Chapter 878: Meeting [Fate] Again

Meeting 【Fate】 Again

When Cheng Shi opened his eyes again, he stood awkwardly in the void, not daring to make a sound.

The good news: he had shaken off the God of Fun, so at least he didn't have to worry about being beaten up by two people at once.

The bad news: the other Patron was still there, and Her gaze was growing increasingly cold; it was highly likely he would be slapped with a pile of messy charges of blasphemy again.

Why had She become so icy? Could it be related to the container he had just obtained, which was stained with the color of 【Deception】?

Cheng Shi lowered his head and eyes, trembling with fear.

The previous trial had undoubtedly caused the scales of his faith in 【Nothingness】 to tilt slightly toward 【Deception】, so until he could figure out how to package his covetousness for this container, he dared not break the silence first, lest he give Her ammunition.

But standing there being punished under the Patron's scrutinizing gaze was too terrifying, so Cheng Shi decided to butter Her up first.

Flattery never goes out of style; a greeting could never be wrong.

"Praise be to you, the great..."

"Do you wish to become a god?"

Before he could even finish his sentence, those cold eyes interrupted Cheng Shi and asked this question.

Cheng Shi froze on the spot, blinking in confusion.

"...?"

He always felt there was more to the Patron's words; it sounded like a conspiracy.

If he said yes, he didn't actually want to; the Clown just wanted some ability to protect himself under the eyes of the gods. Of course, if he could fool them, this ability could also be "cashed out" as a "special trick," just like the one promised by the God of Fun.

But if he said no... Patron, if I say no, won't you take away the container I found?

How could that be allowed!?

Cheng Shi tightened his collar, fearing the Patron would reach directly into his chest. He pondered for a moment, his eyes darting around, and suddenly an idea struck him.

"Patron, I think you've misunderstood.

I didn't obtain it out of covetousness, nor to become anything, but because I couldn't bear for something related to 【Nothingness】... *cough cough*, I couldn't bear for something related to 【Nothingness】 to be left outside, enduring loneliness, so I took it back to keep it safe for the time being.

I know both of you are very busy, so I am honored to be qualified for the position of custodian.

Of course, if you, Patron, also have similar items lost outside..."

Cheng Shi swallowed, and seeing that the pair of eyes before him showed no dissatisfaction, he continued cautiously.

"I will definitely retrieve them for you at the first opportunity and keep them safe.

Rest assured, as long as they are with me, no one can take them away.

I can swear by my devotion to you!"

"..."

Hearing these words, 【Fate】's eyes looked strange. The icy chill in Her eyes melted slightly, but deep down, there remained an essential indifference. She sized up the believer She had chosen and asked faintly:

"You still want the container of 【Fate】?"

"May I?" Cheng Shi widened his eyes, but immediately shrank his neck and said, "No, no, Patron, I mean, do I have the honor of retrieving lost old items for you?"

"Hmph, you reek of Him; it's too thick." Those eyes snorted coldly, Her tone returning to being devoid of joy or sorrow. "You need not search, for you have already found it."

Found it?

When?

Where?

Cheng Shi was stunned. He carefully recalled all his experiences, filtering through his memories for any item related to 【Fate】, but after thinking it over, he couldn't find a single object that even remotely resembled a container. He looked up blankly and asked in confusion:

"Patron, please forgive my dullness. After all, I am far removed from 【Memory】 and not very good at recalling things, so may I presumptuously ask, when did I, your most devout believer, find the container of 【Fate】?"

Those eyes looked down coldly at Cheng Shi, not fooled by his flowery words, nor did She directly answer Cheng Shi's question. Instead, She asked a new one.

A life-or-death question.

"You often claim to be devout; if so, prove your devotion to me.

Cheng Shi, do you wish to keep the container of 【Deception】, or possess the container of 【Fate】?"

"???"

Cheng Shi blurted out without thinking: "Can't I have both..."

But he quickly swallowed the remaining words in his throat, then changed his tune:

"Patron, I mean that I feel I can keep both containers well, so please rest assured. Besides, 【Nothingness】 is one big family; as a walker of 【Nothingness】, I should naturally contribute my strength to 【Nothingness】."

He said this with such conviction that even Cheng Shi had never felt so devout before.

But his sophistry was met not with 【Fate】's affirmation, but with endless cold stares.

"Greed has never belonged to 【Nothingness】."

"It belongs now, Patron, it belongs now." Cheng Shi hinted frantically. "【Filth】 never refuses, so in the era of 【Nothingness】, greed can belong to 【Nothingness】."

"..."

These words left 【Fate】 completely silent, a silence even more silencing than the previous 【Silence】.

In those eyes, the unmistakable luster of nothingness had clearly bloomed, yet She still replied coldly:

"Even if greed belongs to 【Nothingness】, it is not for you to decide.

You... forget it."

She sighed softly, and Her gaze finally softened.

"Mortals cannot possess different containers; I know your thoughts, but you can only choose one.

Is it fixed, or is it change? Cheng Shi, use your devotion to answer."

Having said this, those eyes stared at Cheng Shi, and She said no more.

Feeling that gaze as heavy as a mountain, for a moment, the Clown felt immense pressure.

Damn it, this time it really is a death trap.

Cheng Shi broke out in a cold sweat. Under the Patron's gaze, his brain spun frantically. He knew that at this moment, he absolutely could not choose according to the options provided by the other party, because no matter which "He" he "profaned," it was a grave sin.

But there were only two options; even if he didn't choose, what could he do?

Actually, the answer was simple: stall!

Whether by playing dumb or changing the subject, as long as he could grind this fatal stance question into a question of attitude, he would have a chance to deal with the current crisis.

Cheng Shi didn't know what had happened to the Patron before him, but he could feel that 【Fate】 had changed; She was different from before.

What had triggered Her change? Was it the civil war of 【Nothingness】, or had She completely parted ways with the God of Fun regarding the issue of the 【Origin】?

Cheng Shi might not be able to play dumb to stall for time in front of a god who understood the essence of the universe, but he could still ask questions. He had so many doubts in his heart; before making such a critical choice, it was reasonable to clear up his doubts, right?

As long as he could stall through this period, he didn't believe that now that the only member of the Fear Sect was in trouble, the leader of the Fear Sect would ignore him.

So Cheng Shi brainstormed for a moment, forcibly ignored 【Fate】's choice, and emboldened himself to look up and ask:

"Patron, before making a choice, I have a few questions..."

"Speak."

Cheng Shi's heart tightened, and he kept comforting Brother Mouth—yes, comforting Brother Mouth, because his next question was related to Brother Mouth, or rather, to the Whispering Tide.

Brother Mouth, Brother Mouth... I'm at death's door; as good brothers, it's not too much to ask you to take the hit for me, right?

In any case, the Whispering Tide couldn't openly refute Cheng Shi here, so seeing the other party's tacit consent, Cheng Shi tentatively asked:

"Patron, do you know... the Whispering Tide?" ===== CHAPTER 879 =====