Chapter 1193: I Don't Demand Much, but I Won't Say No to More |
The [Death] Chosen's ice-cold humor didn't lighten the mood — it chilled it. The room fell into dead silence.
Cheng Shi sized Zhang Jizu up and down, puzzled. Something about Mi Laozhang felt off today.
But he couldn't pinpoint exactly what, so he rolled his eyes and decided to probe a little. He repeatedly steered the conversation toward Redi Core's history, discussing it with the Dragon King. Midway through, he suddenly turned to Zhang Jizu: "What does the History School think about this?"
Zhang Jizu froze, then immediately grasped Cheng Shi's implication — and realized the man was overthinking. Inwardly helpless, yet unable to avoid proving his identity, he squinted hard and said:
"Being steady means approaching developments with a conservative, cautious attitude to mitigate unknown risks. It doesn't mean being paranoid and seeing threats in every shadow at every moment. That will only drain your mental reserves.
I know what you're thinking, but I'm not Zhen Xin. Much less Zhen Yi."
Cheng Shi wasn't buying that for a second. A liar never admitted to being a liar — and if they did, they were surely setting up an even bigger con. He didn't believe a word out of Mi Laozhang's mouth. But since the man had called it out, Cheng Shi went with the flow:
"Then try saying 'hee~' for me."
"..."
Seeing this, Cheng Shi was finally convinced the person before him was indeed Mi Laozhang.
But now he was even more curious.
"You've been acting weird today. Is there something you can't say? Did the boss put a gag order on you?"
'It's not the [Death] Benefactor who silenced me — it's a different Benefactor...'
'But He didn't actually forbid me from speaking the truth. I'm just afraid that once I reveal everything, He'll replace me with another "tool" to do His bidding. Then I'd lose my position of foresight, and I'd no longer be able to "predict" risks for everyone — leaving the Jokers in an unsteady position.'
Zhang Jizu thought this in silence, then shook his head without a word.
The liars present were undeniably sharp. When no amount of questioning produced results, Cheng Shi and the Dragon King knew that whatever was going on with Mi Laozhang, divine will was involved.
As for whose will — given the complex web of relationships between gods, it was anyone's guess.
But Cheng Shi was never one to dwell. The moment he realized Mi Laozhang had reasons he couldn't disclose, he decisively dropped the subject and brought up the Black Dragon King with Li Jingming instead.
He chose not to mention [Oblivion]'s fall or the Assembly of Gods Convention. He simply said he'd happened to encounter the Sin of Desirelessness, Drasilco, and had heard the Dragon King's voice coming from the figure.
Li Jingming had already deduced the Nightmare Shadow's identity from that letter. Cheng Shi's report didn't surprise him. What puzzled him more was how Drasilco had ended up hidden inside That Dream My Nightmare.
Had it been imprisonment, or voluntary concealment?
Seeing the Dragon King's solemn expression confirmed he was equally clueless. Cheng Shi thought for a moment, then decided to share a bit more — telling both of them about the Memory Dump inside That Dream My Nightmare. He knew this was technically the passageway to meet the Flame of Hope, information that shouldn't be widely known. But reaching the Flame of Hope required being summoned from outside the Dreamless Mirror.
That was the Flame of Hope's choice to make. So it was still safe enough.
Right now, he needed the Dragon King — the foremost expert on [Memory] — and the other Jokers to keep an eye out for Black Dragon King–related information. So he selectively shared some of what he'd witnessed inside the mirror.
When Li Jingming heard there was a Memory Dump — discarded by [Memory] Himself — inside That Dream My Nightmare, his pupils contracted with shock:
"You really did deceive me."
Cheng Shi pursed his lips: "Tsk, as if you didn't deceive me."
Li Jingming went rigid at the remark, then fell silent.
Now it was Cheng Shi's turn for contracting pupils. His face darkened as he jabbed a finger at the Dragon King:
"You actually did deceive me?!
You shameless [Memory] follower — did you peek through everyone's memories?!
Otherwise, what do you have to feel guilty about?!
I thought your advice was genuine concern — turns out it was guilt! Talk! What did you see?!"
Zhang Jizu grew curious too. He looked at the Dragon King, only to see Li Jingming exchange a glance with him before turning back to Cheng Shi, speaking evenly:
"What would you like me to say?"
"..."
The deflection was expertly done. Cheng Shi furrowed his brow — even if the Dragon King had seen every last memory, he couldn't exactly interrogate him in front of a third party. So his scheming mind churned, thinking: 'No way I'm the only one who loses out here.'
"Tell us what we don't already know. Hoarding all that to yourself is greedy. But if I happen to be part of that 'hoard,' I might be convinced to keep your secret."
Li Jingming shook his head with a smile:
"If you're willing to let me discuss your memories — with the subject's consent — I'm happy to share.
But if you want me to reveal other people's pasts...
No.
If I speak even one extra word about someone else's history right now, it's irresponsible to them and a contamination of your memories.
You should know — if I can stand before you and discuss Zhen Xin, then I can stand before Zhen Xin and discuss you.
Respect is mutual. That's the prerequisite for cherishing a friend's memories."
"Ha! 'Respect is mutual' — you didn't ask our permission before recording those memories. You inhaled everything in one go, and now you talk about respect?
That's not respect. Forgetting those memories — that would be real respect."
Cheng Shi was mid-rant when he noticed Li Jingming produce a Remembrance Needle from somewhere, holding it up with a gentle smile directed at both of them:
"I admit I was being self-serving. I've deliberated over it many times recently.
Normally, I collect memories through fair exchange or recovered remnants. This time was more like stumbling upon a treasure hoard.
My greed got the better of me. I'm no exception.
I recognize it was wrong — at least when it comes to friends. To fellow Jokers.
So I found this. If either of you truly believes I need to forget, I'm willing to choose oblivion.
Even if it's a sacrilege against [Memory] — don't forget, I'm also a [Deceit] follower. Consider it fulfilling a different kind of devotion.
In times like these, having one or two companions to walk alongside is already the best memory I could ask for.
I don't demand much, but I won't say no to more. So the decision is yours."
"..."
The instant he saw the Remembrance Needle, Cheng Shi nearly blurted out: "Did you catch fire-passing fever too?"
But he restrained himself. After a long silence, he asked:
"How much did you see?"
Li Jingming lowered his eyes slightly: "A lot."
"Did you see him?"
Li Jingming hesitated, glanced sideways at Zhang Jizu, then nodded: "Yes. He was a great father."
"How great? Greater than your master?"
"..." Li Jingming's eyelid twitched. He opened his mouth, then closed it — unsure how to respond.
Cheng Shi scoffed quietly and shook his head:
"Forget it. Leave it be. Someone should remember the good in him.
If this increasingly terrifying world ever truly drives me mad, at least... there'll be one person who can tell me: he wouldn't want me to become that."
As Cheng Shi's tone grew heavier, the Gathering Place sank into silence.
Just as the other two thought Cheng Shi was drowning in memory and struggling to surface, the Clown pivoted without warning. Eyes darting, face brimming with cunning:
"But on the principle of equivalent exchange, Dragon King — you've recorded so many of my memories. Shouldn't you share something I don't already know?
Why was Drasilco inside That Dream My Nightmare?
Whose divine scheme was that? Or is it a secret [Memory] hoarded?
What's the relationship between [Memory] and [Corruption]? What is [Corruption] planning?
Does what He's planning have anything to do with a certain Creator sitting high above?
What's with that look — don't tell me you don't know any of this?
Tsk. And you call yourself a [Memory] follower?
If you truly don't know any of it, then how about... we get practical instead.
Got any more gear? I demand much, and I want more."
"..."