Secret World: I Became a God Through Lies

Chapter 381 The Darkness at the End of the Corridor

"All the truth is hidden in a thin mist between appearance and reality."

—Excerpt from "The Unknown Rift: A Collection of Philosophical Essays"

Dunhuang at night resembles a landscape painting spread with ink.

The streetlights cast a dim yellow light, lazily scattering shadows across the street.

The occasional passing vehicle is like a faint brushstroke embellishing the scene.

The residential buildings near Kunwu University are hidden among the trees, so quiet that it's as if they've been muted.

The dim lights in the hallway flickered slightly, and the chirping of cicadas broke the silence, adding to the eeriness.

"It's so quiet it's unbelievable, I feel like a reflection of myself could pop out of the mirror at any moment..."

Lynn rubbed her arm and couldn't help but mutter a complaint under her breath, trying to ease the tension.

Si Ming raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly: "You know what, if it really pops up, it'll be troublesome."

Before he could finish speaking, Lin Wanqing had already pushed open the apartment door.

The warm yellow light poured out, dispelling some of the chill of the night.

"Please sit wherever you like, I'll go make some coffee." Lin Wanqing's voice was gentle, but her eyes betrayed her weariness and unease.

Si Ming nodded and walked slowly to the sofa to sit down.

His gaze slowly swept across the room, where various psychology books were neatly arranged on the bookshelves.

The abstract paintings on the wall are elegant in color, understated yet stylish.

"Wanqing's taste has always been so artsy?" Lin En casually flipped through a magazine, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"However, no amount of artistic expression can save my frightened little heart tonight."

Si Ming smiled but didn't respond. His gaze deepened as he looked out the window at the dark night, as if waiting for some unknown secret to slowly emerge.

In the kitchen, the coffee machine emitted a soft hum, and the steam and rich aroma slowly wafted through the air, calming Lin Wanqing's mind a little.

She watched the coffee drip silently, her eyes filled with doubt and anxiety.

Is it all just a coincidence?

A moment later, she came out with a cup of coffee and gently placed it on the coffee table: "I don't know what to say anymore. It feels like the events of the past few days have been a dream."

Si Ming picked up the coffee cup, the warmth of the ceramic cup penetrating his fingertips, warming his slightly cool palms and calming his somewhat chaotic thoughts.

He took a small sip, a faint smile curving his lips, his voice low and calm: "Dreams and reality are essentially the same. The only difference is whether you can wake up."

Lin Wanqing was taken aback, then nodded with a wry smile: "You're still the same as always, your words always have that philosophical undertone."

Lynn blinked with feigned admiration: "If you don't show off, you're not a card magician. You'll get used to it."

Si Ming smiled faintly, but then turned serious and said, "Wan Qing, there's something I need to confirm. Did you really write that letter you sent asking for help?"

Lin Wanqing's face froze instantly, her brows furrowing:
"What SOS letter? I never sent you that kind of letter. I only sent you psychology materials."

Si Ming's gaze darkened, and his voice lowered slightly: "I knew it; there was a subtle difference in the tone of that letter."

I initially thought you made a mistake in your haste, but now it seems someone deliberately imitated you.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became heavy, and the originally leisurely aroma of coffee turned somewhat bitter.

"But why would they do this?" Lin Wanqing asked, her voice tinged with fear. "How much do they know? And what are they trying to do?"

Si Ming shook his head, a cold smile playing on his lips: "Perhaps they know more than we imagine, and their motives are more complex."

A brief silence fell over the room. In that silence, it was as if an invisible kite string was tightly binding their fates together, pulling them toward the unknown darkness.

"So, what do we do now?" Lynn asked in a low voice, breaking the silence.

Si Ming slowly raised his head, his eyes sharp and deep: "Of course, it's about finding the 'person in the mirror' behind the scenes."

Lin Wanqing sighed softly, her expression complicated: "However, we have absolutely no clue as to who the person in the mirror is."

Si Ming smiled faintly and gently swirled the coffee cup in his hand.

His tone carried a hint of mystery: "The clues were actually planted long ago; all that was needed was the right opportunity."

Lynn leaned closer curiously: "Is the magician planning to pull off another flashy trick?"

Si Ming smiled calmly, the coffee in his cup swirling slightly, its aroma still gentle, yet unable to conceal the chilling glint in his eyes:
"No matter who the other party is, if they want to play games with me, I will naturally play along to the end."

Looking at Si Ming's calm confidence, Lin Wanqing felt a strange sense of security.

However, an unknown star map still hangs in her heart, waiting for fate to give its final interpretation.

The city of Dunhuang remained silent late at night, and no one knew what the "person in the mirror" was hiding in the darkness.
Where exactly are they staring at right now, and what kind of fateful showdown are they waiting for?

In the dead of night, Dunhuang City resembles a sketch painted with ink wash. The city lights are sparse, the traffic is slow and sparse, and the streets seem to be asleep, eerily quiet.

Lin Wanqing sat in the living room, solemnly opening her laptop.

The screen emitted a faint blue light, illuminating the faces of the group, gradually creating a tense and mysterious atmosphere.

"Have you ever heard of a 'back room'?" Lin Wanqing's voice was very soft, with a hint of unease that she couldn't hide.

“I’ve heard a little bit,” Lynn leaned closer and whispered, “but it’s just urban legends online, right?”

Si Ming shook his head slightly, staring intently at the screen, waiting for Lin Wanqing to continue.

Lin Wanqing's fingers flew across the keyboard, and a series of eerie web pages and images appeared:

"Initially, it was just a picture and a sentence—someone accidentally wandered into an endless labyrinth, with damp carpets, yellow wallpaper, and ever-flickering fluorescent lights..."

She paused, her brow furrowing slightly: "But the problem is, this legend, which was supposed to be fictional, now seems to have become reality."

Si Ming calmly replied, "Indeed, sometimes the line between legend and reality is more fragile than we imagine."

Lynn bit her lower lip, a hint of fear in her eyes:

"Don't you guys think that the scene described in that video perfectly matches the legendary 'back room' level? That 'run fast' level where if you stop, you'll be chased by hounds."

Si Ming was silent for a moment, then suddenly a slight smile appeared on his lips: "What's interesting is that this kind of thing actually appears in reality. Don't you think the person behind it is a bit too arrogant?"

Lynn smiled helplessly: "Magician, we're not here to complain about the streamer, it's not something that can be solved by just saying 'like and follow'."

Lin Wanqing was amused, and her tense expression relaxed slightly. But soon, she became serious again: "Siming, what do you think of that video caching website?"

Si Ming's gaze darkened slightly, his tone calm yet carrying a hint of coldness:
"The emergence of this website is no accident. Clearly, someone wants to deliberately bring the 'harem' legend to our attention. The question is, what exactly do they want?"

Lynn shuddered involuntarily: "I always felt that sentence on the website was weird. What does 'We've been waiting for you here' mean? It sounds like a classic line from a horror movie."

Si Ming sighed softly: "The problem is that this statement may not be a threat, but an invitation. We may have already unknowingly stepped into the gaps in the star chart set up by the other party."

Lin Wanqing frowned, remained silent for a long time, and finally spoke slowly: "The police initially said that five people were missing, but a sixth person appeared in the video. Where did this person go?"

Si Ming's lips curled into a faint, cold smile, his gaze sharp as a knife:
"The police didn't mention the sixth person, which means they didn't find him at all. So where is the sixth person? Perhaps he's still alive, or maybe he's deliberately hiding."

Lynn gasped upon hearing this: "Could that anonymous tip-off call have been made by the sixth person himself?"

The room fell silent instantly, and everyone felt a taut kite string hanging in their hearts, as if it would be snapped at any moment by some unknown force.

Si Ming slowly rose, walked to the window, and gazed at the dark night outside:

"It seems we must find this sixth person. He is the key to truly understanding the truth."

"So what should we do now?" Lin Wanqing subconsciously moved closer to Lin En, her voice trembling slightly.

"If the sixth person is deliberately hiding, could he actually be the mastermind behind it all?"

Si Ming turned around, his eyes firm and calm: "That's perfect, saves us the trouble of searching everywhere. Whatever tricks they're playing, since they invited me, this 'gambler of fate,' how can I not give them face?"

Lynn couldn't help but chuckle: "The Card Magician's showing-off skills have improved again."

Si Ming raised an eyebrow and smiled, saying lightly, "Thank you for the compliment. Remember to like it next time."

Lin Wanqing sighed softly, her original worries easing slightly.

She looked down at the cold coffee in her hand, its bitter aroma filling the air, much like their current state of mind.

A sudden gust of wind blew outside the window, making the curtains rustle as if they were whispering something.

Si Ming looked up, a deep light flashing in his eyes.

A faint intuition rose within him: this storm had likely only just begun. On the surface, Dunhuang City remained calm that night.

But in the shadows, countless figures reflected in the mirror are silently waiting for their arrival.

The night at Kunwu University's East Campus is like an oil painting sprinkled with gold dust.

A private club stands quietly, its golden marble walls gleaming with luxurious light under the illumination.

The retro lampposts in front of the door emit a soft halo, and the silhouettes of guests coming and going are reflected on the mirror-like floor.

Lynn stood at the door, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her clothes, and timidly looked at Si Ming beside her: "Si Ming, this place is notorious as a 'paradise for rich kids,' can I... really go in?"

Si Ming smiled calmly, glancing casually at the gaudy gold plaque above the entrance: "What else? Are we supposed to stand here and get some wind?"

Lynn smiled slightly, her tense emotions easing a little, but she still subconsciously shrugged her shoulders, appearing uneasy.

Just then, a group of well-dressed young people happened to pass by the door.

They were all decked out in designer brands, exuded an extraordinary aura, and conveyed an innate sense of superiority in their conversations.

The leader was a young man in a bespoke suit. He glanced at Lynn casually, a haughty smile playing on his lips: "Oh, isn't this Lynn? What, you've come to the wrong set tonight?"

His companions behind him immediately chuckled, their eyes full of mockery and disdain.

Lynn's face flushed red. She lowered her head, bit her lip, and whispered, "We're just passing by and won't bother you."

The young man laughed exaggeratedly, deliberately raising his voice: "Just passing by? You guys really got really lost. This isn't a place just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can enter."

Si Ming raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile curving his lips: "Are you so sure you're not?"

The young man's face stiffened, then he turned and looked Siming up and down with disdain: "Where did you come from, you country bumpkin? Look at your clothes, even if you gathered all your possessions, they wouldn't be worth a single button on my suit."

The laughter of the crowd grew even louder, and passersby turned to look, casting curious and inquisitive glances.

Si Ming remained calm, as if the young man's sarcastic words were just a gentle breeze that could not cause any ripples.

He glanced at the young man, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said casually, "Oh? Are you sure?"

The young man's arrogance faltered slightly, a hint of disdain and annoyance flashing between his brows. He sneered, "Otherwise what? Are you planning to stage an accident?"

The leading noble student raised his chin, his eyes sweeping arrogantly over Lynn, his tone condescendingly mocking: "Lynn, really? You two actually want to go in?"

A girl in a gorgeous dress chuckled, covering her mouth: "Don't you know? The members here must have at least nine zeros in assets. Not to mention you, even the person next to you probably can't afford this lamp at the entrance."

Low laughter immediately rose from the surroundings, and the noble students' eyes were filled with mockery and contempt.

The gatekeeper stared coldly at Si Ming, glanced around, and said indifferently, "If you two cannot produce membership credentials, please do not linger here."

Lynn bit her lip, her eyes slightly reddening. She quietly tugged at Si Ming's sleeve and whispered, "Si Ming, let's just leave... This kind of place is not one we can enter."

Her soft, aggrieved tone only emboldened the students to laugh even more blatantly.
They revel in the sense of superiority that comes with their words, as if looking down on their prey.

Si Ming's gaze gradually turned cold as he slowly raised his head to look directly at the gatekeeper, a hint of chill flashing in his eyes.

He gently slipped his hand into his robes, his movements unhurried and deliberate. The eyes of those around him instantly turned to him, a mixture of anticipation and mockery in their gaze.

The next second, he took a black metal card out of his pocket and casually held it between two fingers.
He handed it to the gatekeeper and said casually, "Is it okay now?"

The black card gleamed coldly under the light, and the security guard was suddenly stunned.

He stared blankly at the card, his gaze shifting from indifference to astonishment, then to barely concealed awe and panic, his voice trembling slightly: "This...this is...a black card?!"

In an instant, an eerie silence fell over the club entrance.

The students, who had just been full of disdain, now looked as if they had been doused with a bucket of cold water, their expressions more interesting than the last.

The once arrogant boy turned ashen-faced, his lips twitched violently, and he said in an incredulous, hoarse voice, "Impossible! How could you possibly have such a thing?"

The girl in the gorgeous dress was so shocked that she almost dropped her expensive handbag. Her face turned deathly pale, and she was too embarrassed to utter a single word.

The gatekeeper dared not be negligent in the slightest. He hurriedly bowed, his attitude becoming humble and respectful: "I am very sorry, esteemed sir, for my previous offense! Please allow me to open the private passage for you immediately."

Lynn stared in disbelief at the scene before her, her little face filled with surprise and confusion. Her aggrieved expression had vanished, replaced by disbelief and inexplicable excitement.

She tilted her head slightly to look at Si Ming, her eyes filled with a hint of admiration and curiosity, as if trying to find an explanation on his face.

Si Ming chuckled lightly, his gaze sweeping indifferently over the distraught students, and said softly, "What, does everyone's identity have to be approved by you to be valid?"

After saying that, he gently took the black card back from the gatekeeper, turned to Lynn and gave her a slightly indulgent smile: "Lynn, let's go in and see what's going on."

Lynn paused for a moment, then laughed lightly, her little face brightening considerably: "Okay, Master Si Ming!"

She playfully stuck out her tongue and followed Si Ming, jogging into the club.

The noble students outside could only watch helplessly as they disappeared through the luxurious gates. Their fear and embarrassment created a chaotic scene, and no one dared to utter a word to stop them.

The door slowly closed, the light inside contrasting sharply with the darkness outside.

Si Ming and Lynn followed the doorman into the club's inner hall, where the lighting became soft and hazy.

The enormous crystal chandelier in the dome sparkles like stars, reflecting off the gilded marble floor, creating a magnificent yet tasteful scene.

Those aristocratic students who were arrogant before are now far behind, leaving only bewildered and embarrassed faces.

The doorman bowed respectfully and led the way, his tone extremely humble: "Honorable Gold VIP, we apologize for any offense we may have caused you. We have prepared a top-tier private room for you. Please follow me."

Lynn quietly followed beside Si Ming. Her initial surprise had gradually faded, and a playful glint appeared in her eyes.

Taking advantage of the gatekeeper's inattention, Si Ming turned his head slightly and said in a low, teasing voice, "Lin En, you acted quite well in this scene. The poor student persona was very convincing."

Lynn's lips curled up slightly, and she winked playfully: "Wasn't that just to cooperate with your performance? Besides, if I didn't play the role of a poor student, who would make your pretentious act stand out?"

Upon hearing this, Si Ming sighed helplessly and quipped in a low voice, "Hark has even spread his golden land all over the university. He truly is a money player, burning money without batting an eye."

Lynn smiled faintly, her tone tinged with schadenfreude: "Fatty Hack's arrogant nature is quite useful; he's helped us a lot this time."

The two exchanged a smile, their understanding as perfect as two people reflecting each other in a mirror, needing no further words.

The gatekeeper pushed open an ornately decorated door and said respectfully, "Please come in. If you need anything, please let me know."

Si Ming nodded calmly and led Lin En slowly inside. The door closed softly, and the surroundings instantly fell silent.

The private room was understated yet luxurious, with intricately carved furniture gleaming with a dark gold luster, and abstract paintings on the walls conveying a mysterious rhythm that captivated the viewer.

Lynn's joking expression vanished, replaced by a slightly serious one: "The things behind Xiao Jie's disappearance are probably far more complicated than we imagine."

Si Ming relaxed his brows, casually sat down, and gazed leisurely at the meaningful abstract painting on the wall, a playful smile playing on his lips: "But tonight's performance, at least, satisfied me quite a bit."

Lynn smiled upon hearing this, gracefully sat down opposite him, and said with a mischievous look in her eyes, "When will you ever get rid of this habit of pretending to be low-key when you're clearly high-profile?"

Si Ming raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly, replying calmly, "Just having some fun occasionally, to add some variety to my life."

After they finished speaking, the two looked at each other and smiled again, and the atmosphere in the room became much more relaxed. The emotions that had been suppressed earlier seemed to have been released in this wonderful comeback.

At this moment, the club manager knocked lightly on the door, entered the room with a respectful smile, and carefully presented a document to Si Ming:

"Gold VIP, this is Mr. Xiao Jie's recent activity record at the club, which has been prepared in accordance with your request."

Si Ming casually took the document and began to read it with a calm and focused expression. His fingertips slowly traced the pages, and his gaze was as sharp as a cold star.

Lynn observed his surroundings with a solemn expression, reverting to the demeanor of the Black Tower's heir—meticulous, cautious, and composed.

Just then, Lynn's phone vibrated. She glanced down at the screen, and her face instantly turned grim.

"What happened?" Siming noticed something was wrong and looked up to ask.

Lynn frowned and handed him the phone, where an anonymous text message appeared on the screen:
"You shouldn't have come here."

Si Ming's eyes suddenly sharpened, and he smiled slightly, but his tone was chilling: "It seems that this pool of water is far deeper than we imagined."

Lynn's gaze sharpened slightly, and he lowered his voice: "They found out we were in so quickly; the people in the club seem to be far from simple."

Si Ming continued flipping through the documents in his hand, and said in a low voice, "Before Xiao Jie disappeared, he had several secret contacts with unidentified people."

However, crucial parts of the record were deliberately erased, suggesting that someone within the club is protecting these individuals.

Lynn pondered for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully: "If we continue to investigate now, we might alert the enemy."

Si Ming gently closed the document, stood up and said, "Since we've stepped into the scheme of the person in the mirror, why don't we observe it for a while? Perhaps we'll gain something from it."

"True wealth is never flaunted on the surface; it only makes people tremble when it is touched."

—Excerpt from "The Invisible Crown: Archives of a Hidden Family"

(End of this chapter)