"What do we do now?"
When Fang Yuan asked that question, Cheng Shi was busy sizing up Wei Zhi.
Honestly, Cheng Shi was a bit puzzled that Hu Xuan had saved Wei Zhi along with the rest. By that point, Wei Zhi had clearly betrayed the player faction out of greed and self-interest — and given Cheng Shi's hostile attitude, he couldn't think of any reason Hu Xuan would rescue him.
The only logical explanation was that Wei Zhi was still a follower of [Truth], and might yet prove useful in this trial. So she had pulled him along as a precaution.
But Cheng Shi was certain Hu Xuan had left a failsafe in Wei Zhi's Recovery. Only that assurance would make him believe the Sage would save a traitor.
So he looked at Hu Xuan, flicking his eyes subtly toward Wei Zhi in silent inquiry.
Hu Xuan gave a aningful nod — confirming his suspicion.
That eased Cheng Shi's mind... except it didn't, because he still needed to confirm whether the current Wei Zhi was the pre-fusion Wei Zhi, or actually Galusha.
He couldn't ask outright in front of the others. Instead, he chose to probe carefully:
"What a sha. Grand Scholar Pe Laya helped us so much — I'd hoped we could fulfill her wish. But now it seems it was all an illusion. A slice is a slice, after all."
The others weren't stupid. They could tell Cheng Shi was directing the comnt at Wei Zhi, though they didn't know the full story. All they had observed was that when the ti ca, Cheng Shi had chosen to modify the experint rather than destroy it — and Wei Zhi had erged alive within the modified version. So they figured the Reason Association president must have struck so deal with Cheng Shi during that window, one that had gone unfulfilled due to external interference.
Wei Zhi himself was baffled. He frowned, cautiously stepped back, and ignored Cheng Shi's inexplicable remark. Instead, he turned to Hu Xuan with a respectful nod:
"Regardless of your motives for saving , I'm deeply grateful.
What happened before was my fault. I underestimated the Grand Scholars of the Erudition Presidium — they weren't rely pioneers on the path of truth, but master manipulators of the human heart...
Forget it. It's too embarrassing to bring up.
I'll make ands through my actions. I will never again betray any of you — not until we've won this conflict."
Before Wei Zhi could finish, Chen Yi — his expression dark — sent a dagger spinning through the air.
He glared at this combat expert who had nearly derailed his path of devotion, and snorted coldly: "Why should I trust you again?"
Wei Zhi's brow furrowed slightly. His gaze swept across everyone present, his expression hardened — and then he did sothing no one expected.
He tore off his own arm!
Rrrip—
A blood-trailing limb hit the ground. Wei Zhi clutched the wound through gritted teeth, managing a bitter smile:
"Is that enough to earn your trust?
I owe none of you an explanation. Nor do I need to repent for embracing my own desires. After waking up, I could have simply left — and none of you, focused as you are on the Erudition Presidium, would have wasted resources chasing .
But I stayed. Because I can't swallow this humiliation.
Believe
— right now, I want revenge on those old bastards far more than any of you do.
I can lead the way. But only if we win."
"..."
It had to be said — Wei Zhi made a decent point.
But no amount of logic would make anyone trust soone who had already betrayed the player faction. The real reason no one had attacked him yet was to conserve strength for the trial ahead — they couldn't afford to let internal strife create openings for the Grand Scholars.
Cheng Shi, however, didn't buy a word of it. He studied Wei Zhi with an odd expression, the curve of his lips tinged with amusent.
"So you're renouncing all the spoils from this conflict?"
Wei Zhi nodded solemnly: "That's right."
"Good. In that case..." Cheng Shi's eyes glead as he said cheerfully, "No one here trusts you, but for the sake of profit, I'm willing to give you one chance.
Here's the deal — we'll handle the Grand Scholars. We've been humiliated, and payback is definitely on the agenda.
But a single Erudition Presidium won't satisfy my appetite, and it certainly won't repay the Sage for what she's done. So, Wei Zhi — go kill Galusha.
Galusha has been a follower of [Folly] managing the Underworld for years. She must have sothing valuable. Trade whatever she's got for your life.
And don't feed
that garbage about wanting revenge on the Grand Scholars. The only reason you haven't already left is because you suspect the Sage planted sothing inside you.
Don't try lying to a fraud — it's pointless."
"..."
Wei Zhi's face turned ashen. He couldn't refute a word, and the look in his eyes as he regarded Cheng Shi gained a new layer of... complexity.
But Cheng Shi didn't care. He pointed toward the West District, in the direction of the Grand Scholars:
"That's settled, then. Sage, would you mind going ahead to scout their position? I need to brief him on a few things. I'll catch up shortly."
Hu Xuan gave the two of them a thoughtful glance, then nodded and led the others away.
Once they were alone, Cheng Shi let out a derisive snort at the "traitor" before him:
"Cat got the traitor's tongue?
How does it feel — betraying your original side?"
That sarcastic tone made Wei Zhi's voice catch. Then, to Cheng Shi's surprise, he relaxed into a knowing smile and chuckled:
"Impressive. How did you figure it out, Mr. Prisoner?"
Wei Zhi was still Galusha!
When Cheng Shi spoke of betraying "the original side," he wasn't referring to Wei Zhi betraying the players — he ant Galusha betraying the NPCs!
Of course, the current Galusha didn't understand the concept of "NPCs." Her fusion with Wei Zhi was rely a physical reconstruction — it hadn't transferred mories.
Cheng Shi knew this, which was precisely how he'd pierced through Galusha's disguise.
"Want to know how?
And what about the debt of saving your life?"
Galusha's eyes took on a [Folly]-like gleam. She glanced in the direction Hu Xuan had departed and smiled:
"It was that elegant lady who pulled
out of the experint. What does that have to do with you?"
Cheng Shi grinned: "You clearly have no idea what our relationship is."
"I can see she has physical desires regarding you, while you have... absolutely zero interest in her.
Don't forget, Mr. Prisoner — I have so expertise in matters of love. On this front, you can't fool ."
Cheng Shi's lip twitched. He shook his head with a wry laugh:
"Wrong. There are more kinds of feelings in this world than just romantic love.
Great Lady Galusha, have you ever heard of sothing called friendship?
I imagine not — after all, you never had any to begin with."
"..."
That barb was a bit too sharp. Galusha's expression darkened and she whipped out her lash.
But the instant Cheng Shi saw that whip, he relaxed completely.
Galusha had simply used the opportunity to escape the Grand Scholars' experint. She, too, had no mories of the world shattering or the real universe being revealed. Otherwise, knowing what she truly was, she would never have had the nerve to threaten him.
So the ti reset had indeed brought so coincidences and changes.
Could this be the catalyst for Galusha's separation from this world?
Cheng Shi studied Galusha thoughtfully, ignoring her anger. He first answered her question with a smile, then turned serious:
"What you call a 'conflict' is what we call a trial.
And this trial is already unwinnable. The best we can do is clear it.
Wei Zhi would have known this. Only you wouldn't.
But honestly, Galusha — now that you've obtained a player identity, have you considered robbing yourself?
From now on, you and the original you are essentially two different people. She'll continue sinking into the sedint of history, waiting for the next prospector. But you — you've beco a prospector yourself.
This road may not be as easy as you imagine. A little extra preparation never hurts, does it?"
Galusha scoffed: "How much do you want?"
Cheng Shi blinked, rubbed his hands together, and said sheepishly: "Well, when you put it that way — helping a friend is helping yourself. By that logic, I'd say we're friends now, aren't we?"
"Heh. I don't have friendship."
"?"
'Did that boorang really co back this fast?!'
...
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