"An Mingyu"
As the focus of [Nothingness]'s attention, Cheng Shi had no idea that the Giggle and Mock he had just left behind had created such a lively atmosphere.
The four returned to Kanliwal, back to the Golden House that reflected golden light everywhere.
Driven by the desire to get closer to the Fool's Game, Hu Wei full of energy, and his enthusiasm for passing the Trials was at an all-time high.
To make up for the time wasted in Giggle and Mock, he decided to split into two groups to speed up the collection of clues. As for how to divide these two groups...
"I'm with Brother Cheng; please, Brother Zhang, protect Mingyu."
He didn't give anyone time to refuse and directly pushed "Cheng Shi" away.
In order to give Cheng Shi room to maneuver, Zhang Jizu did not resist and was pushed out with a helpless expression.
Cheng Shi watched the two figures disappear, and silently mourned for Squinty Old Zhang:
"Have fun."
An Mingyu smiled after hearing this and looked at Cheng Shi, asking, "Where should we go next?"
"Isn't it unlucky for Believer in Destiny to ask [Death] for directions?"
Even as he said this, Cheng Shi still looked around the house, which reeked of nouveau riche wealth, and pondered:
"As the place where the Trials begins, there should be clues here."
To understand what the so-called ending is, we must first know what actually happened on this land.
Such a bright and eye-catching building could not possibly be an unknown place in Kanliwal, so let's first find out who owns this house, and then follow that line of inquiry.
What do you think, An the Chosen?
Zhang Jizu was impeccable, and An Mingyu naturally had no objections. However, just as she was about to look around, Cheng Shi smiled and looked at the Blind Man, asking, "How is An the Chosen doing lately?"
An Mingyu was taken aback, not expecting the other party to suddenly ask her about it. She hesitated for a moment, then lowered her head and said:
"Trying to see [Destiny] clearly."
I once considered myself the closest to Him, but now it seems that my understanding of Him is far from sufficient.
Upon hearing this, Cheng Shi curled the corners of his lips into a mocking smile.
"Whether you understand Him or not is irrelevant. I'm not asking you; I'm asking An the Chosen."
"?"
An Mingyu looked up in confusion, seemingly not understanding what Cheng Shi meant.
Cheng Shi was too lazy to play along and directly exposed the other party's identity, saying:
"Still acting?"
Do you really think I'm Squinty Old Zhang?
Upon hearing this, An Mingyu was stunned and froze on the spot.
She fell silent, then slowly raised her head, her indifferent expression gradually fading, and the corners of her mouth began to curve into a smile.
An Mingyu, who had been looking worried lately, suddenly broke into a bright smile.
When was it changed?
When you crawl out of the Giggle and Mock?
I knew it! Why did some people insist on asking me amidst Giggle and Mock? They'd been suspecting me for a while already!
Interesting. When did you start to doubt me?
Cheng Shi gave the other person a mocking look, without saying a word or offering an explanation.
Upon seeing this, An Mingyu's face darkened, and she immediately realized that she had been deceived. The other party had not switched after Giggle and Mock; the first Zhang Jizu she met was Cheng Shi!
"... I even mistook others for Clown, but it turns out I was the Clown myself."
An Mingyu shook his head and chuckled, reaching out his hand towards the black cloth in front of him.
With a gentle tug, the blindfold slipped off, and a black veil transformed into a Magician Suit. Her flowing long hair and familiar face reappeared before Cheng Shi's eyes.
Zhen Xin!
This [Deception] number one collectible is also in this Trials!
No, it should be said that her appearance was not unexpected at all, after all, this Trials was related to the "ending"!
Undeterred by being exposed, Zhen Xin tilted her head and smiled:
"If I could see through things like Mingyu, perhaps I wouldn't be trying to teach a Clown a lesson."
"...?"
Your own deception skills were lacking, and you failed to fool anyone. What does that have to do with the Clown?
Did the Clown eat your rice?
Cheng Shi curled his lip in disdain and said:
Even if you can see the essence of things, it's useless.
Because you're not An the Chosen, you can't capture her essence...
But as soon as he got to this point, Cheng Shi regretted speaking too quickly, because he knew that Zhen Xin understood An Mingyu best, and she would definitely be able to capture the essence of An Mingyu. Unfortunately, the An Mingyu she portrayed was not the An Mingyu of today.
That's why An Mingyu seems somewhat Indifference today; it's not because of the changes An Mingyu has made to her Destiny, but rather because Zhen Xin, as her best friend, is reminiscing about the An Mingyu who belonged to her...
"..."
Talking about death is a suffocating topic. Although neither of them uttered the word "death," intelligent people often don't need to be so explicit.
Cheng Shi slightly flustered, unsure how to comfort her for a moment. Fortunately, Zhen Xin comforted herself, suppressing her sorrowful reminiscence and instantly switching to a smile, her lips curving into an even more exaggerated arc as she said:
Hehe~
I've been fooled again. I'm not the older sister, why would I be sad for that Blind Man?
"..."
Despite his eyelids twitching uncontrollably and the irrepressible urge to take action, Cheng Shi restrained himself.
Because he knew that at this moment, "Zhen Yi's" appearance was not deceiving him, but rather Zhen Xin was deceiving herself.
This conman seems to be hypnotizing himself in this way, temporarily forgetting his pain. But is all this effective for a smart person?
Hope this helps.
This was the first time Cheng Shi didn't find Zhen Yi unlucky.
Seeing that Zhen Xin, who was impersonating Zhen Yi, was trying to take advantage of her sister's identity to cause trouble, Cheng Shi's expression tightened. He immediately changed the subject, depriving her of her chance to speak, and walked away.
Save your time, Magician.
Since you also know how to use An the Chosen's identity to avoid trouble, you should know what a [Deception] Trials with a 'ending' hint means.
Especially since you are His first possession.
This could very well be His interpretation of the end of this era. Only by passing this Trials can we know what kind of ending He wants to give to the [Nothingness] era.
Therefore, this Trials cannot be lost; it can only be won.
We must understand His Will in order to find our place in the Finale Performance of our time, or even climb onto the Stage and become someone who can perform their own script...
"The Clown?" Zhen Xin replied with a smile.
"..."
???
Excuse me?
I'm trying to analyze the problem with you, and you're subtly using professional insults against me?
Has anyone ever told you that you're just as annoying as your sister?
Zhen Xin's cunning eyes seemed to read Cheng Shi's expression, and she smiled again, "No."
"Now we have it."
You're just as unlucky as your sister.
Cheng Shi glanced at the other person and walked forward with disdain.
"..."
Zhen Xin was taken aback, looking thoughtfully at Cheng Shi's back. She felt that this Clown who had returned from the True Universe was more tough than before.
It wasn't just verbal assertiveness, but rather a feeling of uncertainty about the future that seemed to have inadvertently transformed into an affirmation of the path ahead.
Interesting. What happened outside the world that caused such a drastic change in the Clown?
Zhen Xin tilted her head and followed him with a curious expression.
Tell me about the outside world, let me see just how amazing the True Universe really is.
Cheng Shi had no intention of hiding it from Clown, and naturally he wouldn't hide it from Zhen Xin either. At this moment, with God of Merriment's will unclear, the only forces he could unite with, besides the few gods he wanted to win over, were Mortals.
The Clown and the Fated are his last source of confidence.
Even if Zhen Xin didn't ask, he would still tell her, but clearly, now is not the best time.
Just as he was about to search for clues inside this Golden House, the outer door was suddenly pushed open, and a ostentatious "wealthy merchant" adorned with gold jewelry walked in, looking at their backs and speaking imperiously:
"We've got a job. Wake up those good-for-nothings; this is a big deal."