There was no doubt — the specter inside the Devout Land that could expose people's deepest secrets had to be connected to the Secret Peeping Ear. The question was exactly how.
And what was the so-called "thod of becoming a god" hidden inside the Faith Theater?
These two questions spiraled through Cheng Shi's mind the entire way, unresolved. If such a thod actually existed, how could the Tower of Logic have abandoned this city?
But the la old man hadn't lied. That ant whatever the scavengers were hunting for had likely appeared after San Dales was abandoned. So what force had birthed this "path to godhood"?
On the road toward Well Si's southern stronghold, they encountered plenty of scavenger sentries similar to the old man. Their stories were largely identical, and the closer the trio drew to the mysterious Devout Land, the more their curiosity deepened.
Ai Si trudged ahead, clearing the path with her great sword. Behind her, the two "steady bros" were already whispering again.
"Zhang-lao, didn't you research San Dales' history at all before coming?"
Zhang Jizu narrowed his eyes and shot Cheng Shi a mildly contemptuous sidelong glance.
"That should have been your job, Cheng Shi. I expected detailed briefing materials before departure. Instead I received nothing but a prayer ti."
"..." Cheng Shi's step faltered. A dry laugh. "Right — been busy saving the world, forgot. No big deal though. We'll find out what happened here soon enough. I've got a feeling this Well Si knows quite a lot."
Even as the words left his mouth, he discreetly pointed at Ai Si — ears pricked up front. Zhang Jizu caught the gesture and gave an imperceptible nod.
That confird it: their forr acquaintance knew more than she was letting on.
Interesting.
Nothing wrong with that per se — but her decision to hold back warranted a closer look.
Cheng Shi quickened his pace to walk alongside Ai Si, striking up a casual tone.
"War Supervisor, what brought you here?"
Ai Si's great sword paused. She side-eyed him. "I already told your partner."
"But you haven't told ." Cheng Shi smiled.
Ai Si scoffed and glanced back at Zhang Jizu. She shook her head with a dry laugh as she walked.
"Surna Cheng — you and Zhang Chosen clearly share the sa goal, even ca together by arrangent. I can spot that much.
So given your relationship, telling one of you versus the other — is there really a difference?"
"Absolutely!" Cheng Shi's voice dropped conspiratorially. He leaned closer, deliberately shielding his words from Zhang Jizu. "The man behind you is too scheming, too crafty. Team up with him and you'll never get a bigger cut. But I'm different. I'll..."
"You'll badmouth him to his face?" Ai Si's expression turned half-amused.
"?"
Cheng Shi blinked, instantly realizing the two had already struck so kind of deal.
'When?'
'Back in the sewer?'
With renewed interest, he glanced over his shoulder at Zhang Jizu, then turned back to Ai Si with a dead-serious look.
"Seems there's been a misunderstanding. No matter — whatever Zhang-lao promised you, I'll double it. Is that enough to make you my mole inside your little two-person alliance?"
"Why are you guarding against your own teammate?"
"Co on — the other two impersonating
are my teammates too. Should I not guard against them?
This is called preparing for a rainy day.
Zhang-lao, I trust. But I worry he'll blunder — mistake one of those two for
and make a wrong call. So I need soone keeping tabs on him."
"Why not watch him yourself? And aren't you worried I'll blunder too?"
"You won't. You're already... enough—"
'Crap. Said it too fast.'
Seeing Ai Si's face darken, Cheng Shi pivoted instantly.
"—smart enough. All War followers have sharp minds. Yep, I trust you."
The barely-veiled lie left Ai Si montarily speechless.
'I can't even trust my own colleagues, and you trust ?'
"..."
'Wait — that train of thought basically calls
stupid too!'
Ai Si fud. She glared daggers at Cheng Shi, but took no further action. After a mont's thought, she — to his surprise — actually agreed.
Whether she was honoring her opening proclamation of cooperation, or simply acknowledging that she'd lose a fight anyway, the War Supervisor gave a slight nod.
"Fine. I can help you. But I want one thing."
Cheng Shi bead. "Na it. I'll check with Zhang-lao if he's got any."
"?"
Ai Si stared. She could not believe the audacity of this liar-teammate.
'You're just... running a middleman scam with bare hands, skimming profit on nothing?!'
She laughed from sheer anger. "He doesn't have it. Only you do. I want 'Dead Disgust.' Give
a few bottles, and I'll prioritize helping you."
The instant the words landed, Cheng Shi produced three dark vials and pressed them into her hands.
"???"
Ai Si finally snapped. She hoisted her great sword, eyes blazing.
"Clown — you think you can play
again?! Don't think I won't draw my blade just because you outmatch !"
"..."
'Hey sis, we can disagree on the deal without hurling insults!'
'I have a na, you know. Why do you keep reminding
I'm a clown?'
Cheng Shi shrugged, unfazed, and grinned.
"You think these are fake?"
"Obviously! You scamd them from Void. Right now it's just the three of us — even if I didn't know the backstory, these potions can't be real. Your 'audience' isn't big enough!
You're trying to trick
AGAIN?!"
"Cute. Then if you think they're fake, why haven't you dropped those three 'fake' bottles when you raised your sword?" Cheng Shi's grin sharpened.
"..."
She hadn't dropped them. She was thinking: what if there was even a sliver of a chance they were real? At least they might carry her a little farther.
But were they real? She looked down at the vials once more.
"They're definitely fake..."
"You—!!!" Ai Si exploded.
"But the na is." Cheng Shi's pivot was silky smooth. He snorted a laugh. "They're not really called 'Dead Disgust.' They're called 'Never Defeat' — a War potion I picked up during the Kingdom of War's fall. I had six. Three for you. Sound like a fair trade?"
...
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