Chapter 518: Two Transactions |
Poison recognized Aph Ros's identity.
Not because she was particularly learned or well-versed in history, but because her road toward earning [Corruption]'s attention had been so painfully long. When her Benefactor never answered, she'd had no choice but to study His Envoys instead — and Aph Ros was by far the most famous.
This [Corruption] Envoy championed ultimate indulgence, aspiring to create a paradise of descent where every living being in the cosmos could embrace their desires.
That diverged heavily from her own understanding of [Corruption] — the passive, non-resistant approach. But it didn't matter. The broad direction aligned.
'But hadn't Li Jingming said He was imprisoned in the past by [Existence]? How was He here?'
Poison wasn't stupid. Quite the opposite — she was sharp.
She could sense others' emotions and possessed frightening observational skills. Seeing the Chameleon's rigid, excited posture and the dynamic between Aph Ros and Cheng Shi, she'd already pieced together a rough picture.
What shocked her now wasn't a [Corruption] Envoy materializing before her. It was the little priest's identity, which seemed to have... changed far too much.
'Was he still the same little priest from her memories?'
'He was fishing... waiting for her to bite?'
'But if she'd known Aph Ros was behind this door, she wouldn't have even needed the bait. She'd have charged in regardless...'
Surprise swirled with a thousand questions, but Poison didn't freeze up like the Chameleon. Suppressing her roiling emotions, she offered Aph Ros a small bow, returning the greeting with the aristocratic etiquette of the Life Era:
"Most esteemed Lord Aph Ros, you may call me... Poison."
Aph Ros raised an eyebrow and smiled:
"Poison. Fine name.
"The fallen scramble for it. The awakened flee from it.
"A bottle of poison doesn't stir desire in itself — but once desire is stirred, one might just want to taste it.
"So that's how you understand Him."
Poison was stunned. But she swallowed the shock almost instantly. Whether in terms of comprehending [Corruption] or sensing emotion, Aph Ros was her ancestor. That He could pinpoint her philosophy with surgical precision wasn't remotely strange.
She didn't feel anything was off. She simply smiled and nodded — "acknowledging" Aph Ros's assessment.
Watching this, Cheng Shi's lips curled ever so slightly.
Poison really was an interesting player. She was utterly unwavering on her path of [Corruption]. Just now, any other player would've anxiously asked, "Is my path wrong?" But she hadn't. Not only that — she'd adopted a posture of graceful acceptance, even hinting at a stance of "seeking common ground while preserving differences."
Whether that posture was genuine or performed? Perhaps only Aph Ros could tell.
And Aph Ros did tell. He sensed not only Poison's complex emotions but also Cheng Shi's intent. Cheng Shi had never mentioned this same-faith player before, yet now brought her here — clearly with a request.
Connecting that to the persona and gambit Cheng Shi had spoken of earlier, Aph Ros understood instantly. He smiled knowingly:
"So, my brother — what sort of transaction are we making this time?"
Cheng Shi's smile turned enigmatic:
"A deal that's extremely favorable for you.
"You've seen it — before you stands a genius with a highly unique understanding of [Corruption]'s will. How well she aligns with your Benefactor, you know better than I.
"And you, Aph Ros — I said [Time]'s cage cannot hold you. That wasn't mere flattery. What I'm saying is: now that the Evil Infant Inquisition is no longer mired in the past, now that Dolgod has guests once more — have you considered that your will, too, can be reborn? Carried forward by people of this new era... tested on your behalf, spread in your name?"
As Cheng Shi spoke these words, Aph Ros's entire demeanor transformed.
His gaze grew razor-sharp. His expression turned grave. It was as though time had rewound to the moment [Time] had descended. He fixed Cheng Shi with blazing eyes, mind churning through every possibility.
"He won't agree." After a long silence, Aph Ros sighed.
Cheng Shi knew Aph Ros meant [Time]. He scoffed: "And then?"
"?"
Aph Ros frowned, about to speak, but Cheng Shi continued:
"What does His agreement matter?
"Even if He objects, could your situation possibly get worse than it already is?
"Would He really banish you — back into the past — now that you've re-emerged in the present?
"You said [Birth] is searching for Her children. Would She allow Her child — once revived — to die again? Even if that child is rebellious...
"You know the answer. She wouldn't.
"And speaking irreverently — even if [Birth] can't stop [Time], what about... [Deceit]?
"My lord will not tolerate [Existence] continuing to lord over this era. Because the one who gets to lord over this era is Him.
"I've said it before: [Void] is meaningless, but [Void] needs entertainment.
"Having a relic of a bygone era re-enact the very events that enraged [Time]? Isn't that the ultimate entertainment?
"Besides, He isn't [Time]'s opposite. And the one proposing this plan is a [Fate] follower. He pays no cost yet gets to sit back and watch the show. A spectacle like this — I don't think He'd miss it. Nor would He want to.
"So I ask again: what does [Time]'s agreement matter?
"If He didn't want you back, then even if I'd stumbled upon you in that trial, He'd never have allowed you to appear in this era.
"Times have changed, Aph Ros. Didn't you want to borrow [Void]'s power to attempt those mad ideas of yours? I can't break [Time]'s shackles for you, but I can find you some... suitable test subjects.
"And she..."
Cheng Shi pointed at the thoroughly dazed Poison.
"She is, as of now, the finest available [Corruption] test subject.
"Of course, following desire means no coercion. If Miss Assassin doesn't wish to be part of this experiment, I have others—"
"Who says I don't want to?" Poison seemed to grasp Cheng Shi's meaning, though she couldn't fathom why he would hand her such a massive opportunity for free. Even so, she agreed in a heartbeat.
'Why refuse a gift dropped in your lap?'
'She had no idea what this "experiment" was, but anyone with ears could hear: this so-called experiment was plainly a chance to draw closer to Them!'
No fool would turn it down. And Poison, being exceptionally shrewd, certainly wouldn't.
What she didn't notice was that the Chameleon, listening nearby, could barely conceal the burning envy in his eyes. He wanted desperately to raise his hand and volunteer as a test subject too.
Poison sensed the Chameleon's emotions. She sensed Cheng Shi's as well. And so she smiled — beaming.
"You want me to want it, so I want what you want."
"..."
'Lady, are we doing tongue-twisters now?'
Cheng Shi scoffed but didn't respond. Instead, he turned back to Aph Ros: "The volunteer is in position. What does the experiment's host think?"
Aph Ros exhaled softly. Countless kaleidoscopic hues danced in His eyes. Barely restraining the urge to shed His clothes, He smiled brilliantly:
"I like [Void]. And I like this era.
"My brother, I must admit — your proposal is compelling, and very [Corruption].
"But I have to ask: if you had such a fine method, why not tell me from the start?
"Dangling it piece by piece, luring me forward step by step — are you... trying to drag me into [Deceit]'s abyss?"
"..."
'What [Deceit]'s abyss? Since when did [Deceit] have an abyss? Even if it did, it wouldn't be called an "abyss" — it'd be called Mockery and Jeering!'
'Besides, who leads with a royal flush in poker? You take it one step at a time. And this particular hand was only just drawn — he hadn't planned it before.'
Cheng Shi pursed his lips and shook his head:
"[Deceit] has no abyss. But [Void] will always lead to void.
"I'm not like you — someone who stockpiled all their chips in a bygone era. I was born into this one, and my mask was torn apart almost immediately.
"While recovering my identity, I can't focus only on myself. I also need to please Him when appropriate.
"After all, no matter how much He mocks me, He's still my Benefactor.
"I need His protection.
"Oh, right — I forgot to introduce myself. My two teammates — you may call me Cheng Shi. Or you may address me as Yu Xi.
"I'm [Deceit]'s Envoy, and also an ordinary player.
"Of course, unless it's somewhere private, I prefer you call me Cheng Shi. Just... a Fate Weaver with a bad reputation."
Hearing Cheng Shi finally confirm his identity outright, both Poison and the Chameleon wore expressions of shock.
Though the former's was more complex, and the latter's more excited.
"Little priest, you—"
"Pardon — a correction. I'm not some little—"
Before Cheng Shi could finish, Poison amended: "Big priest, you—"
"?"
Cheng Shi went numb. For a moment, he felt as though the Prisoner had possessed Poison.
Seeing Cheng Shi's exasperation, Poison laughed — the same playful laugh she always gave when teasing him. She didn't know why Cheng Shi had suddenly become [Deceit]'s Envoy Yu Xi, but sensing his emotions, she confirmed this was indeed the same Cheng Shi she knew, at least.
"So you've always been Yu Xi, and never any Cheng Shi?"
Cheng Shi shook his head. His smile turned meaningful: "Wrong. I've always been Cheng Shi. Never any Yu Xi."
Sincere words. But words from a [Deceit] Envoy? Probably no one would believe them.
Aph Ros gave Cheng Shi an appreciative look and smiled:
"My brother, you really do keep surprising me. I'm already eager for our next meeting.
"If the surprises keep coming, then even if what lies ahead truly is [Deceit]'s abyss, I think I'd follow my desires right in.
"But for now, I'm more interested in Miss Poison here.
"Beautiful lady — would you care to share a drink with me, on a Dolgod afternoon?"
Poison looked at Cheng Shi, then at Aph Ros, and smiled just as brilliantly: "With pleasure."
Without hesitation, she walked through that inner door as if returning home.
She never once looked back at Cheng Shi. Because she knew he wanted her to go in. She might not have guessed every reason, but she was willing to show Cheng Shi her trust.
Just as Cheng Shi had thought: the [Corruption] Chosen also believed that two chess pieces on this cold board ought to huddle together for warmth.
And if one piece somehow, inexplicably, became the player moving the pieces...
All the better. Lying in a player's palm was warmer than standing on the board, wasn't it?
So Poison smiled again. The aura of [Corruption] thickened.
"Very well. We're off for a heart-to-heart. As for you, my brother, and this little mute...
"We'll give you some privacy."
With a wave, Aph Ros led Poison away and moved to close the Evil Infant Inquisition's gates. But just before He shut them, Cheng Shi requested one more thing.
"What?"
Cheng Shi smiled secretively, leaned close, and whispered a few words.
Aph Ros gave Cheng Shi a peculiar look, then fulfilled his strange request.
"My brother, best remember my warning."
Cheng Shi nodded with a smile: "Of course. Until I've recovered my true self, I won't provoke Him."
Watching Aph Ros close the doors, Cheng Shi turned to face the Chameleon:
"Tsk. Don't look at me like that. Those feverish eyes remind me of the Screaming Earl.
"Honestly, I don't trust human 'loyalty' much. Let's do this — sign this agreement.
"It's a contract... with text invisible to mortals. The content is a one-year loyalty oath. If, over this year, you demonstrate sufficient loyalty, I'll give you the opportunity you've dreamt of.
"But if, within this year, you break your oath, then...
"May fate be kind to you, child."
Before Cheng Shi even finished, the Chameleon had already scrawled his name in fervent devotion.
To him, this wasn't a slave's contract of servitude. It was more like a guidebook — a passport toward Them!
The true Road to Ascension lay right before him. How could he not be moved!?
And so, under the lure of approaching Them and becoming one of Them, the Chameleon never changed color again. From start to finish, he maintained the hue of fanaticism.
'God Worship Society members really were all lunatics.'
Cheng Shi griped internally while smiling outwardly. He took back the plain A4 sheet and studied the name written on the white paper with interest, clicking his tongue in admiration:
"Qu Yan?
"Fine handwriting. Fine name!"
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