Chapter 817: If I Trust You Again, I'm a Dog! |
There was no doubt — the specter inside the Devout Land that could expose people's deepest secrets had to be connected to the Secret Peeping Ear. The question was exactly how.
And what was the so-called "method of becoming a god" hidden inside the Faith Theater?
These two questions spiraled through Cheng Shi's mind the entire way, unresolved. If such a method actually existed, how could the Tower of Logic have abandoned this city?
But the lame old man hadn't lied. That meant whatever the scavengers were hunting for had likely appeared after San Dales was abandoned. So what force had birthed this "path to godhood"?
On the road toward Well Si's southern stronghold, they encountered plenty of scavenger sentries similar to the old man. Their stories were largely identical, and the closer the trio drew to the mysterious Devout Land, the more their curiosity deepened.
Ai Si trudged ahead, clearing the path with her great sword. Behind her, the two "steady bros" were already whispering again.
"Zhang-lao, didn't you research San Dales' history at all before coming?"
Zhang Jizu narrowed his eyes and shot Cheng Shi a mildly contemptuous sidelong glance.
"That should have been your job, Cheng Shi. I expected detailed briefing materials before departure. Instead I received nothing but a prayer time."
Even as the words left his mouth, he discreetly pointed at Ai Si — ears pricked up front. Zhang Jizu caught the gesture and gave an imperceptible nod.
That confirmed it: their former acquaintance knew more than she was letting on.
Interesting.
Nothing wrong with that per se — but her decision to hold back warranted a closer look.
Cheng Shi quickened his pace to walk alongside Ai Si, striking up a casual tone.
"War Supervisor, what brought you here?"
Ai Si's great sword paused. She side-eyed him. "I already told your partner."
"But you haven't told me." Cheng Shi smiled.
Ai Si scoffed and glanced back at Zhang Jizu. She shook her head with a dry laugh as she walked.
"Surname Cheng — you and Zhang Chosen clearly share the same goal, even came together by arrangement. I can spot that much.
So given your relationship, telling one of you versus the other — is there really a difference?"
"Absolutely!" Cheng Shi's voice dropped conspiratorially. He leaned closer, deliberately shielding his words from Zhang Jizu. "The man behind you is too scheming, too crafty. Team up with him and you'll never get a bigger cut. But I'm different. I'll..."
"You'll badmouth him to his face?" Ai Si's expression turned half-amused.
"?"
Cheng Shi blinked, instantly realizing the two had already struck some kind of deal.
'When?'
'Back in the sewer?'
With renewed interest, he glanced over his shoulder at Zhang Jizu, then turned back to Ai Si with a dead-serious look.
"Seems there's been a misunderstanding. No matter — whatever Zhang-lao promised you, I'll double it. Is that enough to make you my mole inside your little two-person alliance?"
"Why are you guarding against your own teammate?"
"Come on — the other two impersonating me are my teammates too. Should I not guard against them?
This is called preparing for a rainy day.
Zhang-lao, I trust. But I worry he'll blunder — mistake one of those two for me and make a wrong call. So I need someone keeping tabs on him."
"Why not watch him yourself? And aren't you worried I'll blunder too?"
"You won't. You're already... enough—"
'Crap. Said it too fast.'
Seeing Ai Si's face darken, Cheng Shi pivoted instantly.
"—smart enough. All War followers have sharp minds. Yep, I trust you."
The barely-veiled lie left Ai Si momentarily speechless.
'I can't even trust my own colleagues, and you trust me?'
"..."
'Wait — that train of thought basically calls me stupid too!'
Ai Si fumed. She glared daggers at Cheng Shi, but took no further action. After a moment's thought, she — to his surprise — actually agreed.
Whether she was honoring her opening proclamation of cooperation, or simply acknowledging that she'd lose a fight anyway, the War Supervisor gave a slight nod.
"Fine. I can help you. But I want one thing."
Cheng Shi beamed. "Name it. I'll check with Zhang-lao if he's got any."
"?"
Ai Si stared. She could not believe the audacity of this liar-teammate.
'You're just... running a middleman scam with bare hands, skimming profit on nothing?!'
She laughed from sheer anger. "He doesn't have it. Only you do. I want 'Dead Disgust.' Give me a few bottles, and I'll prioritize helping you."
The instant the words landed, Cheng Shi produced three dark vials and pressed them into her hands.
"???"
Ai Si finally snapped. She hoisted her great sword, eyes blazing.
"Clown — you think you can play me again?! Don't think I won't draw my blade just because you outmatch me!"
"..."
'Hey sis, we can disagree on the deal without hurling insults!'
'I have a name, you know. Why do you keep reminding me I'm a clown?'
Cheng Shi shrugged, unfazed, and grinned.
"You think these are fake?"
"Obviously! You scammed them from Void. Right now it's just the three of us — even if I didn't know the backstory, these potions can't be real. Your 'audience' isn't big enough!
You're trying to trick me AGAIN?!"
"Cute. Then if you think they're fake, why haven't you dropped those three 'fake' bottles when you raised your sword?" Cheng Shi's grin sharpened.
"..."
She hadn't dropped them. She was thinking: what if there was even a sliver of a chance they were real? At least they might carry her a little farther.
But were they real? She looked down at the vials once more.
"They're definitely fake..."
"You—!!!" Ai Si exploded.
"But the name is." Cheng Shi's pivot was silky smooth. He snorted a laugh. "They're not really called 'Dead Disgust.' They're called 'Never Defeat' — a War potion I picked up during the Kingdom of War's fall. I had six. Three for you. Sound like a fair trade?"
...