Cheng Shi was also wondering why the [Death] boss had bestowed such a thing.
This was obviously an item for ill-intentioned players to defy the gods. If that gentleman could tolerate such a challenge to divine authority, didn't that an He very likely shared the Fun God's spirit of "rebellion"?
But on a divine level... wasn't that just the Fear Faction?
"!!??"
'So that gentleman went from neutral to Fear Faction?'
'Did the Fun God actually pull Him over?'
'Not impossible!' Considering how that gentleman had been looking after him all along, Cheng Shi even suspected He'd been recruited by the Fun God long ago. The bad blood between [Death] and [Void] might have been an act all along — just to avoid suspicion.
And now, using His gift to block the gods' surveillance perfectly solved the problem of attracting too much cosmic attention under [Deceit]'s protection. After all, that gentleman's reputation among the gods was decent — at least He wasn't the type to constantly cause trouble.
At this thought, possibilities blood in Cheng Shi's mind.
With this artifact's protection, the room for maneuver expanded enormously. The only question was whether it could also block the Fun God's prying...
Seeing Cheng Shi's doubtful expression, Zhang Jizu spoke up:
"Don't think too simply about this. Even if it blocks the gods' surveillance, it's still the Benefactor's creation. Everything said and done under its protection cannot escape that gentleman's gaze.
Cheng Shi, if what you want to share also involves the Benefactor..."
He didn't spell it out, but Cheng Shi understood.
"Furthermore, this artifact isn't without a ti limit. The Benefactor warned
that prolonged [Death] energy presence will also arouse the gods' suspicion. When They rely observe from afar, the energy shroud might deceive Them. But if They grow suspicious and co to investigate in person...
A fake is a fake. Everything we discuss will be caught red-handed.
So whether to use it or not is entirely up to you."
'Definitely using it.' Since that gentleman had given it, He clearly intended it to be used. The question was whether the Fun God's will was embedded in it.
If the Fun God and that gentleman had struck so deal — if there were backdoors in this artifact — then he'd need to watch his tongue. He couldn't very well gossip about his Benefactor in front of two gods.
But without gossiping, how could he boldly speculate on the Fun God's intentions?
Cheng Shi fell into deep thought again. After a long while, he resud a relaxed deanor and stared fixedly at the bell in Zhang Jizu's hand:
"Noted. But, why are you still holding my stuff?"
"?" Zhang Jizu's eyes narrowed to slits, smirking: "Yours? Cheng Shi, 'gifting a clock' isn't exactly an auspicious sign, you know."
"?" The little skull's eye sockets bulged. "Squinty Zhang, you've got so dangerous thoughts."
"Those were your words. Nothing to do with ."
With that, Zhang Jizu handed the bone bell directly to Cheng Shi.
What should have been a nice little treasure-grab, but the mont the phrase "gifting a clock" ca up, Cheng Shi felt like he'd taken a loss.
"Squinty Zhang, you definitely carved my tombstone in secret. Where'd you hide it?"
Zhang Jizu shook his head with a sigh. To escape the little skull's incessant chatter, he plopped the bone bell right over Cheng Shi and snorted:
"A hundred tombstones is a massive project. I've been a bit busy lately. But don't worry — yours won't be missed."
"..."
The next second, loud protests erupted from within the bell.
"Squinty Zhang, this is betrayal of friendship and sabotage of the revolution! You dare imprison the Benefactor's most devout employee!? Confess — have you already embraced [Corruption] to soothe your jealousy!?"
Zhang Jizu's eyes were practically squeezed shut. Unable to bear the little skull's noise, he grabbed a carving knife and rapped the handle against the bone bell. The resonating toll left Cheng Shi inside seeing stars, finally silencing him.
"You only turned into a small skull — you didn't actually beco one of those noisy creatures. Save your energy. Let's talk about the Jokers."
The battered Cheng Shi swayed his head inside the bell, groaning:
"Don't think changing the subject settles this. I'm rembering this grudge...
We've got the venue. Preparations are... reasonably thorough. The only issue is that the void space is too empty — doesn't befit the Jokers' status. That's why I ca for your help. But who'd have thought I'd fall victim to your treacherous payback!"
Zhang Jizu completely ignored the last part, furrowing his brow:
"The Jokers were born of [Void]. A venue that's empty and void hits the point exactly. How does that not suit?"
Cheng Shi recovered and scoffed: "Let
ask you this: could you handle discussing face-to-face, nose-to-nose, with Zhen Xin?
If you can say yes, I'll drop everything, take this bell, and walk out the door. No questions asked."
"..."
Zhang Jizu squinted, quickly grasping the deeper aning. This wasn't about proximity — it was about distance.
When a group of liars appeared in the sa space and could freely choose their positions, what would they do?
Too close and they'd feel unsafe. Too far and it seed standoffish. After all, everyone was here for intelligence. If you broadcast "stay away" from the start, would you hear anything useful?
Under the Jokers' nominal bond, even if these liars distrusted each other, they'd at least have to perform mutual trust.
And distance was trust's most honest expression. They'd keep inching closer, shrinking the gap to demonstrate their "sincerity."
Between two liars, trust and wariness would negotiate to a comfortable distance, and both would stop. But with a whole group of liars...
Trust
— they'd only crowd closer, because standing even one step further than everyone else would invite ridicule and contempt.
To showcase their "sincerity," they were absolutely capable of this.
Of course, if every attendee were like the Dragon King — sincere in discussion — standing close wouldn't matter. But what if the group included a Zhen Xin?
Sure, Zhen Xin was great at cooperation and easy to talk to. But rembering that face also belonged to Zhen Yi...
Zhang Jizu's eye twitched. He imdiately proposed: "We need a table."
"Exactly!" Cheng Shi laughed, the sound muffled inside the bone bell. "I'd been thinking about a table before coming. But after arriving here, I suddenly had an idea.
Squinty Zhang, if you don't mind, how about..."
"???"
Zhang Jizu was stunned. He lifted the bone bell, staring at the wickedly grinning Cheng Shi underneath, and confird three tis: "Would this actually work?"
"You already know the answer, don't you?
Tch, I've never seen you this excited before, Squinty Zhang. Your thoughts really are a bit dangerous."
Zhang Jizu masked the glint in his eyes, turning his head away, silently thinking:
'No matter how dangerous I get... I'm only an accomplice at most.'
...
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