Foolish Game of the Chapter 1284: How to Deceive Deceit?

"You want to play the clown?"

Big Cat was stunned. She finally stopped in her tracks.

Her relationship with Zhen Xin was decent, and she got along well with An Mingyu too. But neither bond was forged in fire like hers with Cheng Shi. And asking an ordinary friend to trade her life for a close companion's...

Hong Lin couldn't do it.

Any player to whom Hong Lin gave the ti of day had earned her regard, and her will was to shelter all her friends. When alternatives still existed, she couldn't accept using a friend as a bargaining chip.

And that "alternative" was simple: she was still alive!

As long as she drew breath, she was willing to "front" her own life first.

Besides, would a mortal's performance even work against Deceit?

Every talent the magician possessed was a gift from Deceit. How could she possibly fool the god whose very na was "the lie of the universe"?

Zhen Xin offered no explanation. Beside them, the puppet spoke thoughtfully:

"So your real target is Fate.

But have you considered—since Deceit has already revealed everything to the clown, He's most likely imprisoned Fate sowhere you can't reach? Otherwise, He'd never have used such a 'gentle' thod to show His hand.

It seems that great battle in Void was real after all. Deceit won—and in doing so, created the conditions for this trial's revelation."

The puppet slowly turned toward Zhen Xin. "You want to find Fate. But I don't think that road will be easy."

Zhen Xin pressed her lips together. After a long silence: "That's why I ca to you."

"?"

Wei Mu hadn't expected to be put on the spot at this juncture. His eyes rotated chanically a few tis before he shook his head:

"There's no thread of evidence that could lead

to Fate's location. I can't find Him."

Hu Wei's face darkened. Zhen Xin's brow furrowed. Big Cat turned to leave—but then Wei Mu added:

"But just because I don't know doesn't an He doesn't."

"Who?"

The puppet tilted his head slightly:

"My Lord, Folly.

Though He holds no authority, it's undeniable that He remains a sage of extraordinary perception—and of course, a fool that the universe can hardly rival.

He certainly knows where Fate is. But He may not tell you.

I can send you to see Him. Can you extract an answer from His lips?

That's the extent of what I can do."

"..."

Honestly, Zhen Xin had no confidence. But she had to try.

Just as she was about to reply, Hong Lin seized her arm and said firmly:

"Even if you find Fate, how do you deceive Deceit?

He can't possibly fail to see through your disguise. Even if Fate helps conceal you and agrees to use you as a substitute for Cheng Shi, would Deceit actually fall for it?

He's a god! He could simply take both of you, then sort you out in another world where Fate's power no longer applies.

When that happens, what awaits you won't be a happy ending.

Zhen Xin, you..."

Zhen Xin turned and looked at Hong Lin, understanding the concern. But if Big Cat could bet her life for a friend, so could she.

She smiled:

"You've got it wrong, Hong Lin. I don't want to impersonate Cheng Shi. I want to beco that clown.

Cheng Shi made it this far very likely because, back then, Zhen Yi chose Deceit and didn't embrace Fate.

I'm going to find Fate not so He can disguise

as Cheng Shi—but to ask Him to bestow a second faith upon Zhen Yi.

I want Zhen Yi to fuse with Fate and beco the world's second key.

That way, I'd have the qualification to leave in his place—and perhaps beco Deceit's new choice."

"!!!"

At these words, Hong Lin understood completely.

Zhen Xin wasn't just trying to save the world. She was asking to die!

Her inner self was apparently not as sunny as she normally appeared. She might even harbor a strand of despair toward this world—otherwise, she wouldn't want to leave.

Because if her plan worked, becoming the second key ant she could just as well stay in this world and save it. From the standpoint of protecting the world and protecting An Mingyu, there was absolutely no need to volunteer as Cheng Shi's replacent.

Yet she still insisted on keeping Cheng Shi behind.

Why?

Only because she'd long since made up her mind to die.

Hong Lin's expression softened with emotion. She was about to say more when Zhen Xin gently pressed a fingertip to her lips.

"There aren't that many 'whys.' He wants to stay. I want to go. That's enough.

At least my departure would earn a nice reputation. Ha—Zhen Yi has caused everyone so much trouble. There has to be compensation.

And as her elder sister, I'm duty-bound."

She patted Hong Lin's shoulder, then turned a smile toward Wei Mu:

"Let's go. Take

to Folly.

Let

see how this universe's greatest sage evaluates my foolish act."

Wei Mu considered for a mont, nodded, tore open a rift, and took Zhen Xin away from the starfield where no gods watched.

They traveled swiftly. Under the puppet's sure-footed guidance, they arrived at an unfamiliar stretch of Void.

Wei Mu handed Zhen Xin a small wooden bell and instructed:

"Shake it. He'll co to grant you an audience."

"?" Zhen Xin blinked. "This is how you seek an audience with a god?"

Since the audience was imminent, she held her tongue for diplomacy's sake. What she actually wanted to say was: 'This isn't waiting for a divine summons—how is this different from calling a dog?'

But then she rembered that Hu Wei had used the exact sa thod to summon Wei Mu...

'All one could say was—Folly's tradition was consistent throughout.'

Wei Mu seed to read her thoughts. He gave a chanical smile: "It's not about the thod. It's simply transmitting information.

If you don't like bells, I have other options.

He wanders here regularly. He'll sense your intent and co to scorn your foolish act.

So shake away. He won't mind you treating Him like a dog—because that, too, is a foolish act."

"..." Zhen Xin's expression was odd. "And you? Not coming with ?"

The puppet smiled. "No. I'm afraid I won't be able to resist mocking Him.

On a normal day it wouldn't matter, but today you need a favor from Him. I won't be a nuisance."

With that, the puppet swiftly departed.

Zhen Xin was left standing alone in the Void, staring at the wooden bell, speechless for a long while.

She thought about many things. She cald herself. Then she shook it.

Monts later, a pair of eyes—painted in chaotic white miasma—opened before her, gazing down at the clearly supplicant Deceit collection who stood with a hint of deference. A mocking snort:

"Do you think your foolish act has an answer?"

Zhen Xin pressed her lips together. As if making so final decision, she shed her deferential posture. She raised her head, blazing gaze eting Those divine eyes, and laughed aloud:

"No.

Mortals are only fit for foolish acts. Where would an answer co from?

But...

Great God of Folly—You who stand as the universe's supre sage—can You give my foolish act an answer?"

"..."

Those white-miasma eyes fell silent. After a long pause, He snorted again.

"Worthy of being Deceit's first collection. You enjoy that nauseating petty cleverness just like your benefactor.

Still, I'm happy to witness His foolish act.

Go. The one you seek has been trapped in that twisted River of Existence."

The eyes blinked and vanished, leaving behind a Void rift before Zhen Xin—one that opened straight into the Mockery and Jeering.

...