John Chou and I waited until it was a bit later before deciding to find Nathan Ouyang for a proper talk. After all, Nathan Ouyang still refused to hand over what he was holding.
By the way, what exactly does Nathan Ouyang have in his possession?
John Chou smiled.
Brother, don’t you think it’s strange? Nathan Ouyang can make the Dream Wraiths obey him.
I nodded, but I didn’t know exactly what method Nathan Ouyang used.
Let’s go, brother. Don’t waste any more time.
I gave a quick response and followed John Chou. We passed the guards and entered the communal hall. Behind the palace was the courtyard where Nathan Ouyang lived. As soon as I arrived, I was surprised.
All around the courtyard were Dream Wraiths of different colors standing guard. Except for the red ones, every other color was present. There were about a dozen Gray Wraiths, looking stronger than the average Dream Wraith.
As soon as we approached, those Dream Wraiths glared at me with hostility.
Well? Nathan Ouyang, even now, you still refuse to tell the truth?
John Chou stood at the doorway and called out into the courtyard. After a moment, Nathan Ouyang creaked open the gate. The courtyard was empty except for a pavilion, its four sides draped with curtains. Through a half-open curtain opposite us, I could see a large bed inside.
Governor, Deputy Governor, what brings you here so late at night?
Nathan Ouyang greeted us politely, but John Chou just smiled. As Nathan Ouyang came out, the Dream Wraiths that had been about to attack stayed put, not making a move. We entered the courtyard and sat down at a table beside the pavilion.
Mr. Ouyang, please tell us—how exactly do you control those Dream Wraiths outside? I asked directly, staring seriously at Nathan Ouyang.
For a long moment, Nathan Ouyang just smiled and said nothing.
Gentlemen, you should return for now. I am tired and need to rest.
If you’re not going to talk, so be it. In a few days, you can just sit here and play commander without an army.
John Chou said mockingly, then pulled me away. I wanted to ask again, but he didn’t give me a chance, dragging me along.
Wait a moment, gentlemen.
No need to wait, Nathan Ouyang. There’s nothing to discuss. I don’t like stubborn people who act like stones in a latrine—filthy and immovable. Since you won’t tell us anything, yet still want our help, ha, what a joke. Things don’t work that way; business isn’t done like this.
John Chou said, then added fiercely.
Don’t joke around, Nathan Ouyang. I, John Chou, am not as easy to fool as Ethan Zhang. Even if you don’t talk, the thing is still here. When those Dream Wraiths kill everyone in the city and tear you apart, whatever you’re hiding will come out. All I need to do is grab it at the right moment.
John Chou finished speaking and started to leave, pulling me along. Suddenly, Nathan Ouyang rushed over.
Your Highness John Chou, please don’t leave yet. Let’s talk this through. I admit I was neglectful before, even though you and Dream are both Ghost Sovereigns. I was just... just afraid...
You think I’d take the thing and deny everyone else, is that it?
John Chou continued, and I glanced at him, thinking that maybe it was possible.
Brother, what kind of person do you think I am?
I quickly apologized.
Then we sat back down at the table, and Nathan Ouyang finally began to speak slowly.
Years ago, I betrayed Dream. He locked me in the Dream Realm and tortured me in every way, never killing me, making me wish for death. Even when I turned into a Dream Wraith and lost my mind, it didn’t matter.
Year after year, day after day of torment, Lord Dream finally lost interest in Nathan Ouyang and casually abandoned him in the Dream Realm. Drifting through various dreamscapes, Nathan Ouyang eventually arrived here.
When he first arrived, he discovered the Dreamborn—these special beings. Though they were weak, during an attack, Nathan Ouyang thought he would die, but was shocked to find he could control Dream Wraiths. Because of this, the Dreamborn here revered him as a god.
So stop beating around the bush and just say it—how exactly do you control the Dream Wraiths?
John Chou asked impatiently. Nathan Ouyang sighed.
It was Chris Dawn who gave it to me—a nameless fragment. When I fight Dream Wraiths, as long as I take out this fragment, they obey me unconditionally. So I embedded the fragment into my right hand.
As Nathan Ouyang spoke, he rolled up his sleeve and raised his arm. In that instant, I saw excitement in John Chou’s eyes as he stared at the fragment embedded in Nathan Ouyang’s right forearm.
I stared quietly at the fragment, feeling nothing unusual. It looked like it had been forcibly pried from something—an irregular piece of black metal, large and pitch-dark.
The blackness was so dense, but other than that, I didn’t sense anything strange.
Indeed, this thing can kill Mona Ouyang—if you strike while she’s weak.
John Chou said. Both Nathan Ouyang and I looked at him, wanting to ask what this thing really was.
This thing isn’t something you can understand. Nathan Ouyang, do you know? You’re able to control those Dream Wraiths not because of your own power, but because they fear the existence of this fragment. That’s why they submit to you. But your strength is too weak to truly control it, so you can’t command all the Dream Wraiths.
Nathan Ouyang retracted his arm and sighed.
It’s true, Your Highness John Chou, as you said—this fragment can only control a limited number of Dream Wraiths. I’ve shown it to others, but most of them didn’t react.
I grew more and more curious about what this thing really was.
Nathan Ouyang, I have a proposal.
Please speak, Your Highness John Chou.
Ethan Zhang will find a way to solve this problem, and I’ll help as well. Once it’s done, the fragment will belong to us. What do you say?
Sigh, how could this ever be solved? When will it ever end...
I let out a sound of surprise. John Chou stood up and patted my shoulder.
Someday, you’ll be able to live here in peace. Mona Ouyang won’t cause trouble, and the yearly invasions will stop. Why? I’ll tell you—the answer lies in this fragment. But when the time comes, you’ll have to lend it to Ethan Zhang for a while, that’s all.
I was getting more and more confused by what John Chou was saying. I wanted to ask, but I knew he wouldn’t tell me after seeing that fragment.
After a long silence, Nathan Ouyang finally nodded in agreement.
All right, Your Highness John Chou, I accept. I just hope things can settle down soon.
Why don’t you hand the fragment over to the Dream Wraiths and let them kill Lord Dream?
Nathan Ouyang shook his head and sighed.
Years ago, it was I who betrayed Dream. I deserved what happened to me. But I can never forget Chris Dawn, and he gave me this fragment. Later, I realized—in a dream, Chris Dawn slipped it to me. Because of him, I survived in this world and built this place. I’ve lived so long that all my hatred has faded. Just like Dream’s feelings toward me, I’ve had enough of war and only want peace here.
I remembered what Nolan said before—many of the residents here wanted to return to the outside world.
There’s a man named Henry Cole. From the very beginning, when the city was just founded, he tried every way to get out. He kept encouraging everyone to find a way, but after so many failures, people stopped listening to him, even though he’s still quite capable.
I didn’t ask any more and left with John Chou, returning to the small building. Miraculously, I actually felt like sleeping.
Brother, don’t rush. Once you get that fragment, you’ll understand what it is. You’ve seen it before—you just don’t remember.