Of course I hope you're still [Order]
The Void was unusually An Jing today, save for the sound of turning pages of a Holy Light Law Codex.
With each page turned of the weighty Law Codex representing the Cosmic Order, a trace of the power of [Order] emanated, transforming into chains that reinforced the cage before them.
Standing in that cage were two visitors with contrasting expressions.
One man, his face ashen, pointed at another and launched into a tirade of profanities. Every drop of spittle he spat out revealed his fury at having his audience interrupted and his piety exploited.
However, a closer look reveals that although he was hurling insults, he was standing very far back and close to the edge of the cage, as if making enough space for the other person, like an audience member, "lifting" the other person onto the Stage.
As for the other one, he stared directly at the Holy Light Law Codex outside the cage, its pages constantly turning, and sneered repeatedly.
The one looking directly at the other was Cheng Shi, and the one hurling insults was Li Wufang.
Cheng Shi hadn't expected the Investigator to be so clever; his simple instruction, "Just protect yourself," had led the investigator to devise a way to distance himself from him.
The Investigator did a good job, but his swearing was too vulgar; I don't know where he learned it from.
However, all of this is still full of loopholes in the eyes of the [Iron Rule of Order], otherwise the Investigator, as Believer of the [Order], would not be locked up in this dilapidated cage with him.
But Li Wufang didn't care at all; he was completely absorbed in his own world of insults and couldn't get out.
I don't know if she wanted to vent all her fear and confusion, but Cheng Shi, the "instigator", just Cheng Shi to be the target of her venting.
Cheng Shi completely ignored Li Wufang's performance, stared at the [Iron Rule of Order] in front of him, and sneered:
"What, great [Chaos], have you forgotten the way you came?"
No Mortals is without fear when facing True God. Cheng Shi's confidence today stems entirely from his being in the right!
The other party is already in [Chaos], so what can't be said?
Moreover, based on his Predestination identity, he already has the means to confront the other party. Even if the God of Merriment is not around, the Fear Faction will not abandon him.
Having done so much for the Predestination, I can finally enjoy a bit of that Predestination "privilege" at this moment.
The [Iron Rule of Order] remains unchanged. Although He has doubts, He would never ask that question again in front of outsiders, especially in front of a [Deception] Believer who has been tainted by [Chaos]: What is Order?
He doesn't believe He is not [Order]; He is simply a little confused about the future of Order.
So He quietly turned the page, looked down at Cheng Shi, and condemned him for appearing without being summoned.
"The sin of blasphemy deserves the punishment of blasphemy; [Blazing Sun] is a cautionary tale for you!"
This isn't the Temple of [Chaos], and no one can save you. Reflect on your actions.
I remember everything from the past. You repeatedly challenged the Order, only because you kept finding loopholes and hadn't found any evidence against you.
And today, every word you utter will become evidence of your crime, leading to a long prison sentence.
Based on this, [Nothingness] cannot harm me.
"So you think you can't do anything to me!" Cheng Shi stood in the cell, laughing loudly. "Have you ever considered that [Nothingness] has never cared about you at all from the beginning?"
It's strange, really. [Order] was the sole victor in the God War back then. Even if it was split into three, it shouldn't have fallen into such a sorry state, right?
[Destiny] joins forces with [Truth], [Deception] colludes with [War]. Your two Twin Gods are so favored by [Nothingness], why are you the only one excluded?
[The Iron Rule of Order] continued its page-turning rhythm, humming, "Because what they seek involves disrupting the Order, I will not agree."
"Forget it, they really think they're [Order]."
Cheng Shi chuckled and shook his head, seemingly unafraid of having his sentence extended. "If you're really that useful, then I'd like to ask Order, from the Dawn of the Era until now, what has [Nothingness] ever sought that hasn't caused the Order to collapse, and what has been the one thing you've managed to thwart?"
"..."
Cheng Shi's question was like a bucket of dirty water poured onto the spotless Holy Light Law Codex. Although it was hard to accept, it was the truth.
The Iron Rule of Order cannot be refuted, because He could not stop anything.
Seeing the other person pause in turning the page, Cheng Shi continued his sarcasm:
"So you admit it?"
Why don't you think about it again? Why is that?
The Order of the Cosmos is indeed collapsing due to the fragmentation of that Order, but has it truly collapsed to the point of no return?
No!
Your Believer continue to uphold Order, and your will continues to spread throughout the Cosmos!
How did the situation come to this?
Is it possible that "Order" has long ceased to Order, and the "will of Order" you speak of is actually filled with chaotic disorder? Is it that your instinctive chaos has affected your efforts to maintain Order, to the point that the edifice is about to collapse beyond repair?
Have you ever wondered why?
No need to think about it anymore, I'll tell you the answer: because you are not [Order] at all!
You are [Chaos], the First God of [Chaos] who vanished from the [Chaos] Temple!
You usurped the Divine Throne [Order] to create the most extreme chaos in the Cosmos, to distort the very Faith in [Order], all to please the Creator who created you!
[The Iron Rule of Order] stopped turning the page; it wasn't that it believed Cheng Shi's words, but rather that its anger was building up.
The entire Void was filled with the holy light of [Order], and the cage continued to tighten, squeezing towards the blasphemer.
Silent rage is the most terrifying; even His Believer, the Investigator, began to feel fear.
Li Wufang retreated with a grave expression, cautiously approaching Cheng Shi's back, and asked nervously:
"Are you still going to curse?"
Certainly!
Cheng Shi didn't get to vent his anger fully, nor did he feel he had enough.
He also felt fear, confusion, and anger. These emotions piled up inside him with nowhere to go, so he decided to unleash them all today, letting the "Iron Rule of Order"—no, letting the real "[Chaos]" be the scapegoat.
After all, He Himself is [Chaos], so these vague insults can be considered as offerings to Him.
Cheng Shi stared directly at the heavy atmosphere of the [Iron Rule of Order], and continued with a cold laugh:
"What, the great 'Order' doesn't even dare to give criminals a chance to defend themselves?"
If you even violate the Order you yourself have established, then are you even part of that "Order"? Is there any need to distinguish?
"..."
As soon as those words were spoken, the oppressive force of the Void abruptly ceased. [Iron Rule of Order] remained silent for a moment, then hummed:
"I will allow you to defend yourself, but if your testimony is false, what awaits you will not be imprisonment, but death by Thunder Punishment."
Cheng Shi chuckled:
"Okay, I accept."
So what if you are truly [Chaos]?
Surely the great 'Order' won't use chaos as an excuse to escape its due responsibility after discovering its true identity?
You've dragged the Cosmos into such chaos; if you dare to admit [Chaos], I'll applaud you.
But if you still consider yourself part of "Order," then who should bear the responsibility for dragging down the Cosmos and trampling on Order?
The pages of the Holy Light Law Codex turned rapidly, and a rare distortion appeared in the otherwise clear and Order Divine Resonance.
"I am definitely not [Chaos]."
Blasphemer, await the purification of Thunderbolt!
Upon hearing this, Cheng Shi smiled and applauded the other party's confidence.
"Clap clap clap--"
"Of course I hope you remain [Order], especially now that you have confessed and accepted your fate."