The words were harsh, but Aph Ros wasn't angry. In His view, self-expression was itself an act of embracing desire. So He wouldn't bla Cheng Shi.
But this concerned His Benefactor. Whether out of devotion to [Corruption]'s will or personal piety, He wanted to mount a rebuttal. Yet just as Aph Ros opened His mouth to counter, He heard Cheng Shi laugh loudly and add:
"After all, [Corruption] never refuses anything!"
"!"
That single line, and Aph Ros wanted to strip again.
'He understood too well. He was the perfect vessel for [Corruption]'s will!'
'Soone like this should be [Corruption]'s holy son! So why was he walking [Void]'s path!?'
Aph Ros was jealous. He'd been scheming to pull Cheng Shi into His camp — a slow, patient seduction. But today, learning that Cheng Shi was [Deceit]'s Envoy, that dream shattered.
And Cheng Shi had no idea that his little performance had unwittingly yanked him back from the brink of the abyss.
Watching Aph Ros's increasingly strange gaze, he quietly retreated another step and forced an awkward social smile.
Aph Ros quickly reined in His desire. A sigh: "What a sha."
Cheng Shi maintained his smile. Didn't dare speak.
"A [Deceit] Envoy. A [Fate] follower...
"My brother, I have a feeling your identity isn't nearly this simple. But everyone has secrets, and I can suppress my curiosity. What I can't suppress, however, is...
"Just now — what exactly did you and Him discuss?"
As expected, what Aph Ros cared about most was the conversation with [Ti].
After all, [Ti] was the god who'd imprisoned Him. A true deity exchanging words with a rival path's Envoy like old friends — that was genuinely unthinkable.
Especially since this [Existence] seed to have co specifically for Cheng Shi.
Hard to explain. But Cheng Shi had already drafted his talking points.
He produced a tongue from his spatial storage, dangling it, and explained to Aph Ros:
"The Tongue of Eating Lies.
"That little stunt just now? It was this thing's doing."
"???"
The Tongue of Eating Lies was stunned. It had assud its appearance would be a simple identity-verification prop. Never did it expect to have an enormous black pot dropped on its head the mont it entered the stage.
It imdiately writhed and smacked Cheng Shi across the face, furiously denying: "It wasn't !"
Cheng Shi seed to have anticipated Brother Tongue's reaction. He imdiately pinned the thing down and smiled apologetically at Aph Ros:
"Sorry about that. Due to certain... historical complications better left unspoken, my mask was dismantled into many components scattered across different locations. The Tongue of Eating Lies is one such piece.
"My Lord enjoys fun, so these fragnts that developed self-awareness are always trying to stir up entertainnt. As you saw — they're not very obedient.
"I'm working on reassembling them, but the process may take so ti."
Cheng Shi swiftly stowed Brother Tongue — who was winding up for another slap — back into storage, then rubbed his cheek awkwardly:
"Recovering a part of myself probably drew His attention again. That's why He made a special visit to say hello.
"Though personally, I think it was mockery. He probably saw my less-than-optimistic future in His projections, so He ca to witness my optimistic present.
"And that's my story."
A glint flashed through Aph Ros's eyes. Sothing sparked in His mind, and He suddenly asked:
"Was it He who dismantled your mask?"
Cheng Shi blinked.
'Who?'
'[Ti]?'
'Hiss—'
'That... actually kind of works.'
'As [Fate]'s rival, framing [Ti] shouldn't cause any problems, right?'
'After all, He and Brother Mouth genuinely did seem to know each other. Plus there was [Fate]'s protection overhead. Viewed in that light, everything fell neatly into place.'
Cheng Shi's eyes glead. He nodded imdiately:
"Correct. It was Him!
"So in a sense, you and I — we're both [Ti]'s victims."
Hearing this, Aph Ros smiled again. He'd never been this happy.
A friend who was an impossibly perfect match for His Benefactor's will — and now also a "cellmate" of a different kind!
What could be more delightful than becoming "relatives twice over"?
"It seems we have even more in common now, my brother.
"So — the other 'He' that [Ti] ntioned... who is that?"
'How should I know!?'
Cheng Shi was losing it.
Every lie's gaps had to be filled with more lies.
He had no idea who [Ti] was referring to. Brother Mouth refused to tell him and had even pranked him in the process. To avoid further disasters, he didn't dare disturb Brother Mouth's peace now. He could only offer a mysterious smile:
"I can't tell you about Him. I'm sorry, Aph Ros. I don't want my friend trapped in difficulty again.
"But I can tell you about myself. Only by knowing each other better can I shalessly ask for more of your help..."
The line was still a con, but at least it carried a sliver of genuine goodwill.
An utterly substance-free statent, repackaged by Cheng Shi to sound profound — Aph Ros bought it completely. He suppressed His delight and said gravely:
"My brother, if not for this cage's restrictions, I would help you with anything."
"..."
'Bro, if not for this cage, I wouldn't dare ask you for anything...'
Naturally, he couldn't say that out loud. Cheng Shi bead with gratitude:
"I do need your help with a couple of things, Aph Ros.
"First — if you learn anything about my mask fragnts through any channel, please tell
imdiately. I trust that [Ti]'s cage... can't truly hold you.
"Second — I may need to borrow..."
Aph Ros's eyes lit up.
"...Borrow your doorstep." Cheng Shi smiled faintly.
"?"
Aph Ros was baffled. 'His brother ca for help, didn't need an actual person, and just wanted to use the front door?'
"You an... the Evil Infant Inquisition's entrance?"
"Yes. You've probably noticed — my identity isn't just Yu Xi, but also a player nad Cheng Shi.
"Explaining what I'm doing is complicated and involves many parties. You only need to know that playing this role well is critical for .
"It's extrely important!
"I'm sure you've co to understand the players of this era. Many are sharp-minded and unpredictable. Earning their trust as a re ordinary player is incredibly difficult.
"And I can't reveal my true identity. So I have to use unconventional thods — [Deceit]'s thods — to achieve my goals.
"Simply put, I need a mysterious space to 'disguise' myself as my true self, or as other identities. That way I can pry things out of these clever players.
"Of course, I don't actually need what they know. I simply need...
"Them to be deceived."
Aph Ros fell silent. He savored Cheng Shi's words for a long while, then nodded. Then shook His head:
"I think I understand.
"Indeed, They always issue edicts that even Servant Gods can't comprehend.
"A [Void] practitioner must spread void. A [Deceit] Envoy must deceive all beings.
"All of this, I can understand.
"But I have one more question. A final question. My brother — answer this, and the Evil Infant Inquisition's door will always be open to you."
Cheng Shi's eyes shone: "Ask."
Aph Ros's keen gaze seed to pierce Cheng Shi's soul. He chuckled softly:
"I can feel your heartbeat. I can sense your emotions. You overflow with the scent of [Deceit]. Though I've never encountered Him directly, within [Corruption]'s Sea of Desire I can detect an aura similar to lies.
"You're lying. Aren't you?
"Heh. So my brother, my final question is:
"Just now, and right now — are you deceiving ?"
Cheng Shi's heart clenched, but his surface remained serene:
"Yes.
"I'm deceiving you."
Aph Ros's brow creased. He'd anticipated this — after all, the man claid to be [Deceit]'s Envoy. If soone who championed falsehood never lied, that would be truly absurd.
But being deceived was still irritating. Worse, He couldn't even identify which parts were lies — because the scent of deception on Cheng Shi had never once faded!
Yet He wasn't angry. At minimum, in Aph Ros's view, Cheng Shi's willingness to reveal his Envoy identity was already the greatest gesture of goodwill. As for the other lies... for a Prisoner like Himself, none of it mattered.
But then Cheng Shi's next words shifted His perception yet again.
Because Cheng Shi imdiately followed up with:
"My faith demands lies. So I told you lies. I embraced my own desire — and in doing so... drew closer to [Corruption] as a gesture of my sincerity."
The words had barely landed when clothing hit the floor.
The full moon rose — luminous and white.
"???"
Under that blinding moonlight, Cheng Shi...
Was absolutely terrified.
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