Two Deals

(On the last day of October, this is a super-sized cup of food, published without any breaks in chapters. Thank you all for your support!)

Poison recognized Afros's identity.

This wasn't because she was particularly learned or knowledgeable about history, but because she had stumbled for so long on the path of seeking the attention of "Filth and Decay." When the Lord of Grace had not responded, she had no choice but to settle for learning about some of His Emissary, and Afros was clearly the most famous one.

This "Filth and Decay" Emissary extreme indulgence and wants to create a Sinking paradise where all life in the Cosmos can embrace their desires.

This is quite different from her own understanding of "Filth and Decay" as something to be accepted without resistance, but that doesn't matter; as long as the general direction is the same, that's enough.

But didn't Li Jingming say that He was imprisoned in the past by "existence"? How come He is here again?

Poison isn't stupid; on the contrary, she's very clever.

Not only is she able to sense other people's emotions, but she also has a terrifying ability to observe. When she saw the Chameleon's restrained yet excited demeanor and the way Afros and Cheng Shi communicated, she roughly guessed something.

What shocked her now was not the Emissary of a Filth and Decay before her, but the fact that the young Priest's identity seemed... too Change.

Is he still the little Priest he Memory?

He opened the door so that he could not resist the temptation and come in to meet Afros.

Is he fishing... waiting for me to take the bait?

The problem is, if I had known that Afros was inside this door, I wouldn't have needed to fish; I would have definitely come in to take a look...

Poison's shock was mixed with many questions, but unlike the Chameleon, she was not at all restrained or nervous. Instead, she suppressed her complex emotions and bowed slightly to Afros before her, returning the bow with the elegant etiquette of the nobility of the Life Era:

"Your Excellency Afros, you may call me... Poison."

Afros raised an eyebrow and smiled:

"Poison, what a good name."

Those who Sinking flock to it, while those who are awakened avoid it like the plague.

A bottle of Poison won't arouse a person's desire, but once that desire is aroused, one might want to taste it.

So that's how you understand Him.

Poison was stunned, but quickly processed the shock in her heart. After all, whether in terms of understanding of [Filth and Decay] or in terms of perceiving emotions, Afros could be considered her ancestor, so it was not surprising that the other party could so incisively point out her ideology.

She didn't find anything wrong with it, and instead smiled and nodded, which was considered as "acknowledging" Afros's comments.

Cheng Shi watched all this and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Poison is indeed a very interesting player. She is very determined to follow the path of "Filth and Decay". If other players had just witnessed that scene, they would have nervously asked themselves, "Am I on the wrong path?" But she didn't. Not only did she not, she also adopted a calm attitude of accepting comments and even expressing some willingness to agree with the differences.

As for whether this posture was feigned or genuine, perhaps only Afros could discern the truth.

Afros did indeed sense it. He not only sensed the complex emotions of the Poison, but also Cheng Shi's intentions. Cheng Shi had never mentioned this player of the same Faith to Him, yet he had brought her here now, clearly indicating that he wanted something from her.

Then, recalling what the other party had mentioned about acting and gambling, Afros instantly understood and smiled meaningfully:

"What kind of deal are we going to make this time, my brother?"

Cheng Shi's mystery:

"A very good deal for you."

You see, before you is a genius with a unique understanding of the will of [Filth and Decay]. You should know better than I how well she resonates with your Lord of Grace.

And you, Afros, I said that the cage of time cannot imprison you. This wasn't just a simple compliment. What I wanted to say was, when the Evil Infant Tribunal no longer Sinking in the past, when Dolgo D welcomes its guests again, at this moment, have you ever considered that your will can also be reborn, to be tried and spread by the people of the new era... on your behalf?

As Cheng Shi gradually uttered these words, Afros's entire demeanor changed.

His gaze grew sharper and his expression more serious, as if everything had returned to the moment when [Time] descended. He stared intently at Cheng Shi, constantly pondering Cheng Shi's words and weighing all possibilities.

"He won't agree." After thinking for a long time, Afros sighed softly.

Cheng Shi knew that Afros was referring to "time," but he scoffed and asked, "And then?"

"?"

Afros frowned, and was about to speak when Cheng Shi continued:

What does it matter whether He agrees or not?

Even if He disagrees, could your situation be any worse than it is now?

Could He possibly banish you, who have already reappeared in the Mortal World, back to the past?

You said that [Birth] is searching for His child. Would He agree to His child being resurrected and then dying again, even if that child is rebellious...?

You know the answer; He doesn't.

To be disrespectful, even if Birth cannot stop the passage of time, then... what about Deception?

My Lord will not allow [existence] to continue to tyrannize in this era, because it is He who will tyrannize in this era.

As I've said before, Nothingness has no meaning, but Nothingness needs to be entertained.

Isn't the greatest fun to repeat the events that angered the times, which were once the old guard of an era?

Moreover, He is not the opposite of Time, and the person who proposed this plan is Believer in Destiny. He can enjoy the spectacle from behind the scenes without paying any price. I think He will not be absent from this grand occasion, nor does He want to be.

So I say, what does it matter whether we agree or disagree about [time]?

If He doesn't want to let you come back, then even if I met you in that Trials, He won't allow you to appear in this era.

Times have changed, Afros. Didn't you also want to use the power of [Nothingness] to try those crazy ideas? I can't help you break the shackles of [time], but I can find you some... suitable Experiment subjects.

And she..."

As he spoke, Cheng Shi pointed to the Poison, which had already left him completely bewildered.

"And she is, so far, the best Experiment subject of [Filth and Decay]."

Of course, yielding to desires isn't forced. If the Assassin doesn't want to be this Experiment subject, I have other options...

"Who says I don't want to?" Poison seemed to have guessed Cheng Shi's meaning. Although she didn't understand why he would find such a great opportunity for her for no reason, she still quickly agreed.

Why not take advantage of a free bargain?

Although no one knew what kind of Experiment Cheng Shi was talking about, anyone could tell that this so-called Experiment was simply an opportunity to get closer to them!

Only a fool would refuse this opportunity, and besides, Poison is very shrewd; she certainly wouldn't.

Little did he know that the moment Cheng Shi uttered those words, the Chameleon, who was listening nearby, could no longer hide his eagerness and Envy. He wished he could raise his hand and report that he could also be Experiment pig.

Poison sensed the Chameleon's emotions, as well as Cheng Shi's emotions, and so she smiled, a happy smile.

"You want me to think, so I think what you want."

"..."

No, sis, are you reciting tongue twisters here?

Cheng Shi chuckled, not replying to her, but instead looked at Afros and said, "The volunteers are in place, so what's the planner for the Experiment?"

Afros let out a soft breath, his eyes flashing with countless brilliance, and he suppressed the urge to strip off his clothes as he smiled radiantly:

I like Nothingness, and I also like this era.

My brother, I must admit, what you said is very appealing to me, and also very [Filth and Decay].

But what I want to ask is, if there was such a good method, why wasn't I told about it from the beginning?

By tantalizing me and slowly enticing me forward, are you... dragging me into the Abyss of Deception?

"..."

What is the Abyss of Deception? Where is the Abyss of Deception? Even if there is, it's not Abyss, but rather Giggle and Mock!

Besides, who gets a royal flush right from the start when playing cards? It has to be done little by little. Moreover, I just got this royal flush; I never expected it before.

Cheng Shi pursed his lips and shook his head, saying:

"There is no Abyss in Deception, but Nothingness will always lead to Nothingness."

Unlike you, who had already accumulated enough Chip in previous eras, I was exposed and stripped of my Mask as soon as I was born into this era.

In the process of rediscovering myself, I cannot only focus on myself, but also need to appropriately please Him.

After all, no matter how much He mocks me, He is still my Lord of Grace.

I need His protection.

Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself. My two teammates, you can call me Cheng Shi, or you can call me [Fool's Game].

I am the Emissary of [Deception], and also an ordinary player.

Of course, unless we're in a secluded place, I prefer you call me Cheng Shi, well, a Fate Weaver with a less-than-stellar reputation.

Upon hearing Cheng Shi finally admit his identity, both Poison and Chameleon were filled with shock.

The former is more complicated, while the latter is more exciting.

"Young Priest, you..."

"Sorry, to correct myself, I'm not some nobody..."

Before Cheng Shi could finish speaking, Poison changed his tune again, saying, "High Priest, you..."

"?"

Cheng Shi was numb; for a moment, he felt as if he had been Poison by Chen Shu.

Seeing Cheng Shi's speechless expression, Poison laughed, just as she had laughed when she joked with Cheng Shi before. She didn't know why Cheng Shi had suddenly become the Emissary of [Deception], [Fool's Game], but by sensing the other party's emotions, she confirmed Cheng Shi's identity. At least, it seemed to be the same Cheng Shi she knew.

"So, you've always been Fool's Game, and not doing anything Cheng Shi?"

Cheng Shi shook his head, a playful smile on his face, "Wrong. I've always been Cheng Shi, not some kind of 'Fool's Game'."

His words were sincere, but no one would believe the words Emissary a Deception.

Afros gave Cheng Shi an appreciative look and smiled:

"My brother, you always manage to surprise me. I can't wait to see you again."

If the surprises could continue, even if it were truly Abyss of Deception, I think I would succumb to my desires and jump in.

But now, I'm more interested in this Poison Lady.

"Beautiful lady, would you care to share a drink with me on an afternoon in Dolgo D?"

Poison glanced at Cheng Shi, then at Afros, and smiled just as brightly, "With pleasure."

Without hesitation, she walked through the door, as if she were returning to her own home.

She never looked at Cheng Shi again, because she knew that Cheng Shi wanted her to go in. Perhaps she didn't understand all the reasons, but she was willing to show Cheng Shi her trust.

Just as Cheng Shi thought, this Chosen of God of the "Filth and Decay" gods also felt that the two chess pieces should keep each other warm on this cold chessboard.

But what if one day, a chess piece inexplicably becomes a chess player...?

That would be even better; wouldn't it be warmer to lie in a chess player's hand than to stand on the chessboard?

Then the Poison laughed again, and the aura of [Filth and Decay] grew even stronger.

"Alright, we're going to have a heart-to-heart talk now. As for you, my brother, and this little mute..."

I'll give you some privacy too.

As he spoke, Afros waved his hand and took the Poison away, preparing to close the door of the Evil Infant Tribunal. But just before he closed the door, Cheng Shi asked him for something else.

"What is that?"

Cheng Shi smiled mysteriously and whispered a few words to Afros.

Afros gave Cheng Shi a strange look before granting his odd request.

"My brother, you'd better remember my advice."

Cheng Shi smiled and nodded, "Of course I remember. I won't provoke Him before I find myself again."

Seeing that Afros had closed the door, Cheng Shi turned to look at the Chameleon in front of him and said:

"Tsk, don't look at me like that. Your fanatical gaze reminds me of that Screaming Count."

To be honest, I don't really believe in human loyalty. So let's sign this agreement.

This is an agreement... that Mortals cannot see in words. Its contents are a one-year oath of loyalty. If you can show me enough loyalty within this year, then I will give you the opportunity you have always dreamed of.

But if you break your vow within this year, then...

"Then pray for your own good fortune, child."

Before Cheng Shi could finish speaking, Chameleon had already signed his name enthusiastically.

In his view, this did not seem to be a contract of loyalty, but rather a guidebook to "them"!

The true Path to Godhood was right before him; how could he not be excited!

So, tempted by their presence, the Chameleon no longer changed its skin color, but maintained that fervent hue from beginning to end.

The Worship God Society are indeed all lunatics.

Cheng Shi inwardly scoffed, but outwardly smiled and took back the ordinary A4 paper. He looked at the name on the white paper with great interest and clicked his tongue in admiration:

"Qu Yan?"

Beautiful characters, beautiful name!