Realizing that Old Moe and John Chou had been acting from beginning to end, I glared at them angrily.
"You lied to me."
"Son-in-law, sigh, we didn't lie to you at all."
As Old Moe spoke, John Chou burst out laughing.
"That's right, brother, we didn't lie to you, that's really how it was. It's just that..." John Chou paused, glanced at Old Moe, and continued.
"But to be honest, Martin Lane, your acting is really terrible. If that old guy had spent a little more time thinking about it, today's little farce would have fallen apart on its own."
As John Chou spoke, I recalled everything that had just happened. I couldn't find any flaws—Old Moe and the rest of us were fighting for real, nothing was fake.
"It's fine, John Chou, we'll just take it one step at a time. Now that I'm in the Hades Circle, everyone hates me. Sigh, when I get out, I'll have to go back to being a beggar again."
The more I thought about it, the angrier I became. After fighting for so long, I was already exhausted. Now they told me that everything was fake, just the two of them putting on a show.
"Ethan Zhang, I still have to thank you. If it weren't for you, we couldn't have kept this act going."
"Old Moe, tell me, what is really going on?"
I stepped up beside Old Moe, looking at him intently, hoping he would tell me something.
"You want me to tell you the secret to acting? Fine, I'll tell you—after all, life is but a play..."
"Old Moe, quit joking, okay? Tell me, what leverage does the Seventh Tribunal have over you..."
Just as I was about to ask, John Chou walked up to me, Old Moe smiled helplessly and stepped aside. Then John Chou pointed a finger at my chest.
"Brother, there are some things that even if you knew, you couldn't change. Martin Lane is someone with innate abilities, and he hasn't even used what he's learned—the power of the Hades Circle. Even with my help, you couldn't beat him. So, for now, this matter is settled. Brother, when you get back, think about how you're going to save Howard Zhang."
As John Chou spoke, I lowered my head. I could understand what Old Moe meant—I really am walking a razor's edge right now.
"You've said everything you needed to, right? Now get out of here."
Mona Ouyang glared at us viciously. At that moment, I started to worry about what was happening here and wanted to ask something, but suddenly I stopped—because even if I asked, it wouldn't change anything.
"This world is running normally now. As for you, Ethan Zhang, come with me. The two of you, stay where you are."
I followed Mona Ouyang step by step. When we reached a spot a little farther away, Mona Ouyang suddenly shouted back viciously.
"John Chou, what do you mean by this? Put away your Specter Web."
As she spoke, Mona Ouyang raised her hand, and a purple barrier enveloped the two of us.
"Now it's quiet."
"The Ouyang Family has expanded to its absolute limit. Soon, something major may happen. All these years, I've constantly given each generation's heir countless prophetic dreams so they could avoid business risks. That's why the Ouyang Family thrived. But now, except for Vivian Ouyang, my connection to the family has been severed."
"Why are you telling me this?"
Mona Ouyang glanced at me, then smiled helplessly.
"Soon, Ethan Zhang, you'll face a major decision. It will be painful. Do you want to see it?"
I stared at Mona Ouyang in shock. Although I'm not particularly interested in prophecy, at this moment, I suddenly wanted to know about the future—for reasons I couldn't explain.
"Have you wavered, Ethan Zhang? That's not good. If you really want to see, tonight I'll show you that pitch-black, bottomless future. Are you sure you want to see it?"
I clenched my fists as waves of anxiety surged in my chest. I desperately wanted to refuse, but I was reluctant—maybe I could learn what would happen in the future and avoid disaster.
Countless thoughts flashed through my mind about the future. I wanted to know, but then I remembered: the futures I've seen in dreams—some are real, but like with the Iron-Faced Man, many people died. Even knowing in advance, I was powerless to change it.
In an instant, my nerves relaxed and my stiff expression softened. I shook my head and smiled lightly.
"No need. I only hope that the Dreamborn and Dream Wraiths won't cause such problems again. Can you promise me? Take responsibility for all of this."
Mona Ouyang squinted and smiled, stepping closer to me. Suddenly, her expression changed and she roared at me.
"That's none of your business. Get out."
I blinked and the purple barrier disappeared. Suddenly, I heard laughter. Looking over, I saw Old Moe, the others, and my shadow. I stared in surprise—when had my shadow left my body?
As I got closer, I realized the three of them were discussing who had the best acting skills during the fight just now.
"Although Ethan Zhang's acting was the best, if he knew the truth, mine would have been the best. Martin Lane, did you forget? At the end, when I pulled you out of Ethan Zhang's body while posing as John Chou, you really thought I was serious."
"Heh, true, you managed to pull that off. As a ghost, that's impressive. But didn't I catch on right away? I used the White Tiger as my double and fooled you all. John Chou, you say my acting is bad, but you're the worst. If Ethan hadn't been so slow-witted..."
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"Enough, all of you. Get back here."
I glared angrily at the three of them—especially at my shadow, who kept saying I was a bit slow and reckless. I got even angrier when I looked down and saw I really didn't have a shadow.
With a whoosh, my shadow returned to my body. Then, suddenly, it lifted its head and leaned close to my face.
"What are you doing?"
"Don't forget, Ethan Zhang, even if you're a bit slow this time, I still like you."
As I spoke, I raised my fist and punched at my shadow. With a whoosh, it stood upright on the ground, making me so angry I stomped my foot.
"Sigh, Ethan, don't fight with your own shadow on the street. People will laugh at you."
I shot Old Moe a glare, but John Chou was gazing at the sky, looking melancholy. Yet thinking back, everything I just experienced—the fight with Old Moe—wasn't just acting. It was all real. That's why the performance fooled the Seventh Tribunal perfectly.
"Alright, you all need to leave now."
As Mona Ouyang spoke, she raised her hand and a dazzling, multicolored dream portal appeared before us. I glanced back at this now-beautiful world, feeling a surge of emotion. Suddenly, a red silk wrapped around me and dragged me into the dream portal without warning.
John Chou and Old Moe drifted ahead of me. Old Moe pulled me along, and soon I saw a patch of darkness—Old Moe stopped.
"John Chou, I'd really love to have a proper fight with you someday."
"Me too, Martin Lane. But if I get my power back, you wouldn't stand a chance!"
Old Moe looked quietly at John Chou and smiled.
"That's true. But you really are something, John Chou. I think a lot of guys want to chase after you, but many fall along the way. Any man would want to challenge you."
After Old Moe finished, John Chou waved his hand helplessly.
"Just a bunch of self-important fools."
I watched their relationship—both rivals and friends. To call them enemies isn't quite right, but they're not really friends either.
"Old Moe, could you wait a little after you get out?"
Old Moe turned and glanced at me.
"Just one meal is enough. Wait a bit, if Ruoxi..."
"Better not. Every time I see that girl, we end up arguing. Take care of her, Ethan. She may seem strong, but she's still a woman. Tell Ruoxi that one day, our family will reunite. I still have one soul left, not yet collected. I hope we won't need it. This chance to collect a soul—it's for you, Ethan."
I stared blankly at Old Moe. There was no smile on his face—he was serious, not joking.
"Why? Tell me, please, Old Moe."
With a swish, the white silk that had been wrapped around me was taken back by Old Moe. He quickly headed up the dream portal, not looking back. I shouted after him.
I floated quietly in the air, watching Old Moe disappear into the distance. I looked to John Chou, wanting to ask, but he just waved his hand.
"Brother, let's go. Like I said before, there are things you can't change even if you know. That dead demon—kind as she is—wants to tell you a bit about the future. Do you really want to know?"
I stared at John Chou for a long time, then shook my head.
"No, this path—whatever happens—I have to walk it myself."