I! Cleaner!-Chapter 727 - 662: Dreams Fulfilled

As expected, the item that Nicole stole had been tampered with by the Scarlet Hair Lady.

Gazing at the old photograph, pinned down by the Residence Nails yet still shaking violently, the Aquarius Director shook his head and then willingly pulled out the thumbtack, releasing this crucial abnormal object.

But it’s no big deal, this could even be considered good news.

Looking at the marble foot that had replaced the old photograph meant to alter the target’s "past," which appeared in his hand, the Aquarius Director couldn’t help but chuckle, then tossed away the heavy Foot of Fitness, and took out a delicate purple copper jar.

Even though the photograph had been tampered with and taken back at a crucial moment, its effect had not diminished.

However, to ensure everything went smoothly, I had already utilized the power of that photograph once and sealed the resulting "effect" within the Salt Copper Vault.

This way, even if the photograph were forcibly taken away, I can still use its power again by opening the bottle of the Salt Copper Vault, making up six items used to replace Taurus’ abnormal objects.

And Leon, who outwardly let me leave but secretly tampered with things to try to remove that photograph—clearly, he has no certainty either. The guidance given by the Prayer Wheel may not necessarily lead me to a bad end!

...

"Sorry, Joan."

After apologizing, under Director of Taurus’s angry and desperate gaze, the Aquarius Director sat her, immobilized, on the invisible steps, then opened the small copper jar in his hand, found a lump of creamy-yellow rock salt, and licked it.

So salty...

After spitting a couple of times unable to resist, the Aquarius Director reached out, gently stroked Director of Taurus’s forehead, and then warmly spoke:

"Your past is also my once upon a time."

As the Aquarius Director recited, a coral-like fungi with red filaments quietly rifted open from his fingers, growing from Director of Taurus’s forehead.

After securing the copper jar, the Aquarius Director took out from his left eye socket a glass eyeball, and shook it in front of Director of Taurus’s pupils.

"My future is also what you see."

As his words landed, a second bright red fungus sprouted, gently swaying under the splendid starry sky.

"Your thoughts resonate with mine; your nature is as one with mine;

Your soul, a reversed reflection of me in the mirror; my body, your inseparable kin."

United two-fold heart ties, a laughing yet crying human head sculpture, a strange double-layer dressing mirror with both front and back, half-withered and half-alive bizarre embryo...

In the hastening peculiar chanting, the Aquarius Director took out the remaining four abnormal objects, used them one after another, and then raised his hand to pluck the fungi grown from Director of Taurus’s forehead, consuming them one by one.

Once all six bright red fungi were thoroughly chewed and swallowed, the Aquarius Director, clad in a water-blue robe, vanished on the stairs leading to the Watcher’s Palace, replaced by two identical old women with kindly appearances, completely indistinguishable from one another.

The only way to differentiate the two was their vastly differing expressions.

Director of Taurus sitting on the stairs wore an expression full of resentment and agony, whereas the "Director of Taurus" standing on the stairs wore an indescribably boundless joy.

"Go back, Joan."

Calling Director of Taurus by name, the Aquarius Director pulled out two sharp beast bones from her back, casually throwing them down the stairs, then smilingly pointed towards the path they had taken.

"Your path is over there, and as for this path, it should be walked by me for you."

"..."

Looking at the now identical reflection of herself, the Director of Taurus couldn’t help but close her eyes, then with a strained voice asked:

"Although it’s too late, I still want to ask... do you truly think this is worth it?"

"It is."

Without hesitation, came the answer from the Aquarius Director with a smile, who then counter-asked:

"Joan, do you still remember the passphrase to open the Three-headed Copper Gate?"

"Yes."

Director of Taurus fell silent for a moment, then said:

"Taurus, journey afar from home, humanitarian, avatar, bull..."

"Alright, there’s no need to tell me everything, just as long as you remember it."

Interrupting Director of Taurus’s words, the Aquarius Director calmly explained:

"This set of secret language handed down through the generations, besides opening the Copper Gate to invoke dangerous abnormal objects, actually also indicates some traits needed to become the corresponding board member and inherit the secret technique.

For your Taurus Palace, it’s loyalty and integrity; for the Sagittarius Palace, it’s the courage to sacrifice; for the Pisces Palace, it’s not being willing to be beneath others; and for my Aquarius Palace, it’s the exploration and thirst for knowledge...

Of course, these aren’t necessarily positive traits, like in the case of Andrew, there are indeed quite significant problems."

The Aquarius Director smiled slightly as he spoke, and then continued:

"The Sagittarius Palace favors those who dare to sacrifice, but Andrew, besides being willing to sacrifice himself, also doesn’t hesitate to sacrifice others. For his goals, he’s accustomed to resorting to any means, which is why his secret technique is never properly learned, always carrying an air of deceitfulness."

"And what about you?"

The Director of Taurus couldn’t help but question upon hearing this:

"Instead of mocking Andrew, perhaps you should first reflect on what you’ve been doing all these years!"

"As for me... I indeed have problems too, even more severe than his."

Upon hearing the Director of Taurus’s question, the Aquarius Director sighed, his eyes showing a trace of desolation, as he said:

"My thirst for knowledge is far too intense, and after assuming the position of the Aquarius Director, the Aquarius Palace has been continuously enhancing my thirst for knowledge. It’s like a never-extinguishing demonic fire, constantly scorching my heart.

Joan, I’m well aware of my problem: an overly fervent thirst for knowledge is overwhelming my humanity, and after struggling against it for so long, the human part of me is almost dried up.

If I hadn’t just borrowed some from you, I wouldn’t even be talking to you about these matters, but would rather leave you here to die and press on without looking back."

"..."

"Alright, I’m not telling you this to justify myself, but just to remind you."

Seeing the Taurus Director slightly open his mouth, somewhat at a loss, the Aquarius Director shook his head and said:

"Though the Star Palace is one of the Clean-up Bureau’s biggest trump cards, at the end of the day it’s also an abnormal object, which can gradually stain the user’s soul and even invisibly change our thoughts. Those decisions you’ve made in the past may not have truly been from your own will.

As for the Watcher’s Palace, I’ll watch over it for you, at least until the things I’ve borrowed from you are completely consumed... You can leave now!"

"..."

Looking at the gentle and kind face in front of him, almost perfectly replicating everything about himself, even the personality, the Taurus Director’s mouth moved slightly, then heaved a long sigh of desolation.

"I hope you do as you say!"

"I can’t guarantee it, but it should be fine."

"By the way, speaking of problems, the Watcher’s Palace has been showing some anomalies lately."

Upon hearing the Aquarius’s answer, the Taurus Director suddenly remembered something and advised: 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Recently, the messages from the Watcher’s Palace have all been missing crucial parts.

Andrew suspects that the previous keeper was washed away by Time, erasing all but his final instincts, and since it hasn’t been maintained, it’s caused some malfunctions in the Watcher’s Palace. As the new keeper, remember to make the necessary adjustments."

"Understood."

After a response, the satisfied Aquarius nodded with a gentle smile, then turned to continue upward, stepping towards the dream he had pursued all his life, in the complex gaze of the Taurus Director.

After over three hours of climbing, step by step into the depths of the starry sky, that magnificent palace hidden amongst the countless stars, both real and illusory, finally revealed itself in the Aquarius Director’s extremely excited gaze.

This supreme masterpiece of the creation mystique, fostered by the will of all humankind and the greatest construct in human history, brought the Aquarius Director’s heart into a wild sway just from its blurred outline.

This grand palace, situated at the confluence of star rivers, simultaneously exists in both the past and the future, stretching back endless miles, capable of viewing all of history at a glance, while its branches and tendrils entwine forward, leading to countless disparate and interwoven futures.

And on the ancient colonnades flanking the palace, which seem endless, was engraved a plethora of mysterious runes teeming with enigmatic energy, seemingly inscribed with the boundless truths of the world...

It’s this! It’s this!

About to realize the dream pursued throughout his life, the extremely excited Aquarius Director staggered through the last few steps of the staircase, lunging towards the palace in front of him with utmost happiness, embracing a thick pillar and planting a firm kiss on it.

After slightly venting some of his tears of excitement, the Aquarius Director, overwhelmed, wiped his teary eyes with the back of his hand, gazing fervently at the mysterious runes carved onto the colonnades...

[Leon]

"..."

[Leon][Leon][Leon][Leon][Leon][Leon][Leon]...

"?!!!!!!!!!"