Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

"Fools?"

The moment Famas finished speaking, Zhiyi's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, then he forced himself to calm down, as if he had only been momentarily blinded by the shadow of the cave.

But that subtle fluctuation was enough to reveal the shock in his heart.

Zhiyi knew that FAMAS would investigate him, and he was also aware that the other party had a flaw in his plan.

But the other party was fully aware of his relationship with the Fools, a relationship that should never be exposed.

If the relationship between Zhiyi and the foolish crowd were exposed, it would involve more than just a matter of moral stain.

Before this, if his plot to poison Tian Shu had been exposed, it would have been at most a scandal of power struggles within Liyue, and he would have been nailed to the pillar of shame as an ambitious schemer and a master-killer.

However, once the Fools are involved, the nature of the situation undergoes a dramatic change.

The change of power on Tian Shu Star was no longer an internal strife, but a complete betrayal of the country, irrefutable proof that the Winter Kingdom had seized power in Liyue.

He knew that Yi would be undeniably labeled a spy who colluded with foreign enemies, his name forever etched in the annals of Liyue as a traitor, forever infamous.

Although his current behavior doesn't make him a good person.

Imagine the difference between "a talented but poor man overpowers all others to ascend to the position of Tian Shu Star" and "a group of foolish spies poison Tian Shu Star and usurp power." These two stories describe the same event, but the difference between them is enough to crush Zhi Yi to pieces.

He knows that Yi is bad, but he is by no means stupid.

He never intended to expose his connection with the Fools. In fact, he had already planned that once he secured his position on the Celestial Pivot Star, he would immediately eliminate the Fools' liaison officer who held leverage over him and completely erase all traces of him.

But now, the very support and secret that Zhiyi regarded as his reliance has been so casually revealed by Famas.

The young man immediately tensed up, but the instincts he had developed over the years of struggling at the bottom of society instantly overwhelmed his panic.

He forced his voice to steady itself, his face quickly contorting with surprise and indignation. His voice suddenly rose, carrying a chilling air of being offended:

"Lord Famas, watch your words!"

Zhiyi's gaze was intense, as if he had been greatly insulted.

"No matter where you get your absurd information from, I act with integrity and would never cooperate with the Fools. Please do not mention such slander again."

Zhiyi spoke with unwavering conviction and righteous indignation, as if he had been unjustly wronged.

But upon hearing this, Famas merely let out a short, mocking laugh, his laughter filled with undisguised contempt.

He certainly understood why Zhiyi was so stubborn and wouldn't budge.

He was simply afraid that if he exposed this secret, he would be condemned to death for treason, a crime that would burn Zhiyi to ashes.

FAMAS's voice deepened, tinged with annoyance at not wanting to look any longer, his gaze fixed on Zhiyi's forced composure.

"That's enough, Zhiyi."

"Just fool yourself, don't fool your buddies too."

The boy ruthlessly exposed the truth.

No matter how obvious Famas's contempt was, Zhiyi still insisted that he had nothing to do with the Fools, his voice tense, like a trapped beast forced to the edge of a cliff, knowingly forcing its way to its doom.

Famas stared at him for a moment, a barely perceptible smile curving his lips, as if he had finally grown tired of the futile denial.

At this moment, Zhiyi stopped dwelling on FAMAS's accusations and instead shifted the topic to the core of the cooperation: the conditions, time limits, each party's contribution, and the cost of betrayal.

His voice was flat, and he left no room for negotiation. But Famas didn't seem interested in the details, and the two reached only a simple verbal agreement.

Zhiyi's voice flowed continuously in the secluded cave, clearly and logically stating his needs and plans.

Famas remained calm and composed, mostly responding with only a barely perceptible nod. Even when Zhiyi made some rather tricky requests, the boy would agree without batting an eye.

At this moment, FAMAS is like an angel investor who only cares about returns and not about the means, generously pouring his capital into Zhiyi.

Zhiyi precisely accepted every investment, regarding it as an indispensable stepping stone to his goal. Even if that stepping stone was suspended above an abyss, he was already prepared to climb it over corpses.

After the conversation ended, the cave gradually became deathly silent, with only the sound of their intertwined breathing clearly audible.

Famas's gaze swept over Zhiyi's slightly tense jawline, discerning the wariness beneath the other's facade.

"rest assured."

The boy's voice broke the silence, carrying an air of complete control as his fingertips casually traced the cold stone surface.

"My promise will always stand. If you are in dire straits, just call my name and I will come to you."

This casual promise is like an invisible rope, one end a lifebuoy, the other already quietly tied around Zhiyi's neck.

Famas leaned forward slightly, shadows falling over his half-smiling face.

"As for now, I wish you all the best in achieving your plans."

After speaking, the boy seemed to suddenly remember something and added:

"Oh, if it's something that really can't be solved, call me by my full name, 'Halpass,' I hear it more clearly."

As soon as he finished speaking, Famas stood up, and Zhiyi followed suit.

The boy simply waved to Zhiyi, his figure disappearing like a ghost into the distorted light and shadow at the cave entrance.

Zhiyi remained standing tall, the expression of weakness on his face vanishing instantly, leaving only a cold, hard look like a deep pool.

Famas's blessing and the promise that followed his voice struck his heart heavily, but they did not warm his heart at all. Instead, they were like a boulder thrown into deep water, stirring up even more intense calculations and a ruthless determination to gamble everything.

Zhiyi slowly moved his knuckles, a slight cracking sound rang out between his finger bones, and a barely perceptible glint of cold light flashed in his eyes.

The name Halpas, along with Famas's words, pierced his eardrums like a cold needle.

Zhiyi frowned, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing against his palm.

Compared to the mocking title "Ten-in-Nine Gold True Lord," Zhiyi was more convinced that Halpas was the real name the other party was trying to hide.

However, the name itself is just a vague clue. Based on this name alone, Zhiyi cannot piece together the other party's complete background.

He needs more reliable sources of intelligence.

The thought flashed through his mind like lightning, and a glint of light appeared in Zhiyi's eyes.

Uncle Tian clearly knew Famas, and as Uncle Tian's carefully cultivated student, Zhiyi was fully capable of subtly inquiring about Famas's background from Tian Shu Xing.

Moreover, he had only parted ways with Uncle Tian not long ago, and now he should have gone back to continue playing the role of a humble and eager-to-learn disciple. The timing was perfect and would not arouse suspicion.

Once the plan was finalized, Zhiyi no longer hesitated.

He cast a final, deep gaze toward the dimly lit fork in the stone hall where Famas's figure had disappeared, then turned sharply and swiftly stepped into the deep passage on the other side of the hall, his figure quickly swallowed by the shadows. (End of Chapter)