Chapter 3 - The Dream Weaver
This was a world without demons or immortals.
Even though there were cultivators who passed down their legacies, most of them only sought the Dao, fame, or fortune.
Over the years, dynasties on this continent rose and fell, and various sects flourished like bamboo shoots after the rain, only to wither just as quickly.
The landscape changed... Yet no matter how turbulent the course of history, people were always bound by the established rules of Heaven.
Bound to a world where only humans fought amongst themselves.
However, one day, everything changed.
It was as if the heavens suddenly underwent a major upgrade, adding new functions.
In the sixth year of Tianwu in the Great Zhen Dynasty, on the fifteenth day of the ninth month, at the third watch of the night, a mysterious red rain suddenly fell from the sky.
The red rain was like blood, and it lasted for a full half an hour.
Strangely, this red rain did not fall on rivers, seas, streams, or lakes. It evaporated upon touching the ground, but it could be stored in porcelain containers, where it would solidify into tiny crystalline granules.
These granules could then be dissolved in boiled water.
And people were surprised to find that the stored red rain was a 'divine medicine bestowed by heaven.'
After consumption, it not only had the effects of detoxification, preserving beauty, nourishing fetuses, strengthening the kidneys, and stopping pain and bleeding, but it was also greatly beneficial to cultivators.
For example, it could be used to expand meridians and enhance cultivation.
However, this substance only had an effect on humans. Other birds, insects, and beasts showed no reaction after consuming it.
But from then on, strange incidents began to occur frequently.
Some people were plagued by nightmares and killed by monsters in their dreams, 'Nightmares.' Others suddenly mutated, transforming into ferocious demonic creatures.
Or... the dead inexplicably 'resurrected.'
And the culprit behind all this was—the Red Rain!
In the seventh year of Tianwu, the Great Zhen Dynasty officially established the Night Patrol, specializing in investigating the incidents related to the Red Rain that fell at the third watch.
Now, the Night Patrol had been established for twenty-one years.
Having served two emperors, the Night Patrol had become the second largest special organization in the Great Zhen Dynasty, second only to the Shadow Guard. It wielded great influence both in the court and among the common people.
Any case involving the 'Red Rain,' regardless of the person's status, would be subjected to strict investigation!
"Slap!"
Iron Ox slammed the scroll of records in his hand on the table, glaring at Landlord Lin.
"Landlord Lin, how dare you! Do you know that possessing Red Rain is a serious crime!"
Since its establishment, the Night Patrol had been confiscating stored Red Rain throughout the country.
According to the detailed investigation results afterward, the areas affected by the Red Rain were: the capital, Yan Niu Ridge, Divine Turtle Island, and the Fengling and Longjiang provinces.
Other regions were not touched by the Red Rain.
Moreover, since the Red Rain evaporated upon touching the ground and did not mix with rivers, streams, or seas, and could only be stored in porcelain containers, confiscation was not an impossible task.
But even so, there were still many who privately hoarded 'Red Rain.'
In the past twenty years, countless people had been imprisoned, beheaded, and had their families confiscated because of the 'Red Rain.'
However, the underground trade of 'Red Rain' continued to thrive.
All because of one word—profit!
Especially with the Night Patrol's strict crackdown, Red Rain became increasingly scarce, and its high profit margin was enough to entice many to risk their lives for it.
Some people hoped that the heavens would send down 'Red Rain' again, while others feared its return.
But now, more than twenty years had passed, and there was no sign of the 'Red Rain' reappearing.
Only legends remained.
Furthermore, after months of astrological calculations, the Imperial Observatory in the court had confirmed that there would be no more Red Rain, making it even more precious.
However, some factions were secretly researching and modifying the existing 'Red Rain,' maximizing its effects, diluting and blending it before selling it at high prices.
The 'Red Rain' detected in Lin Jiao Yue's congee bowl was one such modified drug.
"L-Lord..."
Landlord Lin, paralyzed with fear, trembled all over, his voice changing as he hurriedly knelt on the ground.
"My lord, you've been wrongly informed! I absolutely do not possess any Red Rain. Such a criminal act, even with ten times the courage, I wouldn't dare! My lord, if you don't believe me, you can search the Lin residence."
Mei Xing Er also knelt on the ground, pleading her innocence.
Iron Ox pointed at the porcelain bowl. "Then what's this? Are we trying to frame you?"
"No, no, no..."
Landlord Lin hurriedly shook his head.
"That's not what I meant. We also don't know why this thing is in my daughter's congee. It must be... It must be someone trying to harm my daughter! Yes, yes! It must be someone trying to harm my daughter, to harm my Lin family! Please, my lord, investigate thoroughly."
Leng Xinnan, experienced in investigations, could see that Landlord Lin and the others seemed genuinely unaware of the situation. But to be cautious, she waved to Guo Gang and said,
"Send someone to Yun City to inform Lord Zhang Si that we need to conduct a thorough search of the Lin residence. Everyone in the house must be strictly interrogated. Also, summon the Caiyun Caiyue sisters and have them provide close protection for Miss Lin for seven days to observe her. Although the Nightmare has been removed, we still need to be careful. Report any abnormalities immediately."
"Understood."
Guo Gang nodded and hurried away.
Once someone consumed 'Red Rain,' the higher the dosage, the greater the possibility of mutation. If there were no abnormalities within seven days, it would mean the hidden danger had been eliminated.
As for the punishment for the Lin family, it would depend on the results of the investigation and the amount of 'Red Rain' involved.
After giving all the necessary instructions, Leng Xinnan walked out of the room and asked Meng Xiao Tu, who had followed her.
"Is there any way to track down this mysterious Dream Weaver?"
"No, this Dream Weaver named Yan Shuang Ying is very powerful."
Meng Xiao Tu took a bite of her carrot.
“Being able to erase part of the victim's memory about him, even I find that difficult. Moreover, he entered Lin Jiao Yue's Red Rain dream from a distance, which indicates his strong mental willpower. He's truly formidable."
"We need to report this to the headquarters and conduct a detailed investigation."
Leng Xinnan said calmly.
Dream Weavers were different from demon slayers. They required extremely special talent to embark on this cultivation path, and the court valued such cultivators greatly.
Those who could be recruited were recruited, and those who couldn't were registered and closely monitored.
"By the way, Sister Leng, Wan Ying Ying also died from a Nightmare last night. Why didn't this Yan Shuang Ying save her?"
Meng Xiao Tu suddenly asked curiously.
Leng Xinnan shook her head slightly.
"I don't know. We'll need to investigate further to get a clear picture. After we return, we'll go to the Wan residence again and check—"
Mid-sentence, the woman suddenly frowned, her jade-like hand gently pressing against her left chest, her expression showing pain.
Seeing this, Meng Xiao Tu asked with concern, "Sister Leng, is that area still hurting? Do you want me to rub it for you?"
"Go away."
Leng Xinnan glared at her.
Meng Xiao Tu chuckled and stopped joking, saying seriously, "Have you seen a doctor? Don't let it become a serious illness."
Leng Xinnan gently rubbed the area a few times. When the pain subsided, she said helplessly,
"There are only a few female physicians available, and none of them are helpful. I'll find a good female physician when I go to the capital in a few days. It shouldn't be a major problem."
Although there were many renowned doctors in the nearby prefectures and counties, for matters involving private areas, she could only seek treatment from a female physician.
"Oh, that's right!"
Meng Xiao Tu suddenly remembered something, her beautiful eyes sparkling.
"There's a female physician at the foot of Qingping Mountain. I heard she moved here from Hailing Prefecture two months ago. It's said that her medical skills are excellent, and she only treats women. Why don't you give it a try?"
"Hailing Prefecture..."
Leng Xinnan pondered.
"Moving from such a faraway place?"
…
The candle flame on the side table was still flickering gently.
At the base of the incense-infused red candle, a layer of candle tears had already accumulated, like thin ice.
And the large red '囍' character, originally pasted on the window lattice, had somehow fallen under the bed, a corner torn off, but its color still vibrant.
At this moment, Li Nan Ke was still in the dilapidated bridal chamber.
This was his Red Rain dream, and as long as he didn't 'kill himself' to leave, the dream would exist forever.
Unlike the warm and fragrant scene when Lin Jiao Yue was present, the bridal chamber now was gloomy and filled with a faint musty odor, the furnishings decaying and dilapidated.
The red outside the window was no longer the sunset glow, but... Red Rain.
The sound of the pouring rain was urgent.
Through the window, the torrential Red Rain looked like fresh blood, dyeing the whole world into a scene of hell.
Li Nan Ke had never stepped out of the room to personally touch the Red Rain.
He couldn't.
Whenever the Red Rain fell, the room seemed to be encased in a barrier, trapping him inside.
After reading the records about the 'Red Rain' in this world and learning about the profession of Dream Weavers, he was convinced that he was a unique existence.
Other Dream Weavers needed to enter the victim's Red Rain dream to eliminate the Nightmare.
But he could pull others into his own Red Rain dream!
Moreover, he was the only Dream Weaver who could see the 'Red Rain' in his own dream, even though he couldn't go out and touch it.
He couldn't explain why this was the case.
If he had to give an answer, it could only be because he was too handsome, which might be why he was different from others.
At least that's what Li Nan Ke believed.
Of course, it might also be because he was a transmigrator.
But no matter what, it couldn't be separated from his good looks. After all, as Mr. Zhou Shuren once said: Handsome people may not necessarily transmigrate. But ugly people definitely cannot transmigrate.
Speaking of transmigration, Li Nan Ke was still somewhat confused.
Although he retained the memories of his previous life, his memories of this life were a complete blank.
When he woke up, there was only a doctor as his wife by his side.
From his wife, he learned that he was adopted by an old Taoist priest. And his wife was once the priest's disciple, so under the old Taoist's 'kind' matchmaking, they became husband and wife.
As for why he lost his memory, his doctor wife explained that it might be due to a head injury.
So Li Nan Ke asked, then how did I get the head injury?
His wife was silent for a moment, then, with a guiltless and indifferent tone, casually dropped a sentence: I hit you.
There was no further explanation after that.
It seemed that this 'small matter' didn't require an explanation for her.
However, judging from the dangerous look in her eyes every time he tried to get close to her, Li Nan Ke could roughly guess why he was hit.
It seemed that his wife wasn't sincere about this 'marriage.'
How frustrating!
Li Nan Ke didn't really care about this. When the time was right, he could just give her a divorce letter and go their separate ways. After all, this wife, apart from having a good figure, wasn't very beautiful.
The only thing he would miss was her cooking.
While Li Nan Ke was lost in thought, a small swirling black hole suddenly appeared in front of him.
The vortex was about the size of a fist, emitting a faint, cold light.
In the next second, a white bead floated out from Li Nan Ke's body and, as if it had eyes, flew towards the mysterious vortex and was instantly swallowed.
This mysterious white bead was what he had obtained after killing the Nightmare earlier.
It was similar to a demon core.
Li Nan Ke had read many texts about 'Nightmares.' Other Dream Weavers didn't get these white beads after eliminating 'Nightmares,' only he did.
This showed that in the profession of Dream Weavers, he was indeed an anomaly.
As the white bead was swallowed, a very faint aura appeared in the room. At the same time, Li Nan Ke vaguely felt a gaze falling on him.
This feeling was strange, as if someone was sitting in front of him, staring at him intently.
It was quite eerie.
This uncomfortable feeling didn't fade until the mysterious vortex gradually disappeared.
And a metal box appeared on the table.
The pitch-black metal box was square, with tiny holes at the corners, and its surface shimmered with mysterious dark red patterns.
"Hmm? A reward?"
Li Nan Ke raised an eyebrow.
When he first entered this Red Rain dream, there was an identical metal box on the table, containing the flintlock pistol he used to kill the Nightmare earlier.
It was like a beginner's gift package.
Unfortunately, the flintlock pistol could only be used in the Red Rain dream and couldn't fire in reality.
He hadn't expected another gift package to appear now, which surprised Li Nan Ke. He hoped this time it would be a better piece of equipment or cultivation technique, like the 'Sunflower Manual' or something.
However, when he opened the mysterious metal box, he was stunned, thinking he was seeing things.
It was a brick?
Li Nan Ke picked up the brick and weighed it in his hand. It was light and didn't have much weight.
One side of the brick was engraved with the character '德' (dé), meaning virtue, and the other side had the inscription: '以德服人' (yǐ dé fú rén), meaning 'convince people with virtue.'
The elegant handwriting exuded an air of sincerity.
Through his senses, Li Nan Ke realized that this wasn't an ordinary brick, but a weapon—or rather, a hidden weapon.
Although he didn't know its power yet, it could be used in reality.
"Hopefully, it's somewhat useful."
Li Nan Ke curled his lip, not holding out much hope.
Estimating that his wife, who had gone to the mountains to gather herbs alone, should be back soon, Li Nan Ke didn't linger any longer.
He picked up the flintlock pistol, still smelling of gunpowder, and pressed it against his temple, deciding to leave the Red Rain dream.
Although he had 'killed himself' many times, every time he pulled the trigger, he felt an indescribable fear.
He was afraid that this time, he would really meet the King of Hell.
"Buddha bless me..."
Li Nan Ke took a deep breath and pulled the trigger.
As the gunshot rang out, the candle on the table also burned out its last bit of light. The candle tears flowing on the tabletop twisted and turned, vaguely resembling two words—
The End.