Am I really hallucinating?

Chapter 726 Greenhouse Flowers and Insects

Lu Chongming watched as another version of himself peeked out from around the corner, his own image reflected in a pair of sharp, dark green vertical pupils.

Lu Chongming from a parallel world?

Actually, when everyone mentioned that their parallel world selves were coming to kill them, Lu Chongming wasn't too worried about encountering another version of himself.

After all, Lu Chongming knew his own limitations perfectly well. There were very few turning points in his life. Most importantly, if he had abandoned Mr. Illusion and Ms. Lin Yilin, he would have died at the hands of that illusion long ago.

Even if a parallel version of himself were to emerge, he would likely find it difficult to have the same opportunities he has now. At least, with his current mind, Lu Chongming couldn't think of any opportunity that could be more amazing than that of Mr. Illusion and Ms. Lin Yilin.

Therefore, when he saw another version of himself appear in front of him, Lu Chongming was wary but not particularly flustered or shocked; instead, he was somewhat curious.

What kind of journey has this self gone through? Or is this self even still itself?

“You’ve come. It takes some skill to infiltrate the branch office at this time. If you don’t mind, I can make time to hear about your experiences,” Lu Chongming said frankly.

Lu Chongming looked at himself in this world with such indifference, and his sinister smile also faded a bit. He slowly walked out, revealing his full body.

The body is covered in turquoise-green armor that is jet black with backward-pointing thorns along the edges, and its texture resembles that of an insect's shell.

"I see, that's one possibility." Lu Chongming understood, or rather, he had already sensed it.

After all, it was the first hallucination he had ever seen, and even one he had once worked with. No matter how much Lu Chongming didn't want to bring up this dark history again, he could never forget it.

“I never imagined that I could achieve this. Instead of becoming a damp, worm that bores through the dikes of the capital, I can become the regional chief in a grand and respectable way, with a reputation that spreads far and wide…” Insect Armor Lu Chongming’s voice overlapped with another voice, sounding somewhat sharp.

"Did Lu Lu in this world really not encounter me?" On the neck of the insect-armored Lu Chongming, the carapace wriggled and a familiar insect head emerged, sticking out and looking at Lu Chongming.

Lu Chongming took a deep breath: "I've encountered it. It seems we have no disagreement on this part."

"It's obvious that something's wrong with your expression. As someone who knows yourself, I can tell right away." Insect Armor Lu Chongming showed none of the composure and uprightness he had in the past, especially not like when he was in his darkest days and felt that everyone wanted to harm him and that he had to resort to any means to get opportunities.

"Then... why did Lu Lu abandon me? What's the difference between us? I'm so pathetic in this world." The insect said in its familiar affected and teasing tone, "Even though we're so compatible, to the point of being so close."

"Didn't you first set your sights on another serial killer and plan to abandon me?" Lu Chongming was speechless. Was the detail in this part different? Wasn't it still just a problem with this illusion?

"Huh? Is that so?"

"Yes." The answer was affirmative from Lu Chongming of the parallel world. "You wanted to replace me back then. But while you were scheming your own things, I found another way to tie you to me. From then on, we were inseparable."

"Ah~, it seems there was such a thing, so Lu Lu in this world is a little less intelligent, didn't you notice?" Lu Lu's illusion wasn't annoyed, and she still teased Lu Chongming on this side.

Lu Chongming closed his eyes, then opened them again: "Perhaps so, but I don't regret being a little slow on this step."

"What is that? Deceiving yourself? I don't regret spending my life with Lu Lu. After all, if you're not completely devoted, you really can't see that we're actually very compatible. Hahahaha!" Lu Lu's illusion let out a sharp laugh.

Insect Armor Lu Chongming remained noncommittal, only gazing at himself in this world with a gloomy expression.

It still seems that I don't understand why the gap between the two of them is so large.

He became the most wanted criminal in the capital, causing a huge crisis by spreading too much bait. He even stole the fruit of flesh and blood illusion in Jiangwen Street during the earthquake and rose to the top in one step.

It even prompted Luo Ye to launch a relentless pursuit for him.

But this version of myself was able to join the processing bureau and even become the regional chief without the help of insects... It's unbelievable.

Why can he do it?

"There's not much to say about these things; they're all from a long time ago to me, though it's only been a year. Lu Chongming, I just want to ask you one question." Lu Chongming addressed him by his full name, speaking clearly and distinctly.

Did you manage to save Mom?

Whoosh! Clang!
The sword blade, crackling with electricity, clashed with the scythe-like insect legs at close range, sparks flying from the friction.

His dark brown gaze met the deep, murky green before him head-on.

The weapons clashed rapidly, the electric sword leaving gashes on the carapace, the current seeping into the wounds and slowing his movements. The insect-armored Lu Chongming was surprised by Lu Chongming's response; though his movements were slowed, he thrust out extra blade-like insect legs from his back.

Ding dong!

The insect's legs pierced Lu Chongming's body, but it was as if they had struck some kind of hard metal. The legs were easily repelled, and then a blinding flash of lightning covered Lu Chongming's vision. Boom!

Amidst the thunderous roar, Lu Chongming, whose body had switched to a virtual substance, unleashed the electric current generated within him to its fullest extent. His movements were flawless and even masterful, and the bullets fired from the gun swept across the area like electromagnetic cannons.

The area in front is a decorative courtyard, so there's no worry about anyone being affected. Besides, the building that handles the case is quite durable.

Rustling——

A rapid, rustling sound of insect legs filled the air as a nimble, swift figure moved swiftly through the corridor. Lu Chongming quickly detected the movements of his parallel world counterpart.

A thick shadow swept through the dust, its dark green body lashing out like a long whip.

Snapped!
The corridor was narrow and the angle was tricky. Lu Chongming was hit head-on, as if he had collided with a speeding high-speed train. At the same time, the insect's sharp legs scratched like a meat grinder, giving Lu Chongming several more wounds.

Although it withstood the changes in its body material, no matter how the body material changes, if its defenses are breached, it will still be genuinely injured.

From behind his spine, Lu Chongming, the insect-armored creature, extended a long, dragon-like body resembling a centipede, which was shaped like his tail, yet also seemed like another complete body.

"Disgusting," Lu Chongming muttered.

"This is your own choice!" Before him, Insect Armor Lu Chongming's face was contorted with rage as he shouted hysterically.

Lu Chongming was stunned. In that instant, Lu Chongming, the insect-armored man, pushed off the ground with one foot. The centipede's long legs behind him tapped the ground densely, and in an instant, he burst out with a terrifying speed.

So fast!

boom!
Lu Chongming was quickly brought to his side. Due to the interference of the opponent's swaying figure, he misjudged the situation and was kicked away, flying through the glass that had already been mostly shattered and out of the processing center.

The alarm had already sounded at the very beginning of their confrontation.

The insect-armored Lu Chongming crawled on the wall of the processing bureau like a real centipede, its movements unpredictable and its speed as fast as the wind and shadow. Lu Chongming, on the other hand, transformed into lightning, like a flashing fly fighting against the centipede.

Even though the branch office building was constructed with special materials, its surface was left in a mess due to the intense battle between the two sides.

Even the drones sent in advance were unable to locate the centipede, which appeared enormous but was impossible to find.

"I killed my exploitative boss, tore apart those gang offices that threatened me, and ruthlessly eliminated the authorities who tried to stop me. They mostly saw us as ants and insects, so I bore them to their core. Those lamplighters are stubborn and inflexible, pure white-collar charlatans, and the central government is a bunch of good-for-nothings! I killed everyone I could, but I couldn't save my mother! What do you want from me?! Just because you're doing better than me?! Just because you can live uprightly under this hypocritical beacon?! Just because you have the support of people better than us?!"

The centipede-like patterns on Insect Armor Lu Chongming's neck spread all the way to his face, his imposing aura causing all his pent-up emotions to erupt completely.

Despite his seemingly out-of-control rage, his killing moves became increasingly fierce, completely ignoring all the changes in Lu Chongming's body material and beating him until he couldn't lift his head.

"I've had enough! Go to hell, you hothouse flower!"

Its thousand insect-like legs bloomed like a lotus flower, knocking all the weapons from Lu Chongming's hands. Its entire body opened countless insect compound eyes, radiating light in all directions and piercing through all the surrounding weapons from the processing bureau.

Even the few lamplighters on the streets of Lumière who arrived at the scene were shocked by what they saw.

Where did this super hallucination come from?
Some lamplighters tried to cover their minds with these "gazes," but they were directly melted away by them. Within the range of the other party's "gaze," the lamplighters found it difficult to develop their mental images!

Just as they were about to bite the bullet and charge in, a huge shadow suddenly appeared in the sky.

It's the new Jin Tie Guo Hao!

Lu Chongming's hand was pierced by the insect's leg, but he was also unable to grasp the insect's leg that was heading straight for his face and make it impossible for it to advance any further.

"Yes, I was just lucky. Everything you said is true." Lu Chongming looked disheveled, covered in wounds, but was recovering at an extremely fast pace.

“We are no different, except that I seized a better opportunity that did not violate my conscience. Thank you for making me realize this more deeply and for making me cherish the present situation even more.”

"You...!" Even now you're still showing off to him?!
"And I'm very happy."

There were two Lu Chongmings, one calm and the other twisted. The insect-armored Lu Chongming wanted to continue his actions and kill his counterpart, but found that under a red light, his body could no longer move for a moment.

What kind of ability is this?! It smells of blood, but it's completely different from the abilities I used in this world before!
“You haven’t forgotten your mother, that’s good. You really are Lu Chongming, not a treacherous worm.”

Whoosh!
The bombardment from the New Golden Iron Pot descended, engulfing Lu Chongming, the insect-armored warrior, in his astonished and terrified gaze.

(End of this chapter)