When the Wild Beast is Trapped in the Nightmare Cycle (BL)
Chapter 384: Splitting Image

Chapter 384: Splitting Image

The three of them followed Grandpa into the building spacious enough to rival an inn.

Stepping through the door frames adorned with elaborate wooden carvings, they were greeted by an opulent foyer that left them mesmerized. The walls were graced with intricate patterns of dragons and phoenixes, while soft lantern light danced on the lacquered furniture, highlighting the graceful curves and delicate details of the antique pieces. The air was fragrant with the subtle mingling scents of incense and aged wood, and their footsteps created a hushed echo on the tiled floor as Grandpa guided them toward the grand staircase.

Upon reaching the upper floor, the distant sound of rushing water grew clearer and clearer. As the waterfall finally came into view, both Jin Jiuchi and Gu Luoxin let out an astonished ’wow!’

Jin Jiuchi rushed to the balcony that overlooked the breathtaking scenery of the waterfall gliding across a wall of uneven rocks. Peering down, he realized that the building was perched on the edge of a cliff, with a transparent stream flowing below.

He took a deep breath and exclaimed in bliss, "Hmm! The air smells so fresh and sweet!"

Grandpa chuckled softly as he took a seat on the circular table and poured a cup of tea for each of his guests, "This is the best place for a retired old man like me, don’t you think so?"

Shen Nianzu dragged Jin Jiuchi over before the man could act on his impulsive desire to dive and swim in the stream. "I don’t see anyone. Are you living alone?"

"Uh-huh, it’s only this old man around, while people will come to clean up once a week."

"How about your... uh..." Gu Luoxin blurted out without thinking, only to pause when his mind quickly caught up to him. Nonetheless, Grandpa could easily grasp what he wanted to ask.

"You must be wondering why I didn’t live with my children or grandkids, given my username." He took a graceful sip of tea before flashing a reassuring smile at Gu Luoxin, who was embarrassed to have his thoughts pointed out. "It’s okay, that’s a very natural question to ask. I did it deliberately..." his smile turned a little grim. "I deliberately pushed them as far away as possible to minimize the chances of them being dragged into the Nightmare Cycle."

His words succeeded in capturing the full attention of the trio. "What do you mean?" It was Shen Nianzu who asked, voicing the question in their minds.

"Haven’t you realized it? The Nightmare— it tends to drag in people who have extremely close relationships at the same time. Be it parent and child, siblings or even close friends... almost like it was trying to test the bonds between humans." Grandpa’s lips twisted in distaste as he spoke, though he quickly schooled his features back to normal. "I didn’t want it to happen, so I kept my distance from them. But our relationship is still very good and we often do video calls once every few days. It’s just that..." he released a wistful sigh.

How could video calls be compared to the warmth and presence of the big family around him?

Though Grandpa did not say it out loud, Shen Nianzu seemed to hear his unspoken words, leaving him stunned. This piece of information was something that he had not taken into account before. Sure, Shen Nianzu had sometimes crossed paths with families or siblings inside the Cycle, but he did not think too much into it.

His mind couldn’t help but drift to his own parents, who ought to be at the other side of the world at the moment. He felt a tad grateful now that their relationships were not as intimate as any other families.

Alas, was it the fate of the strong to remain alone?

Grandpa might be the idol and role model of all players. He owned unimaginable wealth, partly thanks to the Cycles he had been through, and he was powerful enough that he could obliterate the whole city if he could. But... was he truly happy like this?

Exactly what was the Nightmare’s purpose, to drag humans into these endless Cycles?

"Tsk, what a sick fellow," Jin Jiuchi commented with a click of his tongue as he munched on the available cookies.

"Oh no..." Gu Luoxin’s complexion paled. "I–I am not very close to my uncle, but I have a few good friends. Should I distance myself from them... in case..." he bit on his bottom lip, unable to bring himself to finish the sentence.

Grandpa offered him an apologetic, almost forlorn smile. "It will indeed be a little hard to bear, but I think that is the best action we can take to protect them, no?"

Seeing that Gu Luoxin was sinking into a depressed mood, Grandpa quickly switched the topic to divert his attention. "Oh my, look at me! I have forgotten to introduce myself properly. This old man’s surname is Song, given name Yunshi. But feel free to continue calling me ’Grandpa’ as always. What do you want to know from me, to the point where you can’t even divulge it through the app?"

Shen Nianzu had indeed emphasized that he had an extremely important thing to be discussed in person, for he was afraid that whatever they talked about in the DMs would enter the Nightmare’s eyes and ears. He could no longer deny the fact that Jin Jiuchi’s origin had something to do with the Nightmare. But at least, its grasp had not fully extended into their world, right?

Taking a sip of the tea to moisten his throat, Shen Nianzu got straight to the point. "It’s about the Calamitous Twins."

Surprise flashed across Grandpa Song’s eyes. "...What about them?"

"You mentioned that you entered the Cycle last time just to meet them. I haven’t had the chance to ask you further about it, but may I know what you need from them?"

From his peripheral vision, Shen Nianzu caught Jin Jiuchi opening his mouth to speak, and he promptly stomped on the silly husky’s foot before he could say something foolish like ’you entered the Cycle just to meet ME?!!’

"Aooww!" Jin Jiuchi yelped in pain, shooting Shen Nianzu an aggrieved look. "Nian’er, what was that for?!"

Shen Nianzu subtly rolled his eyes at him. What was this man putting an act for? It’s not like he had exerted enough force to hurt!

Grandpa Song observed their interaction in mild amusement. "To tell you the truth, there was this one boy I encountered inside the Cycle that left a deep impression on me, and he," he fixed his gaze on Jin Jiuchi, "was the splitting image of you. I was not certain back on the train because our appearances have been altered by the Nightmare, but now that I’ve met you face-to-face, I can say for sure that... he is another part of you, just like the Calamitous Twins. Am I right?"

Jin Jiuchi’s eyes rounded in shock. He pointed at his own nose, "You met another part of me inside the Cycle?"

Grandpa Song nodded in affirmation. He rested his chin on his palm and observed Jin Jiuchi with undisguised curiosity, "The thing is, the boy I met back then... he is a nightmare creature through and through. What about you, young man?"