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Chapter 158: The Mirror of Hidden Truths
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Act I: A Veiled Surface
The Gallery stretched into a chamber cloaked in mist.
Ne Job stepped forward, Twinkle buzzing faintly, its light dimmed by the haze.
Ao Bing frowned. "I can't see the mirror."
Taiyi Zhenren squinted. "It's there, but it hides itself."
At the center stood a mirror veiled in shadow, its surface obscured.
It whispered softly, almost reluctant:
> "I am the Mirror of Hidden Truths. I hold what is concealed, what is denied, what is buried."
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Act II: The Weight of Concealment
The interns gazed into its surface.
Faint images flickered, truths hidden beneath layers of illusion.
Ao Bing saw battles where victories were claimed, but losses concealed.
Taiyi Zhenren saw scholars who twisted records, hiding inconvenient facts.
Ne Job saw miracles altered in the Registry, their true effects disguised.
Twinkle pulsed faintly, recording fragments.
The mirror whispered:
> "To guard me, you must reveal what is hidden."
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Act III: The Mask's Intrusion
From the shadows, the Mask of Misrule hissed.
> "Hidden truths are mine. I will twist concealment into lies, and lies into chaos."
The Mirror of Endless Deception flickered, shards gathering again.
The Mask reached toward Hidden Truths, trying to bury its whispers deeper.
Ao Bing shouted, "He's covering them up!"
Taiyi Zhenren trembled. "Evidence vanishes again!"
Ne Job steadied them. "Truth may be hidden, but it cannot be destroyed."
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Act IV: The Trial of Truths
The Mirror of Hidden Truths spoke:
> "Intern, to protect me, you must uncover what is concealed."
Ne Job gazed into its veiled surface.
He saw himself ignoring mistakes, denying failures, burying doubts.
He whispered:
> "I have hidden truths. But I will face them. I will reveal them."
The veil lifted.
The mirror glowed, its surface clear.
Hidden truths shone brightly, revealed at last.
The Mask recoiled, his corruption faltering.
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Act V: The Clash
The Mask screamed, hurling shards of deception.
Illusions tried to bury the interns' own truths, twisting them into lies.
Ao Bing staggered. "My victories are false!"
Taiyi Zhenren clutched his scroll. "My records are corrupted!"
Ne Job stood firm. "We are truth. We are harmony."
The awakened mirrors — Patience, Friendship, Courage, Sorrow, Endless Paths, Forgotten Names, Silent Echoes, Shattered Promises — joined with Hidden Truths.
Their light struck the Mask's illusions.
Truths returned, strong and clear.
Deception dissolved.
Twinkle hummed, resonating with the Miracle Registry.
Ao Bing laughed, fierce and kind.
Taiyi Zhenren footnoted every truth revealed.
Ne Job stood firm, remembrance and truth united.
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Act VI: The Mirror's Gift
The Mirror of Hidden Truths calmed, its surface shimmering with unveiled light.
It whispered:
> "Intern, truth may be hidden, but it endures. Guard it well."
Ne Job bowed.
Twinkle pulsed softly.
The Gallery shimmered, stable once more.
The Mask of Misrule retreated into the shadows, his voice echoing faintly:
> "You may resist concealment today. But lies always wait."
The Gallery fell silent.
The mirrors glowed.
And Ne Job walked on, ready for what lay ahead.