Foolish Game of the Chapter 738: Lao Deng's Death: This World Was Never Mea

Hooked!

Cheng Shi arched an eyebrow. 'That's exactly what I was waiting for.' But the declaration still wasn't explicit enough.

"Good. Then how do you plan to do it?"

'How?' Was this a test?

Deng Sui furrowed his brow. After a mont's deliberation, he answered earnestly:

"The swindlers are difficult to deal with, but lies always have their day of reckoning.

I've tangled with the top players on Deceit's Ladder of Ascent. Apart from Zhen... Yi and Long Jing, who are harder to handle, I'm confident I can eliminate the rest.

As for the lower-ranked small-ti tricksters — I shouldn't deny other followers the chance to earn rit, and they should contribute to spreading our Lord's will.

Of course, as the opposing faith to Deceit, mory players likely wouldn't refuse to join the hunt. I know a few high-ranking mory players. They've loathed Deceit for a long ti — they could beco my allies."

Cheng Shi blinked. Surprised.

'Well, that's an unexpected bonus.'

"Oh? Not bad. Clear thinking. But mory is not Ti. Even within Existence, wills are not unified. Bear that in mind."

"!!!"

Deng Sui startled at this. From Hour Hand's tone... was Ti on guard against His own Path's twin deity?

'Oh no — did I say the wrong thing?'

His heart clenched. He hastily clarified:

"Sir, I believe only in Ti. But mory can occasionally be of use to us.

I share no friendship with those mory players — only transactional interest. Take 'This Sentint Awaits,' for example. He and I are both assassins. We've cooperated on a few kills. Given his eagerness to impress his Benefactor, I can probably leverage him for one joint operation — knock off a few annoying Deceit followers at minimum.

And then there's 'Last Year Today.' She and the forr Deceit Chosen Zhen Xin are mortal enemies. If I can borrow her hand — even if she can't kill Zhen Xin, at least she'd drain so of Zhen Xin's strength.

Of course, with our ager power alone, we probably can't match the efficiency you hope for, Hour Hand sir. So if you could generously grant us so guidance or... material assistance, I believe I can bring you good news very soon."

Hearing this, Cheng Shi grinned.

'This Little Deng is truly sharp.' Not only was he using the "mission" as a pretext to request support, he was already angling for his next audience. 'Well, well — if you can actually kill Zhen Yi, I'll personally pry you out from under that great one's Bone Throne and give you a lavish burial in Mi Laozhang's Cetery.'

'Having Death's Chosen guard your grave — now that's dignified.'

'But this alone... isn't enough.'

So Cheng Shi curled his lips and continued baiting:

"Worthy of our Lord's favored child. You are impressive.

Perhaps you are confused about Ti's true will at this mont. But what I must tell you is this — the relationships among the gods are far more complex than the cooperation and opposition you see. The desires and filth flowing beneath their authorities are equally horrifying.

You need not understand too much. Just know that to be granted eternity, you need only carry out His will."

"Eternity?" Deng Sui was awestruck. Voice trembling, he asked: "Hour Hand, sir — is it the kind of eternity I'm imagining?"

"Indeed. That very eternity. Even mortals can obtain it. But divine gifts are never bestowed on the ritless.

Killing a few Deceit followers won't earn you the eternity you seek."

"!!!"

Deng Sui understood. He understood again.

Eyes blazing with excitent, spine straight, piety maxed out:

"I shall walk the path of Ti and never retreat — until the day cos when I can trample the Void beneath my feet!"

'Good spirit!'

Cheng Shi smiled. Bead, actually.

"So then... if the opportunity arose, would you be willing to plunge a blade into the Void's heart?"

"?"

'Into whose heart?'

'The Void's?'

'Do gods even have hearts?'

'Even if they do — who's doing the plunging? ? !? Can I even!?'

'Obviously not!'

A spike of fear shot through Deng Sui — but brief terror was swiftly overtaken by uncontrollable excitent.

'The atmosphere's been built to this point. How could I say no?'

'This is clearly Hour Hand testing my resolve. And anyway — blaspheming an opposing Path's god in your own "backyard"? What's the worst They could do, reach into Ti's temple to punish ?'

So Deng Sui agreed. He nodded firmly, though still asured:

"If given the opportunity and honor — I would shatter all falsehood for our Lord, and restore truth to Existence!"

"Excellent!" 'That one sentence is all I needed!'

Cheng Shi nodded enthusiastically, practically applauding.

"Admirable courage. I am very pleased with today's audience. Join

in saluting Him, then you are dismissed."

The clock hand slowly turned to face the Universal Clock's center. Deng Sui felt the Hour Hand's summons, tamped down his excitent, and stepped forward, positioning himself behind.

"I told you — Existence is equal. Co forward. Stand beside ."

Deng Sui froze. The delight in his eyes nearly overflowed.

He was at that age where rebellion felt thrilling and prestige ant everything. Hearing a "Servant God" invite him to stand side by side felt like downing two shots of bootleg liquor — the world went floaty, and he nearly forgot how to walk.

But he remained deeply respectful, terrified of violating divine protocol. He shuffled forward in small steps, wisely positioning himself a half-step behind Cheng Shi.

'When the boss says "side by side," you never actually stand side by side.'

This basic social grace — no, divine grace — he understood perfectly well.

Seeing Little Deng so deferential, Cheng Shi pursed his lips. But this distance was close enough. So he nodded:

"Lower your eyes. Compose your expression. Bow. Pray.

Then repeat after :

Praise the great..."

Deng Sui obeyed. Head bowed, body low, piety absolute: "Praise the great..."

"...God of Deceit! I will repent for my blasphemy under Your gaze — and atone with my life!"

"...God of Dec— ???"

Despite Cheng Shi's rapid-fire delivery, Deng Sui realized sothing was wrong.

He froze. Then his face twisted in horror. He jerked his head up — and found the Hour Hand that had been standing before him was gone. In its place stood a familiar figure — lips curled in a cold smile.

'Who is he!?'

'Oh — now I rember. He's that Fate Weaver the Torchbearers wanted to protect!'

'No! The audience was a lie! The oath was a trap!'

Terror erupted from Deng Sui's core and detonated in his skull. His first instinct was to flee — but his body was no longer capable of obeying his will.

And the other man didn't even seem interested in attacking. This Fate Weaver was actually moving farther away.

'Hm?'

'What's he doing?'

'He's... stepping back?'

'No — he seems to be cleaning bloodstains off the floor. Tidying up my body.'

'But wait—'

'Why is my body in his hands?'

'And... where's my head?'

Deng Sui couldn't comprehend it. The last image this world left him before death was a sinister smile.

He never understood why there were illusions in Ti's temple. Never understood how a Destiny follower could kill him under His gaze!

'On what grounds!?'

'Where was His protection!? The protection He promised!?'

'I was this devout — WHY WOULDN'T YOU PROTECT !? WHY!?'

"Tsk. Confused?

I have plenty of confusion too. But this world was never ant to have that many answers."

The clown wiped the last drop of blood from his scalpel. He lifted the head from the ground and bowed elegantly toward the Universal Clock.

"Thank you for your patronage. I hope my actions served to cull the parasites from Your flock."

This was equal parts self-deprecation and mockery. The clown had been pleased at how smoothly things had gone — but when he straightened up, every trace of his smile petrified on his face.

Because there, at the center of the massive clock face, a pair of black-hole eyes had opened. When, he couldn't say.

"Cheng... Shi."