[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-gods-foolish-game":3,"chapter-the-gods-foolish-game-the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-25":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Gods' Foolish Game",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2361153,4617,"Chapter 25: Fang Shiqing","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-25",25,"\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing’s Invitation: 【Us】!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a cramped utility room, narrow and crammed with all manner of cleaning tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The space available for standing was barely half a meter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this cramped half-meter space, Cheng Shi and Fang Shiqing stood face to face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing smiled warmly; Cheng Shi looked bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So the War Fog was really meant to kidnap me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi glanced around the surroundings with a strange expression, thinking this tiny space was indeed a good hiding spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t use the word ‘kidnap’ like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing smiled, placed her hands on Cheng Shi’s arms to create a slight distance between them, and explained seriously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Clamp Girl is following too closely—I had no other way to shake her off for a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? You call her the Clamp Girl too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi’s eyes lit up; he instantly felt he’d found an ally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What else? No time for chatter—we’re running short. Cheng Shi, I have something to tell you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I like men, thanks.” Cheng Shi’s mouth moved faster than light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing first froze, then burst into a quiet laugh:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not what you think—no need to refuse so hastily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Cheng Shi let out a deep breath:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good, good—I still like women.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You... don’t I have any appeal at all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If by ‘appeal’ you mean something like Bailing, then honestly, none.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......Enough joking.” Fang Shiqing showed no anger; she fixed her gaze on Cheng Shi, her expression turning solemn:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cheng Shi, I know you falsified your Ladder score, and I know you’re powerful—but I won’t dig into why you hid it. I simply want to invite you: join us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi’s smile faded slowly; his brow twitched slightly, as if something occurred to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you from the Rationality Association?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rationality Association was an organization formed by players who followed the 【Truth】, dedicated to seeking cosmic truth and probing the nature of the gods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the influence of 【Truth】 and the “Tower of Rationality” within the trials, they possessed a fanatical thirst for knowledge about the origins of all things and the laws of the universe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These people grew utterly insane in their pursuit of 【Understanding Divine Power】 and the knowledge to 【Become a God】—utterly irrational.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, there were many other player organizations like the Rationality Association: the Order Alliance, the Nature Sect, the History School, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fundamental reason these groups existed was because humans forced to become 【Players】 instinctively craved survival and power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they gathered spontaneously, cooperating tirelessly to improve themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing was a believer of 【Truth】; naturally, Cheng Shi immediately thought of the Rationality Association.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Fang Shiqing shook her head and sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Rationality Association has abandoned reason. They’ll do anything to become gods—more like followers of 【Corruption】 and devotees of 【Foolishness】. They unleash their ambitions, expand their desires, and have long since stepped beyond the bounds of normal humanity, becoming incomprehensible madmen...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But we are not like them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cheng Shi, do you still remember your home?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing’s sudden sincerity left Cheng Shi flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How to say it—if you count the utility room of the orphanage as a home, then yes, he remembered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the scene stirred memories—this tiny space resembled the place he’d lived in as a child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Cheng Shi’s silence, Fang Shiqing continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone has a warm family, loved ones who care for them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But after They descended, everyone lost their former beautiful lives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Faith Game shattered the world and pushed hundreds of millions of compatriots to the edge of a cliff.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice grew somber; her grip on Cheng Shi’s sleeve tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cheng Shi, not everyone can win trial after trial like you and I.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not everyone can reach 2000 points.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not everyone can obtain an S-rank talent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not everyone can struggle to survive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Many... take one wrong step and fall into the abyss; more have already plunged beneath it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But are they guilty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re just innocent people, struggling to live, compromising to survive—only to die and still be branded ‘God-Abandoned.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Among them are your family, my family, those who love you, and those who love me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing gave a bitter smile, then rallied her spirit and continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there truly no way to prevent all this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Must everything we love and wish to protect be doomed to loss before the gods?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Any human with blood, flesh, bone, and spirit will not allow this to happen!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s why we were born!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We gather together, using every force we can, uniting every ally we can, protecting every beauty worth saving!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We bow to accept Their blessings, yet raise our heads to challenge Their authority;”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We turn our backs to each other in trust, and vow to defend our friends’ faith even unto death;”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We forge swords and spears into new walls, and plunge into darkness to carry the flame of hope.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To protect those behind us, we must stand up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cheng Shi, do you... understand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is... us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A band of warriors seeking to rebel against 【Divine Grandeur】; a group of madmen still devoted to ‘Beauty.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To achieve this, we crawl in darkness, never revealing ourselves lightly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you, Cheng Shi—I believe you’re worth the risk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, I solemnly invite you: join us. You...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi listened silently, his face lost in shadow, offering no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing desperately tried to read his emotions, but clearly, she failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, Cheng Shi slightly curled his lips and asked mockingly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After all that, may I ask, Madam Torchbearer, are you a City Defender or a City Builder?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!!??”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Cheng Shi, forcing her voice low with suppressed shock:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know about us? You...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She suddenly realized something; her shock and hope vanished, replaced by deep regret. She pressed her lips into a bitter smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see... you’ve already refused us...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi’s expression turned unnatural; he shook his head slightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No—no one has ever invited me before. You’re the first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing’s face grew even more astonished; she looked up, voice trembling:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible. No player untouched by a Torchbearer could possibly know of us! Where did you learn this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where did I learn this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi’s gaze suddenly grew deep and distant; his eyes passed over Fang Shiqing’s hair, fixed on the darkness behind her, recalling some memory, his tone filled with profound sorrow:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes... where did I learn this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Probably from a fool’s mouth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me—how could anyone risk their life for a stranger?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why not?” Fang Shiqing’s eyes hardened suddenly; she spoke solemnly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Torchbearers spare nothing to protect what they cherish—not even themselves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is a stranger part of your ‘beauty’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps not mine—but it was his. It was the beauty in the eyes of... that Torchbearer you met...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing’s voice brimmed with unwavering romance; even the irreverent Cheng Shi was slightly moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head; his smile returned. He looked into Fang Shiqing’s eyes—those eyes filled with hope—finding them so... bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in the fog. Even in this dark utility room—still so bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I remember you, City Defender.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing blinked, surprised he’d deduced her identity—but she didn’t care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So this time, what's your answer?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"More than that, I'd like to ask why you chose me? I've never thought of myself as a good person,\" Cheng Shi said, spreading his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing smiled: \"The word 'good person' is too heavy for the world today. We never expect to meet one—only hope our companion isn't a bad one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How do you know I'm not a bad person?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing released her left hand, which had been gripping Cheng Shi’s sleeve, and pointed to her ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"S-rank Singer's passive ability 'Touching the Heartstrings'—I can hear the music each person's heart plays. I know the melodies of evil people all too well. You? You're not one of them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"?\" Cheng Shi raised an eyebrow, curious. \"Then what am I?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm... strange, erratic, deep—but not dark.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi pondered silently for a moment, then suddenly laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you laughing at?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry—I think you misheard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before she could react, his palm sliced down hard on her neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thud!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing’s eyes flared wide for an instant, then snapped shut as she collapsed unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi rubbed his hand, looking down at Fang Shiqing lying in his arms, and said in a strange tone:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Someone standing in the firelight shouldn’t trust those in the dark—especially when those in the dark aren’t even human.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still... thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave a self-deprecating smile, wrapped his arms around her waist, lifted her up, and pushed open the door to the storage room.\u003C\u002Fp>",1453,"2026-06-21T06:05:06.137Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","1601d11277ca7f7848317434b80eef2009934997d5d495ed82aa7237fa40db31","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-26","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-24",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-gods-foolish-game-cover.jpg"]