619. Squinty Old Zhang, Don't Force Me to Badmouth You While I'm Having Such a Good Time
Yes, there really is!
When Zhang Jizu led Cheng Shi to a stone tablet inscribed with the words "Deception," Cheng Shi was completely stunned.
"Old Zhang, you...you can't be so unafraid of being condemned to death for blasphemy just because you're under the protection of that the Great One."
Isn't that putting the cart before the horse?
Are you meticulous in the smallest details, yet recklessly court disaster in the grand scheme of things?
Your ability to whisper secrets behind people's backs far surpasses some people's ability to blaspheme to their faces.
Zhang Jizu smiled, not bothering to investigate who the person Cheng Shi was referring to as the one who had openly blasphemed to the gods was. Instead, he led the man towards the Cemetery security office, saying as they walked:
"This is a lesson I've recently come to understand."
"?" Cheng Shi looked at him in confusion. "What's the reasoning behind that?"
The principle of Deception is that sometimes, telling only half the truth can also be considered a lie.
For example, those sixteen tombstones inscribed with the Divine Name were not prepared for them, but for their Chosen of God.
I just didn't have time to finish carving the words, so you're seeing some unfinished parts.
But you've misunderstood. I think this is what you call Deception.
"..."
Oh no, the honest man is up to no good.
Cheng Shi looked at Zhang Jizu with complicated emotions, and after a long pause, he finally managed to squeeze out a sentence: "I still think that honest, squinty-eyed guy is more pleasing to the eye."
Zhang Jizu squinted and smiled happily, "Don't forget that you led me down this path. I'm just making the best use of what I have, not wanting my Faith to be tarnished. But you, my friend, you are the real liar."
"Sigh, my friends are starting to get their brains out. It's not a good feeling, but I like hearing that. I'll take it as a compliment."
"... Did you come all this way just to hear this praise? Or are you testing the Magic Formation for me for free?"
"Can you turn back into your old squinty-eyed self?"
"I can put you back in your original position."
"..."
As the two talked, they arrived at the place where Zhang Jizu lived. Compared to the grand and magnificent Cemetery, this place seemed much simpler, but even so, it was much better than the rooftop exposed to the wind and sun.
Zhang Jizu did not push open the door and enter the house. Instead, he leaped onto the roof and placed Cheng Shi on the ridge. He then spoke again, "Tell me, what do you need my help with?"
Cheng Shi laughed, "Are you so sure I'm here to ask for your help?"
"Yes, otherwise I can't think of a reason why you would come in person instead of calling."
And your behavior tonight was a bit too proper. I know that the shape of a skull alone cannot stop your fancy ideas. The fact that you didn't play tricks on me means that you have something to ask of me.
"Go ahead and tell me. As long as the risk isn't too high, I can consider it."
Cheng Shi bounced around a couple of times, then said meaningfully, "What if the risk is too high?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jizu frowned slightly, his eyes narrowing into slits. "Is it... related to them?"
Listen to this!
Only problems related to them are considered high-risk for Squinty Old Zhang!
As for those ordinary Trials... ha, they're just question banks Chosen of God to test his steadiness.
Cheng Shi smiled and went straight to the point without beating around the bush, "It's not really 'them,' it's just 'He,' and it's related to 'He.'"
"Who?" Zhang Jizu opened his eyes slightly, clearly showing some interest.
"[Fool's Game], the Emissary of [Deception], a [Nothingness] Subgod."
Fool's Game?
Zhang Jizu searched through his Memory and found that he had never heard of anything about this [Deception] Emissary. He looked at Cheng Shi with slight surprise and asked, "[Deception] has Emissary?"
"What are you saying? What, are you prejudiced against God of Merriment?"
"..." Zhang Jizu was speechless.
"He certainly has Emissary, and this Emissary is very interesting. It was He who inspired me and led me to develop another personality."
"!!!" Zhang Jizu suddenly opened his eyes, staring intently at Cheng Shi, and exclaimed in shock, "You've seen Him before."
"Of course, I've not only seen Him, I've also been tricked by Him."
As he spoke, Cheng Shi repeated this explanation to the squinty-eyed man. At this point, his plan to conceal his identity was completely closed. Everyone who knew about his dual Faith background had been trapped in the same information fence. Now, even if someone later exposed his Faith issues, those in the know would smile knowingly at the untrue rumors and silently convince themselves with the known "truth".
Of course, there was another person who knew Cheng Shi's identity but was not included in Cheng Shi's calculations, and that person was Zhen Xin.
However, based on his current understanding of Zhen Xin, she seems to be a steady and cooperative con artist who generally doesn't talk much. But her sister...
It's no use talking out of turn; who believes a liar's words?
After settling his identity issue, Cheng Shi recounted everything Li Jingming had told him, and expressed his hope that Squinty Old Zhang would accompany him to Sandlais. In return, he would offer Lao Zhang the same assistance.
After listening, Zhang Jizu's eyes narrowed into slits. He pondered for a long time before suddenly asking, "You mean, Li Jingming agreed to join the Clown?"
"?"
Cheng Shi was taken aback, thinking to himself, "Old Zhang, it's one thing if you don't care about Sandlais and the Fool's Game, but why are you concerned about the Clown and Li Jingming?"
"Yes, the information about the Dragon King is invaluable. Bringing him in is definitely the right thing to do. Besides, I have a good eye for people. After getting to know him, I found that he is far more reliable than the rumors suggest."
But you have to be careful, after all, he is Believer in Deception just like you, and these scammers are never honest!
You're one of the Clown, so naturally I had to inform you.
"Elder... So, you can become an elder just by hearing the name of an organization and then waiting a couple of days?"
Cheng Shi's face darkened. "... Squinty Old Zhang, don't force me to cricket you when I'm so happy."
Zhang Jizu shook his head and chuckled:
"Okay, I have no problem with that, but in Cheng Shi, I have to ask you, what is the point of you creating this so-called Clown?"
You're not trying to drag me into this scam so you can take the blame, are you?
?
Cheng Shi's face fell.
How could you think of me like that?
Even if I did think that way at one point, you can't think of me like that!
What happened to our friendship? If you can't even take the blame for your friends, what kind of friendship is that?
He bounced around on the rooftop twice, staring intently at the squinty-eyed man with his empty eye sockets, and said:
"Old Zhang, I need to have a serious talk with you about this. Why are you living such a steady life?"
"Guarding the tomb."
"...?" Cheng Shi laughed in exasperation. "Stop with that fake piety. That the Great One isn't watching here. I'm here to open my heart to you, can't you be honest and sincere for once?"
Zhang Jizu curled the corners of his mouth, squinted his eyes, and nodded, saying, "Okay, I'm sincere."
"So what is it for?"
"Guarding the tomb."
"..."
"Don't rush me, I'm serious."
I don't think everyone is born with a purpose. I've never known the meaning of life; I just don't want to die.
This world is wonderful; there are so many things I haven't seen, and once I die, I'll never see them again.
Cheng Shi felt something was off about what he was saying, and he looked at the squinty-eyed man with some confusion:
"But I don't think you're one of those people who are crazy about exploring the unknown in the Trials."
Exploration and stability have always been antonyms.
Isn't this contradictory?
"It's not contradictory. We should see as much as we can. The outside world is risky. Compared to seeing more, surviving is the most important thing."
"If you live long enough, you'll naturally see more."
"..."
You know what, that actually makes a lot of sense...
Now Cheng Shi Cheng Shi understood. Squinty Old Zhang was a simple person; his purpose in living was simply to live.
Tsk, how interesting. A person who simply wanted to live became the Chosen of God of death.
This absurd scene could probably only happen in an era Dominion Nothingness.