But things didn't go as planned. Before Long Jing could shout that na, the black-robed figure across from him struck first.
"Fascinating. Another Joker at last. I was starting to think I'd missed this splendid mory."
"?"
'Li Jingming, dropping the act already?'
'And... Joker!?'
'This really is a Joker gathering place?'
Long Jing didn't quite believe it. He'd never received a formal Joker recruitnt invitation. Rather than trusting what he was seeing, he leaned toward this being a probe initiated by the other party.
Since it was a probe, saying more ant more mistakes. But saying nothing would confirm he knew about the Jokers. So the best option was... nonsense.
He strode forward two steps and laughed aloud:
"I was wondering why magpies kept calling when I left today. Turns out I've t the Dragon King.
How interesting — you really are one of the Jokers!
A pleasure. I'm Li Jingming. I wonder, Dragon King... have you looked in a mirror lately?"
"..."
As it turned out, when you out-crazied soone, silence favored the other person.
An awkward chill settled, but before long, the other party broke into hearty laughter.
"I knew the Joker Society would be rewarding. I didn't expect the mories to get interesting before it even began.
Very well. Of course I've looked in mirrors. Quite practiced at it lately, in fact.
Since you're here, have a seat. Once everyone arrives, let's you and I discuss our mirror-gazing experiences."
Long Jing had anticipated the other wouldn't fold easily, but he hadn't expected such composure — seemingly unconcerned about his identity. The speaking style, however, certainly resembled the Dragon King. Was this the real Li Jingming?
His probe having failed, Long Jing surveyed the surroundings.
"Looks like quite the grand performance today."
The other chuckled: "Grand or not depends on whether the actors give their all."
'Hm?'
'He figured out my identity?'
'Impossible. Where did I slip up?'
Long Jing's heart jolted. Though the word "actors" triggered a faint reaction, he hid it well, imdiately pretending to browse the seating options as he scanned the area. And what he saw was quite telling.
There were many tombstones here, but the front row held exactly fifteen. Did that an fifteen attendees?
'The Jokers are surprisingly large.'
He carefully assessed the venue's defensive terrain, searching for a suitable position. But this was all a feint — his attention had been entirely on the other person from the start.
No one could guarantee this cetery-like venue didn't hide traps. He didn't dare relax, constantly on alert, hoping the other's reactions would betray a safe spot.
But the other was equally well-concealed, making no movents beyond turning his head. This only increased Long Jing's pressure. Especially when, after Long Jing hesitated too long, the black-robed figure suddenly laughed:
"What's wrong? Nothing you like?"
Long Jing froze on the spot.
Not because of the words — but because of what he'd seen.
'Like?'
'Tell
what exactly counts as "like"!?'
'You an you just casually sitting atop a tombstone engraved with [mory] and chatting
up!?'
'Holding the gathering in a cetery was creepy enough. But you people carved divine nas on the stones!?'
'They're not even dead yet and you're already mourning Them!?'
'So this masked gathering is sponsored by [Death] or sothing!?'
'Are the Jokers really this wild? Or is this how they recruit — dragging people into the pit of blasphemy so they have no choice but to join!?'
'Yes, I'm starting to believe the gods may not truly be gods. But I only believe — I'm not stupid!'
'Before I can say "no" to the gods, what makes
brave enough to sit on Their tombstone?'
'Who can guarantee that if I plop down, They won't personally descend on my grave tomorrow!?'
Long Jing hesitated. But he had to choose — showing cowardice would throw off his montum. After a long struggle, he gritted his teeth and walked toward a particular tombstone.
When he stopped before the one inscribed [Ti], the black-robed figure sitting on [mory] blinked in surprise and smiled:
"A [mory] believer wants to bury [Ti] too?"
Long Jing snorted without reply, thinking: 'This was a desperate choice. I picked [Ti] to prevent anyone else from "blaspheming" it. That way, even if Lord Shi Zhen finds out, He surely won't punish soone this devout?'
'But co to think of it — why isn't there a tombstone for the Fun God?'
As he pondered, another arrival appeared at the tomb field's edge. An identically black-robed, masked figure entered their line of sight. The matching outfits left both occupants montarily stunned.
'What is this — telepathic coordination?'
'But we don't even know each other. Where's the telepathy?'
The newcor was silent. Without a word, he walked forward, clearly familiar with the place. Seeing two others already present, he rely nodded in greeting — no speech — and under their suspicious gazes, climbed onto the [Death] tombstone.
His target was clear, his movents decisive. The instant the third Joker chose [Death], the figure seated on [mory] smiled and offered a complint:
"Nice venue."
The third black-robed figure nodded again. Still said nothing. Long Jing watched this exchange with growing unease.
These two clearly knew each other. The Jokers must have t before — otherwise the newcor wouldn't be so familiar with this place, and they wouldn't be this at ease.
But who was he?
To brazenly blasphe [Death] without flinching, and to remain silent throughout... could he be a [Silence] believer?
'The Prisoner!?'
An ill-oned na surfaced in Long Jing's mind. His expression darkened as he glanced at the newcor. 'If that really is the Prisoner, this gathering is about to get interesting.'
'I didn't expect the second most cursed person to also be a Joker. So what's the recruitnt criteria?'
'Being a Chosen?'
'Does that an even without the Chosen title, I'm essentially Chosen-caliber?'
'But if that's the case, the most cursed one wouldn't also be a Joker, right?'
Speak of the devil. Before Zhen Yi's na had fully ford in Long Jing's mind, a familiar silvery laugh echoed from the tomb field's periter.
At the first note, all three present visibly flinched. They simultaneously turned to look, spotting a youthful, radiant figure — completely undisguised — skipping into the tomb field's center. Eyes sparkling, she pointed at the three black-robed figures and counted:
"1, 2, 3...
Heh~
Guessing three people's nas — so hard. Why don't you just introduce yourselves?
Hm? Why won't anyone talk? All gone mute?
Don't tell
you're all clones of my dear Brother Prisoner? But he loves to talk! Unlike you lot — utterly boring.
Hey, if nobody speaks up, I'm going to get physical!
Just wait till I snap all your masks off. Let's see where you hide then."
With that, the long-haired girl rolled up her sleeves. The next second, all three responded simultaneously:
"Interesting. Feel free to try."
"..."
"Ahem — I'm Li Jingming."
...
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