Chapter 113

Chapter 113

As Moses spoke this name, Lin couldn't help but close his eyes, then open them again.

Just as a week ago, when Moses appeared before the escaped slaves and proclaimed his name, beams of light shone upon him from deeper within consciousness.

But compared to the faint, almost nonexistent beams from the escaped slaves at first, the beams from the two judges present were entirely different.

They were wary and repulsed; these beams were so cold that even their color seemed gray, much like the chill now permeating Han Xuelie and Director Ming's hearts.

However, just like the initial beams from the escaped slaves, these beams dimmed and vanished in this polluted world before they could fully illuminate Lin.

They merely knew the name of the god; they did not believe. The wariness and disgust that initially peaked began to wane because they trusted Hui Cui's judgment, and their emotions relaxed. This change in perception provided no power in this polluted world.

In contrast, the beam of light Hui Cui projected onto Lin remained steady and warm.

Even after learning the name of the Eye in the Mirror, this beam did not change.

Lin realized he had misunderstood something.

He had always thought Hui Cui disliked the Eye in the Mirror, considering how the Eye's successful seizure of the Dream Power was built on the failure of the Spire City Court... or rather, on Hui Cui's personal failure. But after observing many beams—those gradually brightening from the escaped slaves and those from the deputy judge and Director Ming—he gradually learned to distinguish between the different types of beams.

Hui Cui's dislike for the Eye in the Mirror should not be much different from that of the deputy judge and Director Ming, perhaps only more profound and stable.

So, if that emotion was dislike, or... hatred, it should have been colder, sharper.

Not steady and warm as it was now.

The beam of light that gave Lin a sense of warmth was probably, perhaps, a positive emotion.

Lin blinked again.

Eh?

Eh???

The blindfolded ritualist stood beside Director Ming, staring in shock at the tall man in the white suit ahead. As his gaze fell, Hui Cui, who was seeing off Han Xuelie and Moses, seemed to sense something and turned back, smiling gently at Lin... or rather, at the two subordinates behind him.

"Don't worry," he explained, "the dreamless potion has passed the first phase of testing. Although it's not yet fully developed, using it under special circumstances is fine."

Moses, who was stepping out of the reception hall, didn't stop or turn back but let out a cold snort.

The dreamless potion actually imposed little restriction on Lin. Although this little rascal claimed no one understood Dream Magic better than he did, Lin was too busy every night to use Dream Magic much.

What Lin truly excelled at were his original powers and a series of mental spells derived from Bai Li.

The dreamless potion actually restricted Moses, whose form resembled a Nightmare and was close to an illusion, and... the former Conch Blower.

So, both the court and the Six Pillars of God Church hated it so much.

Moses muttered to himself, unaware that Lin, watching his disappearing back, suddenly understood.

Lin recalled the strange expression on Moses' face when he mentioned Hui Cui's dislike for the Eye in the Mirror twice, finally understanding why Moses had that expression then.

Moses must have long determined that it wasn't dislike or hatred, and he might have even said something like, "Is there any possibility it isn't..."

But Lin hadn't caught on at all back then.

Lin still couldn't catch on now.

The steady, warm beam from Hui Cui clearly couldn't be directed at the Eye in the Mirror.

But if it was directed at Lin, why couldn't the feelings of others toward Lin—Lanlin, Huizhuang, Luo An, Little Black Spot, and Snow Claws, who had established a real connection with Lin—form beams of light in this polluted world to stabilize him?

Moreover, did Hui Cui value him so much?

Honestly, as a friend, all Lin seemed to offer Hui Cui was emotional value during their conversations. If this steady, positive emotion was directed at him, Lin didn't know how to reciprocate Hui Cui's feelings.

Yet, he couldn't help feeling a small joy and guilt.

Being regarded as an important friend by Hui Cui Dover was certainly worth rejoicing.

And the guilt... as someone who had recently prepared to defect, Lin couldn't help but feel guilty.

Lin's Adam's apple moved up and down as he swallowed.

Only after confirming that Moses had left did Hui Cui continue what he had left unsaid:

"Unfortunately, the dreamless potion cannot yet remove the cursed dreams caused by Dream Magic. Otherwise, we could have challenged this apostle who has turned to the new Dream God today."

Lin thought the combat intent was heavy.

"Even if we can't kill him," Hui Cui said, "we need to force him to reveal some information about the curse on your left eye... Are you uncomfortable, Lin?"

Lin quickly shook his head.

It was only then that he realized Hui Cui had been mentioning things related to this false curse since meeting the Eye in the Mirror at six o'clock, not just because Hui Cui was the kind of person who protected his subordinates, but also due to personal feelings.

Lin's cheeks inexplicably warmed, and he shook his head again, as if trying to shake off the heat, quickly continuing the conversation: "I'm not uncomfortable, I didn't feel anything at all just now."

"I also didn't sense any power connection between the evil god's apostle and Judge Lin," Director Ming, wrapped in bandages over her shorts and short-sleeved shirt, said, "However, given that I can't find any trace of the curse on Judge Lin, perhaps the curse based on the Dream God's power is beyond my understanding."

"A new god brings new power..." Hui Cui frowned slightly, "But the Power of Dreams is not a new power. I don't think the curse of dreams would exceed your understanding... Ming, could this curse come from His original power?"

"Original power?" Director Ming pondered.

She didn't mention the Eye in the Mirror's name, being cautious after the Dream God's apostle indicated that calling the name was a form of prayer, and as a clergy member of the Potter's Church, she was very careful.

Director Ming said, "As you previously judged, this divine name itself contains the meaning of 'seeing.' Perhaps, His curse allows Him to borrow others' eyes."

"The curse on Judge Lin's left eye was never detected from the beginning. Apart from the medical records that hint at it, the blood-flesh doctor confirmed the pain through Judge Lin's neural reactions. So I have a new idea, Chief Judge. Could it be that the curse wasn't from the Conch Blower but from Him from the start?"

Hui Cui's slightly furrowed brows tightened even more.

Lin felt the beam of light he cast became a bit colder.

No, to put it more accurately, the beam added a touch of coldness to its constant warmth.

The warmth was for Lin, and the coldness... well...

Lin composed his somewhat disordered thoughts without showing any change in expression and joined the discussion.

He said seriously, "If that's the case, Deputy Chief Judge and I killed the 'Flower of Desire' with Him present."

"Indeed, the missing conch fragments also have an explanation," Director Ming hummed in a low voice. "The fragments likely fell into His hands, hidden nearby, becoming His leverage in the struggle for power with the Silver Moon."

"Then why did He curse me...?" Lin couldn't help but ask.

As the person with the Eye of the Mirror, although Lin acknowledged this curse, according to this theory that seemed no different from the truth, he couldn't think of a reason why the Eye of the Mirror would curse him.

"To break through the Great Sealing Ritual, perhaps," Hui Cui said. "Most of the Dream Authority was still sealed around me at the time. To gain complete authority, He naturally had to consider ways to break through the Great Sealing Ritual."

This also explained why He appeared within the headquarters after the Great Sealing was opened.

Good! It all fits together!

At the time, Lin, who was completely pushed along by the events, realized that the Eye of the Mirror was indeed a deeply calculating deity!

Hui Cui and Director Ming clearly thought so too. Lin felt the coldness in the beam of light increase even more.

It was not a pleasant sensation.

But Lin had to continue asking because if they could finish analyzing the Eye of the Mirror's logic at that time, Hui Cui and Director Ming would be less likely to change their minds later.

He asked, "If that's the case, now that He has obtained the Dream Authority, why does He continue to curse me?"

"You are a judge who opposes the evil gods," Director Ming said, finding the answer to this question obvious. "Cursing you wouldn't hinder Him in any way, and who knows when He might need to use this curse, like today."

Hui Cui remained silent for a moment.

He recalled the Eye of the Mirror's interested smile and the words, "I refuse."

That definitely indicated some interest in Lin, but where did that interest come from? Because of Hui Cui's feelings for Lin? Or did He have some other agenda?

Ritualists educated by the authorities have always been targets the cults of evil gods want to lure. Even ordinary ritualists are sought after, and as a genius ritualist with his own research achievements, Lin was even more prominent.

The Eye of the Mirror might want a genius ritualist to help Him study and develop rituals unique to the Eye of the Mirror. Perhaps He even hoped that Lin would become one of His practitioners.

While there is a saying that official ritualists, accustomed to walking the tightrope between the Six Pillar Gods, cannot easily adapt to the doctrines and thus won't achieve much as practitioners, Hui Cui didn't think Lin would be constrained by such habits.

If he were to become a practitioner, Lin would certainly strive to study the doctrines and learn combat to become a powerful practitioner.

For the Eye of the Mirror, who undoubtedly has few believers and practitioners, wouldn't it be natural to want to acquire such talent?

Lin wouldn't fall for His temptation, Hui Cui believed that.

But resisting and struggling before a deity is a difficult and painful thing.

The blindfolded ritualist seemed lost in thought, and Hui Cui wanted to reach out and stroke his soft black hair.

He didn't do it, only letting a wry smile curl his lips.

"Lin, you must believe," Hui Cui said earnestly, "you are more valuable than you think."

"Chief Judge," Lin felt his face growing hot, "I'm very happy to hear you say that... What should we do next?"

What does the upper echelon plan to do about this 'curse' of his?

Like Deputy Chief Judge Han Xuelie, replace the eye with a false one?

That wouldn't be convenient, would it? Replacing the eye wouldn't affect the Eye of the Mirror's appearance, right?

If it really comes to that, he hoped they wouldn't schedule surgery immediately, as other city courts might call his name tonight for a trial.

Under anesthesia, he probably wouldn't be able to respond, Lin thought deeply, then heard Hui Cui say:

"For safety, you should stay in the headquarters' sealing room tonight."

A sealing room that isolates internal and external contact?

Lin smiled and said:

"Alright."