Chapter 1193: I Don't Greed for More, Nor Do I Find It Too Much

I'm not greedy for more, nor do I find it too much.

The cold humor from 【Death】's Chosen didn't make the scene humorous; instead, it chilled the air, and an awkward silence fell.

Cheng Shi looked Zhang Zhang Jizu up and down, his face full of puzzlement, always feeling that something was off about Squinty Zhang today.

But he couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong, so he rolled his eyes and decided to test the waters.

He steered the topic toward Reddikol's history again and again, discussing it with the Long Wang, and midway through, suddenly turned to Zhang Zhang Jizu and asked: "What does the Historical School think about this?"

Zhang Zhang Jizu was stunned for a moment, immediately understood what Cheng Shi meant, and knew the other was overthinking. He felt helpless inside, yet had to prove his identity, so he narrowed his eyes tightly and said:

"Being steady means viewing the development of things with a conservative and cautious attitude, dealing with unknown risks, not being spooked at every moment, seeing threats everywhere—that would only drain one's spirit in vain.

I know what you're thinking, but I'm not Seeing Zhen Xin, let alone Did Zhen Yi."

Cheng Shi wouldn't believe that for a second. Liars never say they're liars; even if they do, it's only to set up a bigger scam. He didn't believe a single word from Squinty Zhang's mouth, but since the other had laid it bare, he went along and said:

"Then say 'hee' and let's see?"

"......"

Zhang Zhang Jizu's face stiffened slightly. He held it in for a long time, veins popping on his neck, but still couldn't squeeze out a single "hee."

Seeing this, Cheng Shi finally believed that the person standing before him was indeed Squinty Zhang.

But he grew even more curious.

"Why are you acting so weird today? Is there something you can't say? Did that lord forbid you from speaking?"

The one who forbade me from speaking isn't 【Death】's patron, but another patron......

But actually, He didn't forbid me from telling the truth either. I only fear that when I reveal everything, He will swap in another 'puppet' to lay out the scheme. If that happens, I'll lose my foreknowledge advantage and no longer be able to 'predict' risks for everyone, plunging the Clown into an unsteady state.

Zhang Zhang Jizu thought this to himself and silently shook his head.

The swindlers present were undoubtedly sharp. When their questioning went nowhere, Cheng Shi and the Long Wang knew that Squinty Zhang's silence must be entangled with the will of those gods.

As for who it was, the relationships between the gods were complicated, and it really couldn't be said for certain.

But Cheng Shi was never one to dwell on things. Once he knew Squinty Zhang had something hard to say, he decisively skipped the topic and told the Long Wang about the Black Long Wang.

He didn't choose to reveal the fall of 【Oblivion】 or the convening of the Gods' Convention, only saying that he happened to encounter that 【Sin of No Desire】 Delahirko, and heard the Long Wang's voice from His mouth.

Li Jing had long since guessed the identity of the Nightmare Shadow from that letter, so Cheng Shi's words came as no surprise. What he was more curious about was how the other could be hiding within the Dream of Others, Nightmare of Self.

Was this a confinement, or a voluntary concealment?

Seeing the Long Wang's solemn expression, Cheng Shi knew the other had no clue either. He thought for a moment, decided to leak a bit more information, and told the two present about the memory junkyard in the Dream of Others, Nightmare of Self. He knew that although this was a passage to meet the Fire of Hope and shouldn't be known by more people, he also knew that to see the Fire of Hope, he had to rely on the Fire of Hope to summon him from outside the Forgetting Dream Mirror.

This depended on the Fire of Hope's choice, so it was still safe.

At this moment, he needed the Long Wang and the Clown, who understood 【Memory】 best, to help him keep an eye on the Black Long Wang's situation, so he selectively shared some of what he had seen and heard in the mirror.

And when Li Jing heard that there was a memory junkyard abandoned by 【Memory】 within the Dream of Others, Nightmare of Self, his pupils contracted sharply, and he exclaimed in astonishment:

"You really did lie to me."

Cheng Shi pouted and said: "Tch, you say that as if you hadn't lied to me either."

Li Jing was stunned by the words and fell silent.

Now it was Cheng Shi's turn for his pupils to contract sharply. His face darkened, and he pointed at the Long Wang's nose and cursed:

"You really did lie to me?

What a fine 【Memory】 believer—did you read through everyone's memories!?

Otherwise, what are you guilty about!

I thought you were kindly reminding me out of goodwill, but turns out you were just feeling guilty, huh? Speak up—what did you see?"

Zhang Zhang Jizu grew curious for a moment too. He looked at the Long Wang, only to see Li Jing exchange a glance with him before looking back at Cheng Shi, and say slowly:

"What do you want me to say?"

"......"

That was a good counter-question. Cheng Shi's brow furrowed slightly. He figured that even if the other had read his memories inside out, he couldn't ask openly with a third person present. So mischief bubbled up inside him, thinking it wouldn't do to be the only one at a loss, and he asked:

"Tell us what we don't know. Hogging it all to yourself is a bit much, but if this 'private feast' has my share in it, I can, as appropriate, keep it confidential for you."

Li Jing smiled and shook his head:

"If you're willing to let me speak about your memories, with the parties' consent, I can naturally share."

But if you want me to talk about others' pasts......

No.

At this moment, if I say even one more word about other people's pasts, it would not only be irresponsible to the people involved, but also a desecration of both your memories.

You have to understand, I can stand before you and talk about Seeing Zhen Xin, just as I can stand before Seeing Zhen Xin and talk about you.

Respect is mutual—that is the prerequisite for engraving friends' memories in one's heart.

"Hah, what a fine 'respect is mutual.' You didn't ask us before recording these memories, recorded them all in one go, and now you're talking about respect.

That doesn't count as respect. Forgetting these memories would be the true respect."

Cheng Shi was pointing and cursing away, when he saw Li Jing produce a tube of Remembrant Mourning from somewhere, smiling as he looked at the two present and said:

"I do indeed have a tendency to argue sophistically, and have reflected on it repeatedly lately.

In the past, when I committed memories to heart, it was mostly through exchange or gathering scattered fragments. But this time, it was a fortunate treasure trove.

Once greed arose, I too couldn't escape the common fault.

I realize this is indeed wrong—at least when it comes to friends, or rather the Clown, it shouldn't be like this.

So I found this. If the two of you truly think I need to forget, I can choose to forget.

Even if this is a desecration of 【Memory】, don't forget, I am also a believer of 【Fraud】, so consider it fulfilling another devotion.

In this world, it's rare to have one or two fellow travelers. Being able to walk side by side right now is already the best memory for me.

I'm not greedy for more, nor do I find it too much, so it's up to you."

"......"

The instant he saw that pipe of remembrance and mourning, Cheng Shi nearly blurted out: "Did you catch the Fire too?"

But fortunately he held back, and after a long silence, asked:

"How much did you see?"

Li Li Jingming lowered his eyes slightly: "A lot."

"Did you see him?"

Li Li Jingming was stunned for a moment, first glancing at Zhang Zhang Jizu beside him, then nodding: "Mm, he was a great father."

"How great? Greater than your master?"

"..." Li Li Jingming's eyelid twitched, his mouth opened and closed, unsure how to respond.

Cheng Shi snorted a laugh, shook his head, and said:

"Forget it, let's leave it at that. Someone has to remember his goodness for me.

If this increasingly terrifying world really drives me mad, at least... there's still one person who can tell me he didn't want me to become that way."

As Cheng Shi's tone grew heavier, the gathering place gradually fell silent.

Just as the other two thought Cheng Shi was sinking into the quagmire of memory and beginning to struggle free, the little clown unexpectedly shifted his tone again, his eyes darting about, looking shrewd as he said:

"But following the principle of equivalent exchange, Long Wang, you've kept so many of my memories—shouldn't you share a few things I don't know with me?

Why was Delahierko in My Dream, My Nightmare?

Whose arrangement is this, some god's, or is it a secret 【Memory】 is hoarding?

What's the relationship between 【Memory】 and 【Fallen】, and what is 【Fallen】 plotting?

Is what He's plotting connected to that lofty Creator?

What, judging by your expression, you don't know any of it either?

Tch, and you call yourself a 【Memory】 believer?

If you really don't know any of it, then how about... something practical instead.

Any props left? I'm greedy, and I never think I have enough."

"..."