Chapter 1088: Meeting of the Two Dragons |
A trial — somewhere unknown on the Land of Hope.
It had been an incredibly brutal trial. [Truth]'s followers had actually been coveting the players' identities — making Long Jing feel like he'd lived through a horror story.
Fortunately, the horror story had familiar faces in it. With the help of his teammates, they'd finally thwarted the conspiracy and escaped alive.
Now, with the trial nearing its end, the four surviving players stood amid the ruins of a city, gazing out over the war-ravaged landscape in quiet reflection.
On the far end, a player in a trench coat held a battered wooden crate in one hand. He sighed wistfully:
"Destruction is, in its own way, a form of [Oblivion].
Unfortunately, the flames of war burned too fiercely. I didn't have time to help everyone find release.
But at least, nourished by hatred, [Oblivion] has already taken root in the hearts of this city's people.
That brings me great comfort."
Could this person have merged with [Memory]?
Long Jing looked toward the Dragon King beside him, only to see Li Jingming give him the subtlest of winks — clearly also noticing something unusual about the man's identity.
But that said — this Dragon King's personality seemed a bit erratic for this round. Was he actually someone else in disguise?
Cheng Shi? Zhang Jizu? Or... one of the Zhens?
While Long Jing was still deliberating, the other teammate spoke up.
He raised his chin, looking down through his nostrils at the trench-coat man, and said in a deep voice:
"Mo Shu — the matter I've raised is entirely your decision to join or not. But you'd better drop those little [Memory] tricks of yours. Otherwise, after this round ends, I won't remember you — and I won't trust you again."
Indeed — the trench-coat man was Mo Shu.
Mo Shu glanced back at this follower of [Folly] and smiled: "I'm certainly interested. But what you've described far exceeds my understanding. I'll need time to think it over carefully. Don't worry — I'll come find you, and I'll earn your trust again."
"Foolish.
If the risks of this trial hadn't thrown us together, I wouldn't have trusted you like this. You'd pass up the present opportunity to pursue future validation?
Ha — I hope [Descent]'s brain can teach you just how unreachably brilliant [Folly]'s wisdom truly is.
Forget it. These things can't be rushed."
With that, the [Folly] follower prepared to exit the trial.
But just then, Li Jingming reached out and stopped him.
"Wait — he may not be interested, but I am.
Jie Shu, why don't you explain your plan? Whatever it is, I'm fairly confident I can be of some small help.
Of course, in exchange — this memory must be recorded."
Jie Shu paused mid-step, turned to face Li Jingming, and let out a derisive snort:
"Come to you?
Tch—
Whether you're really Li Jingming is still up for debate."
"Of course I am," Li Jingming said with a smile. "The genuine article."
"Then I definitely can't involve you. I need an assistant, not a mole. You... don't fit the bill."
A mole?
Both Li Jingming and Long Jing furrowed their brows at that.
Long Jing reasoned that Jie Shu must be planning to move against someone, and that target apparently had ties to the Dragon King — which was why he refused to work with him.
Suddenly, Long Jing grew curious. He wanted to know whose name had made it onto the "list" of this Fool Hunter — ranked second on his path, right behind Wei Mu on the Road to Ascension.
Li Jingming raised an eyebrow, looking thoughtful:
"Interesting.
Mo Shu carries [Memory]'s power and you don't mind. Yet you won't travel with me, a [Memory] follower. That suggests your target is most likely a follower of [Deceit].
What happened — were you swindled?
Tell me about it. If I get to record a new memory, I might even be able to offer hints and guidance."
"Ha — guess all you like. There are plenty of faiths in this game. Because I didn't invite you, it must be [Deceit] I'm after?
Li Jingming, you're a bit too full of yourself."
"Then why didn't you invite Long Jing?
He shared this trial's hardship with you too, and you're both ranked second. A second-ranked Acrobat isn't good enough for you?
No — the look in your eyes tells me you never even considered Long Jing as a candidate. So you do have an issue with [Deceit].
At this level of play, refusing to associate with [Deceit] simply because of being tricked before does happen — take my lovesick colleague, for instance. But for a clear-sighted follower of [Folly]... it would be absurdly out of character.
So I lean more toward the conclusion that you're targeting someone in [Deceit].
That makes me even more interested in your plan.
How about this — let me recommend someone. Someone perfectly suited to help you take on a [Deceit] follower. And you won't need to tell me anything about your plan. Just choose one memory to share, and the deal is done. Sound fair?"
Jie Shu considered this briefly, then asked with amusement: "Any memory?"
"Any memory," Li Jingming confirmed.
"Interesting — I do have time for a little game.
I once observed that some so-called players are players in name only — they're actually non-human entities. Which means the real players in this game aren't limited to us mortals.
Does that count as an interesting memory, Li Jingming?"
"?"
Li Jingming's pupils contracted slightly. He sensed the remark was pointed, but he nodded and smiled:
"Naturally it counts.
Since you've shared your memory, I'll give my recommendation as promised.
And my recommendation is... him!"
He pointed at Long Jing.
Both Jie Shu and Mo Shu froze. Jie Shu lifted his chin with undisguised disdain: "If you can't take this seriously, don't play."
Li Jingming smiled:
"What — you don't believe me?
If you're going after [Deceit], you should know that only a fraud can catch a fraud.
And whoever you're targeting seriously enough to recruit help for must be someone with a name on the rankings.
Coincidentally, this President Gong here has a grudge against every single notable fraud near the top of the [Deceit] Ladder of Ascent. So he's absolutely the best choice."
Jie Shu glanced at Long Jing and scoffed again:
"What deal do you have with this fraud?
You think I'll believe this?"
Li Jingming smiled, about to argue further — but Long Jing suddenly let out a mocking laugh and spat toward both of them:
"Morons.
You think I need outsiders to deal with them?
Fraud versus fraud comes down to one thing — the con. If brute force worked, would I have waited this long?
Don't tell me you two — a Memory Traveler and a Fool Hunter combined — actually think you're stronger than one Acrobat.
Ha — who gave you that confidence?
Ridiculous.
I'm leaving. Don't bother me. My day at the top will come."
With that, Long Jing's figure gradually faded and vanished.
The remaining three stood in stunned silence. Li Jingming chuckled softly:
"It seems I underestimated President Gong's stubborn pride.
Oh well — a boring memory exchanged for useless advice is still fair enough.
Gentlemen — until we meet again."
Li Jingming left too. Jie Shu and Mo Shu, alone in the trial, exchanged a look — their expressions varied, their eyes flickering.
Before long, everyone had left the trial. Silence returned to the ruins. But just as the smoke of war began to clear, two figures reappeared on the spot.
Long Jing and the Dragon King locked eyes. Li Jingming smiled: "Nice acting, President Gong. You truly are a master of the craft."
Long Jing frowned, gazing in the direction Jie Shu and Mo Shu had disappeared. He mused:
"For Jie Shu to treat something this seriously, the targets are probably all in the Joker alliance. Dragon King — who do you think they're going after?
That bad-luck magnet?"
Li Jingming shook his head:
"With [Folly]'s shrewdness, he'd never do anything pointless.
Even knowing he outranks Zhen Yi, he'd never provoke her.
Because he knows that win or lose, apart from courting trouble, there's no benefit.
So my money's on his target being..."
Long Jing raised an eyebrow and blurted out a name: "Cheng Shi?"
"You said it — I didn't."
"So what if I said it? Based on what I know of Jie Shu, him and Cheng Shi shouldn't have any history."
"History doesn't have to be from the present. With [Folly]'s wisdom, maybe he's spotted something?
Regardless of what he's seen — President Gong, I'm the one who gave you this opportunity. If he truly comes to you again, remember to share that memory with me."
Long Jing pursed his lips and stared into Li Jingming's eyes:
"That's a discussion for later. But first...
Tell me, Dragon King — who are you really?"
"..."
The scene fell suddenly silent. Then both men's expressions shifted at the same time — lips curling in identical grins — and they spoke as one:
"Hee~"
"..."
"..."
Silence again.
Neither had tricked the other — but both were thoroughly disgusted with themselves.
What rotten luck.
Both scowled in unison. Long Jing waved his hand and walked off.
Li Jingming stood in place, then suddenly reached into the empty air and pulled out a swirl of [Memory] power. He studied it with fascination:
"Interesting. Using [Memory]'s gift to alter others' memories, yet unwilling to draw close himself.
Since you don't like [Memory], then me taking your [Memory] power shouldn't be unfair — right, Mo Shu?"
...