Chapter 156

Acquaintances, seeing acquaintances again

"Big shot!?"

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

With a "thud," Cheng Shi was smashed back into the meat paste covering the ground.

Only this time, there was someone pressing down on him.

And the lady who ran over and tackled him was none other than the Sensory Hunter, Bai Ling, whom Cheng Shi had led to a win before!

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

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

However...

Fang Shiqing is a bit badass, how did she pull him into their trial?

Haven't seen her in a few days, she wouldn't have reached 2400 too, right?

The 【Death】 tune heard earlier was sung by her; could it be... she's also working for that lord?

Is this His method?

Cheng Shi was full of doubt; the only thing he could be certain of at the moment was that this seemed to be a...

Fire-Keeper game.

Actually, before Cheng Shi dived into that beam of light, he had already heard some outside conversations, so seeing old friends now, he naturally guessed the relationship between Bai Ling and Fang Shiqing.

Seeing the joy of reunion overflowing on Bai Ling's face, and the fire of hope reflected in her eyes, Cheng Shi smiled with relief.

"Go, go, hurry up and get off, you're heavy as hell, you must have gained a lot of weight."

"Ah? Really? Maybe my chest got a bit bigger." Bai Ling lay on Cheng Shi, laughing happily.

"..."

Forgot about that; she's a believer of 【Filth】, saying this to her will only make her more excited.

But speaking of 【Filth】... this reminded Cheng Shi of another 【Filth】 teammate in another game...

Eww—something dirty got into my brain, get out quickly.

Bai Ling was a sensible girl; she just expressed her excitement a bit intensely, then flipped up and pulled Cheng Shi up.

When Cheng Shi got up, he reached into his personal space and pulled out a long robe, and without time to put it on, he hurriedly wrapped it around his waist.

Seeing this, Fang Shiqing's previously melancholy face finally revealed a smile.

"You're dressed quite coolly too!"

Cheng Shi curled his lips.

"I have even cooler ones, but they cost money."

As soon as he finished speaking, Bai Ling leaned over and hooked his arm again.

"I'll pay, big shot, how much?"

"..."

Cheng Shi was rendered speechless; he looked at Bai Ling helplessly and said:

"How did you become so cheeky?"

"You like me playing along, so I secretly learned from someone."

"..."

Thanks, no need to play along that much, you're making it impossible for me to step down.

Cheng Shi shook his head and laughed; he looked at Fang Shiqing, only to see Fang Shiqing had been looking at him all along.

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

"Fate is truly wonderful.

Long time no see, Ms. City-Guard."

"Long time no see, Forgotten Doctor."

"..."

Cheng Shi's smile stiffened slightly, but it returned to normal in an instant.

Good, this persona can still be maintained.

If his identity were exposed twice in one day, Cheng Shi would really have to reflect on whether the one watching the show behind this 【Order】 game is truly 【Order】.

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

He shouldn't have known this male Fire-Keeper he had never seen before, but Cheng Shi himself didn't expect that he only had to look at this tall male Fire-Keeper once to know his name.

He was a bit shocked inside, but on the surface, he asked with a smile:

"Big legs, aren't you going to introduce him?"

Fang Shiqing turned her head to look back, and the male Fire-Keeper stepped forward, greeting him cautiously and friendly.

"Cui Qiushi, Order Knight, City-Guard."

As expected!

He really is Cui Qiushi!

Cheng Shi's mind instantly recalled the appearance of Cui Lao, and looking at the young Cui Qiushi in front of him, the two faces slowly merged into one.

Alike, very alike.

Especially the brows and eyes, he is simply a young version of Cui Lao!

But he isn't thin at all; it seems that in the more than half a year of struggling, the tall and thin son Cui Lao spoke of has already grown into a sturdy and reliable warrior.

City-Guard! Order Knight! Whichever one you take out is enough to explain some things.

Good!

Very good!

For the first time, Cheng Shi felt happy because he had recognized the status of a stranger.

As for whether this happiness came from respect for Cui Lao or admiration for those who hold fast to beauty, it was hard to distinguish.

Perhaps both.

At this very moment, a bizarre reunion kept the smile on Cheng Shi's face, but his heart was far from as relaxed as he appeared.

Because...

He also thought of one person.

Zhao Qian!

This Eagle-Eye Scout who once stammered and refused to speak in front of Cui Lao must have known Cui Qiushi.

Thinking back to his attitude toward Cui Lao now, could it be...

He is also a Fire-Keeper?

Indeed, if he were a Fire-Keeper, everything Su Yi Da did would have a reason.

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

Not only that, the Enzhu might even have helped cover their tracks.

Judging from the knowledge of the future Su Yi Da, perhaps his future self also knew about this, and only then would he use Zhao Qian's death to draw an abrupt period to that killing game in the future.

Of course, Su Yi Da didn't do all this for Cheng Shi, but for himself.

After all, a Trickster Master who escaped from under the noses of those big-shot players in the future would definitely arouse their disgust and hostility.

No one likes to be toyed with, especially by someone who should have been firmly under their control.

Therefore, Su Yi Da used Zhao Qian's death to shut everyone's mouths.

This was a threat, and also a declaration that the cooperation had ended.

Cheng Shi didn't know if the people in that future killing game had stopped, he only knew that this Trickster Master who was good at calculation had stopped.

And he would never have the chance to act again.

However, all of the above remained Cheng Shi's speculation.

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

Usually, Cheng Shi wouldn't ask this question, but the three present now seemed trustworthy.

So, he spoke.

Facing Cui Qiushi, he spoke.

"I once met an Eagle-Eye Scout; he was probably your partner."

As soon as Cheng Shi said this, everyone's expressions changed.

Fang Shiqing's eyes dimmed, and she nodded.

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

As expected!

Cheng Shi sighed: "Yes, he died, died in a trial."

The three Fire-Keepers in front of him clearly knew about Zhao Qian's death long ago, but even so, they remained silent; even the lively Bai Ling lowered her head, crossed her hands over her chest, and whispered:

"Spark fades easily, fire-keeping never dies.

Goodbye, friend, may you be free from suffering, may you get what you wish for.

May the new world in our dreams... be coming."

Feeling the sadness condensing in the air, Cheng Shi remained silent and said nothing.

When the memorial ceremony ended, Cui Qiushi looked up, his eyes slightly red as he looked at Cheng Shi.

"He was a City-Builder who dared to explore, a compatriot who joined with me."

City-Builder!

So Zhao Qian was a City-Builder!

The ideals of City-Builders were completely different from those of City-Guards; they wanted to use their hands, which mastered divine greatness, to find a new path in this shattered world and build a new world belonging to humanity.

But in this process, they trusted no one except themselves and their Fire-Keeper compatriots.

They upheld the idea that the strong are the foundation of the new world and had been struggling on the road of seeking strength and becoming stronger.

Hearing this, Cheng Shi finally matched Zhao Qian's personality with his behavior.

Everything he reserved was to accumulate strength for the dream of building a new world.

As expected of the elite faction, they never trust the weak.

Cheng Shi sighed in his heart; perhaps only City-Guards were more to his taste.

But even that was limited.

Because he only admired Fire-Keepers, but didn't want to mingle with these people who held fast to beauty.

I have long since lost anything I need to hold fast to, and besides, I'm not a good person.

Many thoughts flashed through Cheng Shi's mind; he exhaled a heavy breath, suppressed all his thoughts, organized his expression, and looked at Fang Shiqing, who had brought him here, with a smile and a slightly teasing tone:

"It seems your situation isn't very good.

Why didn't you call 120?

My house calls are very expensive.

However, for the sake of being acquaintances, I can give a discount.

Tell me, big legs.

Tell me how you pulled me from another place to here?

This answer can be considered the down payment for the consultation fee."

Fang Shiqing had been observing Cheng Shi; she couldn't fully believe that Cheng Shi had never changed during this time.

But at this moment, Cheng Shi's inner voice was clearly more vivid than last time; at least for a moment, his heartstrings were filled with sunshine.

But upon hearing this question, Fang Shiqing's smile froze.

She looked at Cheng Shi strangely and asked back:

"You... don't know?"

Facts proved that not smiling is contagious.

Cheng Shi's smile also froze instantly.

Ah?

"I... should know...

...?"