Chengxiao

The subject's weapons are a sword and copper coins. After the sword is thrown and leaves his hand, it shifts into coins. It's exceptionally sharp against usual targets, and possesses a deterring effect on anomalous beings.

He appeared on the day of the full Illusory Moon, causing a dark, widespread anomaly in DisSea, as well as the unusual manifestation of the old Maria City. He was subsequently detained personally by the MBCC Chief. His body has been assessed to be exhibiting severe contamination, and his mental state is no different than that of a Corruptor.

Severely corrupted, with contaminants and crystals enveloping his entire body. He has lost all normal human cognition.

The subject was once a scientist of the Eastian school in the Black Ring Expedition, researching the countereffects of the human psyche on Mania. The subject is known to hail from Eastia. He was inducted into the Tianyi Sect from a young age to study the Daoist arts. He later enrolled in mainstream schools to complete his standard education, then entered Eastern Continent University, dedicating himself to the systematic study of mysticism until he earned his doctorate.

Currently detained by the MBCC. No significant abnormalities or harmful incidents have been observed to date. The subject remains within the control of the MBCC.

After being detained during the Illusory Moon operation in DisSea, the subject has been placed in solitary confinement for observation and treatment. Due to the special nature of the Sinner, the MBCC has received the order for Chief to personally conduct dream dives with the subject.

Born Lyu Buzhou in Eastia, the subject entered the Tianyi Sect alongside his niece Li Xianling from a young age, demonstrating exceptional talent in Daoist studies and conducting himself with a calm and upright demeanor. From childhood, the subject possessed the ability to foresee the future. He attempted to use this gift to avoid misfortune and alter the course of events, but never succeeded. During this process, he began to question the relationship between what is predetermined and what can be shaped by human action.

After the calamity, the subject witnessed the futility of relief efforts and left the Tianyi Sect. He enrolled in a formal institution where he earned his doctorate, and later became a university professor. Together with Li Xianling, he investigated Corruptor incidents across the Eastern Continent and proposed the hypothesis that "the calamity may be linked to human consciousness."

In N.F. 21, many people in Eastia began seeing the Banished Immortal in their dreams, including the subject. The subject was among those who experienced the dream. Despite the ill omen he received in divination, the subject still chose to accept Li Xianling's invitation to join the expedition, with full knowledge of the dangers ahead and the near-certain fate that awaited. He desired to uncover the source of the dream's power and the unexplored possibilities of destiny.

Chengxiao. Male. Approximately 185cm tall in his infected state. Golden and red runes coil across his entire body, with the red runes winding along his limbs and torso in patterns resembling chains or cords, forming a structure of seals and restraints. His physical form has largely deviated from the human norm.

After completing the psychic diving, the subject will remain in confinement for observation. According to the observation log, effective communication is no longer possible due to the extreme contamination affecting his mind. He only intermittently repeats fragmented sentences that appear to be from when he was alive.

The cord-like runes coiling around the subject's limbs and torso are a suppressive barrier constructed by him to contain the collapse of his consciousness. This barrier continues to operate and barely sustain what is left of his extremely fragile psyche.

Due to the extreme level of corruption affecting his mind, the subject's consciousness has been severely compromised. The corruption has not yet spread outward under the suppressive effect of the shackles. The Bureau is actively seeking methods to restore his clarity of mind. The subject must remain under Chief's constant supervision during deployments and combat assignments.

[You see Chengxiao examining the coin hexagram. Suddenly, he turns to face you.]

Chengxiao: An interesting reading... It appears a minor tribulation is destined for you today, my friend. Not a severe one, but all the same, I'd strongly advise... keeping away from the kitchen.

• Prompt: Many thanks for your wisdom, Master!
• Chengxiao: There is no need for such titles... When a friend's fate is in question, I simply find it difficult... not to pay close attention. Nothing more to it than that.
• Chengxiao: 😐😐😐

• Prompt: So, what kind of ""tribulation"" are we actually talking about here?
• Chengxiao: Well, I suppose a small hint wouldn't spoil the surprise... If you are not extremely careful today, my friend, I suspect you will fall victim to... the culinary efforts of someone with no talent.
• Chengxiao: 😦😦😦

[On a whim, you decide to organize a game of Eastian cards. You glance up and find Chengxiao standing not far off, his eyes already on you.]

Chengxiao: My friend, you're staring at me like a predator eyeing its next meal... Am I correct to assume you want something?

• Prompt: Are you familiar with how card games are played these days?
• Chengxiao: Oh, that's all this is about... The rules may change, but the mathematics behind them remains predictable. I imagine... I can hold my own.
• Chengxiao: 😐😐😐

• Prompt: Great, quit analyzing. We need one more. You coming?
• Chengxiao: Heaven has always been rather generous with me... my luck at cards is notoriously good. If I happen to ruin the mood... do try not to resent me for it.
• Chengxiao: 😐😐😐

⚠ Friendly Match

Your attention is drawn to a strange commotion in the Recreation Area.

System Notifications: Passing by the Recreation Area, you catch the sound of harsh, snapping impacts. Jade crashes against the board, each strike so violent it seems to throw off sparks.

• Prompt: The uncle and niece are at it again.

⚠ Morning Routine

You receive a complaint filed by a Sinner.

System Notifications: A complaint comes in from one of the Sinners. Every morning, without fail, Chengxiao's five o'clock alarm drags them out of sleep.

• Prompt: Move Chengxiao to a different room.

⚠⚠ A Timely Reminder

Chengxiao has made another visit to your office.

System Notifications: Lately, it seems every time you look up from your work, Chengxiao is there at the door.

System Notifications: When your eyes meet, he murmurs a few soft words of Eastian wellness advice.

Chengxiao: Sitting too long... stagnates the blood and qi...

Chengxiao: At the appropriate time, one should stand... and walk a few paces...

• Prompt: Respond to the reminder

Chief: Are you here to remind me to take a break?

System Notifications: Chengxiao sets a steaming cup of tea by your hand, then raises a finger and gestures toward the green plant at the edge of your desk.

Chengxiao: Overusing one's eyes... exhausts the mind... and water must be drunk warm...

• Prompt: Express your gratitude

Chief: I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for looking out for me.

System Notifications: With a pleased nod, Chengxiao takes his leave.

System Notifications: In the days that follow, you find that his advice has quietly become habit. You pause to stretch, sip warm tea, and rest your eyes at steady intervals. But Chengxiao no longer seems to linger at your office door the way he once did.

⚠⚠ The Way to Unwind

There's been an anomaly in Chengxiao's M-value readings.

System Notifications: According to the researchers, Chengxiao's M-value spikes at specific, predictable times throughout the day.

System Notifications: Routine calming measures aren't working well, and more forceful suppression might provoke an even stronger reaction. With few options left, you've been summoned to the detention area to assist in observing him.

Chengxiao: ...Qi all tangled... the spirit unsettled... something to occupy the hands... to ease the restlessness...

• Prompt: Ask what he needs

Chief: What do you want?

Chengxiao: ...

System Notifications: There is no answer from Chengxiao. One of the researchers tells you that with his M-value in such an unstable state, he is barely able to process words.

System Notifications: All the while, his fingers curl and release in a slow rhythm, as if grasping for something to hold onto.

• Prompt: Act

System Notifications: You recall how Chengxiao often likes to turn small things over in his hands. Taking the two walnuts he had pressed on you not long ago, you offer them back to him.

System Notifications: He pauses, then accepts them. Slowly, his fingers start moving again, rotating the walnuts with a quiet rhythm. As he does, his M-value begins, little by little, to calm.

Researcher: Logging update. Initial conclusion: spherical wooden objects appear to have a notable calming effect on this Sinner. Next step: determine whether other Eastian Sinners exhibit similar preferences for such objects.

Chief: Wouldn't count on it. His hobbies are pretty niche.

⚠⚠⚠ The Art of Placement

As it happens, Chengxiao is rather knowledgeable about the art of Feng Shui ornament placement.

System Notifications: Outside Luminita's room, you catch her sorting through a box of strange little ornaments, ready to toss them all away.

System Notifications: She tells you they were sold to her cheap as ""evil-warding"" treasures, but after taking them home, misfortune followed her everywhere: shattered mugs, vanished keys, one thing after another. Clearly, they had been marked down for good reason.

Luminita: Cleansing, incense, prayers... I've tried everything I could think of, and none of it worked! They weren't exactly cheap either, but honestly, dumping them is the safest bet!

System Notifications: No sooner has Luminita finished than Chengxiao, who has appeared behind her unnoticed, extends his hand and plucks one of the small ornaments from the box, studying it with quiet attention.

Chengxiao: ...Misplaced. The energy's scattered... This one doesn't need to go.

• Prompt: Inquire

Chief: You're into these ornaments too?

System Notifications: Chengxiao gives a measured nod, selects several ornaments from the box, and sets them on the cabinet in a careful sequence.

System Notifications: They are the same odd little objects, but once he has rearranged them, there is a strange harmony to how they look.

Chengxiao: The shape itself means nothing... it's the arrangement that matters... Like this... much better...

• Prompt: Suggest Luminita trust Chengxiao
• System Notifications: Several days on, you find that Luminita has stocked up on cheap ornaments, drawn arrangement diagrams, and started selling them together as curated sets.
• System Notifications: Chengxiao seems rather pleased with how things turned out.
• Chengxiao: Money follows the Dao as well... Used properly... it grows.

• Prompt: Leave
• System Notifications: A few days later, as you and Chengxiao are having tea, Luminita shows up again.
• Luminita: Master! My hero! Can you show me your arrangement method one more time? I only tweaked the angle a little to make them look prettier, and now the bad luck is worse than ever!
• Chengxiao: The old omen has been disturbed... Keep them... and you'll only draw more trouble.
• Chengxiao: Get rid of them... and cut the karma.
• System Notifications: Rather than adjusting the ornaments again, Chengxiao helps Luminita dispose of them altogether. Only then does the wave of misfortune that had been following her finally break.

⚠⚠⚠ Mahjong Stand-In

You find yourself joining a game of mahjong.

System Notifications: Chengxiao has never once lost at mahjong in the Bureau. His reputation is so complete that no Sinner will share a table with him anymore, leaving him to watch from the sidelines in silence.

System Notifications: Passing through the Recreation Area today, you come across a table that's short one player. The others wave you over, and before you know it, you've filled the empty seat.

System Notifications: Since it's your first time playing, the tiles are still unfamiliar. You try to absorb the rules while clumsily organizing your hand. It's only then that you notice Chengxiao standing just behind you.

System Notifications: A few rounds in, you pick up on a pattern. Whenever you reach for a tile to discard, the walnuts in Chengxiao's hand make a small, distinct click.

• Prompt: Test it out

System Notifications: The sound is faint, but by now you've learned to read it. Under Chengxiao's quiet direction, your play begins to flow with growing confidence.

System Notifications: Then, at a pivotal moment, you pull a tile from the wall, and the walnuts behind you go quiet.

• Prompt: Wing it
• System Notifications: A moment passes, and still Chengxiao makes no sound. Forced to act on your own, you rely on your shaky grasp of the rules and pick a tile to discard.
• Chengxiao: The match is already settled... So, my friend, care for another round?
• Chief: I need a break.
• Chengxiao: Extended play exhausts the mind...
• Chengxiao: Rest a while... then we play again.

• Prompt: Wait for a cue
• System Notifications: You glance at Chengxiao, only to find his gaze still fixed on the mahjong table. He appears to have withdrawn his guidance entirely.
• Chengxiao: One may not yet see the path... but the game has already reached its end...
• Chengxiao: Your own will... is the correct move...
• System Notifications: A moment passes, and still Chengxiao makes no sound. Forced to act on your own, you rely on your shaky grasp of the rules and pick a tile to discard.
• Chengxiao: The match is already settled... So, my friend, care for another round?
• Chief: No, I need a break.
• Chengxiao: Such a pity...