Foolish Game of the Chapter 755: Big Cat: Tao Yi Is Missing

Cheng Shi furrowed his brow tightly, weighing whether to tell the Dragon King about Zangier's escape.

This was first-hand intelligence from the History School — the Dragon King certainly didn't know about it, or today's conjecture wouldn't have been so straightforward.

The coincidence also solidified Cheng Shi's conviction of how vital it was to control two top-tier intelligence channels. The feeling of being the only person who could "see the truth" while everyone else was misled by illusions was exhilarating — not because of the thrill of discovery itself, but because such an information gap was exactly what a liar needed to work his craft. And that was what Cheng Shi cared about most.

Of course, deception had its principles — when to deceive, and whom. At the very least, with the Dragon King having shared intelligence first, Cheng Shi had no reason to cheat a future Joker.

So after careful deliberation, he decided to share the news.

First, he needed to maintain parity in their cooperative relationship going forward. Second, he needed to build up enough mystique around the Joker — this ramshackle "organization" of his.

Only then could he make the Dragon King even more curious, and therefore more eager to join.

Sure enough, upon hearing of Zangier's escape, Li Jingming was stunned. He fell silent for a long while before asking:

"Is this the Joker's intelligence network?"

Cheng Shi answered without hesitation: "That's right — this is the Joker!"

After saying it, he smacked his lips guiltily — but quickly straightened his spine, thinking: 'I didn't lie. Yes, the intel ca from the History School, but I obtained it from the History School, and I'm a Joker, so by extension the Joker obtained it. Perfectly logical!'

'Makes complete sense!'

Li Jingming fell silent again. When he spoke, sothing wistful had crept into his tone:

"I underestimated you all. Good. This mory exchange has far exceeded my expectations. Cheng Shi, arrange a eting with the Jokers as soon as possible. I'll bring the entry fee you want."

"..."

Cheng Shi's eyelid twitched violently.

'You want to et Mi Laozhang that badly?'

'Have you considered whether Mi Laozhang wants to et you?'

'I have a feeling the "Cetery manager's" desire to see your corpse far outweighs any desire to see you alive.'

But... it really was ti to think about how to bring the Jokers together.

Cheng Shi had originally seen the organization as nothing more than a tool for extracting intel and keeping in touch with allies. But ever since being inspired by the Destined Ones from another tiline — and watching the local Destined Ones "grow and strengthen" — the Clown had realized that having such a group at his back was genuinely necessary.

At the very least, it would be useful for fending off external crises and future risks.

And so Cheng Shi began mulling over how to turn these two nebulous organizations into sothing real.

But the current phone call was obviously not the ti for such considerations. After a mont of silent reflection, he asked:

"0221 probably has many Slices. Knowing their nas might help track him down later. What was the na of the Slice you ntioned?"

"Wang Weijin. A Truth Assassination Doctor."

'Wait — who?!'

'Wang Weijin?'

Cheng Shi's mind went blank. He hurriedly pressed: "When was this?"

"About a month ago. His appearance was what allowed

to make a significant leap in my search for 0221.

Unfortunately, when I ran into him again a week ago, he had beco a new Slice who didn't rember

at all. Even his mory logs were completely lost."

"..."

Cheng Shi never imagined he'd hear that deceitful scholar's na again so soon!

'His predecessor turned out to be the Dragon King's breakthrough for investigating 0221?'

'Interesting — the world really is getting smaller.'

But even if they crossed paths again, the Dragon King's research might beco completely useless, because the current Doctor was now a Wang Mou from another world — perhaps even a Wang Mou who had crossed the boundaries of the Slice Universe.

Given that fraudulent scholar's motivations, if he had willingly smuggled himself over from another world, it had to be to escape the predicant of his original one. And for a Slice, the worst possible scenario was having the original body discover sothing was wrong.

So he had most likely already figured out his own identity and seized an opportunity to swap over here.

The more Cheng Shi thought about it, the more impressive the Doctor seed. In that case, would the bold and ticulous Wang Mou truly have no designs on his own original body?

He was a pure Truth follower, which ant he craved Truth intensely — and 0221 happened to be the person closest to Truth...

Of course, Wei Mu didn't count. Who knew which world the Doctor who worshipped Wei Mu had been swapped to.

So, post-swap, could Wang Mou once again beco an outsider's avenue to 0221?

Cheng Shi pondered for a mont, then told the Dragon King:

"Next ti you run into this Slice, try chatting with him about these things again. Maybe he'll rember sothing.

But be careful — he's a doctor who's very good at lying.

If he won't tell you the truth, try dropping my na. It might help."

"?"

Li Jingming froze again. After thinking for quite a while, he laughed:

"So new change has happened with Wang Weijin?

And why would dropping your na help?

Fascinating. I'm growing more and more curious about the Joker's intelligence sources. This is going to be an unforgettable mory. I can hardly wait to et the Jokers."

"..."

'Let's hope you still feel that way after coming face-to-face with Mi Laozhang.'

'Though, to be fair, that scene would be hilarious.'

The two chatted idly for a bit longer before hanging up. Cheng Shi rubbed his forehead, feeling the world growing more chaotic by the day. He had no idea where his own path would ultimately lead.

But overthinking was pointless. Better to take things as they ca.

Just as he stepped out, ready to rest, the phone he'd just set down rang again. Cheng Shi's heart lurched. He stared at the buzzing receiver, speechless.

'Seriously — when did phone calls start coming as frequently as audiences with the gods?'

'Can a man not have a mont's peace?'

Cheng Shi was numb, but rembering that only Big Cat's friends had this number, he couldn't not answer. So he picked up once more — only to find that this ti it wasn't one of Big Cat's friends, but Big Cat herself!

The mont she spoke, it was bad news.

"Cheng Shi, Tao Yi is missing."

"?"

Cheng Shi froze, but an instant later his brow furrowed tightly.

'No way it's that much of a coincidence.'

'Did the Wood Elf beco an experintal consumable too?'

...