Dolgod's sunset was as enchanting as ever. Had today not been a mission, the evening breeze on this terrace would have been the most soothing massage for frayed nerves.
Unfortunately, what should have been a pleasant dinner had devolved into an interrogation. Aph Ros and Cheng Shi sat at opposite ends of the long table — one boring an unrelenting stare, the other letting his gaze wander. Anyone could tell there was sothing between them.
By this point, even the densest person could see these two had things to discuss. Combined with Cheng Shi's visibly hesitant deanor, Galusha considered the situation briefly and tactfully suggested:
"Rather than food to fill the stomach, what we [Truth] followers truly crave is knowledge for the mind. So — I humbly request that Lord Aph Ros allow us to visit Zangier first.
Besides, two scholars would spoil such an atmospheric setting. Sunset and evening breeze intertwined should create..."
She looked between them with great interest, clearly getting the wrong idea. "...a beautiful 'friendship,' not cold reason."
She even raised her wine glass in a toast to Aph Ros.
Cheng Shi was dumbfounded.
'Sis — what exactly are you implying?'
His expression was beyond strange as he glanced at Galusha, then at Aph Ros. But Aph Ros completely ignored Galusha's gesture, His eyes fixed on Cheng Shi, waiting for an explanation.
That playful expression clearly said: 'If your explanation doesn't pass today, then I'm sorry, my brother — your Prisoner status might truly beco my Benefactor's to claim.'
'As for these two [Truth] followers — if not for your face, they'd have no standing to set foot in Dolgod, let alone visit any prisoner.'
"..."
Seeing the situation about to stall completely, Cheng Shi sighed, straightened himself, then pulled a white mask from inside his coat, slapped it on the table, and put on a fresh smile. He propped his head on his left hand and tapped the table lightly with his right:
"Aph Ros — you may refuse to let them see Zangier. But what I'm about to say...
is not for mortal ears."
At this, Aph Ros's eyebrow arched. He was finally interested.
With a casual wave, He stripped both mortals of their five senses. Then He fixed a burning gaze on Cheng Shi and gestured: "Please."
The next instant, Cheng Shi activated Chaos Acting and transford into the tall, lean Yu Xi. He then pulled out the [Deceit] container and tossed it on the table. Fingers interlaced beneath his chin, he leaned forward with an eerie grin:
"I've recovered so more of my power. Now, I can finally et you in my true form."
"!!!"
When the aura of [Deceit] grew thick enough to nearly mask the desire on Cheng Shi's body, Aph Ros knew: His brother hadn't deceived Him about his identity, at least.
The other party had to be an Envoy of [Deceit].
Since the identity checked out, then regardless of why Cheng Shi had borrowed His na — it didn't matter.
Cheng Shi had been conning Herobos at the ti, and Herobos wasn't close to Aph Ros anyway. Whether or not Herobos got duped was none of His business.
What Aph Ros truly cared about was the container in Cheng Shi's hands. While reclaiming the [Deceit] container, His dear brother seed to have acquired soone else's container too.
He needed to understand how Cheng Shi ca to possess [Corruption]'s container.
If his brother had actually struck against [Corruption]'s Envoy for so reason, then Aph Ros would need to reassess whether their so-called anti-[Ti] alliance was still valid.
He hadn't forgotten that Cheng Shi was currently disguised as a follower of [Ti]. But whether that disguise was real or fake — that depended on today's explanation from Yu Xi.
Cheng Shi had his script prepared. To lay everything out, he calmly narrated how he'd increntally reclaid his power from the great [Ti] tyrant.
"[Ti] has a hidden agenda!"
That opening line alone erased half the doubt in Aph Ros's heart.
"Long ago, I noticed that [Ti] had stopped appearing before the gods and no longer descended into the mortal world.
That's why I was so shocked when He descended upon Dolgod to summon you.
He seems to be chasing sothing new — and this sothing involves secrets above the universe!"
"Oh? What secrets?"
"Beyond this starry sky, there are other starry skies!"
"?" Aph Ros froze, then His smile gradually vanished. Expressionless, He regarded Cheng Shi — suspecting He was being toyed with. "My brother, aningless stalling won't earn you more trust. [Ti] wields the Deduction Authority. Of course there are countless starry skies beyond this one.
Where else do you think these so-called 'players' co from?
Isn't the Land of Hope itself another realm beyond the mortal world?"
"No, no, no — Aph Ros, you've misunderstood .
If it were rely simulated worlds, why would I go to such lengths to speak in private?
The starry sky I'm referring to isn't one created by [Ti]. It's a brand-new starry sky that [Ti]'s reach cannot touch!
There, our [Ti] has no authority. Only that starry sky's own [Ti] gets a say."
"!!!"
Aph Ros was stunned.
His first instinct was that Cheng Shi was lying — mocking Him even more blatantly than before. But He quickly steadied Himself and spoke coldly:
"Evidence.
I cannot believe the ramblings of a [Deceit] Envoy.
Yu Xi — do you understand how absurd your claims are? If that starry sky truly existed, do you realize that even your Benefactor — that ruler of [Void]..."
"Yes — you're absolutely right..." Cheng Shi cut Him off. "There is also a version of my Benefactor there. And not only that — every Divine Throne beneath this starry sky has a corresponding god in that place.
They've ford their own factions. They don't know we exist.
Until... [Ti] discovered them!"
"!!!!!"
Judging by Cheng Shi's serious expression alone, none of this sounded false. But Aph Ros couldn't bring Himself to believe sothing so preposterous.
Because accepting it would an accepting that He had two additional Benefactors.
[Birth] and [Corruption] were both true gods! How could they possibly have "counterparts" unknown even to themselves?
Aph Ros's brows knotted tightly. He scrutinized Cheng Shi's desires, trying to determine whether he was lying. But under the [Deceit] container's influence, the man's desire currents were indistinct.
And then ca the most interesting part: Cheng Shi voluntarily put the [Deceit] container away, letting its aura dissipate so Aph Ros could clearly see how his desires surged and churned.
Yet no matter how He looked, Aph Ros arrived at a staggering conclusion:
Yu Xi was not lying.
At this, Aph Ros's eyes went wide. He sank back into his chair in disbelief.
"You... weren't lying."
"Of course not. As I've said — my lies are rely the ans by which I embrace the desire to deceive and draw closer to you. On serious matters where lying isn't an option, I never deceive."
With that, he pulled the [Deceit] container back out and placed it on the table once more.
In Aph Ros's eyes, this looked like Cheng Shi proving his devotion. But only Cheng Shi knew: the mont the other party believed he wasn't lying — that was the perfect mont for lies to begin.
And the [Deceit] container on the table would be the best shroud for every lie to co.
...
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