As everyone knew, the establishnt of the Convention was definitely connected to Him. Though Cheng Shi didn't know the specifics of its content or purpose, by studying the behavior of his two Benefactors, it wasn't hard to see that they held different attitudes toward Origin!
The toppling of eras was connected to Origin. Fate championed predetermination and pushed Void's era toward its end — so it could be interpreted that He leaned toward "approaching" Him.
But Deceit was different. He disagreed with Fate's stance, which ant He likely favored distancing from Him.
Since every mber of the Convention had their own preferences, looking at Decay through this lens — did He have His own preference too? Could He also be a mber of the "Approach Faction?"
Perhaps even an impatient mber of it, using His own actions to seek Him's gaze ahead of schedule!
And there was supporting evidence for this in the history of the gods — just as Aph Ros had described the changes.
Decay had originally felt no compassion, which ant He didn't need followers. But how could a deity possibly not care about spreading His own faith?
If this were truly the case, it could only an that at the ti, He had sothing far more important to do — like single-mindedly trying to "move" Origin.
He wanted to obtain Him's gaze!
And when He discovered that Origin had not looked upon Him, He changed strategies, attempting to attract Him's attention through an even grander display of decay. But He'd failed again — because He'd personally uttered the words "the past was useless."
It was crucial to note the timing of those four words — they were spoken in the present, after Cheng Shi had used Prosperity's specious argunt to consu Decay's faith. This ant "the past was useless" didn't negate His first phase — it negated His second.
So was it possible that He'd discovered the truth: that even universal decay couldn't "move" Origin? And that was why He'd given Himself the title of "pitiful soul?"
He felt He'd been "abandoned." He felt He needed to change strategies once more...
Because by this point, Decay's faith had already spread throughout the universe. Decay was no longer "decaying." Since His will perated all existence, "pitiful" was no longer truly pitiful.
Based on this, Cheng Shi theorized that this "begging" deity was perhaps entering His third phase. And the essence of this phase was to make Decay across the universe... recede!
When only a single Decay remained in all of existence, perhaps that would be the mont this god upon His throne beca truly, maximally pitiful — and that, in a specific sense, would be the ultimate universal decay!
Furthermore, during that previous Decay trial, His inaction as Prosperity's forces invaded the Sighing Forest was powerful evidence supporting this theory!
And these were the furthest-reaching conclusions Cheng Shi could draw about Decay based on everything he knew!
Decay... was going to disappear!
Just as Prosperity had self-sacrificed, this god who'd lost His counterpart was also self-sacrificing!
The only difference was that Prosperity had sacrificed Her life, while He was sacrificing His faith!
Of course, until any of this was confird by one of Them, everything remained Cheng Shi's speculation. That was why he'd said he wanted to try.
He wanted to test whether his guesses were correct. And right now, the perfect opportunity had presented itself.
Nangong — this girl who'd suffered so much under Decay's cruelty — if she could successfully break free from that suffering today, it would an his theory was at least partially right.
Cheng Shi looked at Nangong and smiled with a nod: "You heard correctly. I'm really asking if you'd like to change your faith."
Nangong was thunderstruck. Her pupils contracted violently, her entire body visibly tensing. Goosebumps rose across her rough, scar-covered skin.
She stared at Cheng Shi in disbelief, unconsciously swallowing as she stamred: "Who... who are you really?"
"Cheng Shi. The genuine article."
"Then why would you..."
Cheng Shi raised a hand to cut her off: "Don't worry about the details. Just tell
— do you want to switch or not?"
"I..." Nangong probably wanted to. Her eyes brightened for an instant, and she was about to say sothing — but just as quickly, the light died. She shrank back. "Forget it. Without the weapon spirit's help, and saddled with an oathbreaking curse on top of that... I probably wouldn't survive."
"Mm, that's a valid concern. Though I suspect He might not actually curse you, it's certainly one of the risks.
But wanting gains always ans accepting risks. No gamble is ever a guaranteed win. All I can say is, if you want to try, I'll do everything in my power to mitigate the fallout of any Decay curse.
But I can't promise anything, because as I said — this is a gamble. Once you're at the table, Nangong, you bear the risk yourself."
"..." Nangong studied Cheng Shi for a long while, seeming to detect sothing in his words. She asked nervously: "Have you... already prepared a new faith for ?"
Cheng Shi raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"Smart."
"Can I ask..."
"Prosperity. Your Benefactor's counterpart — Prosperity!"
"?" Nangong froze again. For a split second, she was certain Cheng Shi wanted her dead. "I... can I refu—"
"You might want to think it over carefully." Cheng Shi cut her off with a aningful look, then quietly closed his eyes and said nothing more, giving her ample ti to consider.
Nangong watched Cheng Shi simply close his eyes, and the turmoil inside her nearly broke through the ceiling.
She could feel his good intentions. But Cheng Shi had also said this carried risk — potentially significant risk.
She'd also picked up on his uncertainty. Though she couldn't fathom the reasoning behind it all, this didn't feel like a gamble prepared specially for her. It felt more like an experint — one that Cheng Shi wanted to push forward unilaterally.
That realization made the inner conflict even worse.
Thoughts raced through her mind, but before long she recalled the notebook where she logged debts of gratitude. Those densely written pages still bore Cheng Shi's na.
And now... it wasn't ti to cross his na off. It was ti to add another entry.
He'd saved her once more — this ti, freeing her from the suffering of the Gift of Sores.
He...
Nangong gritted her teeth and suddenly asked: "Will I die?"
Cheng Shi slowly opened his eyes and shook his head firmly: "Absolutely not."
Nangong clenched both fists, as though steeling herself for a great decision. In her heart she whispered: 'I'm not afraid of dying. I'm only afraid of dying before I've repaid what I owe. I'm sorry, Cheng Shi — I have too many debts outstanding. I can't die here yet.'
'But if I won't die...'
"All right! I want to try!"
The mont those words left her mouth, Cheng Shi's gaze sharpened. He spoke solemnly: "You've decided?"
"Mm. I've decided. I want to try.
What do I need to do?"
Cheng Shi smiled. He pointed skyward and said: "Pray to Him. Yes — Him. Your Benefactor, Decay. Tell Him of your suffering. Then beg Him to release you from the shackles of your faith."
"!!!!!"
Nangong was dumbfounded. Her brain buzzed again. Now she was sure — Cheng Shi wanted her dead!
"..." She looked at Cheng Shi with an incredibly complex expression, mustering her courage several tis only to swallow the words back down. It was only when she noticed the gentleness in his eyes that so calm returned to her heart. She pressed her lips together and asked hesitantly: "Are you lying to ?"
Cheng Shi smiled — radiant and joyful.
"I never lie."
...
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