Why hadn't they come back yet?

Do gods prefer to self-destruct?

This is the simplest truth that Cheng Shi has learned from his past experiences.

Of course, there is an even deeper truth: extreme piety is necessarily blasphemy!

Otherwise, why would the [Sin of Desirelessness] blaspheme against its master [Filth and Decay] before its death, and even create an asexual being with its own hands?

Cheng Shi stared intently at the Poison with a fascinating expression, then remained silent for a moment before uttering a sentence:

"I see."

This is something he learned from the Subgod: when you can't give someone a definite answer, you might as well say "I know" to put them in a situation where they don't know.

Cheng Shi had undoubtedly grasped the essence of the matter, because Poison surprisingly showed a remarkable understanding after hearing these words.

Perhaps in her eyes, a god should be Cheng Shi in this indifferent state. In the past, the other player's image was too deceptive, making her always unconsciously want to get closer. But now she has "demystified" the Fate Weaver.

It's not because my mindset has Change, but because my desires have been taken away.

As Poison herself said, she is now just playing herself, playing the role of the Assassin lady who wants to get close to the Fate Weaver.

Seeing that the Poison seemed somewhat confused, Cheng Shi chuckled:

"That's for the best. Only by letting go of all desires can we see the truth behind the countless illusions in this world that is pulled along by desires."

Your information is very important to me. [Filth and Decay] is indeed one of the mysteries of the Cosmos, and I will investigate it carefully when I have time later.

But now, I must focus on the Trials of [Deception].

I need to figure out whether He is an ally I can win over, or an enemy I must fight...

Cheng Shi's voice grew softer and softer, as if he were talking to himself, but he quickly raised his head and laughed, "Also, don't think too highly of yourself. I directed you to see Afros only because Afros needed someone to amuse him, and you happen to have a desire for Faith Fusion."

This is a win-win situation, and it has nothing to do with what you see today.

Since you've eliminated desires, don't force yourself. Just enjoy the gentle, warm breeze in the present moment.

This is a rare moment of peace for you.

With that, Cheng Shi turned and walked away, heading straight for the mound where Long Jing and Squinty Old Zhang were hiding.

Upon seeing this, the expressions of the two Clown changed slightly.

Oh no! Not only did I not hear anything, but the person in question has come knocking on my door!

Long Jing's eyelids twitched violently. Without saying a word, he dug a hole and left the scene. Zhang Jizu, on the other hand, did not choose such an undignified way to leave. He sighed and stood there waiting to be caught red-handed.

Cheng Shi for the two of them, and knowing they hadn't heard anything, he naturally wouldn't bring it up. His thoughts were in turmoil; he was still trying to understand Drachirko's behavior. Seeing the ramrod-straight -Squinty Old Zhang, he paused slightly, glanced at the mound beside him, and said with a strange expression:

"What's the meaning?

Security guard attributes suddenly exploded?

Old Zhang, you don't need to be so dedicated. Seeing a mound of earth doesn't make you feel like you're back in Cemetery. Who's actually watching you while you're on guard duty?

You can't possibly want me to praise you, can you?

As he spoke, Cheng Shi clapped his hands with a mocking expression, muttering, "Wow, that's a really good stance..."

Zhang Jizu's face darkened, and his eyes almost disappeared into the shadows on his face.

But this time he didn't choose to retaliate.

His heart was equally complicated, for he sensed the aura of [Death] emanating from Cheng Shi and the Poison.

The other party rang the Bone Clock again.

The Clowns didn't know, but Zhang Jizu knew very well that the Great One behind the Bone Clock was not the Lord of Grace in the Fishbone Hall, but the True God who bestowed this Trials— [Deception]!

After learning about the background of this Trials, Zhang Jizu had been trying to figure out what [Deception] was implying. At that time, he believed the idea of [Deception] saving the world and cooperated with [Deception] to fool all the Clown. Now, he vaguely felt that Cheng Shi's attitude towards this Trials was quite intriguing, so he began to reflect on whether he had also been deceived.

But he had no evidence and was afraid that his "Foolish Deed" would cause trouble, so he was caught in a dilemma.

He was pondering whether he should be honest with Cheng Shi, but Cheng Shi, seeing this struggle, thought that Squinty Old Zhang had broken down.

Cheng Shi, seeing that he had gained the upper hand, stopped teasing the other party and, after a moment's thought, posed the question about the Poison to Old Zhang, asking:

"What exactly is desire?"

Zhang Jizu was taken aback, turned around the mound to look at the Poison standing motionless in place, and shook his head.

People's hearts are different, and it's hard to summarize them.

What's wrong with Poison?

Cheng Shi was quite disgusted by this perfunctory rhetoric. He pursed his lips and said:

"After losing to me in a game of rock-paper-scissors with 100 S-Rank Item, I couldn't accept my defeat, so I stood there pretending to freeze time to soothe my wounded pride."

"Tsk, foreign debt is really hard to collect these days. There are 200 cases that haven't been recovered yet. Old Zhang, do you think we'll ever be able to collect them all in our lifetime?"

Zhang Jizu narrowed his eyes, gave the other party a cold glance, and said, "It's not impossible to collect them after they die."

"..."

Are they really going to use graves to settle a debt?

Cheng Shi could no longer laugh.

He glanced at the time, his brow furrowing slightly. "Why haven't Zhen Xin and the others returned yet? Surely they can find at least one NPC?"

Zhang Jizu didn't respond to that. After a moment of contemplation, he decided to test Cheng Shi's attitude towards [Deception] in order to confirm his suspicions.

Aren't you going to tell me about Fool's Game?

"?" Cheng Shi's expression froze for a second, then he feigned ignorance and said, "What's wrong with Fool's Game?"

"The Poison told me, I know everything."

Cheng Shi stared at Old Zhang with suspicion for a long time, then suddenly chuckled and said:

"Tsk, trying to trick me?"

Old Zhang, don't think you can fool me just because you've merged with [Deception]. You might be the one getting fooled.

You believe everyone? Haven't you ever been fooled before?

People need to have independent judgment, otherwise they'll be led astray.

What was said in jest was taken seriously by the listener. Zhang Jizu once again thought of the Deception rhetoric of salvation, and his heart sank.

At this moment, Cheng Shi's expression gradually turned serious.

Something's not right.

Although this place is far from the Imperial City, it shouldn't take them that long. Hopefully, these two won't encounter any problems in the Imperial City.

What about Long Jing tea?

Where did he go again?

They've all disappeared one by one. Are they up to something behind my back?

"..." Zhang Jizu looked away and remained silent.

Cheng Shi felt increasingly uneasy. He frowned and looked in the direction of the Kurd Imperial City, just as a figure appeared in the distance in that direction.

Long Jing!

The Acrobat appeared, and he ran back frantically. Seeing that there were only Cheng Shi and Zhang Jizu around, and only Poison standing in the distance, he looked visibly surprised.

Meeting Cheng Shi's questioning gaze again, he exclaimed in surprise:

"The one surnamed Zhen hasn't come back?"

Cheng Shi's gaze sharpened. "You went to the Imperial City, didn't you see them?"

At this moment, Long Jing clearly sensed that something was wrong. He no longer concealed his eavesdropping and nodded, saying:

"When I saw you coming, I thought I'd go ahead and see what the Zhen guy had found, but I couldn't find him in the Imperial City."

News of Commander Morning Cheer's disappearance has already spread throughout the Imperial City, but fortunately it hasn't spread beyond the city. The Kanliwal Royal Family has blocked the news and is searching for him throughout the Imperial City.

I thought I had missed them, so I hurried back.

"They really didn't come back?"

Long Jing's expression grew increasingly suspicious. He looked at the two people in front of him and said somewhat uncertainly:

"You two wouldn't happen to be surnamed Zhen and the Grand Marshal putting on an act for me, would you?"

"You still want to make Clown of me!?"

"..."

"..."

Cheng Shi stared speechlessly at the Acrobat in front of him, thinking to himself that PTSD had become an epidemic in this world.