Hong Lin's words genuinely startled Aph Ros — not because He didn't believe her, but because He didn't dare disbelieve!
After all, this woman truly carried the scent of authority. Faint, yes — but authentic!
Moreover, she was already actively releasing the aura of Prosperity's authority. She was deliberately flaunting her identity!
Aph Ros's pupils contracted sharply as He stared at Hong Lin. His thoughts suddenly beca muddled. He couldn't understand why Frazor would be resurrected by Death, much less why she'd dare call herself Prosperity.
Would her mother — that one who sought to assimilate the universe — permit her daughter to steal her divine na?
Impossible!
But if impossible, then why did this woman carry Prosperity's authority?!
Aph Ros stood frozen, unable to untangle the web. And right as He furrowed His brow in deep thought, the outwardly resolute Hong Lin — heart privately quaking — added:
"...'s heir."
"..."
That single addendum silenced both people present.
Cheng Shi hadn't expected Big Cat to pull the sa dramatic pause as Chaos — leaving "Prosperity" hanging that long before completing the sentence. Aph Ros was simply stunned by the information itself.
'Since when can a true god's heir inherit divine authority early?'
'If they can't, then her words could only an one thing: Prosperity... sothing happened!'
Enormous doubt blood in Aph Ros's heart. The curiosity was so overwhelming He couldn't contain His desire. Eyes blazing, He looked to Cheng Shi with a mix of bewildernt and anticipation:
"My brother, I like this surprise.
No — I love every surprise. You truly are one of this era's masters. Praise Void — You... understand
well."
"..."
Cheng Shi went numb. 'Fine, Big Cat going off-script and revealing herself as so Prosperity heir is one thing. But you too?'
'Bro, please don't heap praise on
like that. Any more and my disguise is gonna slip!'
Cheng Shi laughed awkwardly, sensed Hong Lin's questioning gaze, and opted to play dumb for now.
Explaining the Yu Xi impersonation was actually quite easy for him, but this clearly wasn't the right mont — especially not in front of the fully convinced Aph Ros.
So silence was his only option.
Aph Ros wasn't finished, though. He turned back to Hong Lin and bowed again, every gesture brimming with respect:
"Praise Prosperity's... heir. Aph Ros, the Gate of Joyous Lust, extends to You the most Prosperous of greetings."
"..."
Hong Lin was slightly thrown by Aph Ros's formality, but soon enough, this bold Prosperity heir gracefully accepted the salute, giving a soft "Mm" in acknowledgnt.
Watching this, Cheng Shi's heart churned with mixed emotions.
Because just now, he'd suddenly understood why Big Cat had chosen this place — Aph Ros's ho turf of Dolgod — to reveal her identity as "Prosperity's heir."
It wasn't because she feared the Corruption Herald and confessed her identity as a defense. It was because this Prosperity heir was living out her Prosperity will:
In an unknown land, before a dual Herald she barely knew, she demonstrated her divine na to elevate her own standing — and thereby shield her friend!
Shield her friend, Cheng Shi!
Yes — it was a display of power. But it wasn't for herself.
Hong Lin had studied Aph Ros's history. She knew this was a formidable Corruption Herald whose pursuit of desire was frenzied. His personality was bold and flamboyant.
Even though Cheng Shi said he was bringing her to et a friend, before she could read the full picture, she couldn't be certain whether Cheng Shi's so-called "brotherhood" was actually a twisted, warped delusion born from Corruption's influence.
So she chose to step forward at this mont, show her "strength," and set the tone for the conversation ahead — adding weight to their leverage.
'She's still as dependable as ever.'
Hong Lin's move was an embodint of her Prosperity will — and it suited Cheng Shi perfectly.
Yes, perfectly. But perhaps... too perfectly. Overdone, even.
Because Cheng Shi had lied.
Bringing Hong Lin here wasn't purely to give her an intel channel familiar with Them, nor just to handle Yu Mu. Beyond all that, he had another purpose.
He wanted Aph Ros to et Hong Lin. To et this bearer of Prosperity's authority!
He knew that although his lies and acting had fooled the Herald, with each successive visit, the astute Aph Ros would inevitably notice discrepancies.
Even if Cheng Shi could talk his way past every detail, no one maintained a perfect record forever. Too many stacked lies risked collapsing the foundation.
So lies were far less useful than real "power."
With genuine power on par with Aph Ros's, it wouldn't matter whether the Herald knew, saw through, or exposed his lies. None of it would matter.
The scales of friendship would remain balanced through the equilibrium of "power."
But Cheng Shi was only playing a role. He was destined never to demonstrate the "power" needed to conquer Aph Ros. However, just because he didn't have it didn't an his friend didn't.
Hong Lin — acknowledged by the Convention, championed by Death, supported by Deceit, and favored by Fate — as Prosperity's heir, the authority in her hands alone was enough to obliterate every doubt Aph Ros might harbor. Any suspicions He'd developed about Cheng Shi could be swallowed whole.
Because true divine authority was simply too precious. Throughout the Land of Hope's history and in the servant gods' eyes, these things had only ever been treasures held in Their hands. No outsider could covet them.
Possessing them ant a life that had utterly transcended everything — rged into Their ranks. At the very least, it reached the threshold of Their divine thrones!
So rely letting Aph Ros sense the authority on Hong Lin — even without extensive introductions — would deepen His conviction about Yu Xi's identity. He'd automatically filter out inconsistencies and dismiss inconsequential lies.
After all, in Their view, a mortal couldn't possibly be friends with a being who wielded authority. And Hong Lin's mystique would beco a trump card for her "friendly" dealings with Aph Ros.
This was Cheng Shi's original three-birds-one-stone plan. His true purpose.
But he genuinely hadn't expected Big Cat to open this hand of "landlord" by slamming down a pair of jokers. Though her move did sweep away every risk for Cheng Shi regarding Aph Ros, the current power dynamics would also make the Herald more... wary.
Yes — wary.
Two "Heralds" exchanging information as equals might at worst involve so mutual deception. But if one side suddenly showed up with a friend wielding a true god's authority — and not the Benefactor's authority, but another god's — it would inevitably make the startled party far more cautious.
Nobody wanted to beco ash in the gods' contest for authority. Aph Ros felt the sa, and His expression grew ever more solemn.
Cheng Shi, on the other hand... smiled happily.
'This is Big Cat. Always devoted to protecting her friends.'
Sotis Cheng Shi couldn't help but reflect: if there were an award for "most blessed thing in the world," being Big Cat's friend would surely be on the list.
She was too dependable.
But also too fierce...
Big Cat's reaction had caused a slight deviation in Cheng Shi's plan. Fortunately, the clown's adaptability was strong.
He laughed heartily and addressed Aph Ros:
"The best respect isn't spoken — it's shown.
Aph Ros, we can't keep chatting here, can we?"
Hong Lin's brow still carried caution. Aph Ros didn't dare slight an honored guest. Regardless of how this noble lady obtained her authority, the proper attitude was paramount if He wished to learn anything.
Fortunately — Corruption excelled at grand hospitality.
He chuckled softly and extended a hand: "Indeed, this is no place for conversation. Allow
to welco our most distinguished guest sowhere more fitting."
The mont He finished, the scene inverted. The dim assembly hall dissolved. A terrace with a long table materialized, and the glow of dusk settled quietly upon the horizon.
...
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