[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-gods-foolish-game":3,"chapter-the-gods-foolish-game-the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-979":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},2362107,4617,"Chapter 979: Return to the Hallowed Ground","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-979",979,"\u003Cp>Return to the Hallowed Ground\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air was stifling, reeking of blood and decay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Eyes!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi... was paralyzed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old saying—“the dog that bites doesn’t bark”—could not be more apt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This isn’t me committing blasphemy—it’s [Truth] who said it; I’m merely borrowing it slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who wouldn’t fear a deeply calculating, patient schemer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head, swiftly snuffing out his wild thoughts, and obediently resumed his role as a devout petitioner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless, praising first could never be wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he bowed deeply and proclaimed aloud:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Praise the great [War] God, it is you who lit the cosmos with fire, who forged civilization with blood!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mankind, under your protection, has found voice, and thus civilization has grown radiant, thought has clashed and flourished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am honored to be summoned by you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May you... be well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You could never imagine that those eternal eyes, forever flowing with blood and fire, froze for an instant the moment Cheng Shi finished speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even [Deception]’s probing had not moved Him—but this audacious player’s words left Him speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, [War] himself wasn’t sure whether this was praise or provocation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d seen challenges issued, but never one issued by silencing oneself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even [Silence] wouldn’t dare this—so who the hell are you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi, of course, came from cowardice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He mentioned [Silence] not to anger [War], but to remind [War]:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Silence] is unfriendly to me, seeks to assimilate me—so I am on your side!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your will to survive... remains as strong as ever...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi took no shame, but pride—and unconsciously added a flattery: “Your bearing is as steady as ever... yes, steady.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Close call—almost slapped the wrong leg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi’s expression changed; he stole a glance, and seeing the Third God of [Civilization] made no further move, he exhaled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looks like He didn’t come to cause trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the moment this thought arose, he heard those eyes of blood and fire speak again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You recited so many divine titles—do you hope they’ll save you from my hands?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!!??”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi’s sweat broke out instantly; he had to offer a feeble excuse for his fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a “noteworthy lack of talent”!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[War] sneered coldly: “So you think... all of them combined... are less than I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi froze—dude, are you even [War]?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This shameless attitude—how is it like the Jester God? Is He playing me again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncertain—watch more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi swallowed hard, dared not answer immediately, stole a glance upward—and seeing no sternness in the eyes, muttered weakly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not that I think it, but your majesty’s grandeur truly lives up to the name [War]...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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].”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shit—this didn’t feel like that unreliable patron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the Fear Faction standoff was over; He had no reason to play another heart-to-heart with me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But why then, did [War] speak?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is He also a Close-Approach faction, allied with [Fate]?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why else would He warn me about the Jester God?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How ironic—you, a suspected violator of [Order], tell me to beware my own patron?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ha, this world’s gone mad—this isn’t trouble avoidance, this is trouble delivery!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You [War], are you trying to sow discord within my [Void]?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What, brute force isn’t enough, now you’re playing mind games?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You [Civilization] gods are truly dirty!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While seething inwardly, he outwardly bowed lower, feigning utter bewilderment:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forgive this humble one’s stupidity—what does Your Divine Majesty mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you were truly stupid... [Deception] wouldn’t spare you a glance...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I never expected your devotion to Him... would give you the courage to test me... Good. Clearly, [Deception] has not neglected you...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But have you ever considered—in this cosmos...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene was too familiar—Cheng Shi’s mind blanked, and he blurted out, completing [War]’s question:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would there be kindness without cause?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eyes showed no sign of offense—they remained still, confirming His intent was exactly that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon he straightened his back, face solemn:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Divine Majesty, forgive my boldness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You have never wronged me—so I dare guess you are not another faction seeking to thwart my patron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, let me speak plainly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I do not believe my patron’s protection is inherently ‘good,’ nor do I believe such ‘good’ is without cause.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this sentence, Cheng Shi slipped in a conceptual switch—he was not truly opening his heart, nor severing ties with [Deception].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His first clause referred to [Fate]’s protection—after all, [Fate] was also his patron; his second clause was the reply to [War].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fear Faction’s “unity” was never without cause—it was rooted in upward fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet [War] seemed to understand more than Cheng Shi assumed; He stared directly at Cheng Shi, then after a moment, shook His head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shared suffering may draw you closer... but have you considered—His method of healing... may not be your final liberation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could I not have thought of it? My greatest fear right now is exactly this!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knows what the Jester God intends—whether I’ll survive when the age ends remains a massive question mark!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But from [War]’s tone—does He intend to protect me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the Jester God of the Fear Faction, isn’t [War]’s current attitude the very definition of kindness without cause?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What scheme is He plotting?\u003C\u002Fp>",1238,"2026-06-21T06:05:16.216Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","dd725602a4515faa3405fc5d72b3e3f44885e2e9f4dd4d43fb1a602882bb47ba","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-980","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-978",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-gods-foolish-game-cover.jpg"]