Chapter 100: Discussing Truth and Falsehood 

Lin Changming's expression remained unchanged initially, but when a gust of wind blew into the hall, causing the puppet's sleeves to flutter lifelike, he began to tremble. He seemed to hear some sort of sinister incantation in his ears.

Seeing Lin Changming's reaction, Ming Zhuo knew he had guessed correctly. He said, "No wonder the seal I set in the Zhenxiong Towers was intact, yet the head was missing. It turns out he wasn't dead, and the head was fake."

The Xiaogui guarding the coffin hadn't lied—no one had approached the coffin. When Ming Zhuo and Luo Xu inquired about the matters of yin and yang, the yin-yang coin kept spinning, which was also an answer in itself: It couldn't know about the living.

Lin Changming said, "Whether he's dead or alive, you should know best."

Ming Zhuo knew too well, which was why he never doubted Ming Han's feigned death. Always arrogant, he naturally wouldn't introspect in front of someone like Lin Changming. He sneered slightly, "I killed him; without that, how could you have had an opportunity? But aren't you two friends? How come knowing he's alive doesn't make you happy but instead scares you like this?"

"If you already guessed he's the mastermind behind the River God incident, how could you not guess what happened between us?" Lin Changming restrained his trembling right hand and stared at the puppet. "It's simply that one day I discovered my close friend was actually the one who killed my Shifu. Everything he did to me had ulterior motives. Naturally, I hate and resent him!"

"If it's only hatred and resentment, what are you afraid of?" Luo Xu put away the coin, his tone still somewhat polite. "He must have done something to you that scares you so much."

"The Imperial Lord asks what he did to me?" Lin Changming raised his trembling hand. "This is what he did to me."

In the array, he had always appeared as a graceful young man. But when he raised that hand, his whole person seemed like soaked rice paper, instantly becoming wrinkled. Not only that, his hair was grey, and even his voice turned coarse and hoarse.

A similar situation had occurred with Jiang Linzhai. Only when a Tongshen lost their cultivation and spiritual energy would they show such signs of ageing. However, Lin Changming could not only control puppets but had also activated the Nightmare Sealing Formation. These feats did not seem like they could be accomplished by someone who had lost his cultivation.

Luo Xu, with sharp eyes, noticed the things on Lin Changming's hand and said, “It’s Fine-Tread Gu Worms."

Several black thread-like Gu Worms wriggled on Lin Changming's hand. He said, "The Imperial Lord is mistaken. These things only resemble Fine-Thread Gu Worms. They are actually Ming Han's secret technique called 'Dove Curse.'"

The so-called "Dove" referred to an actual dove. This secret technique seemed to have nothing to do with doves, and it was unclear why Ming Han named it so.

"Back then, I was obsessed with reviving my Shifu, nearly driving myself to madness. On the surface, Minghan tried to persuade me to return to the right path, while secretly creating all kinds of coincidences to make me firmly believe in the resurrection," Lin Changming said. "To find the Dive Oracle of the Hugui clan, I listened to his every word and did many wrong things."

The silver lamps in the hall swayed, floating with his thoughts. In the dim light, Ming Zhuo saw that his neck and the side of his face were covered with black lines, showing the Dove Curse.

Lin Changming continued, "By the time I noticed something was amiss, I was already in too deep to turn back. I knew too many of Ming Han's secrets, and he would never let me go easily, so I feigned ignorance and continued to deal with him. At that time, during the Four Mountains meeting, I secretly sought the help of Elder Huang of West Xikui Mountain. Unfortunately, the letter was discovered by Ming Han before it could be sent out."

Ming Zhuo said, "He always enjoys manipulating people's hearts. Even if he discovered it, he wouldn't expose it but rather pretend to be deceived and continue the charade with you."

Lin Changming said, "You indeed understand him well. That's right. He first pretended not to know, then used a puppet disguised as Elder Huang to lure me into a secret chamber. As soon as I entered, he trapped me with his secret technique, sealing my cultivation. He somehow obtained a secret method to make a salve from poisonous substances like Dove Pills, Crane Powder, and White Bone Flowers, soaking me in it for forty-nine days, finally turning me into a medicinal furnace."

"The Four Mountains as one, yet you were trapped in the secret chamber for so long without anyone outside knowing," Luo Xu said. "He used a puppet to replace your identity."

"After being turned into a medicinal furnace, I suffered immense torture daily. Fortunately, heaven did not completely abandon me. A servant who pitied me helped me escape when Ming Han was away. I fled the divine palace, intending to return to Dongzhao Mountain, only to hear that Lin Changming had already retired due to illness." Lin Changming's laughter was bitter and hollow. "I finally got what I wished for, no longer being Lin Changming. Knowing he wouldn't let me go, I disguised myself as a beggar, wandering and begging across the various Prefectures."

He had achieved fame at a young age and was known as Ruyi Lang, yet he ended up as a nameless, faceless beggar, showcasing the unpredictability of fate.

Ming Zhuo said, "First, he plotted against Jiang Linzhai, then turned you into a medicinal furnace and left you with this ugly secret technique. You hated his cruelty and couldn't forget your revenge even after becoming a beggar. But I'm curious, when did you realise he wasn't dead?"

Lin Changming replied, "From the very beginning. I knew he was cunning and good at disguising himself, so he wouldn't die so easily. Upon hearing the news of his sudden death, I came to Peidu."

"The Baiwei Warriors at the gates of Peidu were summoned by you," Luo Xu looked at Lin Changming, "or by Ming Han?"

"Since the Imperial Lord asked, I must tell the truth," Lin Changming lowered his hand. "They were summoned by Ming Han. I bear no grudge against the various sects; killing them wouldn't benefit me. I came to Peidu to track Ming Han's whereabouts. Summoning the Baiwei Warriors rashly would only alert him. Moreover, my puppet techniques aren't advanced enough to create such convincing illusions."

Luo Xu asked, "Then what was your purpose in drawing us into the array?"

Lin Changming said, "Firstly, to test whether Ming Zhuo was real or not, and secondly, to avoid Ming Han's surveillance."

"You are so certain that I am the real Ming Zhuo and not Ming Han in disguise?" Ming Zhuo tilted his head, the golden foil on his forehead half-visible, half-hidden. "He is so skilled, capable of manipulating puppets even within the formation, deceiving even Jiang Linzhai. How can you be so sure you're right this time?"

Lin Changming replied, "I have known him for many years, and I am very familiar with his every move. If you were him in disguise, I would have noticed."

"That’s true. I have known him for many years as well and understand his every move." Ming Zhuo shifted the conversation. "Ming Han enjoys playing a certain game. Do you know what it is?"

Lin Changming guessed, "Perhaps it’s manipulating puppets?"

"That is merely his pastime. What he truly loves is acting." The puppet before Ming Zhuo appeared limp, its figure slumping back into the form of a paper figure. He picked up the paper figure, examining it closely. "He plays both the villain and the hero, willing to portray anything as long as it gains trust. Just like this very moment—"

The paper figure crinkled slightly between his fingers as he raised his gaze to meet Lin Changming's eyes. "To convince me that his words are true, he wouldn’t hesitate to coexist within the same body as you. This 'Dove Curse' seems aptly named, like a cuckoo occupying a magpie's nest."

As soon as he finished speaking, the surroundings fell into a sudden silence. Everything within the formation seemed to freeze, leaving only the three of them in a tense standoff. After a while, Lin Changming’s hunched figure straightened slightly, as if in surprise. "What do you mean by that?"

His face was covered with those black worms, almost obscuring his features. Thus, whether he was surprised or composed could only be discerned from his tone.

Ming Zhuo said, "Your story reminded me of something, bringing back a particular matter."

Lin Changming asked humbly, "Which matter?"

Ming Zhuo maintained his grip on the paper figure and said, "When a performance is too convincing, others will never realise they've been deceived. And those unaware of being deceived will never feel the pain of it. Therefore, Ming Han often deliberately reveals some flaws after leading people into his trap."

Lin Changming questioned, "My story has a clear beginning and end. What flaws reminded you of such a thing?"

Luo Xu flipped the copper coin between his fingers, shrewdly joining the inquiry between the two. "I’d like to know as well, what were those flaws?"

Ming Zhuo replied, "What benefit do I get from telling you?"

Luo Xu tossed the copper coin to him, saying, "A dowry."

Lin Changming remarked, "The two of you love each other more than gold; a stronger bond than I expected."

"This is just a copper coin and you're calling it stronger than gold?" Though Ming Zhuo said this, he clasped the coin in his palm. Redirecting his attention, he continued, "With your intelligence, if Ming Han hadn't intentionally exposed himself, you might still consider him a close friend. He led you to discover, then to take the bait. The more you suffer, the happier he is. He didn't turn you into a medicinal furnace because he needed someone to test his concoctions; he enjoys watching people fall into despair. When you felt utterly hopeless, he let a servant release you. Just when you believed you had successfully escaped, you fell into his trap once more."

Lin Changming said, "Are there really people that wicked in this world?"

Ming Zhuo responded, "In terms of cultivation and character, no one in this world dares to claim to be the best. But in terms of depravity, he is indeed the most despicable. Listening to your story reminded me that he might try to deceive me in the same way. Ming Han, you parasitise someone's body, are you planning to reenact the old River God incident?"

Lin Changming laughed heartily, "Xiao Zhuo, you are much smarter than this Ruyi Lang. I knew I couldn't fool you. Some people are just too stupid, too dull, even if you show them the flaws, they can't see the truth. But you misunderstand me. I didn't lead you into the array to reenact the old River God incident, because I know you are more ruthless than Jiang Linzhai; you care nothing for any heavenly principles."

Ming Zhuo responded, "Instead of calling others stupid, you should reflect on your own foolishness. When you schemed against Jiang Linzhai back then, he saw through your plan."

Lin Changming placed his hands behind his back. His appearance hadn't changed, but his demeanour was now completely different. He smiled slightly, "You are indeed my best disciple, able to see through Jiang Linzhai's secrets. Yes, he did ruin my plans by destroying his own cultivation to break the array. But he probably didn't anticipate that Lin Changming would become deeply infatuated with him as a result."

"Lin Changming's infatuation with him is also your doing, isn't it?" Ming Zhuo said. "Their initial encounter was coincidental, but your efforts afterwards caused Lin Changming to fall deeper. Those lanterns and dreams were all traps you set."

"Lin Changming" replied, "That's not entirely fair. If Lin Changming didn't have those feelings for him, how could he so easily fall into my trap?"

Ming Zhuo continued, "All the things you did to Lin Changming, just like your schemes against Jiang Linzhai, were meant to drive them insane."

Ming Han said leisurely, "Unfortunately, although he is dull, his mind is steadfast. Even after being possessed, he refused to go mad. Otherwise, why would I need to go to the trouble of parasitising such a body?"

Ming Zhuo asked, "I only have one last question. Why did you go to such lengths to drive them mad?"

Ming Han didn't answer. Instead, he turned to Luo Xu, "Imperial Lord, it's been years, and you've grown up too. How does it feel to have your soul tied to someone like him? If my life was bound with such a person, I think it would be easier to die."

Luo Xu adjusted his sleeve and spoke seriously to Ming Han, "The Lord said a few days ago that he wanted to take me to see you. So it turns out it was true. Since you're here, why not show me your true form?"

Ming Han laughed, "My true form..."

Ming Zhuo, already prepared, tossed the copper coin again. The coin spun in the air, then shot towards a certain spot like a sudden downpour.

Luo Xu said, "Your true form has been revealed."

The Author Has Something to Say

Well, drag me out and kill me. The more I revise, the shorter it gets. (Pot knocked over)

Because this is the third attempt at a similar narrative structure after "狙击 (Jūjī)," I budgeted the word count to only be 400,000-450,000 words. The outline is actually more than halfway done. The second half mainly answers the questions raised in the first half—why things happened, how they changed, who he is, and who they are. Once the flashbacks are over, most of the story will be told. However, the exact word count will still depend on how I handle certain plot points, but it shouldn't be a long novel (I think).

Thanks for reading!

**T97 actually says “Shark me” which is a euphemism for “kill”.