Chapter 979: Return to the Hallowed Ground

Return to the Hallowed Ground

The air was stifling, reeking of blood and decay.

Cheng Shi’s vision gradually brightened; when he opened his eyes, he found he had not been teleported out of the trial—before him still lay the blood-soaked battlefield, charred as ash, the only difference being the absence of the former countless [War] soldiers, replaced instead by a pair of...

Divine Eyes!

The left eye blazed like fire, dripping molten lava; the right eye lay still as a lake, rippling with crimson waves—these twin eyes, like sun and moon coexisting over the battlefield, hung suspended in midair, gazing directly at the lucky mortal summoned beneath them.

Cheng Shi... was paralyzed.

Meeting [War] might not be terrifying, but after learning that [Order], fractured beside the Sea of Desire, was likely deeply entangled with [War], he felt a creeping dread toward this so-called patient god.

The old saying—“the dog that bites doesn’t bark”—could not be more apt.

Wait!

This isn’t me committing blasphemy—it’s [Truth] who said it; I’m merely borrowing it slightly.

Who wouldn’t fear a deeply calculating, patient schemer?

But fear won’t help, because [War] can also resonate with fear—the image of Kiyonol planting Lolel’s “body parts” into the soil of [War]’s realm still hadn’t faded from his mind...

Now Cheng Shi only hoped [War]’s fear was the fear of the Fear Faction, not something else—otherwise, he’d likely get no good outcome.

He shook his head, swiftly snuffing out his wild thoughts, and obediently resumed his role as a devout petitioner.

Regardless, praising first could never be wrong.

So he bowed deeply and proclaimed aloud:

“Praise the great [War] God, it is you who lit the cosmos with fire, who forged civilization with blood!

Mankind, under your protection, has found voice, and thus civilization has grown radiant, thought has clashed and flourished.

I am honored to be summoned by you.

The devout [Void] Wanderer, faithful [Time] believer, the one who stains history with [Chaos], diligent servant before the [Death] Hall, proxy of the [Prosperity] and [Decay] theocracies, witness to the birth of history by [Birth], observer of the [Foolish] gamble, alternate candidate for the [Silence]’s assimilation of puppets—Cheng Shi, greets you.”

“May you... be well.”

“...”

You could never imagine that those eternal eyes, forever flowing with blood and fire, froze for an instant the moment Cheng Shi finished speaking.

Even [Deception]’s probing had not moved Him—but this audacious player’s words left Him speechless.

For a moment, [War] himself wasn’t sure whether this was praise or provocation.

He’d seen challenges issued, but never one issued by silencing oneself.

Even [Silence] wouldn’t dare this—so who the hell are you?

Cheng Shi, of course, came from cowardice.

He mentioned [Silence] not to anger [War], but to remind [War]:

[Silence] is unfriendly to me, seeks to assimilate me—so I am on your side!

But this long-winded, foul-smelling list of titles failed to move [War]; He merely stared silently at Cheng Shi, then after a long pause, uttered one sentence:

“Your will to survive... remains as strong as ever...”

Cheng Shi took no shame, but pride—and unconsciously added a flattery: “Your bearing is as steady as ever... yes, steady.”

Close call—almost slapped the wrong leg.

Cheng Shi’s expression changed; he stole a glance, and seeing the Third God of [Civilization] made no further move, he exhaled slightly.

Looks like He didn’t come to cause trouble.

But the moment this thought arose, he heard those eyes of blood and fire speak again:

“You recited so many divine titles—do you hope they’ll save you from my hands?”

“!!??”

Cheng Shi’s sweat broke out instantly; he had to offer a feeble excuse for his fear.

“Not at all!

This mortal body cannot bear to gaze upon the true visage of a god—only by chanting the names of the gods can I summon the courage to hear Your divine decree, and make myself even remotely worthy of Your summons.”

What a “noteworthy lack of talent”!

[War] sneered coldly: “So you think... all of them combined... are less than I?”

“?”

Cheng Shi froze—dude, are you even [War]?

This shameless attitude—how is it like the Jester God? Is He playing me again?

Uncertain—watch more.

Cheng Shi swallowed hard, dared not answer immediately, stole a glance upward—and seeing no sternness in the eyes, muttered weakly:

“Not that I think it, but your majesty’s grandeur truly lives up to the name [War]...”

“What a cunning tongue, deceiving the world!” The eyes burst into a loud laugh, then suddenly fell silent: “But you’ve drawn too close to Him—beware [Deception].”

“!!!”

Shit—this didn’t feel like that unreliable patron.

After all, the Fear Faction standoff was over; He had no reason to play another heart-to-heart with me.

But why then, did [War] speak?

Is He also a Close-Approach faction, allied with [Fate]?

Why else would He warn me about the Jester God?

How ironic—you, a suspected violator of [Order], tell me to beware my own patron?

Ha, this world’s gone mad—this isn’t trouble avoidance, this is trouble delivery!

You [War], are you trying to sow discord within my [Void]?

What, brute force isn’t enough, now you’re playing mind games?

You [Civilization] gods are truly dirty!

While seething inwardly, he outwardly bowed lower, feigning utter bewilderment:

“Forgive this humble one’s stupidity—what does Your Divine Majesty mean?”

“If you were truly stupid... [Deception] wouldn’t spare you a glance...

I never expected your devotion to Him... would give you the courage to test me... Good. Clearly, [Deception] has not neglected you...

But have you ever considered—in this cosmos...”

The scene was too familiar—Cheng Shi’s mind blanked, and he blurted out, completing [War]’s question:

“Why would there be kindness without cause?”

The eyes showed no sign of offense—they remained still, confirming His intent was exactly that.

Cheng Shi fell silent. He had been silenced again by the same question—but this time, the asker was a true god, and the answerer was himself.

But soon he straightened his back, face solemn:

“Divine Majesty, forgive my boldness.

You have never wronged me—so I dare guess you are not another faction seeking to thwart my patron.

If so, let me speak plainly.

I do not believe my patron’s protection is inherently ‘good,’ nor do I believe such ‘good’ is without cause.”

In this sentence, Cheng Shi slipped in a conceptual switch—he was not truly opening his heart, nor severing ties with [Deception].

His first clause referred to [Fate]’s protection—after all, [Fate] was also his patron; his second clause was the reply to [War].

The Fear Faction’s “unity” was never without cause—it was rooted in upward fear.

But Cheng Shi could not yet determine which faction [War] belonged to, so he dared not elaborate on specifics, nor risk this fear being the wrong kind [War] expected.

Yet [War] seemed to understand more than Cheng Shi assumed; He stared directly at Cheng Shi, then after a moment, shook His head.

“Shared suffering may draw you closer... but have you considered—His method of healing... may not be your final liberation?”

“!!!”

How could I not have thought of it? My greatest fear right now is exactly this!

No one knows what the Jester God intends—whether I’ll survive when the age ends remains a massive question mark!

But from [War]’s tone—does He intend to protect me?

Why?

Compared to the Jester God of the Fear Faction, isn’t [War]’s current attitude the very definition of kindness without cause?

What scheme is He plotting?