Foolish Game of the Gods - Chapter 197

The appearance of [Birth] was indeed to save a follower of [Fate].

But back then, had He already foreseen that I would become His follower?

So, after that trial of [Fate], my destiny was already set, wasn’t it?

He had foreseen this scene long ago and laid down various foreshadowings for my oathbreaking…

And that’s why that divine game happened!

Ha, hahaha!

Cheng Shi suddenly laughed—a laugh filled with emotion, tinged with bitterness.

He was laughing at himself.

So this was fate.

When you thought you had conquered it and written a whole new story yourself, you inadvertently discovered at the story’s end… that even the process of conquering it was already written by it.

So compromise, compromise… what compromise? Who compromised with whom?

Perhaps he had no right to compromise. The one who needed to compromise was likely his former Patron, [Deceit].

[Deceit] must have participated in that divine game, and the price He offered was “selling” me.

As for what He gained… who could possibly guess?

But speaking of which, besides “buying” me in that game, what other benefits did [Fate] actually gain?

That was probably a question he didn’t dare ask.

[Fate] seemed to sense Cheng Shi’s doubts, but His cold eyes held no answer.

Cheng Shi remained silent for a long while, his thoughts drifting further and further away. He didn’t know what he was thinking, but amidst the chaotic ideas, one thought grew louder and louder:

I shouldn’t be cheap… even if I was sold, I don’t want to be worthless junk!!!

Lord Patron, how cruel you are!

No, [Deceit], how cruel you are!

You really did push all this!

You actually pushed such a dutiful, hardworking, low-key employee towards a competitor’s company with such heartlessness!

And you, [Fate]! You…

Have excellent taste!

He shook his head with a wry smile. Amidst such complex emotions, he suddenly felt less nervous. Looking at the new Patron before him, whose expression also carried a hint of “worldly” feeling, Cheng Shi took a deep breath and asked loudly:

“Lord Patron, I want to know, what did [Deceit] gain in this game?

Was it merely amusement?”

The eyes stared motionlessly at Cheng Shi, their icy tone laced with mockery.

“He never wins.

I told you, you need not concern yourself with Him anymore.”

“…”

Why are you getting defensive?

Cheng Shi pouted and dropped the subject, changing his question:

“Then… that [Birth]…”

“Hmm? You are still interested in [Birth]?” His words were cut off again. The eyes stared at Cheng Shi without joy or sorrow, coldly uttering words that struck Cheng Shi like lightning, “Do not be deceived by His lies. Humans and Gods cannot share the authority of [Birth].”

“!!??”

Huh?

Wait… huh?

Cheng Shi was dumbfounded, his mind buzzing, standing frozen on the spot.

My dear Lord Patron, do you know what you’re saying?

Do you even think before you speak? You are [Fate]! How can you speak so nonsensically, just like [Deceit]!?

When did I ever want to share the authority of [Birth] with a [God]?

Who told you I wanted to share the authority of [Birth] with a [God]?

How does everyone know what I’ve done? In what way does my former Lord Patron discuss me among the [Gods]?

Don’t I have any dignity!

Cheng Shi took several deep breaths to regain his composure. He looked at the eyes with a strange expression, articulating his point more clearly.

“What I wanted to say was, I have a friend…”

“He said, creating something from nothing is oneself.”

?

Who was it just now who said not to be deceived by His lies?

Are you a goldfish? Memory only lasts 7 seconds?

“No, I really have a friend…”

“He also said, denial is concealment.”

“…”

Cheng Shi was bewildered. He truly couldn’t understand how [Fate] could utter such childish words with such an utterly cold tone.

He looked at the giant eyes before him, as if seeing the shadow of [Deceit] within the endless void and coldness.

The whirling spirals seemed filled with entanglement with [Deceit].

Are you a copycat?

Why is everything ‘He said’?

[Fate], where did your cold and ruthless persona go… it’s completely falling apart.

“Lord Patron, may I finish my sentence?”

The cold eyes shifted slightly, letting out a heavy hum.

“Actually, what I wanted to know is whether my friend, named Hu Xuan, has already become His envoy.”

“Fate changes constantly. Before the game with [Time] yields a victor, I cannot say for certain.

But I have already shown [Birth] the path forward. Whether He can protect His own child depends on Him.”

“…”

Saying that is the same as saying nothing. Get out of the void, riddler!

Cheng Shi sighed, deciding to ask something practical.

“Since [Birth] came to save me, it means you foresaw the outcome of the trial’s judgment. Then I have another question:

Why did [Order] insist on executing me?”

The eyes narrowed slightly for a moment, then gave an answer that shook Cheng Shi to his core:

“He is not [Order].”

“!!!!!”

What the–??

He’s not [Order]? Then who is He?

Although the judge in the courtroom wasn’t [Order] Himself, players generally agreed it was still one of the manifestations of His will.

But if [Fate] wasn’t wrong… then where was [Order]?

Where did He go? Could He have been replaced!?

Before Cheng Shi could voice the flood of questions rising in his mind, [Fate] suddenly stopped him.

“These past events are indeed not for you to hear right now.

Hmm, let’s conclude here for today.

Remember to change your temperament, don’t be rash like Him.”

Saying this, the eyes closed slightly. A fierce wind instantly swept through the void, blowing Cheng Shi’s unprepared consciousness back to reality.

?

What just happened? We were talking fine just now, why end so abruptly?

Who’s the rash one here?

Cheng Shi disappeared, filled with confusion. And the moment he vanished, another identical pair of eyes opened in his original spot.

“Eh? Came late?”

The first pair of eyes narrowed unhappily, glancing coldly at the second pair.

“The aura of the [Iron Law of Order]. You just went looking for trouble with Him?”

“Been annoyed with Him for a long time. Ran into Him by chance and had a fight. Didn’t expect Him to still be so useless after all these years.”

The corners of the first pair of eyes twitched slightly. He didn’t respond, but soon His gaze fixed intently on the second pair, asking coldly:

“Why have you come?”

“Tch. A little liar abandoned his faith. Naturally, I’m here to teach him a lesson.

What, are you planning to violate the [Pact] to protect him?”

“Yes.”

“?” The second pair of eyes blinked rapidly, thinking He had misheard. “What did you say? Yes? You actually want to violate the [Pact] to protect a mere… player?”

“If necessary, I can disregard the [Pact].

But I need to remind you of one thing. He is now my follower. The one about to violate the [Pact]…

Is you.”

“…Is he that good?”

“Why have you come?”

“…”

[Deceit] chuckled angrily. He suddenly found the [Fate] before Him very unfamiliar.

“You’ve changed.”

“Fate changes constantly.”

“…Fine. Good. Very good.

But you don’t think this means I can’t do anything to him, do you?

My… dear sister?”

The first pair of eyes narrowed, His voice like the eternal dead silence of the void.

“You intend to break our agreement?”

“You say that, but didn’t you also accelerate his oathbreaking?

Since you can resort to tricks, why… can’t I?”

As soon as the words fell, a biting cold wind suddenly swept through the void!

“What else have you done behind my back?”

“Heehee~

Guess?”