[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-foolish-game-of-the-gods":3,"chapter-foolish-game-of-the-gods-foolish-game-of-the-gods-chapter-279":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Foolish Game of the Gods",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},579550,829,"Chapter 279: [Prosperity]'s Past and Eposka","foolish-game-of-the-gods-chapter-279",279,"\u003Cp>Cheng Shi surveyed the room full of silent freeloaders and laughed coldly to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Oh? So that's how it's going to be? Fine. If you want to play this game, I'll show you what a real freeloader looks like.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scanned the room once more. Nobody spoke. So he dropped flat onto the ground and went straight to \"sleep.\" Within a single second, thunderous snoring filled the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zzzz — Zzzz — Zzzz —\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fake-sleeping act was so transparently false that every person in the room was rendered collectively speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Lin watched this scene that was equal parts hilarious and infuriating. Her expression finally thawed, and she shook her head with a reluctant smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly the workload had been too much. The tour guide had gone on strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But by this point, everyone had a fairly clear picture of what needed to happen next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This trial's objective was either protecting the foraging Mushroom-Footed People inside the Sighing Forest, or sustaining the hope burning in their hearts — their prayer for forgiveness. Either way, one thing was certain: if they could eliminate Eposka — the predator hunting the foragers — the trial's difficulty would drop dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So after a moment's thought, Hong Lin looked to the historian:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This [Decay] creature called Eposka — Poop Scooper, have you heard of it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, it was the History School's time to shine. Zuo Qiu smiled, puffed out his chest, and began earnestly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As it happens, I know a thing or two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name Eposka may be unfamiliar, but if I mention another name, you'll likely recognize it. At least you will, Baldie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That name is...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dizel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Lin's pupils contracted. A disbelieving gasp: \"The Unshadowed Flower Crown — [Prosperity]'s Envoy!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'[Prosperity]'s Envoy?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hunter and assassin perked up. On the floor, Cheng Shi's snoring volume dropped noticeably — ears pricked, waiting for stories about the divine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Qiu caught Cheng Shi's act and let out two hearty laughs:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly. The former [Prosperity] Envoy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As everyone knows, the Mother of Prosperity had four children—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait — these are divine secrets. Since when does 'everyone' know them?\" Hong Lin cut in with a suspicious look. \"I thought you studied underground transitions?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How are you so familiar with [Prosperity]'s affairs?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, well — the History School has many colleagues who research divine history. We hold regular history-sharing sessions. These aren't open to outsiders — invitation only, for select special members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I happened to be invited a few times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, the history I'm about to share is directly connected to underground transitions. Any further questions, Chosen One?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Lin's gaze turned slightly odd at that \"Chosen One.\" She studied Zuo Qiu for a long moment before nodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My mistake. Continue.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Mother of Prosperity had four children. The oldest two are obscure — we lack sufficient data. But the latter two left ample traces across the Land of Hope and are frequently discussed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her third child was Dizel — former [Prosperity] Envoy, whom She had named with the divine title 'The Unshadowed Flower Crown.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This servant god of [Life] was considered the most suitable successor to [Prosperity]'s divine name. But something happened — no one knows what — and this servant god abandoned [Prosperity]. Abandoned his own mother. And threw himself into the arms of [Decay]...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi's mind went blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Hold on — Le Le'er was also a child of the Mother of Prosperity. She'd betrayed [Prosperity] and embraced [Corruption]. And now there's a brother who straight-up joined [Decay]?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Good heavens. Is [Prosperity]'s entire family made up of turncoats and moles!?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This is huge news!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His curiosity ablaze, Cheng Shi didn't even bother pretending anymore. He shot upright, face naked with anticipation: \"Then what!? What happened next!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The expression was identical to when the group had been clamoring for his gossip at the trial's start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The complex relationships among the Gods aren't for mortals to comprehend. Nobody knows what exactly happened in between. In any case, [Decay] took Dizel in and made Him [Decay]'s Envoy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before long, He was dead. Killed by [Decay]'s own hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The very God who'd personally welcomed Dizel personally put Him to death. Dizel's divinity was split in two: His body became Eposka — the Desolate Walker — roaming the Sighing Forest mindlessly. His soul was sealed inside a dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That dagger is called the Gift of Sores. It remains lost somewhere in the world. It's the holy grail for every [Decay] assassin — indeed, for assassins of any faith. A near-divine weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So now you understand: before body and soul were separated, Eposka was once a child of [Prosperity]. Not only that — he was the Mother of Prosperity's own son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which makes me wonder... could the dying embers refer to him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, our mission shifts from protecting the Mushroom-Footed People and killing Eposka... to helping Eposka kill the Mushroom-Footed People.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Consider this: the 'Never-Vanishing Desolate Lamp' in the Mushroom-Footed People's hands is a treasure bestowed by [Prosperity]. Think one layer deeper — even as punishment, why exile them to [Decay]'s territory specifically?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And why would He borrow [Decay]'s power to protect the very sinners He exiled?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could there be something unspeakable lurking underneath? Is it possible that [Prosperity] is using His own faithful to feed His son — trying to awaken the vanished soul of Eposka?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would explain why the lamp attracts it to hunt the Mushroom-Footed People, wouldn't it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course — this is my personal 'conspiracy theory.' No disrespect to [Prosperity] intended. So please, Chosen One, don't hit me. My body can't take a single punch from you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When this reasoning landed, the entire room fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Lin's brow creased. Whatever she was thinking, she — surprisingly — offered no defense or rebuttal on her patron's behalf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi's brow rose. Zuo Qiu's logic was hard to dismiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Ignite a prairie fire' — who was to say whether \"prairie fire\" referred to quality or quantity?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning an oathbreaking Envoy to [Prosperity] would count as a 'prairie fire' too!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you already knew Eposka was Dizel's soulless husk, why didn't you stop me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a wink might have made me think twice before rushing to play this damn [Prosperity] divine envoy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Qiu laughed heartily and held up a thumb: \"Because I wasn't sure either. This trial's objective is too ambiguous. I would never gamble — I don't even know how. So I didn't stop you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I think what you did was right. Even as a precaution, we can't afford to hedge only one side. Having absolute authority within the Mushroom-Footed settlement benefits us a hundred ways and hurts us in none.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, wait — there is one downside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if the Chosen One can swallow the indignity, then we truly have nothing to lose.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Lin snorted coldly: \"Nice mouth you've got. I hope you keep a tight grip on it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\" Just like that, the historian who'd been speaking with such passionate eloquence shrank right back into his shell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So our top priority is finding Eposka and assessing its condition. Agreed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold-faced hunter, speaking up for once, offered his own take. The group exchanged glances. Every pair of eyes reflected consensus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so the plan was settled: first thing tomorrow, they would investigate Eposka's status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for why it had to wait until tomorrow — because...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night had fallen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the dark moon climbed the sky, every [Decay] creature in the Sighing Forest stirred to life, transforming the quiet woods into [Decay]'s playground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sighing Sorrow Tide rolled in wave after wave, sealing the settlement so tightly not a whisper could escape. And in the thick, impenetrable mist, vast rotting serpents slithered past — hisses and shrieks rising and falling in an endless nocturnal chorus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Night of [Decay] had begun.\u003C\u002Fp>",1305,"2026-05-30T16:17:59.408Z","2026-06-01T04:31:40.442Z",1,"novelbin.me","b5c87db424bd39202fedd2ab58ab89265c7183100137f6977be2cbb61d07e03d","foolish-game-of-the-gods-chapter-280","foolish-game-of-the-gods-chapter-278",1463,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffoolish-game-of-the-gods-cover.jpg"]