"The sheep all died, and the boy never lied again," Debra said. "Are youparing yourself to the boy?"


    Andrew sensed her lingering frustration but remained calm. "This story is meant to teach children not to lie, but I want to show you how to deceive the enemy."


    Debra''s brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"


    "When a person lies too often, it bes impossible for others to discern the truth," Andrew exined. "Take my supposed weakness, for example. You never know when I might die. The first time I fell seriously ill, you believed me. But it was all a show. The second time, you were suspicious. After observing me, you concluded I was acting again, only to find out it was anotheryer of deception. By the third time, I yed a smaller trick to convince you I was truly on the brink of death. You trusted me once more, only to discover I was orchestrating something far greater. Each time, you couldn''t fully grasp my intentions. This blend of truth and lies will confuse your enemies."


    Debra recalled the three times he had feigned grave illness. She realized, with a sinking feeling, that he had anticipated her every move and every thought.


    Andrew, seeing the understanding dawn on her face, continued, "So, if I fall ill again, will you believe it or not?"


    "How could anyone be fooled three times and not learn?" Debra blurted. "Of course, I''d say it''s a..."


    She paused mid-sentence as the realization struck her. Andrew had just recounted the tale of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, and within moments, his question had


    ensnared her. She had be like the vigers in the story, falling for his ruse yet again.


    Andrew nodded. "Exactly. When I''m truly on the verge of death, the enemy will think the same way


    Your


    task will be to convince them m merely acting. That''s called @mind game."


    Debra was shocked that he had nned so far ahead. This trick of faking illness was not meant to fool her, but those behind the scene.


    It was indeed a mind game. By this logic, no one would be able to discern the truth when he was ill for the fourth or fifth time.


    Andrew continued, "I may not be the


    most capable, but I hold some standing in Seamar City. Those behind the scenes are wary of me. If the dayes when I''m truly on my deathbed, you must remember my words. You''ll need to deceive them and make them believe I''m not ill."


    He looked up at her and added, "Remember, as long as I am still around, they won''t dare act recklessly. They won''t be able to shake the Four Great Families in the slightest."