Which Master of Trickery?

"Boom--"

A massive burst of light instantly illuminated the entire circus park, the blazing flames engulfing the surrounding tents, eliciting screams and shouts from all directions.

Ringmaster Fait was the first to arrive at the scene. His face was filled with shock. He immediately called for security and urged everyone to put out the fire.

The guards rushed over in a panic, and many actors also dropped what they were doing and ran to put out the fire with buckets of water.

When the park's visitors gathered around, the fire had been mostly extinguished, but the area where the tents had been was completely flattened, leaving craters. Everyone's face was as black as the craters left by the fire.

They knew whose tent it was, but they hadn't seen the owner of the tent, not even a trace of the embers.

A circus performer, choked with disbelief, stammered, "Ringmaster, Lake...!"

Ringmaster Fait clenched his fists tightly, his face ashen, and shook his head, saying:

"Impossible! He'll be fine, he absolutely won't be fine!"

Go, everyone go find someone. Lake isn't in his tent; he said he was going out.

Guards, report all of this to the Royal Family. I need to know who dares to commit such blatant violence and arson in the Circus at this time!

No matter who it is, I will not allow them to climb to the top by stepping on Dusk Play's reputation!

The earth-shattering explosion instantly became the biggest news in Kurd, with countless people concerned about Lake's whereabouts and whether Dusk Play could complete the competition five days later.

Some were there to watch the spectacle, some to stir up trouble, and some to Muddling Through, but most were simply spectators who felt sorry for the tragedy.

It's clear that Lake has a great reputation. He's exceptionally talented and has contributed just as much to the Circus as Ringmaster Fait. You can tell from the sad expressions on the faces of the many circus performers that the Clown is very popular. Some people in the crowd even shout Lake's name and call him Rider.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, Lake will likely take over after Fitt's term ends.

But all of that was shattered in the chaotic explosion.

On the outskirts of this immense chaos, the spotless Cheng Shi is confronting Zhen Xin, whose back is covered in charred ashes.

Regarding Cheng Shi's act of pushing himself in front of her as a sandbag to shield her from the explosion, Zhen Xin protested with a dark face:

This is the second time!

Cheng Shi, [Destiny] has cast so many glances your way, is it just so that people will suffer the pain of an explosion when they get close to you?

Upon hearing this, Cheng Shi seemed to realize something as well. He gave an awkward smile and waved his hand, saying:

"Last time it was your sister who was bombed, that doesn't count, you two should each keep your own story."

Besides, compared to saving your life, what's a little explosion?

"As long as the wet nurse isn't dead, it doesn't matter whether you live or die, I can bring you back."

As he spoke, he cast a Healing Art on Zhen Xin, but unfortunately, the Healing Art only healed her body and didn't mend her clothes.

Zhen Xin was unharmed, only her clothes were burned.

Her eyelids twitched slightly, and she said irritably:

"An explosion of this magnitude wouldn't warrant you rescuing me. Even if it exploded right in front of me, I wouldn't necessarily be injured."

"Oh right, right, after all, you're Chosen of God. How could ordinary Explosives hurt you? But you knew it was Explosives and still went for it. What, are you confused even with your faith in [Chaos]?"

Zhen Xin glared at Cheng Shi and said through gritted teeth:

I'm fishing!

Only by planning ahead can one break the deadlock.

Knowing that the Explosives couldn't harm him, he should get involved and play along with the opponent's actions. Only by falling into the opponent's rhythm could he possibly draw out the lone wolf hiding behind the scenes.

You're so cautious and careful in everything you do, you've wasted so many opportunities. How are you supposed to know what our lone wolf teammate is really thinking?

Or have you gained mind-reading abilities like God of Merriment and already figured out what that Master of Trickery is up to?

If it's the latter, it's simple. You just need to tell me where he is, and I'll bring him to you without you having to do anything.

How?

Speak.

Zhen Xin stood with her arms crossed, her fingertips rapidly tapping her arms; she was clearly quite angry.

Cheng Shi's smile faltered, revealing a hint of guilt.

Even after returning from the True Universe and relaxing, Cheng Shi still harbored the fear he had gathered there, which explains why he was more cautious than before.

However, things aren't quite as Zhen Xin described; they haven't completely lost the chance to find each other.

Entering the game is simply to figure out the other party's identity. But Master of Trickery who dares to make a move against Cheng Shi, who is disguised as Squinty Old Zhang, and Zhen Xin, who is disguised Blind Man, is one of the most outstanding in the entire elite circle.

Cheng Shi hadn't dealt with many top-tier con artists, and even fewer Master of Trickery. Most of them were now Clown, so after pondering for a moment without success, he decisively looked at Zhen Xin.

Zhen Xin quickly realized this as well. She frowned slightly as she carefully screened the suspicious targets, but the longer she thought about it, the more her brows furrowed.

Clearly, she hadn't expected this Master of Trickery to be who he was.

"If we weren't playing those roles right now, but just Cheng Shi and Zhen Xin, then we do have a few options."

When con artists clash, it all comes down to their tricks; they have every reason and motive to target us.

But now their teammates are Zhang Jizu and An Mingyu. Master of Trickery who could attack Mingyu... I can't think of anyone.

Unless he possesses the means to create illusions, which would broaden the scope to all Faith, making blind speculation meaningless.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Shi, who deeply agreed, suddenly had a name flash through his mind.

He actually knew a Master of Trickery who might have been able to make those arrangements.

The key point is that this Master of Trickery really had a reason to avoid Squinty Old Zhang and the Blind Man, because this man was plotting to "kill" him, and he should also know that these two were his friends.

Seeing a glint in Cheng Shi's eyes, Zhen Xin asked in surprise, "You guessed who it was?"

Cheng Shi nodded:

"It could be him, but we can't be completely sure yet."

You recognize this person... Su Yida.

Zhen Xin was suddenly stunned, recalling the figure she had seen in Cheng Shi's Memory.

"Demon Realm Big Sauce?"

But isn't he dead?

"Yes, he did die back then, but he is not the same person now."

I suspect he, like Jie Shu, is a stowaway from another Slice Universe. As for his purpose here...

Cheng Shi told Zhen Xin about his understanding of Jie Shu and his encounters with Jie Shu in the True Universe. After listening and pondering for a moment, Zhen Xin said:

How can the purpose of Jie Shu be so diametrically opposed to the direction we are currently striving for?

If the gaze cast upon you by the [Nothingness] is the answer to the world, and you are the 'Sacrifice' offered to the Creator, then they should find a world that must include you and ensure the integrity of this Sacrifice.

Only in this way could they possibly survive this Creator's Experiment, right?

Then why would they want a world without you?

This is not the kind of judgment and choice that a [Folly] Believer who knows the True Universe and can transcend the Spacetime Barrier would make.

Unless..."

At this point, Zhen Xin's eyes flickered, she lowered her gaze, and said nothing more.

But Cheng Shi had already understood what she meant.

Unless the Sacrifice of [Destiny] is fundamentally wrong, the current Predestination is not the answer to save the world from disaster, but rather an accelerator that breeds greater fear and leads to the collapse of the world!

Otherwise, a Wise One would never be so eager to search for a world without "answers".

Thinking of this, both of them fell silent.

Of course, whether this inference holds true remains to be seen. After all, even the wisest Wise One is still Mortals, and Jie Shu vision may not be as far-reaching as that of the gods. However, the meaning revealed in this is quite intriguing.

Cheng Shi chuckled self-deprecatingly, touched his nose, and said:

"In the past, I was both afraid that I was the answer and afraid that I wasn't the answer."

However, after experiencing the True Universe, I have gained many new insights.

Whether I am the answer of Destiny, the Predestination answer, or even, to be more arrogant, the answer of this world... it doesn't matter.

The important thing is that I will write my own answer.

The Clown pleases the audience on Stage, but before pleasing them, I must please myself first.

They only laugh louder when I laugh out loud.

As for how to please the audience... their word doesn't count, mine does!

The God of Merriment is also accelerating the Predestination. The two [Nothingness] beings have undoubtedly reached a consensus on this point long ago. I cannot fathom His thoughts, so I can only categorize Him as "enemy camp" as well.

Miss Magician, the Clown's game strategy needs a change. The God of Merriment might not be protecting us, but rather is also our 'enemy'.

The same applies to [Destiny].

Ah, Destiny, sometimes it's just so magical.

I never imagined that one day, Clown and the Fated would become beings who oppose the gods, just like the Fire Keeper.

Of course, this is just wishful thinking on my part. Whether the Clowns are willing to join me in rebelling against the so-called Predestination, I'll probably have to ask them one by one.

There's no time like the present. Now that you know my thoughts, whether you stay or leave is entirely up to you.

The phrase "It's all up to my heart" made Zhen Xin raise an eyebrow slightly.

She tilted her head and looked at Cheng Shi, whose eyes were firm, and felt that the swindler in front of her was completely different from when she was deceived by Zhen Yi, as if he had undergone a complete transformation.

Although Cheng Shi was shrewd and cunning at the time, he lacked the boldness and courage he possesses today.

They were both cautious, but Cheng Shi's caution was outwardly apparent back then, while now Cheng Shi kept all his anxieties about the future hidden in his heart, at least when speaking to others, he was very resolute.

As for whether this resolute decision was genuine or just a lie he told himself... it doesn't matter, it's all good.

Thinking of this, Zhen Xin smiled and a bright smile bloomed on her face.

"Why not?

Otherwise, wouldn't this game be too boring?