[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-gods-foolish-game":3,"chapter-the-gods-foolish-game-the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-29":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},2361157,4617,"Chapter 29: The Death of Cheng Shi","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-29",29,"\u003Cp>The Death of Cheng Shi\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was strange—Cheng Shi’s eyes held no sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, he didn’t care at all about Bai Ling’s death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continuously accelerated his metabolism, trying to use the magic of time to erase the control effects of his negative status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unfortunately, the real world wasn’t a turn-based game; while Cheng Shi struggled, the guard didn’t idle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a singer, inflicting negative status effects was his specialty—he kept casting his spells, squeezing the little remaining space Cheng Shi had to survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Cheng Shi felt his strength fading; in the tug-of-war at the edge of death, he was overwhelmed and utterly shattered, left only to wait for death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard stepped up to Cheng Shi, saw he was motionless, eyes vacant, and sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Crawlers beneath the earth should stay beneath the earth—but sometimes, crawlers have their uses. I both like you and hate you. Ah, what a contradiction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he finished speaking, the guard suddenly raised his sword and stabbed downward, piercing Cheng Shi’s chest with the speed of thunder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Giving him not a single chance to turn the tide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ssssh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade pierced his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi’s eyes flew open, his pupils contracting sharply; within seconds, the light in his eyes collapsed entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One second before his vision plunged into darkness, he saw the door directly opposite suddenly burst open with a “Bang!”—a familiar face appeared before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Cheng!!??”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was A Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi smiled bitterly, then closed his eyes forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Ming had barely entered the room when he felt the thick presence of [Order] energy; seeing his two fallen teammates, he went berserk and charged at the stunned guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill you! Kill you!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How is this possible? This is the domain of [Order]—how can you be unbound?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“[Order?] I AM [Order!]”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was clearly blasphemy, yet A Ming received no divine punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He muttered furiously under his breath, his face twisted with ferocity; in a flash, he appeared behind the guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard couldn’t react in time—his face contorted in terror; he seemed about to shout, but before a sound escaped, a bloodied dagger plunged through his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, it pierced straight through his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A murky yellow light flickered briefly along the dagger’s edge; the guard stared at the blade tip protruding from his chest, spat out a foul stream of blood, and died with eyes wide open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Cheng! I’ve avenged you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Ming’s voice was distorted and choked; he kicked the corpse aside, collapsed onto the floor, eyes hollow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Fang Shiqing rushed in with Xu Lu through the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Ming looked up at them, tears still glistening in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Lu, seeing the gruesome scene, turned pale, clutching Fang Shiqing’s sleeve tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she disliked Cheng Shi, their shared identity as players made her feel a pang of sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing stared at the scene before her—the dead Bai Ling and Cheng Shi—and bit her lip until it turned white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost bloodless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could this happen...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she quickly snapped back, turned, and shut the door firmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know—I arrived a little late. I was exploring the second floor when I heard noises from this room and rushed over. When I came in, Brother Cheng and Birdy...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Ming seemed consumed by guilt; he rubbed his hair, head bowed, pounding the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who’s on the bed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he asked than Xu Lu’s face changed; she pointed at the bed and gasped:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Him! The one destined to die in the prophecy—it’s him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing trembled, turning back to Xu Lu in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She suddenly realized—the corpse on the bed was likely the Duke, the man who had been missing all along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Lu, seeing the scene matched the vague prophecy exactly, muttered dazedly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So it wasn’t us who were meant to die... but the Duke. Then that Cheng guy...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the prophecy didn’t mention any player dying, two players were now dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the scene, only two possibilities existed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either Cheng Shi stumbled upon the guard’s murder and was silenced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or the guard caught Cheng Shi in the act of murder, and Cheng Shi failed to kill him back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which one it was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had Fang Shiqing voiced her theory than Xu Lu lowered her head and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think... the guard saw Cheng Shi kill someone...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing’s expression hardened, a flicker of contempt crossing her eyes; her voice turned cold:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He might have wanted to steal the Duke’s identity... He... seemed like the kind of person who would.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew speaking this now was unwise, yet for some reason, she summoned the courage to voice her suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing frowned but held back her anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister Fang... what do we do now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing checked her watch—nearly seven hours had passed; only five hours remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You two go out first. Guard the door. As comrades, we must see them off properly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Ming glanced at Fang Shiqing, suddenly remembering she too was a Singer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Singers record stories, and the protagonists of those stories are often all kinds of people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, also all kinds of dead people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they excel at singing funeral dirges, reciting elegies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Lu thought this ritual might waste time, but seeing Fang Shiqing’s resolute face, she bit her lip and stepped toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Ming followed close behind, head bowed, face hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Fang Shiqing passed him, she patted his shoulder in comfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the two exited and shut the door, her sorrow vanished instantly—replaced by a surge of fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She opened her book, tore off a page, and flicked it lightly—the entire room froze instantly; even the fluttering curtains halted mid-motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sound remained—not even breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she walked to Cheng Shi’s side, stared at the corpse pierced through the heart, and laughed bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing recalled the moment in the thick fog when she’d woken up in Cheng Shi’s arms and felt a slip of paper tucked against her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, while no one was looking, she’d secretly read it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It read:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Respected Lady of the Flame,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I stand beside you, even now,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do not look at me. Do not smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is a plea for help—from my future self.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I die and you happen upon me, please save me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any healing spell can pull me back from hell. I beg you, for the sake of the moment I once was a Flame-Bearer candidate, lend me your aid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your humble servant is eternally grateful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also: Three travelers must be cautious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, looking down at the corpse at her feet—he was dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did this bastard predict his own death?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could you trust me so blindly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could you be certain I’d come to save you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You rejected me—didn’t you fear I’d reject you too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bastard!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing scolded Cheng Shi at length, her brows furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The space was silenced—no one could hear, as if in a silent trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet in the end, she resigned herself, tore another page from her book, crumpled it, and pressed it against Cheng Shi’s wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the page touched the wound, it dissolved into a green glow pulsing with [Life], flooding into Cheng Shi’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corpse, moments ago lifeless, instantly opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh—huh—ugh—huh—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Loud, ragged gasps echoed—but no one heard them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Cheng Shi’s ridiculous gasping, Fang Shiqing couldn’t help but smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fresh air flooded his lungs; the long-missed sensation of the living world surged through his limbs—he greedily drew in several more breaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s alive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s come back to life!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing he did was look up—not at Fang Shiqing—but pulled out his watch to check how much time had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he saw only twenty-some minutes had passed since his death, he exhaled a long, heavy breath, relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He released all the pressure in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he looked at the dead Bailing, and the guard with eyes wide open, unblinking in death—and suddenly laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A silent laugh, like a clown in a silent film.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thigh really can be relied upon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather—the City Defender truly can be relied upon!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing saw Cheng Shi laughing to himself, ignoring her entirely as his savior, and angrily kicked him twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi quickly scrambled up, clasped his hands together in thanks, then pointed to Bailing beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing’s face darkened, pointed to the book in her hand, and mouthed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wasting pages—you’re a priest, you save her yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi sighed, then snapped his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the silent snap, Bailing’s crushed body slowly regained fullness; within a few breaths, her eyes opened again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Retroactive Healing—a gift from 【Time】!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment her clear eyes opened, they filled with shock. She stared blankly at Cheng Shi and murmured:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s... really... true...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing read her lips, turned her head in confusion toward Cheng Shi, as if asking, “What’s true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi spread his hands, indicating he had no idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bailing, seeing the big shot still pretending ignorance, giggled foolishly along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bloodstains on her body didn’t vanish with the retroactive healing, but the bloodied dress added a certain allure to Bailing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reborn,” she seemed even more... alluring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing frowned, sensing something was not simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stench of 【Corruption】 had grown stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze flickered between Cheng Shi and Bailing, trying to discern what had passed between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Cheng Shi concealed it perfectly—no trace of suspicion could be found.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bailing, however, was terrible at pretense; her eyes clung to Cheng Shi like spun thread, staring in a way that made one feel sick...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew what she was thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing naturally had no idea what Bailing was thinking—because right now, her mind was filled entirely with the scene she and Cheng Shi had shared inside the cabinet.\u003C\u002Fp>",1644,"2026-06-21T06:05:06.137Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8581b7ddcfec7a4041ef4f750e851d85f3a2f5cb60a586224029095f320ea102","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-30","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-28",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-gods-foolish-game-cover.jpg"]