[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-gods-foolish-game":3,"chapter-the-gods-foolish-game-the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-44":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},2361172,4617,"Chapter 44: Death Shall Surely Come","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-44",44,"\u003Cp>Death shall surely come\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Insults are one thing, but none here are fools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had already figured out what Wei Guan was doing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is issuing a challenge to the killer!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The killer strikes on the streets at night, meaning all first-hand traces of the truth are buried in darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, for the players, night is dangerous—but also a better time than day to approach the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yongzhan Town is too large; one night is impossible to cover every corner, let alone find the killer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Wei Guan used himself as bait, hoping to provoke the killer into revealing himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Jue had seen through Wei Guan’s intent long ago; without a single glance exchanged, relying solely on sharp intuition and equally agile thinking, they performed an impromptu act on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when Wei Guan stepped out did the others realize the brilliance of their coordination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the “idiot” they spat out was sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody likes show-offs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you suddenly understand what Chen Chong was about?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Jue shook his head with a faint smile, then addressed the group:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We probably won’t sleep tonight. Gather your things and follow me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, he glanced back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shadowed corner where a man had stood was now empty—the Ascetic had vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, he had also seen through the ruse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsk. Not a single fool among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi admired silently, adjusted his clothes, and slipped out quietly through the back door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The full moon hung high; a warm breeze brushed gently. Yongzhan Town’s night was not cool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Cheng Shi stepped out, he noticed not all residents obeyed the curfew—some drunkards still wandered the streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They staggered while shouting the name of the god [Prosperity], as if their patron would protect them from death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled at the drunks, then swiftly slipped toward the direction where Wei Guan had disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Guan was truly a lone wolf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Fang Jue had cooperated, giving him the pretext to taunt the killer, this man showed not the slightest gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After stepping out, he left not a single trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minute footprints vanished just beyond the inn, with no further clues to guide direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fuck. That’s ruthless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi stood atop a rooftop, frowning as he searched for any trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On a nearby windmill tower, Yun Ni was doing the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone had lost their target—no one knew where Wei Guan had gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does he think he can handle the killer alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Du Xiguang finally couldn’t hold back—he adjusted his glasses and snapped bitterly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he finds the real killer first and makes the choice for us, who bears the consequence?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The [Foolish] are always so repulsive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, exactly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi smiled inwardly—[Deception] and [Memory] seemed to have aligned again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Guan’s methods were clean—he was a hunter, and his trail-cleaning skills were exceptional. The group split into eight directions and searched for an hour, finding nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after another half-hour, when everyone’s faces were dark as they regrouped, did the missing Ascetic suddenly reappear before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression was even darker than Cheng Shi’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Jue spotted him immediately and asked in a low voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you find?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ascetic said nothing, turned, and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone’s hearts dropped—they followed at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Led by the Ascetic, the group leapt across rooftops, moving swiftly through the night, soon arriving at a spot south of the town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On a wide street, the players suddenly spotted a corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corpse wore the white shirt and black vest provided by the inn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Wei Guan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Guan was dead!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone gasped in shock; Cheng Shi’s pupils shrank sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t imagine a 2400-ranked player dying so silently in the trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place was not far from the inn—almost right under the players’ watchful eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there had been a struggle, surely someone would have heard something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant one thing: either the killer vastly outclassed Wei Guan and killed him instantly, or the killer had a way to muffle sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Jue’s face darkened; he swiftly landed beside Wei Guan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as his feet touched the ground, he declared angrily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This place—no lying allowed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Order]’s S-rank Faith Talent: Decree echoes afar!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not a unique skill of the Lawgiver—any follower of [Order] could activate their “temporary law” by chanting the corresponding “Hymn of Judgment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the Lawgiver, as the singer of [Order], could add extra effects when chanting, making this talent especially potent for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A golden glow instantly flooded the entire street. Fang Jue looked back at the group and softly chanted:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Above, the Just Judge, the hour of interrogation has come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All lies shall be pierced; all answers shall be revealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The suspect shall be questioned here, confess past sins, and face inner torment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the gaze of [Order]...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cast into the death cell!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A white light rose from each person. Cheng Shi felt it silently—he was now much weaker, and bore a new status: [Confession].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned, sensing something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was Fang Jue suspecting one of them had secretly struck?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the hour-long search had given ample time to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But why kill one of their own?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi froze—his mind suddenly sharpened:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he thought again about everyone’s Faith...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuck. Is this aimed at me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Fang Jue could ask, Yun Ni—closest to him—suddenly stepped forward and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re a follower of [Deception], aren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’s still suspecting me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi tensed—immense pressure surged in his mind, forcing his lips open to speak truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your motherfucking hell, you can do this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riding the coattails, huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi glared at Yun Ni, jaw clenched, facial muscles taut, fighting the pressure with all his will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after only one second, his mouth broke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face twitched twice, then willingly gave the answer:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yun Ni seemed surprised by the answer; she raised an eyebrow and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Cheng Shi wasn’t one to be easily fooled—he immediately bit his teeth and shouted back:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why did you want to kill Wei Guan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yun Ni froze, blurted out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t like him. So I wanted to kill him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as she spoke, her face changed—while Cheng Shi smiled like a fox.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had manipulated the question, openly swapping concepts!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wanted to kill” and “killed” meant entirely different things in some contexts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in others, they were easily confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, the moment Yun Ni finished speaking, a [Memory] power sealed the area, trapping her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Qiyu stepped forward to Yun Ni’s side and without a word pressed his index finger to her forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll see when you look.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1112,"2026-06-21T06:05:06.137Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d05c5d5e8ddddb22ebff224aa7357938cec73050e7cc6c1262a6ec5b237f81fa","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-45","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-43",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-gods-foolish-game-cover.jpg"]