Chapter 59: Drunk with Life, Dreaming of Death

Drunk with Life, Dreaming of Death

When a difficult problem has multiple solutions, people often lean toward seeking the simplest one.

Unaware that in determining which solution is simplest, they have inadvertently increased the difficulty of the problem.

Since Tarot cannot be found, the remaining two solutions are only Fang Jue and Mo Qiusi.

In terms of difficulty, Mo Qiusi is naturally easier than Fang Jue.

Since Fang Jue has been identified as the murderer, both the Law Enforcement Bureau and the Grand Tribunal must be guarding him with the strictest security.

It is nearly impossible to see him.

But Mo Qiusi is different; even if he is elusive, as long as a key excuse is found, one can still take a gamble.

And Cheng Shi already has an excuse—just need to refine or exaggerate it slightly...

According to ordinary thinking, most would try to see Mo Qiusi first.

But Cheng Shi is not ordinary.

He abandoned the idea of approaching either of them, shifted his thinking, and instead chose to make others come to him.

As to why he could make them come to him.

Naturally...

【When Fear Arrives】

Cheng Shi entered an alley and, in the shadows, pulled out the semi-divine artifact from his chest.

The vivid red glow was as dazzling as ever; the aura of 【Death】 and 【Corruption】 swirled along the blade’s edge, thick and terrifying.

The matter was simple: if, at the moment the true killer was captured, someone else still died in the town, it proved the captured killer was not necessarily the true one—at least one murderer remained at large.

So now, all that was needed was to find one lucky soul, to somewhat clear Fang Jue’s suspicion and ignite Mo Qiusi’s “passion” to continue hunting the killer.

But who should this lucky soul be?

Cheng Shi wandered the town’s streets all day with the weapon in his pocket, unable to select a suitable target.

Until the moon reached its zenith, he returned outside the inn and saw the band of drunkards who were friends of the “Bard” Ados.

They were about to leave, heading elsewhere.

Cheng Shi smiled knowingly.

Look, here they come.

He hurried after them, quietly listening to their sighs and complaints.

“After the murderer was caught, the nights became quiet—so boring.”

“I miss the days when Ados was around; though his stories were terrifying, at least they were interesting.”

“I think you miss Ados’s money, not Ados himself.”

“Hahaha, same thing, sigh—without big news to talk about, even drinking loses its flavor.”

“...”

These revelers, who thrived on chaos, didn’t care if anyone died—they only cared whether they could find amusement to drink and chatter about.

If others were present, they’d surely sneer at them.

But Cheng Shi wouldn’t—he only silently praised inwardly:

Look, what perfect targets they are—even making me want to put down my killing urge.

He pulled his hood tighter over his head, quickened his steps, passed them, then stopped and turned around.

The drunkards were startled by Cheng Shi’s sudden stop; they halted, confused, and asked in unison:

“Hey, what are you doing? Don’t block the way.”

“Move aside, no money—go find Ados, he’s got cash.”

“Who are you? What do you want?”

Cheng Shi’s face hid in the hood’s shadow as he grinned, then extended his hand from his robe’s sleeve.

His hand clenched something tightly, barely visible in the dim moonlight.

The men didn’t grow angry at Cheng Shi’s silence; instead, they found his behavior intriguing.

“What’s that? Are you selling something?”

“Want to test your strength? Think you can take on all five of us?”

“Hey, pal, open your hand—show us what’s inside. If it’s good, I won’t mind spending a little to buy it.”

Just waiting for you to say that!

Cheng Shi’s lips curled as he said mysteriously:

“Naturally, it’s good. I’m an alchemist; this is a new drug I’ve developed—I call it ‘Drunk with Life, Dreaming of Death.’

Take one pill, and you’ll immediately enter the ‘Dreaming of Death’ state—externally identical to true death, even your heart stops beating.

Even the Grand Tribunal’s judges cannot tell the difference.

But!

It differs from death, because in the ‘Dreaming of Death’ state, your senses remain intact: you hear surrounding sounds, feel touches, and if you can ‘die with eyes open,’ you’ll see everything your unblinking eyes can perceive.

The effect lasts twenty-four hours; no external stimulus can break it.

Stage a death, then enjoy others’ panic.

How about it? Want one?”

No sooner had he finished than he heard the men’s breathing grow heavy.

Their heartbeats thundered like drums, composing an exhilarating symphony in the silent night!

Intrigued!

So damn intrigued!

For a group of drunkards who lived for amusement, this was tailor-made divine medicine!

Indeed, it was tailor-made.

Cheng Shi just made it up.

The offering to the Void once again forged the “offering.”

Originally, Cheng Shi’s palm held only a few candy beans—but the instant these drunkards fixed their burning gazes and heated breaths upon him, the beans’ essence underwent a radical transformation.

“Drunk with Life, Dreaming of Death”—crafted.

“How much?!”

“How many do you have?”

“Did you come alone?”

?

Brother, your thoughts are dangerous.

Even if I came alone, what do you plan to do?

Rob me?

Sorry to disappoint you—I was planning to give them away for free anyway.

“Oh, if you’re interested and willing to help me test the drug, I’ll give these to you for free.”

“Free?”

“Really?”

“All of them?!”

The men’s greedy, almost violent glances faded; their eyes burned with desire.

“Of course.” Cheng Shi opened his palm, revealing five pills.

Not one more, not one less—one for each.

The moment the drunkards saw the pills, they snatched them without hesitation and swallowed them whole.

Praise 【Prosperity】—in this town where no one ever dies, experiencing death for a day is the greatest amusement.

“How long until it takes effect?”

“Immediately.”

No sooner had he spoken than the five men collapsed one after another.

“Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud.”

The night fell silent again.

Their hearts stopped beating; their body temperatures dropped rapidly, like corpses.

Cheng Shi smiled and kicked one of the drunkards beside him, dragging them into a nearby alley.

By tomorrow morning, the town would have another explosive news story to fuel even greater panic.

Having done this, Cheng Shi strode back to the inn.

As for any trace of his presence on the street, he never erased a single one.

Lying on his bed, Cheng Shi stared at the ceiling, silently thinking:

“Come, Mo Qiusi—see how quickly you can find me.”

The third night.

Another sleepless night.

Inside the inn, Cheng Shi was the only player left.