The hour had just passed. This was clearly the trial's safe window.
Cheng Shi was eager to verify the Doctor's revelation, so he headed downhill again. This ti he didn't request company, but the scene's sole Order follower — uneasy about this Fate Weaver who'd already demonstrated "chaotic behavior" — volunteered to accompany him.
On the way down, Li Wufang kept studying Cheng Shi with subtle glances. Cheng Shi noticed but said nothing — he was quietly studying the Investigator right back.
The fact that a "future" Li Wufang had joined the Destined Ones had made quite an impact on Cheng Shi. He didn't yet understand this Order believer, so amid all the temporal shuffling, he'd developed a certain curiosity.
Li Wufang felt the sa. And the reason for his curiosity was simple...
When he'd been swapped to another tiline, a different Fate Weaver nad Cheng Shi had unceremoniously barked a string of orders at him. He had no idea why the other Cheng Shi knew him so well, nor where the man found the nerve to boss around a hunter stronger than himself — but every single command had cut straight to the heart of their problems, resolving each difficulty with surgical precision.
Because of that, he'd discovered he didn't actually mind being directed. After all, obeying orders was itself a form of Order.
And this fate-believing Investigator even felt it might be so kind of Destiny's guidance.
So his curiosity grew, and he began studying Cheng Shi — not for the first ti, but the first ti he'd had the chance to study the original one.
Halfway down, Cheng Shi could no longer endure the staring. He stopped and turned with a half-smile:
"See anything interesting, Investigator?"
"You don't seem to believe in fate."
"???" The comnt blindsided Cheng Shi. He eyed Li Wufang suspiciously, wondering if this was so kind of trick.
Li Wufang coughed lightly and — with a peculiar expression — demonstrated his keen observation:
"You're very careful going downhill. You only take paths you've walked before. So forks are obviously shorter with the end clearly visible — zero danger — yet you... instinctively take the first step toward them, then imdiately pretend nothing happened and backtrack.
Your subconscious points you in a direction, but you refuse to walk into the unknown — even when it's only a brief stretch.
So I say you don't believe in Destiny. Because Destiny is full of unknowns."
Hearing this, Cheng Shi scoffed.
"Investigator — don't tell
you don't know Destiny has its fixed path. I only walk the path that's fixed."
"Of course I know. But fixed paths have no variation. If you truly commit to the fixed path, you wouldn't instinctively want to take shortcuts at forks. I'd say you're simply avoiding risk. You walk the fixed path not because you prefer it, but because you sense the 'safety' on it."
"..." Cheng Shi choked. His gaze darkened as he glanced at Li Wufang: "Who are you?"
"As you can see — Investigator Li Wufang." He peeled off his leather jacket again. "Sorry — it's really too hot."
"..."
Cheng Shi was speechless. He was certain the man was flexing — physically flexing — and that his freewheeling personality did bear a passing resemblance to his own.
But why did this Investigator have such a unique understanding of fate?
"You really believe in fate?"
"Mm. Whether you're re-confirming I'm the original , or just genuinely asking — the answer is:
Yes. I believe.
Brother Cheng, I've always thought the world's composition is the interweaving of all living beings' destinies. So only under Destiny's guidance can we truly belong in this world."
"?" Cheng Shi laughed — entirely mocking. "And yet you chose Order? Are you another... um, blaspher who enjoys blaspheming?"
"Blasphe? No, no, no — I never blasphe. I deeply respect Them."
Cheng Shi's expression turned icy: "God Worship Society or Descent Faction?"
Li Wufang blinked, then shook his head:
"Neither. My understanding of Them is perhaps a bit... unconventional.
I've always felt the world inherently follows patterns. But not everyone perceives or understands those patterns. Their descent made the abstract concrete. So as long as everyone chooses a faith, they can live well in this world. That's why I respect Them — They made the world simpler."
"..." Cheng Shi couldn't keep up with this Investigator's logic. He pointed at the ground, caught between laughter and tears: "You call this trial 'simple'?"
"The current trial certainly isn't simple — because Ti has blocked Destiny's guidance, leaving us with no trace to follow. But fortunately, both you and Chosen One are His followers. Stay close to you, and I can feel His guidance again."
Cheng Shi had never been this speechless. Since everything the man said was genuine, he couldn't tell whether this Investigator was earnestly sharing his philosophy of destiny — or shalessly buttering him up.
'Talk like that, and if you followed Destiny, your ranking would be seriously impressive.'
"Sounds like you truly care about Destiny. So why not choose Destiny instead of Order?"
"Because... Destiny cannot make people believe in destiny. If I want others to accept my perspective, I first need to be credible.
And Order is the most credible. So I chose Order — not Destiny."
"?"
The statent stunned Cheng Shi. He blinked in bewildernt. 'What is this — a die-hard Destiny fan wearing an Order skin?'
'I use Order's power to take the stage, all so I can sing praises of Destiny's greatness before a trusting audience?'
'Dude, your gaplay is dirtier than mine!'
'That's Order? That's pure Chaos!'
'And with a mindset like that, Order still gives you points? He really is...'
'Oh right — He really is Chaos now.'
'Makes sense. Makes perfect sense. The most logical episode yet!'
Cheng Shi was deeply moved. Behind every seemingly absurd story lay a perfectly rational inner logic. Li Wufang played the Order follower beautifully. The only question was: what had happened to make this man believe so fervently in Destiny?
"So? What are you trying to say?" Cheng Shi smacked his lips and continued walking.
Li Wufang hurried to keep up, talking as he walked — though his mismatched stride always left him half a shoulder behind.
"I'm just saying: if a Fate Weaver who doesn't believe in Destiny can still earn Destiny's favor — then you're most likely Destiny's darling.
Walking beside His darling — that's the life answer I've been searching for.
So — has the evaluation period ended, Brother Cheng? Do I have the honor of joining you?"
Cheng Shi stopped again. He shot the man a cold sidelong glance: "What did you learn in the other worlds?"
"I know nothing. Whichever version of you it was, they were all cautious enough. But — based on how a certain Fate Weaver treated , I suspect a certain
joined a certain remarkable organization.
I just wanted to test whether such an organization actually exists. And your reaction tells ... it seems it does.
So — am I qualified to join this... organization that houses Destiny's darling?
Trust , I'm an extrely efficient Investigator. And I'm an Order believer — my reputation in peak-level gas is solid. Whatever you need, I can help."
Cheng Shi frowned, pondered briefly, then nodded with gravity — as if he'd made a decision.
Li Wufang's eyes sparked with anticipation. He waited for the glittering offer. But instead of Cheng Shi's answer, he got Cheng Shi's "résumé."
"I'm actually pretty interested in that organization you described. If you ever track it down, give
a shout — I'll co too.
Room and board not required. Just carry
through trials."
With that, Cheng Shi strode off, leaving the Investigator standing alone in the sweltering night, thoroughly discombobulated.
"..."
This Fate Weaver... was truly a fascinating person.
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