Familiar Faces, Familiar Faces Again

"Big boss!?"

"Hey, hey, hey, don't come... over here..."

With a "plop," Cheng Shi was once again slammed back into the carcass of minced meat.

This time, however, there was another one weighing on him.

The woman who rushed over and tackled him was none other than the Sensory Hunter, Bailing, who had won a round with Cheng Shi earlier!

What a coincidence, this is also a gathering of acquaintances.

Seeing the three people in front of him covered in wounds and with their clothes torn, he knew that they were probably in trouble.

But...

Fang Shiqing is pretty amazing. How did she manage to get herself involved in their Trials?

Haven't seen her for a few days, has she reached 2400 too?

The "Death" melody I heard before was sung by her. Could it be... that she also works for that the Great One?

Is this His method?

Cheng Shi was filled with doubt. The only thing he was certain of was that this seemed to be a...

The game of the Fire Keeper.

Before Cheng Shi plunged into that beam of light, he had already overheard some conversations outside. Now that he saw his old friend again, he naturally guessed the relationship between Bailing and Fang Shiqing.

Seeing the joy of reunion on the face of the Bailing on his body, and the flame of hope reflected in her eyes, Cheng Shi smiled with satisfaction.

"Go away, get up quickly, you're so heavy, you've gained a lot of weight, haven't you?"

"Oh? Really? Maybe your breasts have gotten a little bigger." Bailing lay on Cheng Shi, laughing happily.

"..."

Forget about that; she's Believer in "Filth and Decay," and telling her this will only excite her more.

Speaking of "Filth and Decay"... this reminded Cheng Shi of another teammate in another game who had also been "Filth and Decay"...

Oops—something dirty got into my brain, get out of there right away.

Bailing was a sensible girl. She only expressed her excitement briefly before getting up and helping Cheng Shi to his feet.

When Cheng Shi got up, he casually pulled out a long robe from his personal space and hurriedly wrapped it around his crotch without even putting it on.

Upon seeing this, Fang Shiqing finally broke into a smile on her previously melancholy face.

"You're dressed quite lightly too!"

Cheng Shi pursed his lips.

"I have something even cooler, but that costs extra."

As soon as he finished speaking, Bailing leaned over and took his arm.

"I'll pay, boss, how much?"

"..."

Cheng Shi was rendered speechless by the rebuttal. He looked helplessly at Bailing and said:

Why are you being so sarcastic?

"If you like my support, I'll secretly learn from others."

"..."

Thank you, but you don't need to flatter me like that. You're making me feel awkward.

Cheng Shi shook his head and chuckled. He looked at Fang Shiqing, only to find that she had been watching him the whole time.

Their eyes met, they smiled at each other, and everything was understood without words.

"Destiny is truly wondrous."

Long time no see, Ms. City Defender.

"Long time no see, Doctor of Forgetfulness."

"..."

Cheng Shi's smile froze slightly, but quickly returned to normal.

Fortunately, this disguise can still be maintained.

If Cheng Shi's identity is exposed twice in a single day, he Cheng Shi needs to reflect on whether the person watching this "Order" scheme from behind is truly part of "Order."

After greeting the two acquaintances, Cheng Shi's gaze naturally shifted to the tall and robust young man behind Fang Shiqing.

He shouldn't have known this male Fire Keeper he'd never met before, but Cheng Shi himself didn't expect that he would know his name after just one glance at this tall male Passing the Flame.

He was somewhat shocked, but on the surface he smiled and asked:

"Hey, aren't you going to introduce me?"

Fang Shiqing turned her head to look back, and the man Passing the Flame stepped forward and greeted her cautiously and amicably.

"Cui Qiushi, Order Knight, City Defender."

Really!

He really is Cui Qiushi!

In an instant, Cheng Shi recalled the image of Old Cui. Looking at the young Cui Qiushi in front of him, the two faces slowly merged into one.

It looks like it, very much like it.

Especially his eyebrows and eyes, they are practically a young version of Old Cui!

But he's not thin at all. It seems that in the past six months of hard work and struggle, the tall and thin son that Old Cui used to talk about has grown into a strong and reliable soldier.

The City Defender! The Order Knight! Either one is enough to say something.

Good!

Very good!

For the first time, Cheng Shi felt happy because she had come to understand the state of a stranger.

As for whether this joy stems from respect for Old Cui or admiration for those who uphold goodness, it's hard to say.

Perhaps it's a combination of both.

At this moment, the unexpected gathering kept Cheng Shi smiling, but his heart was far from as relaxed as he appeared.

Because...

He also thought of someone else.

Zhao Qian!

This Eagle Eye Scout who had hesitated to speak in front of Old Cui must have known Cui Qiushi.

Looking back at his attitude towards Old Cui now, could it be...?

Was he also Fire Keeper?

Indeed, if he were Fire Keeper, then everything Su Yida did would have an explanation.

Because Cheng Shi knew that He was aware of the existence of the Fire Keeper.

Moreover, our Lord of Grace may even have helped cover up their tracks.

Judging from Su Yida's future knowledge, perhaps he also knew about this matter in the future, and then he used Zhao Qian's death to bring that murderous scheme to an abrupt end.

Of course, Su Yida did all this not for Cheng Shi, but for himself.

After all, a Master of Trickery who escaped right under the noses of those powerful players from the future would definitely arouse their resentment and hostility.

Nobody likes to be played, especially by someone who should be completely under someone's thumb.

Therefore, Su Yida used Zhao Qian's death to silence everyone.

This is a threat, and also a declaration that cooperation is over.

Cheng Shi didn't know whether the person involved in that future deadly scheme had stopped, he only knew that this Master of Trickery of cunning had stopped.

And there will never be another chance to make a move.

However, all of the above are still Cheng Shi's speculations.

He couldn't be completely sure of Zhao Qian's identity unless he went to Fang Shiqing to verify it.

Normally, Cheng Shi wouldn't ask this question, but now the three people present all seem trustworthy.

So he spoke.

He faced Cui Qiushi and spoke.

"I once met an Eagle Eye Scout; he is probably one of your comrades."

As soon as Cheng Shi Shigang said those words, everyone's expression changed.

Fang Shiqing's eyes darkened, and she nodded.

"You're talking about Zhao Qian, right?"

Really!

Cheng Shi sighed, "Yes, he died. He died in a Trials."

The three Fire Keeper before them clearly already knew of Zhao Qian's death, yet they remained silent. Even the lively Bailing lowered her head, crossed her arms over her chest, and whispered:

"A spark may be extinguished, Passing the Flame must be passed on."

Goodbye, my friend. May you be freed from suffering and may your wishes be fulfilled.

May our dream of a new world... come true.

Sensing the sadness gathering in the air, Cheng Shi remained silent and did not utter a word.

After the memorial service ended, Cui Qiushi raised her head and looked at Cheng Shi with slightly red eyes.

"He is a pioneering City Builder, and a fellow countryman who joined me."

The City Builder!

It turns out that Zhao Qian was a City Builder!

The City Builder's ideals were completely different from those of the City Defender. They wanted to use their Divine Majesty power to find a new path in this broken world and build a new world for mankind.

But in this process, they trusted no one but themselves and their fellow Passing the Flame.

They believe that the strong are the foundation of the new world and have been striving to become stronger and stronger.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Shi finally understood that Zhao Qian's personality and behavior matched up.

Everything he did to preserve was to build up strength for the dream of creating a new world.

They really are the elite; they never believe in the weak.

Cheng Shi sighed inwardly, perhaps only those City Defender were more to his liking.

But it is also limited.

Because he only admired the Fire Keeper, but did not want to associate with these people who upheld goodness.

I no longer have anything to hold onto, and besides, I'm not a good person.

A flurry of thoughts raced through Cheng Shi's mind. He exhaled heavily, suppressing all his thoughts, and composed himself. Smiling, he looked at Fang Shiqing, who had brought him here, and asked in a slightly teasing tone:

"It seems you're not doing too well."

Why didn't you call 120?

My house calls are very expensive.

However, since we're acquaintances, I can offer a discount.

Tell me about your thighs.

Tell me how you managed to bring me here from another place?

This answer can serve as a down payment for the consultation fee.

Fang Shiqing was still observing Cheng Shi, and she couldn't completely believe that Cheng Shi hadn't changed at all during this time.

But Cheng Shi's feelings were clearly more vivid than before; at least for a moment, his heartstrings were filled with sunshine.

Upon hearing this question, Fang Shiqing's smile froze.

She looked at Cheng Shi strangely and asked in return:

"You do not know?"

It turns out that not laughing is contagious.

Cheng Shi's smile froze instantly.

Ah?

"I... should have known..."

"Is that right?"