In truth, Lao Deng had considered other faiths. But Corruption, Folly, and their ilk obviously didn't match the Torchbearers' ethos. That's why he'd guessed Qin Xin might be a War follower — a Hawk Eye Scout.
He wasn't certain, of course. But that didn't stop him from packaging his speculation as rumor and spreading it.
During the trial that had just ended, he'd told his teammates everything about the Torchbearers and his suspicions about Qin Xin.
Unfortunately, the trial had been too brutal. All his teammates died. He himself barely survived.
He'd thought, exhausted as he was, there'd be no way to dodge the Torchbearers' final strike on the way out. Yet Ti's protection let him escape death and arrive here.
With that in mind — being rescued from an impossible situation by either the Benefactor or "Hour Hand" — could this involve a faith struggle?
'Yes! That annoying blind woman is a Destiny follower. The Torchbearers' "fla" is suspiciously vague, and that Fate Weaver Cheng Shi they kept discussing is also a Destiny follower. Perhaps the Torchbearers are an organization that follows and pursues Destiny?'
That would be the only way to explain today's "misfortune."
'Destiny punished a rival faith's follower — while Ti saved His own!'
Deng Sui's thoughts crystallized. He jerked his head up, eyes brimming with devotion and gratitude, and locked onto "Hour Hand." He poured out every theory he had — liberally embellishing along the way.
He'd been blindsided by those two Torchbearers today, left with nothing, nearly killed. Now that he had a chance to "plead his case," he wasn't letting them off easy.
By the end, he was openly fabricating claims like "The Torchbearers are a Destiny-protected organization secretly conspiring against Ti" without batting an eye.
"Hour Hand, sir — the situation facing us Ti followers is dire. Destiny followers are allying with other faiths to systematically crush our living space.
I cannot understand why these people hate our Lord. But I suspect it's because our Lord's tolerance has robbed them of self-awareness.
Especially these so-called Torchbearers. To protect a single ordinary Destiny follower, they tried to kill
— Your Lord's most devoted follower! This is an unforgivable sin!
Of course, whether or not insignificant
lives or dies doesn't matter. What I fear is that our Lord's tolerance will beco their excuse to push further!
To carry our Lord's will farther, we must strike back! We must visit misfortune upon every Destiny follower — throw these accursed riddlers into the prison of Ti, and let their eternal wailing atone for their blasphemy!
And I — I will be our Lord's swiftest blade, clearing the path for Ti's eternity!"
These fabricated accusations left Cheng Shi blinking in astonishnt. But amid the mostly nutritionless rant, he'd harvested one useful piece: final confirmation that this was, indeed, the Lao Deng who'd narrowly escaped the Torchbearers!
'Seriously, you Torchbearers — how can you be this bad? A guaranteed win and you still let him flip the board?'
'If I hadn't "coincidentally" run into this Ti Chosen here, he'd have your secrets spread wide open!'
He clearly had no room for reconciliation with the Torchbearers. The hatred had reached "one of us dies" territory.
Of course, this wasn't about right or wrong. Everyone acted in their own interests. But...
'Little Deng, you shouldn't have painted all Destiny followers with one brush. That makes
feel targeted too.'
'Even if I have so ties to the Torchbearers, I never provoked you. You even eavesdropped on my secrets. And now you're playing victim first? That skill of yours...'
'Tsk. Well-aid, but badly tid.'
'And your perspective is too narrow. The Torchbearers don't resist only Ti — they resist all gods. Even the Deceit currently sheltering them is soone they want to rebel against.'
'You might not believe it, but Qin Xin is a rebel commander, after all...'
'More importantly — the Destiny you want to oppose has already fused with your Benefactor Ti. If I told you that, would you still want to be the blade?'
'A blade that devours its master? Or a blade for self-execution?'
Cheng Shi wanted to laugh. But the gravity of the situation made laughter impossible. He had to consider how to deal with this Ti Chosen.
Honestly, killing Lao Deng would be simple. He didn't even need to switch back to Destiny to change professions. In his current state, one flick of his wrist and the Fun Ring would erase everything.
And he was certain the other had no cards left — otherwise he wouldn't have staked his life on a fragnt of contract.
So what Cheng Shi agonized over wasn't the thod of killing — it was the justification for getting away with it!
Yes. Getting away with it.
He didn't need motivation to eliminate a player who wanted both him and the Torchbearers dead. What he needed was a way to avoid "prosecution" after the deed.
Because he had to consider Ti's attitude.
Even though this perpetually busy Existence deity hadn't appeared or issued any oracle or guidance, Lao Deng was His Chosen — the one He'd rated highest among all His followers.
Cheng Shi had enough self-awareness to know: even though he was technically a Ti follower now, that status had been "scamd" by the Fun God. As a new hire with no standing who was currently impersonating a board mber — how could he compete with the company's existing top salesman?
Furthermore, even if Ti had agreed to the fusion, His attitude toward Destiny remained unclear. So Cheng Shi couldn't gamble on what killing Lao Deng might cost him. Even with Void's backing, he needed at least a defensible excuse.
And that excuse ca to him quickly.
He looked at Deng Sui and smiled:
"Your courage is as impressive as your devotion. But I must remind you — the Void isn't only Destiny.
Until the facade is seen through, the essence will never be discovered."
The words were deliberately vague, but Deng Sui understood imdiately.
'Hour Hand's praise affirms my approach of faith confrontation. And His next hint directly points out the next course of action.'
'So... our Lord intends to move against Deceit first?'
'Hiss—'
'That's... not impossible. But can I skip the disgusting one and start from the bottom up?'
'Hmm, feasible!'
Deng Sui's heart soared. Energy surged back. He knew this was his mont to take a stand. So he bowed his head devoutly and declared with the utmost solemnity:
"Hour Hand, sir — I will be faith's blade, and strip away every last facade of the Void!"
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