Before the Faith Ga descended.
The real world — an unknown city and province.
Winter had co. That year's cold was especially bitter; snow piled layer upon layer.
A pristine field of white was every child's playground — and one child's nightmare.
The little princess who lived in the hillside villa had gotten frostbite on her face from playing in the snow. As punishnt, today she had to stand outside for two extra hours.
That way, when her father and mother went visiting tomorrow, they'd have more to bond over with that family.
The shivering girl could already imagine the lines they would use at tomorrow's dinner table:
"Children just love snow. Look — our Xin Xin is the sa way. She played until midnight last night before coming ho. Even got frostbite on her face. Funny coincidence though — it's almost the exact sa spot as your little girl."
"That's what progress looks like. We move closer to the leadership, and Xin Xin moves closer to their daughter!"
And then joy would fill the dinner table. Including the girl herself.
Because she knew: if she didn't smile there, the ti spent standing outside would double.
But she didn't like snow at all.
'It's so cold.'
'So tired and so cold.'
'If only I could sleep for a bit. Just a little nap. They won't notice. Just a little...'
"Don't sleep!"
Soone shouted — she didn't know who. But the drowning wave of exhaustion won. She toppled sideways into the snow with a soft thud.
The adults inside heard the noise and pushed the door open. Seeing the girl crumpled on the ground, their first reaction wasn't to bring her indoors. It was a frown and a scold:
"Don't you slack off. Get up! Other children play in the snow for two hours and they're full of energy. You've only been standing for one hour, and you want to rest?
Honestly think you're a princess?
Stand up. Did you hear !"
The girl on the ground didn't stir. At last, the adults panicked. They fumbled her inside, bundled her in blankets. The woman checked her breath, eyes darkening: "Let's take her to the hospital. She can't die yet."
The man's expression tightened: "No. If they find out Xin Xin's frail and ended up in the hospital from the cold, she won't be able to play with their daughter anymore. Wrap another blanket around her. Cancel tomorrow's visit. Let's see how she does after a day."
"But what if—"
"No 'what if.' She's not dead, is she."
"Fair enough. Let's leave it at that."
'Fair enough.'
'Let's leave it at that.'
A day passed. The girl slowly ca to. She lay in bed. Her eyes opened, and she looked at the two frowning adults at her bedside. She was no longer silent and wooden as before. Instead, she suddenly broke into a radiant smile and chirped:
"Thank you, Mommy and Daddy, for saving ! I'll be an even better girl from now on."
The man and woman were stunned. As practiced liars, they didn't initially believe a child could change so drastically. But the more they observed, the more they realized the girl had matured overnight.
The woman was quite pleased: "I knew my eye for people was sharp. Even back at the orphanage, I could tell this girl was like us."
The man was even more satisfied: "See? I was right. The hardship in the snow made her grow. Good. We're one step closer to success."
Her newfound "good behavior" earned the girl more freedom. Her personality grew increasingly "pleasant" — at least in public. The young woman who kept a cheerful "hee" on her lips won over many people.
But in unseen corners, more than once, she would curl up with reddened eyes and murmur softly:
"They don't hit
anymore. Everyone likes . Ming Yu cos to visit often, too. I'm doing a great job playing you — she's happy.
But she gets to see you. I don't.
Can you... co back? I miss you so much."
The girl's calls were never answered. Until one day, collapsed in her corner from exhaustion, she closed her eyes — and in the very instant they shut, they opened again.
She would never forget those words:
"From today on, you are Zhen Yi. My little sister.
Together, we are True Heart and True Feelings."
"..."
As old scars were torn open and frozen suffering thawed anew, the truth dawned on everyone: it wasn't Zhen Xin who had conjured a Zhen Yi to bear the pain in her stead. It was Zhen Yi who had missed another version of herself — and imagined a Zhen Xin into existence.
As for where the original Zhen Xin had gone...
She hated snow. She had probably chosen to leave during that winter.
Silence.
Endless silence.
Cheng Shi stood rooted to the spot, his expression indescribable. Only now — belatedly — did he understand how the Magician had deceived herself.
No. It should be: how the Master of Trickery had deceived herself.
Zhen Xin had always been Zhen Yi — and Zhen Yi was the primary consciousness in this split identity.
'No wonder!'
'No wonder her secret fear was "the world lost hope long ago." No wonder she threw herself headlong toward death the mont the Fate Chosen departed!'
Because she had nothing left to lose. Perhaps it was An Mingyu's existence that had kept Zhen Yi going — her conscience refusing to let go — and so she "created" a Zhen Xin.
But the reason for Zhen Xin's existence was already gone. Then Zhen Yi—
Every Joker present was moved by the sisters' bond. Cheng Shi's thoughts ran deeper. He needed to confirm one thing:
"Who inherited Chaos's Divine Throne?"
Zhen Yi sniffled once, then flipped to a beaming smile in an instant:
"My sister!
When I learned that we'd be replacing Them, I realized I might have to part with her.
I was terrified. Lost. Until you ca to
and brought up Chaos's Throne.
And I thought: if the sister I imagined were acknowledged by the Pact and beca an actual god in this world — wouldn't she be truly 'resurrected'?"
"..."
"So to resurrect Zhen Xin, you risked your own disappearance and had her agree to inherit Chaos?"
"She didn't agree. But she doesn't get a say.
Hee~
I'm the primary personality. So I agreed.
But you guys don't need to look so sad. I didn't die, right?
Besides — if 'bad luck' died, you should all be celebrating."
"..."
"..."
"..."
For a mont, Cheng Shi couldn't tell if the situation was bad luck or not.
He drew a deep breath, sorted his thoughts, and nodded:
"So now Zhen Xin's consciousness is independent thanks to Chaos's Throne, and you didn't disappear. Which ans you can still inherit Deceit's Throne?"
As he spoke, Cheng Shi suddenly chuckled at his own expense: "Of course. It's perfect. It was always ant to be this way.
Deceit... He's practically cut from the sa cloth as you.
No — she is you—"
He didn't say the last part aloud. In his mind, he finished the thought: 'A lonely soul performing a one-man show throughout the Void era.'
Silence settled once more. Zhang Jizu sighed and looked at the Dragon King: "You saw her past early on. So when I was wondering who would inherit Deceit, you already had the answer."
Li Jingming nodded: "That's right. No one is more suited. Though of course, the final say belongs to the Pact."
Long Jing, off to the side, was fuming. Through gritted teeth he asked: "And the rest of their mories? Don't tell
those people lived until the Faith Ga descended."
The Dragon King shook his head: "When a liar realizes they've been lied to, it's worse than death. It's all in the past..."
While the others murmured among themselves, Cheng Shi turned to Zhen Yi:
"Where's your sister? I need to consult her on a few things."
"Just ask . I am her."
"You're not. You're Zhen Yi. The one I need to speak with is your sister, Zhen Xin — the one who inherited Chaos's Throne, who has her own independent persona now, who kept you alive and still respects your existence."
"..." The smile vanished from Zhen Yi's face. A second later, the Magician returned.
She wore a fractured smile: "Sorry for worrying everyone."
Cheng Shi shook his head. Cutting straight to the point:
"Zhen Yi is suited for Deceit's Throne. That's an indisputable fact.
But I have to tell you, Zhen Xin — as her sister, you still have a choice.
Becoming a god isn't necessarily a blessing. And don't worry about us being unable to find a successor and falling short. On this unknown road ahead, every god carries a heavy burden. Once Zhen Yi inherits Deceit, she may have to bear even more.
She's already given so much. Would you... still agree?"
Zhen Xin pressed her lips together, eyes lowered, and spoke softly:
"Zhen Yi has grown up. She's far more mature than I am.
From what I know of her, whether she inherits or not doesn't depend on her — it depends on whether this world cares about her.
The only reason she's gritted her teeth this long is partly for Ming Yu and
— but the rest is her obsession with this world.
Every mark she leaves behind is her way of telling people that Zhen Xin was here...
She's a strong little sister. I'm the cowardly older one.
And now — everyone's care, or at least the Jokers' care, has made her joyful once more.
Cheng Shi, you shouldn't be asking
this question. You should ask her directly.
I was never her. I can't make decisions for her."
How bitter — and how warm — those words were. Everything Zhen Yi had ever done was simply to prove that Zhen Xin had once existed.
Her "bad luck" was never bad luck at all. It was her longing for her sister — and her refusal to let go.
"Understood."
Cheng Shi nodded, clarity settling in his heart.
...
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