrets.
To everyone else, the question sounded bizarre. What conspiracy? What scheme? This was a [Memory] creation. Even if it looked tainted by [Corruption], what did [Deceit] have to do with it?
The mirror's shadow squinted at Li Jingming with an eerie smile:
"Let me out. I'll bury them all. Then I'll tell you. Deal?
Or here's another option: you come in. I'll bury you. Then I'll carve what you want to know onto your epitaph. A comfort to your curiosity."
"..."
Terrifying words, but this level of threat held zero weight with the Jokers. Squinty Zhang even consoled the Dragon King with a squinty smile: "Ignore him. It won't be his turn."
"?"
'What exactly do you mean by "turn"?'
'Did Cheng Shi possess you?'
'Is the Fate Weaver's infectious personality really that contagious?'
The Dragon King gave Zhang Jizu a strange look. Zhang Jizu quietly averted his gaze.
Further questions would only be garbage time. This shadow did nothing but talk about burying people. Probably wouldn't yield anything useful.
Two remained. Cheng Shi naturally wouldn't volunteer to go first, so the acrobat took the stage.
Long Jing side-stepped to the mirror in one smooth move, letting That Dream My Nightmare sketch out a "brand-new" version of himself. The Nightmare version of President Gong appeared instantly, beckoning everyone with dramatic flourishes and an eerie grin:
"I know what you're all searching for. Let me out, and I'll take you there. Deal?"
"..."
'Performance drive maxed out as always.' Clearly, when it came to hogging the spotlight, every Long Jing was the same.
But the real Long Jing was more "restrained." At least after seeing this shameless version of himself, he had the urge to turn and flee.
Fortunately, Cheng Shi steadied him immediately, then grinned at the mirror's Long Jing: "Really?"
"Of course. This is a heart-to-heart session, isn't it?" The mirror's President Gong bowed elegantly, but the wild covetousness in his eyes couldn't be concealed.
Cheng Shi nodded approvingly: "Indeed. I unilaterally approve. But I need to verify one thing — you'd really take us to find It? I mean..."
[Origin]!
He didn't dare say the words aloud, but he mustered the courage to mouth them.
The instant Cheng Shi "spoke" those two characters, the mirror's Nightmare Shadow shuddered violently. Every trace of humor froze on its face.
It shot Cheng Shi a venomous glare, then its expression shifted to fear — and it simply exploded into black mist with a "boom," dissolving from the mirror's surface.
That Dream My Nightmare appeared to have... crashed.
Everyone blinked, exchanging confused looks. Cheng Shi scratched his head, glancing at the Dragon King awkwardly: "Has this ever happened before?"
Li Jingming's face went dark. He'd brought out the mirror to guide them closer to its secret — not so they could tease the shadows for fun. If this had blocked the path to [Memory]'s Collection Hall, who would answer for it?
Looking grim, he shook his head, stepped closer to the mirror, and began probing it carefully.
Seeing the mirror unresponsive for the moment, Zhen Xin chuckled meaningfully at Cheng Shi:
"Nice trick. But I'm curious — how did you know that would dispel the shadow?"
"???"
'How the hell would I know.'
Cheng Shi's mouth twitched. 'Who knew this thing was this easy to break?' But in hindsight, this was convenient. Maybe he'd just dodged his own mirror encounter.
He'd shared so many secrets already. Surely he didn't need to bare his desires as proof of sincerity too?
But the Nightmare Shadow's reaction was still worth pondering. Since it was another version of Long Jing, its fear of [Origin] was really a reflection of Long Jing's inner terror. Looking at it that way, the fact that the acrobat could overcome such fear and still appear here truly made him worthy of the other world's Long Jing's salvation.
Regardless of motive, the courage to conquer one's own fear was praiseworthy.
So President Gong did have his merits.
...