Gambling, Sure, But What Can You Win?

Bet?

No wonder he's Believer in "Destiny," he's got a real gambling streak.

Perhaps it was because He saw this side of Cheng Shi that He cast the Dice that would open the path to Faith for his alternate personality.

Zhang Jizu narrowed his eyes to slits. He turned his head to look around, then looked at Afros at his feet, and nodded slightly.

"I don't reject gambling, but generally speaking, the reward for winning a bet should at least be worth the Chip you put up."

As you know, I am here on the behalf of that the Great One and your Lord of Grace, to save you.

Therefore, I am more inclined not to take this risk.

But you... well, you're an interesting friend.

I don't have many friends, but I'm not afraid to take risks for the sake of having interesting friends.

"Tell me, Cheng Shi, before the child in Afros's womb dies, tell me about your bet, and most importantly, what can we win in this bet?"

His squinting eyes spoke with unwavering sincerity, so sincere that even without Master of Deception Cheng Shi, he knew he was telling the truth.

I've made quite a few new friends lately. Since they've started opening up to each other, as Believer of "Deception," wouldn't it be a disservice to the God of Merriment if I didn't continue this heart-to-heart talk?

So Cheng Shi began his deceptive tactics.

Whenever the word "gambling" comes up, his ability to deceive people skyrockets.

But his first target wasn't Old Zhang, but Scorpio standing to the side.

He planned to first trick this underling, who wasn't very good at protecting himself, into leaving.

He pulled out a Dice, stuffed it into Scorpio's pocket, and then said:

"I'm already very happy that you followed me here, but what's coming next is a bit dangerous. To be honest, I'm not sure I can protect you, so brother, you should go and find an An Jing corner to survive until you clear the game."

Trust me, we will win.

Moreover, Destiny told me that this wasn't our final farewell, and that we would have the chance to meet again in the future.

Scorpio's expression was complicated upon hearing this. The powerful figures he used to fawn over treated him like dirt, so it was extremely rare to find someone like Cheng Shi who still cared about his feelings.

He glanced at Cheng Shi's serious expression, neither accepting nor refusing, but suddenly asked a question that left Cheng Shi baffled:

"Brother Cheng, you... do you really Baldy Uses Pantene?"

"Really?" Cheng Shi was taken aback, then smiled sincerely, "I'm not bragging, but I'm the number one Druid in the world, so carrying you is no problem."

Zhang Jizu chuckled upon hearing this and said to Scorpio, "I suggest you stay away from him."

The squinty-eyed man's words were full of sarcasm, and anyone could taste the meaning in them, but the little Assassin was caught up in his own emotions and thought that Zhang Jizu was helping Cheng Shi persuade him.

Those two... are really nice.

Do the adventurous things yourself, and share the rewards of the Trials.

Not to mention high-ranking players, where else in the entire game can you find someone like that?

Scorpio hesitated for a long time with a complicated expression, then nodded heavily.

"I found a way out on the way here, Brother Cheng. I'm hiding nearby. If you need any help, just shout for me. I'm sure I can hear you."

Without waiting for Cheng Shi's refusal, he disappeared into the shadows.

Cheng Shi laughed heartily as he watched the little Assassin leave.

Zhang Jizu raised an eyebrow and said, "What, are you interested in [time]?"

"[Time]?

No, no, I just thought of something fun.

"What fun things are there?"

"Bald guy... never mind, I'll talk to you after this is over."

Zhang Jizu's hands didn't stop moving, but with a slight shift in his eyes, he guessed what was going on, and thought to himself with a smile:

It turns out that Zhen Yi's "boyfriend" is actually related to Hong Lin?

Interesting, how could she have fallen for him?

After seeing Scorpio off, Cheng Shi changed his mood and began the next round of deception.

He had to answer Zhang Jizu's question: What could the two of them win from this gamble?

He smiled at Zhang Jizu, whose eyes were narrowed, and while carefully choosing his words, suddenly said:

"What I can win is naturally the bets that please myself. You should have noticed that I really enjoy gambling, and that's why that person is willing to protect my second personality."

Therefore, as long as you are willing to join in and help me complete this gamble, I have already gained 'benefits' regardless of whether I win or lose.

As for you... Old Zhang, since you still remember your mission, you should understand that your mission is not yet complete.

"?"

Zhang Jizu narrowed his eyes and frowned, saying:

"Yes, there's still half a day left before the Trials ends. If you really want to save this child, there might indeed be unforeseen risks."

But if you calculate it that way, I think not gambling on this round would be more beneficial for me, because without gambling there's no risk, and I could simply take you with me and wait until the Trials ends.

Cheng Shi listened and shook his head vigorously:

No, no, no, you're wrong.

You said you came here by praying to the God of Merriment, so I'd like to ask, what was the request He gave you through that the Great One?

Zhang Jizu pondered for a moment and remembered the Great One's exact words.

"To do everything possible to save the life of one of His Believer during the Trials."

He repeated the sentence to Cheng Shi, Cheng Shi grinned upon hearing it. Zhang Jizu was slightly puzzled, as he had indeed not followed Cheng Shi's train of thought.

What's wrong?

"Question?

There's nothing wrong with anything; it's your understanding that's flawed.

"Old Zhang, why do you think God of Merriment is protecting me?"

It has to be said that this question really hit Zhang Jizu's nail on the head. Despite witnessing Cheng Shi's many lies along the way, he still couldn't understand what the purpose of his mission was.

To be honest, before meeting Cheng Shi, he never thought that there would be someone among the Peak Player who was just as steady as him.

To be honest, given Cheng Shi's cowardly nature, he'll probably have a hard time dying as long as he doesn't do anything reckless.

But he also noticed that Cheng Shi loved to do the dangerous things, and when his gambling instincts kicked in, the glint in his eyes seemed to want to turn into a rope and tie him to the pirate ship.

But if that's all there is to it, then [Deception] doesn't seem to need to use the mouth of its own Lord of Grace to command itself. Even if they made a deal, how could the True God's instructions be just a deal? There must be some unknown deeper meaning hidden in it, but Zhang Jizu really didn't see this deeper meaning.

Cheng Shi was secretly delighted to see Zhang Jizu begin to show doubt; this was exactly the kind of doubt he had been waiting for.

"You don't understand, that's why I said you've misunderstood."

You know, I'm Believer in Him, I know Him too well.

Deception is a collection of lies Cosmos. There is never any truth in His oracles, let alone any way to ask you to do something through that the Great One.

If He really did this, then in my opinion, His target wasn't me, but... you!

"Me?" Zhang Jizu narrowed his eyes, closing them completely into a straight line.

Cheng Shi looked at Gao Ya's face with a strange expression, feeling that it wasn't his eyes that should be closed, but rather his pair of huge nostrils.

"Yes, it's you."

The thoughts of the True God are unfathomable. Even as His Believer, I cannot guess what He is thinking, but I feel that He seems to have taken a liking to you.

It's the same old topic again. You know they are promoting the Faith Fusion, and you've probably guessed that [Deception] and [death] are closely related.

That the Great One once intended to favor me, but I was ungrateful at the time and developed a troublesome alternate personality and obtained the Dice of Destiny, so I missed this opportunity.

But how could their efforts to Faith Fusion possibly be interrupted? So, think about it...

Could this be the person they've chosen?

Zhang Jizu frowned, sensing that Cheng Shi's words had a hidden meaning.

So, the offer you threw away was inherited by me, right?

But undeniably, what Cheng Shi said... has a point.

He himself had this suspicion as well.

But the problem is, Zhang Jizu doesn't think he has any talent for Deception, so why did He choose him?

Cheng Shi also noticed Zhang Jizu's doubts. After a moment's thought, he... filled in the logical loophole.

"Because you don't lie."

"?"

"Ha, do you find it absurd?"

Absurdity is key; otherwise, it wouldn't be God of Merriment.

Imagine what everyone would think of you when they know your second Faith has embraced Deception.

When I'm facing you, and when I'm thinking about what you've said, how will I react?

Even if you tell the truth, under the halo of "Deception," your teammates and opponents will probably scrutinize your words three times over.

Lies can deceive, but so can the truth. Who would have thought that a Gravekeeper who doesn't lie would lead everyone into a ditch... no, into the cemetery?

Ha, I guess that's His real purpose!

Sorry, Old Zhang, this might be a bit hurtful, but I think He probably doesn't value you as a person, but rather the amusement that comes from your Deception nature!

"Fun..."

This explanation is too outrageous, too nonsensical, and too unserious.

But Zhang Jizu had a vague feeling that this... made sense?

He carefully considered Cheng Shi's explanation, then squinted and asked:

"Go on, I'm listening. Why do you say my mission is not yet complete?"

Cheng Shi got excited talking to himself, his eyes gleaming as he spoke with great enthusiasm and confidence:

"When you look at the Trials that God of Merriment gave you from this perspective, you should know that you have not fulfilled His mandate."

Because you didn't save me!

This seemed like a pointless statement, but Zhang Jizu knew that Cheng Shi would not waste any time, so he tried to understand what Cheng Shi was saying from the perspective of "fun" and "absurdity." However, his eyes suddenly opened wide after only a few seconds.

He suddenly realized that the requirements of "Deception" shouldn't be understood according to common sense, but rather...

Nitpicking!

Seeing his expression, Cheng Shi knew he had figured it out, so he laughed heartily:

"Do you understand?"

The key to His task of having you protect me is not 'me,' but 'protect'!

Since I haven't encountered any danger, how can you protect me?

So, He probably anticipated this scene long ago, and His attitude was... let you gamble with me!

In this gamble where lives are at stake, save me!

Think about it, Old Zhang. In these past few days of Trials, you haven't yet managed to 'protect' yourself.

The Death Substitute Doll was meant to protect me, but it was used on Mo Shu instead.

"..."

"He has indeed chosen you, well, you can think that way, but He has still given you some tests, and this Trials is at least one of them."

It doesn't matter if you don't lie or don't often lie. As long as you solve the riddles He wrote down, it means you have the intention to get closer to Him.

So, Old Zhang, whether or not you take this gamble is not up to me; it's a choice He's giving you.

Embrace Deception, or seek something else?

Now, it's your turn to make a choice.

"..."