Episode 9: The Shadow of Oneself

The man in white slowly removed his mask, revealing a face like a mirror image of Dr. Peem. "Impossible..." Dr. Peem was speechless. The man looked at him with sorrowful eyes. "I am you, but ten years from now... from the time when the plague claimed over a hundred thousand lives." He pointed to the dimensional device. "This is the root of everything. The arsenic water didn't occur naturally; someone lured you here deliberately. Their goal is to alter the past, to prevent the discovery of the antidote in the future." Dr. Peem clenched his fists. "Then I will prove that a doctor's knowledge and heart can overcome any evil scheme." The man in white handed him a small glass vial. "The true medicine requires the essential flower combined with the herb 'Sapphire Moonlight' that only grows atop the mountain behind the ancient temple. Go before sunset, but beware..." His voice was cut off by a loud bang! from outside the door. Soldiers rushed in, panicked. "Miss Lin has been captured! The governor has ordered her execution to force you to surrender!" Dr. Peem ran to the central square, seeing Lin tied to a wooden post, a guard's sword at her throat. A warlord shouted, "Give me the magic medicine, or watch her die before you!" The crowd began to pressure him. Dr. Peem took a deep breath, then quickly grabbed his herb pouch and scattered it into a nearby fire. Instantly, white toxic smoke billowed, causing everyone to shut their eyes and weep. He rushed to Lin, shielding her. "Don't be afraid, I'm here." Amid the smoke, Dr. Peem helped Lin out of the encirclement. But then his eyes widened as a tall figure walked through the smoke. The face was exactly like his own, smirking, and he drew a gun, aiming at Lin's chest. "My task isn't done. Your information... is too dangerous to let live." His voice turned cold as ice. Dr. Peem realized instantly that the man in white was never an ally, but the true enemy who had been controlling him all along. The gun fired! But not as expected. Lin pushed Dr. Peem away, blood seeping from a wound on her shoulder. She whispered softly, "Dr. Peem... go and complete the medicine..." His eyes showed pain and determination. He turned back to the man in white with a vengeful gaze. Amid the blazing firelight, the conclusion of the entire mystery was about to unfold, but the price might be the life of the most important person.