Qingmu came to treat nightmares at Huang Ziqiang's request, but before the illness was cured, he inexplicably became the heir to a family that could rival the Rockefeller.
"I simply cannot accept such an absurd thing. No matter what kind of business you're in, I have no interest in it," Qingmu said, shaking his head. "I'm here to treat your illness. Shouldn't you first consider your health and safety, find a way to resolve your nightmare, and then we can discuss your family's internal affairs?"
Hong Kui, whose expression had remained calm, showed a hint of surprise, and his eyes revealed a touch of admiration.
Hong Zhenlong said, "Well, everyone has their own ambitions, and it's indeed a bit inappropriate to talk about such topics since we've just met." He was already in poor spirits, and after saying so much, he looked even more haggard.
Qingmu said, "Mr. Hong, you're not feeling well; you need to rest more."
Hong Zhenlong said, "I know, but nightmares prevent me from getting a good night's sleep."
"Tell me about your nightmare," Qingmu said. "How long has that shadow been in your dream?"
Hong Zhenlong was taken aback and said, "So you saw him too! I don't know how long he's been here, but I know he's influencing me."
"He's going to kill you in your dreams?"
"Yes, he tried to kill me. It was the most terrifying dream I've ever had, and I'll never forget the moment he stood up," Hong Zhenlong said with a pained expression.
What happened next?
"I had this dream every day, I was completely exhausted, and my body collapsed rapidly during that time. I thought I was going to die, and I even made a will. But one day, he suddenly stopped killing me and instead encouraged me to enter the forbidden area."
"Forbidden Land? Is that the icy world where the White Wolf lives?"
"Yes," Hong Zhenlong said. "Our ancestral teachings say that it's a forbidden area for our ancestors, a place guarded by the Wolf King. I really want to go and see it, but I can't get close at all."
"And then what?"
"I told him I couldn't get in. He pressured me, influenced me. And then it turned out like what you saw. He and I were in sync; he could stir my emotions. Every time I saw those hunters besieging the wolf king, I would be filled with rage and rush towards the forbidden area. But every time I rushed there, it felt like the sky was falling, crushing me to pieces."
Qingmu fell into deep thought after listening.
It seems that this invading consciousness is very interested in the forbidden area in Hong Zhenlong's dream, so the shadow doesn't kill him, but wants him to break through the blockade of the forbidden area and enter.
This illustrates two points: first, something in this forbidden area is very important to the invading consciousness; second, the Parasitic Consciousness dares not kill Hong Zhenlong's original consciousness, because if it did, the forbidden area would likely disappear, indicating that the existence of the forbidden area is only related to the consciousness, and not to memories.
What's in the forbidden area? Qingmu immediately thought of the sealed-off memory zone in Mama Yao's mind. Could it be something similar?
Seeing that Qingmu had suddenly fallen silent, Hong Zhenlong asked with concern, "Am I terminally ill and won't last much longer? Mr. Qingmu, please speak frankly. I've lived most of my life and experienced everything. This old body has nothing to be attached to, and I've long since become indifferent to matters of life and death."
He was unaware of the existence of Parasitic Consciousness intrusion and thought he had done something wrong, offending his ancestors or deities.
Of course, Qingmu couldn't tell Hong Zhenlong the truth right away, because who knew if that shadow would spread the news. He decided to suppress the shadow in his dream for the time being, and seeing that Hong Zhenlong was exhausted, he told him to rest first.
While Hong Zhenlong had his eyes closed, Qingmu entered his dream and saw that vast snow-capped mountain once again.
In the distance, a pack of gray wolves ran through the mountains, and the howling of the wind and snow could be faintly heard.
Hong Zhenlong stood on the snow-covered hillside gazing into the distance. When a pack of sled dogs appeared, his eyes began to turn blue, his hands clenched into fists, and his body trembled slightly.
Last time, the dreamlike world of ice and snow was so breathtaking that Qingmu didn't notice the shadow until Hong Zhenlong, engulfed in flames, rushed over. This time, he was much more observant and saw the shadow at Hong Zhenlong's feet as soon as he entered.
At first, the shadow was a normal shadow, and it was hard to tell if it was an intruder. But when the sled dogs chased the wolf pack and gunshots rang out, the shadow suddenly opened its eyes, and at that moment, Hong Zhenlong's eyes began to turn blue. And while Hong Zhenlong was trembling all over, his shadow remained motionless on the ground.
Qingmu sneered and slowly began to approach Hong Zhenlong.
The white wolf had appeared, and flames began to erupt from Hong Zhenlong's chest. Uncontrollable rage drove him forward, and behind him, his shadow slowly rose up.
Just then, he suddenly heard the sound of clattering footsteps.
Hong Zhenlong turned his head and saw a strange yet somewhat familiar man appear in his field of vision. His hair was messy and covered with snowflakes. His old gray overcoat was being blown about by the cold wind, fluttering behind him. It looked a bit thin in the snow and ice, but very dashing. What was even more amazing was that, in such cold weather, the man was only wearing a pair of slippers, shuffling along in the snow, leaving a long trail of footprints.
For some reason, upon hearing the clattering sound, Hong Zhenlong felt strangely calm. His anger subsided, and the flames burning within him slowly died down, like a pile of firewood that had been burned out.
The shadow that had stood up retreated back, becoming a normal shadow.
"Who are you?" Hong Zhenlong's chest heaved violently, as if he was trying desperately to remember something, but he couldn't.
Qingmu smiled at him, then looked at the shadow on the ground. This time he didn't summon the Crow; wanting to see what the shadow actually looked like, he said to it, "Stand up, let me see what you look like."
The shadow stood up, slowly revealing facial features and transforming into a human form. It was clearly another Hong Zhenlong, only somewhat obscure, like a mirror covered with a layer of condensation.
"Who exactly are you?" Qingmu asked.
"I am Hong Zhenlong," the shadow said.
Hong Zhenlong was shocked. "I am Hong Zhenlong!"
The shadow said, "You're right, I am you. I'm exactly like a Tushu, you are me."
Qingmu knew that the Shadow had received all of Hong Zhenlong's memories, so there was no difference in thought and behavior, except for the consciousness and thought characteristics corresponding to Lester Signature. However, the Shadow must still have some kind of original consciousness, otherwise it wouldn't have had other thoughts when replacing the original consciousness, such as entering the forbidden zone of Hong Zhenlong's dream.
Where does this primal consciousness come from? What drives him to want to enter the forbidden zone?