With little time left in the trial, Cheng Shi had nothing else to say to Squinty Old Zhang after experiencing that transmission of calamity.
Just one identity as a Foolish Play had made Squinty Old Zhang so wary. If he told him the truth about obtaining the vessel, perhaps in the other man's eyes, he would be replaced by Foolish Play...
Cheng Shi felt a jumble of emotions. He was grateful for his friend's concern, yet he also wondered when these endless lies of his would finally come to an end.
But what if they never did? To keep his friend from feeling "deceived," all he could do was continue forward with his head down, piling lie upon lie to build sincerity.
Just like Zhen Xin. If one day the lies I spun deceived the whole world—even deceived myself—would they still be lies?
No. They wouldn't. They would be the true feelings of me, Cheng Shi.
In that strange atmosphere, Cheng Shi bade Zhang Jizu farewell. He was deeply grateful for Squinty Old Zhang's help in Sandlais and stated plainly that his promise still stood. Whenever Zhang Jizu needed him, he could come to Cheng Shi directly for help. He even said that rallying the entire Clown to lend a hand wasn't impossible, since the Clown's identity had already been exposed.
Zhang Jizu merely smiled at that, then raised a hand and pointed toward somewhere outside the theater.
He hadn't forgotten that there was still another teammate in this trial. Moreover, God of Merriment had specially bestowed that teammate a "guidance."
"In my view, before any secrets are made public, that cautious Battle Marshal is probably still in the Place of Piety. So Deception's homework...
Are you going, or am I?"
Cheng Shi checked the time and smiled.
"I'll go.